Bluesky Facebook Reddit Email

Science News Archive February 2026


Page 6 of 45

In Rett syndrome, leaky brain blood vessels traced to microRNA

MIT neuroscientists have found that two genetic mutations causing Rett syndrome compromise the structural integrity of developing blood vessels, leading to leaky vessels. Overexpression of miRNA-126-3p is responsible for the vascular defect, which can be rescued by reducing the miRNA's levels.

Don’t Panic: ‘Humanity’s Last Exam’ has begun

A global consortium created an exam with 2,500 questions spanning multiple subjects to assess AI capabilities. Current AI models consistently fail the exam, highlighting gaps in their understanding. The project aims to provide a long-term benchmark for evaluating advanced AI systems and demonstrate the importance of human expertise

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 robust new telecom qubit in silicon

Researchers at UC Santa Barbara have identified a hydrogen-free, telecom-wavelength quantum-light emitter in silicon, called the CN center. This defect reproduces key electronic and optical properties of the T center, making it a promising alternative for practical quantum devices.

A risk factor for liver disease: your parent’s body weight

A recent study from WashU Medicine found a strong correlation between parental obesity and the risk of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) in children. Research analyzing data from the UK Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children showed that maternal obesity was associated with a 2.9-fold increase in ...

Vertebrate paleontology has a numbers problem. Computer vision can help

A new study finds that fewer than 250 fossils are required to train an image-based AI algorithm, a significant improvement on previously thought numbers. The discovery could greatly speed up the identification process in vertebrate paleontology, where most fossils are fragmented and difficult to analyze.

Ultrasound gives the brain a nudge in the right direction

Scientists employed targeted sound vibrations to influence brain behavior in a computer game, revealing robust effects on neurotransmitter levels and choice behavior. The technique may offer new treatments for conditions like depression and addiction, which involve disrupted brain regions.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Gallbladder cancer could soon be detected in blood, study finds

A study by Tezpur University and University of Illinois has identified distinct metabolic patterns in blood that can distinguish gallbladder cancer cases from noncancerous conditions. The researchers detected hundreds of altered metabolites and identified markers with high diagnostic accuracy for each condition.

World-first competency blueprint for healthcare investigators

A new framework identifies 38 competencies for effective healthcare investigators, including technical expertise, empathy, and system understanding. The research aims to shift from blame-based investigations to a more proactive approach to prevent repeated harm to patients.

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

New research sheds light on why eczema so often begins in childhood

Researchers found that young mice developed strong skin inflammation in response to everyday allergens, revealing a brief window of vulnerability. The study suggests that early childhood represents a critical period for immune-driven skin disease, and that targeting this period may prevent allergic diseases from spreading.

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.

The physics of a squeak

A team of researchers used high-speed imaging to investigate soft solids sliding on rigid substrates, discovering that squeaking emerges from supersonic detachment pulses. The study found a relationship between surface geometry and the repetition rate of these pulses, impacting frictional resistance.

Faith as a driver of climate commitment

A new study explores how religious faith can complement climate science, providing hope, meaning, and motivation for continued action. Faith-based activists in Sweden and South Africa reveal that spirituality gives them strength and direction to commit to climate issues.

Unlearning fear faster

Researchers discovered that inhibiting nerve cells in the brain, known as CRF neurons, can speed up the process of unlearning fear. This finding has implications for treating post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety disorders, suggesting that targeting specific brain regions may provide new therapeutic options.

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.

Vitamins: A tool to exploit against cancer

A University of Lausanne research team discovered vitamin B7's role in bypassing glutamine addiction in cancer cells. The study found that pyruvate, enabled by pyruvate carboxylase and vitamin B7, fuels cells' energy cycle even without glutamine.

Living in a favela influences how people move around the city

Residents of favelas in São Paulo exhibit less daily movement variability than those living in formal areas with similar incomes. Despite higher economic conditions, infrastructure challenges impact mobility access and stability. The study uses mobile phone data to analyze movement patterns over several weeks.

Heat and pregnancy

The article discusses current evidence on risks of ambient heat to pregnant women, including hot weather and occupational exposures. Effective strategies for managing heat-related risks are also highlighted as critical for maintaining maternal health.

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.

Worldwide radiation dose in coronary artery disease diagnostic imaging

The study reveals marked variation in radiation dose to patients from diagnostic testing, particularly affecting low- and middle-income countries. Standardized protocols and updated equipment are urgently needed to reduce global radiation exposure and improve the quality of CAD diagnosis.

From bud to brew: Multi-omics study decodes tea leaf development

Researchers used single-nucleus RNA sequencing and metabolomics to map tea leaf development, identifying distinct cell types and dynamic shifts in phytohormones and flavonoids. The study reveals how key genes coordinate leaf expansion and flavonoid biosynthesis, offering a cellular-level framework for understanding tea flavor and quality.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Access to safe water fails in the face of extreme heat, even in wealthy cities

A recent study highlights the link between water security and adaptability of homes in urban centers of the Global North to extreme heat. Household water security is not universal, even in the wealthiest cities, forcing vulnerable households to limit their water consumption, compromising their ability to adapt to extreme heat.

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.

An endangered natural pharmacy hidden in coral reefs

Researchers have identified new microbial species in corals that produce unique natural products, offering a vast arsenal of potential benefits to humanity. The study highlights the importance of protecting coral reefs' microbiomes to tap into this untapped resource before it's lost forever.

Worming out molecular secrets behind collective behavior

A team of scientists at the Indian Institute of Science discovered that disrupting a single gene alters serotonin signaling, leading to swarming behavior in worms. The study suggests that neuromodulatory control of social behavior might be evolutionarily conserved across species.

How lotus decides where to make its medicinal alkaloids

A study reveals the genetic circuitry behind lotus's spatial pattern of medicinal alkaloid accumulation, driven by a jasmonate-responsive transcriptional cascade involving NnMYC2 and NnMYB14. The regulatory framework identified provides targets for metabolic engineering of medicinal compounds.

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.

Finding new ways to kill bacteria

Scientists have discovered new ways to kill bacteria by targeting the MurJ transporter, a key component of peptidoglycan biosynthesis. Researchers found that phage-derived protein antibiotics inhibit MurJ's activity, providing potential targets for antibacterial drugs.

International AI Art Biennale in Kraków

The International AI Art Biennale brings together artists, experts, and researchers to explore the role of AI in culture, art, and science. The event features exhibitions, performances, and a scientific conference that focuses on creative dialogue and education with AI.

Walter Koroshetz joins Dana Foundation as senior advisor

Koroshetz will help guide the Foundation's science funding partnerships and support for early-career scholars and practitioners with his extensive experience in neuroscience research and public outreach. He aims to advance neuroscience that benefits society through interdisciplinary collaboration and real-world applications.

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

Ateneo spearheads int’l cooperation for photonics R&D in the Philippines

The Ateneo de Manila University's ROSES Lab is the country's first facility for designing Photonic Integrated Circuits and training PIC designers. The lab has over 85 scientific publications and support from various global partners, positioning it as a driver of international collaboration in photonics research and innovation.

AI, monkey brains, and the virtue of small thinking

Researchers have developed a smaller and simpler AI model that accurately predicts neural responses to visual stimuli in macaque brains. The compact model reveals unique neuron preferences for features like edges and colors, shedding light on how the brain processes information.

Moist heatwave forecasts reduce health risks at major events

Scientists have shown that India's summer monsoon actively controls moist heatwaves across the country. Forecasters can predict these events days or weeks ahead using a regional pattern. Advance warning allows rescheduling of outdoor public gatherings, strengthening medical provision, and reducing heat exhaustion deaths.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

Community-driven restoration in Spain recognized as best-practice example

The Spanish initiative Spongy Slopes has successfully restored key sponge functions in a steep slope landscape through nature-based measures. The project, which involved around 250 volunteers and local associations, has improved landscape-level hydrological resilience, retained rainwater, reduced erosion and increased biodiversity.

Small models, big insights into vision

Researchers used machine learning techniques to compress a large model of the visual cortex, creating smaller versions that predict neural responses with high accuracy. The compact models revealed specific computational patterns in how neurons detect important features, offering insights into how visual information is processed.

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

One‑eyed creature gave rise to our modern eyes

A 600-million-year-old cyclops-like creature gave rise to the modern eye in vertebrates. Its sedentary lifestyle led to the loss of paired eyes, but remnants of a median eye developed into the pineal gland, regulating circadian rhythms.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

As health care goes digital, patients are being left behind

A new study by UCSF found that most healthcare systems are neglecting to ask patients if they have access and skills to use digital tools, despite increasing online care demands. The lack of assessment is particularly concerning for uninsured patients, who often experience worse health outcomes.

Next-generation CAR-T designs that could transform cancer treatment

The article discusses recent advances in chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy, highlighting its promise and remaining challenges. Next-generation CAR designs aim to improve specificity and reduce on-target/off-tumor toxicity, while addressing access disparities and equity issues.