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Science News Archive 2026 - Page 487


Page 487 of 519

How molecules move in extreme water environments depends on their shape

Researchers used molecular dynamics simulations to study how organic molecules move with supercritical water inside carbon nanotubes. Aromatic compounds significantly slowed down their own motion and surrounding water, while alkanes moved relatively freely. Temperature played a key role in overcoming transport limitations.

Desperate race to resurrect newly-named zombie tree

A recently identified tree species in Australia, Rhodamnia zombi, is facing extinction due to myrtle rust, a fungal disease that attacks and kills its young shoots. Researchers are working on finding clean cuttings and propagating them to grow resistant seedlings, which may hold the key to resurrecting the 'zombie' tree.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalAustral Ecology·DateJan 22, 2026

UH study highlights need for conservative approach to unexplained unintentional weight loss evaluation

A recent study from University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center found that diagnostic abnormalities were no more likely to occur among adults with unintentional weight loss than among comparison patients. In most cases, the weight loss was not linked to a serious underlying condition, with only a .7% overall rate of cancer.

Drexel study finds early intervention helps most autistic children acquire spoken language

A recent study led by researchers at Drexel University's Autism Institute found that early intervention is key to helping most non-speaking autistic children develop spoken language. The study suggests that duration of the intervention rather than intensity may be more effective in achieving outcomes for these children.

SourceDrexel University·JournalJournal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology·TypeSystematic review·DateJan 22, 2026

UMass Amherst researchers identify top risk factors for pedestrian-vehicle crashes at Massachusetts bus stops

Researchers used machine learning to evaluate 1,773 bus stops across Massachusetts, identifying 13 crash-relevant characteristics and proposing countermeasures. The study found that bus stop types in mixed-use arterial corridors and dense urban cores have the highest prevalence of crashes.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalData Science for Transportation·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 22, 2026

UC Irvine and Jefferson Health researchers find differences between two causes of heart valve narrowing

Researchers found structural and functional differences between mitral annular calcification and rheumatic mitral stenosis, which may lead to inaccurate diagnoses and treatment. The study suggests using disease-specific diagnostic criteria and management guidelines for patients with MAC-related stenosis.

SourceUniversity of California - Irvine·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·DateJan 22, 2026

Patient recruitment begins for major real-world digital weight management study

The W8Buddy study, a major real-world evaluation of digitally delivered specialist weight management pathways, is recruiting 450 participants from 4 Specialist Weight Management Services across England and Wales. The study aims to assess the long-term health benefits and economic impact of digital tools for obesity care.

SourceUniversity of Warwick·JournalBMJ Open·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJan 22, 2026

For immediate release: High BMI could increase dementia risk, study finds

A new study found that high body mass index (BMI) increases the risk of vascular-related dementia. The researchers believe treating or preventing high blood pressure may help reduce this risk. Early weight-loss interventions could potentially prevent dementia, especially vascular-related dementia.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism·TypeObservational study·DateJan 22, 2026

Mount Sinai review maps the path forward for cancer vaccines, highlighting promise of personalized and combination approaches

Researchers at Mount Sinai detail how decades of cancer vaccine research have converged into more precise and effective immunotherapies. Decades-long clinical trials show personalized neoantigen vaccines are safe and capable of generating robust immune responses across various cancers.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalCell Reports Medicine·TypeSystematic review·DateJan 22, 2026

National Foundation for Cancer Research CEO Sujuan Ba Named One of OncoDaily’s 100 Most Influential Oncology CEOs of 2025

Sujuan Ba, CEO of the National Foundation for Cancer Research, has been recognized as one of OncoDaily's 100 Most Influential CEOs in Oncology in 2025. Under her leadership, NFCR has strengthened its role as a strategic accelerator of cancer research, supporting innovative science and fostering cross-sector collaboration.

Illinois study: How a potential antibiotics ban could affect apple growers

A new study from the University of Illinois examines how apple growers might respond to a potential ban on antibiotics, finding that proactive growers will benefit if the ban is enforced, but may struggle if it doesn't materialize. The study also shows that crop value can mitigate the negative impact of regulatory uncertainty.

Hydrogen bonds turn sweetener into lignin bodyguard, boosting biomass yield 42%

Mannitol outperforms other green additives in slowing re-polymerisation of cellulose-lignin linkages, cutting molecular weight and raising hydrogenolysis monomer yield. The additive forms an average of 28 hydrogen bonds per simulation box, effectively capping sites where carbocations normally form.

SourceJournal of Bioresources and Bioproducts·JournalJournal of Bioresources and Bioproducts·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 22, 2026

This form of therapy can save enormous amounts of money by getting people with mental health problems back to work more quickly

A new treatment method combining metacognitive therapy and job focus has been shown to significantly reduce absenteeism due to mental illness. By getting people back to work faster, it can save society up to three times as much as it costs.

SourceNorwegian University of Science and Technology·JournalEClinicalMedicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJan 22, 2026

Rethinking where life could exist beyond earth

Astronomers may need to look beyond the traditional habitable zone for liquid water and potentially life-friendly conditions. A new study suggests that tidally locked worlds, even those orbiting closer to cool M- and K-dwarf stars than previously thought, could sustain liquid water on their night side.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 22, 2026

Nash equilibria: The hidden math behind predator–prey behaviors

Researchers used game theory and individual-based models to show how attack and defense strategies emerge as stable patterns, providing a theoretical framework for understanding predator–prey interactions. The study highlights the importance of sensory abilities for survival and challenges traditional views of predator-prey relationships.

SourceUniversity of Toyama·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 22, 2026

China can meet its rapidly growing cooling demand without heating the planet

A new study shows that China can significantly limit its cooling-related climate impacts by transitioning to cleaner refrigerants and adopting high-efficiency cooling technologies. This integrated approach could phase down cumulative HFC consumption by 12.6 Gt CO2e from 2022 to 2060, avoiding up to 0.015°C of global warming.

SourceInternational Institute for Applied Systems Analysis·Journalnpj Climate and Atmospheric Science·DateJan 22, 2026