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Science News Archive 2026 - Page 469


Page 469 of 519

‘Masculinity crisis’: Influencers on social media promote low testosterone to young men, study finds

A new study found that social media influencers are promoting unproven claims about low testosterone in young men, framing common experiences as hormonal deficiencies. The content is linked to the manosphere, encouraging hyper-masculine ideals and positioning testosterone as a way for men to reclaim power and status.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalSocial Science & Medicine·TypeContent analysis·DateFeb 3, 2026

Validation of SOFA-2 score in sepsis and exploration of its extension with additional immune markers

The study validates the use of SOFA-2 in sepsis care and research, demonstrating its ability to identify clinically meaningful organ dysfunction. The findings suggest that incorporating immune markers may not improve predictive performance, highlighting the biological complexity of sepsis.

SourceJournal of Intensive Medicine·JournalJournal of Intensive Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 3, 2026

Probiotics for plants

Research reveals that probiotics can enhance root development and nitrogen uptake in plants, improving growth without excess fertilizer use. The Sphingopyxis genus supports plant function, offering a potential solution to reduce environmental impact of agriculture.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalNature Plants·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 3, 2026

Internationally renowned clinical geneticist Dr. John C. Carey to receive the 2026 David L. Rimoin Lifetime Achievement Award from the ACMG Foundation for Genetic and Genomic Medicine

Dr. John C. Carey, a globally respected clinical geneticist and educator, will receive the 2026 David L. Rimoin Lifetime Achievement Award for his career-defining contributions to medical genetics. He has authored over 400 peer-reviewed articles and co-authored widely used textbooks.

Overcoming the stability-dynamics trade-off in polymers

A team from Donghua University has developed a new molecular design that improves the performance of photothermally healable elastomers. The resulting material, PIB5Cu, achieves all-round upgrades in toughness, tensile strength, photothermal conversion efficiency and healing efficiency.

SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 3, 2026

Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation survey finds 93% of IBD community supports predictive testing and prevention strategies

A new survey by the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation found that 93% of people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or at risk for it would be interested in a test to predict their risk of developing IBD. Lifestyle interventions, such as diet and exercise, were preferred over pharmaceutical approaches.

SourceCrohn's & Colitis Foundation of America·JournalCrohn s & Colitis 360·TypeSurvey·DateFeb 3, 2026

For people with traumatic brain injury and their caregivers, recovery of basic communication is an “acceptable” outcome

A study by Mass General Brigham found that individuals with traumatic brain injury and their caregivers consider recovery of basic communication an 'acceptable' outcome, challenging traditional assumptions about what constitutes a 'favorable' recovery. The study highlights the need for person-centered approaches to TBI outcome research.

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalCritical Care Medicine·TypeSurvey·DateFeb 3, 2026

Oxygen-modified graphene filters boost natural gas purification

Researchers at Chiba University developed oxygen-functionalized graphene membranes that selectively separate carbon dioxide from methane while maintaining high permeability. The study demonstrates the potential of graphene-based filtration systems for next-generation gas purification, enabling cheaper and cleaner energy production.

SourceChiba University·JournalCarbon·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 3, 2026

RCT demonstrates effectiveness of mylovia, a digital therapy for female sexual dysfunction

A randomized controlled trial demonstrates the effectiveness of mylovia, a digital therapy for female sexual dysfunction, showing significant improvements in sexual function and related symptoms. The study suggests that mylovia can provide women with a self-guided intervention to overcome sexual dysfunction and experience deeper pleasure.

SourceGAIA (Germany)·Journalnpj Digital Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateFeb 3, 2026

Psilocybin shows context-dependent effects on social behavior and inflammation in female mice modeling anorexia

Researchers found that psilocybin reduced novelty-seeking in control mice, but heightened it in anorexia model mice. Inflammation levels were also altered, contradicting expectations based on human studies. The study's findings have implications for understanding anorexia nervosa and the potential therapeutic effects of psychedelics.

SourceGenomic Press·JournalPsychedelics·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 3, 2026

Unexpected partial recovery of natural vision observed after intracortical microstimulation in a blind patient

A blind patient partially recovered natural vision through electrical stimulation of the visual cortex, independent of the implant. The recovery was sustained over time and remained even after the device was removed, suggesting individual factors may have contributed to this outcome.

SourceUniversidad Miguel Hernandez de Elche·JournalBrain Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 3, 2026

The environment shapes the organization of ant societies

Research reveals three major types of ant societies: small colonies with a single queen and diverse workers in tropical regions, large colonies with multiple queens and uniform workers in deserts, and temperate regions with polygynous and monomorphic colonies. Environmental conditions shape these social structures on a global scale.

SourceUniversity of Lausanne·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 2, 2026

Quantifying physical performance and identifying knee injury risk factors in rugby players

A longitudinal study has identified key physical performance indicators that contribute to severe knee injuries in rugby players. The analysis found associations between direct contact injuries and greater severity and burden, as well as a high limb symmetry index for hip internal rotation strength and hip extension strength.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalThe Journal of Physical Fitness and Sports Medicine·DateFeb 2, 2026

Nonlocal metasurfaces unlock efficient, steerable third‑harmonic light generation

Researchers have created a nonlinear metasurface that efficiently generates and steers visible light through controlled geometric phase. The device combines high-Q resonance enhancement with pixel-level control of the wavefront, enabling compact chip-based visible/UV sources and LiDAR beam steering.

HKUST pioneers computational models for transregional neural activity to re-establish damaged neural connectivity, offering new hope to patients

Researchers at HKUST have developed a novel reinforcement learning-based generative model to predict neural signals and create an artificial information pathway bypassing damaged brain areas. This breakthrough offers new possibilities for neural rehabilitation in patients with motor or cognitive impairments.

SourceHong Kong University of Science and Technology·JournalNature Computational Science·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 2, 2026