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Science News Archive January 2026 - Page 23


Page 23 of 47

Physicists employ AI labmates to supercharge LED light control

Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories have successfully employed artificial intelligence labmates to improve the control of LED lights, leading to a fourfold increase in steering efficiency. The AI platform uses a combination of machine learning and equation-learning techniques to optimize experiments and achieve new insights int...

SourceDOE/Sandia National Laboratories·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 20, 2026

SGLT2 inhibitors vs GLP-1 receptor agonists for kidney outcomes in individuals with type 2 diabetes

A comparative effectiveness study found that SGLT2 inhibitors were associated with a lower risk of chronic kidney disease and acute kidney injury compared to GLP-1 receptor agonists. These findings suggest that SGLT2 inhibitor treatment may be an effective strategy for preventing kidney disease in individuals with type 2 diabetes.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateJan 20, 2026

Detecting the signal cycle of the deep Earth’s dynamic processes based on GRACE satellite and CHAOS-7 model data

Variations in Earth's gravity field on interannual to decadal timescales reveal discrepancies that cannot be fully explained by surface processes. Comparative analyses of gravity and magnetic field data reveal a close connection between the two systems, with periodic signals associated with core mass transfer.

SourceBeijing Zhongke Journal Publising Co. Ltd.·JournalEarth and Planetary Physics·DateJan 20, 2026

Updated "Treating and Preventing Adolescent Mental Health Disorders" published by Oxford

The updated edition provides a comprehensive overview of major mental health conditions that emerge during adolescence, discussing treatment strategies and prevention methods. The book emphasizes the importance of addressing stigma, promoting evidence-based treatments, and integrating positive youth development into policy agendas.

Understanding unusual chirality-driven anomalous Hall effect via first-principles calculations

Researchers present novel theoretical framework explaining non-monotonic temperature dependence and sign reversal of chirality-related AHE in highly conductive metals. The study reveals clear picture of unusual transport phenomena, forming foundation for rational design of next-generation spintronic devices and magnetic quantum materials.

SourceInstitute of Science Tokyo·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 20, 2026

“My thoughts end up in the wrong place. They start to get all jumbled up where I should be concentrating.”

Researchers at Norwegian University of Science and Technology conducted an interview study with two students with inattentive ADHD to understand their experiences with autonomous learning. The study found that despite challenges, both students reported increased motivation and joy when given the freedom to choose their learning activit...

SourceNorwegian University of Science and Technology·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·TypeObservational study·DateJan 20, 2026

Study finds elevated alcohol involvement in suicides of lesbian, gay and bisexual women

A new study from Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health found significantly higher blood alcohol levels and intoxication rates among LGB women who died by suicide compared to heterosexual women. The study highlights alcohol use as a potentially modifiable target for suicide prevention efforts among this population.

BioPathNet: New AI uncovers hidden patterns in biomedical knowledge graphs

BioPathNet is an AI method that analyzes large biomedical knowledge graphs to identify hidden connections between genes, diseases, and drugs. The model proposes hypotheses that can be tested experimentally or clinically, providing a hypothesis-generating tool for researchers.

A new way to decipher quantum systems

A team from UNIGE developed a new approach to characterise quantum states without direct measurements, using transport measurements based on particle flow. This method opens up possibilities for open quantum devices and sensors in various fields, including healthcare and geophysics.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeNews article·DateJan 20, 2026

Community water fluoridation and birth outcomes

A large cohort study found no association between community water fluoridation and adverse birth outcomes, providing reassurance about its safety during pregnancy. The study highlights the importance of rigorous causal designs in evaluating public health interventions.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateJan 20, 2026

Study suggests pathway for life-sustaining conditions in Europa’s ocean

Researchers propose that dense, nutrient-rich ice can separate from surrounding ice and descend into the ocean, addressing a longstanding habitability problem on Europa. The study suggests a novel idea inspired by crustal delamination, which could be a consistent means of recycling ice and providing nutrients to the ocean.

SourceWashington State University·JournalThe Planetary Science Journal·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 20, 2026

DNA ties gut motility to vitamin B1

A new study found that genetic differences in vitamin B1 transport and activation are linked to bowel movement frequency, highlighting potential new pathways for research on gut motility disorders. The analysis also supports the idea of a biological overlap between bowel movement frequency and IBS.

SourceCIC bioGUNE·JournalGut·DateJan 20, 2026

Mapping comedic timing, ta-da!

A new computational framework detects repeated material across performances and maps its timing to visualize performance dynamics. The analysis reveals structural features, including consistently-placed new material and dense sections of tightly-timed content pillars.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateJan 20, 2026

SEOULTECH researchers reveal strong public support for hydrogen fuel cell trucks

A study by Seoul National University of Science & Technology found that expanding hydrogen fuel cell heavy-duty trucks could reduce carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 8.74 million tons. Public willingness to pay for this transition amounts to KRW 572.4 billion, far exceeding the prevailing carbon credit price.

SourceSeoul National University of Science & Technology·JournalTransport Policy·TypeSurvey·DateJan 20, 2026

Artificial light at night extends pollen season

A study analyzing 12 years of data found that artificial light at night was associated with earlier pollen season starts, longer seasons, and more severe allergen exposure. The effect on pollen season duration was larger than the effect on season start date.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateJan 20, 2026

Push and pull in models of human migration

Researchers incorporated factors like conflicts, natural hazards, and income inequality into human migration models, improving accuracy for South Sudan and US commuting patterns. The updated model outperforms a standard radiation model in predicting migrations.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateJan 20, 2026

Women see AI as riskier than men do

A study found that women are more averse to risk in general and personally exposed to AI risks, but support AI use nearly as strongly as men when benefits are guaranteed. Women's skepticism towards AI is linked to higher risk orientation and exposure to AI-related jobs.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateJan 20, 2026

Full value added tax on meat: a first step towards pricing the environmental damages caused by diets

A study suggests that implementing a full value-added tax on meat could reduce the environmental impacts from diets by 3 to 6 percent, depending on category. The research team analyzed consumption patterns and used an input-output model to estimate the associated impact on climate and ecosystems.

SourcePotsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK)·JournalNature Food·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 20, 2026

Hidden mpox exposure detected in healthy Nigerian adults, revealing under-recognized transmission

Researchers found that some healthy Nigerian adults showed clear evidence of new immune boosting consistent with recent mpox exposure without recorded diagnoses. This suggests that exposure may occur without recognized disease, highlighting the need for monitoring populations by testing blood samples for antibodies.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalNature Communications·TypeObservational study·DateJan 20, 2026

Farmers’ voices in European protests

A study of European farmers' protests reveals a wide range of concerns including environmental regulations, which differ between countries. Farmers in Germany criticized bureaucracy, while French farmers focused on financial pressures, Belgian farmers expressed a broad mix of concerns, and Dutch farmers voiced dissatisfaction with policy.

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalFood Policy·TypeSurvey·DateJan 19, 2026

Research spotlight: Preventive HIV drugs under prescribed to young women at increased risk

Research reveals disparities in access to PrEP among young cisgender females and males, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to improve HIV prevention. The study analyzed data from over 7,000 visits to a Boston-based clinic, finding that only 17% of visits received PrEP for under-age females.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalSexually Transmitted Diseases·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 19, 2026