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Science News Archive February 2026 - Page 23


Page 23 of 45

Locating people swept away

A study developed an innovative tool based on hydraulic power to aid in search and rescue operations. The tool accurately reproduces the dynamics of flooding events, including extreme flow velocities and depths exceeding four meters, to identify areas where people are most likely to be swept away.

How psychedelic drugs affect the brain

Research shows that psychedelics suppress visual processing by activating the 2A receptor, leading to hallucinations as the brain fills the gap with fragmented memories. Short-term oscillations also play a crucial role in communication between brain areas.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalCommunications Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 13, 2026

Finally understanding the rules of the game

Researchers discovered how bacteria Pseudomonas sp. SZ40 and Paenibacillus sp. SZ31 work together to produce a toxic substance against an amoeba predator. The study revealed the role of DL peptidases in converting lipopeptides into a substance that is harmful to the amoeba.

SourceLeibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute -·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 13, 2026

HKU astrophysicists contribute to interpreting a possible first-ever Einstein probe observation of a black hole tearing apart a white dwarf

A high-energy cosmic event detected by the China-led Einstein Probe space telescope may mark the moment when an intermediate-mass black hole tears apart and consumes a white dwarf star, according to astrophysicists from The University of Hong Kong. The team provided crucial theoretical judgement that led to the focus on this model.

SourceThe University of Hong Kong·JournalScience Bulletin·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 13, 2026

HKUMed reveals end-of-life communication gaps, urges enhanced communication training alongside Hong Kong’s new ‘Advance Medical Directives’ legislation

A study by HKUMed found serious gaps in current communication practices among doctors, patients, and family members during advance care planning. The 'Advance Care Planning Communication Assessment Tool' (ACP-CAT) was validated for the first time in real-world clinical settings.

SourceThe University of Hong Kong·JournalPalliative Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 13, 2026

False alarm in newborn screening: how zebrafish can prevent unnecessary SMA therapies

A zebrafish model was used to test the functional significance of rare SMN1 variants in children with false positive SMA diagnoses. The research found that both variants were functional and did not cause the disease. This breakthrough could prevent unnecessary SMA therapies and provide families with security.

SourceUniversity of Cologne·JournalAmerican Journal of Human Genetics·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 13, 2026

Advancing AI for science: extracting and fusing cross-disciplinary expert knowledge with data to accelerate alloy discovery

Researchers develop AI framework to accelerate alloy discovery by fusing cross-disciplinary expert knowledge with experimental data, outperforming conventional machine learning methods. The approach can make reliable predictions for poorly studied alloy compositions, achieving accuracy rates up to 92%.

Electrically controllable 3D magnetic hopfions realized in chiral magnets

Researchers successfully generated electrically controllable magnetic hopfions in a chiral magnet, representing a significant advancement in topological soliton research. The team's findings also revealed that the hopfions exhibit unconventional dynamics and transport behavior linked to their three-dimensional topology.

Biochemical parameters in patients with diabetic nephropathy versus individuals with diabetes alone, non-diabetic nephropathy, and healthy controls

A study comparing biochemical parameters among patients with diabetic nephropathy (DNp), diabetes control (DC), nephropathy control (NC), and healthy controls reveals DNp exhibited the most severe disturbances. DNp showed markedly elevated glycemic indices and impaired renal function, while DC displayed prominent dyslipidemia.

SourceXia & He Publishing Inc.·JournalExploratory Research and Hypothesis in Medicine·DateFeb 13, 2026

Safety and efficacy of stereoelectroencephalography-guided resection and responsive neurostimulation in drug-resistant temporal lobe epilepsy

This systematic review compares the efficacy, safety, and quality of life outcomes associated with stereoelectroencephalography-guided temporal lobe resection (TLR) and responsive neurostimulation (RNS) in adults with drug-resistant TLE. Key findings include higher seizure freedom rates for TLR and better cognitive preservation with RNS.

SourceXia & He Publishing Inc.·JournalExploratory Research and Hypothesis in Medicine·DateFeb 13, 2026

Cleaner solar manufacturing could cut global emissions by eight billion tonnes

A new international study found that deploying next-generation solar panels at scale could reduce global carbon emissions by up to 8.2 billion tonnes by 2035. The technology, known as tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) photovoltaics, has lower environmental impacts in fifteen out of sixteen categories compared to the incumbent PE...

SourceUniversity of Warwick·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 13, 2026

New study reveals how a key receptor tells apart two nearly identical drug molecules

Researchers investigated the binding thermodynamics of doxepin geometric isomers to the histamine H1 receptor, revealing differences in enthalpy and entropy contributions. The study highlights the importance of considering conformational constraints in designing ligands with optimized thermodynamic properties.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalACS Medicinal Chemistry Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 13, 2026

Eleven genetic variants affect gut microbiome

Researchers identified 11 genetic regions influencing gut bacteria and roles they play, including connections to gluten intolerance, haemorrhoids, and cardiovascular diseases. The study analyzed genetic data from over 28,000 individuals, providing insights into the complex relationship between genes and gut microbiome.

SourceUppsala University·JournalNature Genetics·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 13, 2026

When heat flows like water

EPFL researchers have theoretically shown that heat can flow toward warmer regions in highly ordered materials, enabling the design of electronics with minimized heat loss. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient thermal management across multiple sectors, from consumer electronics to energy storage and data centers.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 13, 2026

SUANPAN: Scalable Photonic Linear Vector Machine

The SUANPAN architecture proposes a novel approach to optical inner product computation, leveraging an array of emitter-detector pairs to perform linear vector operations. This scalable and reconfigurable design enables high-dimensional vector computations without requiring large-scale ADC or DAC arrays.

Single-cell profiling identifies reward behavior-related neurons and alterations in the ventral tegmental area based on Arvcf-knockout mouse model

The study identified glutamate-dopamine co-transmitting neurons as critical for regulating reward behavior, with disruptions in VTA communication leading to impaired nicotine response. This research provides a new perspective on the neural underpinnings of addiction and psychiatric disorders.

SourceResearch·JournalResearch·TypeNews article·DateFeb 12, 2026

New fluorescent strategy could unlock the hidden life cycle of microplastics inside living organisms

A new study proposes a fluorescence-based strategy to track microplastics in real time as they move, transform, and degrade inside biological systems. This approach allows precise control over particle brightness, emission wavelength, size, and shape, enabling the tracking of microplastic life cycles from ingestion to breakdown.