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Science News Archive 2026 - Page 462


Page 462 of 519

A smarter way to watch biology at work

Researchers have developed a device that cuts sample consumption by as much as 97% while producing high-quality structural data for X-ray crystallography. This innovation enables the study of rare proteins and accelerates drug discovery, unlocking new insights into disease mechanisms.

SourceArizona State University·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 5, 2026

Powerful AI can help diagnose substance use disorder

A new study uses AI to predict substance use disorder-defining behaviors with high accuracy, providing a tool for clinicians to assess patients and offer timely treatment. The system utilizes concepts familiar in economics to evaluate human judgments and identify the type of substance used and severity of addiction.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·Journalnpj Mental Health Research·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 5, 2026

SCAI applauds signing of accelerating kids’ access to Care Act, removing Medicaid barriers to life-saving interventional cardiology care

The Accelerating Kids’ Access to Care Act removes administrative barriers, enabling children with complex or congenital medical conditions to access out-of-state specialty care. This legislation ensures timely, coordinated care for children in need of lifesaving treatment from highly specialized pediatric interventional cardiologists.

Biochemists establish new method for identifying pharmaceutical candidates faster

A team of biochemists at UC Santa Cruz has developed a new approach that significantly shortens the process of finding biologically beneficial molecules. They achieved synthesis of kainic acid in just two steps, overcoming traditional challenges in screening and identifying promising enzyme variants.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Cruz·JournalCell Reports Physical Science·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 5, 2026

New white paper on emotional intelligence as a driver of organizational wellness published by the University of Phoenix College of Doctoral Studies

Research Fellow Chanell Russell's new white paper explores how emotionally intelligent leadership enhances workplace cultures, reduces preventable strain and promotes long-term effectiveness. The study synthesizes research across psychology, leadership studies and health administration to emphasize the systemic importance of organizati...

Apes share human ability to imagine

Researchers at Johns Hopkins University demonstrate that apes can use their imagination and play pretend, challenging long-held assumptions about animal cognition. The findings suggest that the capacity to understand pretend objects is within the cognitive potential of enculturated apes.

SourceJohns Hopkins University·JournalScience·DateFeb 5, 2026

Inaugural ASU–Science Prize Recognizes Research that Serves Farmers from the Ground Up

Meha Jain's research uses satellite data and machine learning to understand how smallholder farms adapt to climate change, revealing nuanced patterns of groundwater use and environmental impact. Her work aims to inform sustainable production strategies for food security, with a focus on identifying effective interventions.

Increasing pesticide toxicity threatens UN goal of global biodiversity protection by 2030

A new study reveals that current pesticide use trends fall short of the 50% reduction target by 2030, threatening global biodiversity. The research team analyzed global pesticide data and found significant increases in applied toxicity, driven by higher amounts applied and growing toxicity of active ingredients.

Overcoming centrosymmetric constraints -- electric-field-induced second-harmonic generation paves the way for next-generation nonlinear photonics

Researchers have discovered a method to generate Second-Harmonic Generation (SHG) in silicon, a material previously limited by its centrosymmetric crystal structure. Electric-Field-Induced Second-Harmonic Generation (EFISH) enables the realization of SHG in these materials by applying a static electric field.

SourceCompuscript Ltd·JournalOpto-Electronic Advances·DateFeb 5, 2026

Major step toward a quantum-secure internet demonstrated over city-scale distance

Researchers have successfully demonstrated device-independent quantum key distribution over 100 km optical fibers, marking a significant step towards a quantum-secure internet. The breakthrough achieves provably secure quantum key generation over long distances using entangled atoms linked by high-quality optical fibers.

Penn Nursing study identifies key predictors for chronic opioid use following surgery

A new systematic review and meta-analysis by Penn Nursing researchers has identified four primary patient-related risk factors that predict chronic opioid use after surgery. These include Medicaid enrollment, preoperative benzodiazepine use, mood disorders, and anxiety. The study's findings provide a roadmap for clinicians to implement...

Babies are born with a sense of rhythm, study suggests

Researchers found that newborns as young as 2 days old can anticipate rhythmic patterns, indicating an innate ability to recognize rhythm. However, they struggled to predict melodic changes, suggesting that melody may be learned through exposure.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 5, 2026

New paper urges caution as FDA plans to phase out animal testing in drug development

The FDA's plan to phase out animal testing in drug development has raised concerns among experts about the potential risks of relying on new methodologies. Researchers emphasize the need for rigorous validation and evidence-based approaches to ensure the safety and effectiveness of these alternative methods.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalTrends in Biotechnology·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateFeb 5, 2026

Charter schools lead to similar improvements in outcomes for students with and without disabilities

A study from Michigan State University found that charter schools lead to similar improvements in attendance and academic outcomes for students with disabilities as those without. After switching to a charter school, students with disabilities saw an increase in resource program participation and a decrease in cognitive programs.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalEducation Finance and Policy·DateFeb 5, 2026

Special strength training with lighter weights effectively strengthens muscle health and metabolism in type 2 diabetes

A new study shows that blood flow restriction training (BFRT) effectively strengthens muscle health and metabolism in type 2 diabetes, reducing visceral fat and improving mitochondrial function. BFRT is a low-impact alternative to classic strength training with heavy weights, promoting better insulin action and cardiovascular health.

SourceDeutsches Zentrum fuer Diabetesforschung DZD·JournalCell Metabolism·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 5, 2026

Fentanyl is changing how doctors treat opioid use disorder

A new national survey found that nearly three-quarters of clinicians encounter obstacles when starting buprenorphine treatment for patients using fentanyl. Researchers emphasize the need for evidence-based guidelines to initiate buprenorphine in light of more potent drugs.

SourcePenn State·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeSurvey·DateFeb 5, 2026

HKU and UCLA scientists uncover the mechanism powering “space battery” above auroral regions

A new study by HKU and UCLA scientists reveals that Alfvén waves act as an invisible power source, driving charged particles into the atmosphere and producing glowing auroral lights. The research provides a definitive answer to the physics of Earth's aurora and offers a universal model applicable to other planets in our solar system.

SourceThe University of Hong Kong·JournalNature Communications·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 5, 2026

The brain uses eye movements to see in 3D

Researchers at the University of Rochester found that the brain analyzes global patterns of image motion caused by eye movements to understand how objects move and where they are located in 3D space. This discovery challenges conventional ideas that image motion produced by eye movements is visual noise to be subtracted off.

SourceUniversity of Rochester Medical Center·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 5, 2026