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Science News Archive January 2026 - Page 29


Page 29 of 47

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

An AI-guided framework reveals conserved features governing microRNA strand selection

Researchers have decoded the logic of microRNA strand selection using AI, revealing a conserved and programmable mechanism governing gene regulation. The study found that this decision follows conserved rules rather than chance, with mammalian microRNAs showing a strong bias towards a single dominant strand.

SourceArizona State University·JournalNucleic Acids Research·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 14, 2026

Tiny Titans of Recovery - Ancient traces reveal minute fossil life in South Africa’s Cederberg mountains

A team of scientists uncovered fossil evidence of a tiny ecosystem that helped revive marine life after the end-Ordovician ice age and mass extinction event. The discovery provides insights into ancient biological processes and highlights the importance of seafloor ecosystems in regulating carbon and nutrient cycles.

SourceUniversity of Cape Town - Faculty of Science·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·TypeObservational study·DateJan 14, 2026

Alliance trial reveals gene variant may affect prostate cancer drug efficacy

A major U.S. clinical trial has uncovered a genetic factor that may inform how to optimize the dosing of abiraterone, a widely used hormone treatment for advanced prostate cancer. Researchers found that men who carry a specific version of the gene SULT2A1 clear abiraterone from their bodies more slowly, which could affect how well it w...

SourceAlliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology·JournalClinical and Translational Science·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 14, 2026

Turning crystal flaws into quantum highways: a new route towards scalable solid-state qubits

A new study reveals that crystal dislocations can serve as powerful building blocks for quantum interconnects, enabling the creation of stable and coherent qubits. The researchers showed that nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamond can be attracted to dislocations and retain their quantum properties when positioned near these line defects.

SourceUniversity of Chicago·Journalnpj Computational Materials·DateJan 14, 2026

Potential new treatment for sepsis

Researchers at Griffith University have successfully conducted a Phase II clinical trial in China, showing promising results for a carbohydrate-based drug candidate called STC3141. The treatment aims to reduce organ damage and reverse biological responses associated with sepsis.

SourceGriffith University·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJan 14, 2026

Gas-atomized Ca–Mg alloy powders produce hydrogen simply by adding water — high-efficiency hydrogen generation at room temperature

Researchers have developed a new method for generating hydrogen using gas-atomized Ca–Mg eutectic alloys. When added to water, these powders produce hydrogen at room temperature with high efficiency and controllability, making them an attractive candidate for portable hydrogen supply devices and emergency power units.

SourceKochi University of Technology·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 14, 2026

Reporting workplace sexual harassment ‘not worth it’

A recent study suggests that two in five Australians who experienced workplace sexual harassment did not report it. Researchers argue that fear of retaliation, lack of trust in the system and feelings of powerlessness are major barriers to reporting. Despite legal reforms, most people still feel uncomfortable coming forward.

SourceFlinders University·JournalWork & Stress·TypeSurvey·DateJan 14, 2026

A visible light-catalyzed delayed aryl migration strategy for precise ipso-, para-difunctionalization of aromatic amines

Researchers developed a novel photoredox catalytic radical-polar cross-reaction to achieve precise bifunctionalization of inert C–N bonds and para-C–H bonds in olefin-substituted aniline derivatives. The strategy utilizes sulfur dioxide to capture Meisenheimer intermediates, suppressing the classical free radical aryl migration pathway.

SourceChinese Chemical Society·JournalCCS Chemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 14, 2026

Maternal microbiome compound may hold key to preventing liver disease

A study from the University of Oklahoma suggests that maternal indole supplementation can significantly reduce the risk of fatty liver disease in children. The research found that offspring whose mothers received indole maintained healthier livers and had lower blood sugar levels, even after exposure to a Western-style diet later in life.

SourceUniversity of Oklahoma·JournalEBioMedicine·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 14, 2026

Same moves, different terrain: How bacteria navigate complex environments without changing their playbook

Researchers found that bacteria, such as Salmonella and E. coli, use a 'run-and-tumble' movement pattern to move through different environments, despite the complexity of their surroundings. This behavior is similar to walking through mud, where the underlying movement pattern remains the same, but with changes in speed and efficiency.

SourceUniversity of Chicago·JournalPRX Life·DateJan 14, 2026

UH Seidman Cancer Researchers: What is the ideal duration of hormone therapy for the treatment of prostate cancer?

Researchers from University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center found that the optimal duration of hormone therapy for prostate cancer treatment varies by disease risk. For high-risk patients, longer courses of ADT provide diminishing benefits while increasing the risk of non-prostate cancer death.

UVA engineer named IEEE Fellow for Breakthroughs in Energy-Harvesting Wireless Systems and Age of Information Research

Jing Yang, a University of Virginia professor, has been recognized by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) for her pioneering work on energy-harvesting wireless communications and Age of Information optimization. Her research aims to improve efficiency, timeliness, and sustainability in modern wireless networks.

Study finds radiation therapy administered before surgery rarely shrinks retroperitoneal sarcoma tumors

A new study from Fox Chase Cancer Center confirms that preoperative radiation therapy does not reduce surgical complexity in patients with retroperitoneal sarcoma. The research suggests that most patients benefit from proceeding directly to surgery, as skipping radiation has no significant impact on tumor size or surgical outcomes.

SourceTemple University Health System·JournalJournal of Surgical Research·DateJan 14, 2026

Sequestered in immune cells, barium titanate nanoparticles stimulated by ultrasound launch inflammatory response

Boston College researchers used piezoelectric nanoparticles to trigger macrophages, a key part of the body's immune response. The study suggests that this method could be used to activate immune cells specifically at an infection or tumor site, avoiding side effects associated with systemic administration of drugs.

SourceBoston College·JournalScientific Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 14, 2026