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Science News Archive 2026 - Page 445


Page 445 of 519

What freezing plants in blocks of ice can tell us about the future of Svalbard’s plant communities

Svalbard's polar willow plant community, a critical food source for reindeer, was found to be resilient to icing due to consistent production above-ground during summer warming. The study suggests that even with extensive winter ice encasement, some plants can thrive through increased above-ground production and seed dispersal.

SourceNorwegian University of Science and Technology·JournalJournal of Ecology·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 18, 2026

Augmented reality menus may help restaurants attract more customers, improve brand perceptions

A new study found that augmented reality (AR) menus can significantly increase customer interest in visiting a restaurant and result in positive word-of-mouth marketing. The effectiveness of AR menus also depends on how well the technology aligns with a restaurant's overall brand image.

SourceWashington State University·JournalInternational Journal of Hospitality Management·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 18, 2026

A new vascularized tissueoid-on-a-chip model for liver regeneration and transplant rejection

Researchers developed a vascularized liver tissueoid-on-a-chip that recapitulates key structural, functional, and immunological features of human liver tissue. The platform enabled the study of liver regeneration and immune-mediated allograft rejection in a physiologically relevant human system.

SourceTerasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation·JournalAdvanced Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 18, 2026

Power grids to epidemics: study shows small patterns trigger systemic failures

Researchers identified small clusters of interacting components that act as amplifiers, triggering outsized reactions in complex systems. These clusters can control how strongly a system reacts after a disruption, and their presence can determine the stability of entire systems.

SourceFlorida Atlantic University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 18, 2026

CHEST announces first class of certified critical care advanced practice providers awarded CCAPP Designation

The American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST) has certified its first class of critical care advanced practice providers with the CCAPP designation. This achievement recognizes their dedication to high-quality patient care and their role in supporting multidisciplinary critical care teams. The CCAPP certification is designed to vali...

Babies are exposed to more “forever chemicals” before birth than previously known, new study finds

Researchers used advanced chemical detection to estimate a newborn's total PFAS exposure, detecting 42 confirmed or putatively identified PFAS chemicals in umbilical cord blood. The study found that infants are exposed to a wide range of PFAS before birth, including perfluorinated chemicals and fluorotelomers.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateFeb 18, 2026

Jeonbuk National University researchers develop an innovative prussian-blue based electrode for effective and efficient cesium removal

Researchers at Jeonbuk National University have developed a new Prussian-blue based electrode that can effectively remove cesium from water. The electrode, made by combining Prussian blue with chemically treated carbon cloth, demonstrates high capacity for cesium adsorption and excellent reusability.

SourceJeonbuk National University, Sustainable Strategy team, Planning and Coordination Division·JournalChemical Engineering Journal·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 18, 2026

How can you rescue a “kidnapped” robot? A new AI system helps the robot regain its sense of location in dynamic, ever-changing environments

A hierarchical 3D LiDAR localization method improves robot positioning in large outdoor spaces even after seasonal changes. The method integrates deep learning techniques to extract discriminative local features from 3D point clouds, making it robust to environmental variability.

SourceUniversidad Miguel Hernandez de Elche·JournalInternational Journal of Intelligent Systems·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 18, 2026

A holiday to better recovery

A study of 77,947 patients found that those over 80 and with low initial ADL scores benefited from holiday rehabilitation. This suggests prioritizing interventions for elderly and independent individuals can lead to better outcomes.

SourceOsaka Metropolitan University·JournalAnnals of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 18, 2026

Scientists develop a new method to decode how DNA 'switches' control gene activity

Scientists developed a new technique called e2MPRA to study cis-regulatory elements (CREs) that control gene expression. The method combines enrichment with epigenomic profiling, enabling researchers to directly link what a CRE does with how it functions under identical conditions.

SourceInstitute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (ASHBi), Kyoto University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 17, 2026

3D-printing platform from MIT researchers rapidly produces complex electric machines

MIT researchers create a 3D-printing platform that can produce complex electric machines in minutes, overcoming challenges of multiple functional materials. The platform enables the fabrication of customized electronic components with less waste, revolutionizing manufacturing and opening doors to new applications.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalVirtual and Physical Prototyping·DateFeb 17, 2026

A clearer future: Researchers unveil transparent, plastic-free wood

Scientists at The University of Osaka develop transparent, plastic-free wood without lignin or additives, showcasing the crucial role of cellulose microfibril skeleton alignment in achieving transparency. This breakthrough paves the way for sustainable transparent materials with applications in energy-efficient buildings and devices.

SourceThe University of Osaka·JournalMacromolecular Materials and Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 17, 2026

Achieving cross-coupling reactions of fatty amide reduction radicals via iridium-photorelay catalysis and other strategies

This method successfully solves the challenge of generating C,N,N-trialkyl α-amino radicals in aliphatic amides, enabling gram-scale reactions with low catalyst loadings. The reaction exhibits good functional group tolerance, making it suitable for late-stage modification of complex molecules.

SourceChinese Chemical Society·JournalCCS Chemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 17, 2026

Shorter may be sweeter: Study finds 15-second health ads can curb junk food cravings

A new Edith Cowan University study found that advertisements encouraging healthy choices can reduce cravings and intentions to consume unhealthy foods. In some cases, a 15-second message may be more effective than traditional 30-second commercials, especially for those with higher BMI categories.

SourceEdith Cowan University·JournalHealth Promotion Journal of Australia·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 17, 2026

Mask-wearing during COVID-19 linked to reduced air pollution–triggered heart attack risk in Japan

A nationwide Japanese study of 270,000 patients found that widespread mask-wearing during the pandemic significantly lowered PM2.5-associated risk of MINOCA, a non-obstructive type of heart attack. The study suggests that simple protective measures like mask use can mitigate cardiovascular risks associated with air pollution.

SourceKumamoto University·JournalEuropean Heart Journal·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 17, 2026

Family relationships identified in Stone Age graves on Gotland

In a new study, researchers at Uppsala University clarified family relationships in four graves from a 5,500-year-old hunter-gatherer culture at Ajvide on Gotland. DNA analyses suggest that the people were well aware of family lineages and that relationships beyond the immediate family played an important role. The analysis showed that...

SourceUppsala University·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·DateFeb 17, 2026

Organic soil amendments work together to help sandy soils hold water longer, study finds

A long-term field experiment shows that combining biochar with compost and sludge can improve how sandy soils retain water, reducing cumulative drainage by over 40%. The triple combination of biochar, sludge, and compost formed a more stable soil structure that retained water more effectively than any single amendment alone.

SourceBiochar Editorial Office, Shenyang Agricultural University·JournalBiochar·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 17, 2026

An international team of astronomers led by UMass Amherst may have just found one of the missing links in galaxy evolution

A team of astronomers led by UMass Amherst has discovered a population of dusty, star-forming galaxies at the edge of the universe, formed 13 billion years ago. These galaxies are linked to ultrabright, young galaxies and massive quiescent galaxies, providing new insights into galaxy evolution.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateFeb 17, 2026

Nanoparticle-based gene editing could expand treatment options for cystic fibrosis

UCLA researchers have developed a novel gene-editing approach using lipid nanoparticles to deliver a full-length CFTR gene into human airway cells. The study shows promise for treating cystic fibrosis by correcting the underlying genetic mutation, which could lead to more effective and long-term therapies.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateFeb 17, 2026

Nonprofit leader Diane Dodge to receive 2026 Penn Nursing Renfield Foundation Award for Global Women’s Health

The University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing will honor Diane Dodge with the 2026 Penn Nursing Renfield Foundation Award for her visionary leadership in addressing maternal health barriers. The award supports Tiba Foundation's efforts to scale the Boda Girls model, providing one million health services over five years.

Air pollution may directly contribute to Alzheimer’s disease

A large cohort study found that air pollution exposure increases the risk of Alzheimer's disease, particularly in individuals who have experienced a stroke. The study suggests that improving air quality could be an important way to prevent dementia and protect older adults.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 17, 2026