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Science News Archive 2026 - Page 518


Page 518 of 524

A mystery of episodic memory solved

The study discovered that the human brain uses two separate groups of neurons, called content and context neurons, to form memories. These neurons work together in a coordinated manner, with connections strengthening over time, allowing the brain to reconstruct complete memory contexts from partial information.

SourceUniversitatsklinikum Bonn·JournalNature·DateJan 7, 2026

New study shows how the spleen helps the immune system accept a transplant

Researchers identified the spleen as a key control center for transplant tolerance, triggering donor-specific regulatory T cells to calm the immune response. This targeted approach induces controlled, donor-specific state in T cells, preserving body's ability to fight infections while supporting long-term graft acceptance.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota Medical School·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 7, 2026

Shining a spotlight on cancer

A Mizzou researcher developed an antibody that attaches to and lights up EphA2 protein in cancerous tumors, allowing for non-invasive detection and identification of patients who can benefit from targeted treatments. This innovation could save time and money while advancing precision medicine.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalMolecular Imaging and Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 7, 2026

Optics research uses dim light to produce bright LEDs

Researchers at Princeton University have developed a new technique to convert low-energy light into high-energy LEDs, improving the ability to upconvert green light to blue or ultraviolet light. The method uses plasmonics to boost upconversion on a thin metal film, reducing the power needed by 19 times compared to previous setups.

SourcePrinceton University, Engineering School·JournalNature Photonics·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 7, 2026

Creating hallucination-free, psychedelic-like molecules by shining light on life’s basic building blocks

Researchers at UC Davis have developed a new method to create psychoactive-like molecules that mimic the brain's serotonin receptors. The study found five compounds with efficacy ranging from 61% to 93%, but none induced hallucinogenic behavior, offering a potential new therapeutic scaffold for treating psychiatric disorders.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 7, 2026

Researchers identify novel therapeutic target to improve recovery after nerve injury

A study published in PNAS reveals that peripheral neuropathy can reduce macrophage immune cells' ability to clear dead cells through efferocytosis, leading to chronic pain. Restoring this process may offer a new therapeutic strategy to prevent inflammatory signaling and improve nerve repair.

SourceUniversity of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 7, 2026

Advances in liquid biopsies as a tool for detecting lung cancer mutations

A study published in Molecular Oncology developed a liquid biopsy panel that can detect specific gene mutations in lung cancer patients, offering a potential solution for early detection and guiding patient treatment. The test showed promising results, detecting mutations in 65.6% of samples, including those in frozen samples without s...

LSU LCMC Health Cancer Center researcher led major study identifies proteins linked to prostate cancer

A major study published in Nature Communications has identified dozens of blood proteins linked to prostate cancer risk across different populations, including African, European, Asian, and Hispanic/Latino groups. The research, led by Dr. Lang Wu, aims to improve understanding of the various causes of prostate cancer across populations.

SourceLouisiana State University Health Sciences Center·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 7, 2026

Landmark Magnet4Europe intervention improves clinician wellbeing and patient safety across Europe

A landmark study published in Medical Care shows that the Magnet4Europe intervention measurably improves nurse and physician wellbeing and strengthens patient safety. By redesigning hospital work environments with the Magnet Model, hospitals saw significant declines in nurses planning to leave and a corresponding drop in intended leavers.

Synchronising ultrashort X-ray pulses

Researchers at the Paul Scherrer Institute have successfully implemented mode-locking to generate coherent trains of X-ray pulses with unprecedented temporal structure. This achievement enables attosecond science and opens up new experimental possibilities, including precise timing of phenomena in gases, liquids, and solids.

SourcePaul Scherrer Institute·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 7, 2026

Blood test reveals risk of multimorbidity

A new study from Karolinska Institutet identified seven blood biomarkers that predict the risk and progression of multimorbidity in older adults. These biomarkers reflect biological processes such as metabolism, inflammation, and neurodegeneration.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalNature Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateJan 7, 2026

Scientists find evidence dark matter and neutrinos may interact, challenging standard model of the universe

Researchers found evidence that dark matter and neutrinos interact, offering a rare glimpse into the universe's darkest regions. The study casts doubt on the long-standing cosmological model, suggesting interactions between dark matter and neutrinos could explain a discrepancy in cosmic structure formation.

SourceUniversity of Sheffield·JournalNature Astronomy·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 7, 2026

Pain-sensing neurons kick-start immune responses

Researchers found that pain-sensing neurons activate tuft cells, which release parasite-fighting immune molecules, initiating an immune response. Silencing or removing these neurons reduces tuft cell numbers, indicating their crucial role in fighting parasites and potentially driving allergic diseases.

SourceWeill Cornell Medicine·JournalNature·DateJan 7, 2026

Mobile technology revolutionizes the diagnosis of sleep apnea after a stroke

A new smartphone-based system can accurately diagnose sleep apnea in stroke patients, identifying 67% of those with moderate to severe apnea. The portable tool uses sensors and digital biomarkers to monitor breathing, oxygenation, and body position during the night.

SourceInstitute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC)·JournalIEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 7, 2026

Bristol scientists discover early sponges were soft

A team of international scientists led by Dr M. Eleonora Rossi from the University of Bristol reconstructed sponge skeleton evolution, finding that spicules evolved independently in different groups. This discovery challenges previous estimates of sponge origin and sheds light on early animal diversification.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalScience Advances·DateJan 7, 2026

Adverse prenatal exposures linked to higher rates of mental health issues, brain changes in adolescents

Children with adverse prenatal exposures showed higher rates of behavior problems, faster cortical thinning, and more depressive symptoms than children with fewer APEs. Researchers found a persistent association between multiple APEs and increased odds of mental health problems as kids grew older.

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalJAMA Psychiatry·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 7, 2026