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Science News Archive 2026 - Page 432


Page 432 of 518

The Lancet: Single daily pill shows promise as replacement for complex, multi-tablet HIV treatment regimens

A new daily oral tablet combining bictegravir and lenacapavir (BIC/LEN) was found to be highly effective in maintaining HIV suppression, with nearly 96% of participants who switched to this simplified regimen maintaining viral suppression. The treatment showed similar results compared to complex, multi-pill treatments.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateFeb 25, 2026

Risk of whale entanglement in fishing gear tied to size of cool-water habitat

Research finds that humpback whales face a higher risk of getting entangled in fishing equipment during years with lower availability of cool-water habitat. The Habitat Compression Index can predict ocean conditions up to a year in advance, suggesting its potential as an early warning system for fishery management decisions.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Climate·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 25, 2026

Yawns in healthy fetuses might indicate mild distress

A study published in PLOS One found that fetuses who yawned more frequently during pregnancy had a lower birth weight, suggesting mild fetal distress. The research observed healthy fetuses between 23-31 weeks and recorded their yawning behavior using ultrasound.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS One·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 25, 2026

Researchers sharpen understanding of how the body responds to energy demands from exercise

A new study published in Science Advances has shed light on how the body responds to energy demands from exercise, identifying a crucial cell signaling mechanism that could lead to a new treatment for diabetes. The research focuses on Adenosine Monophosphate-Activated Protein Kinase (AMPK), a regulator of energy production, and reveals...

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 25, 2026

Flagging claims about cancer treatment on social media as potentially false might help reduce spreading of misinformation, per online experiment with 1,051 US adults

An online experiment with 1,051 US adults suggests flagging potentially false cancer treatment claims on social media can help reduce the spread of misinformation. The study found that intervening and reducing sharing of false information on social media may have a positive impact on public health.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS One·DateFeb 25, 2026

New “lock-and-key” chemistry

Researchers have developed a new chemistry-based strategy to localize therapeutic drugs to tumors, reducing harm to healthy tissues. The 'lock-and-key' system uses biorthogonal supramolecular chemistry to release drugs in specific locations, offering a potential path to safer and more precise cancer treatment.

SourceSyracuse University·JournalAngewandte Chemie·DateFeb 25, 2026

Don’t Panic: ‘Humanity’s Last Exam’ has begun

A global consortium created an exam with 2,500 questions spanning multiple subjects to assess AI capabilities. Current AI models consistently fail the exam, highlighting gaps in their understanding. The project aims to provide a long-term benchmark for evaluating advanced AI systems and demonstrate the importance of human expertise

SourceTexas A&M University·JournalNature·DateFeb 25, 2026

A risk factor for liver disease: your parent’s body weight

A recent study from WashU Medicine found a strong correlation between parental obesity and the risk of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) in children. Research analyzing data from the UK Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children showed that maternal obesity was associated with a 2.9-fold increase in ...

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalGut·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 25, 2026

Citizens engage with information in different ways during a crisis – understanding this can support public authorities’ communication efforts

A recent study in Finland identified four distinct citizen engagement profiles during a health crisis: those prioritizing accuracy, plausibility, credibility, and cohesion. Understanding these differences can support public authorities' communication efforts to promote collaboration and informed decision-making.

SourceUniversity of Eastern Finland·JournalInternational Journal of Public Sector Management·DateFeb 25, 2026

Gallbladder cancer could soon be detected in blood, study finds

A study by Tezpur University and University of Illinois has identified distinct metabolic patterns in blood that can distinguish gallbladder cancer cases from noncancerous conditions. The researchers detected hundreds of altered metabolites and identified markers with high diagnostic accuracy for each condition.

New research sheds light on why eczema so often begins in childhood

Researchers found that young mice developed strong skin inflammation in response to everyday allergens, revealing a brief window of vulnerability. The study suggests that early childhood represents a critical period for immune-driven skin disease, and that targeting this period may prevent allergic diseases from spreading.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 25, 2026

Water: the unlikely hero in creating next-generation green hydrophobic materials for environmental cleanup

A new mechanochemical approach uses water as a catalyst to transform renewable resources into high-performance porous materials capable of capturing CO2 while removing pollutants. The method produces carbon-negative materials with exceptional hydrophobic characteristics and scalable production.

SourceJournal of Bioresources and Bioproducts·JournalJournal of Bioresources and Bioproducts·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 25, 2026

Faith as a driver of climate commitment

A new study explores how religious faith can complement climate science, providing hope, meaning, and motivation for continued action. Faith-based activists in Sweden and South Africa reveal that spirituality gives them strength and direction to commit to climate issues.

SourceUppsala University·TypeCase study·DateFeb 25, 2026

Unlearning fear faster

Researchers discovered that inhibiting nerve cells in the brain, known as CRF neurons, can speed up the process of unlearning fear. This finding has implications for treating post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety disorders, suggesting that targeting specific brain regions may provide new therapeutic options.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalTranslational Psychiatry·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 25, 2026

The Frontiers of Knowledge Award goes to Charles Manski for incorporating uncertainty into economic research and its application to public policy analysis

Charles F. Manski is recognized for his pioneering contributions to measuring uncertainty in economic research and its application to public policy analysis. His work has profoundly influenced empirical research across various fields, encouraging economists to rely on credible and transparent inference.

Heat and pregnancy

The article discusses current evidence on risks of ambient heat to pregnant women, including hot weather and occupational exposures. Effective strategies for managing heat-related risks are also highlighted as critical for maintaining maternal health.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA·DateFeb 25, 2026

The Institute of New Imaging Technologies at the UJI leads the European FAIR GAME project to protect children in online gaming environments

The European FAIR GAME consortium aims to create participatory mechanisms that foster digital literacy, strengthen mental wellbeing and embed practices grounded in children's fundamental rights in online gaming environments. The project seeks to bring about cultural and structural change in gaming platform policies and standards.

From bud to brew: Multi-omics study decodes tea leaf development

Researchers used single-nucleus RNA sequencing and metabolomics to map tea leaf development, identifying distinct cell types and dynamic shifts in phytohormones and flavonoids. The study reveals how key genes coordinate leaf expansion and flavonoid biosynthesis, offering a cellular-level framework for understanding tea flavor and quality.

Access to safe water fails in the face of extreme heat, even in wealthy cities

A recent study highlights the link between water security and adaptability of homes in urban centers of the Global North to extreme heat. Household water security is not universal, even in the wealthiest cities, forcing vulnerable households to limit their water consumption, compromising their ability to adapt to extreme heat.

SourceUniversitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC)·Journalnpj Urban Sustainability·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateFeb 25, 2026

An endangered natural pharmacy hidden in coral reefs

Researchers have identified new microbial species in corals that produce unique natural products, offering a vast arsenal of potential benefits to humanity. The study highlights the importance of protecting coral reefs' microbiomes to tap into this untapped resource before it's lost forever.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature·DateFeb 25, 2026

International AI Art Biennale in Kraków

The International AI Art Biennale brings together artists, experts, and researchers to explore the role of AI in culture, art, and science. The event features exhibitions, performances, and a scientific conference that focuses on creative dialogue and education with AI.