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Science News Archive 2026 - Page 396


Page 396 of 516

Topology helps build more robust photonic networks

Researchers have shown that topology can guide multiple, information-carrying light signals through chip-based photonic communication systems, making them more powerful and reliable. This breakthrough could enable the creation of networks of chips that communicate using light while taking advantage of topology's robustness.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalNature Physics·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 19, 2026

Flexible, stretchable, on-chip optical tweezers

Researchers developed flexible, stretchable on-chip optical tweezers (FSOT) that can trap a wide range of bioparticles across different size scales. The innovation enables high-throughput trapping beyond the diffraction limit, conformal operation on curved biological surfaces, and tunable inter-cellular interaction studies.

ECOG-ACRIN completes enrollment for 600-patient clinical trial focused on frontline therapy for advanced melanoma

The ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group has completed enrollment of 600 patients in the phase 2/3 trial EA6141, evaluating dual checkpoint blockade with nivolumab and ipilimumab plus sargramostim for unresectable stage 3 or 4 melanoma. The trial aims to assess overall survival, progression-free survival, and treatment tolerability.

Kimchi-derived probiotic found to promote binding and excretion of intestinal nanoplastics

A kimchi-derived lactic acid bacterium has been found to promote the removal of nanoplastics from the body by binding to them in the intestine. The study shows a high adsorption efficiency of the probiotic against polystyrene nanoplastics, with a notable increase in fecal excretion in animal experiments.

SourceNational Research Council of Science & Technology·JournalBioresource Technology·DateMar 19, 2026

New estimates of uncounted COVID-19 deaths reveal critical gaps in US death investigation system

A new study found that over 155,000 US deaths between March 2020 and December 2021 were not officially recorded as COVID-19 deaths, highlighting critical gaps in the death investigation system. These unrecognized deaths disproportionately affected certain populations, including racial and ethnic minorities.

SourceBoston University School of Public Health·JournalScience Advances·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 19, 2026

Mechanical properties of Afghan vault integral structures based on simulated lunar soil

Researchers developed a self-locking Afghan vault structure for lunar construction, identifying optimal angles for stability under static and seismic loads. The study provides a theoretical foundation for in-situ resource utilization on the Moon, enabling robust shielding shells to protect habitats from radiation and meteorite impacts.

SourceELSP·JournalSmart Construction·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 19, 2026

European Psychiatric Association rolls out landmark action plan to modernize care and protect vulnerable mental health communities across Europe

The European Psychiatric Association has launched an action plan to address unmet needs in psychiatric care, focusing on brain health, treatment delivery, stigma reduction, and preventive measures. The plan aims to improve diagnostic accuracy and precision care through its 80,000-psychiatrist network.

Engineered biochar and beneficial bacteria team up to boost crop growth

Researchers developed a specially engineered biochar made from sewage sludge that significantly enhances plant growth when combined with beneficial bacteria. The biochar-bacteria combination improved nitrogen cycling and increased the abundance of beneficial soil microbes, leading to greater plant nutrition and growth.

SourceBiochar Editorial Office, Shenyang Agricultural University·JournalBiochar·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 19, 2026

Gut microbiota and the gut–brain axis: Mechanisms and therapeutic hopes for brain diseases

The gut microbiota influences the central nervous system (CNS) through neural, immune, endocrine, and metabolic pathways. Dysregulation of this axis is linked to various neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders, including depression, schizophrenia, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease.

SourceChinese Medical Journals Publishing House Co., Ltd.·JournalChinese Medical Journal·TypeLiterature review·DateMar 19, 2026

Uncovering structural cue use in second-language sentence processing

A study led by Waseda University's Associate Professor Chie Nakamura investigated how listeners interpret structurally ambiguous sentences using eye-tracking technology. The researchers found that listeners actively build sentence structure in real-time, predicting how the sentence will continue before all information is available.

SourceWaseda University·JournalFrontiers in Language Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 19, 2026

How do thirsty plants hold out during drought?

Salk Institute scientists created a high-resolution atlas showing how droughts affect plant cells. They identified a gene, Ferric Reduction Oxidase 6 (FRO6), that could be targeted to create more resilient crops. FRO6 expression in mesophyll cells partially maintained leaf growth under drought stress.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalNature Plants·DateMar 19, 2026

Biochar particle size found to shape disease control in crops

Researchers found that the particle size of biochar impacts its effectiveness in controlling soil-borne diseases, with fine biochar acting quickly but losing effectiveness over time. Coarse biochar, on the other hand, provides a slower yet more sustained protective effect by releasing nutrients and organic compounds into the soil.

SourceBiochar Editorial Office, Shenyang Agricultural University·JournalBiochar·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 19, 2026

Changing shower and toilet habits could help close England’s 5 billion litre water gap, Surrey-led research finds

A new report suggests that changing domestic shower and toilet habits could help close England's projected 5 billion litre daily water shortfall. The report identifies key behaviour change targets, including reporting or fixing in-home leaks, showering, and flushing toilets, and argues that effective behaviour change depends on underst...

When the Earth moved

A new study published in Science reveals that tectonic plates began moving around 3.5 billion years ago, with the Pilbara Craton in western Australia showing evidence of plate movement and drift. The research used ancient rock samples to track the motion of the plates, providing insights into Earth's history and evolution.

SourceHarvard University·JournalScience·DateMar 19, 2026

Cerebrovascular lesions in down syndrome do not follow a linear course

A longitudinal study on individuals with Down syndrome reveals that cerebrovascular lesions do not follow a linear course, fluctuating and even decreasing over time. The analysis shows significant variability in the evolution of these lesions, particularly in regions already affected by Alzheimer's disease.

SourceInstitut de Recerca Sant Pau (Sant Pau Research Institute)·JournalAlzheimer’s & Dementia·TypeObservational study·DateMar 19, 2026

Anti-interference diffractive deep neural networks for multi-object recognition

A recent paper introduces a novel optical neural network architecture that can accurately recognize target objects in the presence of multiple interferences. The system achieves high recognition accuracy across diverse scenarios, including complex settings with dynamic interferences.

Researchers discover way for motors to mimic real muscles

Scientists have created a network of simple mechanical motors that replicate the key features of actomyosin, the molecular machinery underpinning human muscle contraction. The system 'self-organised' into coordinated travelling waves of motion and automatically adapted as the mechanical load increased, just like human muscles.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalJournal of The Royal Society Interface·DateMar 19, 2026

Tumor-informed liquid biopsy suggests structural-variant ddPCR can monitor high-grade serous ovarian cancer

A novel method for monitoring on-treatment disease burden in high-grade serous ovarian cancer uses tumor-informed breakpoints-spanning ddPCR, detecting superior sensitivity and specificity compared to real-time PCR. The approach may enable sensitive and specific detection of minimal residual disease and early relapse detection.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalOncoscience·TypeNews article·DateMar 19, 2026

Striking a chord: How music primes our minds for connection

A new study published in The Journal of Neuroscience found that listening to harmonically consonant chord progressions during face-to-face interaction strengthens neural activity in brain areas associated with social perception, emotional processing, and interpersonal connection. This suggests that music may help promote social bonding...

Replicating bacteria DNA relies on accordionlike folds to separate

Researchers at Rice University discovered that bacterial cells use SMC proteins to enable the separation of their circular chromosomes during replication. This process relies on repulsive forces strengthened by SMC, allowing the cell to split neatly into two with its own copy of DNA.

SourceRice University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 19, 2026

Meat consumption and cognitive health by APOE genotype

A new study published in JAMA Network Open suggests that high meat consumption is associated with better cognitive trajectories and lower dementia risk among individuals with the APOE 34/44 genotype. The finding contradicts previous expectations, highlighting potential clinical and public health relevance for this population.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateMar 19, 2026