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Science News Archive January 2026 - Page 32


Page 32 of 47

Your pet's flea treatment could be destroying the planet

A recent study found that common flea and tick control medications used in dogs and cats can contaminate ecosystems with toxic chemicals. Isoxazoline antiparasitic drugs, used globally since 2013, may harm dung-feeding insects, including flies and butterflies, which are crucial for nutrient cycling and soil health.

SourceOxford University Press USA·JournalEnvironmental Toxicology and Chemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 14, 2026

Researchers discover trigger of tendon disease

A team of researchers has identified the HIF1 protein as a central molecular driver of tendon diseases such as Achilles tendonitis and jumper's knee. Elevated levels of this protein lead to pathogenic remodelling of tendons, making them more brittle and impairing their mechanical function.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateJan 14, 2026

A new AI-based attack framework advances multi-agent reinforcement learning by amplifying vulnerability and bypassing defenses

Researchers developed PDJA, a novel AI-based attack framework that amplifies vulnerability and bypasses defenses in multi-agent reinforcement learning systems. The approach improves attack effectiveness and cross-layer vulnerability exploitation, opening new opportunities for evaluating the robustness of AI-driven autonomous systems.

SourceELSP·JournalArtificial Intelligence and Autonomous Systems·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 13, 2026

Are we giving AI a pulse through language?

A study by Iowa State University researchers found that anthropomorphizing language, such as using mental verbs like 'think' or 'know', is less common in news writing than expected. When used, these words often describe what AI requires to function, rather than attributing human-like qualities to the system. The research team identifie...

SourceIowa State University·JournalTechnical Communication Quarterly·TypeNews article·DateJan 13, 2026

‘Cosmic clock’ reveals Australian landscapes’ history and potential future

A new method uses tiny crystals of zircon to study the past evolution of Australian landscapes, offering insights into how the environment responds to geological processes and climate change. The approach provides valuable information on the storage and reworking of sediments near the surface over millions of years.

SourceCurtin University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeObservational study·DateJan 13, 2026

Food critics or food grabbers? When choosing food, wood mice split into careful examiners who sniff and handle, and quick nut grabbers

Researchers at Nagoya University found that about half of wood mice take time to examine nuts before selecting, potentially increasing their exposure to predators. Despite this risk, the extra time investment pays off as picky eaters are more likely to select undamaged chestnuts.

SourceNagoya University·JournalScientific Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 13, 2026

AI model identifies how every country can improve its cancer outcomes

A machine learning model has identified the most important drivers of cancer survival in nearly all countries, highlighting factors such as national wealth, access to radiotherapy and universal health coverage. The model provides data-driven roadmaps for policymakers to prioritize resources and close survival gaps.

SourceEuropean Society for Medical Oncology·JournalAnnals of Oncology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 13, 2026

Higher maternal blood pressure increases the risk of pregnancy complications, study concludes

A new study published in BMC Medicine found that higher maternal blood pressure increases the risk of preterm delivery, smaller babies, and gestational diabetes. The research used Mendelian randomization to assess the link between maternal blood pressure and 24 adverse pregnancy outcomes, revealing clear causal effects.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalBMC Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 13, 2026

Female sex and higher education linked to escalating prevalence of obesity and overweight in Africa

The prevalence of overweight and obesity in Africa has surged, with a significant increase in obesity over the past two decades. Women are nearly five times more likely to be obese than men, while those with tertiary-level education are three times more likely. The study's findings highlight the need for targeted public health interven...

SourceBMJ Group·JournalBMJ Global Health·TypeObservational study·DateJan 13, 2026

Biochar helps farmland soils withstand extreme rain and drought by steadying carbon loss

Researchers found that biochar can soften the impacts of swings between wet and dry conditions on soil organic carbon breakdown. The study showed that stronger moisture variability speeds up decomposition and boosts microbial activity, but biochar addition helped stabilize the soil system under variable moisture conditions.

SourceBiochar Editorial Office, Shenyang Agricultural University·JournalBiochar·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 13, 2026

Implant provides lasting relief for treatment-resistant depression

A study found that a small, implanted vagus nerve stimulation device produced substantial and sustained improvements in depressive symptoms, quality of life, and daily function in patients with treatment-resistant depression. The device showed lasting benefits even after two years, with nearly one-third of participants who didn't respo...

SourceWashU Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJan 13, 2026

Pennington Biomedical researchers explore factors behind body’s ability to regulate weight

Pennington Biomedical researchers investigated competing body weight regulation models, analyzing the interaction of energy intake and expenditure. The study highlights the need to test state-of-the-art technology and could help explain why losing weight is challenging for some individuals.

SourcePennington Biomedical Research Center·JournalNature Reviews Endocrinology·TypeSystematic review·DateJan 13, 2026

LLM treatment advice agrees with physician recommendations in early-stage HCC, but falls short in late stage

Large language models (LLMs) provide treatment recommendations for early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) that align with clinical guidelines. However, their performance is limited in late-stage disease, where they prioritize tumor factors over liver function. LLMs should be used as a supplement to clinical expertise.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 13, 2026

Deep learning model trained with stage II colorectal cancer whole slide images identifies features associated with risk of recurrence – with higher success rate than clinical prognostic parameters

A deep learning model trained on stage II colorectal cancer whole slide images accurately identified features linked to recurrence risk. The study found the model surpassed clinical prognostic parameters in predicting patient outcomes.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateJan 13, 2026

Novel immunotherapy demonstrates early potential to overcome resistance to immune checkpoint therapy

A Phase I study led by Timothy Yap demonstrates the potential of linavonkibart to target and prevent activation of transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGFβ1), overcoming treatment resistance in multiple cancers. The trial showed manageable safety profiles and objective responses in heavily pre-treated patients, suggesting a promising ne...

SourceUniversity of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center·JournalNature Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJan 13, 2026

Caught in the act: Scientists observe infections by cancer-causing retroviruses in koalas as they occur

Researchers analyzed the genome of over 100 koalas and found that two retroviruses are causing cancer deaths. They also discovered that some Koala Retrovirus (KoRV) integrations may be beneficial to koala health, increasing longevity or reproductive output.

SourceLeibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW)·JournalNature Communications·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 13, 2026

Female athlete health, well-being focus of updated report

A new consensus statement provides evidence-based guidance for screening, diagnosis, treatment, and return-to-play protocols for female athletes. The updated report includes a first-of-its-kind adolescent model of the Female Athlete Triad, addressing energy deficiency in growing adolescents.

SourcePenn State·JournalSports Medicine·TypeLiterature review·DateJan 13, 2026

Wyss Institute-led collaboration awarded by ARPA-H PRINT program to engineer off-the-shelf, universal, transplant-ready graft for liver failure

A multidisciplinary team of world-leading experts is developing an off-the-shelf engineered product that could address liver failure in millions of patients. The ImPLANT project aims to create synthetic biology-based gene circuits in human induced pluripotent stem cells to drive cell differentiation into all required liver cell types.

Fat surrounding the colon interacts with the immune system

Research reveals that fat located near the colon contains an unusually high number of inflammatory fat cells and immune cells, suggesting a unique function in communicating with the immune system in the gut region. This tissue may be an adaptation to the gut microbiome and could contribute to amplifying or sustaining inflammation.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalCell Metabolism·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 13, 2026