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Science News for January 15, 2026


High-efficiency broadband active metasurfaces via reversible metal electrodeposition

Researchers developed a novel approach to create dynamic metasurfaces using reversible metal electrodeposition, achieving high optical tunability. The technology demonstrates record-high signal-to-noise ratios in various wavelength regimes, enabling reconfigurable optical and thermal devices.

The hidden ocean cost of carbon: why climate damage is nearly twice as high as we thought

Researchers estimate the social cost of carbon to be nearly double what was previously thought, with ocean impacts playing a significant role. The study found that climate damages to coral reefs, fisheries, and global seaports contribute significantly to the total cost.

SourceCMCC Foundation - Euro-Mediterranean Center on Climate Change·JournalNature Climate Change·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 15, 2026

Team evaluates CMIP6 climate models that simulate multiyear El Niño events

A research team evaluated 39 CMIP6 climate models to better understand their performance in simulating multiyear El Niño events and their impact on southern China's spring precipitation. Most models struggle to reproduce the associated precipitation anomalies, highlighting substantial inter-model differences.

SourceOcean-Land-Atmosphere Research (OLAR)·JournalOcean-Land-Atmosphere Research·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 15, 2026

New discovery rewrites the rules of antigen presentation

A team of scientists has challenged long-held assumptions about how immune recognition works, discovering that lipid molecules can be displayed to T cells in a sideways orientation. This new model allows for more flexibility in the immune system's ability to survey its environment and respond to threats.

SourceMonash University·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 15, 2026

Shark biology breakthrough: Study tracks tiger sharks to Maui mating hub

A six-year acoustic tracking study reveals a predictable seasonal convergence of mature male and female tiger sharks off Olowalu, Maui, coinciding with the humpback whale calving season. The findings suggest an annual mating aggregation site for tiger sharks, contrary to their conventional understanding as solitary wanderers.

SourceUniversity of Hawaii at Manoa·JournalScientific Reports·TypeObservational study·DateJan 15, 2026

Researchers achieve chain-length control of fatty acid biosynthesis in yeast

A team of researchers developed a modular and programmable fatty acid synthesis platform that enables high specificity production of medium-chain fatty acids in yeast. The engineered strain achieved a titer of 708.6 mg/L, comparable to the abundance in coconut and palm kernel oils.

SourceDalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences·JournalNature Chemical Biology·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateJan 15, 2026

Mysterious iron ‘bar’ discovered in famous nebula

A team of astronomers at Cardiff University and UCL discovered a mysterious bar-shaped cloud of iron atoms inside the Ring Nebula, which is roughly 500 times longer than Pluto's orbit. The discovery was made using a new instrument on the William Herschel Telescope, allowing for unprecedented detail in observations of the nebula.

SourceCardiff University·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·TypeObservational study·DateJan 15, 2026

Studies show that less frequent, all-injectable treatment for HIV is safe and preferred by adolescents

A multinational clinical trial found that the long-term HIV treatment regimen is safe and favored by adolescents who received injectable intramuscular antiviral medications cabotegravir and rilpivirine. The study showed continued viral suppression after 48 weeks with no major safety concerns.

SourceSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital·JournalThe Lancet·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 15, 2026

Learning about public consensus on climate change does little to boost people’s support for action, study shows

A new study based on data from Germany found that learning about widespread public support for climate action policies initially makes people think such policies are more politically feasible, but these effects are small and short-lived. The study challenges common expectations about the power of public consensus to drive climate action.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalJournal of Environmental Psychology·TypeSurvey·DateJan 15, 2026

Cross-border M&A activity predicts changes in economic growth, foreign exchange returns

Researchers found a predictive relationship between cross-border deal activity and future economic growth, with high outflows predicting domestic weakness and inflows predicting stronger conditions. The study analyzed nearly 25 years of data on cross-border deals involving over 40 countries.

SourceUniversity of Toronto, Rotman School of Management·JournalReview of Financial Studies·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJan 15, 2026

With telehealth coverage on the brink, study shows it hasn’t driven up total visits

A recent University of Michigan study analyzed over 60 million Medicare participants and found that total visits remained stable or declined slightly through June 2024. Despite widespread adoption of telehealth, overall healthcare visits stayed steady or decreased, contradicting predictions of increased utilization.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalHealth Affairs Scholar·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 15, 2026

Professor Tae-Woo Lee's research group develops groundbreaking perovskite display technology demonstrating the highest efficiency and industry-level operational lifetime

Professor Tae-Woo Lee's research group develops hierarchical-shell perovskite nanocrystal technology that simultaneously overcomes the long-standing instability of metal-halide perovskite emitters while achieving record-breaking quantum yield, operational stability, and scalability. This breakthrough paves the way for next-generation v...

SourceSeoul National University College of Engineering·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 15, 2026

History offers warning on dollar and deficits

A new study warns that the U.S. government's fiscal capacity depends on the dominance of the U.S. dollar, and potential losses for bondholders could be significant if another currency replaces it. Historically, countries with a strong currency have experienced economic downturns when their dominance wanes.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalJournal of Political Economy·DateJan 15, 2026

Review: The opportunities and risks of AI in mental health research and care

The article reviews AI's potential to improve mental health diagnoses, monitoring, and treatment while addressing unique challenges such as biased training data and patient privacy concerns. The authors argue for human-centered approaches and coordinated oversight to ensure responsible AI deployment in mental health care.

Novel theranostic model shows curative potential for gastric and pancreatic tumors

A newly developed radiopharmaceutical pair can precisely detect and effectively treat gastric and pancreatic tumors, completely eradicating tumors in preclinical models. Claudin-18.2-based theranostics could meaningfully change patient care by enabling non-invasive tumor identification and targeted radiation therapy.

SourceSociety of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging·JournalJournal of Nuclear Medicine·DateJan 15, 2026

Parental concerns about child disordered eating common among youth with high weights in behavioral intervention

A new study in the Journal of Nutrition Education & Behavior found that nearly half of parents of young children with high weights reported concerns about disordered eating behaviors. Despite the intervention, parental concerns did not change over time, suggesting a protective effect of motivational interviewing.

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of Nutrition Education and Behavior·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 15, 2026

New analysis of wellbeing interventions shows there are multiple routes to better mental health

A new analysis of wellbeing interventions shows that there is no single route to improving mental health, with mindfulness, compassion-based approaches, yoga, exercise and positive psychology interventions all showing moderate benefits. Combining physical activity with psychological interventions appeared particularly promising.

SourceSwansea University·JournalNature Human Behaviour·TypeSystematic review·DateJan 15, 2026

The “broker” family helps tidy up the cell

A research team at Goethe University Frankfurt has compiled a catalog of human E3 ligases and mapped their relationships, revealing family-specific functions. The study identifies 40 additional E3 ligases suitable for PROTAC development, expanding the range of tissues and diseases targeted by degradation therapies.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 15, 2026

Many drug-use treatment providers in N.C. demand unpaid labor, limit access to evidence-based treatment

A new study in NC found that many residential substance-use service providers require patients to engage in unpaid labor, restricting access to evidence-based treatment. Providers with labor requirements are less likely to offer recommended treatment and more likely to operate without a state license.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalSubstance Use & Misuse·TypeSurvey·DateJan 15, 2026

A complex ion in focus

Researchers investigated energy shifts in 173Yb+ ions, combining experiment and theory to uncover the nucleus's magnetic field distribution. The study provides an experimental foundation for precise clocks and fundamental physics tests using complex ions like Yb+.

SourcePhysikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB)·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 15, 2026

Study reveals how high blood pressure increases susceptibility to heart damage caused by a key cancer treatment

Research reveals that high blood pressure significantly increases risk of heart damage caused by anthracycline cancer treatments. The study identifies a 'perfect storm' effect when high blood pressure and anthracyclines coincide, leading to heart failure.

SourceCentro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III (F.S.P.)·JournalEuropean Heart Journal·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 15, 2026

Early alcohol exposure is common among Chinese teenagers

A large national survey reveals nearly a third of students started drinking before age 13, with higher rates in rural areas and boys. The study highlights the need for targeted prevention strategies addressing early exposure, social contexts, and vulnerable subgroups to curb underage drinking's long-term impact.

SourceZhejiang University·JournalWorld Journal of Pediatrics·DateJan 15, 2026

The Frontiers of Knowledge Award goes to Allan MacDonald and Pablo Jarillo-Herrero for their discovery of the “magic angle” enabling science to transform and control the behavior of new materials

Researchers MacDonald and Jarillo-Herrero's discovery enables the transformation of graphene material's properties, potentially leading to sustainable electricity transmission and new electronic devices. Their work has opened up new frontiers in physics, defining a vast field for developing materials with highly sought-after properties.

New blood test shows extent of brain injury after stroke – and reveals treatment effects

A new blood biomarker, brain-derived tau (BD-tau), tracks the extent of brain injury after ischemic stroke over time. It also predicts patient outcomes months to years later and detects differences associated with successful vessel reopening. BD-tau has potential applications for other neurological conditions.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateJan 15, 2026

Post–intensive care syndrome

Post-intensive care syndrome (PICS) is a condition affecting ICU survivors, characterized by fatigue, cognitive impairment, and sleep disturbances. Treatment strategies focus on symptom management and prevention of complications.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA·DateJan 15, 2026

Greening school playgrounds improves quality of life in cities and helps deal with climate change

A European project found that greening school playgrounds improves the quality of life in cities and helps deal with climate change. The study, led by researchers at UOC and UPC, assesses the benefits of nature-based solutions in schools, promoting education, ecological restoration, empowerment, and reconnection with nature.

SourceUniversitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC)·JournalNature Climate Change·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateJan 15, 2026

Organic solvents enable handedness control in inorganic crystals

Researchers have developed a simple crystallization method that achieves chiral resolution under mild conditions, enabling the production of homochiral inorganic crystals. The study uses organic solvents and an achiral crystalline phase to control the growth environment, resulting in single-handed forms of cesium copper chloride.

SourceKumamoto University·JournalCrystal Growth & Design·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 15, 2026

Finding new cell markers to track the most aggressive breast cancer in blood

Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine developed a new approach to track the most aggressive breast cancer in blood, identifying four new proteins on live circulating tumor cells. This new method offers a minimally invasive way to monitor cancer progression and could help doctors detect disease more accurately.

SourceBaylor College of Medicine·JournalCancer Research Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 15, 2026

Early intervention of cyanobacterial risks starting from the genome?

Researchers discovered a 'genome size–ecological function' differentiation pattern among cyanobacteria, identifying smaller genomes as 'streamlined types' that dominate in phosphorus-deficient environments and rarely produce toxins. This study proposes using a genome size threshold to initiate preventive measures before blooms occur.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience Bulletin·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 15, 2026

Hidden multi-topological phases beyond conventional topological theory

Researchers introduce a new class of topological phases, termed multi-topological phases (MTPs), which offer an avenue for understanding physical phenomena not explicable with conventional band topology. MTPs are characterized by distinct multiple topological invariants linked to their own boundary states.

Quantum tools set to transform life science

A team at Japan's National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology has published a roadmap outlining the societal payoff of quantum technologies in life science. The study highlights three pillars: cell-scale diamond sensors, practical hyperpolarized MRI, and quantum biology, which enable earlier disease detection, faster drug de...

SourceThe National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology·JournalACS Nano·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateJan 15, 2026

Greenwashing creates ‘false stability’ for companies

A new study finds that greenwashing enhances firms' stability in the short term by appearing less risky in the market, but this benefit weakens over time. In reality, companies engaging in greenwashing report ESG scores higher than their actual carbon emissions.

SourceMurdoch University·JournalJournal of Risk and Financial Management·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 15, 2026

Large parts of the tropics overlooked in environmental research

A comprehensive study from Umeå University reveals that humid lowland forest ecosystems receive disproportionate attention, while colder and drier regions are severely underrepresented. This imbalance can lead to policy decisions based on incomplete or misleading science, affecting climate-vulnerable ecosystems.

SourceUmea University·JournalNature Communications·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 15, 2026

A study links the autonomy of minors with neurodevelopmental disorders to better physical and mental health in their caregivers

A study by CIMCYC found that supporting children's functional development improves their independence, while also alleviating caregiving burden and enhancing caregiver health. The research highlights the importance of understanding child development and family well-being for building healthier environments.

SourceUniversity of Granada·JournalPeerJ·TypeObservational study·DateJan 15, 2026

A new discovery from IOCB Prague makes it easier to see what is happening inside cells

Researchers at IOCB Prague developed a new type of fluorescent label that provides higher-contrast and clearer images in living cells. This innovation reduces the need for repeated washing and minimizes excess dye binding, making it more cost-effective and efficient for studying cellular processes.

SourceInstitute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences (IOCB Prague)·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 15, 2026

A mobile app predicts tomorrow’s vineyards

A mobile app developed by researchers from UNIGE and Agroscope helps winegrowers anticipate climate change impacts on their vineyards. The app uses climate analogues to identify regions with comparable climatic conditions in the future, allowing for the adoption of suitable viticultural practices.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalAgricultural and Forest Meteorology·TypeNews article·DateJan 15, 2026

Breaking the 1% barrier, KAIST boosts brightness of eco-friendly ultra-small semiconductors by 18-fold

Researchers at KAIST have developed a new surface-control technology to control, at the atomic level, the surface of indium phosphide magic-sized clusters, overcoming the limitation of luminescence efficiency below 1%. The breakthrough results in an 18-fold increase in brightness, opening up applications in next-generation displays and...

SourceThe Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJan 15, 2026

Multi-dimensional camouflage against VIS-NIR hyperspectral, MIR intensity and polarization imaging

Researchers developed a novel camouflage strategy using rough surface, silver nanowires, and biometric coatings to deceive multiple detection methods simultaneously. The device effectively simulated the spectral characteristics of vegetation and reduced infrared emissivity.

How gender bias influences math education

A Rutgers University study reveals that early gender stereotypes can influence how children learn math, with young learners more inclined to trust incorrect information from male teachers. The findings suggest that children are not only absorbing stereotypes but also using them to calibrate their understanding of the world.

SourceRutgers University·JournalDevelopmental Science·DateJan 15, 2026

From science fiction to tumor-fighting reality: are injectable nanorobots on the way?

Scientists have developed injectable nanorobots with ultrasensitive chemotaxis for precision cancer therapy, achieving high targeting efficiency, deep penetration, and significant cell internalization in a tumor-bearing mouse model. The nanorobots showed a 49-fold boost in tumor suppression efficacy compared to passive counterparts.

SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 15, 2026

Young environmental activists’ activist identities are multidimensional and partly contradictory

A new study reveals that young Finnish environmental activists construct complex and contradictory identities tied to intergenerational responsibility and global climate justice. The research identified five key activist identities: the tough activist, troublemaker, planetary citizen, compulsory activist, and non-activist.

SourceUniversity of Eastern Finland·JournalYouth and Globalization·DateJan 15, 2026

Healthy aging 2026: fresh pork in plant-forward diets supported strength and brain-health biomarkers in older adults

An 18-week study found that maintaining grip strength and chair-rise performance alongside weight loss was possible without a prescribed strength-training program, alongside improvements in biomarkers linked to metabolic and cognitive aging. A plant-forward diet featuring fresh lean pork supported healthy-aging markers in older adults.

SourceNational Pork Board·JournalCurrent Developments in Nutrition·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJan 15, 2026

Itaconate modifications: mechanisms and applications

Researchers summarize itaconate biology highlighting its chemical reactivity and therapeutic potential in treating infectious diseases, sepsis, autoimmunity, neurodegenerative disorders. Itaconate exerts biological effects through post-translational modifications, altering protein activity and signaling pathways

SourceJournal of Intensive Medicine·JournalJournal of Intensive Medicine·TypeLiterature review·DateJan 15, 2026

Researchers discover how a respiratory bacterium obtains essential lipids from the human body and targets fat-rich tissues

Researchers have discovered how Mycoplasma pneumoniae obtains essential lipids from the human body and targets fat-rich tissues. The bacterium uses the P116 protein to capture cholesterol and other lipids, allowing it to survive and colonize tissues beyond the lungs.

SourceInstitut de Recerca Sant Pau (Sant Pau Research Institute)·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 15, 2026

Autonomous AI agents developed to detect early signs of cognitive decline

Developed by Mass General Brigham researchers, the autonomous AI system achieves high accuracy in detecting cognitive impairment using routine clinical documentation. The system includes five specialized agents that critique each other and refine their reasoning, just like clinicians would in a case conference.

SourceMass General Brigham·Journalnpj Digital Medicine·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 15, 2026

Pioneering natural, degradable polymer capsules

A research group at Osaka Metropolitan University has pioneered a technology for preparing biodegradable polymer capsules using naturally occurring molecules. The new method produces stable, shelf-life-friendly capsules that can store target molecules and undergo photodegradation upon exposure to light.

SourceOsaka Metropolitan University·JournalChemical Science·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 15, 2026

Maternity baby deaths much higher in northern England than in the South

A new study published in the Journal of Public Health found that maternity services in Northern England consistently report higher-than-average rates of perinatal mortality, including stillbirths and neonatal deaths. The study identified ten organizations with higher-than-average deaths and fifteen with lower-than-average deaths, highl...

SourceOxford University Press USA·JournalJournal of Public Health·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 15, 2026

The stop-smoking medication varenicline may also work for cannabis use disorder

A new study found that varenicline, a medication used to quit smoking, can help men with cannabis use disorder reduce their cannabis use. However, the same treatment showed no significant effect on female participants. Women who received varenicline reported higher withdrawal and craving scores and lower medication adherence compared t...

SourceSociety for the Study of Addiction·JournalAddiction·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJan 15, 2026