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Science News Archive February 2026 - Page 8


Page 8 of 45

Guidelines set new playbook for pediatric clinical trial reporting

Researchers at The Hospital for Sick Children have developed new guidelines for pediatric clinical trial reporting, incorporating child and youth-focused considerations. The SPIRIT-C 2026 and CONSORT-C 2026 guidelines aim to improve the quality, transparency, and usefulness of pediatric RCT protocols and final reports.

SourceThe Hospital for Sick Children·JournalThe BMJ·DateFeb 24, 2026

Ancient diets reveal surprising survival strategies in prehistoric Poland

Researchers reconstructed diets of prehistoric communities in north-central Poland, shedding light on how people adapted to changing environments and social landscapes. The study found that Corded Ware communities herded animals in forests and that millet consumption varied among groups, reflecting identity and group boundaries.

SourceUniwersytet Gdanski·JournalRoyal Society Open Science·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 24, 2026

Putting some ‘muscle’ into material design

Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have created protein fibers that can exhibit high tensile strength, toughness, and mechanical stability, making them suitable for active wear and biomedical implants. The materials are grown using synthetic biology approaches and can be processed into a meat-like structure.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·DateFeb 24, 2026
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

House fires release harmful compounds into the air

New research reveals that house fires release harmful compounds into the air, with synthetic materials like plastics and insulation contributing to higher levels of VOCs. However, their impact is often muted due to their small composition fraction in a typical home.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateFeb 24, 2026

Novel structural insights into Phytophthora effectors challenge long-held assumptions in plant pathology

Researchers at FABI define a conserved subset of Phytophthora RxLR effectors with short linear motifs embedded within folded WY domain cores. This arrangement preserves domain integrity while enabling potential interactions with host immune components, reframing pathogen strategies and challenging SLiM dogma.

SourceAmerican Phytopathological Society·JournalMolecular Plant-Microbe Interactions·DateFeb 24, 2026

Chapman University researcher warns of structural risks at Grand Renaissance Dam putting property and lives in danger

A new peer-reviewed study led by Dr. Hesham El-Askary finds significant vulnerabilities in the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam's saddle dam due to leaks and seismic activity, posing a threat to downstream communities and infrastructure if urgent monitoring and mitigation steps are not taken.

SourceChapman University·JournalInternational Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 24, 2026

A new ecological model highlights how fluctuating environments push microbes to work together

Researchers develop mathematical model to capture microbial cooperation and community stability, predicting the outcome of experiments with E. coli strains. The model's results show that auxotrophs contribute to stable communities by trading essential nutrients and limiting growth.

SourceCarl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign·JournalCell Systems·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 24, 2026

Heads or tails: Does it matter what part of a therapy dog gets patted?

A UBCO study found that all forms of touch with therapy dogs contribute positively to participants' emotional wellbeing, regardless of which part is interacted with. The research suggests that simple interaction with a therapy dog can make a difference in reducing stress and improving overall well-being.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia Okanagan campus·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateFeb 24, 2026
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

Courtship is complicated, even in fruit flies

Researchers used computer vision and machine learning to study Drosophila melanogaster courtship. They found that males rely on specific visual cues, particularly the female's eyes, to determine her anterior-posterior body axis. This recognition shapes when and how different elements of courtship are deployed.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·DateFeb 24, 2026

Q&A: Researchers discuss potential solutions for the feedback loop affecting scientific publishing

The peer review process is facing a crisis due to an increasing number of manuscript submissions and a decline in willing peer reviewers. Researchers propose potential interventions to address this issue, including selecting high-quality reviewing and using machine learning to support editors. This could help maintain the credibility o...

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalPLOS Biology·DateFeb 24, 2026
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

Shorter early-life telomere length as a predictor of survival

A new study reveals that shorter early-life telomeres are associated with higher survival rates in black-legged kittiwakes. In contrast, larger individuals tend to have shorter telomeres, suggesting a trade-off between growth and telomere maintenance.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalEcological and Evolutionary Physiology·DateFeb 24, 2026
Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

Blaming beavers for flood damage is bad policy and bad science, Concordia research shows

A new Concordia research study refutes the notion that beaver dam failures can cause river flooding, arguing that failed dams had only a small effect on water levels downstream. The study found that natural conditions such as steep slopes and intense rainfall were more likely to cause damage.

SourceConcordia University·JournalEarth Surface Processes and Landforms·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 24, 2026

Why do female caribou have antlers?

Researchers at the University of Cincinnati found that female caribou gnaw on shed antlers to supplement their diets with calcium and phosphorus, essential for milk production. The study, published in Ecology and Evolution, reveals a previously overlooked benefit of shed antlers in the Arctic ecosystem.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalEcology and Evolution·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 24, 2026

How studying yeast in the gut could lead to new, better drugs

Researchers identified genes that are activated when yeast cells are in the gut, suggesting a roadmap for engineering more efficient drug-delivery vehicles. The study found that yeast cells were digesting more lipids than carbohydrates in the gut, highlighting potential modifications to improve efficiency.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalBMC Genomics·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 24, 2026
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

Study identifies medical conditions that could predict future Alzheimer’s disease

Researchers identified over 70 medical conditions associated with Alzheimer's disease development, including endocrine/metabolic conditions like Type 2 diabetes. The study suggests that addressing these conditions in midlife may reduce Alzheimer's disease risk, and could lead to earlier interventions and improved patient outcomes.

SourceVanderbilt University Medical Center·JournalAlzheimer s Research & Therapy·DateFeb 24, 2026

Could British companies be sued in the UK for human rights abuses committed overseas?

A new study from the University of Surrey suggests that powerful companies risk legal responsibility for labor abuse, child labor, and environmental pollution linked to their global operations. Courts in the UK and abroad are treating corporate human rights responsibility as a legal duty rather than a voluntary promise.

SourceUniversity of Surrey·JournalMultinational Business Review·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 24, 2026

Tourists are fuelling exploitative working conditions by demanding cheap holidays warns new research

A new study from the University of Surrey and Strathclyde University finds that customers' obsession with cheap travel is linked to low wages and harmful working environments for service staff. The research highlights evidence of widespread harassment of service workers, particularly among airlines and hospitality companies.

SourceUniversity of Surrey·JournalJournal of Services Marketing·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 24, 2026
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

New strategies aim at HIV’s last strongholds

Researchers have successfully isolated and grown authentic reservoir clones (ARCs) that evade the immune system, providing new insights into how to eliminate them. The study suggests that potent CTLs can catch these cells during brief windows of HIV visibility, slowly shrinking the reservoir.

SourceWeill Cornell Medicine·JournalNature·DateFeb 24, 2026

Illinois and UChicago physicists develop a new method to measure the expansion rate of the universe

A team of researchers from Illinois and UChicago has developed a novel way to compute the Hubble constant using gravitational waves, improving accuracy over prior methods. The new method uses background gravitational-wave hum from merging black holes in distant galaxies to learn about the age and composition of the universe.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateFeb 24, 2026

Ambitious climate policy ensures reduction of CO2 emissions

A recent study by Heidelberg University suggests that countries with more comprehensive climate policy portfolios are achieving greater emission reductions. The research analyzed data from 43 major economies worldwide, finding that targeted policies, such as carbon taxes and renewable energy subsidies, were most effective in cutting em...

SourceHeidelberg University·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 24, 2026
Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

Pandemic, election crises mark 'critical events' in declining democratic accountability standards, governance scholar writes

Governance scholar Christopher Koliba argues that the politicization of the COVID-19 pandemic and 2020 US elections led to a transgression of democratic accountability standards. The two crises undermined reason and truthfulness, forbearance toward democratic institutions, and professional discretion.

SourceUniversity of Kansas·JournalPerspectives on Public Management and Governance·TypeMeta-analysis·DateFeb 24, 2026

Borrowing from biology to power next-gen data storage

Researchers at Penn State have developed a bio-hybrid system that combines synthetic DNA with perovskite semiconductors to create a memory resistor that stores and processes data with minimal power consumption. This technology has the potential to enable more efficient data centers, speedier data processing and more complex data analysis.

SourcePenn State·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 24, 2026
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

How travel and dating apps are changing relationship rules for queer men

Research reveals queer men in relationships are shifting from secretive to open approaches to sex and intimacy while traveling. Participants described 'monogamish' and 'open' relationship arrangements, with clear boundaries and communication crucial for avoiding problems.

SourceUniversity of Surrey·JournalAnnals of Tourism Research·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 24, 2026

Rise of the rice robots – creating active smart materials

A new material composed of rice grains can bend, buckle, or stiffen differently under slow movements versus sudden impacts without electronics or sensors. This innovative material has potential applications in soft robotics, creating machines lighter, safer, and more adaptable.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalMatter·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 24, 2026
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

Solving cancer immunotherapy’s fuel shortage

Researchers at UCLA have found a way to supercharge immune cells with a fuel source that tumors can't steal, dramatically improving their ability to survive and attack solid tumors. The approach enables T cells to import cellobiose and convert it into usable glucose inside the cell.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalCell·DateFeb 24, 2026

A team from the Universitat Jaume I formulates a biostimulant composition that protects crops from adverse conditions and improves harvest yields

A team from Universitat Jaume I creates a biostimulant composition using proline particles encapsulated in silica, enhancing plant tolerance to drought, high temperatures and salinity. The new compound's production process is scalable, cost-effective and reproducible, with potential for industrial-level application.

SourceUniversitat Jaume I·DateFeb 24, 2026
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

ENDO 2026 opens media registration

The Endocrine Society's annual meeting ENDO 2026 offers journalists the opportunity to discuss groundbreaking research on various hormone-related topics with world-renowned experts. Over 7,200 attendees, 100 exhibitors, and nearly 2,500 abstracts are expected.

SourceThe Endocrine Society·DateFeb 24, 2026

Cacao of Excellence names 50 highest-ranking cacao producers in 2025 Global Evaluation

The Cacao of Excellence programme has announced its 2025 Edition, recognising 50 highest-ranking cacao producers from across four regions. The programme evaluates high-performing cacao through blind technical and sensory assessment, establishing an internationally comparable reference framework for cacao flavour.

SourceThe Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture·DateFeb 24, 2026

One-dimensional photonic crystal nano-ridge surface emitting lasers epitaxially grown on a standard 300 mm silicon wafer

Researchers develop a new approach to grow high-quality III-V active material on silicon in the form of ordered nano-ridge arrays, supporting symmetry-protected bound states in the continuum mode. This enables strong in-plane confinement and vertical surface emission from a compact device footprint.

SourceLight Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics And Physics, CAS·JournalLight Science & Applications·DateFeb 24, 2026
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

Gut microbes affect the heart via the brain

Researchers found that a bacterial metabolite regulates heart function through specific brain cells, revealing a new gut-brain-heart axis. This discovery points to potential therapies for hypertension and heart failure, and may serve as a biomarker for identifying patients at high risk.

SourceMax Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association·JournalCirculation Research·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 24, 2026

Overdiagnosis of papillary thyroid cancer

This study found that US thyroid cancer overdiagnosis persists even after accounting for possible true incidence rises, highlighting opportunities to reduce unnecessary referrals and diagnoses

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateFeb 24, 2026

A comparison of the efficacy of non-chemical versus chemical cleansers against candida species on removable dental prostheses

This systematic review found that both chemical and non-chemical denture cleansers effectively reduce Candida species, with chemical agents demonstrating more consistent antifungal action. Non-chemical agents preserve material integrity and are preferred by patients for their taste and ease of use.

SourceXia & He Publishing Inc.·JournalJournal of Exploratory Research in Pharmacology·DateFeb 24, 2026
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

Kicking off the “Year of Diversity”

The BfR Federal Institute for Risk Assessment is signing the Diversity Charter, a nationwide initiative promoting diversity in the workplace. The 'Year of Diversity' aims to anchor diversity and inclusion in everyday working life through participatory activities and regular dialogue.

SourceBfR Federal Institute for Risk Assessment·DateFeb 24, 2026

Alcohol explains most suspected drugging cases

A nationwide review of 373 reported drugging cases in Denmark found that alcohol was the most frequent substance detected in complainants' blood and urine samples. Blackout was also a common symptom, suggesting high levels of alcohol consumption.

SourceAarhus University·JournalForensic Toxicology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 24, 2026