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Science News Archive 2026 - Page 495


Page 495 of 519

Community water fluoridation and birth outcomes

A large cohort study found no association between community water fluoridation and adverse birth outcomes, providing reassurance about its safety during pregnancy. The study highlights the importance of rigorous causal designs in evaluating public health interventions.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateJan 20, 2026

Study suggests pathway for life-sustaining conditions in Europa’s ocean

Researchers propose that dense, nutrient-rich ice can separate from surrounding ice and descend into the ocean, addressing a longstanding habitability problem on Europa. The study suggests a novel idea inspired by crustal delamination, which could be a consistent means of recycling ice and providing nutrients to the ocean.

SourceWashington State University·JournalThe Planetary Science Journal·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 20, 2026

DNA ties gut motility to vitamin B1

A new study found that genetic differences in vitamin B1 transport and activation are linked to bowel movement frequency, highlighting potential new pathways for research on gut motility disorders. The analysis also supports the idea of a biological overlap between bowel movement frequency and IBS.

SourceCIC bioGUNE·JournalGut·DateJan 20, 2026

Mapping comedic timing, ta-da!

A new computational framework detects repeated material across performances and maps its timing to visualize performance dynamics. The analysis reveals structural features, including consistently-placed new material and dense sections of tightly-timed content pillars.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateJan 20, 2026

SEOULTECH researchers reveal strong public support for hydrogen fuel cell trucks

A study by Seoul National University of Science & Technology found that expanding hydrogen fuel cell heavy-duty trucks could reduce carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 8.74 million tons. Public willingness to pay for this transition amounts to KRW 572.4 billion, far exceeding the prevailing carbon credit price.

SourceSeoul National University of Science & Technology·JournalTransport Policy·TypeSurvey·DateJan 20, 2026

Artificial light at night extends pollen season

A study analyzing 12 years of data found that artificial light at night was associated with earlier pollen season starts, longer seasons, and more severe allergen exposure. The effect on pollen season duration was larger than the effect on season start date.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateJan 20, 2026

Push and pull in models of human migration

Researchers incorporated factors like conflicts, natural hazards, and income inequality into human migration models, improving accuracy for South Sudan and US commuting patterns. The updated model outperforms a standard radiation model in predicting migrations.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateJan 20, 2026

Women see AI as riskier than men do

A study found that women are more averse to risk in general and personally exposed to AI risks, but support AI use nearly as strongly as men when benefits are guaranteed. Women's skepticism towards AI is linked to higher risk orientation and exposure to AI-related jobs.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateJan 20, 2026

Full value added tax on meat: a first step towards pricing the environmental damages caused by diets

A study suggests that implementing a full value-added tax on meat could reduce the environmental impacts from diets by 3 to 6 percent, depending on category. The research team analyzed consumption patterns and used an input-output model to estimate the associated impact on climate and ecosystems.

SourcePotsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK)·JournalNature Food·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 20, 2026

Hidden mpox exposure detected in healthy Nigerian adults, revealing under-recognized transmission

Researchers found that some healthy Nigerian adults showed clear evidence of new immune boosting consistent with recent mpox exposure without recorded diagnoses. This suggests that exposure may occur without recognized disease, highlighting the need for monitoring populations by testing blood samples for antibodies.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalNature Communications·TypeObservational study·DateJan 20, 2026

Farmers’ voices in European protests

A study of European farmers' protests reveals a wide range of concerns including environmental regulations, which differ between countries. Farmers in Germany criticized bureaucracy, while French farmers focused on financial pressures, Belgian farmers expressed a broad mix of concerns, and Dutch farmers voiced dissatisfaction with policy.

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalFood Policy·TypeSurvey·DateJan 19, 2026

Research spotlight: Preventive HIV drugs under prescribed to young women at increased risk

Research reveals disparities in access to PrEP among young cisgender females and males, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to improve HIV prevention. The study analyzed data from over 7,000 visits to a Boston-based clinic, finding that only 17% of visits received PrEP for under-age females.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalSexually Transmitted Diseases·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 19, 2026

Critical review maps corrosion threats and mitigation options for supercritical offshore carbon dioxide pipelines

The article reviews corrosion challenges in supercritical offshore CO2 pipelines, highlighting external and internal corrosion processes. The authors propose multiple impurity management, internal coatings, inhibitors, and external coatings as mitigation measures.

SourceKeAi Communications Co., Ltd.·JournalJournal of Pipeline Science and Engineering·TypeLiterature review·DateJan 19, 2026

HKUST develops pioneering mechanically interlocked molecule-based materials to advance safe, high-performance lithium metal batteries

Researchers from HKUST have developed a mechanically interlocked molecule-based material for lithium metal batteries, showcasing exceptional room-temperature ionic conductivity and Li+ transference number. The material demonstrates high energy density, stability, and longevity in practical tests.

SourceHong Kong University of Science and Technology·JournalAdvanced Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 19, 2026

Science solves South Australia’s koala dilemma

A study led by Dr. Frédérik Saltré suggests that sterilizing 22% of adult females annually could stabilize the population at an estimated cost of $34 million over 25 years. This approach prioritizes both animal welfare and ecosystem health, offering a humane solution to the unsustainable koala numbers.

SourceUniversity of Technology Sydney·JournalEcology and Evolution·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 19, 2026

A resource-virtualized and hardware-aware quantum compilation framework for real quantum computing processors

Researchers developed QSteed, a resource-virtualized and hardware-aware quantum compilation framework, to address challenges in real quantum computing processors. The framework reduces compilation times and improves circuit execution fidelities by leveraging a prebuilt VQPU database and hardware-aware compilation strategy.

SourceResearch·JournalResearch·TypeNews article·DateJan 19, 2026

A study demonstrates the potential of light-activated molecules to treat psoriasis without side effects

Researchers have developed a new class of light-activatable drug candidates that could serve as a potential treatment for psoriasis. The approach targets the vitamin D receptor, which has been shown to have beneficial effects in psoriasis, but also poses risks due to its role in calcium metabolism.

SourceSpanish National Research Council (CSIC)·JournalACS Central Science·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 19, 2026

Where is China’s agricultural methane emission reduction heading?

Agricultural methane emissions in China have increased and then declined, but the growth rate has slowed due to policies targeting non-CO2 greenhouse gases. However, practical challenges remain, including conflicts between food security and emission reduction, inadequate monitoring systems, and insufficient economic incentives.

SourceHigher Education Press·JournalFrontiers of Agricultural Science and Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 19, 2026

Artificially alive: How AI is bringing the dead back and what that means for the living

A new study reveals AI is being used to recreate deceased people's voices, faces, and personalities without consent, raising questions about ownership, exploitation, and power. The study identifies three dominant ways AI brings back the dead, including spectral labor, where digital remains are extracted and monetized.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalNew Media & Society·TypeCase study·DateJan 19, 2026

Use of potentially inappropriate medications during end-of-life cancer care: Patterns and factors associated with deprescribing

Researchers analyzed medical records of 1,269 elderly patients with advanced cancer to find that over 70% were prescribed potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs), which declined closer to death. PIM discontinuation was more common among female patients, those with polypharmacy, and palliative care unit admissions.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalPalliative Care and Social Practice·DateJan 19, 2026

Researchers develop biodegradable, self-powered electrical stimulator for muscle repair

A fully biodegradable, self-powered implantable electrical stimulation system was developed to address the challenge of effective muscle regeneration. The device combines degradable materials and in situ electrical stimulation intervention, overcoming key limitations of conventional electrical stimulators.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalCell Biomaterials·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 19, 2026