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Science News Archive February 2026


Page 4 of 5

The smell of fear influences horse behavior

Research found that horses exhibit fearful behavior when exposed to human fear odors, adopting the emotional state of fear. This suggests a mechanism of emotional contagion through chemical cues between humans and horses.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

An open source breakthrough in hemodynamics

Researchers have developed an open-source pressure myography tool, HemoLens, which reduces the cost of vascular research to $750 from $40,000. The tool uses affordable manufacturing processes and customizable components, making it easier for researchers to study vascular function.

How experiences in the womb affect alcohol drinking in adulthood

A study found that prenatal alcohol exposure changed aspects of the dopamine system in rhesus monkeys, influencing how quickly they drank alcohol in adulthood. The researchers also discovered individualized neuroadaptive responses to drinking, which may promote the transition to alcohol use disorder.

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

Eduardo Miranda awarded 2026 Bruce Bolt Medal

Eduardo Miranda, a Stanford University professor, has been recognized for his pioneering work in developing new ground motion models and intensity measures. His research has significantly shaped seismic design provisions and emphasized the use of strong-motion data in both research and teaching.

Lab-grown algae removes microplastics from water

Researchers have developed special algae that can remove and reuse harmful microplastics from wastewater, cleaning the water as it grows. The engineered algae produces a volatile natural oil called limonene, making it water-repellent and attracting microplastics, which can then be collected and reused to create bioplastic products.

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

A systematic review organises available omics data on pituitary tumours

A recent systematic review has compiled and catalogued publicly available omics data on pituitary tumours, highlighting the need for standardisation and clinical annotation. The resulting catalogue facilitates the reuse of data for future research projects and precision medicine initiatives.

In Sweden, young adults feel most dissatisfied while the oldest thrive

A new study reveals that young adults in Sweden report lower life satisfaction, a weaker sense of meaning, and higher levels of loneliness, anxiety, and depression compared to older age groups. In contrast, older Swedes are among the happiest in the world, with strong close relationships and less loneliness.

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

AI system turns a song into a complete music video

Researchers at Queen Mary University of London have developed an AI system called Auto MV that can generate complete music videos directly from full-length songs. The system uses a multi-agent approach to analyze the musical structure and lyrics, plan scenes, and generate images and video clips.

GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

The invisible worlds beneath our feet

Researchers discovered that microorganisms attached to rock surfaces have a stronger influence on community structure than environmental factors. These 'attached' microbes are highly specialized, generating energy from inorganic substances and contributing to carbon storage.

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

Night owl or early bird? Study finds sleep categories aren’t that simple

A new study from McGill University identified five distinct biological subtypes of chronotypes, which are linked to unique behavioral and health patterns. The research found that one group of night owls is more vulnerable to depression, while another group of early birds has fewer health problems overall.

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

How light pollution disrupts orientation in moths

Scientists studying light pollution's impact on moths aim to develop a more detailed understanding of its effects. The Lightstar project will track moths using ultra-lightweight responders and simulate street lighting conditions in field experiments.

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

Why ozone persists: the invisible chemistry behind clean air

A comprehensive study shows that OVOCs supply more than half of the radicals responsible for ozone production, challenging conventional control strategies. The findings highlight the importance of comprehensive OVOC observations to improve model accuracy and guide emission control priorities.

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

Some bottled water worse than tap for microplastics, study shows

A new study by Ohio State University researchers found that some bottled water contains significantly higher levels of microplastics than tap water. The study used a novel method for detecting tiny particles and analyzed water samples from four treatment plants near Lake Erie and six different brands of bottled water.

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

New study identifies key predictors of PFAS levels in US career firefighters

A new study published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine has identified clear occupational factors and demographic indicators associated with elevated serum levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances among US career firefighters. The research provides vital insights into the factors that influence PFAS body bu...

From chemical curiosity to key piece in cancer research

Scientists at Umeå University found that i-DNA forms in living cells and acts as a regulatory bottleneck linked to cancer. The protein PCBP1 controls its resolution, which can block replication and increase DNA damage risk if not done properly. This discovery opens new avenues for drug development by targeting i-DNA handling.

Machine learning automates microfluidic chip design

Researchers developed a machine learning-assisted design tool, μFluidicGenius, to automate microfluidic chip design. The tool enables nonexpert users to rapidly design microfluidic circuits with optimal flow conditions, using a hybrid approach combining machine learning models with mathematical fluid mechanics calculations.

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

New study identifies warning signs for extreme flash flooding

Researchers at Newcastle University and the UK Met Office identified a three-layered atmospheric structure associated with heavy rainfall developing within minutes. The findings help explain record-breaking rainfall and flash floods in the UAE and Oman in April 2024, and may aid future improvements in identifying risk.

Protective mechanism discovered in female brain

Researchers at FAU and UMC Mainz found that genes on the deactivated X chromosome are reactivated in human brain cells during embryonic development. This reactivation acts as additional protection, reducing signs of disease symptoms in female brains.

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

Why visceral pain makes us more empathetic

A study at Ruhr-University Bochum found that visceral pain induces stronger cognitive and empathic responses than somatic pain. Participants rated visceral pain as more intense and unpleasant, feeling more empathic concern for themselves and their loved ones.

Global burden of elderly patients with pancreatitis increases

A new study found that while the number of pancreatitis-associated deaths among the elderly decreased between 1992 and 2021, the total cases rose significantly due to population growth. The age-standardized incidence rate per 100,000 fell from 100.21 in 1992 to 85.20 in 2021.

How bacteria learned to target numerous cells types, revealed

Researchers identify thousands of rapidly evolving receptor-binding proteins, revealing how bacteria can be engineered to deliver proteins into specific human cells. The study provides insights into the evolutionary creativity of bacterial machines and their potential biomedical applications.

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

Exploring how age influences social preferences

Researchers discovered that while older rats were as social as younger ones, a subpopulation preferred familiar peers. Altering neural communication reversed this preference, enhancing approach towards new peers. This suggests a distinct neural system underlying aging-related social behavior.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.