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Science News Archive February 2026 - Page 18


Page 18 of 45

Accelerated coral reef collapse

Ocean researchers call for broadened species categories and improved protections for coral reefs, as narrow definitions allow for military and economic interference. The researchers' letter aims to inform policymakers to address conservation gaps and ensure reef protection.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalScience·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateFeb 18, 2026

Major heart attack study reveals ‘survival paradox’: Frail men at higher risk of death than women despite better treatment

A groundbreaking study found that frail men have a significantly higher risk of dying within one year after a heart attack, challenging the prevailing narrative that high clinical risk is predominantly a female issue. The research highlights the need for sex-informed care pathways to address this disparity.

SourceUniversity of Leicester·JournalThe Lancet Regional Health - Europe·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 18, 2026

Exposing a hidden anchor for HIV replication

Scientists at the University of Delaware discovered a previously unknown structural role for the HIV integrase protein, which forms gluey filaments that anchor the RNA genome to the capsid. This discovery provides a promising new target for drug development and could lead to the development of next-generation inhibitors.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalNature·DateFeb 18, 2026

Macrophage immune cells need constant reminders to retain memories of prior infections

Researchers found that macrophages retain memories of previous infections due to persistent signaling molecules left behind, which can be reversed by blocking cytokine signaling pathways. This discovery suggests new ways to reduce the activity of misprogrammed macrophages contributing to autoimmune diseases.

SourceRockefeller University Press·JournalJournal of Experimental Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 18, 2026

Researchers trial urine tests to screen for alcohol use in pregnancy

A new study published in Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica has found that the majority of pregnant women in Ireland are not consuming excessive amounts of alcohol during pregnancy. The study used urine tests to detect ethyl glucuronide, a metabolite of alcohol, and found only 0.4% of samples tested positive for the substance.

SourceUCD Research & Innovation·JournalActa Obstetricia Et Gynecologica Scandinavica·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 18, 2026

Study shows that treating patients with lifestyle medicine may help reduce clinician burnout

A new study published in BMC Health Services Research reveals that treating patients with lifestyle medicine may improve well-being and job satisfaction among physicians and other health professionals. Participants described higher job satisfaction after lifestyle medicine implementation, citing meaningful patient improvements.

SourceAmerican College of Lifestyle Medicine·JournalAmerican Journal of Lifestyle Medicine·DateFeb 18, 2026

Medicare patients get different stroke care depending on plan, analysis reveals

A study by University of Virginia Health System researchers found that Medicare Advantage patients had better access to preventive care and rehabilitation after a stroke, leading to faster recovery times. In contrast, traditional Medicare patients were less likely to receive these services due to prior authorization requirements.

SourceUniversity of Virginia Health System·JournalJournal of Comparative Effectiveness Research·DateFeb 18, 2026

Computational insights into the interactions of andrographolide derivative SRJ09 with histone deacetylase for the management of beta thalassemia

The study identifies SRJ09 as a top candidate for treating beta thalassemia due to its favorable binding affinity to the active site of histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2). The compound exhibited acceptable drug-likeness properties and stable complex behavior with HDAC2.

SourceXia & He Publishing Inc.·JournalJournal of Exploratory Research in Pharmacology·DateFeb 18, 2026

Natural selection operates on multiple levels, comprehensive review of scientific studies shows

A comprehensive review of 280 scientific studies reveals that natural selection can occur on multiple levels of biological organization, including individual and group benefits. This finding challenges the traditional view of natural selection and highlights its complexity in various ecosystems.

SourceBinghamton University·JournalFrontiers in Ecology and Evolution·TypeMeta-analysis·DateFeb 18, 2026

AI-powered ECG could help guide lifelong heart monitoring for patients with repaired tetralogy of fallot

A Mount Sinai-led study developed an AI tool that analyzes ECGs to identify patients at risk for harmful heart changes, potentially reducing the need for expensive and time-consuming cardiac MRI scans. The tool could make lifelong heart monitoring more accessible and efficient for people born with congenital heart disease.

What freezing plants in blocks of ice can tell us about the future of Svalbard’s plant communities

Svalbard's polar willow plant community, a critical food source for reindeer, was found to be resilient to icing due to consistent production above-ground during summer warming. The study suggests that even with extensive winter ice encasement, some plants can thrive through increased above-ground production and seed dispersal.

SourceNorwegian University of Science and Technology·JournalJournal of Ecology·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 18, 2026

Augmented reality menus may help restaurants attract more customers, improve brand perceptions

A new study found that augmented reality (AR) menus can significantly increase customer interest in visiting a restaurant and result in positive word-of-mouth marketing. The effectiveness of AR menus also depends on how well the technology aligns with a restaurant's overall brand image.

SourceWashington State University·JournalInternational Journal of Hospitality Management·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 18, 2026

A new vascularized tissueoid-on-a-chip model for liver regeneration and transplant rejection

Researchers developed a vascularized liver tissueoid-on-a-chip that recapitulates key structural, functional, and immunological features of human liver tissue. The platform enabled the study of liver regeneration and immune-mediated allograft rejection in a physiologically relevant human system.

SourceTerasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation·JournalAdvanced Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 18, 2026

Power grids to epidemics: study shows small patterns trigger systemic failures

Researchers identified small clusters of interacting components that act as amplifiers, triggering outsized reactions in complex systems. These clusters can control how strongly a system reacts after a disruption, and their presence can determine the stability of entire systems.

SourceFlorida Atlantic University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 18, 2026

CHEST announces first class of certified critical care advanced practice providers awarded CCAPP Designation

The American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST) has certified its first class of critical care advanced practice providers with the CCAPP designation. This achievement recognizes their dedication to high-quality patient care and their role in supporting multidisciplinary critical care teams. The CCAPP certification is designed to vali...

Babies are exposed to more “forever chemicals” before birth than previously known, new study finds

Researchers used advanced chemical detection to estimate a newborn's total PFAS exposure, detecting 42 confirmed or putatively identified PFAS chemicals in umbilical cord blood. The study found that infants are exposed to a wide range of PFAS before birth, including perfluorinated chemicals and fluorotelomers.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateFeb 18, 2026

Jeonbuk National University researchers develop an innovative prussian-blue based electrode for effective and efficient cesium removal

Researchers at Jeonbuk National University have developed a new Prussian-blue based electrode that can effectively remove cesium from water. The electrode, made by combining Prussian blue with chemically treated carbon cloth, demonstrates high capacity for cesium adsorption and excellent reusability.

SourceJeonbuk National University, Sustainable Strategy team, Planning and Coordination Division·JournalChemical Engineering Journal·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 18, 2026

How can you rescue a “kidnapped” robot? A new AI system helps the robot regain its sense of location in dynamic, ever-changing environments

A hierarchical 3D LiDAR localization method improves robot positioning in large outdoor spaces even after seasonal changes. The method integrates deep learning techniques to extract discriminative local features from 3D point clouds, making it robust to environmental variability.

SourceUniversidad Miguel Hernandez de Elche·JournalInternational Journal of Intelligent Systems·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 18, 2026

A holiday to better recovery

A study of 77,947 patients found that those over 80 and with low initial ADL scores benefited from holiday rehabilitation. This suggests prioritizing interventions for elderly and independent individuals can lead to better outcomes.

SourceOsaka Metropolitan University·JournalAnnals of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 18, 2026

Scientists develop a new method to decode how DNA 'switches' control gene activity

Scientists developed a new technique called e2MPRA to study cis-regulatory elements (CREs) that control gene expression. The method combines enrichment with epigenomic profiling, enabling researchers to directly link what a CRE does with how it functions under identical conditions.

SourceInstitute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (ASHBi), Kyoto University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 17, 2026

3D-printing platform from MIT researchers rapidly produces complex electric machines

MIT researchers create a 3D-printing platform that can produce complex electric machines in minutes, overcoming challenges of multiple functional materials. The platform enables the fabrication of customized electronic components with less waste, revolutionizing manufacturing and opening doors to new applications.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalVirtual and Physical Prototyping·DateFeb 17, 2026

A clearer future: Researchers unveil transparent, plastic-free wood

Scientists at The University of Osaka develop transparent, plastic-free wood without lignin or additives, showcasing the crucial role of cellulose microfibril skeleton alignment in achieving transparency. This breakthrough paves the way for sustainable transparent materials with applications in energy-efficient buildings and devices.

SourceThe University of Osaka·JournalMacromolecular Materials and Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 17, 2026