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Science News Archive January 2026 - Page 42


Page 42 of 47

Blood test reveals risk of multimorbidity

A new study from Karolinska Institutet identified seven blood biomarkers that predict the risk and progression of multimorbidity in older adults. These biomarkers reflect biological processes such as metabolism, inflammation, and neurodegeneration.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalNature Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateJan 7, 2026

Impact-resistant polyurea coating that senses damage in real time

A new spray-applied polyurea-based nanocomposite sensing coating integrates covalently functionalized graphene nanoplatelets into a two-component polyurea matrix. This enhances processability, weatherability, and establishes a robust conductive network for reliable resistive sensing.

SourceKeAi Communications Co., Ltd.·JournalAdvanced Nanocomposites·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 7, 2026

Scientists find evidence dark matter and neutrinos may interact, challenging standard model of the universe

Researchers found evidence that dark matter and neutrinos interact, offering a rare glimpse into the universe's darkest regions. The study casts doubt on the long-standing cosmological model, suggesting interactions between dark matter and neutrinos could explain a discrepancy in cosmic structure formation.

SourceUniversity of Sheffield·JournalNature Astronomy·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 7, 2026

Pain-sensing neurons kick-start immune responses

Researchers found that pain-sensing neurons activate tuft cells, which release parasite-fighting immune molecules, initiating an immune response. Silencing or removing these neurons reduces tuft cell numbers, indicating their crucial role in fighting parasites and potentially driving allergic diseases.

SourceWeill Cornell Medicine·JournalNature·DateJan 7, 2026

Chinese mainland rapidly expands presence in global digital education research

A new study reveals significant global growth in digital education research from 2018 to 2023, with the Chinese mainland's academic influence growing rapidly. The study attributes this momentum to strategic policy support, robust infrastructure, and international collaboration.

SourceECNU Review of Education·JournalECNU Review of Education·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 7, 2026

Swinging abyss

Researchers used clumped-isotope palaeothermometry to reconstruct large temperature fluctuations at depths of up to 4,000 meters in the Southern Ocean. These fluctuations occurred simultaneously with changes in oxygen isotopes and Earth's orbital eccentricity, suggesting a climatic forcing.

SourceMARUM - Center for Marine Environmental Sciences, University of Bremen·JournalNature Geoscience·DateJan 7, 2026

Astronomers find missing link to galaxy's most common planets

Researchers have found a rare snapshot of worlds in the process of transforming into super-Earths and sub-Neptunes, the galaxy's most common planetary types. The discovery provides an unprecedented glimpse into the turbulent lives of young worlds, shedding light on their formation.

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalNature·TypeObservational study·DateJan 7, 2026

Understanding the role of linear ubiquitination in T-tubule biogenesis

A recent study using Drosophila as a model organism reveals the involvement of linear ubiquitination in T-tubule biogenesis. The findings highlight LUBEL's role in triggering Amph-mediated T-tubule formation, which promotes membrane tubulation and curvature through self-ubiquitination and positive feedback loops.

SourceInstitute of Science Tokyo·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 7, 2026

Mobile technology revolutionizes the diagnosis of sleep apnea after a stroke

A new smartphone-based system can accurately diagnose sleep apnea in stroke patients, identifying 67% of those with moderate to severe apnea. The portable tool uses sensors and digital biomarkers to monitor breathing, oxygenation, and body position during the night.

SourceInstitute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC)·JournalIEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 7, 2026

Nature-inspired computers are shockingly good at math

New research demonstrates neuromorphic computing's ability to solve complex mathematical problems, including partial differential equations. This technology has the potential to revolutionize energy-efficient computing and tackle real-world challenges.

SourceDOE/Sandia National Laboratories·JournalNature Machine Intelligence·DateJan 7, 2026

Bristol scientists discover early sponges were soft

A team of international scientists led by Dr M. Eleonora Rossi from the University of Bristol reconstructed sponge skeleton evolution, finding that spicules evolved independently in different groups. This discovery challenges previous estimates of sponge origin and sheds light on early animal diversification.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalScience Advances·DateJan 7, 2026

Study shows your genes determine how fast your DNA mutates with age

Researchers identified dozens of genes that regulate DNA repeat expansion, which accelerates as people age. The study found common genetic variants can speed up or slow this process by up to fourfold, linking it to serious diseases like kidney failure and liver disease.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 7, 2026

Adverse prenatal exposures linked to higher rates of mental health issues, brain changes in adolescents

Children with adverse prenatal exposures showed higher rates of behavior problems, faster cortical thinning, and more depressive symptoms than children with fewer APEs. Researchers found a persistent association between multiple APEs and increased odds of mental health problems as kids grew older.

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalJAMA Psychiatry·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 7, 2026

NUS Medicine takes on global, publicly accessible platform to strengthen data and insights for women’s health

The Global Centre for Asian Women’s Health has partnered with NUS Medicine to host the Women’s Health Impact Tracking (WHIT) platform, which measures progress on closing the women’s health gap across a set of conditions and countries. The platform provides clear, comparative insights to support decision-making and inform policies.

SourceNational University of Singapore, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine·DateJan 7, 2026

We finally know how the most common types of planets are created

An international team of astrophysicists observed four baby planets in the V1298 Tau system forming into super-Earths and sub-Neptunes. The planets' low densities, comparable to Styrofoam, were measured for the first time, providing observational proof.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalNature·DateJan 7, 2026

This self-powered eye tracker harnesses energy from blinking and is as comfortable as everyday glasses

Researchers developed a lightweight, self-powered eye-tracking system that runs off the energy generated through blinking. The system detects eye movements with high precision and can be used to enable people with mobility impairments such as ALS to control wheelchairs or communicate by moving only their eyes.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell Reports Physical Science·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 7, 2026

Small chimps, big risks: What chimps show us about our own behavior

A study of chimpanzees reveals that infants take the greatest risks, followed by juveniles and then adolescents. This contradicts human behavior where risky behavior peaks during adolescence. The researchers suggest that human parents' ability to monitor their children may be a key factor in mitigating risk-taking behavior.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournaliScience·DateJan 7, 2026

When (and why) doctors might ask patients about guns

Clinicians can effectively counsel patients about firearm injury by discussing risk and safety, building trust, and tailoring interventions. The 3As Framework provides a structured approach to identify patients at risk of harm.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis Health·JournalNEJM Evidence·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateJan 7, 2026

Yoga for opioid withdrawal and autonomic regulation

This randomized clinical trial found yoga to significantly accelerate opioid withdrawal recovery and improve autonomic regulation, anxiety, sleep, and pain. The study supports the integration of yoga into withdrawal protocols as a neurobiologically informed intervention addressing core regulatory processes.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Psychiatry·DateJan 7, 2026

USU chemists' CRISPR discovery could lead to single diagnostic test for COVID, flu, RSV

Researchers at Utah State University have discovered a new CRISPR system that can precisely target transfer RNA in invading pathogens, which could lead to the development of a single diagnostic test for COVID, influenza, and RSV. This discovery enables the detection and targeting of specific pathogens without damaging host cells.

SourceUtah State University·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 7, 2026

Clinical models for predicting 30-day mortality in ARDS: A focus on ventilatory ratio-defined subgroups

The study developed subgroup-specific mortality prediction models for high and low ventilatory ratio (VR) subgroups, achieving improved accuracy in short-term mortality prediction. Minute ventilation is a key predictor for the high VR subgroup, while respiratory rate, hypocapnia, and acidemia are unique predictors for the low VR subgroup.

SourceJournal of Intensive Medicine·JournalJournal of Intensive Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateJan 7, 2026

From sediment to surface: How invisible plumes trigger harmful algal blooms

Researchers used ultrahigh-resolution monitoring to track subsurface plumes that rise from lake sediments and fuel surface blooms. The study provides new insights into algal bloom initiation and suggests that sediment-derived precursors can be detected using fine-scale, three-dimensional monitoring systems.

SourceChinese Society for Environmental Sciences·JournalEnvironmental Science and Ecotechnology·DateJan 7, 2026

Ribosomal engineering creates “super-probiotic” bacteria

Researchers from Shinshu University used ribosome engineering to modify probiotic Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG, resulting in increased colonization and enhanced immune stimulation. The engineered bacteria exhibit altered surface protein expression and induce higher activation of immune cells.

SourceShinshu University·JournalMicrobiology Spectrum·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 7, 2026

Gene therapy ‘switch’ may offer non-addictive pain relief

A new gene therapy has been discovered that targets only pain signals while leaving the rest of the brain untouched, providing hope for people with chronic pain. The therapy eliminates the risk of addiction from narcotics treatments, a breakthrough that could alleviate suffering for over 50 million Americans.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalNature·DateJan 7, 2026

CUNY Graduate Center and its academic partners awarded more than $1M by Google.org to advance statewide AI education through the Empire AI consortium

The CUNY Graduate Center has received a $1 million grant from Google.org to support the work of Empire AI, a statewide consortium of 11 public and private academic institutions focused on advancing AI integration in higher education. The award will further the reach of a comprehensive assessment of how best to prepare students for an A...

SourceThe Graduate Center, CUNY·DateJan 7, 2026

An AI–DFT integrated framework accelerates materials discovery and design

Researchers developed an AI–DFT integrated framework to accelerate materials discovery and design, enabling the efficient exploration of vast chemical and structural spaces. The framework combines the accuracy of first-principles calculations with the speed of AI models, overcoming data scarcity and computational cost challenges.

SourceELSP·JournalAI & Materials·TypeLiterature review·DateJan 7, 2026

Mount Sinai Health system receives $8.5 million NIH grant renewal to advance research on long-term outcomes in children with congenital heart disease

The Mount Sinai Hospital has received an $8.5 million NIH grant renewal to continue groundbreaking research on long-term outcomes for children with congenital heart disease. The project will unite clinical leaders and registry data from all 25 congenital heart surgical centers across four states to study how differences in health care ...

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·DateJan 7, 2026

International experts connect infections and aging through cellular senescence

The meeting report highlights the emerging importance of infection-driven senescence in understanding chronic diseases, including respiratory viruses like influenza and SARS-CoV-2. Researchers found that senescent cells contribute to persistent inflammation and reduced healing, particularly in older adults during chronic infections.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalAging-US·TypeNews article·DateJan 7, 2026

Twist to reshape, shift to transform: Bilayer structure enables multifunctional imaging

A reconfigurable optical computing platform based on a double-layer liquid crystal structure has been developed to enable multifunctional all-optical image processing. The platform integrates eight types of image processing functions in one go, including bright-field imaging, vortex filtering and edge enhancement, promising substantial...

SourceOpto-Electronic Journals Group·JournalOpto-Electronic Advances·DateJan 7, 2026

Adrenaline restarts the heart after in-hospital cardiac arrest

A study by Norwegian researchers found that adrenaline is highly effective in restarting hearts after hospital cardiac arrests. Administered intravenously, adrenaline works within one minute to increase the patient's chance of regaining their pulse.

SourceNorwegian University of Science and Technology·JournalResuscitation Plus·TypeObservational study·DateJan 7, 2026

Researchers develop treatment for advanced prostate cancer that could eliminate severe side effects

Researchers at Case Western Reserve University have developed a new treatment for advanced prostate cancer that targets the PSMA protein. The treatment, called PSMA-1-DOTA, has been shown to effectively reduce salivary gland damage and eliminate severe side effects associated with current therapies.

SourceCase Western Reserve University·JournalMolecular Imaging and Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 7, 2026

The rising risk of flooding and the role of nature-based solutions

Nature-based solutions can significantly reduce flood impacts by slowing and absorbing runoff, offering added benefits such as improved air quality and biodiversity. Public awareness and education are key to expanding support for these approaches, with communities needing clear communication about flood risks and benefits.

SourceUniversity of Vermont·JournalPeople and Nature·TypeSurvey·DateJan 7, 2026

Inflatable fabric robotic arm picks apples

A low-cost, simple robotic apple picker arm developed by Washington State University researchers can pick an apple in about 25 seconds. The inflatable arm is made of a soft fabric filled with air and weighs less than 50 pounds, making it safe to use in orchards.

SourceWashington State University·JournalSmart Agricultural Technology·DateJan 7, 2026

Korea University researchers discover that cholesterol-lowering drug can overcome chemotherapy resistance in triple-negative breast cancer

Researchers found that pitavastatin directly inhibits the anti-apoptotic protein Mcl-1, a key driver of survival and resistance in TNBC cells. The study showed pitavastatin effectively eliminates cancer stem-like cell populations and reduces tumor growth, angiogenesis, and lung metastasis.

SourceKorea University College of Medicine·JournalExperimental Hematology and Oncology·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 7, 2026

Movement matters: Light activity led to better survival in diabetes, heart, kidney disease

A new study found that light intensity activities, such as walking or household chores, were associated with a lower risk of death for people with CKM syndrome. The researchers used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey to compare activity level duration for each CKM syndrome stage.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·DateJan 7, 2026