Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News Archive 2026 - Page 391


Page 391 of 516

Baking the earth to cool the sky: How tailored biochar can dial down agricultural emissions

A comprehensive meta-analysis reveals that biochar functions as a highly active biological regulator, restructuring the earth to boost porosity and moisture retention. Biochar disrupts the soil's nitrogen cycle by suppressing specific enzyme activities, slowing down processes like nitrification and denitrification.

SourceBiochar Editorial Office, Shenyang Agricultural University·JournalCarbon Research·TypeMeta-analysis·DateMar 23, 2026

Beyond green tech: the real reason digital economies drive down carbon emissions

A spatial analysis of 259 Chinese cities shows that digital transformation drives environmental progress by optimizing broader industrial structures. Governments should focus on upgrading entire industrial ecosystems rather than waiting for isolated technological miracles to solve the carbon crisis.

SourceBiochar Editorial Office, Shenyang Agricultural University·JournalCarbon Research·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 23, 2026

Mediterranean diet may boost mitochondrial signals linked to heart and brain health

Researchers found that people following a Mediterranean-style diet have higher levels of humanin and SHMOOSE, which are linked to protection against cardiovascular disease and neurodegeneration. The study suggests that specific components of the Mediterranean diet may directly influence mitochondrial biology.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalFrontiers in Nutrition·TypeObservational study·DateMar 23, 2026

To understand how the human brain ages, science reveals new insights from mice

Researchers used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to scan the brains of 82 mice at various stages of aging and found similar changes in both humans and mice. The study suggests that understanding age-related brain decline in mice could lead to new insights into human brain aging.

SourceThe Zuckerman Institute at Columbia University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 23, 2026

New discovery reveals hidden driver of deadly brain cancer

Researchers at Adelaide University identified CD47 as a critical mechanism driving glioblastoma growth and spread. The study found that removing or blocking CD47 reduced tumour cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, leading to improved survival times in animal models.

SourceAdelaide University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 23, 2026

Why a canceled meeting feels so liberating

A study by Gabriela Tonietto and colleagues found that unexpectedly gained time feels subjectively longer, leading people to choose longer activities. Participants in the study opted for longer tasks or leisure activities when given extra time, as they perceived it as more abundant.

SourceRutgers University·JournalJournal of the Association for Consumer Research·DateMar 23, 2026

Bee dancing is better with the right audience

A recent study on honey bees' waggle dance reveals that the dance's precision is influenced by audience size and composition. When there are more observers, dancers become less precise, suggesting that the performer adjusts its movements to engage with a larger crowd, ultimately conveying critical information about food sources.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 23, 2026

Closer to deciphering TOR, the molecular machinery that makes humans and yeast grow

TOR protein's molecular switch regulator, SEA complex, has been structurally solved by CNIO researcher Lucas Tafur. The study reveals that SEA doesn't regulate TOR in the way previously thought, providing new insights into understanding cancer and disease prevention.

SourceCentro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (CNIO)·JournalNature Structural & Molecular Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 23, 2026

Successful use of high-pressure freezing for cell cryopreservation

Researchers from the University of Tokyo successfully developed a high-pressure freezing method that reduces CPA concentration to 20-30% and improves cell viability and metabolic activity. The method holds promise for cryopreservation in regenerative medicine research, with potential applications in drug testing and cell transplantation.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalPNAS Nexus·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 23, 2026

Beyond climate resilience: the science of thriving in a chaotic world

A study from Michigan State University reveals that extreme weather can actually strengthen certain ecosystems, leading to increased productivity and resilience. The researchers found that phytoplankton species, which are crucial for removing carbon dioxide from the air, thrive when temperature fluctuations increase.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalThe American Naturalist·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 23, 2026

Study makes promising advances in accurately diagnosing sepsis

A new study published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine found that an early and rapid diagnostic test for sepsis significantly reduced mortality, especially among patients from the most deprived communities. However, the study also showed no difference in the speed of intravenous antibiotic initiation.

SourceUniversity of Liverpool·JournalThe Lancet Respiratory Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMar 23, 2026

Study: New explanation for unique ‘negative superhump’ features of deep-space binary star systems

A team of astrophysicists offers a new explanation for negative superhumps in cataclysmic variable star systems, proposing an eccentric accretion disk model. This theory explains the prevalence of negative superhumps across a wide range of binary star masses and may also explain positive superhumps in high mass ratio systems.

SourceUniversity of Nevada, Las Vegas·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·TypeObservational study·DateMar 23, 2026

A roadmap for egocentric vision research

A new survey maps the major tasks in egocentric vision research, including subject understanding, object understanding, environment understanding, and hybrid understanding. The study identifies bottlenecks that limit progress, but also offers a roadmap for next-generation human-centered AI systems.

SourceMaximum Academic Press·JournalMachine Intelligence Research·DateMar 23, 2026

New blood marker reduces the risk of a false diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease

Researchers at Lund University have developed a new blood marker that significantly improves the accuracy of Alzheimer's diagnosis. The study found that combining two biomarkers, p-tau217 and eMTBR-tau243, can identify people with established Alzheimer's disease with an accuracy rate of around 80%. This breakthrough reduces false posit...

SourceLund University·JournalThe Lancet Neurology·TypeObservational study·DateMar 23, 2026

Amid new findings that more migratory species of animals are facing extinction nations gather in Brazil to agree on actions

Nations are coming together at the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) to address declining population trends and extinction threats among migratory species. The meeting aims to establish conservation policies and protections for over 2,000 species under threat.

Island Scholarship launched

The Island Scholarship programme aims to draw more talent to Orkney, supporting population retention and attraction on Scottish islands. Fifteen postgraduate students will have their fees paid in full for specialist MSc courses, with applications now open.

Massey researchers lead international collaboration of first-ever, multi-platform digital atlas of oral tissues

The study provides a breakthrough understanding of the immunoregulatory nature of human tissues, revealing that fibroblasts serve as core regulators of structural immunity in the mouth. The findings lay the groundwork for targeted modulation of fibroblast activity to improve health outcomes in fibrosis, cancer, and autoimmunity.

SourceVirginia Commonwealth University·JournalCell Press Blue·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 23, 2026

Exploring preterm baby brain development

Researchers discovered that mild hypoxia shortly after birth hinders learning and memory into adulthood through altered neuron-to-neuron communication in the hippocampus. The study also found a second protein involved in hypoxia's effects on this channel's functioning, which was restored when targeted.

SourceSociety for Neuroscience·JournalJNeurosci·DateMar 23, 2026

Negative emotions at work aren’t always harmful—empathetic leaders make the difference

Research by David Lebel and colleagues found that only half of the relationships between negative emotions and workplace outcomes were harmful during the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead, many showed no effect or even positive effects, highlighting the importance of empathetic leadership in moderating these outcomes.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalJournal of Occupational Health Psychology·TypeMeta-analysis·DateMar 23, 2026

Improving heart health may not be enough to protect against Alzheimer’s disease

Researchers found that exercise and aggressive cardiovascular risk reduction improved heart health, but did not produce measurable cognitive benefits over two years in older adults at risk for Alzheimer's disease. The study highlights a critical gap between vascular risk reduction and brain health.

SourcePennington Biomedical Research Center·JournalJAMA Neurology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMar 23, 2026

Children with obesity are at risk of disease despite normal test results

A new study published in JAMA Pediatrics finds that children with obesity but without metabolic complications still face a significantly increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and abnormal blood lipid levels later in life. Treatment can greatly benefit these children, reducing the risk of future diseases.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·TypeObservational study·DateMar 23, 2026