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Science News Archive 2026 - Page 9


Page 9 of 413

AI-designed proteins enable a new generation of RNA transporters

Researchers at Helmholtz Munich developed Synthetic Transfer Vehicles (STVs), an entirely new class of RNA transporters. STV-C8 is the most efficient candidate, transporting RNA far more efficiently than traditional lipid nanoparticles. In animal models, STV-C8 demonstrates effective delivery and expression of RNA in a living organism.

SourceHelmholtz Munich (Helmholtz Zentrum München Deutsches Forschungszentrum für Gesundheit und Umwelt (GmbH))·DateSep 2, 2026

Lumos Labs launches the Lumosity Research Platform

Lumos Labs has launched the Lumosity Research Platform, offering cognitive assessments, digital training interventions, and real-world data for researchers. The platform is designed to support large-scale randomized controlled trials and advance cognitive science.

SourceLumos Labs Inc·TypeNews article·DateSep 2, 2026

An explainable AI framework for scientific discovery and high-stakes applications

A new AI framework, Perspective, provides a structured approach to explaining complex patterns in AI predictions, enabling researchers to test hypotheses and improve designs. By revealing the underlying relationships, XAI can support discovery, optimisation, and certification for AI in high-stakes fields.

SourceNational University of Singapore College of Design and Engineering·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 2, 2026

Exotic pines in the Southern Hemisphere grow faster and are more drought-resistant, according to a new study in Nature

A new study challenges the idea that plants cannot grow rapidly while tolerating water stress, finding exotic conifers in the Southern Hemisphere grow up to four times faster and are more resistant to drought. Carbon reserves and absence of natural enemies in the Southern Hemisphere may be key factors contributing to this advantage.

SourceInstituto de Ecologia y Biodiversidad·JournalNature·TypeObservational study·DateSep 2, 2026

Serial ketamine infusions for treatment-resistant bipolar depression

Serial ketamine infusions have been found to be well-tolerated and significantly effective in treating treatment-resistant bipolar depression, with antidepressant effects comparable to midazolam. The study's results provide promising hope for patients struggling with this condition, highlighting ketamine as a potential therapeutic option.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Psychiatry·DateSep 2, 2026

Healthier fats linked to longer survival after prostate cancer diagnosis

A new study found that men with nonmetastatic prostate cancer who replaced saturated and animal fats with unsaturated and plant-based fats had a lower risk of death. Replacing about 10% of daily calories from animal fat with plant-based fat was associated with a 16% lower rate of death.

SourceHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeObservational study·DateSep 2, 2026

Millions get wrong genetic test, study finds

A genetic marker already used to flag risk of vancomycin reaction also identifies patients at risk of lamotrigine reaction, but is missing from gene panels. HLA-A*32:01 is associated with a 16.4-fold higher odds of lamotrigine-induced DRESS, but a negative result does not rule out risk.

SourceVanderbilt University Medical Center·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateSep 2, 2026

Electric fish keep from blinding themselves with these brain cells

Researchers mapped the brain cells in the electrosensory lobe of African weakly electric fish, revealing a balance between fast and slow changes to cell connections. This balance allows the fish to filter out electrical interference and continually learn and adapt, shedding light on how biological brains learn throughout life.

SourceThe Zuckerman Institute at Columbia University·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 2, 2026

GLP-1 treatment late in life extends lifespan in animal model

Researchers found that GLP-1 treatment improved muscle and cognitive function, and reduced hallmarks of natural aging in older mice. The treatment also extended lifespan by nearly 100 days, suggesting a potential therapeutic route for slowing physiological aging.

SourceNIH/Office of the Director·JournalNature·DateSep 2, 2026

Mammalian genes can combine to make previously unknown mRNAs, proteins

Scientists have discovered chimeric mRNAs that produce previously unknown proteins, expanding the human genome and proteome. These proteins may play important roles in various bodily systems and contribute to disease processes, offering new insights into challenging diseases and potential drug targets.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalNature·DateSep 2, 2026

Beneficial bacteria protect tomatoes and promote plant growth

A team from INRS identified three bacterial strains that delay disease symptoms, reduce disease severity, and promote plant growth. The strains may belong to a previously unrecognized lineage, offering new avenues for research into beneficial plant-associated microorganisms.

SourceInstitut national de la recherche scientifique - INRS·JournalApplied and Environmental Microbiology·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 2, 2026

Level of education most strongly linked to survival after hip fracture

A Linköping University study of 58,000 people found that level of education is the strongest socio-economic factor linked to survival rates after acute hip surgery. Higher education was associated with lower mortality rates, while lower education was linked to higher mortality rates.

SourceLinköping University·JournalBritish Journal of Anaesthesia·DateSep 2, 2026

A summer odyssey: female Dotterels seek multiple mates across northern Europe

Female Dotterels travel long distances to secure multiple mates, contradicting the traditional view of birds' migrations. They often visit three to five sites, with the most wide-ranging bird covering 1,343 km, before returning to a final site for an extended stay.

SourceMax Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·DateSep 2, 2026

Pterostilbene modulates skeletal muscle lipid metabolism through PPARδ stabilization

Researchers from Shinshu University discovered that pterostilbene, a natural polyphenol, stabilizes PPARδ, enhancing fatty acid oxidation and promoting lipolysis in skeletal muscle cells. This finding has potential implications for developing functional foods and nutritional supplements to target muscle fat metabolism.

SourceShinshu University·JournalFood Bioscience·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 2, 2026

Personality pairing improves human-AI collaboration

A new study from MIT Sloan School of Management identifies the most effective ways businesses can use and benefit from AI personalization. Researchers found that specific pairings of human and AI personalities can significantly improve ad quality and performance, with text quality increasing click-through rates and decreasing costs per...

SourceMIT Sloan School of Management·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateSep 2, 2026

Beneficial bacteria support tomato growth & suppress disease

Researchers have identified three beneficial bacteria that not only delay the onset of tomato bacterial canker but also promote plant growth. These microbes, including Pantoea agglomerans and Pseudomonas marginalis, have shown promise in treating the disease and improving plant health.

SourceAmerican Society for Microbiology·JournalApplied and Environmental Microbiology·DateSep 2, 2026

Bovine stem cells offer new approach to future cultivated steak research

Researchers at EMBL Barcelona have developed a method to grow self-organising bovine tissues containing muscle, nerve, and blood vessel cells from bovine embryonic stem cells. This breakthrough provides a powerful model for understanding muscle development and tissue engineering, and lays important groundwork for building more complex ...

SourceEuropean Molecular Biology Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 2, 2026

Optimizing flight paths and communication networks in drone fleets

A new framework jointly optimizes UAV trajectories and FANET topology to maximize data transmission, outperforming existing methods in field experiments and simulations. The approach enables more efficient and reliable multi-UAV missions for environmental monitoring and other applications.

SourceChinese Association of Automation·JournalIEEE/CAA Journal of Automatica Sinica·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 2, 2026

Why some stroke patients fare better than others

A new study from the University of Colorado Boulder reveals how the brain's defense mechanism can backfire, forming micro-clots that damage tissue after the original clot is gone. This phenomenon, known as no reflow, affects up to 50% of stroke patients and can lead to long-term disability or death.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 2, 2026

Research alert: Breakthrough helps expand genetic alphabet

Researchers at University of California San Diego have demonstrated that one of biology's most essential enzymes can accurately read and transcribe an expanded, eight-letter genetic alphabet. This breakthrough advances synthetic biology and could allow scientists to create new biological systems and diagnostic tools.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 2, 2026

Mental health conditions after trauma linked to higher cardiovascular risk

Research suggests that mental health conditions, including PTSD, substance abuse, and depression, can increase the risk of future cardiovascular risks such as heart attacks, strokes, and cardiovascular death. Alcohol abuse was found to be the top psychiatric predictor of serious heart and brain conditions for both men and women.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·DateSep 2, 2026

Just because US politics is polarized, this doesn’t mean it is true elsewhere

Experts warn that common narratives about polarisation are overgeneralised and often based on evidence from the US alone. The study calls for a global literature on political polarisation to be a fundamental goal, emphasizing the need for country-dependent solutions to address the growing polarisation challenges of social media and AI.

SourceKing's College London·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 2, 2026

A plastic–plasticizer system that transforms into fertilizer after use

A research team from Chiba University developed a flexible bio-based plastic that can be chemically converted into fertilizer after use, improving environmental sustainability. The plasticizer improves the flexibility of the plastic, increasing its potential for future applications.

SourceChiba University·JournalScientific Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 2, 2026

Japanese scientists develop heart-in-a-dish model of heart relaxation failure

Researchers have developed a human engineered heart tissue model of diastolic heart failure, enabling treatment testing with SGLT2 inhibitors, which partially prevented disease development. The model demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects of SGLT2i, improving ion exchanger function and preventing accumulation of ions in tissues.

SourceFujita Health University·JournalCell Stem Cell·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 2, 2026

Laser-printed touch interface turns finger motion into digital inputs

Researchers developed a low-cost touch interface that recognizes finger movements and users, using a single-electrode design and triboelectric effects. The interface can be created by printing patterns onto a PVC sheet with a laser printer and can recognize complex inputs, including alphabet characters and user authentication.

SourceShibaura Institute of Technology·JournalNano Energy·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 2, 2026

Adjuvant immunotherapy shows no survival benefit for NSCLC patients achieving pCR after neoadjuvant treatment

A real-world observational study found no significant survival benefit from post-surgery immunotherapy in NSCLC patients with pathological complete response after neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy. The study suggests that these patients may already derive the maximum benefit from neoadjuvant therapy alone.

SourceChinese Medical Journals Publishing House Co., Ltd.·JournalChinese Medical Journal·TypeObservational study·DateSep 2, 2026

New “devil flower” species discovered in Thai national park

A new species of leafless flowering plant, Thismia daemona, has been discovered in Thong Pha Phum National Park in western Thailand. The species, which belongs to the genus Thismia, is critically endangered due to its limited population size and fragile habitat.

SourcePensoft Publishers·JournalPhytoKeys·DateSep 2, 2026

Brain cancer: Immunotherapy first, surgery afterwards

A new study shows that administering cell immunotherapy before surgery to remove a brain tumour is significantly more effective than administering it afterwards. CAR-T cells were able to neutralize tumor cells and immune suppression, leading to unprecedented durable tumour control.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalNature Communications·TypeNews article·DateSep 2, 2026

Exercise alters brain activity during cognitive tasks

Researchers found that aerobic exercise alters regional brain activity patterns during cognitive tasks, while task repetition influences efficiency. In older adults, a positive correlation was observed between decline in brain activity and task performance, suggesting linked changes in task processing.

SourceNational Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology·JournalJournal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging·DateSep 2, 2026

Check for copycat bias in medical AI

A scoping review found that only 77 studies validating 52 medical AI products reported demographic data, highlighting the need for more transparent reporting to confirm safe and unbiased performance. The review also showed that performance reporting for demographic subgroups is inadequate, posing a risk to patient care and outcomes.

SourceOsaka Metropolitan University·JournalEuropean Radiology·TypeSystematic review·DateSep 2, 2026

Scientists discover the key ingredients that make birdsong pretty

Research in Germany found that birdsongs with narrower bandwidths and greater complexity are perceived as more pleasant, with blackbirds' songs considered most attractive. Pleasantness is also influenced by personal taste, but not by knowledge of birds.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Bird Science·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 2, 2026

Certain fertility treatments associated with Kawasaki disease risk in children

A nationwide study of over 100,000 children found certain fertility treatments, including ovulation induction, IUI, and IVF, are associated with an increased risk of Kawasaki disease before age 5. The study's findings highlight the need for further investigation into the mechanisms underlying Kawasaki disease.

SourceThe University of Osaka·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeObservational study·DateSep 1, 2026

Scientists discover bizarre 'Alien' microbe that gives birth by bursting open

Researchers have discovered a new microbe, Caledochytrium aldermaii, that reproduces by growing new cells inside its own body before bursting open to release them. This unique reproductive strategy has the potential to improve the production of omega-3 oils and natural food colours, which are used in food supplements, infant formula, a...

SourceHeriot-Watt University·JournalProtist·DateSep 1, 2026

Light-driven molecular reorientation for large-scale photonic in-memory computing

A new platform using liquid-crystal Poincaré-sphere-connected diffractive neural networks enables large-scale photonic in-memory computing with minimal data-movement overheads and ultralow static power. It achieves a 100,000-fold improvement in memory capacity over state-of-the-art platforms.

SourceLight Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics And Physics, CAS·JournaleLight·DateSep 1, 2026

Multifunctional frequency modulated continuous wave LiDAR for simultaneous 3D imaging and multi-parameter sensing

A new LiDAR system enables simultaneous 3D imaging and multi-parameter sensing for electric vehicle safety. The system accurately measures temperature, gas concentrations, and liquid density, and has potential applications in new energy vehicles and spacecraft.

SourceLight Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics And Physics, CAS·JournalLight: Advanced Manufacturing·DateSep 1, 2026

New Cog-Free web tool estimates dementia risk without cognitive testing

A new web-based tool, Cog-Free, estimates dementia risk using routine health examination data without cognitive tests. The tool, validated in a prospective cohort study, achieved high accuracy and clinical utility, with variables such as education, grip strength, and age contributing to risk assessment.

SourceShanghai Jiao Tong University Journal Center·JournalGeneral Psychiatry·TypeObservational study·DateSep 1, 2026

Engineered thickness-gradient electrolytes resolve current and thermal imbalances in solid oxide fuel cells

Researchers developed a thickness-gradient electrolyte to homogenize current distribution in solid oxide fuel cells, reducing current density deviation by up to 80% and improving durability. The electrolyte's layered structure boosts electrochemical reaction rates while suppressing excessive local current.

SourceShanghai Jiao Tong University Journal Center·JournalENGINEERING Energy·TypeNews article·DateSep 1, 2026

Musicians’ brains stay one step ahead, study finds

Researchers found that musicians can predict what happens next in movement sequences faster than non-musicians. Visual distractions can disrupt new motor memories, affecting practice sessions and skill learning, the study suggests. The findings have implications for rehabilitation, sports training, and music education.

SourceEdith Cowan University·JournalPsychological Research·TypeObservational study·DateSep 1, 2026

New method puts a twist on creating efficient micromixers

Researchers at Tohoku University have developed a new method for creating efficient micromixers inside polymer fibers, enabling rapid mixing of minute amounts of liquid. The twisted microchannels fabricated using this method promote mixing even at low Reynolds numbers, making it suitable for various applications.

SourceTohoku University·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateSep 1, 2026

Storytelling apes: Are you sitting comfortably….

Researchers propose that fireside storytelling was critical to the evolution of sophisticated language, allowing humans to extend social time and create a deep sense of social connection. The unique properties of firelight, including its flickering and infra-red emission, may have played a key role in this process.

SourceUniversity of St. Andrews·TypeObservational study·DateSep 1, 2026

Blue Origin explosion detected and measured with infrasound data

Researchers analyzed infrasound signals from the Blue Origin explosion to confirm the time and location of the event and estimate its yield. The study demonstrates the potential of infrasound analysis in monitoring launch anomalies and provides valuable information on liquid methane rocket fuel.

SourceSeismological Society of America·JournalThe Seismic Record·TypeObservational study·DateSep 1, 2026

Muddying the waters makes fish more sociable, study finds

Researchers found that fish in cloudy water take longer to find food, but individuals in larger groups respond more quickly overall. Sticklebacks change their shoaling behavior to compensate, becoming more coordinated and finding food faster.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·DateSep 1, 2026

Widely-used back braces lack strong evidence for chronic low back pain

A new Cochrane review of 8 randomized controlled trials involving over 500 adults found little to no benefit from widely-used back braces in managing chronic low back pain. The research suggested that the use of lumbar supports may be more common in lower-income countries where active treatment alternatives are less accessible.

SourceCochrane·JournalCochrane Database of Systematic Reviews·TypeSystematic review·DateSep 1, 2026

Temperature: A new knob for topological properties of materials

Increasing temperature weakens spin-orbit coupling in topological insulators like Bi2Se3, Bi2Te3, and Sb2Te3, driving a transition to normal insulating state. This phenomenon suggests that temperature could serve as a new knob for controlling materials' electronic properties.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalNewton·DateSep 1, 2026

KAIST skin-conformable micro-LED mask boosts skin rejuvenation, brightening, and synergistic benefits with polynucleotide (PN) injections

A KAIST-developed micro-LED mask boosts skin rejuvenation and brightening through close skin contact, while PN injections provide synergistic benefits for skin regeneration and recovery. The mask achieves 340% greater improvement in deep skin elasticity than conventional LED masks.

SourceThe Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)·JournalNano Energy·DateSep 1, 2026

Breathing without brakes

University of Connecticut researchers found that Rett syndrome symptoms are caused by a lack of dopamine in the carotid body, leading to unstable breathing. This discovery may lead to new treatments for Rett syndrome and other diseases involving dopamine imbalance.

SourceUniversity of Connecticut·JournalCurrent Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 1, 2026