Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News Archive February 2026 - Page 4


Page 4 of 45

New study reveals why global IT strategies change shape on the ground - and what leaders can do about it

A new study reveals that global digital strategies are interpreted and negotiated within cultural contexts, shaping the way they are put into practice across borders. The research introduces a grounded theory framework to help leaders understand how technology, organisations, and culture interact in real-world settings.

SourceUniversity of East London·JournalQualitative Research Journal·TypeCase study·DateFeb 26, 2026

New study highlights the importance of careful multiple-choice question construction to ensure fairness and accurately reflect student abilities

Researchers found that poorly written questions disproportionately affect weaker students, while high-performing students can navigate flaws more easily. The study suggests that improved faculty training and rigorous test question review are necessary to ensure fair assessments.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalMedical Science Educator·TypeSurvey·DateFeb 26, 2026

When safety starts with a text message

A study by the University of Texas at Arlington found that digital hotlines are providing anonymity, easy access, and a lower-pressure way for survivors to seek help. Advocates tailor their guidance to each person's situation, building a plan together while ensuring the survivor is in a safe space.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Arlington·JournalJournal of Interpersonal Violence·DateFeb 26, 2026

How stepping into nature affects the brain

A comprehensive review of over 100 brain-imaging studies reveals that connecting with nature triggers changes in the brain, calming stress and restoring attention. The study supports the emerging field of nature connectedness, suggesting that spending time outdoors can lead to measurable changes and has a broader societal impact.

SourceMcGill University·JournalNeuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews·TypeSystematic review·DateFeb 26, 2026

Summarizing ten years of research: new study explains why children enter puberty earlier

A new Danish study compiles ten years of research identifying several factors during pregnancy and childhood that advance the timing of puberty, including genetic predisposition, maternal health, and psychosocial stressors. The study found an average shift of about three months, affecting both physical wellbeing and later health outcomes.

SourceAarhus University·JournalInternational Journal of Epidemiology·TypeSystematic review·DateFeb 26, 2026

Molecular identification of an enzyme reported over 60 years ago

Researchers have identified the molecular structure of GL300_RS07945, a long-misunderstood enzyme, and found it to be L-threonate 3-dehydrogenase, which plays a crucial role in metabolizing C5/C6 sugar acids via the L-threonate pathway. This discovery provides significant insights into the metabolic processes of bacteria.

SourceEhime University·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateFeb 26, 2026

Atomic precision unlocks smarter oxygen reduction catalysts

Researchers at Tohoku University discovered that subtle variations in coordination symmetry significantly alter reaction energetics and product selectivity in single-atom electrocatalysts. Asymmetric Co-N3 sites exhibited enhanced overall ORR activity, while lower-symmetry Co-N5 centers achieved the highest selectivity toward hydrogen ...

SourceAdvanced Institute for Materials Research (AIMR), Tohoku University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateFeb 26, 2026

Shooting sports unlocked: how EEG reveal secrets of shooters

A systematic review categorizes EEG studies in shooting sports into four main directions, revealing brain plasticity principles and neural efficiency mechanisms underlying exceptional performance. Elite shooters exhibit enhanced activation in the right brain hemisphere, synchronizing alpha rhythms to suppress irrelevant thoughts.

SourceKeAi Communications Co., Ltd.·JournalIntelligent Sports and Health·TypeSystematic review·DateFeb 26, 2026

Music may not boost focus or mood during exercise, review suggests

A large review of studies found no consistent effect of music on focus or mood during exercise, with results varying depending on intensity and participant characteristics. The findings suggest that broad claims about music's benefits are not always supported and highlight the need for more rigorous study designs.

SourceUniversity of Jyväskylä - Jyväskylän yliopisto·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·TypeSystematic review·DateFeb 26, 2026

Research | Multifunctional hydrogels for harsh environments: achieving broadband electromagnetic interference shielding and infrared stealth under ultra-low conductive filler content

Researchers develop a multifunctional hydrogel system with broadband electromagnetic interference shielding and infrared stealth performance, exceeding that of commercial-grade materials under various harsh conditions. The gel's mechanical robustness and environmental stability are enhanced by a synergistic MXene treatment strategy.

SourceResearch·JournalResearch·TypeNews article·DateFeb 26, 2026

Climate change in the past: first indicators of resilience in tropical life, provided that global warming did not exceed 1.5 degrees

A recent study found that tropical algae were largely unaffected by periods of global warming up to 1.5 degrees Celsius in the distant past. This resilience provides valuable insights into the potential consequences of climate change and supports the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees.

SourceUtrecht University·JournalGeology·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateFeb 26, 2026

New evidence that ancient floods "rewrote" civilizations along the Yangtze River

Researchers found that widespread flooding in the Middle Yangtze Valley led to the decline of the Shijiahe culture around 4,200 years ago. The study used stalagmite analysis to reconstruct rainfall patterns and show that high-rainfall intervals were associated with increased flooding and a significant decline in population.

SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 26, 2026

Many nations underestimate greenhouse emissions from wastewater systems, but the lapse is fixable

Research from Princeton University reveals that nations globally underreport greenhouse gas emissions from wastewater facilities by up to 27%. Accurate estimates are crucial for sound public reporting and practical decision-making in the wastewater sector. The study finds that wastewater systems offer strong options for emissions reduc...

SourcePrinceton University, Engineering School·JournalNature Climate Change·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 26, 2026

Start school later, sleep longer, learn better

A new study found that flexible school start times can significantly improve teenagers' sleep patterns, reducing chronic sleep deprivation and its negative effects on mental health. Under a new model with flexible start and end times, students were able to get up 40 minutes later and slept an average of 45 minutes longer on school days.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 26, 2026

The Lancet: New weight loss pill leads to greater blood sugar control and weight loss for people with diabetes than current oral GLP-1, phase 3 trial finds

A phase 3 trial found that orforglipron, a novel GLP-1 receptor agonist pill, leads to greater blood sugar control and weight loss than current oral GLP-1 RA semaglutide in people with type 2 diabetes. Participants taking orforglipron had significantly greater reductions in body weight and blood sugar levels.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateFeb 26, 2026

New record: Laser cuts bone deeper than before

Researchers at the University of Basel have developed a new laser profile that enables deeper and faster cuts in hard tissues like bone. The top hat profile distributes energy more evenly, overcoming limitations of traditional laser systems and enabling joint implants and custom-made 3D-printed implants.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalScientific Reports·DateFeb 26, 2026

New treatment may dramatically improve survival for those with deadly brain cancer

Researchers at the University of Southern California Health Sciences have discovered a new treatment approach that combines laser heat therapy with immunotherapy to improve survival rates for patients with high-grade astrocytoma. Nearly half of patients treated with this combination were still alive after 18 months, exceeding the typic...

SourceUniversity of Southern California - Health Sciences·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 26, 2026

Will melting glaciers slow climate change? A prevailing theory is on shaky ground

Researchers from Rutgers University found that melting glaciers in Antarctica supply far less iron to surrounding waters than previously thought. The study challenges the long-held theory of iron fertilization, which suggested that glacial melting would feed blooms of microscopic algae and remove heat-trapping carbon dioxide from the a...

SourceRutgers University·JournalCommunications Earth & Environment·DateFeb 26, 2026

Here we grow: chondrocytes’ behavior reveals novel targets for bone growth disorders

A team at The University of Osaka has identified a signaling molecule called FGFR3 and a pathway called CREB as key in regulating bone growth. Cells carrying the genetic mutation associated with achondroplasia accumulate in the resting zone and show abnormal behaviors, which included abnormal patterns of division and migration.

SourceThe University of Osaka·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 26, 2026

Speaking from the heart: Study identifies key concerns of parenting with an early-onset cardiovascular condition

Research highlights the challenges of managing an early-onset cardiovascular condition while raising younger children, including uncertainty about communicating with children, physical and emotional strain on daily life, and heightened awareness of potential genetic risks. The study emphasizes the need for developmentally appropriate c...

SourceElsevier·JournalCanadian Journal of Cardiology·TypeContent analysis·DateFeb 26, 2026

New system designed to protect drones from cyber threats

Researchers at Adelaide University have developed a world-first cybersecurity system to protect drones from hacking, signal disruption, and malicious software. The system uses Software-Defined Wide Area Networking (SD-WAN) to act as a smart traffic controller for internet connections, making drones less vulnerable to cyber threats.

SourceAdelaide University·JournalComputers & Industrial Engineering·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 25, 2026

Are climate models detecting monsoon changes a decade too early? “Super-simulations” say “yes”

A new study suggests climate models may underestimate natural variability in monsoons, leading to an earlier detection of human-caused changes. Researchers used 'super-simulations' to analyze 550 climate models and found that projection uncertainty stems from model differences and internal variability.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAdvances in Atmospheric Sciences·DateFeb 25, 2026

SMART develops rapid iron measurement to improve cartilage repair through cell therapy

Researchers developed a rapid and non-destructive method to monitor iron flux in mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) using micromagnetic resonance relaxometry (µMRR). This breakthrough enables real-time insights into MSC's ability to form quality cartilage tissue, paving the way for more consistent manufacturing of MSC-based therapy.

SourceSingapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART)·JournalStem Cells Translational Medicine·DateFeb 25, 2026

Over 70% of global ecosystems remain unsampled for critical underground fungi

A recent study analyzed environmental DNA from the largest global dataset of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal and found a striking gap: more than 70% of ecoregions lack sequencing data. This underrepresentation threatens biodiversity surveys, plant productivity, soil aggregation, and climate mitigation predictions.

SourceSociety for the Protection of Underground Networks·JournalFEMS Microbiology Letters·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 25, 2026

Study: Exercise during chemotherapy for breast cancer measurably improves quality of life

A new study shows that exercise during chemotherapy measurably improves quality of life for women with breast cancer, with benefits consistent across physical, emotional and mental health domains. The findings support existing clinical guidelines and provide clarity on the effectiveness of exercise interventions during treatment.

SourceUniversity of Miami Miller School of Medicine·JournalThe Lancet Healthy Longevity·DateFeb 25, 2026

Researchers create distortion-resistant energy materials to improve lithium-ion batteries

Researchers at Tohoku University's Advanced Institute for Materials Research developed distortion-resistant energy materials for lithium-ion batteries, improving efficacy and cost-effectiveness. The cathode design utilizes 'interfacial orbital engineering' to neutralize Jahn-Teller distortions, achieving near-perfect cycling stability.

SourceAdvanced Institute for Materials Research (AIMR), Tohoku University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateFeb 25, 2026

Emerging class of antibiotics to tackle global tuberculosis crisis

A team of scientists at the University of Sydney has discovered how three naturally occurring antibiotic compounds disrupt the ClpC1–ClpP1P2 complex, a vital protein degradation machine in Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This finding uncovers surprising complexity and provides valuable insight into designing more effective anti-TB treatments.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 25, 2026