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Science News Archive 2026 - Page 387


Page 387 of 516

Wristband enables wearers to control a robotic hand with their own movements

Researchers at MIT have developed an ultrasound wristband that precisely tracks hand movements, allowing users to control a robotic hand or manipulate virtual objects. The device produces high-quality images of the wrist's muscles and tendons, which are then translated into specific hand positions, enabling precise movement control.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Electronics·DateMar 25, 2026

Cactus catalogue could help plant’s prickly problem

A new open access database of cactus ecology and evolution could help scientists and conservationists save species from the brink. The CactEcoDB offers an unprecedented window into the evolution, ecology and conservation needs of one of the world's most distinctive and endangered plant families.

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalScientific Data·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 25, 2026

Dormice weight fluctuates as climate changes

New research suggests that climate change causes dormice to gain weight before hibernation but lose weight after, potentially as a result of smaller bodies losing heat faster. The study also found that habitats with higher density hedgerows were associated with heavier dormice.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalScientific Reports·DateMar 25, 2026

Study finds a pregnancy complication that can increase a child’s risk of heart disease

A Rutgers Health study found that children born to mothers with premature placental separations are three times more likely to develop or die from cardiovascular disease. This risk is higher among those younger than 12 months old, and pregnant women over 35 or experiencing twin pregnancies are also at increased risk.

SourceRutgers University·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·TypeObservational study·DateMar 25, 2026

HPV vaccination uptake in adults shaped by knowledge and medical advice

A nationwide survey in Switzerland found that HPV vaccination uptake among adults was lower than among adolescents, with only 27% of those aged 18-45 vaccinated. The survey also revealed significant differences between genders, age groups, and levels of knowledge about HPV, highlighting the need for targeted information and tailored co...

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 25, 2026

Are mercury levels elevated across US conservation lands?

A study analyzing dragonfly larvae found moderate to high-risk mercury sites across 30 US National Wildlife Refuges, posing threats to fish, wildlife, and human health. The research provides baseline measurements for tracking change and informs future management actions to reduce mercury bioaccumulation.

SourceWiley·JournalThe Journal of Wildlife Management·DateMar 25, 2026

The polar bear ‘umbrella’: How protecting one species saves many

A new study reveals that protecting polar bear habitat naturally safeguards the resources they rely on to survive, providing critical benefits to the ecosystem. By analyzing tracking data from 355 bears, researchers identified a high-use area near Cape Churchill, Manitoba, highlighting it as a prime location for a Marine Protected Area.

SourceSan Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance·JournalArctic Science·TypeLiterature review·DateMar 25, 2026

Preserving polarization while boosting light from atomically thin semiconductors with silicon nanospheres

Researchers have demonstrated that silicon nanospheres can enhance second-harmonic generation in monolayer transition-metal dichalcogenides while preserving valley-polarization information. The study provides design guidelines for efficient, polarization-preserving nonlinear light sources at the nanoscale.

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalNano Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 25, 2026

Community music education a key youth wellbeing strategy

A new Edith Cowan University study investigates the positive impact of community music education programs in regional Australia on the wellbeing of adolescents and young adults. The study found that CMEPs satisfy psychological needs relatedness, competency, and autonomy, promoting human flourishing.

SourceEdith Cowan University·JournalResearch Studies in Music Education·TypeCase study·DateMar 25, 2026

Effect of teachers' responses to school bell on social tension in classroom interactions

A new study by Doshisha University found that teachers' deliberate actions at the start of a lesson, such as responding to the school bell, can create social tightness or looseness. Teachers who enforced strict rules and verbal prompts maintained tightness, while those with more relaxed approaches created loose occasions for students.

SourceDoshisha University·JournalLinguistics and Education·TypeObservational study·DateMar 25, 2026

Mapping radar scattering onto 3D targets

A new SAR interpretation method links bright scattering patterns to specific 3D structures, improving target analysis and physically grounded SAR simulation. The approach outperformed existing methods in image quality evaluation, processing time, and physical interpretability.

SourceJournal of Remote Sensing·JournalJournal of Remote Sensing·DateMar 24, 2026

International researchers develop practical recommendations to strengthen cancer microbiome research

International researchers have developed a checklist of best practices for cancer microbiome research, emphasizing the importance of preventing contamination and validating findings. The guidelines aim to improve reproducibility and confidence in the field, supporting future discoveries about microbes and cancer.

High-performance catalytic membranes slash costs and boost efficiency in pharmaceutical wastewater treatment

Researchers developed high-performance catalytic membranes using MXene nanosheets and microfiltration techniques, achieving efficient removal of emerging contaminants like antibiotics from pharmaceutical wastewater. The membranes showed improved stability, antifouling performance, and permeation flux, cutting treatment costs by over 30%.

Sharper forest insights from spaceborne LiDAR

A new study found that ignoring woody parts and using one representative leaf spectrum have minor effects on simulated waveforms, while assuming a uniform foliage area volume density causes larger errors. The research provides guidance for designing faster analytical models that remain physically reliable.

SourceJournal of Remote Sensing·JournalJournal of Remote Sensing·DateMar 24, 2026

Iron, carbon, and the art of toxic cleanup

Researchers at Tongji University have discovered that ferrihydrite is a highly effective mineral in trapping chromium and storing organic carbon. This finding has significant implications for environmental remediation, enabling the development of nature-based solutions to clean up contaminated mine soils while sequestering carbon.

SourceBiochar Editorial Office, Shenyang Agricultural University·JournalCarbon Research·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 24, 2026

Brewing protein from greenhouse gases: A greener, more profitable alternative to farming

A new study by Beijing University of Chemical Technology proves that feeding methane to bacteria outperforms traditional soy and fish meal in both ecological savings and financial returns. The bacterial alternative eliminates the need for arable land and fresh water, effectively halting deforestation and marine depletion.

SourceBiochar Editorial Office, Shenyang Agricultural University·JournalCarbon Research·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 24, 2026

Powering the future of South Asia: The economic math behind carbon neutrality

A collaborative study from The University of Haripur and China University of Mining and Technology provides a concrete roadmap for balancing regional wealth with environmental health. To achieve true carbon neutrality, governments must aggressively fund renewable energy grids and realign outdated industrial frameworks.

Finding order in disorder: A new mechanism that amplifies transverse electron transport

A study by researchers at Pohang University of Science & Technology discovered that engineered disorder can amplify transverse electron transport in magnetic materials. The findings suggest that deliberately using disorder in materials design could lead to new opportunities in spintronics and thermoelectric energy-conversion technologies.

SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMar 24, 2026

Turning crop waste into climate solutions: Biochar reduces greenhouse gas emissions in bamboo forests

A new study reveals that biochar can significantly reduce nitrous oxide emissions from forest soils, shifting them from a source to a potential climate solution. Biochar was found to suppress key microbial genes responsible for producing N2O while increasing the abundance of microbes that convert it into harmless nitrogen gas.

SourceBiochar Editorial Office, Shenyang Agricultural University·JournalBiochar·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 24, 2026

New research suggests FDA should consider redesign of proposed nutrition labels

A new study published in The Lancet Public Health suggests that the FDA's proposed nutrition label should be redesigned to highlight products high in added sugar, sodium, or saturated fat. Researchers found that an 'easy-to-understand' label design made it easier for consumers to identify healthier choices.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalThe Lancet Public Health·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMar 24, 2026

Parenting programs can improve wellbeing for families from diverse backgrounds

A new study published in The Lancet Public Health found that community-based parenting programmes like Strengthening Families, Strengthening Communities can improve family wellbeing and reduce health inequalities. Parents who participated reported higher levels of mental wellbeing and improved relationships with their children.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalThe Lancet Public Health·TypeObservational study·DateMar 24, 2026

Breast cancer recurrence remains low, even after ten years, with radiotherapy tailored to patient’s individual risk

A recent study found that breast cancer recurrence remains low even after ten years when patients receive tailored radiotherapy. The research involved 848 patients who underwent chemotherapy and surgery, and showed that radiotherapy can be reduced or eliminated in low-risk patients, leading to a significant decrease in side effects.

Breast reconstruction using polyurethane-coated implants reduces scarring and the need for further surgery

A new study shows that polyurethane-coated breast implants are associated with lower rates of capsular contracture and the need for corrective surgery after radiotherapy. Women who received these implants had a significantly lower risk of developing scarring and needing further surgery compared to those who received standard implants.