Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News Archive February 2026 - Page 9


Page 9 of 45

Ancient DNA reveals 7,700-year-old "north-south corridor" linking Lake Baikal and northern China

An international team uncovered a 7,700-year-old 'north-south corridor' of human interaction between Early Neolithic populations in Siberia and northern China. Genetic analysis revealed a distinct genetic signature linked to Lake Baikal populations, challenging previous views on trans-Eurasian contact.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience Bulletin·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 24, 2026

A device generates electricity from the sun and rain simultaneously

A team from the University of Seville has developed a hybrid device that captures energy from both the sun and rain, allowing for more efficient and durable photovoltaic cells. The device can generate up to 110 volts per impact from a single raindrop, powering small portable devices.

SourceUniversity of Seville·JournalNano Energy·DateFeb 24, 2026

Self-repairing biohybrid system uses sunlight to purify uranium-contaminated water

A novel, self-regenerating 'bacteria-mineral' biohybrid system was developed to utilize light like a solar cell for uranium pollution purification. The system enhances the purification efficiency of uranium pollution through the use of metabolic activity of bacteria to grow ferrous sulfide nanoparticles.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience Bulletin·TypeExperimental study·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.

Pathway to residency program helps kids and the pediatrician shortage

The Pediatric Specialized Training and Advancement to Residency Track (Peds-START) program at UCSF aims to strengthen the pediatric workforce and improve childhood health outcomes. The program provides early mentorship, individualized training, and a clear pathway into the UCSF pediatric residency program.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·TypeNews article·DateFeb 24, 2026

Shine a light, build a crystal

Researchers developed a simple and reversible method for forming crystals using light-sensitive molecules, allowing for precise control over particle attraction and repulsion. This enables the creation of adaptable materials with tunable properties, such as reconfigurable optical coatings and adaptive sensors.

SourceNew York University·JournalChem·DateFeb 24, 2026

Stimulating mitochondria to boost long-term memory

Researchers found that inhibiting LETM1, a protein regulating mitochondrial calcium, can significantly improve performance in tasks requiring long-term memory. This approach enhances metabolic stimulation and leads to overproduction of ATP, prolonging energy production beyond normal brain activity.

SourceInstitut du Cerveau (Paris Brain Institute)·JournalNature Metabolism·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 24, 2026
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

How the color of a theater affects sound perception

Researchers found that the visual design of a concert hall significantly affects perceived timbre, with more saturated colors producing colder sounds. Listeners also reported higher liking scores in darker environments, highlighting the importance of considering visual appearance in acoustic design.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalThe Journal of the Acoustical Society of America·DateFeb 24, 2026

Ensuring smartphones have not been tampered with

Researchers created a database of smartphone signal fingerprints to confirm devices have not been altered. The method uses electromagnetic waves emitted by smartphones and compares them to a trusted database, identifying deviations that indicate tampering.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalAIP Advances·DateFeb 24, 2026

It’s not just about the number on the scale: The hidden value of so-called “yo-yo dieting”

A new study by Ben-Gurion University of the Negev researchers found that repeated attempts at weight loss confer significant and sustainable health benefits over time, particularly through reduced visceral fat. Even when participants regain all the weight lost in a previous diet, their cardiometabolic health may remain improved.

SourceBen-Gurion University of the Negev·JournalBMC Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·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.

Successful research on clean chemicals set to continue

The ETOS future cluster is receiving EUR 12 million in follow-up funding to focus on process engineering and piloting new methods for electrification of chemical production processes. Electroorganic synthesis, which uses electricity to drive chemical reactions, offers a sustainable alternative to traditional methods.

SourceKarlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT)·DateFeb 24, 2026

Centenarians' blood sheds light on the mechanisms of longevity

The 'SWISS100' study identified 37 proteins in centenarians' blood whose profile appears linked to slower ageing, with remarkably low oxidative stress markers. Centenarians also show profiles surprisingly close to those of younger individuals, particularly with youthful expression levels of regulatory proteins of the extracellular matrix.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalAging Cell·TypeNews article·DateFeb 24, 2026

When light “thinks” like the brain: the connection between photons and artificial memory discovered

A study reveals that identical photons in optical circuits exhibit Hopfield Network behavior, enabling associative memory mechanisms similar to the human brain. The research finds a fundamental limit to memory capacity, with quantum coherence allowing correct retrieval but transitioning to disorder as data volume increases.

SourceIstituto Italiano di Tecnologia - IIT·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 24, 2026

Climate policies are cutting carbon – new study shows

A new study by UK and EU researchers finds that countries with better-targeted climate policies cut carbon emissions significantly faster than those without. The study analyzed over 3,900 climate policies adopted since 2000 in leading economies and found that these policies avoided approximately 3 billion tonnes of CO2 in 2022 alone.

SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalNature Communications·TypeMeta-analysis·DateFeb 24, 2026
Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

A study shows that Nutri-Score labels do not reflect the true nutritional quality of soluble cocoa

Researchers at the University of Granada found that Nutri-Score labels do not accurately reflect the true nutritional value of soluble cocoa. The study analyzed 54 products from 19 brands and discovered no correlation between Nutri-Score categories and actual nutritional composition, especially regarding bioactive compounds.

SourceUniversity of Granada·Journalnpj Science of Food·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 24, 2026

The OsMADS18-OsbZIP60 module plays a critical role in influencing grain chalkiness in rice

Researchers identified OsMADS18 as a key regulator of grain chalkiness, enhancing the trait with loss-of-function mutations. OsbZIP60 was found to interact with OsMADS18, positively regulating chalkiness-related genes. The OsMADS18-OsbZIP60 module also influences grain weight and starch content under high-temperature conditions.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience China Life Sciences·DateFeb 24, 2026

Quantum effect could power the next generation of battery-free devices

A new study reveals a quantum effect that can be used to control an unusual quantum phenomenon, allowing for the conversion of alternating electrical signals into direct current. This discovery opens up possibilities for smaller, faster, and more efficient energy-harvesting devices, including self-powered sensors and wearable technology.

SourceQueensland University of Technology·JournalNewton·DateFeb 24, 2026

New research finds heart health benefits in combining mango and avocado daily

A new study found that adding one avocado and a cup of mango to daily meals and snacks for eight weeks improved vascular function among adults with prediabetes, while also reducing diastolic blood pressure. The Avocado-Mango diet showed significant increases in flow-mediated dilation and nutrient-dense nutrients without changes in calo...

SourceWild Hive·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·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.

Cannabis essential oils unlock how camphor repels mosquitoes - new study

Researchers have identified the specific smell receptor that causes mosquitoes to avoid borneol, a natural compound found in camphor tree oils. Activating this receptor triggers a neural pathway leading to avoidance behavior, offering potential strategies for designing more targeted and effective mosquito repellents.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 24, 2026

Singapore study uncovers why some colorectal cancer tumors return and spread after chemotherapy

A Singapore study reveals that a specific gene called SERPINE1 drives resistance to chemotherapy and cancer spread in colorectal cancer patients. The findings also identify a molecular signature called RESIST-M, which can predict poorer survival and higher relapse risk, supporting earlier intervention and more targeted follow-up care.

SourceAgency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore·JournalCell Death and Disease·DateFeb 24, 2026

Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation awards $3.2 million to innovative early-career scientists

The foundation awarded $400,000 over two years to five early-career researchers and continuation support to three current Innovators with significant progress on their proposed research. The recipients focus on developing targeted therapeutics, decoding dendritic cell function, defining NKT cell interactions with tumors, engineering T ...

SourceDamon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation·DateFeb 24, 2026
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

Decoding immune system cellular pathways one enzyme at a time

Researchers at the Institute for Glyco-core Research discovered how FUT8 is regulated by proteases SPP and SPPL3, essential for core fucosylation. This understanding may lead to new treatments targeting this cellular pathway, particularly in cancer and immune disorders.

SourceInstitute for Glyco-core Research (iGCORE), Tokai National Higher Education and Research System·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 24, 2026

HKUST achieves first certified breakthrough in fully solvent‑free perovskite solar cell technology

Researchers at HKUST developed a multi-source co-evaporation recipe that enhances crystal quality of vacuum-deposited perovskite films. The breakthrough achieved the first certified performance for an all-vacuum-deposited wide-bandgap perovskite solar cell with 18.35% efficiency.

SourceHong Kong University of Science and Technology·JournalNature Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 24, 2026

AI provides a more precise time of death

Researchers at Linköping University have developed an AI model that can accurately determine the time of death from blood samples, providing crucial information in murder investigations and police work. The method uses metabolites to analyze changes in small molecules over time, outperforming current methods.

SourceLinköping University·JournalNature Communications·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.

Stone Age deceased dressed in spectacular feather and fur headgear

A recent study examining microscopic remains of clothing and burial items from 7,000-year-old graves in Sweden reveals the use of bird skins, furs, and feathers. The analysis method provides a fresh vantage point on Stone Age attire, shedding new light on the significance of soft organic materials.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalArchaeological and Anthropological Sciences·DateFeb 24, 2026

Mate choice: How social trends influence mate diversity

Scientists discover that social information influences mate choice, leading to diverse populations. The study reveals two opposing variants of copying behavior: Conformity and Anti-conformity, which affect population diversity. Mathematical modeling provides insights into the interplay between natural selection and social learning.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 24, 2026

Study identifies aging-associated mitochondrial circular RNAs

A study profiles mitochondrial circular RNAs in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells from young and old human cohorts, revealing that circMT-RNR2 levels are depleted in older cohorts and are involved in promoting the TCA cycle. Loss of GRSF1 reduces circMT-RNR2 levels, decreasing mitochondrial TCA intermediates and accelerating cellular ...

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalAging-US·TypeNews article·DateFeb 24, 2026

New AI framework transforms paper drawings into 3D digital twins, advancing smart city construction

Researchers developed DBAL-YOLO, a deep learning-based framework that converts non-digital engineering drawings into 3D Building Information Models (BIM) with high precision. The technology resolves the challenge of creating digital twins for existing buildings and holds immense potential for rapid digitisation of urban infrastructure.

SourceELSP·JournalSmart Construction·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 24, 2026

When records are not enough

A team of scientists and industry experts investigated the challenges of developing new solar cells, including copper indium gallium diselenide and perovskite. They recommend focusing on material resilience, stability, and sustainability to ensure long-term success.

SourceSwiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (Empa)·JournalNature Energy·TypeCommentary/editorial·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.

Harvard study: Industrial research labs powered the golden age of U.S. innovation

A Harvard study analyzed 1.6 million patents and found that industrial research labs enabled large-scale science-based team-oriented invention, transforming the U.S. innovation system. The researchers propose exploring whether today's organized corporate research promotes radical versus incremental innovation.

SourceHarvard Kennedy School·JournalResearch Policy·TypeMeta-analysis·DateFeb 24, 2026

The brain’s primitive ‘fear center’ is actually a sophisticated mediator

A Dartmouth study challenges the conventional view of the amygdala as a primitive 'fear center' by revealing its role in mediating between competing learning strategies. The research suggests that the amygdala favors action-based learning, promoting exploration and flexibility to overcome fear.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 24, 2026

Research identifies blind spots in AI medical triage

A recent study has found that ChatGPT Health may fail to direct users appropriately to emergency care in serious cases, and its suicide-crisis safeguards are also concerning. The tool under-triaged more than half of cases that physicians determined required emergency care, highlighting the need for caution when relying on AI guidance.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalNature Medicine·DateFeb 24, 2026

As worms and jellyfish wriggle, new AI tools track their neurons

Three new neural network-based tools enable precise tracking of neurons in worms and jellyfish, overcoming visibility challenges. The tools have been applied to the study of brain activity in C. hemisphaerica jellyfish, allowing researchers to extract neural activity data from videos of the animals.

SourcePicower Institute at MIT·JournaleLife·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 24, 2026
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

Tokyo Bay’s night lights reveal hidden boundaries between species

A new study explores how artificial lighting at night shapes ecological and genetic patterns of two closely related isopod species, Ligia laticarpa and L. furcata, in Tokyo Bay. The research reveals a clear ecological boundary between the two species, consistent with patterns of urban illumination.

SourceChiba University·JournalPNAS Nexus·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 24, 2026

ATG14 identified as a central guardian against liver injury and fibrosis

A study published in eGastroenterology reveals that Autophagy Related 14 (ATG14) plays a critical role in protecting the liver against injury and fibrosis. ATG14 deficiency leads to severe hepatocellular injury, oxidative stress, and inflammation, highlighting its importance in maintaining hepatocyte homeostasis.

SourceFirst Hospital of Jilin University·JournaleGastroenterology·DateFeb 24, 2026

Study shows marine plastic pollution alters octopus predator-prey encounters

A study published in the Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology found that exposure to oleamide, a chemical additive in plastics, caused immediate changes in octopus prey choice and interactions with predators. The effects persisted for at least three days, suggesting a lasting impact on marine behavior and ecosystem dynamics.

SourceFlorida Atlantic University·JournalJournal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 24, 2026

A parasitic origin for the ribosome?

Researchers suggest ribosomes may have originated from a viral parasite, proposing a proto-ribosome that assembled small molecules into useful products. This theory implies that the evolution of the ribosome was influenced by its initial parasitic nature.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateFeb 24, 2026
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

Night lights can structure ecosystems

A study found that night lights affect two marine crustaceans differently, with Ligia laticarpa occurrence correlated to higher nighttime light intensity and Ligia furcata reduced activity under artificial lights. Night lights can structure ecosystems by acting as a barrier between lineages, potentially reducing gene flow.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateFeb 24, 2026

Tool for identifying children at risk of speech disorders

Researchers developed a tool to identify children with red flags for speech disorders, guiding therapy referrals. The study found that developmental speech errors are common in young children, but resolve by seven years, and that some errors take longer to outgrow.

SourceMurdoch Childrens Research Institute·JournalArchives of Disease in Childhood·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 24, 2026

A gold-standard survey of the American mood

A long-term survey analysis reveals stable individual measures of economic satisfaction, health, and happiness, but declining national confidence and institutional trust, with increased affective polarization and partisan divides.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateFeb 24, 2026

MambaAlign fusion framework for detecting defects missed by inspection systems

Researchers developed an efficient system to detect subtle defects missed by existing inspection systems. The MambaAlign framework captures long-range and orientation-aware context using state-space refinement, achieving improved localization and detection accuracy without excessive computational overhead.

SourceShibaura Institute of Technology·JournalJournal of Computational Design and Engineering·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·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 Japanese medical trainees view artificial intelligence in medicine

A multicenter Japanese study developed and validated a tool to measure attitudes toward artificial intelligence among medical students and residents. The J-ATTARI-12 scale assesses AI anxiety and aversion versus AI optimism and acceptance, with moderate positive correlations with related constructs.

SourceJuntendo University Research Promotion Center·JournalJMIR Medical Education·TypeSurvey·DateFeb 24, 2026

Global warming and heat stress risk close in on the Tour de France

A recent study analyzing 50 years of climate data shows that the Tour de France has so far avoided extreme heat conditions, but the risk is increasingly high. The researchers found that regions like Paris and Lyon are becoming new heat stress hotspots, highlighting the need to adapt schedules, routes, and safety protocols.

SourceBarcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal)·JournalScientific Reports·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 24, 2026

New study reveals early healthy eating shapes lifelong brain health

A new study reveals that a high-fat, high-sugar diet during early life can lead to long-lasting changes in feeding behavior and disrupt brain pathways involved in appetite control. However, targeting the gut microbiota with specific strains of beneficial bacteria or prebiotic fibers may help mitigate these effects.

SourceUniversity College Cork·JournalNature Communications·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·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.

New technology reveals hidden DNA scaffolding built before life ‘switches on’

Researchers have discovered a sophisticated 3D scaffold of DNA being built before the genome fully awakens, controlling gene expression and preventing developmental defects. The breakthrough technology, Pico-C, enables high-resolution mapping of the genome's shape, shedding light on its role in human health.

SourceMedical Research Council (MRC) Laboratory of Medical Sciences·JournalNature Genetics·DateFeb 24, 2026

Trashing cancer’s ‘undruggable’ proteins

Scientists developed a new platform using protein-like polymers to target and degrade cancer-driving proteins like MYC and KRAS. The approach triggers cancer cell death, offering hope for treating aggressive and drug-resistant cancers.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 24, 2026

Enzymes work as Maxwell's demon by using memory stored as motion

Researchers show enzymes can actively shift reactions away from equilibrium, controlling directionality and fine metabolic regulation. Enzyme diffusion enables 'memory' of past reaction events, driving system to new steady state.

SourceInstitute of Science Tokyo·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 24, 2026
Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

Beating cancer by eating cancer

A research team has engineered bacteria capable of consuming tumours from the inside out, using a novel tool for cancer treatment. The bacteria, Clostridium sporogenes, are designed to multiply in oxygen-free environments found in solid tumours, where they can effectively target and destroy cancerous cells.

SourceUniversity of Waterloo·JournalACS Synthetic Biology·DateFeb 24, 2026

Methane’s missing emissions: The underestimated impact of small sources

Researchers used continuous and integrated readings of methane and ethane to identify overlooked emissions from restaurants, commercial facilities, and private residences. The study highlights the need for technology and policy to fix these hidden sources, which are estimated to be higher on weekdays.

SourceOsaka Metropolitan University·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 24, 2026