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Science News Archive February 2026 - Page 2


Page 2 of 45

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

NUS launches Singapore’s first concurrent nursing-informatics degree to build a digitally ready nursing workforce

The new Concurrent Degree Programme combines Bachelor of Science (Nursing) with Master of Science (Biomedical Informatics), equipping nurses with strong capabilities in clinical practice and informatics. Graduates will confidently use complex digital systems and apply insights in real-time to deliver high-quality patient care.

HKUST develops first AI toolkit “GrainBot” to automate quantitative microstructure analysis

A research team from HKUST developed GrainBot, an AI-enabled toolkit that automates the extraction and quantification of multiple microstructural features from microscopy images. This provides a systematic method for converting complex image information into quantitative data, accelerating materials discovery and development.

SourceHong Kong University of Science and Technology·JournalMatter·TypeMeta-analysis·DateFeb 26, 2026

Enhancing photocatalytic uranium extraction from wastewater by regulating flexible units of covalent organic frameworks

Researchers developed a novel design strategy for constructing flexible COF photocatalysts, achieving precise control over pore curvature and photoelectric properties. The constructed photocatalyst exhibited excellent photocatalytic uranium removal performance in contaminated groundwater and tap water.

SourceChinese Chemical Society·JournalCCS Chemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 26, 2026

“Even adult brains remodel themselves” ... Successfully identified how “sensory checkpoint” upgrades in adulthood for the first time in the world

Researchers found that adult brains remodel their sensory checkpoints, allowing for high-resolution sensory perception. The brain's 'sensory checkpoint' is reorganized during adulthood to filter out unnecessary sensory signals and receive only important information more clearly.

A novel technology to explore peptides as drug targets with high precision without using cells

Researchers developed a novel method to immobilize proteins onto magnetic microbeads, allowing precise measurement of binding strength and efficient selection of target peptides. The technique achieved a 10,000-fold concentration in a single sorting step, significantly enhancing the efficiency of drug discovery research.

SourceInnovation Center of NanoMedicine·JournalPNAS Nexus·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 26, 2026

Can smart cameras improve evacuations? A new approach to smarter crowd mapping

Researchers developed a color-guided depth recovery method for non-repetitive LiDAR images to improve real-time crowd monitoring during disasters. The method reconstructs continuous depth structures while preventing over-smoothing and overfilling gaps, achieving improved depth accuracy and structural consistency.

SourceDoshisha University·JournalTransportation Research Interdisciplinary Perspectives·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 26, 2026

Nanoplastics can interact with Salmonella to affect food safety, study shows

Researchers found that nanoplastics can increase the virulence of Salmonella, causing it to form thicker biofilms. Prolonged exposure slows down stress response, allowing bacteria to persist in the environment. Further research is needed to determine the impact on antibiotic resistance.

Green turtle nests may bury ‘plastic rocks’ and endanger the species

Researchers from São Paulo State University detected plastic rocks on Trindade Island, Brazil's easternmost territory, where green turtle nests are conducive to plastic accumulation and burial. The study highlights the need for public policies to manage plastic waste and coordinated actions to clean up beaches.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalMarine Pollution Bulletin·DateFeb 26, 2026