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Science News for February 10, 2026


When blackouts occur during heat waves, Austin homes pose major risk

A new study assesses indoor heat vulnerability for each single-family home in Austin, finding that 85% of homes would pose significant risk to an elderly person during a power outage. The city can now take a methodical approach to mitigating risk through cooling centers and home weatherization programs.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalBuilding and Environment·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 10, 2026

AI-Powered R&D Acceleration: Insilico Medicine and CMS announce multiple collaborations in central nervous system and autoimmune diseases

Insilico Medicine and CMS announce multiple collaborations on AI-empowered drug discovery in central nervous system and autoimmune diseases. The partnerships aim to accelerate research, development, and translation of high-potential innovative therapies, leveraging complementary strengths across the entire value chain.

Synthetic oxytocin may prevent anxiety caused by social stress, according to a study in an animal model

A study published in Progress in Neurobiology found that synthetic oxytocin carbetocin can prevent anxiety-related behaviors in laboratory rats exposed to social stress. The researchers observed that carbetocin had a preventive effect on anxiety without having direct anxiolytic effects.

New study shows mRNA therapy could protect patients from radiation-induced skin damage caused by cancer treatment

Researchers discovered an mRNA-based therapy that instructs skin cells to produce telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT), reducing DNA damage and protecting against genomic DNA injury. This breakthrough could lead to new therapies preventing radiation burns and long-term scarring, improving quality of life for millions of cancer patie...

SourceHouston Methodist·JournalMolecular Therapy·DateFeb 10, 2026

Working group members appointed to the global workforce development in stem cell research and regenerative medicine initiative

An international working group has been appointed to advance the Global Workforce Development in Stem Cell Research and Regenerative Medicine Initiative, a collaboration between ISSCR and Canada's Stem Cell Network. The initiative aims to strengthen workforce development and ensure the field of regenerative medicine delivers meaningful...

New molecular maps of bone could transform early osteoarthritis detection

Researchers used advanced imaging to uncover early molecular changes in bone associated with osteoarthritis. The study found that subchondral bone beneath damaged cartilage showed strong upregulation of specific collagen fragments, suggesting that disease-related bone changes begin earlier than previously recognized.

SourceEditorial Office of West China School of Stomatology, Sichuan University·JournalBone Research·TypeImaging analysis·DateFeb 10, 2026

Making every identity count

Syracuse University professor Gabriel Merrin has developed a software tool called CATAcode to help researchers handle demographic data more thoughtfully. The tool addresses the issue of respondents selecting multiple options for characteristics such as race, gender identity, or other traits. By providing systematic approaches for explo...

SourceSyracuse University·JournalAdvances in Methods and Practices in Psychological Science·DateFeb 10, 2026

More banks mean higher costs for borrowers

Research from the University of Texas at Austin reveals that increased bank competition can result in higher interest rates for borrowers. With more banks competing for loans, each additional bank is associated with a 7 basis point increase in interest rates. This is due to the 'winner's curse' effect, where lenders become risk-averse ...

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalJournal of Finance·DateFeb 10, 2026

New study improves accuracy in tracking ammonia pollution sources

Researchers have developed a more reliable method for measuring natural nitrogen isotope signatures of atmospheric ammonia, allowing for stronger tools to trace pollution sources and improve air quality management. The new approach uses sulfuric acid absorption, achieving higher ammonia recovery rates and stable isotope measurements.

Acoustics : a neglected driver of evolution in fishes

Researchers uncover novel mechanism of sound production in boxfishes, highlighting evolutionary transition from mute to vocal species. A comparative anatomical analysis reveals absence of sound mechanism in related Aracanidae family, supporting importance of acoustic communication in fish evolution.

SourceUniversity of Liège·JournalBiological Journal of the Linnean Society·DateFeb 10, 2026

Bridging eye disease care with addiction services

Researchers found that patients with substance use disorder received life-saving treatments only when addiction consult services were involved. Fentanyl use was associated with dramatically worse visual outcomes, highlighting the importance of addressing underlying conditions alongside acute medical problems.

SourceMass Eye and Ear·JournalOphthalmology Retina·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 10, 2026

Why rough grinding make stainless steel more prone to corrosion?

Researchers found that rough grinding creates fine scratches on the surface of stainless steel, which damage embedded manganese sulfide particles. This damage weakens the material's corrosion resistance. The study suggests that improving surface finishing methods can enhance the durability and reliability of stainless-steel components.

SourceTohoku University·Journalnpj Materials Degradation·DateFeb 10, 2026

Climate benefits of tree planting could be reduced by soil carbon loss, Stirling professor warns

A University of Stirling professor has warned that tree-planting may not be as effective at reducing climate change as previously assumed due to potential soil carbon losses. The study found that deep soils in forests may lose more carbon over time than expected, which could reduce the net climate benefits of tree planting.

SourceUniversity of Stirling·JournalGlobal Change Biology·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateFeb 10, 2026

Breeding a better cucumber: new genetic map reveals 171,892 structural variants

A research team led by Boyce Thompson Institute has created the most comprehensive genetic map of cucumber ever made, revealing nearly 172,000 large-scale DNA rearrangements that shape its evolution and agronomic traits. The study found that structural variants were purged during domestication, but continued to be present in global var...

SourceBoyce Thompson Institute·JournalNature Genetics·TypeMeta-analysis·DateFeb 10, 2026

From practice to policy: why farmer collaboration matters for biodiversity

A new study highlights the importance of farmer-led collaboration in addressing biodiversity loss in agricultural landscapes. Farmer clusters, groups of farmers working together to support biodiversity-sensitive farming, show varying levels of maturity and collaboration, influenced by factors such as leadership quality and institutiona...

UL3DCN: A novel wearable thermal infrared imaging enhancement technology

Researchers developed a novel unsupervised lightweight 3D convolutional network (UL3DCN) for enhanced infrared imaging in wearable devices, addressing poor image quality issues. The UL3DCN achieves excellent image enhancement effect and good real-time performance, successfully integrating into a wearable infrared firefighting mask.

SourceHigher Education Press·JournalFrontiers of Computer Science·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 10, 2026

Genotype-specific response to 144-week entecavir therapy for HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B with a particular focus on histological improvement

A prospective study of 49 treatment-naive CHB patients found that HBV genotype significantly influences liver histological response. Patients with genotype B showed higher histological improvement rates and greater inflammation resolution compared to those with genotype C.

SourceXia & He Publishing Inc.·JournalJournal of Clinical and Translational Hepatology·DateFeb 10, 2026

Building immunity against avian flu risks

A team from UNIGE has shown that certain antibodies to seasonal flu can also target avian flu. Stimulating these antibodies could strengthen protection in the event of a pandemic. Vaccinated individuals show increased levels of cross-reactive antibodies capable of neutralizing the H5N1 virus, which may result in milder symptoms.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalNature Communications·TypeNews article·DateFeb 10, 2026

Researchers identify previously unrecognized genetic variants, patterns associated with hypermobile Ehlers–Danlos syndrome

A study of 116 individuals with hypermobile Ehlers–Danlos syndrome (hEDS) identified three key biological systems affected by genetic variations. The analysis found a higher burden of variants in the collagen biosynthesis pathway, HLA/adaptive immune axis, and mitochondrial respiratory chain compared to unaffected family members.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalGenes·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 10, 2026

Sensorimotor integration by targeted priming in muscles with electromyography-driven electro-vibro-feedback in robot-assisted wrist/hand rehabilitation after stroke

The EMG-driven EVF robot enhances both voluntary motor control and sensory feedback to the wrist and hand muscles, improving sensorimotor integration and restoring balanced motor control. Significant improvements were observed in Fugl-Meyer Assessment scores and Action Research Arm Test scores.

SourceBeijing Institute of Technology Press Co., Ltd·JournalCyborg and Bionic Systems·DateFeb 10, 2026

AI that understands chemical principles... Accelerating the development of new drugs and materials​

Researchers at KAIST have developed an AI model that understands chemical principles to predict molecular structures, achieving up to 20 times higher accuracy than existing models. This technology can speed up research and development in various fields, including new drug development and material creation.

SourceThe Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)·JournalNature Computational Science·TypeMeta-analysis·DateFeb 10, 2026

Too many saturated fats may be more harmful than too many refined carbohydrates

A recent study published in the Journal of Nutrition found that higher fat diets were more harmful than high-carbohydrate diets, even when fiber supplementation was added. Mice on high-fat and ketogenic diets experienced weight gain, liver damage, and other negative health effects, while those on a high-carbohydrate diet did not.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Nutrition·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateFeb 10, 2026

Accelerating development of new energy system with “substance-energy network” as foundation

The substance-energy network is a strategic concept for China's energy system transformation, integrating power grids and pipeline networks for flexible and resilient energy systems. It provides solutions for large-scale renewable energy consumption and high-reliability energy security.

SourceKeAi Communications Co., Ltd.·JournalJournal of Pipeline Science and Engineering·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateFeb 10, 2026

Continuous lower limb biomechanics prediction via prior-informed lightweight marker-GMformer

The Marker-GMformer model, a lightweight deep learning approach, accurately predicts lower limb biomechanics with high correlation coefficients (>0.97) and low RMSE values (1.95° for joint angles). It offers real-time inference suitable for applications requiring fast feedback, such as robotic control and monitoring.

SourceBeijing Institute of Technology Press Co., Ltd·JournalCyborg and Bionic Systems·DateFeb 10, 2026

Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Penn Medicine Researchers identify strategies for preventing the most infectious strains of S. aureus in the NICU

A new study identifies the most infectious strains of Staphylococcus aureus in neonatal intensive care units and suggests specific strategies for prevention and control. The research provides a critical blueprint for precision surveillance and aims to reduce infections in vulnerable newborns.

SourceChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia·JournalNature Communications·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 10, 2026

Virtual reality meets particle physics: JUNO unveils immersive event display tool

JUNO unveils an immersive VR-based visualization framework for complex detector geometries and event information, transcending traditional methods. The Unity-powered platform enables precise control and interaction within a three-dimensional space, facilitating comprehensive inspection of detector structures and physics events.

SourceNuclear Science and Techniques·JournalNuclear Science and Techniques·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 10, 2026

Underbite is associated with tooth loss risk

A recent study from Tohoku University found that adults with an anterior crossbite are at a higher risk of tooth loss. The research team analyzed data from over 17,000 adults and discovered that anterior crossbite is linked to a higher prevalence of tooth loss, particularly in older age groups. In contrast, adults with an anterior open...

SourceTohoku University·JournalClinical Oral Investigations·DateFeb 10, 2026

Fall prevention programs in emergency departments may help older adults after discharge

A new study suggests that emergency departments may be able to take meaningful steps during visits to help older adults stay safer once they return home. Researchers found that bedside pharmacy and physical therapy consultations yielded individualized recommendations, including mobility aids and medication adjustments.

SourceHebrew SeniorLife Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research·JournalAcademic Emergency Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateFeb 10, 2026

Researchers discover genetic link to Barrett’s esophagus offering new hope for esophageal cancer patients

A breakthrough study has discovered a genetic defect that weakens the esophageal lining, making it vulnerable to acid damage. The discovery offers new hope for esophageal cancer patients and provides a potential screening tool for family members at high risk of developing the condition.

SourceCase Western Reserve University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 10, 2026

Stratigraphic refinement unveils high-resolution shallow marine biotic dynamics immediately preceding the late Ordovician mass extinction in South China

A new study provides a refined framework for understanding biotic evolution immediately preceding the Late Ordovician Mass Extinction in South China. The study reveals diverse shallow marine biotas in the region and reconstructs the regional ecosystem with high resolution.

SourceELSP·JournalContinent & Life Evolution·TypeLiterature review·DateFeb 10, 2026

CEOs who have lived through natural disasters tend to prioritize safer workplaces, Concordia study finds

A new Concordia-led study found that CEOs who experienced natural disasters in childhood tend to run firms with better workplace safety records. The research analyzed data from over 500 CEOs and found that these executives' companies reported significantly fewer work-related injuries.

SourceConcordia University·JournalEuropean Financial Management·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 10, 2026

Do cash transfers lead to traumatic injury or death?

A 11-year study of Alaska's state-wide cash distribution program found no connection between direct cash payments and serious injury or death. The study considered all traumatic injuries and deaths over a longer period than previous research, examining the effects of providing cash transfers to an entire state.

SourceNew York University·JournalAmerican Journal of Epidemiology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 10, 2026

Production of 99Mo via photofission reaction in natural-uranium-bearing molten salt targets

A novel technical approach employs high-energy electrons to directly irradiate a flowing molten salt target containing natural uranium, generating 99Mo primarily through the photofission reaction of 238U. This method mitigates nuclear proliferation risks and offers substantial advantages in terms of material security.

SourceNuclear Science and Techniques·JournalNuclear Science and Techniques·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 10, 2026

Shandong Agricultural University researchers redefine green revolution genes to boost wheat yield potential

Researchers at Shandong Agricultural University identified the Green Revolution allele Rht-D1b as a major regulator of tiller angle in wheat, which improves canopy structure and light interception. Moderate expression of Rht-D1b under its native promoter optimizes grain yield per plant, providing new genetic tools for breeders to fine-...

SourceKeAi Communications Co., Ltd.·JournalThe Crop Journal·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 10, 2026

Study reveals how chills develop and support the body's defense against infection

A recent rat study identified the neural mechanism underlying chills, a cold sensation that supports the body's response to infection. The findings suggest that prostaglandin E₂ boosts cold signals from the lateral parabrachial nucleus to the central nucleus of the amygdala, triggering chills and promoting warmth-seeking behavior.

SourceNagoya University·JournalThe Journal of Physiology·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 10, 2026

Researchers identify cleaner ways to burn biomass using new environmental impact metric

A new study provides practical guidance for cleaner energy production by comparing open burning, kilowatt scale grate combustion, megawatt scale grate combustion, and circulating fluidized bed boiler technology. Biomass combustion remains a widely used thermochemical pathway, but it can release harmful gaseous pollutants. The research ...

Robust long-tailed learning under label noise

Researchers propose a novel framework called RoLT to detect and address label noise in long-tail data. The framework incorporates soft pseudo-labeling with label distribution to enhance training for tail classes, leading to improved model performance compared to existing methods.

SourceHigher Education Press·JournalFrontiers of Computer Science·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 10, 2026

Eva Vailionis, MS, CGC is presented the 2026 ACMG Foundation Genetic Counselor Best Abstract Award by The ACMG Foundation

Eva Vailionis, a cancer genetic counselor at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, has been awarded the 2026 ACMG Foundation Genetic Counselor Best Abstract Award. Her abstract on TMEM127 pathogenic variants presents key findings on prevalence and tumor characteristics in patients with these variants.

Noise pollution is affecting birds' reproduction, stress levels and more. The good news is we can fix it.

New research reveals that anthropogenic noise impacts bird behavior, physiology, and reproduction, highlighting the need for solutions to reduce and manage noise. By synthesizing data from over 150 studies, the study identifies predictable effects of noise pollution on birds, including increased stress hormones in urban areas.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·DateFeb 10, 2026

New study on avian malaria finds most of Hawaii’s birds contribute to deadly pathogen’s transmission

A new study reveals that both non-native and native birds play a key role in the transmission of avian malaria, which has contributed to the extinction of over a dozen species of Hawaii's native birds. The disease is transmitted by mosquitoes and infects birds' red blood cells, leading to low blood oxygen levels and damage to organs.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Cruz·JournalNature Communications·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 10, 2026

Study explores how women in public sector regulate their emotions at work

A study found that women in the public service sector tend to report satisfaction with their work, but also struggle with suppressing negative emotions. The researchers surveyed over 120 women and discovered that most never felt ashamed or scared at work, but many reported hiding their true feelings due to job expectations.

SourceUniversity of Kansas·JournalJournal of Social Equity and Public Administration·TypeSurvey·DateFeb 10, 2026

Biomarkers predict patients with glioblastoma who will survive longer after treatment with cancer-targeting virus

Researchers identified blood-based biomarkers that can help distinguish patients with glioblastoma who are most likely to live longer from novel treatment with an engineered oncolytic virus. The study found that adding an immune booster increased survival times and improved immunological fitness.

SourceUniversity of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center·JournalClinical Cancer Research·DateFeb 10, 2026

Controlled “oxidative spark”: a surprising ally in brain repair

A new study shows that a brief burst of oxidative stress right after an injury can help the brain repair itself by activating protective antioxidant processes and waking up dormant cells. This 'oxidative spark' involves a specific group of support cells releasing reactive oxygen species, which drives cell division and replacement.

SourceChampalimaud Centre for the Unknown·JournalEMBO Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 10, 2026

Topic-enhanced argument mining via mutual learning

Researchers propose a novel approach leveraging mutual interaction between neural topic model and language model to improve argument mining tasks. The proposed method effectively captures contextual information on targets, cross-domain adaptation, and implicit argumentative information within arguments.

SourceHigher Education Press·JournalFrontiers of Computer Science·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 10, 2026

Why people won’t quit a weight loss drug – even when it makes them feel sick

A Rutgers Health study found that perceived effectiveness of semaglutide, such as noticeable weight loss or reduced food cravings, was the strongest predictor of satisfaction and intention to continue treatment. Although gastrointestinal issues like nausea and vomiting were common, they didn't significantly influence satisfaction score...

SourceRutgers University·JournalJournal of Medical Internet Research·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 10, 2026

Researchers rebuild microscopic circadian clock that can control genes

University of California San Diego scientists have solved how the circadian clocks within microscopic bacteria precisely control gene expression during the 24-hour cycle. The researchers identified six proteins needed to rebuild this clock, generating a simplified cyanobacterial system with a clock that only needs.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalNature Structural & Molecular Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 10, 2026

Scientists turn agricultural waste into powerful material that removes excess nutrients from water

Researchers develop calcium hydroxide modified biochar from discarded Camellia oleifera shells to remove ammonium and phosphate from water, showcasing strong adsorption performance. The material demonstrates potential for practical agricultural and industrial wastewater treatment, maintaining strong performance in real-world tests.

From lab bench to bedside – research in mice leads to answers for undiagnosed human neurodevelopmental conditions

A recent study published in the American Journal of Human Genetics has established a connection between the ASTN1 gene and undiagnosed human neurodevelopmental disorders. Researchers found that loss-of-function variants of the gene cause a range of developmental delays, intellectual disabilities, autism, ADHD, and epilepsy in children.

SourceBaylor College of Medicine·JournalAmerican Journal of Human Genetics·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 10, 2026

Uncovering patterns amid chaos

A recent NSF grant will support the development of new diagnostics and predictive models for understanding self-competition and weak asymmetry in turbulent flows. The project aims to uncover hidden patterns that current models miss, leading to improved simulations in weather forecasting, climate modeling, and engineering design.

UCLA report reveals a significant global palliative care gap among children

A new report published in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health highlights the significant global palliative care gap among children, with 96% of those in need living in low- and middle-income countries. The study estimates that $1 million per year is sufficient to cover pain medications for all children ages 0-14 years in need who live...

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalThe Lancet Child & Adolescent Health·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 10, 2026

Vision-based 3D occupancy prediction in autonomous driving: a review and outlook

This paper reviews the latest methods for vision-based 3D occupancy prediction in autonomous driving, categorizing them into feature-enhanced, computation-friendly, and label-efficient approaches. The authors propose inspiring future outlooks and provide a regularly updated GitHub repository to collect related papers, datasets, and codes.

SourceHigher Education Press·JournalFrontiers of Computer Science·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 10, 2026

New factor involved in pulmonary hypertension

Researchers have discovered a key factor involved in pulmonary hypertension: beta arrestin protein. The protein helps guide signaling molecules and is essential for relaxing muscle cells, reducing intracellular calcium concentration.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 10, 2026

Dementia Care Aware collaborates with the Institute for Healthcare Improvement to advance age-friendly health systems

Dementia Care Aware and the Institute for Healthcare Improvement are collaborating to support the implementation of the 4Ms Framework of an Age-Friendly Health System. This collaboration advances their shared goal of providing evidence-based care for dementia, with DCA bringing expertise in brain health and IHI providing expert faculty...

Treatment strategies after denosumab discontinuation in non-metastatic breast cancer treated with AI

A new review highlights the need for planned sequential bone therapy to reduce the risk of spontaneous vertebral fractures after denosumab therapy. Denosumab discontinuation can trigger a 'rebound phenomenon' marked by rapid bone turnover, bone loss, and potentially multiple vertebral fractures.

SourceInternational Osteoporosis Foundation·JournalOsteoporosis International·TypeLiterature review·DateFeb 10, 2026

Coordination thermodynamic control of magnetic domain configuration evolution toward low‑frequency electromagnetic attenuation

Researchers developed a thermodynamically controlled coordination strategy to modulate magnetic domain configurations, enabling precise regulation of magnetic nanoparticle spacing and resulting in effective low-frequency EM wave absorption. The approach also enhances interfacial electron transport and polarization loss, making the mate...

SourceShanghai Jiao Tong University Journal Center·JournalNano-Micro Letters·TypeNews article·DateFeb 10, 2026

Brain stimulation can nudge people to behave less selfishly

Researchers used transcranial alternating current stimulation to synchronize frontal and parietal lobes, increasing participants' ability to make altruistic choices. This study provides new insights into the neural basis of social decisions and has implications for future research on cooperation.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 10, 2026

How many times will we fall passionately in love? New Kinsey Institute study offers first-ever answer

A new study from the Kinsey Institute found that passionate love is relatively infrequent, occurring about twice in a lifetime. The research surveyed 10,036 single adults aged 18 to 99 and found that 14% had never experienced passionate love, while 28% experienced it once.

SourceKinsey Institute·JournalInterpersona An International Journal on Personal Relationships·TypeSurvey·DateFeb 10, 2026

Egalitarianism among hunter-gatherers

A resource redistribution experiment with Hadza adults suggests that egalitarianism is not primarily driven by a desire for equality, but rather by individual self-interest and norms of fairness. The results highlight the importance of extrinsic factors in shaping traditional sharing behaviors among hunter-gatherers.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateFeb 10, 2026