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Science News for February 27, 2026


Mountain soils in arid regions may emit more greenhouse gas as climate shifts, new study finds

Researchers found that managed cropland soils produced the highest nitrous oxide emissions due to irrigation and fertilization, while natural ecosystems emitted lower amounts but showed a clear response to elevation. Climate change could shift the balance of greenhouse gas emissions across ecosystems in arid mountain regions.

Reducing disease through gene manipulation

Dr. Gregory Reeves' team has developed a method to measure the amount of Dorsal protein in the nucleus, revealing its interaction with DNA and providing a predictive model for therapeutic purposes. The study aims to control cellular processes and prevent diseases like cancer.

SourceTexas A&M University·JournalScience Advances·DateFeb 27, 2026

Pairing biochar with other soil amendments could unlock stronger gains in soil health

A review of field studies found that combining biochar with other amendments like compost, manure, or fertilizers enhances soil health by increasing water retention, nutrient cycling, and microbial activity. The co-application approach also improves soil physical properties and biological responses.

SourceBiochar Editorial Office, Shenyang Agricultural University·JournalBiochar·TypeLiterature review·DateFeb 27, 2026

The Journal of Nuclear Medicine ahead-of-print tip sheet: February 27, 2026

Researchers have developed a new PSMA-targeted PET tracer that shows promise in early human studies, providing strong tumor uptake and favorable radiation dosimetry. Additionally, advanced dynamic PET imaging has been used to track heart amyloid buildup more precisely, detecting significant reductions after six months of tafamidis ther...

SourceSociety of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging·JournalJournal of Nuclear Medicine·DateFeb 27, 2026

Major NIH grant renewal fuels next phase of chronic pain research at UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry

The UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry has secured a $9 million NIH grant to develop a targeted, non-opioid treatment for chronic pain associated with muscle and joint dysfunction. Researchers will map the biology of facial pain, identify specialized neurons, and analyze gene expression changes to design effective treatments.

Targeted PET/CT predicts early treatment response in rheumatoid arthritis patients

A new targeted PET/CT tracer can detect treatment response in rheumatoid arthritis patients as little as four weeks after treatment initiation. The imaging technique uses macrophages, a type of white blood cell, as a biomarker for disease activity, potentially allowing non-responders to pursue more effective therapies.

SourceSociety of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging·JournalJournal of Nuclear Medicine·DateFeb 27, 2026

Using moon dirt to build future lunar colonies

Researchers at Ohio State University have developed a new laser 3D printing method that can create extremely durable structures using simulated lunar dirt. The study found that the material's properties depend on the surface onto which it is printed, and that environmental factors such as oxygen levels and temperature affect its stabil...

SourceOhio State University·JournalActa Astronautica·DateFeb 27, 2026

Stress-testing the Cascadia Subduction Zone reveals variability that could impact how earthquakes spread

Researchers found the Cascadia Subduction Zone to be more active than previously thought, with signs of shallow earthquakes and fluid flow detected offshore. The study suggests variable fluid pathways could alter the behavior of large earthquakes on the fault, potentially influencing the severity of future events.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalScience Advances·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 27, 2026

Acoziborole Winthrop, developed by DNDi and Sanofi, receives European Medicines Agency positive opinion as three-tablet, single-dose treatment for most common form of sleeping sickness

The European Medicines Agency has granted a positive opinion to Acoziborole Winthrop as a single-dose oral treatment for both early- and advanced-stage gambiense sleeping sickness in adults and adolescents. The medicine, co-developed by DNDi and Sanofi, could provide a significant advance over current therapies.

Variety: Spice of life or risk factor for overeating?

A new study conducted by researchers at Penn State found that the presence of a higher variety of foods in a buffet increases both the weight and calories of food selected. Participants who visited buffets with more food options chose higher-calorie dense foods, leading to increased calorie consumption.

SourcePenn State·JournalAppetite·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 27, 2026

Psychology: Habit-like repetition influences decisions more than previously thought

Researchers found that past actions have a greater impact on current decisions than assumed, with people often repeating choices due to mental shortcuts. This study enhances understanding of everyday habits and decision-making processes, offering new starting points for describing human behavior more realistically.

SourceTechnische Universität Dresden·JournalCommunications Psychology·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 27, 2026

Reduced international donor funding associated with higher household economic burden of Tuberculosis in low- and middle-income countries, according to modelling study

A modelling study suggests that reduced international donor funding increases the household economic burden of tuberculosis in low- and middle-income countries. The research found that decreased funding leads to a significant rise in healthcare costs and lost productivity.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 27, 2026

Compositional gradient design and microstructural engineering enable ultra-stable quinary Ni-rich cathodes in high-voltage pouch cells

Developing high-performance Ni-rich cathode materials is crucial for achieving single-cell energy densities exceeding 400 Wh kg‑. A research team synthesized quinary full-concentration-gradient cathodes using an in-situ co-precipitation strategy, featuring a Mn-rich, Ni-poor surface and radially aligned primary particles.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience Bulletin·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 27, 2026

Machine-learning-aided discovery of methanol-to-olefins zeolite catalysts with ultra-high initial selectivity

Researchers developed a comprehensive database and trained machine learning models to predict catalyst performance. They discovered a zeolite catalyst with ultra-high initial ethene selectivity, achieving 100% methanol conversion and 87.6% combined ethene and propene selectivity.

Changing the past in your imagination: Working with memories reduces the fear of failure

A study by SWPS University researchers found that imagery-based techniques can significantly reduce fear of failure and negative emotions associated with childhood criticism. The techniques, including Imagery Exposure and Rescripting, helped participants reframe their memories and experience a lasting reduction in stress and anxiety.

SourceSWPS University·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateFeb 27, 2026

Sustainability research overlooks key actors and actions in the face of the environmental crisis

A new study reveals major blind spots in global sustainable research, overlooking key strategies and sectors needed to address the environmental crisis. The study finds that sustainability researchers are neglecting potentially powerful actors, including civil society, and failing to assign clear responsibilities across sectors.

SourceUniversitat Autonoma de Barcelona·JournalNature Sustainability·DateFeb 27, 2026

Unpredictable play helps pick a winner in football

A new study found that teams that move the ball unpredictably across the full field tend to succeed more than those that confine their play to a few hotspots. The researchers used an information-theoretic metric called Spatial Event Distribution Randomness (EDRan) to analyze event data from top-tier football competitions.

SourceFlinders University·JournalPLOS One·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 27, 2026

Designing the heart of hydrogen cars with AI... Development of next-generation super catalyst​

Researchers at KAIST have developed a technology that predicts atomic arrangement tendency of catalysts using artificial intelligence, leading to more efficient design of fuel cell catalysts. The zinc-platinum-cobalt catalyst secured both higher activity and superior long-term durability compared to commercial platinum catalysts.

SourceThe Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)·JournalAdvanced Energy Materials·TypeMeta-analysis·DateFeb 27, 2026

Beyond limits: polarization unlocks scene-level 3D imaging

Researchers propose a scene-level passive high-precision polarization 3D imaging method, resolving challenges of discontinuous targets, absolute depth interpretation, and dynamic reconstruction. The approach achieves accurate true depth through integrating stereo vision and polarization, enabling scene-level high-precision 3D imaging.

SourceCompuscript Ltd·JournalOpto-Electronic Advances·DateFeb 27, 2026

Ambient-energy-driven space-time-coding metasurface: all-in-one realization of energy harvesting, electromagnetic wave manipulation and information modulation

Researchers propose a novel space-time-coding metasurface that integrates energy harvesting, electromagnetic wave manipulation, and information modulation. This technology enables high-capacity transmission, multi-user access, and green communication, with experimental verification demonstrating superior energy efficiency.

SourceCompuscript Ltd·JournalOpto-Electronic Advances·DateFeb 27, 2026

Can the canny tick help prevent disease like MS and cancer?

A team from Monash University Biomedicine Discovery Institute has identified a tick-derived evasin that can bind to two major classes of chemokines, representing a novel finding in the field. This discovery opens up new opportunities to develop therapies that target chemokines driving inflammatory diseases such as RA and MS.

SourceMonash University·JournalStructure·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 27, 2026

Broadband narrow-linewidth tunable on-chip hybrid integrated laser

Researchers have developed a hybrid integrated C-band high-precision tunable semiconductor laser based on thin-film lithium niobate, achieving a wide tuning range of approximately 51.8 nm and a tuning precision of 0.03 nm while maintaining narrow-linewidth characteristics. The design integrates Sagnac loop reflectors with multiple sets...

SourceCompuscript Ltd·JournalOpto-Electronic Advances·DateFeb 27, 2026

A highly precise target for medications against tropical diseases

Researchers identified PEX38 as a critical component in the biogenesis of glycosomes, specialized organelles used by trypanosomes to produce energy. This finding presents a highly precise target for developing medications against tropical diseases, with potential for selectively eliminating pathogens without harming human cells.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 27, 2026

Professor Jo Woon Chong’s team at Sungkyunkwan University uncovered the secret of luxury brand fragrances through EEG (brainwave) analysis

A Sungkyunkwan University team led by Professor Jo Woon Chong found that luxury fragrances can enhance consumers' emotional stability and brand memory when aligned with the brand image. In contrast, incongruent conditions can lead to unexpected impressions and a stronger sense of 'brand resonance'.

SourceSungkyunkwan University External Affairs Division (PR team)·JournalJournal of Retailing and Consumer Services·DateFeb 27, 2026

Narrow main beam, low side lobes! High-performance electro-optic beam steering with thin-film lithium niobate optical phased array

Researchers propose a novel thin-film lithium niobate OPA design, achieving simultaneous breakthroughs in narrow beam width and low sidelobes within a compact device footprint. The proposed scheme enables high-performance electro-optic beam steering with optimized non-uniformly spaced arrays and superlattice ridge waveguide structures.

SourceCompuscript Ltd·JournalOpto-Electronic Science·DateFeb 27, 2026

Japanese pigmented rice contains unique beneficial fats

Researchers at Hokkaido University studied 56 japonica rice cultivars, identifying 196 different types of lipid molecules with potential anti-inflammatory effects. Black and green rice varieties were found to have a higher health-promotion index due to their unique lipid composition.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalFood Research International·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 27, 2026

AI accurately spots medical disorder from privacy-conscious hand images

Researchers at Kobe University developed an AI model that can diagnose acromegaly with high sensitivity and specificity using only pictures of the back of the hand and clenched fist. This approach holds promise for disease screening, particularly in rural or resource-constrained areas where access to specialists may be limited.

SourceKobe University·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateFeb 27, 2026

Political polarization can spur CO2 emissions, stymie climate action

A new study found that countries with more partisan hostility emit significantly more CO2 from power plants, hindering climate regulation. In contrast, countries like Great Britain, which framed the shift towards renewable energy as a national endeavor, have been able to rein in their worst-polluting facilities.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalAmerican Sociological Review·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 27, 2026

Yes! The role of YAP and CTGF as potential therapeutic targets for preventing severe liver disease

A study from The University of Osaka reveals a molecular pathway connecting liver congestion to liver fibrosis, portal hypertension, and liver tumorigenesis. Researchers identified increased activity of YAP and CTGF in liver sinusoidal endothelial cells as key molecules involved in this signaling pathway.

SourceThe University of Osaka·JournalGastroenterology·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 27, 2026

A clinical reveals that aniridia causes a progressive loss of corneal sensitivity

A study published in Cornea reveals that aniridia not only alters corneal structure but also affects sensory nerve function, leading to a progressive decline in corneal sensitivity. In adulthood, patients experience difficulty distinguishing stimulus intensity and reduced tear production, compromising eye defense mechanisms.

SourceUniversidad Miguel Hernandez de Elche·JournalCornea·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateFeb 27, 2026

Predicting extreme rainfall through novel spatial modeling

Researchers developed a new method to predict extreme rainfall in Japan, using Integrated Nested Laplace Approximation - Stochastic Partial Differential Equation (INLA-SPDE), which outperformed traditional kriging methods. The study used hourly precipitation data from 752 meteorological stations across four main islands of Japan and fo...

SourceOsaka Metropolitan University·JournalJournal of Hydrology Regional Studies·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 27, 2026