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Science News Archive 2026 - Page 81


Page 81 of 493

HKU ecologists warn that marine heatwaves pose an underestimated threat to public health

Researchers warn that marine heatwaves can intensify extreme weather, disrupt fisheries and aquaculture, and threaten coastal livelihoods, ultimately posing risks to human health. Marine heatwaves also have significant psychological impacts on communities, causing grief, anxiety, and uncertainty about the future.

SourceThe University of Hong Kong·JournalNature Sustainability·TypeObservational study·DateSep 8, 2026

ERC Starting Grant for Meret Huber

Meret Huber receives EUR 1.5 million in EU funding for her project Plant Metabolites as Keystone Traits (METABOKEY), investigating how plant metabolites shape ecological communities. The research aims to answer whether certain plant compounds can act as 'keystone traits' and determine ecosystem structure over generations.

More injuries following the policy change of body-checking in women’s ice hockey – but the players are positive about the change

Injuries in Swedish women's ice hockey have almost doubled after the introduction of body-checking, with shoulder and knee injuries being the most common types. Despite this, players are optimistic about the change, with concerns over fatigue and recovery time also raised.

SourceLund University·JournalEuropean Journal of Sport Science·TypeCase study·DateSep 8, 2026

Cosmic radiation at flight altitudes rises when the sun is less active

A new study found that cosmic radiation levels at commercial flight altitudes rise as solar activity falls, with levels potentially increasing by 40-60% during solar minimum conditions. The researchers also found a clear vertical pattern in radiation levels, with a peak around 17-20 km above Earth.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalJournal of Geophysical Research Atmospheres·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 8, 2026

Cash transfers to mothers with low income may slow biological aging in children

A randomized controlled trial found that cash transfers to low-income mothers slowed biological aging in their children, measured by epigenetic markers. The intervention also increased spending on activities with young children and brain activity, without affecting other measures of health and development.

SourceMax Planck Institute for Human Development·JournalNature Human Behaviour·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateSep 8, 2026

Unifying the design of heterogeneous future wireless systems via a generalist foundation model

Researchers developed WiFo-2, a generalist wireless foundation model that learns reusable channel state information representations and transfers them across scenarios, system configurations, and tasks. The model achieved state-of-the-art performance on 9 communications and sensing tasks with only 1% labeled data.

SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 8, 2026

Plateau pikas, long considered pests, can help livestock eat well

Research shows that a moderate presence of pikas improves the composition of vegetation for grazing yaks, increasing the abundance and nutritional quality of palatable grasses and sedges. This moderate presence helps suppress tall poisonous plants, thereby facilitating weight gains in yaks.

SourceeLife·JournaleLife·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 8, 2026

The mutation of the gene MECP2, main cause of the Rett syndrome, alters pubertal development and sexual hormones in mice

A study in mice with Rett syndrome found altered pubertal development and hormonal regulation, affecting social behavior, cognition, and muscle-skeletal health. The MECP2 gene mutation disrupts the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis, leading to delayed puberty, low hormone levels, and neuroendocrine alterations.

SourceUniversitat Jaume I·JournalNeuroendocrinology·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 8, 2026

New review highlights promise of intra-arterial stem cell therapy to improve stroke recovery

Researchers from the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine outline the potential of intra-arterial stem cell therapy to improve recovery for stroke patients, who often face disability despite major advances in treatment. The therapy works by promoting brain repair, reducing inflammation, and enhancing recovery.

SourceUniversity of Miami Miller School of Medicine·JournalStroke·TypeSystematic review·DateSep 8, 2026

As probiotic use surges, microbiome-supportive food consumption stagnates

A study found that probiotic supplement use increased 287% among adults and 786% among young people, while fiber intake remained unchanged, between 2009 and 2023. Probiotic users consumed more high-microbial foods and fiber content than non-users, but these beneficial diet habits may be decreasing due to supplement use.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalClinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 8, 2026

Scientists create rare material that could pave the way for faster, greener computer memory

Researchers at the University of Warwick have created a new material combining magnetism and electrical polarisation, making it possible to switch magnetic information using an electric field. The material works at close to room temperature, a significant breakthrough for energy-efficient computer memory.

SourceUniversity of Warwick·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 8, 2026

Eggshells: Next-generation spacecraft protection

Researchers have developed an eggshell-inspired aluminum material that offers significant protection from space debris. The material, which consists of water-filled aluminum eggshells arranged in an array, can withstand high loads and reduce the velocity of an impact projectile by nearly 65%. The design, which is inspired by the natura...

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalJournal of Applied Physics·DateSep 8, 2026

Hormone therapy use for hot flashes and night sweats in peri- and early postmenopause linked to lower cardiovascular risk in women

A US study of 20 years of health data found that hormone therapy initiated during peri- or early postmenopause reduces cardiovascular disease risk by 22% compared to those who did not use hormone therapy. The protective effect was strongest among Black women and those who initiated therapy within 10 years of menopause onset.

SourceVirginia Commonwealth University·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateSep 8, 2026

Severe asthma linked to changes in brain structure

Researchers found changes in brain structure, including white matter organization and region size, in people with severe asthma compared to those with well-controlled mild or moderate asthma. Inflammation levels were also linked to white matter changes, suggesting a possible connection between inflammation and brain changes.

SourceEuropean Respiratory Society·TypeObservational study·DateSep 8, 2026

Augmentation not abdication, when using AI in research

The authors propose norms for AI use in research, distinguishing between non-generative tasks and generative AI, which should not replace human interpretation and judgement. Science requires diversity of inputs and ideas, and serendipity counts, making generative AI training on existing data limiting breakthroughs.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateSep 8, 2026

New study raises concerns about climate feedback loop as melting Arctic glaciers flush ancient methane from rocks beneath the ice

Researchers found ancient methane in every river sampled from Svalbard glaciers, indicating a natural feedback loop that may worsen as the Arctic warms. The study suggests that the physical state of the glacier bed and geological sources of methane are key factors in methane release.

SourceiC3 Polar Research Hub·JournalNature Communications·TypeObservational study·DateSep 8, 2026

Bone healing is a team effort, study finds

Researchers discovered that β1 integrin and DDR2 form a cooperative collagen-sensing system in skeletal progenitor cells, regulating their migration, proliferation, and differentiation during bone regeneration. Targeting both receptors may provide a more effective strategy for enhancing bone repair in degenerative or injury-related ske...

SourceEditorial Office of West China School of Stomatology, Sichuan University·JournalInternational Journal of Oral Science·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 8, 2026

New research rethinks plastic from the inside out

Virginia Tech researchers have developed degradable polymers with a new molecular architecture that combines strength, toughness, flexibility, and oxygen-blocking properties. The findings have implications for food packaging, which could lead to more sustainable and durable materials.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 8, 2026

Structural color just got glossy, durable and 3D-ready

The Kobe University team demonstrates glossy, non-iridescent, and protection-coated structural color coatings for 3D objects, reducing diffuse reflectance and increasing color brightness. The coatings are lightweight, making them ideal for aircraft and other applications where weight reduction is crucial.

SourceKobe University·JournalSmall Structures·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 8, 2026

New method causes cancer cells to burn out

Researchers developed a new treatment for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) by using AcTor, a molecule that inhibits a signalling protein, in combination with ixazomib. The treatment successfully eliminated cancer cells and leukemic stem cells, showing promising results in mice studies.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalMolecular Cancer·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 8, 2026

Optimizing tomato plant growth with microbes

A team of researchers from Kyoto University created a machine-learning model to design microbial communities that promote tomato growth and stress tolerance. The communities, composed of six bacteria and the tomatine metabolite, were found to improve tomato growth and tolerance to high-temperature stress in laboratory and outdoor trials.

SourceKyoto University·JournalThe ISME Journal·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 7, 2026

Low-carbon concrete put to the climate test

Researchers investigated three concrete mixes in four locations with varying climatic conditions. Their study shows that climate plays a significant role in how quickly steel in the concrete rusts. Key findings include that low-carbon concrete can last for 50 years or more in some locations, but may suffer damage sooner under different...

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 7, 2026

Brain protection in a pill: Oral edaravone opens new doors for stroke recovery in Phase 3 trial

A Phase 3 trial found that oral edaravone improved functional recovery in AIS patients who did not receive reperfusion therapy, with 65.4% achieving a modified Rankin Scale score of 0-1 at 90 days. The treatment was safe and showed consistent benefits across predefined subgroups, supporting the neuroprotective properties of edaravone.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience Bulletin·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateSep 7, 2026