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Science News Archive 2026 - Page 443


Page 443 of 519

New research forecasts the impacts of fire on birds

Up to 30% of bird diversity hotspots in the western US face threats from high-severity wildfires, which could eliminate critical forest habitats. However, up to 58% of hotspots are predicted to experience low-severity fires, creating potential refuges for forest-dependent species.

SourceCornell University·JournalNature Communications·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 18, 2026

Global scientific paper establishes first consensus definition of gut health

A global group of scientists and clinicians has established the first consensus definition of gut health, encompassing both physiological function and individual symptoms. The new framework provides a basis for measuring and improving gut health, with applications for researchers and clinical management of digestive health.

SourceInternational Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics·JournalNature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology·TypeLiterature review·DateFeb 18, 2026

National analysis maps hospital vulnerability to flood-driven traffic disruptions

A German nationwide study uses a new simulation approach to map hospital vulnerability to flood-driven traffic disruptions. 75 hospitals across Germany are identified at risk of patient surges beyond their regular capacity due to an increase in demand by more than 30 percent.

SourceGFZ Helmholtz-Zentrum für Geoforschung·JournalCommunications Earth & Environment·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 18, 2026

Major advance in dry-electrode EV batteries

Researchers at the University of Chicago have developed a new dry-processed electrode architecture that improves battery performance, reduces cost, and has environmental benefits. The dry process eliminates toxic solvents and creates a more robust battery with better conductivity.

SourceUniversity of Chicago·JournalNature Energy·DateFeb 18, 2026

Enjoyment, not time, drives how people judge goal progress

A study by Cornell University found that people prioritize enjoyment over time when evaluating their progress toward goals in fitness, education, and careers. In one study, participants who enjoyed a workout reported making more progress despite taking less time than those who didn't enjoy the activity.

SourceCornell University·JournalJournal of the Association for Consumer Research·DateFeb 18, 2026

Mindfulness practices found to significantly reduce depression symptoms, especially for those with early-life adversity

A new study found that mindfulness practices can significantly reduce depression symptoms in people who have experienced early-life adversity. The study, led by Eric Loucks, found that participants in the Mindfulness-Based Blood Pressure Reduction Program showed significant improvements in depression symptoms compared to those in an en...

SourceBrown University·JournalHealth Psychology·DateFeb 18, 2026

Complexity key to preventing infection after heart surgery

Researchers from Duke University found that uniform materials without complexity are the culprit behind deadly infections after heart surgery. Bioengineered grafts with decellularized tissue can greatly reduce complications. The study suggests designing new solutions similar to vascular tissue in interior complexity.

SourceDuke University·JournalBiomedical Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 18, 2026

Seaweed farms: dynamic blue carbon systems

Researchers discover that seaweed farms drive a climate-friendly feedback by producing alkalinity, which shifts the chemistry of the water and removes CO2. The process is more permanent than previously thought, making seaweed farms an ideal system for carbon sequestration.

SourceUniversity of Connecticut·JournalNature Communications·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 18, 2026

Research alert: Understanding substance use across the full spectrum of sexual identity

A study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry reveals higher rates of substance use among all non-heterosexual groups in the US, including those uncertain of their identity. The analysis highlights the importance of recognizing a broader range of sexual identities in public health research and clinical practice.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalAmerican Journal of Psychiatry·DateFeb 18, 2026

Power generation increased by up to 70 per cent when wind turbines were combined with tidal/wave installations

Researchers from the University of Surrey found that combining wind turbines with wave, solar, and tidal devices on shared platforms generates more reliable power and reduces construction costs. The study identified hybrid offshore renewable energy harvest systems as crucial for meeting ambitious climate targets.

SourceUniversity of Surrey·JournalEnergy Conversion and Management·DateFeb 18, 2026

Robust frozen dynamics observed on a quantum system

Duke University researchers have observed statistical localization in a neutral-atom platform, where most configurations of quantum bits remain effectively frozen. This phenomenon has implications for robustly storing information in a quantum system and could be a powerful feature of quantum mechanics.

SourceDuke University·JournalNature Physics·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 18, 2026

Rising simultaneous wildfire risk compromises international firefighting efforts

Scientists warn that synchronised extreme fire weather, characterized by warm and dry conditions, has increased worldwide since 1979, straining international firefighting cooperation. The number of high-risk days with simultaneous fires is more than doubling, making wildfires harder to tackle and increasing air quality issues.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalScience Advances·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 18, 2026

Selected dog breeds with most breathing trouble identified in new study

A new study has identified the most affected dog breeds when it comes to breathing difficulties, revealing that certain characteristics like a flat face and overweighed physique are associated with Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS). The research found that Pekingese and Japanese Chin are at high risk, while others such ...

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS One·TypeSurvey·DateFeb 18, 2026

Rewriting our understanding of early hominin dispersal to Eurasia

A team of geoscientists and anthropologists has reconstructed a more precise timeline of H. erectus arrival in China, confirming the presence of the species at Yunxian, China 1.7 million years ago. The revised timeline challenges long-held assumptions about early human dispersal and raises questions about alternative species that may h...

SourceUniversity of Hawaii at Manoa·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 18, 2026

New center for cell research

The new center combines large-scale equipment and methods to study individual cells in detail, detecting molecular differences and analyzing reactions to biochemical or genetic changes. This enables new perspectives for medical diagnostics and research, including personalized medicine.

Honey bee "dance floors" can be accurately located with a new method, mapping where in the hive forager bees perform waggle dances to signal the location of pollen and nectar for their nestmates

Researchers have developed a new method to map the location of honey bee 'dance floors,' where forager bees perform waggle dances. This method allows for accurate quantification and comparison of waggle dance regions, enabling better understanding of honey bee communication.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS One·DateFeb 18, 2026

Pollen counts can be predicted by machine learning models using meteorological data with more than 80% accuracy even a week ahead, for both grass and birch tree pollen, which could be key in effectively treating hayfever

Researchers developed machine learning models that accurately forecast pollen counts for both grass and birch tree pollen, enabling early warning systems. This breakthrough could lead to more effective hayfever treatments by allowing individuals to take preventative measures before symptoms appear.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS One·DateFeb 18, 2026

Binge drinking isn’t just a young person’s issue; it’s a serious later-life mortality risk

A new study from the University of Toronto found that binge drinking among adults aged 50 and older is associated with a significantly increased risk of death. After adjusting for health status and socioeconomic factors, individuals who never engaged in binge drinking had a 19% lower mortality risk compared to weekly binge drinkers.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalAlcohol·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 18, 2026

How age, sex and genetics shape our antibodies

A study found that age, biological sex, and human genetic factors determine the quantity and specificity of antibodies produced in response to viral infections. The research has significant implications for vaccine and therapeutic design, as it shows that individual profiles can be tailored to improve treatment effectiveness.

SourceInstitut Pasteur·JournalNature Immunology·TypeCase study·DateFeb 18, 2026

Simplifying quantum simulations – through symmetry

Physicists Guido Burkard and Joris Kattemölle from the University of Konstanz have developed a method to simplify quantum simulations by harnessing symmetry, streamlining the calculation process for complex systems. By using recurring patterns in the quantum systems, they significantly reduce the required computational effort.

SourceUniversity of Konstanz·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateFeb 18, 2026

Stopping fatal blood loss with clay

Developing a lifesaving device that can stop fatal blood loss in seconds, researchers at Texas A&M University have made significant breakthroughs. By using clay minerals and nano-silicate particles, the team has created injectable hemostatic bandages that reduce bleeding time by nearly 70%.

SourceTexas A&M University·JournalAdvanced Science·DateFeb 18, 2026

Researchers recommend a verification phase for measuring adolescents’ maximal oxygen uptake

A Finnish study found that verifying adolescents' maximal oxygen uptake requires a brief phase to ensure reliable results. The researchers also discovered that different time averaging strategies can significantly affect the final measurement values, highlighting the need for explicit strategy specification.

SourceUniversity of Jyväskylä - Jyväskylän yliopisto·JournalEuropean Journal of Applied Physiology·DateFeb 18, 2026