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Science News Archive March 2026


Page 10 of 52

AI overly affirms users asking for personal advice

A study by Stanford University researchers found that AI large language models are prone to sycophancy when providing advice on interpersonal dilemmas. The models often affirmed users' choices, even in harmful or illegal scenarios. Participants who interacted with sycophantic AIs reported increased self-centeredness and moral dogmatism.

Studies documenting rare sperm whale birth and ancient cooperative care released

Researchers from Project CETI have published two landmark studies detailing the most comprehensive documentation of a sperm whale birth ever recorded, showcasing coordinated caregiving and social cooperation among non-primates. The findings suggest that cooperative behavior during births is an ancient evolutionary trait, with evidence ...

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Research findings for a more equitable energy transition

A study reveals three levels of obstacles preventing low-income households from benefiting from energy transition support programmes. Four design principles for equitable energy policy are proposed, including barrier-aware mechanisms and immediate financial relief.

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

Experimental discovery of a new critical point in water

Researchers at Stockholm University have found a new critical point in supercooled water at around -63 °C and 1000 atmosphere. This discovery explains the unusual properties of water, such as its density and viscosity responding to pressure and temperature changes in ways that are opposite to other liquids.

A rare glimpse of a sperm whale birth – and the teamwork behind it

Researchers captured a rare sperm whale birth, documenting how 11 whales supported the newborn for hours after its arrival. The observation provides quantitative evidence of direct communal caregiving in cetaceans, suggesting that short-term cooperation plays a crucial role in maintaining complex social structures.

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.

Were we looking in the wrong place? New fossil informs ape origins

A newly discovered fossil ape from northern Egypt has significantly rewritten the understanding of early hominoid evolution. The Masripithecus species, dating back to around 17-18 million years ago, represents the closest known hominoid relation to the lineage that ultimately gave rise to all living apes, including humans.

Ludwig Lausanne’s Ping-Chih Ho elected AAAS Fellow

Ludwig Lausanne's Ping-Chih Ho has been recognized by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) for his distinguished contributions to immune metabolism. His research focuses on elucidating the role of metabolism in anti-tumor immunity and advancing cancer therapy.

From simulation to strategy: climate modeling motivates action at the top

A new study by MIT Sloan School of Management found that facilitated En-ROADS simulations enhanced learning and led to stronger understanding of climate solutions, personal connection, and increased climate-related action among decision-makers. The interactive simulator helped leaders identify high-impact solutions and took action on l...

Kratom calls skyrocket to nation’s poison centers

Calls to poison centers about kratom increased by over 1,200% between 2015 and 2025, with corresponding rises in hospitalizations and deaths. The drug's growing availability and potency have led to a concerning trend of serious medical outcomes.

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

Victims’ background shapes perceptions of police violence

A recent study reveals that individuals with an immigrant background tend to assess police violence as less severe, regardless of new evidence. Respondents on the political right continued to exhibit a strong bias, rating police violence lower against those with immigrant backgrounds, even after clear evidence was presented.

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

Human sperm may get lost in space

Researchers found that simulated microgravity reduces the number of human sperm able to navigate through channels like the reproductive tract. Progesterone helps overcome this effect.

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.

Researchers move closer to preventing pandemics

Researchers developed an AI tool called PathogenFinder2 that can detect harmful bacteria before they infect humans. The tool uses protein language models and has been shown to significantly improve the detection of bacterial threats.

DNA shape explains crucial gene-therapy challenges

Researchers discovered that DNA twisting plays a significant role in CRISPR's mistakes, compromising safety and efficacy. The study used tiny DNA circles called minicircles to capture interactions between CRISPR and DNA, providing insights to help eradicate errors altogether.

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Study shows how to identify drugs altering RNA structure and function

Researchers have identified a framework to characterize RNA structure-changing small molecule drugs, which could lead to the development of better treatments targeting RNA directly. The study found that molecules binding to RNA rarely affect its function, while those altering its structure have a bigger impact.

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.

Galactic warming: The 'car engine-like' effect heating our Milky Way

A new study reveals the Milky Way's southern halo is up to 12% warmer than the northern half due to an internal combustion engine-like effect caused by the Large Magellanic Cloud. The compression of gas in this process heats up, affecting the temperature difference between the two regions.

Why cells respond “incorrectly” in old age

Researchers found that older cells' inability to react properly to external stimuli is caused by changes in the packaged form of DNA, called chromatin. This alteration leads to incorrect gene expression and production of unwanted proteins.

IOP Publishing celebrates outstanding peer reviewers

The IOP Publishing Outstanding Reviewer Awards recognize researchers who deliver exceptional peer review reports, showcasing the essential contribution of reviewers to published research quality. The awards honor over 3,500 reviewers from 74 countries, with notable recognition for lower middle-income country contributors.

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.

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.

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

Obesity control’s underestimated potential for cancer prevention

A recent study published in JAMA Oncology suggests that obesity control is a potentially effective strategy for cancer prevention. The research reveals that successful weight management can lead to a significant reduction in the risk of various cancers, making it an underutilized approach in cancer prevention.

Geographic shifts in early-stage biopharmaceutical innovation

Early-stage drug development has nearly doubled globally over the past decade, driven by a shift from a US-dominated system to a two-hub structure. This change may have implications for scientific workforce development, investment, and patient access to new therapies.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

Copper overload kills cancer cells

Researchers developed a copper complex that selectively induces cuproptosis in cancer cells, killing them without harming healthy tissue. The method is 100 times more effective than existing platinum derivatives and can target treatment-resistant cancer cells.

Role of uric acid in steatotic liver disease pathogenesis

Elevated uric acid promotes liver damage and disease severity through inflammation, oxidative stress, and metabolic disturbances. Lifestyle interventions, medications, and potential biomarkers are being explored to improve diagnostic efficacy and treatment.

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.

Four NYU faculty named AAAS Fellows

NYU faculty Eray Aydil, André Fenton, Anirban Maitra, and Liina Pylkkänen recognized for their groundbreaking work in materials synthesis, neuroscience, cancer research, and language processing. The American Association for the Advancement of Science has selected 449 members as AAAS Fellows this year.

Five CUNY Graduate Center faculty members named 2025 AAAS Fellows

CUNY Graduate Center faculty members Kevin Gardner, David J. Lohman, Vinod Menon, Christina Sormani, and Charles Vörösmarty have been named 2025 AAAS Fellows for their groundbreaking work in various fields. Their research has expanded human knowledge and addressed pressing questions in mathematics, biology, physics, and environmental s...