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Science News Archive 2026 - Page 5


Page 5 of 412

Climate change won’t simply shrink marine life

A global study of over 23,000 marine mollusk species found that body size is projected to decline in most ocean regions by 2100, but some groups will grow larger. Researchers analyzed temperature, oxygen, and ocean productivity to predict changes in five major groups of mollusks.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeObservational study·DateSep 3, 2026

UC3M awarded new ERC Starting Grant to research large eddies

UC3M researcher Alberto Vela Martín leads MUST project to develop new LES simulation framework incorporating uncertainty as a core design principle. The project aims to establish a new paradigm for turbulence modeling, embracing uncertainty and predicting complex systems more broadly.

SourceUniversidad Carlos III de Madrid·DateSep 3, 2026

Visualizing invisible flows

Dr. Karin Schwarzenberger aims to directly visualize and measure flows at gas-liquid interfaces using custom-developed tracer particles, shedding light on mass transport in technological and natural systems. The project tackles the Marangoni effect and its impact on interface mobility and mass transfer.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf·DateSep 3, 2026

ERC Starting Grant awarded to social philosopher Matthew Rachar

Social philosopher Matthew Rachar at Freie Universität Berlin will receive €1.48 million in funding to develop a comprehensive theory of solidarity. His project aims to explain the relationship between solidarity and shared agency, as well as its moral and political implications.

SourceFreie Universitat Berlin·DateSep 3, 2026

How a plant’s refusal to self-pollinate could help India grow more of its own cooking oil

A study from the Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research–Directorate of Rapeseed-Mustard Research has identified the genes controlling a natural self-rejection system in Indian oilseed crops, allowing for the production of high-yielding hybrid mustard. This self-rejection mechanism, pr...

SourceIndian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar·JournalFrontiers in Plant Science·DateSep 3, 2026

Is our personality written in our genes? A new study provides new clues

A study published in Nature identified over 1,000 genetic variants associated with human behavioral traits, including personality. While the genetic contribution explained only a small proportion of personality differences, the study suggests that environmental factors and social relationships may have a greater influence.

SourceEstonian Research Council·JournalNature·TypeMeta-analysis·DateSep 3, 2026

Chimpanzees have accents too, study finds

A study by Queen Mary University of London finds that young chimpanzees develop distinct population-specific vocal patterns as they mature. This development is influenced by social interactions, environmental conditions, and other non-genetic factors, suggesting a more flexible and dynamic communication system than previously recognized.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalPLOS One·DateSep 3, 2026

China’s 2025 resistance map reveals progress and renewed threats

A 2025 analysis tracked 516,309 clinical bacterial isolates, revealing declining resistance in some major pathogens but worrying rebounds in others. The study highlights the need for sustained surveillance, antimicrobial stewardship, and stronger laboratory capacity to address evolving AMR patterns.

SourceChina Agricultural University·JournalOne Health Advances·DateSep 3, 2026

Tree diversity protects forests from climate extremes

A new study found that forests with greater tree species diversity show smaller declines in productivity during compound climate extremes and recover more effectively afterwards. Biodiversity acts as a form of biological insurance, helping forests maintain stability in an increasingly unpredictable climate.

SourceAnglia Ruskin University·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 3, 2026

Why purpose doesn't always pay: the career cost of workplace climate activism

Employees advocating for climate action are more likely to receive recognition when their efforts support business goals, while purpose-led activism often goes unrecognized. Researchers found that organizations tend to reward environmental initiatives when they contribute to commercial objectives, such as attracting clients, expanding ...

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalHuman Relations·TypeCase study·DateSep 3, 2026

Probiotic and postbiotic treatments revive heat-stressed corals

Researchers establish that live probiotic and inactivated postbiotic treatments improve coral health under thermal stress. The treatments, which involve beneficial bacteria, improve coral resilience and promote specific metabolic and microbiome changes.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 3, 2026

Cerebral palsy might be a collection of symptoms, not its own disease

A recent study suggests that cerebral palsy (CP) may be a collection of symptoms that can occur in various conditions, rather than a single disease with genetic causes. The research found that only 89 of 515 genes previously linked to CP have a statistically significant association with the condition.

SourceCell Press·JournalAmerican Journal of Human Genetics·TypeObservational study·DateSep 3, 2026

Predictive tools can confuse rare mutations with dangerous ones, according to study

Researchers tested 50 top genetic prediction tools against 13.5 million mutations, finding most programs overestimate rare, harmless mutations and underestimate more common ones. The tools' bias is due to their focus on conserved regions, which can be more prone to mutations in certain areas of the genome.

SourceCenter for Genomic Regulation·JournalAmerican Journal of Human Genetics·DateSep 3, 2026

Multidisciplinary study sheds light on agricultural diffusion, population movement, and funeral practices in ancient Gansu

A multidisciplinary study in ancient Gansu found no evidence of direct population influx with western-derived agriculture, suggesting cultural diffusion through the Inner Asian Mountain Corridor. Genetic analysis also revealed complex kinship networks and burial customs, with no strict alignment between genetic ancestry and archaeologi...

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalCell·DateSep 3, 2026

Polarization metrology for linear birefringence

Researchers summarize a systematic overview of polarization optical metrology for linear birefringence in transparent anisotropic media. The review discusses physical origins, measurement methods, and applications, including residual stress analysis, advanced material characterization, and biomedical imaging.

SourceLight Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics And Physics, CAS·JournalLight: Advanced Manufacturing·DateSep 3, 2026

Rapid simulation of heat propagation through multiple rods

A research team at Tohoku University and Islamic Azad University developed a mathematical solution to simulate heat propagation through rods when heated simultaneously. They used a matrix equation to calculate the complementary error function, enabling rapid simulation of heat transfer.

SourceTohoku University·JournalLinear Algebra and its Applications·DateSep 3, 2026

Illumination and microscopy combined in a single fiber bundle by 3D-printed micro-optics

A team of researchers created a micro-3D-printed, monolithic optical system that co-integrates micro-scale imaging and ring-illumination in a single fiber bundle endoscope. The compact system achieves a resolution of micro-scale imaging in air and biomedical liquids, enabling future endoscopes for less invasive imaging procedures.

SourceLight Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics And Physics, CAS·JournalLight: Advanced Manufacturing·DateSep 3, 2026

How stressed cells put the brakes on protein shipping

When cells experience ER stress, they possess a mechanism that detects changes in their membrane lipid state and suppresses intracellular transport via transcription. This mechanism is triggered by an increase in phosphatidic acid (PA) levels in the endoplasmic reticulum membrane, leading to the suppression of COPII vesicle formation.

SourceHiroshima University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 3, 2026

A decade without congenital syphilis: a Danish success story

Denmark's unique approach to prenatal care, including universal syphilis screening, has led to zero congenital syphilis cases since 2016. The study found nearly 100% screening coverage and a stable trend in syphilis infections, but no increase in congenital syphilis cases, indicating a well-functioning healthcare system.

SourceEuropean Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC)·JournalEurosurveillance·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 3, 2026

When biology inspires mathematics: new discovery explains why a widely used evolutionary method can give false answers

Scientists identify previously unrecognized mathematical property explaining why widely used evolutionary statistical models can produce convincing but incorrect conclusions. A new decomposition of Markov models revealed hidden symmetries, allowing researchers to answer long-standing questions about species diversity.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 3, 2026

A ‘raincoat’ protects lead-free solar cells from the elements

Researchers at the University of Wisconsin–Madison have designed a new tin-based perovskite with built-in protection against air and moisture, addressing one of the biggest challenges facing tin-based perovskite solar cells. The new material achieved 16.2% efficiency and remained stable during extended testing.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalNature Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 3, 2026

Scientists crack a years-long "mystery signal" hidden in a quantum material

Researchers identified the origin of the 'beating' signal in a quantum material, revealing that it arises from the overlap of two different quantum oscillations. This discovery provides a key criterion for interpreting signals of topological quantum devices and realizing desired electronic states.

SourceNational Research Council of Science & Technology·JournalNano Letters·DateSep 3, 2026

Antarctic expedition reveals why Southern Ocean clouds remain one of climate science's greatest challenges

A new study reveals that climate models struggle to accurately represent Southern Ocean clouds, which significantly impact Earth's energy balance. The research team found that cloud phase and temperature are more important factors in simulating the Southern Ocean's surface energy budget than simply reproducing cloud frequency.

SourceResearch Organization of Information and Systems·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateSep 3, 2026

Less UV light may mean less carbon storage in Antarctic tundra

New research suggests that declining UV radiation may alter plant–microbe interactions and carbon cycling in Antarctic tundra. The weakened carbon sink can amplify respiratory carbon loss, particularly in eastern lowland tundra where penguin activity is strong.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAtmospheric and Oceanic Science Letters·DateSep 3, 2026

Heavy water helps weather forecasts

Researchers at the University of Tokyo have demonstrated that incorporating satellite measurements of water vapor isotopes into weather models improves forecasts of atmospheric conditions. This addition leads to more accurate weather forecasts, particularly for heavy rainfall predictions.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalCommunications Earth & Environment·TypeObservational study·DateSep 3, 2026

Key path to Alzheimer’s-like brain damage starts outside the brain

Researchers discovered that immune cells contributing to neurodegeneration originate in the lymph nodes outside the brain, and blocking these instructions can mitigate neurodegeneration. The study suggests a new pathway to halt or slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease and other primary tauopathies.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalNature Neuroscience·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 3, 2026

Magnetic fields put a new spin on surface chemistry

A groundbreaking study reveals that electron spin influences chemical reactions at surfaces, and controlling spin orientation with magnetic fields can dramatically change reaction rates. The study demonstrates the potential for spin-based control of surface chemistry, opening up new possibilities for selective catalysis and reactivity.

SourceInstitute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 3, 2026

Researchers identify potential new target to delay preterm birth

Researchers have identified a potential new target for preventing preterm labour, targeting a specific group of proteins in the uterus muscle that can suppress human uterine contractions and delay preterm birth in a preclinical model. The study, published in Communications Medicine, highlights a promising avenue for developing new drug...

SourceKing's College London·JournalCommunications Medicine·DateSep 3, 2026

AI model identifies hundreds of promising plant proteins for sustainable products

Scientists at the University of Leeds developed an AI model that rapidly identifies plant proteins capable of acting as emulsifiers, cutting years of costly trial-and-error research. The model has already identified nearly 800 promising plant proteins, many of which had never been considered for this purpose.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalCommunications Chemistry·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 3, 2026

Sulfur-reducing mechanism of bacterial selenoprotein discovered

Researchers at Ritsumeikan University discovered a bacterial selenoprotein that uses a unique selenium–sulfur–heme catalytic center to reduce polysulfides during elemental sulfur respiration. The enzyme, MccSep, is crucial for understanding the sulfur cycle and has implications for environmental monitoring and biocatalyst development.

SourceRitsumeikan University·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 3, 2026

Higher precision in medical image segmentation by combining global and local information

Researchers developed V-UNet, a novel model combining global and local information to address noise and redundant information in medical images. The model achieved competitive segmentation performance while maintaining low computational requirements, promising a more efficient and robust AI-assisted medical image analysis.

SourceChinese Association of Automation·JournalIEEE/CAA Journal of Automatica Sinica·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 3, 2026

Family cancer burden predicts risk in patients with inflammatory bowel disease

A Swedish registry study found that IBD patients with multiple close relatives having colorectal cancer are significantly more likely to develop the disease. The study suggests that future cancer screening guidelines should consider the number of cancer cases in a patient's family.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalGastroenterology·TypeObservational study·DateSep 3, 2026

First switchable graphene nanoribbon that twists on demand

Researchers at Nagoya University have built a graphene nanoribbon that can switch its twist using a natural solvent, opening opportunities for new optical switches, chemical sensors, and spintronic components. The discovery uses a natural chiral liquid to lock in a single spiral direction, with a high degree of helical bias.

SourceNagoya University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 3, 2026

Some hair loss in men is linked to use of weight loss drugs

A new study by NYU Langone Health found a genetic link between GLP-1 use and increased risk of male-pattern hair loss. The study, published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology, showed that men using GLP-1 medications for weight loss had a 7% added risk of losing their hair due to the medication

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalJournal of Investigative Dermatology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 3, 2026

New probabilistic method helps robots improve localization and object mapping

A new probabilistic method, Bayesian Probabilistic Data Association via Gaussian Mixture Models, improves trajectory accuracy and semantic mapping quality in robots. The approach reduces duplicate registrations and handles ambiguous observations, enabling more stable and reliable object-level maps.

SourceJapan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology·JournalIEEE Robotics and Automation Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 3, 2026

With education technology, engagement is not the same as learning

A new report from the American Psychological Association warns that student engagement with EdTech is not the same as learning, and that generative AI tools pose particular risks. The report recommends prioritizing tools that build durable knowledge and skills, and exercising caution when introducing AI tools into learning environments.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·DateSep 3, 2026

New ‘nanobone’ could help body regrow bone

Researchers develop biodegradable nanobone material that activates body's own healing properties to regrow bone, reducing need for invasive procedures. The material generates 80% more new bone than a material control and activates a key bone-repair growth factor with 10 times the level achieved using conventional methods.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalACS Nano·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 3, 2026

Targeting CDK2 could boost immunotherapy response in patients with a wide range of cancers, according to Dana-Farber science

Researchers found that combining CDK2 inhibitors with immunotherapy eradicated colorectal and breast cancers in animal models. CDK2 activity restricts immune-related gene expression, enabling tumors to resist immune checkpoint inhibitors. The strategy may be widely applicable to a range of cancers.

SourceDana-Farber Cancer Institute·JournalMolecular Cell·DateSep 2, 2026

Strategies of designing high‑efficiency electrolyte additives for aqueous magnesium batteries: A review

The review proposes a systematic roadmap for designing next-generation electrolyte additives that can boost discharge potential, utilization efficiency, and specific energy in aqueous Mg batteries. It highlights an often-overlooked contributor to anode self-discharge and introduces two strategic frameworks for binary additive design: m...

SourceShanghai Jiao Tong University Journal Center·JournalNano-Micro Letters·TypeNews article·DateSep 2, 2026

Study: Alcohol-linked cancer’s toll extends far beyond the liver with deaths rising across age groups

A new study found that alcohol-attributable cancer deaths in the US doubled between 1990 and 2023, with colorectal and breast cancers standing out among adults ages 20 to 54. The study also revealed that alcohol-linked cancer deaths are not limited to older adults or liver cancer.

SourceUniversity of Miami Miller School of Medicine·JournalThe Lancet Regional Health - Americas·DateSep 2, 2026

Increasing daily steps is as effective as aerobic exercise in managing asthma

A clinical trial demonstrated that increasing daily steps is as effective as aerobic exercise in managing asthma, improving quality of life and alleviating respiratory and anxiety symptoms in the medium term. Both approaches provide flexible, accessible, non-pharmacological treatment alternatives.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalPulmonology·DateSep 2, 2026

Built to last or break down: Ring size tunes biodegradable plastic lifetimes

Biodegradable plastics can be made tougher and more break down at a controlled rate by adjusting the size of movable molecular crosslinks. This study uses a biodegradable polymer called polycaprolactone and upcycles an industrial by-product into a supramolecular material.

SourceThe University of Osaka·JournalACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 2, 2026