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Science News Archive January 2026 - Page 8


Page 8 of 47

How does TikTok shape young peoples' dietary preferences?

A study found that TikTok influences dietary habits by leveraging algorithmic mechanisms, entertainment content, and users' emotional connections. The platform affects food preferences, dining choices, and recipe evaluations among young people.

SourceWiley·JournalInternational Journal of Consumer Studies·DateJan 28, 2026

Does screen time affect teens’ sleep and lifestyle habits?

A study of 700 teens found that screen time negatively affects sleep quality and beliefs about healthy lifestyles. The researchers suggest reducing screen exposure, increasing social interaction, and promoting alternative activities to promote healthier lifestyles and better sleep.

SourceWiley·JournalBrain and Behavior·DateJan 28, 2026

International differences exist in knowledge gaps and most common perimenopause symptoms

A new study based on data from over 17,000 women across 158 countries found inconsistent knowledge of perimenopause symptoms and actual experiences. Commonly recognized symptoms included hot flashes, sleep problems, and weight gain, but women most reported experiencing fatigue, physical and mental exhaustion, and irritability.

SourceThe Menopause Society·JournalMenopause·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 28, 2026

Blood test detects lingering lung damage after COVID 19

A study published in EBioMedicine found changes in blood samples from almost 1,000 people hospitalized for COVID-19 may pinpoint patients at risk of long-term lung disease. The study identified elevated levels of certain molecules, which could lead to the development of simple blood tests to detect ongoing lung problems.

SourceUniversity of Leicester·JournalEBioMedicine·TypeObservational study·DateJan 27, 2026

Native fungi from almond orchards show promise as sustainable defenders against a devastating crop disease

Researchers found that naturally occurring fungi on and within almond trees can strongly suppress Colletotrichum godetiae, the primary cause of almond anthracnose in the Mediterranean Basin. Several species of Trichoderma and Neurospora intermedia proved effective in suppressing pathogen growth and reducing spore production.

Treatment initiation is possible with a positive liquid biopsy in primary central nervous lymphoma patients with difficult-to-access lesions

Researchers successfully diagnosed and treated ten PCNSL patients using liquid biopsy, detecting hotspot MYD88 L265P mutations in circulating tumor DNA. This method offers a reliable alternative to surgical biopsies for patients with difficult-to-access lesions or frailty, enabling timely treatment initiation.

SourceNiigata University·JournalNeuro-Oncology Advances·DateJan 27, 2026

AAVLINK: Potent DNA-recombination method for large cargo delivery in gene therapy

The AAVLINK method harnesses Cre/lox-mediated intermolecular DNA recombination to enable efficient full-length gene reconstitution and robust expression of therapeutic genes. This approach overcomes the limited packaging capacity of adeno-associated viruses, offering a strategy for delivering large gene cargoes in gene therapy.

A tiny fish is helping clinicians avoid unnecessary multi-million-dollar treatment for babies suspected of having spinal muscular atrophy

Researchers developed a rapid zebrafish-based functional assay to determine the pathogenicity of novel SMN1 mutations, potentially informing urgent clinical decisions. The test showed that many previously uncertain variants were harmless, reducing distress for families and saving lives.

SourceGriffith University·JournalEMBO Molecular Medicine·TypeCase study·DateJan 27, 2026

Delivery of magnetic energy to the brain is a cost-effective treatment option for patients with depression, finds a new study

A new study finds that transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a cost-effective treatment option for moderate and severe forms of depression. TMS reduces depressive symptoms, eases pressures on informal carers, and helps people get back to work, recovering its costs over time through savings to the NHS.

SourceUniversity of Nottingham·JournalBMJ Mental Health·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJan 27, 2026

What causes chronic pain? New study identifies key culprit in the brain

Researchers have discovered a neural circuit hidden in an understudied region of the brain plays a critical role in turning temporary pain into chronic pain. Silencing this pathway can prevent or halt chronic pain, offering new hope for treating severe chronic pain with injections or infusions targeting specific brain cells.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalNeuroscience·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 27, 2026

Atlantic nurse sharks show faster growth patterns in Biscayne Bay than nearby Bimini, Bahamas

A new study reveals significant differences in growth patterns between nurse sharks off the coast of Miami and those living just across the Gulf Stream. The research found that juvenile nurse sharks in Biscayne Bay grow more rapidly and reach smaller maximum sizes than their counterparts in Bimini, Bahamas.

SourceUniversity of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science·JournalEnvironmental Biology of Fishes·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 27, 2026

Paracetamol and ibuprofen safe in first year of life

A landmark study supports the safety of paracetamol and ibuprofen in young children, finding no link to eczema or bronchiolitis. The study, which analyzed data from over 4,000 babies, confirms that both medications are safe to use in the first year of life.

SourceUniversity of Auckland·JournalThe Lancet Child & Adolescent Health·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJan 27, 2026

Artificial nighttime lighting is suppressing moth activity

A study by University of Exeter researchers found that moths move significantly less under artificial light compared to natural night conditions. The results suggest that light pollution has widespread effects on nocturnal moth activity, irrespective of lighting type, with implications for moth populations and ecosystem services.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·DateJan 27, 2026

International team led by HonorHealth Research Institute and U of A develop 3D chip platform for laboratory testing in cancer research

Researchers created a 3D chip platform called ASTEROIDS that mimics human physiology and enables precise testing of new drugs and personalized medicine models. The technology has the potential to reduce animal testing in cancer research and improve human clinical outcomes.

SourceHonorHealth Research Institute·JournaliScience·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 27, 2026

COVID-19 viral fragments shown to target and kill specific immune cells in UCLA-led study

A recent study by a UCLA-led team reveals that leftover COVID-19 viral fragments can selectively accumulate on and penetrate star-shaped surfaces of dendritic cells and T cells, killing these immune cells. In contrast, the omicron variant's smaller fragments have little effect on these cells.

SourceCalifornia NanoSystems Institute·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 27, 2026

Badged up for success

Graduate students at MUSC are earning digital badges in science communications, highlighting their ability to explain complex scientific concepts to the public. This program is part of a larger shift towards providing graduate students with valuable skills that apply to multiple career paths in science.

SourceMedical University of South Carolina·JournalJournal of Clinical and Translational Science·TypeSurvey·DateJan 27, 2026

Speeding, hard braking reduced in insurance plans that base rates on driving behavior, offer rewards

Drivers who participated in a program based on their driving habits showed reduced speeding, hard braking, and rapid acceleration by up to 25%. They continued these safe habits even after the program ended. The programs were equally effective in improving safety scores.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalAccident Analysis & Prevention·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJan 27, 2026

UH psychologist explores reducing anxiety among survivors of sexual assault

A UH psychologist's study finds that anxiety sensitivity and pain-related anxiety are linked to mental health problems and clinically significant alcohol use among survivors of traumatic sexual assault. The investigation highlights the importance of addressing both types of anxiety in reducing the risk of lifelong challenges.

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalThe Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease·DateJan 27, 2026

Claiming your business page on review platforms can have unintended effects on customer reviews, study shows

A study from Florida International University finds that claiming a business page on review platforms like Yelp can lead to a significant drop in average ratings, with a 10% decrease in five-star reviews and a 9.5% rise in one-star reviews. The study also reveals that these lowest-rated reviews become substantially longer and more crit...

SourceFlorida International University·JournalInformation Systems Research·TypeObservational study·DateJan 27, 2026

Inflammation and autoimmune-like dysfunction may play a role in heart failure

A recent study from Penn State College of Medicine researchers found that helper T cells, typically involved in fighting infections, become overly activated in failing human hearts, causing damage. The activation of these T cells highlights the impact of inflammation and immune dysfunction in heart failure.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology·TypeObservational study·DateJan 27, 2026

Mount Sinai study finds antibody-producing immune cells can help shape cancer immunotherapy

A Mount Sinai study found that antibody-producing immune cells called IgG1 plasma cells help patients respond to PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibitors, which have transformed cancer care. The researchers identified IgG1 plasma cells as a critical factor in determining clinical outcomes.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalNature Medicine·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJan 27, 2026