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Science News Archive February 2026 - Page 5


Page 5 of 45

Aspirin not a quick fix for preventing bowel cancer

Daily aspirin use offers no quick or reliable way to prevent bowel cancer in the general population, increasing risk of serious bleeding. However, it may have potential long-term benefits for people at high genetic risk of colorectal cancer.

SourceCochrane·JournalCochrane Database of Systematic Reviews·TypeSystematic review·DateFeb 25, 2026

Nutrient uptake gets to the root of roots

Researchers at Kobe University found that liverwort's hair-like rhizoids take in and transport phosphorus to its tissues, contrary to initial assumptions. This discovery sheds light on the evolution of nutrient acquisition mechanisms in simple land plants like mosses and liverworts.

SourceKobe University·JournalNew Phytologist·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 25, 2026

Why conspiracy theories can be so irresistible

Research at Flinders University found that a thinking style known as systemising, which seeks patterns and consistency, can lead individuals to believe in conspiracy theories despite good scientific reasoning skills. This cognitive style can make it difficult for people to update their beliefs when faced with new evidence.

SourceFlinders University·JournalCognitive Processing·TypeSurvey·DateFeb 25, 2026

GLP-1 drugs combined with healthy lifestyle habits linked with reduced cardiovascular risk among diabetes patients

A new study by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and the Department of Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System found that using GLP-1 receptor agonists in combination with adhering to healthy lifestyle habits significantly reduces cardiovascular risk among individuals with type 2 diabetes. The study showed that these two stra...

SourceHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health·JournalThe Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 25, 2026

Scientists uncover how engineered biochar and microbes work together to boost plant-based cleanup of cadmium-polluted soils

Scientists have discovered how engineered biochar and microbes work together to enhance phytoremediation by improving soil conditions and stimulating beneficial microbes. The study found that modified biochar substantially increased plant growth, boosted photosynthesis, and promoted the transfer of cadmium from roots to stems and leaves.

SourceBiochar Editorial Office, Shenyang Agricultural University·JournalBiochar·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 25, 2026

Engineered biochar could unlock more effective and scalable solutions for soil and water pollution

A new review highlights how engineering biochar with magnetic and mineral modifications can expand its environmental applications while overcoming practical limitations. Engineered biochars combine adsorption with reactive processes to trap pollutants, transform or degrade them, reducing the risk of secondary contamination.

SourceBiochar Editorial Office, Shenyang Agricultural University·JournalBiochar·TypeLiterature review·DateFeb 25, 2026

Coffee waste turned into clean air solution: researchers develop sustainable catalyst to remove toxic hydrogen sulfide

A team of environmental chemists developed a new catalyst made from discarded coffee grounds that efficiently removes hydrogen sulfide, a highly toxic industrial gas, while producing elemental sulfur. The material was produced through a two-step process and demonstrated outstanding performance during laboratory testing.

SourceBiochar Editorial Office, Shenyang Agricultural University·JournalBiochar·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 25, 2026

COVID-19 infection predicts higher risk of kidney disease, study finds

A study found that COVID-19 infection significantly increases the risk of acute kidney injury, chronic kidney disease, and kidney failure in US adults. The research used machine learning models to analyze data from over three million patients, revealing a 2.3-times higher risk of acute kidney injury compared to influenza.

SourcePenn State·JournalCommunications Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 25, 2026

Hidden architecture inside cellular droplets reveals new targets for cancer and neurodegeneration

Researchers found that some membrane-less compartments are built from tiny filaments, revealing new possibilities for therapeutic intervention in diseases such as cancer and neurodegeneration. The discovery suggests that targeting these structures could be effective in treating conditions like ALS and tumors.

SourceScripps Research Institute·JournalNature Structural & Molecular Biology·DateFeb 25, 2026

Magnetic microrobot swarms enable contactless manipulation of objects through fluidic torque

Researchers demonstrated a breakthrough in microrobotics: swarms of magnetic microrobots can manipulate objects without physical contact by harnessing fluid-generated torque. The microrobots act as motors to move millimeter-sized passive objects, opening new pathways for precision manufacturing and biomedical applications.

SourceMax Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 25, 2026

Saving sea lions with soft robotics

Researchers at UNLV have created a 3D-printed synthetic California sea lion pelvic region, enabling medical professionals to conduct blood collection training on anatomically authentic models. This innovation has the potential to improve veterinary procedures and benefit human lives in the long run.

SourceUniversity of Nevada, Las Vegas·JournalScientific Reports·DateFeb 25, 2026

Too much transparency can hurt financial markets

Researchers found that less transparency in bond markets can lead to better economic outcomes, as it imposes discipline on players and makes institutions more selective about bonds they buy. This is in contrast to the 2008 global financial crisis, which was triggered by too much public information and looser credit.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalJournal of Economic Theory·DateFeb 25, 2026

Study explains how ketogenic diets prevent seizures

A ketogenic diet causes physical changes in brain cells that affect how they send information to one another, dampening the strength of signals between them. This quieter neural landscape might explain how the diet calms overactive electrical signaling characteristic of epileptic seizures.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalCell Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 25, 2026

Differing immune responses in infants may explain increased severity of RSV over SARS-CoV-2

A recent study published in Science Translational Medicine found that infant immune systems respond very differently to RSV and SARS-CoV-2, with important treatment implications. Infants infected with RSV often develop severe symptoms due to low levels of systemic inflammation and a poorly coordinated early immune response.

SourceSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital·JournalScience Translational Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 25, 2026

Can AI make society less selfish?

Researchers at Michigan State University found that AI agents that mimic human behavior can lower the threshold to cooperation, producing larger pools of reciprocity. This study suggests that AI could be used to promote cooperation in self-driving vehicles and other real-world scenarios.

SourceMichigan State University·Journalnpj Complexity·DateFeb 25, 2026

The Lancet: Single daily pill shows promise as replacement for complex, multi-tablet HIV treatment regimens

A new daily oral tablet combining bictegravir and lenacapavir (BIC/LEN) was found to be highly effective in maintaining HIV suppression, with nearly 96% of participants who switched to this simplified regimen maintaining viral suppression. The treatment showed similar results compared to complex, multi-pill treatments.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateFeb 25, 2026

Risk of whale entanglement in fishing gear tied to size of cool-water habitat

Research finds that humpback whales face a higher risk of getting entangled in fishing equipment during years with lower availability of cool-water habitat. The Habitat Compression Index can predict ocean conditions up to a year in advance, suggesting its potential as an early warning system for fishery management decisions.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Climate·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 25, 2026

Yawns in healthy fetuses might indicate mild distress

A study published in PLOS One found that fetuses who yawned more frequently during pregnancy had a lower birth weight, suggesting mild fetal distress. The research observed healthy fetuses between 23-31 weeks and recorded their yawning behavior using ultrasound.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS One·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 25, 2026

Researchers sharpen understanding of how the body responds to energy demands from exercise

A new study published in Science Advances has shed light on how the body responds to energy demands from exercise, identifying a crucial cell signaling mechanism that could lead to a new treatment for diabetes. The research focuses on Adenosine Monophosphate-Activated Protein Kinase (AMPK), a regulator of energy production, and reveals...

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 25, 2026

Flagging claims about cancer treatment on social media as potentially false might help reduce spreading of misinformation, per online experiment with 1,051 US adults

An online experiment with 1,051 US adults suggests flagging potentially false cancer treatment claims on social media can help reduce the spread of misinformation. The study found that intervening and reducing sharing of false information on social media may have a positive impact on public health.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS One·DateFeb 25, 2026

New “lock-and-key” chemistry

Researchers have developed a new chemistry-based strategy to localize therapeutic drugs to tumors, reducing harm to healthy tissues. The 'lock-and-key' system uses biorthogonal supramolecular chemistry to release drugs in specific locations, offering a potential path to safer and more precise cancer treatment.

SourceSyracuse University·JournalAngewandte Chemie·DateFeb 25, 2026