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Science News Archive March 2026


Page 1 of 52

What's driving Salt Lake City's downward emissions trends?

Emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and carbon monoxide (CO) in Salt Lake City have declined significantly over the past two decades, driven by improved vehicle technology and emission standards. Meanwhile, levels of carbon dioxide (CO2), a major contributor to climate change, have remained relatively steady.

Chinese scientists advance strain-engineered catalyst design

Researchers developed a method to predict how metal strain influences adsorption energies and reaction barriers, enabling the design of strain-engineered catalysts with desired properties. They found that electronegativity is closely correlated with the energetic response to lattice strain.

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

HKU to host Hong Kong Global AI Governance Conference 2026

The conference will feature keynote dialogues, fireside chats, and panel discussions on key themes such as AI and education, law and regulation, public governance, and global cooperation. Distinguished participants include senior representatives from international organisations and public policy institutions.

HKU leads in 2026 QS World University Rankings by Subject

HKU excels in key disciplines, including Dentistry (2nd) and Education & Training (5th), while Data Science and Artificial Intelligence rank 18th worldwide. The University will establish an AI Hub to maximize the potential of 'AI + X' across disciplines.

Do your genes dictate how your lifestyle choices impact ageing?

A new international study by Adelaide University researchers found that genetics influence how lifestyle-behavioural factors impact ageing. Healthier ageing is associated with greater physical activity, better diet, and higher educational attainment, while smoking and suboptimal sleep duration have negative effects.

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

Building desktop particle accelerators to unlock new realms of research

The University of Osaka's researchers have achieved a key milestone in creating tabletop x-ray lasers by demonstrating free-electron laser amplification at extreme ultraviolet wavelengths. They used laser wakefield acceleration to generate high-quality, monoenergetic electron beams, enabling precise control of the plasma source.

Going from serving the nation to serving a prison sentence

New Flinders University research highlights the struggles faced by incarcerated veterans in Australia, citing a lifelong pattern of hardship, trauma, and missed support. The studies recommend steps for governments to take immediately to address these gaps and reduce re-offending.

Tiny flow chips, faster clean catalysis

Researchers developed microfluidic synthesis of polymer microspheres with tunable shape and surface area, enhancing metal loading, mass transfer, and synergistic catalysis. Open-hole Ag-Pt microspheres delivered the strongest performance in converting toxic pollutants into valuable products.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

Humor helps older adults navigate ageing – research

Older adults use humor as a coping mechanism to deal with the challenges of aging, including bereavement and declining well-being. The study found that women are more likely to use humor in emotionally sensitive situations, while men emphasize its role in social bonding.

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

Biochar–microbe partnership unlocks soil phosphorus and boosts tomato yields

Researchers found that combining biochar with beneficial bacteria significantly improves phosphorus availability, reshaping plant development and increasing crop yields in greenhouse-grown cherry tomatoes. The study also showed that this approach can enhance soil fertility and crop productivity without increasing fertilizer inputs.

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

New model shows how behavioral flexibility affects animal evolution

A new model by Carlos Botero suggests that animals with moderate behavioral flexibility can quickly adapt to environmental changes and evolve new forms, challenging the assumption that slow-evolving species are at higher risk from climate change. The model predicts that flexible lineages may fare better than previously thought.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Chiral metasurfaces guide twisted light into free space

Researchers demonstrate a route to generating twisted light beams by combining dielectric multilayers with patterned metallic surfaces. The approach converts surface-bound light waves into free-space beams with controlled angular momentum and polarization, avoiding limitations of earlier designs.

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

From cells to smart gels: momentum in motion

Professor Timo Betz's project aims to develop synthetic materials that mimic key behaviors of living cells, including self-organization and physical adaptation. By studying the mechanical properties of living cells, he will recreate part of the cell's interior in a synthetic way.

Rethinking Europe’s nature reserves

Researchers propose incorporating local knowledge into nature conservation through a biocultural approach. This involves collaborating with local people, considering traditional land-use practices and their impact on protected areas.

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

SFU and Siemens partner to accelerate clean hydrogen innovation

The partnership aims to advance research collaboration on clean hydrogen technologies, expand opportunities for innovation, training, and industry-academic engagement. The Clean Hydrogen Hub will co-develop research projects supporting hydrogen production, performance testing, and digital transformation.

Tides supercharge biochar’s carbon capture power in coastal wetlands

A field study found that adding biochar to estuarine wetlands increased sediment carbon storage while suppressing carbon loss. Tidal dynamics amplified the effectiveness of biochar as a climate solution by stabilizing carbon in sediments and reducing microbial activity associated with carbon decomposition.

Biochar from peanut shells boosts soil health and crop quality over the long term

A six-year field study reveals that biochar made from peanut shells improves soil fertility and enhances crop quality by reshaping soil microbial communities. The study shows that biochar acts as both a habitat and a nutrient source for beneficial microbes, promoting plant growth and increasing soluble sugar content in tobacco leaves.

Researchers uncover key players in tissue regeneration

The study reveals that chief cells transform into repair cells through three stages, involving self-digestion, gene expression changes, and cell proliferation. The researchers discovered that the enzyme STK38 plays a crucial role in regulating YAP1 activity during paligenosis.

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

Research alert: New insights into breast cancer metastasis

A study by UC San Diego researchers reveals TYK2's role in preventing cancer spread and highlights need for enhanced screening in patients treated with TYK2 inhibitors. Understanding mechanotransduction can provide new avenues for treatment and improve breast cancer outcomes.