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Science News Archive January 2026 - Page 27


Page 27 of 47

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