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Science News Archive January 2026 - Page 19


Page 19 of 47

The Ralph Lauren Corporate Foundation to open fourth center in the US with the University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center

The Ralph Lauren Corporate Foundation has awarded a grant to establish the UChicago Medicine Ralph Lauren Center, expanding access to high-quality cancer screening and care in Chicago's South Side. The new center will focus on personalized and comprehensive approaches to patient navigation and prevention services.

Looking deep into the eyes of insects

A study by neuroethologists at the University of Konstanz reveals that insect brains process complex light stimuli in different layers of the lamina, enabling efficient signal processing and improved image resolution. The research found that cells in the lamina can perform multiple tasks depending on their location within the layer.

SourceUniversity of Konstanz·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJan 21, 2026

Kenya’s big cats under pressure – cattle push lions away

A new study from Aarhus University finds that large numbers of cattle are driving lions out of their habitats in Kenya, affecting both the ecosystem balance and nature-based tourism. The researchers recommend targeted grazing management, protecting lion refuges, and using data in conservation planning.

SourceAarhus University·JournalBiological Conservation·TypeObservational study·DateJan 21, 2026

Largest genetic study of schizophrenia and African ancestry reveals shared biology across global populations

A recent study published in Nature identified over 100 new genetic regions linked to schizophrenia that had not been previously discovered. These findings show that while specific genetic variants may differ across populations, the core biological mechanisms underlying schizophrenia are shared worldwide.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalNature·TypeObservational study·DateJan 21, 2026

Optical spin Hall effect driven by hybrid spin-orbit coupling in organic microcavities

Researchers achieved hybrid spin-orbit coupling-driven optical spin Hall effect in organic microcavities, offering a new approach for polarization-preserving components and spin-photonic functionality. The system provides more than one 'topological' spin texture within a single device, accessible by adjusting momentum.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience Bulletin·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 21, 2026

Study finds religion/spirituality may protect against depression among young adult online gamers

A new study suggests that spiritual or religious affiliation can buffer against major depressive disorder symptoms in young adult online gamers. Gamers who struggled to control internet activity were 35% more likely to experience symptoms of MDD, while those with a spiritual affiliation were 62% less likely.

SourceAmerican Counseling Association·JournalJournal of Addictions & Offender Counseling·TypeObservational study·DateJan 21, 2026

Tel Aviv University and Tel Aviv Medical Center (Ichilov) study finds that brain function can influence vaccine effectiveness

A Tel Aviv University study found that brain function can influence vaccine effectiveness by activating the brain's reward system, leading to a better immune response. The study used fMRI neurofeedback technology to train participants to modulate their brain activity in a key region responsible for dopamine release.

SourceTel-Aviv University·JournalNature Medicine·DateJan 21, 2026

Protein foundation models reshaping the research paradigm of life sciences

Protein Foundation Models (pFMs) leverage vast amounts of sequence and structural data to predict protein structures and functions, enabling novel protein design and analysis. The models have evolved into several mature technical approaches, demonstrating versatility in basic biological research, protein discovery, and biomedical appli...

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience China Life Sciences·TypeSystematic review·DateJan 21, 2026

University of Bonn opens its own supermarket

The University of Bonn has opened a laboratory supermarket to study how health- and sustainability-oriented purchases can be encouraged through product placement and other incentives. Researchers are investigating the effectiveness of different strategies in influencing consumer choices.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 21, 2026

New yeast production method sharpens NMR spectra of membrane proteins at low cost

Researchers introduced a simple and cost-effective labeling method using Pichia pastoris to overcome high spectral resolution challenges in solid-state NMR studies of membrane proteins. The approach achieved random fractional labeling, sharpening spectral peaks and improving resolution at a lower cost than traditional methods.

SourceKeAi Communications Co., Ltd.·JournalMagnetic Resonance Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 21, 2026

Medical LLMs may show real-world potential in identifying individuals with major depressive disorder using WhatsApp voice note recordings

A new medical large language model (LLM) achieved over 91% accuracy in identifying female participants diagnosed with major depressive disorder after analyzing short WhatsApp audio recordings. The LLMs showed greater accuracy when classifying women compared to men, particularly when given the 'describe your week' data.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Mental Health·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 21, 2026

Why we believe what we click

A recent study found that people give more credence to reiterated information than new information, especially when selecting their own content. This phenomenon can contribute to the propagation of fake news, but fact-checking presented in an engaging way can mitigate its effects.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalJournal of Experimental Psychology·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 21, 2026

Stronger together: How social connections and physical activity team up to boost older adults’ health

A comprehensive literature review by Texas A&M University researchers finds strong social networks and physical activity are deeply intertwined, reducing feelings of loneliness and improving well-being. The study suggests treating these factors as linked, with a focus on designing interventions that use connections to encourage movement.

SourceTexas A&M University·JournalAmerican Journal of Health Promotion·TypeLiterature review·DateJan 21, 2026

People with “binge-watching addiction” are more likely to be lonely

A study published in PLOS found that individuals with binge-watching addiction are more likely to experience loneliness. The researchers discovered an association between increased loneliness and higher levels of binge-watching addiction, suggesting that people may engage in this behavior as a coping mechanism for emotional distress.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS One·TypeSurvey·DateJan 21, 2026

Wild potato follows a path to domestication in the American Southwest

Researchers found starch granules on ancient tools, dating back thousands of years, indicating the Four Corners potato was transported and used by Indigenous peoples. The study reveals a unique cultural identity developed through ancient transport, still significant among Native American communities.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS One·TypeObservational study·DateJan 21, 2026

General climate advocacy ad campaign received more public engagement compared to more-tailored ad campaign promoting sustainable fashion

A study published in PLOS Climate found that general climate change awareness messages received more QR code scans than specific sustainable fashion messages. The researchers analyzed data from outdoor ads in the US Southwest and found that larger, exterior bus ads were more effective at engaging the public.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Climate·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 21, 2026

New insight into light–matter thermalization could advance neutral-atom quantum computing

Researchers found that photons and atoms don't always rapidly reach thermal equilibrium as expected. Instead, they can settle at different temperatures for extended periods, allowing for the preservation of quantum behavior. This prethermal state can last long enough to matter for neutral-atom quantum computers.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 21, 2026

“Hulk lizard” knocks out ancient colour palette

A study led by Lund University reveals how a dominant wall lizard species has wiped out several color variants within its population. The researchers analyzed data from over 10,000 individuals and found that the aggressive 'Hulk' lizards have shifted the balance of colors, leaving only white throat colors remaining.

SourceLund University·JournalScience·DateJan 21, 2026

A Genetic tug-of-war shapes the biosynthesis of bioactive saponins

Researchers identified two closely related enzymes competing for the same metabolic precursor, driving distinct biochemical outcomes. The study reveals a molecular mechanism controlling saponin biosynthesis and offers new targets for improving medicinal plant products. Fine-tuned regulation by transcription factors optimizes resource a...

A study analyses which lung cancer subtypes are associated with different air pollutants

A study analyzing air pollutants' impact on lung cancer reveals that fine particulate matter (PM2.5) increases the risk of all subtypes, while NO2, O3, and SO2 are linked to non-small-cell lung cancer. No associations were found between gaseous pollutants and small-cell carcinoma.

SourceBarcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal)·JournalEnvironmental Pollution·TypeObservational study·DateJan 21, 2026

“Antimicrobial resistance pandemic will kill more people than cancer by 2050 and no one at Davos is talking about it" – leading scientists speak out at Frontiers Science House

Antimicrobial resistance is expected to kill more people than cancer by 2050 due to increasing public mistrust and delayed policy-making. Experts urge immediate global action against AMR, emphasizing the need for trust in science, transparency, and openness to address this growing threat.

Making human pancreatic acinar cells

Dresden researchers have developed a system to test multiple compounds on human pancreatic organoids, identifying 54 compounds that affect pancreas development. These compounds inhibit the GSK3A/B protein and drive progenitor cells to differentiate into functional acinar cells. The ability to generate acinar organoids is valuable for s...

SourceMax Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics (MPI-CBG)·JournalCell Stem Cell·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 21, 2026

Massive cloud with metallic winds discovered orbiting mystery object

Researchers have discovered a massive cloud of gas and dust orbiting a mysterious object 3000 light-years from Earth, featuring winds of vaporized metals including iron and calcium. The cloud is gravitationally bound to the secondary object, which orbits its host star in the outer reaches of the planetary system.

Body-focused teens more likely to experience anxiety and depression at 20

Research from the University of Warwick finds that teenage girls who manage their bodies through constant dieting and exercise face heightened risks of psychological health issues. By age 20, these young women are more likely to experience anxiety and depression, highlighting the need for a broader approach to mental health support.

SourceUniversity of Warwick·JournalCurrent Psychology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 21, 2026

Scientists unveil “dissolution barocaloric” cooling, opening new path to zero-carbon refrigeration

Researchers have developed a novel cooling method based on the 'dissolution barocaloric effect,' which offers a promising zero-carbon alternative to traditional refrigeration. The new technology achieves low carbon emissions, high cooling capacity, and high heat transfer efficiency simultaneously.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 21, 2026