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Science News Archive 2026 - Page 467


Page 467 of 519

CFC replacements behind hundreds of thousands of tonnes of global ‘forever chemical’ pollution

A new study reveals that CFC replacement chemicals and anaesthetics are behind a third of a million tonnes of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) being deposited from the atmosphere across the Earth's surface between 2000 and 2022. TFA production is expected to continue growing, posing environmental concerns.

SourceLancaster University·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 4, 2026

Windows into the past: Genetic analysis of Deep Maniot Greeks reveals a unique genetic time capsule in the Balkans

A new study found that the people of Deep Mani represent one of the most genetically distinctive populations in Europe, with many lineages tracing back to the Bronze Age, Iron Age, and Roman period. The research team discovered that present-day Deep Maniot men descend from a single male ancestor who lived in the 7th century CE.

SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalCommunications Biology·DateFeb 4, 2026

High consumption of ultraprocessed foods may be linked to cancer survivors’ risk of death

Research suggests that consuming high amounts of ultraprocessed foods is linked to a significantly increased risk of death in cancer survivors. The study, published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, found that individuals who consumed more ultraprocessed foods had higher rates of all-cause and cancer-specific mortality.

SourceAmerican Association for Cancer Research·JournalCancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention·DateFeb 4, 2026

No increased risk of rectal cancer in ulcerative proctitis

A new study published in Gastroenterology has investigated the link between ulcerative proctitis and rectal cancer, revealing no increased risk in patients with isolated proctitis. The study followed nearly 16,000 people with ulcerative proctitis for over ten years, finding a low incidence of rectal cancer and precancerous lesions.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalGastroenterology·DateFeb 3, 2026

Team develops smart synthetic material inspired by octopus skin

A team of researchers developed a programmable smart skin out of hydrogel that can be used to encrypt or decrypt information, enable adaptive camouflage and power soft robotics. The material's dynamic control over optical appearance, mechanical response and surface texture can be adjusted using external stimuli.

SourcePenn State·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 3, 2026

How a heart medication could unlock a new targeted approach in lymphoma

A team of researchers at VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center has discovered an innovative way to use a drug already approved in treating irregular heartbeat to selectively target specific functions of enzymes in lymphoma, effectively killing cancer cells and reducing tumor growth with little to no toxicity. The study found that RBF4...

SourceVirginia Commonwealth University·JournalPharmacological Research·DateFeb 3, 2026

University of Cincinnati study: New treatment guidelines needed for chronic kidney disease patients

A new study from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine emphasizes the need for updated treatment guidelines on reproductive health among patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The survey of 104 nephrologists found that sexual and menstrual health were rarely discussed, highlighting barriers to counseling.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalKidney International Reports·TypeSurvey·DateFeb 3, 2026

Battling the other 'Alzheimer's protein': Studies ID a novel way to stop toxic tau

Scientists have discovered a new strategy to prevent the formation of toxic tau tangles in brain cells, which are linked to neurodegenerative diseases. By targeting polyserine, an amino acid chain that drives tau misfolding, researchers have found a potential preventative treatment for tauopathies.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 3, 2026

UK polling clerks struggle to spot fake IDs, study reveals

A recent study by the University of York found that UK polling clerks made mistakes in 36% of cases when tested with real ID documents. The findings challenge the assumption that human checks are a reliable barrier against voter fraud, highlighting the need for improved training methods and alternative security measures.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalRoyal Society Open Science·DateFeb 3, 2026

Unsupervised strategies for naïve animals: New model of adaptive decision making inspired by baby chicks, turtles and insects

A new Royal Society paper proposes a model of adaptive decision making in naïve animals, showing early biases are surprisingly widespread and interact to support survival. This 'unsupervised strategy' can help inexperienced animals and artificial intelligence reduce the need for training.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·TypeLiterature review·DateFeb 3, 2026

How mindfulness can support GenAI use in transforming project management

A recent study revealed the critical connection between mindfulness and the adoption of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) in project management. Project managers with higher mindfulness levels tend to be more open, attentive, and creative in crafting their immediate work environment, encouraging them to explore how GenAI can o...

SourceEdith Cowan University·JournalInternational Journal of Project Management·TypeSurvey·DateFeb 3, 2026

Physical fitness of transgender and cisgender women is comparable, current evidence suggests

A pooled data analysis of 52 studies involving 6485 people found that transgender women have similar upper and lower body strength, cardiorespiratory fitness, and muscle mass compared to cisgender women. However, their physical fitness is comparable despite greater muscle mass 1-3 years after hormone therapy.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalBritish Journal of Sports Medicine·TypeSystematic review·DateFeb 3, 2026

Air ambulance pre-hospital care may make surviving critical injury more likely

A study analyzing 3225 trauma patients in South East England found that air ambulance pre-hospital care significantly improved survival rates, with 2125 patients exceeding 30-day survival. Those most likely to benefit were severely injured patients with moderate probability of survival, who unexpectedly survived for 30 days.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalEmergency Medicine Journal·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 3, 2026

No need for rare earths or liquid helium! Cryogenic cooling material composed solely of abundant elements

A new regenerator material composed solely of copper, iron, and aluminum can achieve cryogenic temperatures without using rare-earth metals or liquid helium. The material utilizes a special property called frustration found in magnetic materials to demonstrate practical-level performance.

SourceNational Institute for Materials Science, Japan·JournalScientific Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 3, 2026

Pregnancy, breastfeeding associated with higher levels of cognitive function for postmenopausal women

A new study by UCLA anthropology professor Molly Fox found that pregnancy and breastfeeding are associated with stronger long-term cognitive ability in postmenopausal women. The study used data from the Women’s Health Initiative Memory Study and the Women’s Health Initiative Study of Cognitive Aging, which assessed over 7,000 women age...

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalAlzheimer’s & Dementia·DateFeb 3, 2026

Backward walking study offers potential new treatment to improve mobility and decrease falls in multiple sclerosis patients

A study published in the Journal of Neurologic Physical Therapy found that backward walking training improved postural stability and gait speed in most participants with multiple sclerosis. The researchers suggest that this therapy may promote neuroplasticity and be a potential new treatment for improving mobility and decreasing falls.

SourceWayne State University - Office of the Vice President for Research·JournalJournal of Neurologic Physical Therapy·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 3, 2026

Emotional support from social media found to reduce anxiety

A new study by University of Arkansas researchers found that social media can help reduce anxiety in young adults with high openness to experience, extraversion, agreeableness, and low conscientiousness. The study showed strong associations between emotional support on social media and reduced anxiety symptoms, especially among females.

SourceUniversity of Arkansas·JournalPsychiatry International·TypeSurvey·DateFeb 3, 2026

MIT research shows new tissue models could help researchers develop drugs for liver disease

The MIT research team has designed a new type of tissue model that accurately replicates the physiology of the liver, including blood vessels and immune cells. The model was used to study metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and showed promising results in identifying potential treatments.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 3, 2026

Why parents turn to social media about kids’ drug use

A study by Harvard Medical School and the University of Texas at Arlington found that parents seeking advice on substance use from online peers can be misled by misconceptions. The research suggests that while social media offers a unique window into parental concerns, it should complement evidence-based guidance rather than replace it.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Arlington·JournalJournal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs·TypeContent analysis·DateFeb 3, 2026