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Science News Archive 2026 - Page 520


Page 520 of 524

The untold story of life with Prader-Willi syndrome - according to the siblings who live it

A new study reveals the emotional challenges faced by siblings of people with Prader-Willi syndrome, including feelings of stress, loneliness, and sadness. Siblings often take on extra responsibilities at home and struggle to cope with their brother or sister's behavior and hunger.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalJournal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities·TypeSystematic review·DateJan 6, 2026

Smart biochar that remembers pollutants offers a new way to clean water and recycle biomass

Researchers have combined molecular imprinting technology with biochar to create materials that can selectively target specific molecules, achieving high adsorption capacity and selectivity. These smart sorbents show promise for efficient pollution control in complex mixtures and at low concentrations.

Rice genes matter more than domestication in shaping plant microbiomes

A recent study reveals that the specific genetic identity of rice plants determines which microbes they host and how those microbes function. The research found that differences among rice genotypes strongly shape microbial communities in both soil and on leaf surfaces, influencing nutrient cycling, plant health, and soil carbon storage.

Building a global scientific community: Biological Diversity Journal announces dual recruitment of Editorial Board and Youth Editorial Board members

The journal Biological Diversity is seeking experts in various disciplines to address the global biodiversity crisis. The editorial board will comprise senior scholars, while the youth editorial board will include early-career researchers. The dual structure aims to combine strategic wisdom and innovative energy.

From ancient herb to modern medicine: new review unveils the multi-targeted healing potential of Borago officinalis

A comprehensive review reveals the therapeutic effects of Borago officinalis, a plant with diverse compounds targeting inflammation and metabolic pathways. The study highlights its potential in treating cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and neurodegenerative disorders.

SourceBiochar Editorial Office, Shenyang Agricultural University·JournalBiological Diversity·TypeLiterature review·DateJan 6, 2026

How the parasite that ‘gave up sex’ found more hosts – and why its victory won’t last

A research team at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute has discovered a genetic mechanism that allows certain parasites to infect multiple hosts, but at the cost of long-term survival. The study sheds light on how parasitic infections emerge and spread, with potential implications for public health surveillance and treatment strategies.

SourceWalter and Eliza Hall Institute·JournalNature Communications·TypeObservational study·DateJan 6, 2026

High levels of Chagas disease parasite found in bugs near U.S.-Mexico border

A UTEP study has discovered a significant increase in parasitic infection rates among kissing bugs in the Borderlands, raising concerns about local transmission of Chagas disease. The research suggests that the disease is becoming an increasingly public health issue for the Southwest, affecting approximately 6 million people worldwide.

SourceUniversity of Texas at El Paso·JournalEpidemiology and Infection·DateJan 6, 2026

AI-powered ECG analysis offers promising path for early detection of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, says Mount Sinai researchers

Researchers at Mount Sinai have developed an AI-powered ECG analysis tool that shows promise in detecting Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) early. The model achieved high accuracy rates across diverse populations, including a subgroup with irregular heartbeat and smoking exposure.

‘Forever chemicals’ may increase liver disease risk in adolescents by as much as 3-fold

A new study found that higher levels of PFAS in the blood are linked to an increased risk of early onset of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) in adolescents. MASLD affects up to 40% of children with obesity and increases long-term risk for type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and liver cancer.

SourceKeck School of Medicine of USC·JournalEnvironmental Research·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 6, 2026

Seeing thyroid cancer in a new light: when AI meets label-free imaging in the operating room

Researchers combined Dynamic Optical Contrast Imaging (DOCI) with machine learning to identify thyroid cancer during surgery. The AI analysis framework accurately classified samples across three categories and generated tumor probability maps for precise location identification.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalBiophotonics Discovery·TypeObservational study·DateJan 6, 2026

How to make communities more resilient to climate change

Researchers at North Carolina State University propose a 'compounded resilience' strategy to help local governments prepare for and adapt to climate change. By incorporating policies that improve energy efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance infrastructure, communities can become more resilient and mitigate the impacts of climate change.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalMitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateJan 6, 2026

Science army mobilizes to map US soil microbiome

A massive US-wide project is cataloging the soil microbiome, discovering over 1,000 new bacterial strains and unlocking secrets of ecological functions and antimicrobial resistance. The BioDiversity and Informatics for Genomics Scholars consortium spans 40+ sites across the country, leveraging long-read sequencing technology.

SourceJohns Hopkins University·JournalNature Genetics·DateJan 6, 2026

New clinical standards strengthen antimicrobial stewardship in tuberculosis care

The new clinical standards for antimicrobial stewardship in tuberculosis care aim to integrate TB into existing AMS frameworks, strengthening surveillance and resistance monitoring. The standards prioritize effectiveness, safety, and resistance prevention, promoting structured expert consultation services and targeted testing.

SourceGerman Center for Infection Research·JournalIJTLD OPEN·TypeSurvey·DateJan 6, 2026

Early detection and targeted blood purification could prevent kidney failure in ICU patients, new review finds

Early recognition of cast nephropathy through novel biomarkers can guide timely treatment, while tailored extracorporeal therapies show promise in preventing irreversible kidney damage. The review emphasizes the need for standardized biomarker-guided pathways and multicenter trials to advance personalized kidney support.

SourceJournal of Intensive Medicine·JournalJournal of Intensive Medicine·TypeLiterature review·DateJan 6, 2026

Supramolecular self-assembly with dual functions of GSH-synthesis inhibition and consumption for efficient chemodynamic therapy

A team of researchers has developed a method for preparing supramolecular prodrug assemblies to enhance chemodynamic therapy efficacy by consuming glutathione (GSH) and inhibiting its synthesis. The approach allows for the simultaneous release of dual functional molecules from self-assemblies, amplifying cellular oxidative stress.

SourceKeAi Communications Co., Ltd.·JournalGlycoscience & Therapy·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 6, 2026

New research finds that an ‘equal treatment’ approach to economic opportunity advertising can backfire

A new study by Di Yuan of Auburn University and co-authors found that equal treatment policies may boost ad platform revenues while improving fairness outcomes. In contrast, an Equal Exposure with Equal Treatment policy can increase competition among advertisers, leading to increased total advertising revenue.

New study reveals weakening of circum-global teleconnection pattern under future warming and its impact on heatwaves

A recent study reveals that the Circum-global Teleconnection Pattern (CGT) weakens under global warming, leading to changes in regional heatwave duration. The research found a significant increase in heatwave duration over Eastern Europe, Tibetan Plateau, and North America, while a decrease was observed over the Middle East.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateJan 6, 2026

Cornell-developed particles supercharge cancer immunotherapy

Researchers found that Cornell prime dots can reprogram the tumor microenvironment, transforming melanoma and other aggressive solid tumors into responsive ones. The particles stimulate innate immune responses, halt cancer cell proliferation, reduce immune suppression, and repurpose key immune cells to attack cancer more effectively.

SourceCornell University·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateJan 6, 2026

Single device enables complex information processing: Memristive oscillators break computational bottlenecks at the edge of chaos

Researchers developed a locally active memristive oscillator using vanadium oxide that exhibits rich dynamic behaviors and exceptional frequency-domain information processing capabilities. The device operates at the edge of chaos, amplifying small fluctuations to generate self-oscillations and producing complex responses.

SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 6, 2026

Joint research validates new semiconductor etching process, achieving five times speed improvement

Researchers at Nagoya University and Tokyo Electron Miyagi Ltd. have developed a new semiconductor etching method that significantly reduces processing time and enhances energy efficiency. The process employs plasma etching with hydrogen fluoride at very low temperatures, eliminating the need for fluorocarbon gases.

SourceNagoya University·JournalChemical Engineering Journal·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 6, 2026

Vitamin C may help protect fertility from a harmful environmental chemical

Researchers found that male fish exposed to vitamin C and potassium perchlorate showed improved fertility and less damage to their testes compared to those exposed only to the chemical. The study suggests a potential safeguard for individuals regularly exposed to these chemicals, including military personnel.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 6, 2026

Will wearables get smarter? An "Upgraded" polymer significantly boost piezoelectric performance!

A team from Huazhong University of Science and Technology has developed a novel material that significantly improves piezoelectric responsiveness and mass-producesibility. The new polymer, created using a simple process, overcomes the challenges of achieving highly responsive materials for wearable health trackers and energy harvesters.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience Bulletin·DateJan 6, 2026

Automatic identify and explain molecular substructures with explainable GNN architecture MolUNet++

Researchers developed MolUNet++ to explicitly learn molecular representations at multiple scales, extracting substructures while preserving global context. The model achieved significant performance gains across various tasks, including drug target interaction prediction, by providing clearer structural explanations.

SourceHigher Education Press·JournalActa Physico-Chimica Sinica·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 6, 2026

Cracking the evolutionary code of sleep

A Bar-Ilan University study uncovers the origin of sleep in jellyfish and sea anemones, demonstrating that protecting neurons from DNA damage is a basic function of sleep. The research shows that both species accumulate DNA damage during wakefulness and reduce it during sleep, with increased damage triggering recovery sleep.

SourceBar-Ilan University·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 6, 2026

Indigenous-led conservation efforts match or surpass similar initiatives when properly funded, new research shows

A new study led by Concordia researchers found that federally funded Indigenous-led conservation programs can deliver highly effective climate and biodiversity outcomes. These programs, known as Indigenous-led Nature-based Solutions (NbS), can match or surpass conventional national and provincial parks in terms of carbon storage and bi...

SourceConcordia University·JournalEarth's Future·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 6, 2026