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Science News Archive February 2026 - Page 12


Page 12 of 45

Women’s risk of major cardiac events emerges at lower coronary plaque burden compared to men

Researchers analyzed data from nearly 4,300 stable outpatients with chest pain and found that women experienced similar rates of MACE as men despite having smaller plaque volumes. The study suggests incorporating sex into the interpretation of coronary plaque metrics may help advance tailored approaches to cardiac risk stratification.

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalCirculation·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 23, 2026

Does mental health affect mortality risk in adults with cancer?

A recent study published in CANCER found that adults with cancer who developed mental health conditions within the first year after diagnosis had a significantly higher likelihood of dying over the next few years. The analysis of data from University of California-affiliated hospitals revealed a 51% increased risk of death among those ...

SourceWiley·JournalCancer·DateFeb 23, 2026

Globe-trotting ancient ‘sea-salamander’ fossils rediscovered from Australia’s dawn of the Age of Dinosaurs

Fossils from the Lower Triassic of Western Australia confirm a cryptic marine temnospondyl community, showing that earliest sea monsters adapted to life in the sea and radiated rapidly into various ecological niches. The discovery also reveals worldwide dispersal of these ancient animals across supercontinents.

SourceSwedish Museum of Natural History·JournalJournal of Vertebrate Paleontology·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 23, 2026

AI 'research crew' accelerates sustainable ammonia production

A novel multi-agent AI framework, eNRRCrew, has been developed to accelerate the discovery of sustainable catalysts for green ammonia synthesis. By analyzing a comprehensive database of scientific papers, the framework predicts a catalyst's performance and provides rational design principles.

SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 22, 2026

Controllable deterministic quantum teleportation

Scientists at Shanxi University successfully demonstrate controllable deterministic continuous-variable quantum teleportation of up to 5 sideband qumodes simultaneously within a 24 MHz frequency bandwidth. The number of teleported qumodes can be controlled by adjusting the phases of classical channels, with fidelity above 70% achieved.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience Bulletin·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 22, 2026

Multi-omic data integration and exploiting metabolic models using systems biology approach increase precision in subtyping and early diagnosis of cancer

A research team integrated patient transcriptomic data with human genome-scale metabolic models to train a multi-omic machine learning classifier, achieving high accuracy in lung and pancreatic cancers. The approach identified key biomarker features across all omic layers, including novel metabolic pathways.

SourceHigher Education Press·JournalQuantitative Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 22, 2026

BCL7A’s arginine anchor links nucleosome recognition to chromatin remodeling and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma tumor suppression

Researchers discovered a key molecular switch connecting nucleosome binding to chromatin remodeling in BCL7A, crucial for its tumor-suppressive function. The study also highlights the arginine anchor's importance as a potential therapeutic target for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

SourceHigher Education Press·JournalProtein & Cell·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 22, 2026

Evaluation of biological activity via biospeckle laser imaging

Researchers developed a statistical approach to analyze biospeckle patterns, monitoring senescence processes and vascularization in leaf tissues. The technique revealed distinct time histories of speckle pattern (THSP) patterns and activity indices for biological specimens, offering potential applications in biomedical research.

SourceHigher Education Press·JournalBiophysics Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 22, 2026

High-temperature superconducting “engine” for space propulsion: ushering in a new epoch of high energy-efficiency propulsion

Researchers have developed a compact high-temperature superconducting magnetoplasmadynamic thruster, reducing power consumption by 96% and weight by 73%, enabling more efficient space propulsion. The thruster achieved an ultra-high specific impulse of 3,265 seconds, significantly reducing spacecraft fuel requirements and launch costs.

SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 22, 2026

A mysterious Greek inscription reignites debate on whether a Syrian mosque stands atop Roman Emperor Elagabalus’ Temple of the Sun

A mysterious Greek inscription at the Great Mosque of Homs in Syria has shed new light on a longstanding debate about the Temple of the Sun. The discovery provides crucial evidence that may finally illuminate the origins of the sacred mosque, which began as a pagan temple and was later converted into a Christian church.

SourceUniversity of Sharjah·JournalSHEDET ANNUAL PEER-REVIEWED JOURNAL ISSUED BY THE FACULTY OF ARCHAEOLOGY FAYOUM UNIVERSITY·TypeCase study·DateFeb 22, 2026

Roadmap for Europe’s biodiversity monitoring system

A new study proposes a comprehensive roadmap for Europe's biodiversity monitoring system, which could become a global model. The system would track changes in species and ecosystems using 84 Essential Biodiversity Variables and integrate data from various sources, including DNA, digital technologies, and human expertise.

SourceGerman Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig·JournalNature Reviews Biodiversity·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateFeb 22, 2026

Does ocean saltiness influence El Niño?

Researchers found that certain salinity patterns can fuel El Niño development, increasing its intensity by 20%. This process makes extreme El Niño events more likely and causes catastrophic flooding and severe droughts. The study identified global patterns in salinity preceding major El Niño events over the past 65 years.

SourceDuke University·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateFeb 20, 2026

AI language models could transform aquatic environmental risk assessment

AI language models can extract and integrate information from vast amounts of unstructured environmental data, identifying pollutants and their toxic effects. While still in its early stages, the application of LLMs in aquatic risk assessment has the potential to support more dynamic and data-driven risk management strategies.

New NSF award supports innovative role-playing game approach to strengthening research security in academia

The project aims to help universities better understand research security by examining human and behavioral dimensions of risk. Structured role-playing games will simulate realistic academic scenarios, encouraging participants to explore trade-offs and motivations that often remain hidden in standard security planning.

New isotope tools reveal hidden pathways reshaping the global nitrogen cycle

Advances in isotope science are transforming our ability to trace nitrogen through ecosystems, offering powerful tools for managing environmental change. Isotopic methods can distinguish pollution sources, track microbial transformations, and quantify nitrogen uptake by plants, providing insights into the global nitrogen cycle.

Genetics help explain who gets the ‘telltale tingle’ from music, art and literature

A study by Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics found that genetic variations account for approximately 30% of the variation in experiencing aesthetic chills. The research also identified shared genetic influences across music, poetry, and visual art, linked to broader personality traits like openness to experience.

SourceMax Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics·JournalPLOS Genetics·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 20, 2026