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Science News Archive April 2026 - Page 37


Page 37 of 55

From springs and bolts, St. Olaf researchers built a computer that doesn’t require electricity

St. Olaf researchers create mechanical computers that can perform simple computations without a computer chip or power source, harnessing their power from physical force. The devices demonstrate proof of design for alternative computing in harsh settings, paving the way for smart materials and responsive artificial limbs.

SourceSt. Olaf College·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 13, 2026

How plants regulate their protein balance

A specific protein complex regulates protein balance in plants, influencing their response to environmental stress. Researchers discovered that this process, known as N-terminal acetylation, maintains the stability of the plant proteome by controlling protein degradation and recycling.

SourceHeidelberg University·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 13, 2026

Envisioning just futures

A new IIASA-led study offers a practical approach to evaluate the distributional implications of climate action, enabling policymakers to assess justice impacts of emissions pathways. The study found that many existing mitigation scenarios are consistent with justice principles, while few explore limits on energy or meat consumption.

Pixelated BIC metasurfaces for terahertz integrated sensing and imaging

Researchers propose a novel THz metasurface-enabled platform for integrated sensing and imaging, overcoming limitations of slow sequential data acquisition. The system achieves 100% binary image reconstruction with nanosecond-scale accuracy, enabling real-time applications in security, semiconductor, and pharmaceutical sectors.

SourceEditorial Office of Opto-Electronic Journals Group·JournalOpto-Electronic Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 13, 2026

Proteins cluster in cells for faster performance

Researchers at the University of Groningen discovered that protein clustering in cells leads to reduced movement and improved efficiency in amino acid production. This finding has practical implications for designing efficient cell factories and increasing substance production inside cells.

SourceUniversity of Groningen·JournalMolecular Cell·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 13, 2026

Designing better membrane proteins by embracing imperfection

Researchers at VIB–VUB Center for Structural Biology have discovered a counterintuitive principle for designing membrane proteins. Introducing 'imperfections' or negative design enables synthetic membrane proteins to fold and assemble efficiently. This approach can improve the stability of final folded structures without compromising it.

SourceVlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 13, 2026

Beijing Normal University researchers develop framework for early-season winter wheat sowing date estimation

A novel machine learning framework integrates high-resolution remote sensing and dynamic climate windows to estimate early-season winter wheat sowing dates. The framework achieved an R² of 0.82 with most estimates within ±5 days of observed values, capturing regional patterns and fine-scale variations.

SourceKeAi Communications Co., Ltd.·JournalThe Crop Journal·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 13, 2026

Scientists uncover how vaccine adjuvants separate protection from reactogenicity

Researchers found that squalene-based adjuvants activate distinct pathways for vaccine protection and reactogenicity, including the role of IL-1β in enhancing efficacy and IL-1α in triggering local swelling. The study's findings could lead to safer vaccine design by targeting specific immune mechanisms.

SourceThe Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo·Journalnpj Vaccines·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 13, 2026

A breakthrough in understanding the origin of Mount Etna

Researchers at the University of Lausanne uncover a breakthrough in understanding Mount Etna's origin, suggesting that the volcano may have formed through a mechanism similar to petit-spot submarine volcanoes. This discovery opens up new perspectives for understanding how other volcanic systems may form around the world.

SourceUniversity of Lausanne·JournalJournal of Geophysical Research Solid Earth·DateApr 13, 2026

Chinese Medical Journal study reveals how mitochondrial activity is regulated in heart muscle cells

A study published in Chinese Medical Journal reveals how mitochondrial activity is regulated in heart muscle cells. Mitochondrial dysfunction disrupts energy production and affects cardiac outcomes, with various proteins managing mitochondrial biogenesis and mitophagy.

SourceChinese Medical Journals Publishing House Co., Ltd.·JournalChinese Medical Journal·TypeLiterature review·DateApr 13, 2026

Precision boost for quantum sensor technology

Researchers at the University of Würzburg have directly measured the 'waiting time' in a two-dimensional material, which lasts exactly 24 billionths of a second. This knowledge increases the accuracy of atomic sensors and paves the way for future medical diagnostics.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 13, 2026

Water-soluble cellulose adhesive enables strong, reusable bonding across extreme conditions

Researchers have developed a water-soluble cellulose ethyl phosphite (CEP) adhesive that integrates high bonding strength, environmental tolerance, and recyclability. The CEP adhesive demonstrates remarkable thermal stability and resistance to moisture-related degradation, making it suitable for various applications.

SourceJournal of Bioresources and Bioproducts·JournalJournal of Bioresources and Bioproducts·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 13, 2026

AI remains lacking in clinical reasoning abilities, according to study of 21 large language models

A study of 21 large language models found that they excel at accurate final diagnoses but falter at differential diagnoses, highlighting the need for human oversight in healthcare. The researchers developed a novel measure, PrIME-LLM, to evaluate AI's clinical competency across different stages of reasoning.

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 13, 2026

Opioid use stigma may underlie clinician biases towards patients with sickle cell disease

Research at UChicago Medicine found that clinicians who perceive patients with sickle cell disease as opioid users are more likely to experience bias and provide lower quality care. The study highlights the need for increased awareness and education on overcoming biases related to chronic pain management.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Medical Center·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 13, 2026

A complete rethinking of how our brains use categories to make sense of the world

A new review paper proposes that brain categorization is part of a predictive process to efficiently meet needs, rather than an intellectual exercise comparing sensory inputs to a fixed prototype. This approach predicts the world and anticipates actions, allowing for efficient survival and thriving in a fast-paced environment.

SourcePicower Institute at MIT·JournalNature Reviews Neuroscience·TypeSystematic review·DateApr 13, 2026

Development and successful treatment of spinal mixed histiocytosis in an elderly woman following two relapses of BRAF-mutated unifocal skull langerhans cell histiocytosis

A 76-year-old woman developed spinal mixed histiocytosis after multiple relapses of BRAF-mutated unifocal skull Langerhans cell histiocytosis. She was treated successfully with targeted therapy, highlighting the importance of routine PET/CT screening and genetic testing for refractory cases.

SourceXia & He Publishing Inc.·JournalOncology Advances·DateApr 13, 2026

Think that conversation will be boring? Science says think again

A study published by the American Psychological Association found that people consistently underestimate how interesting and enjoyable conversations about boring topics would be. People reported enjoying these conversations much more than they had predicted, even when both parties agreed the topic was boring.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 13, 2026

Korea University Institute for Environmental Medicine hosts Uzbekistan Ministry of Health delegation for institutional visit and strategic discussions

The Korea University Institute for Environmental Medicine hosted a delegation from the Uzbekistan Ministry of Health for an institutional visit and strategic discussions. The visit aimed to deepen mutual understanding and expand collaboration in healthcare and medical education between the two countries.

New study reveals why some Chinese immigrants in the US may turn to China-based telehealth apps

A recent study found that 15% of Chinese immigrants use China-based telehealth apps for medical advice while living in the US. These apps are preferred due to lower costs, ease of access, and language support. However, reliance on foreign-based services raises concerns about patient safety, continuity of care, and regulatory oversight.

SourceUniversity of Texas at San Antonio·JournalDigital Health·DateApr 13, 2026

New method offers a more realistic way to judge how near-fault structures perform in earthquakes

A new method, MIDA, uses physics-based ground motion simulations tied to earthquake magnitude to better assess seismic performance of near-fault structures. This approach reduces subjectivity and nonphysical distortion, providing a more stable and realistic prediction of structural response.

SourceCivil Engineering Sciences·JournalCivil Engineering Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 13, 2026

Making light spin with a gold nanorod

By striking a gold nanorod off-center with an electron beam, researchers created rotating circular polarization in light, a property useful for controlling information encoding and transmission. This simple approach could enable new ways to encode, route, and process information using light.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalNano Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 13, 2026

Study: People using mobile app breathalyzers changed their drinking behavior

A study found that repeated use of low-cost mobile breathalyzers led to changes in drinking behavior, with heavy drinkers reducing blood-alcohol concentrations. The device's introduction allowed individuals to track their intoxication levels in real-time, enhancing self-awareness and leading to improved decision-making.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalAmerican Journal of Psychiatry·TypeObservational study·DateApr 13, 2026