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Science News for January 12, 2026


Chang'e-6 samples reveal how giant asteroid impact affected lunar interior

The study analyzed Chang'e-6 samples from the South Pole-Aitken Basin, finding significantly heavier potassium isotopic compositions than previous lunar basalts. This suggests that a giant impact event had a profound influence on the Moon's deep interior, affecting its thermal history and geochemical properties.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 12, 2026

Study finds non-hallucinogenic psilocybin neural receptor

A Dartmouth study identifies a novel target for using psilocybin to treat depression and anxiety without hallucinations. The serotonin 1B receptor is found to promote the therapeutic benefits of psilocybin, providing a potential new approach for developing safer and more cost-efficient medications.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalMolecular Psychiatry·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 12, 2026

Achieving wide‑temperature‑range physical and chemical hydrogen sorption in a structural optimized Mg/N‑doped porous carbon nanocomposite

Researchers have developed a novel porous carbon nanocomposite that achieves wide-temperature-range physical and chemical hydrogen sorption. The material, made with Mg/N-doped porous carbon, delivers high gravimetric and volumetric capacity at sub-ambient temperatures, outperforming compressed hydrogen.

SourceShanghai Jiao Tong University Journal Center·JournalNano-Micro Letters·TypeNews article·DateJan 12, 2026

Boron-containing Z-type and bilayer benzoxene

The study reports the synthesis of two novel boron-hexane Z-type and bilayer benzobenzenes, exhibiting narrow-spectrum fluorescence and amplified spontaneous emission properties. The researchers demonstrate their potential application as gain mediators in luminescent functions and spin properties.

SourceChinese Chemical Society·JournalCCS Chemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 12, 2026

Work hard, play hard?

A study published in Drug and Alcohol Review journal reveals that workplace factors like long hours, work-related stress, and shift work do not solely drive high-risk drinking. Personal and social factors have an even greater impact on alcohol consumption among workers. The research analyzed over two decades of data from the Household ...

SourceFlinders University·JournalDrug and Alcohol Review·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 12, 2026

Born in brightness, leading to darkness

Researchers at Kyoto University observe a peculiar supernova explosion, SN 2022esa, which reveals the birth of a black hole binary. The study provides new direction for understanding massive star evolution and black hole formation.

SourceKyoto University·JournalPublications of the Astronomical Society of Japan·TypeObservational study·DateJan 12, 2026

Wood becomes smart glass: Photo- and electro-chromic membrane switches tint in seconds

A team of researchers has developed a dual-response cellulose–WO3 composite film that can switch tint in seconds and survive 200 cycles. The membrane is made from wood and can be roll-coated on existing paper machines, making it a sustainable alternative to traditional smart glass.

SourceJournal of Bioresources and Bioproducts·JournalJournal of Bioresources and Bioproducts·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 12, 2026

Lifesaving breakthrough in bacterial behavior

Researchers have made a groundbreaking discovery about how bacteria swim upstream to cause infections, pointing to new designs for biomedical devices that can prevent contamination. The study found that wider channels with faster counterflows are more prone to invasion, but sharp corner designs can inhibit bacterial growth.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalNewton·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 12, 2026

Getting a grip on aging

A recent study by researchers at the University of California, Riverside, found that a specific brain region known as the caudate nucleus is strongly linked to physical strength in older adults. The discovery could help detect and prevent frailty before it begins.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalFrontiers in Neuroscience·DateJan 12, 2026

Open-sourcing the future of food

The Tufts University Center for Cellular Agriculture has teamed up with the Good Food Institute to salvage intellectual property from failed startups and make it publicly available. Eight commercially developed beef cell lines have been obtained, including two that have been engineered to remove antibiotic resistance markers, making th...

Clinical trial in Ethiopia targets the trachoma scourge

A large-scale field trial in Ethiopia found no significant difference between fluorometholone and placebo treatments in reducing postoperative trachomatous trichiasis recurrence. The study, which involved over 2,400 participants, suggests that anti-inflammatory therapy may not be beneficial for improving TT surgery outcomes.

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalThe Lancet Global Health·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJan 12, 2026

The Lancet: COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy decreased over time, though mistrust persists among certain groups, study of over 1 million people in England suggests

A study of over 1.1 million people in England found that most COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy is addressable and can be reduced over time. Among those who initially expressed hesitation, 65% went on to get vaccinated at least once, highlighting the potential for targeted messaging and information to improve vaccine uptake.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet·TypeObservational study·DateJan 12, 2026

Using rare sugars to address alcoholism

A new protocol models alcoholism in mice and shows that stimulating the FGF21-oxytocin-dopamine system with rare sugars can reduce alcohol consumption. The researchers believe that this system may play a role in regulating subconscious information processing, leading to effective dietary therapy for reducing over-drinking.

SourceKyoto University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 12, 2026

Overlooked decline in grazing livestock brings risks and opportunities

A new global study finds that nearly half of livestock production occurs in areas with destocking, a process that poses new ecological and land management challenges. Destocking can increase wildfire risk and biodiversity decline, but also enables ecosystems to capture more atmospheric carbon dioxide.

SourceArizona State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 12, 2026

Two wrongs make a right: how two damaging variants can restore health

A study published in PNAS found that over 60% of pairs of damaging genetic variants can restore enzyme activity when combined, challenging long-held assumptions about genetics. This phenomenon, known as intragenic complementation, has implications for rare disease diagnosis and treatment.

SourcePacific Northwest Research Institute·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 12, 2026

Npj Aging publication: Insilico’s Pandaomics identifies dual-purpose therapeutic targets PRPF19 and MAPK9 at the intersection of hepatocellular carcinoma and cellular senescence

Researchers use AI-driven target discovery platform to identify PRPF19 and MAPK9 as promising targets that suppress tumor cell proliferation while reducing senescence-associated signaling. The study suggests these dual-purpose targets may address both hepatocellular carcinoma progression and cellular senescence.

SourceInSilico Medicine·Journalnpj Aging·DateJan 12, 2026

How hidden factors beneath Istanbul shape earthquake risk

New research simulates 10,000 years of seismic activity to show how underground temperature and sediment patterns control where earthquakes start, spread, and stop. This study provides a more accurate picture of the Main Marmara Fault's behavior, essential for building codes, emergency planning, and infrastructure decisions.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalCommunications Earth & Environment·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 12, 2026

Paulson Family Foundation makes an additional $19 million donation to Hebrew University to fund a new building for electrical engineering. Together with its previous gift brings the total donation to $46 million

The Paulson Family Foundation has donated an additional $19 million to Hebrew University, bringing the total support to $46 million. The donation will be used for a state-of-the-art research and teaching complex supporting STEM disciplines critical to Israel's high-tech future.

New “humane intelligence” framework guides safer, more patient-centered AI in older-adult mental health care

A new framework, called Humane Intelligence, aims to make AI in older-adult mental health care safer and more human. The framework has four pillars and a Moral Grid Operational Index to guide clinicians and health systems. It emphasizes relational intelligence, transparency, reciprocity, and ethical governance.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalAmerican Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 12, 2026

Mechanisms by which smoking worsens periodontitis discovered

Researchers identified altered gene expression in smokers with periodontitis, leading to weakened gum epithelial integrity and excessive inflammation. A new target molecule, CXCL12, was found to drive immune-cell recruitment and inflammation, making it a potential therapeutic approach.

SourceEditorial Office of West China School of Stomatology, Sichuan University·JournalInternational Journal of Oral Science·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 12, 2026

Childhood exposure to air pollution linked to poorer cognitive performance in later life

A new study reveals that childhood exposure to indoor air pollution from solid fuels may impair brain health and cognitive abilities throughout life. The research analysed data from over 7,000 Chinese adults aged 45 and above, showing a significant association between early-life exposure and poorer cognitive performance in adulthood.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalSocial Science & Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 12, 2026

Extreme heat waves disrupt honey bee thermoregulation and threaten colony survival

Research found that extreme summer heat can overwhelm honey bees' cooling systems, causing significant colony population declines. Larger colonies with more stable internal temperatures were less affected, highlighting the need for effective management strategies to mitigate impacts of high temperatures and maintain colony stability.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalEcological and Evolutionary Physiology·DateJan 12, 2026

One in four older Americans with dementia prescribed risky brain-altering drugs despite safety warnings

Research finds that nearly one in four Medicare beneficiaries with dementia are prescribed potentially harmful medications linked to falls, confusion, and hospitalization. Despite declines in prescribing rates, high levels of inappropriate prescribing persist among older adults with cognitive impairment.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalJAMA·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 12, 2026

How wheat protects itself from fungi

Researchers discovered a previously unknown interplay between wheat's resistance genes and fungal disease factors. The study found that powdery mildew fungus overcomes resistance by modifying recognized effectors, but a new approach could slow down its development by combining targeted resistance genes.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalNature Plants·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 12, 2026

Nature Communications study from the Lundquist Institute identifies molecular mechanism underlying peripartum cardiomyopathy

Researchers at The Lundquist Institute have identified PTRH2 as a critical gene that protects the maternal heart during pregnancy, shedding light on the causes of peripartum cardiomyopathy. Loss of this gene leads to severe postpartum heart failure, highlighting the urgent need for better treatments.

SourceThe Lundquist Institute·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 12, 2026

Why did Earth experience drastic climate swings without ice sheets? Scientists reveal slow orbital wobbles as the hidden driver

Scientists reveal that slow orbital wobbles, known as precession cycles, generate abrupt millennial-scale climate fluctuations even under ice-free conditions. The study provides a new clue for understanding rapid climate swings and offers insights for future warming scenarios.

SourceCactus Communications·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 12, 2026

Researchers uncover how tumors become resistant to promising p53-targeted therapy

A Mass General Brigham study identifies new mutations that emerge in tumor cells following treatment, driving resistance in patients with different types of cancer. The researchers found two main categories of mutations: those impairing p53 function and others disrupting drug binding, highlighting a path forward for overcoming resistance.

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalCancer Discovery·TypeObservational study·DateJan 12, 2026

New technique puts rendered fabric in the best light

Researchers at Cornell University have developed a new technique to create digital images of cloth that more accurately captures the texture of textiles. The method models how light interacts with yarns, both as it passes through and reflects off the fabric, enabling more realistic renderings for the gaming and animation industry.

SourceCornell University·JournalACM Transactions on Graphics·DateJan 12, 2026

Study offers evidence that racial bias is at play in overrepresentation of Black youth in Canadian child welfare systems

Researchers analyzed national data and found Black children were more likely to be investigated and placed out-of-home than white children, even when economic profiles were similar. The study suggests racial bias, specifically anti-Black racism, is a key factor driving these outcomes.

SourceMcGill University·JournalChild Abuse & Neglect·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 12, 2026

Uncovering how occludin protein maintains blood-brain and blood-retinal barriers

Researchers have uncovered the critical function of occludin in regulating cell barriers, particularly in diabetic retinopathy. The study revealed that occludin's alternative splicing produces a form of occludin that controls leaky blood vessels and excessive vessel growth.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 12, 2026

The secret route of prostate infections

Researchers developed a lab-grown model of the prostate gland to study bacterial infections. They found that E. coli targets specific cells and uses a 'lock and key' principle to invade. A sugar molecule called D-mannose blocks this interaction, offering a potential new strategy to prevent and treat prostate infections.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalNature Microbiology·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 12, 2026

Aligning games and sets in determining tennis matches

Game theorists propose revising Grand Slam rules to give greater weight to games won, resolving rare but striking fairness problems. In a study of over 50,000 matches, researchers found that game-set discrepancies occur between 3-5% of the time, affecting high-level competition.

SourceNew York University·JournalJournal of Sports Analytics·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 12, 2026

X-raying auditory ossicles – a new technique reveals structures in record time

Scientists have developed a refined X-ray diffraction technique that allows for the simultaneous analysis of materials on scales from nanometres to millimetres, enabling detailed studies of complex tissue and bone diseases. This method has been successfully applied to reveal the alignment of collagen fibres in a human ossicle, providin...

SourcePaul Scherrer Institute·JournalSmall Methods·TypeImaging analysis·DateJan 12, 2026

NTU Singapore-led study reveals El Niño could reduce life expectancy gains by 2.8 years by 2100, cause trillions in economic losses

A new study led by NTU Singapore reveals that El Niño events can persistently slow long-term improvements in mortality rates, leading to enduring reductions in life expectancy. The research estimates that El Niño could reduce life expectancy gains by 2.8 years and cause economic losses of up to US$35 trillion by 2100.

SourceNanyang Technological University·JournalNature Climate Change·DateJan 12, 2026

HKUST co-develops robotic nanoprobe for precise mitochondria extraction charting new directions in research on therapies for neurodegenerative diseases and cancer

A team led by Prof. Richard Gu has developed an automated robotic nanoprobe that can navigate within living cells, sense metabolic whispers in real time, and pluck individual mitochondria without causing damage or fluorescent labeling. The breakthrough holds great promise for advancing treatment strategies for chronic diseases and cancer.

SourceHong Kong University of Science and Technology·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 12, 2026

KAIST develops OLED technology with double the screen brightness​

Researchers at KAIST have developed a new OLED technology that more than doubles screen brightness while maintaining the flat structure of OLED displays. The new technology uses a thin, near-planar light outcoupling structure and an OLED design method to significantly reduce light loss inside OLED devices.

SourceThe Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)·JournalNature Communications·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJan 12, 2026

Gamma rays quickly toughen nitrogen‑fixing bacteria

Researchers at QST discovered that controlled gamma-ray mutagenesis can create heat-tolerant nitrogen-fixing bacteria in weeks, shortening development timelines. The method produces robust, climate-ready microbial products for agriculture, food processing, pharmaceuticals, and biofuel production.

SourceThe National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology·JournalMutation Research/Fundamental and Molecular Mechanisms of Mutagenesis·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 12, 2026

Plant-based hydrogel tames zinc dendrites, pushes aqueous batteries past 1 000 stable cycles

A new plant-based hydrogel has been developed to tackle the problem of metallic zinc growing needle-like dendrites that short-circuit cells within a few hundred cycles. The cellulose-nanofiber dual network boosts ion flow and mechanical strength, delivering a cheap and biodegradable electrolyte.

SourceJournal of Bioresources and Bioproducts·JournalJournal of Bioresources and Bioproducts·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 12, 2026

Korea University Institute for Environmental Health completed an invited training to strengthen environmental health capacity for Karakalpakstan Medical Institute

Korea University's Institute for Environmental Health trained faculty members from Karakalpakstan Medical Institute to improve environmental health in the region. The training aimed to enhance water quality and waste disposal management, fostering collaboration and joint research.

Chonnam National University researchers develop novel virtual sensor grid method for low-cost, yet robust, infrastructure monitoring

A team of researchers from Chonnam National University has developed a novel superpixel-based virtual sensor framework for full-field vibration measurement. The approach offers robust and accurate motion estimation without the need for physical markers or contact sensors, making it suitable for large-scale infrastructure monitoring.

SourceChonnam National University, The Research Information Management Team, Office of Research Promotion·JournalMechanical Systems and Signal Processing·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 12, 2026

Discovery of a new superfluid phase in non-Hermitian quantum systems

Researchers at Institute of Science Tokyo have discovered a stable superfluid that inherently hosts singularities known as exceptional points. The study reveals how dissipation can stabilize this unique superfluid phase, which features a finite order parameter and emerges deep inside a strongly interacting phase.

SourceInstitute of Science Tokyo·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 12, 2026

Codes in the cilia: New study maps how Cilk1 and Hedgehog levels sculpt tooth architecture

Researchers identified cilia-mediated Hedgehog signaling as a key regulator of tooth development. The study found that disrupting Cilk1 levels can lead to stepwise changes in tooth formation and morphology, including extra teeth or fused molars. This discovery may support earlier diagnosis for children with ciliopathies.

SourceEditorial Office of West China School of Stomatology, Sichuan University·JournalInternational Journal of Oral Science·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 12, 2026

‘Death by a thousand cuts’: Young galaxy ran out of fuel as black hole choked off supplies

Astronomers have spotted an ancient galaxy that was slowly starved of fuel by a supermassive black hole. The galaxy's lack of cold gas prevented it from forming new stars, despite its relatively young age. Repeated episodes of heating and gas removal by the black hole likely drained the galaxy's fuel in as little as 16-220 million years.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalNature Astronomy·DateJan 12, 2026

Astronomers surprised by mysterious shock wave around dead star

Researchers have imaged a beautiful shock wave around a dead star, RXJ0528+2838, which challenges our current understanding of how dead stars interact with their surroundings. The team found that the white dwarf has been expelling a powerful outflow for at least 1000 years, driven by its strong magnetic field.

SourceESO·JournalNature Astronomy·DateJan 12, 2026

Glow with the flow: Implanted 'living skin' lights up to signal health changes

A Japanese research team has developed a biohybrid approach that works inside the body, transforming engineered skin into a visible indicator of internal biological states. The system leverages the body's natural skin regeneration to support long-term biomarker monitoring, providing a visual readout without blood sampling.

How brain waves shape our sense of self

Research from Karolinska Institutet found that alpha frequency determines body ownership by modulating temporal integration of bodily signals. Faster frequencies led to higher temporal resolution, while slower frequencies caused broader timing differences.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 12, 2026

Why are men more likely to develop multiple myeloma than women?

A new study published in CANCER found that men are more likely to have advanced disease and high myeloma load at diagnosis compared to women. Men were also less likely to have low bone mineral density and had different chromosomal abnormalities, which may contribute to the sex disparity in multiple myeloma risk.

SourceWiley·JournalCancer·DateJan 12, 2026

Smartphone-based interventions show promise for reducing alcohol and cannabis use: New research

New research suggests that mobile health interventions tailored to individual needs can reduce harms associated with heavy drinking and cannabis use. Studies demonstrate the effectiveness of personalized feedback and protective behavioral strategies in reducing substance use risks, paving the way for innovative digital interventions.

SourceJournal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs·JournalJournal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 12, 2026

How do health care professionals determine eligibility for MAiD?

Healthcare professionals in Canada assess applicants for medical assistance in dying (MAiD) using a careful and individualized approach. They consider the patient's life circumstances, support networks, and personal preferences when determining eligibility. The assessment process is often legally and morally complex, requiring provider...

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·TypeSurvey·DateJan 12, 2026