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Science News for March 19, 2026


The Journal of Nuclear Medicine Ahead-of-Print Tip Sheet: March 20, 2026

The study investigated the link between heart attack-induced inflammation and cognitive decline, as well as the potential of PET-based metabolic tumor volume to predict CAR T-cell therapy outcomes. Additionally, researchers combined advanced imaging with genetic profiling to explore hidden metabolic patterns in recurrent brain cancer.

SourceSociety of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging·JournalJournal of Nuclear Medicine·DateMar 19, 2026

Mantis-leg-inspired smart insole integrating closed-loop power supply for advanced wearable gait diagnostics

A biomimetic smart insole system integrates high-resolution sensing, autonomous energy supply, and AI-assisted gait diagnosis to monitor lower limb function and disease progression. The system achieves ultra-low detection limits and maintains mechanical stability, addressing existing bottlenecks in wearable gait monitoring.

SourceResearch·JournalResearch·TypeNews article·DateMar 19, 2026

Moss-associated nitrogen fixation helps sustain plant growth in warming permafrost ecosystems

Climate warming significantly increases plant growth in permafrost regions by altering growing seasons and root penetration, but its impact depends on nitrogen supply. A new study reveals that moss-associated biological nitrogen fixation is a critical factor in sustaining plant growth under warming conditions.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMar 19, 2026

Colorectal cancer risk with negative colonoscopy or nonadherence after positive fecal occult blood test screening

A decrease in colorectal cancer incidence was observed among individuals with negative screening colonoscopy results, particularly men, suggesting risk-based follow-up strategies. Nonadherence to scheduled colonoscopies increased the risk of CRC, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to improve early detection.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateMar 19, 2026

Turning sawdust into fire-resistant materials

A team of ETH Zurich researchers developed a process to convert sawdust into a recyclable and environmentally friendly composite using struvite. The material exhibits excellent fire resistance due to the mineral's non-combustible properties and cooling effect, making it suitable for internal fittings.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalChem Circularity·DateMar 19, 2026

New Themed Issue calls for urgent shift away from “Leaky Pipeline” metaphor as studies reveal systemic exclusion of women in Archaeology

The 'leaky pipeline' metaphor oversimplifies the systemic barriers faced by women and marginalized scholars in archaeology. New research highlights multiple forms of inequity that diminish productivity, limit collaborations, and reduce future generations of archaeologists.

SourceCambridge University Press·JournalAdvances in Archaeological Practice·DateMar 19, 2026

Hefei Botanical Garden: A model for biodiversity conservation, resource utilization and public education in urban areas

The Hefei Botanical Garden is a key institution for biodiversity research in East China, with over 5000 plant species preserved, including rare and endangered species. The garden promotes sustainable resource utilization, ecological education, and rural revitalization through its 'Botanical Garden + Agriculture' model.

SourceSouth China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalBiological Diversity·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateMar 19, 2026

Aquatic plant reduces antibiotics in water and genetic damage in fish

A study found that the aquatic plant Salvinia auriculata can act as a sink for antibiotics in the Piracicaba River, reducing bioaccumulation and genotoxicity. The plant was able to remove high concentrations of enrofloxacin and chloramphenicol from the water, but its effectiveness varied depending on the compound.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalEnvironmental Sciences Europe·DateMar 19, 2026

How old are we really?

Researchers develop method using biomarkers to calculate individual biological age, finding significant differences in age-related changes between men and women. The study also identifies clinically relevant biomarkers linked to biological age, opening up new opportunities for preventive medicine.

SourceUniversity of Konstanz·JournalAging Cell·DateMar 19, 2026

The brain region associated with moral inconsistency

Researchers identify the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) as the brain region associated with moral inconsistency. Studies show that individuals with less vmPFC activity are more likely to be morally inconsistent, indicating a failure to integrate moral knowledge into daily behavior.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 19, 2026

Sea turtle shells reveal hidden records of ocean change

A new study using radiocarbon methods reveals that sea turtle shell plates are biological time capsules that record signs of major environmental disturbances in the ocean. By analyzing these layers, scientists can determine where turtles have been foraging and how marine environmental stress events affected them.

Bird flu risk to Danish cattle – new tool can warn farmers before infection spreads

Researchers developed a tool that combines wild bird abundance and cattle density data to predict where and when the risk of infection is highest in Denmark. The study warns that Danish cattle are particularly vulnerable due to their location along migratory bird routes, with the risk of infection highest from December to March.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalPreventive Veterinary Medicine·DateMar 19, 2026

Humans and animals have the same taste in animal mating calls

A recent study published in Science found that humans and animals have overlapping preferences for certain qualities of an animal's call, with agreement strongest for lower-frequency sounds. The study used a gamified citizen science experiment involving over 4,000 human participants from around the world.

SourceSmithsonian·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 19, 2026

AI and satellite data expose carbon hotspots in China’s paper industry

Researchers developed a plant-level carbon accounting framework combining satellite imagery with textual industrial data to estimate emissions from 720 pulp and papermaking plants. The approach identifies high-emission plants and functional zones associated with emissions, offering a basis for industrial decarbonization. rooftop solar ...

SourceChinese Society for Environmental Sciences·JournalEnvironmental Science and Ecotechnology·DateMar 19, 2026

Turning crops into carbon sinks: Biochar offers a low-cost path to carbon removal in China

A new study reveals that transforming biomass from dedicated energy crops into biochar could provide a cost-effective and scalable solution for removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, helping China move closer to its carbon neutrality goals. Biochar can lock carbon in soils for decades or even centuries while improving soil health.

SourceBiochar Editorial Office, Shenyang Agricultural University·JournalBiochar·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 19, 2026

Carefully controlled atoms make renewables more viable for plastics and fuels production

A new catalyst developed by Washington State University researchers efficiently converts abundant renewable ethanol into valuable molecules needed for production of plastics, fuels, and everyday products. The advance could someday make it easier to use renewables rather than petrochemicals to make common products.

SourceWashington State University·JournalChem Catalysis·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 19, 2026

Researchers use NMR, mathematical modelling and simulations to reveal how a tryptophan-rich allosteric communication network helps activate a major drug target receptor

A study using NMR, mathematical modeling and simulations reveals the role of tryptophan-rich residues in activating the human adenosine A2A receptor, a key drug target. The research provides new insights into the mechanisms of GPCR function and could lead to next-generation pharmacology.

SourceInstitute of Science Tokyo·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 19, 2026

The freshwater hidden beneath the Great Salt Lake

Researchers used airborne electromagnetic surveys to characterize a deep freshwater reservoir beneath Farmington Bay and Antelope Island. The study revealed that freshwater saturates the sediments beneath the lake's hypersaline surface to depths of 3-4 kilometers, extending towards the interior of the lake.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalScientific Reports·TypeObservational study·DateMar 19, 2026

Myth defanged: baby rattlesnake bites aren’t more dangerous than bites from adult rattlesnakes

A new study from Loma Linda University challenges the longstanding myth that baby rattlesnake bites are more dangerous. Researchers found that ample evidence supports the fact that both baby and adult rattlers can control their venom expulsion, with adults delivering far more venom and causing more severe symptoms.

SourceLoma Linda University Adventist Health Sciences Center·JournalToxins·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 19, 2026

Blood banks face o-negative shortages; anesthesiologists call for donations, changes in emergency infusion practices to protect supply

The US is experiencing a significant blood donation shortage due to severe winter weather, with critically low supplies of O-negative blood. Anesthesiologists are urging increased donations and changing infusion practices to preserve this rare blood type essential for emergency care.

SourceAmerican Society of Anesthesiologists·JournalAnesthesiology·DateMar 19, 2026

Researchers discover new proton-coupled triplet energy transfer mechanism

Researchers at Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics have identified a novel proton shuttle-assisted triplet energy transfer mechanism, enhancing the rate and efficiency of spin-triplet migration. The discovery has profound implications for modern molecular technologies involving spin-triplet excited states.

SourceDalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences·JournalNature Materials·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateMar 19, 2026

Topology helps build more robust photonic networks

Researchers have shown that topology can guide multiple, information-carrying light signals through chip-based photonic communication systems, making them more powerful and reliable. This breakthrough could enable the creation of networks of chips that communicate using light while taking advantage of topology's robustness.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalNature Physics·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 19, 2026

Flexible, stretchable, on-chip optical tweezers

Researchers developed flexible, stretchable on-chip optical tweezers (FSOT) that can trap a wide range of bioparticles across different size scales. The innovation enables high-throughput trapping beyond the diffraction limit, conformal operation on curved biological surfaces, and tunable inter-cellular interaction studies.

ECOG-ACRIN completes enrollment for 600-patient clinical trial focused on frontline therapy for advanced melanoma

The ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group has completed enrollment of 600 patients in the phase 2/3 trial EA6141, evaluating dual checkpoint blockade with nivolumab and ipilimumab plus sargramostim for unresectable stage 3 or 4 melanoma. The trial aims to assess overall survival, progression-free survival, and treatment tolerability.

Kimchi-derived probiotic found to promote binding and excretion of intestinal nanoplastics

A kimchi-derived lactic acid bacterium has been found to promote the removal of nanoplastics from the body by binding to them in the intestine. The study shows a high adsorption efficiency of the probiotic against polystyrene nanoplastics, with a notable increase in fecal excretion in animal experiments.

SourceNational Research Council of Science & Technology·JournalBioresource Technology·DateMar 19, 2026

New estimates of uncounted COVID-19 deaths reveal critical gaps in US death investigation system

A new study found that over 155,000 US deaths between March 2020 and December 2021 were not officially recorded as COVID-19 deaths, highlighting critical gaps in the death investigation system. These unrecognized deaths disproportionately affected certain populations, including racial and ethnic minorities.

SourceBoston University School of Public Health·JournalScience Advances·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 19, 2026

Mechanical properties of Afghan vault integral structures based on simulated lunar soil

Researchers developed a self-locking Afghan vault structure for lunar construction, identifying optimal angles for stability under static and seismic loads. The study provides a theoretical foundation for in-situ resource utilization on the Moon, enabling robust shielding shells to protect habitats from radiation and meteorite impacts.

SourceELSP·JournalSmart Construction·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 19, 2026

European Psychiatric Association rolls out landmark action plan to modernize care and protect vulnerable mental health communities across Europe

The European Psychiatric Association has launched an action plan to address unmet needs in psychiatric care, focusing on brain health, treatment delivery, stigma reduction, and preventive measures. The plan aims to improve diagnostic accuracy and precision care through its 80,000-psychiatrist network.

Engineered biochar and beneficial bacteria team up to boost crop growth

Researchers developed a specially engineered biochar made from sewage sludge that significantly enhances plant growth when combined with beneficial bacteria. The biochar-bacteria combination improved nitrogen cycling and increased the abundance of beneficial soil microbes, leading to greater plant nutrition and growth.

SourceBiochar Editorial Office, Shenyang Agricultural University·JournalBiochar·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 19, 2026

Gut microbiota and the gut–brain axis: Mechanisms and therapeutic hopes for brain diseases

The gut microbiota influences the central nervous system (CNS) through neural, immune, endocrine, and metabolic pathways. Dysregulation of this axis is linked to various neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders, including depression, schizophrenia, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease.

SourceChinese Medical Journals Publishing House Co., Ltd.·JournalChinese Medical Journal·TypeLiterature review·DateMar 19, 2026

Uncovering structural cue use in second-language sentence processing

A study led by Waseda University's Associate Professor Chie Nakamura investigated how listeners interpret structurally ambiguous sentences using eye-tracking technology. The researchers found that listeners actively build sentence structure in real-time, predicting how the sentence will continue before all information is available.

SourceWaseda University·JournalFrontiers in Language Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 19, 2026

How do thirsty plants hold out during drought?

Salk Institute scientists created a high-resolution atlas showing how droughts affect plant cells. They identified a gene, Ferric Reduction Oxidase 6 (FRO6), that could be targeted to create more resilient crops. FRO6 expression in mesophyll cells partially maintained leaf growth under drought stress.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalNature Plants·DateMar 19, 2026

Biochar particle size found to shape disease control in crops

Researchers found that the particle size of biochar impacts its effectiveness in controlling soil-borne diseases, with fine biochar acting quickly but losing effectiveness over time. Coarse biochar, on the other hand, provides a slower yet more sustained protective effect by releasing nutrients and organic compounds into the soil.

SourceBiochar Editorial Office, Shenyang Agricultural University·JournalBiochar·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 19, 2026

Changing shower and toilet habits could help close England’s 5 billion litre water gap, Surrey-led research finds

A new report suggests that changing domestic shower and toilet habits could help close England's projected 5 billion litre daily water shortfall. The report identifies key behaviour change targets, including reporting or fixing in-home leaks, showering, and flushing toilets, and argues that effective behaviour change depends on underst...

When the Earth moved

A new study published in Science reveals that tectonic plates began moving around 3.5 billion years ago, with the Pilbara Craton in western Australia showing evidence of plate movement and drift. The research used ancient rock samples to track the motion of the plates, providing insights into Earth's history and evolution.

SourceHarvard University·JournalScience·DateMar 19, 2026

Cerebrovascular lesions in down syndrome do not follow a linear course

A longitudinal study on individuals with Down syndrome reveals that cerebrovascular lesions do not follow a linear course, fluctuating and even decreasing over time. The analysis shows significant variability in the evolution of these lesions, particularly in regions already affected by Alzheimer's disease.

SourceInstitut de Recerca Sant Pau (Sant Pau Research Institute)·JournalAlzheimer’s & Dementia·TypeObservational study·DateMar 19, 2026

Anti-interference diffractive deep neural networks for multi-object recognition

A recent paper introduces a novel optical neural network architecture that can accurately recognize target objects in the presence of multiple interferences. The system achieves high recognition accuracy across diverse scenarios, including complex settings with dynamic interferences.

Researchers discover way for motors to mimic real muscles

Scientists have created a network of simple mechanical motors that replicate the key features of actomyosin, the molecular machinery underpinning human muscle contraction. The system 'self-organised' into coordinated travelling waves of motion and automatically adapted as the mechanical load increased, just like human muscles.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalJournal of The Royal Society Interface·DateMar 19, 2026

Tumor-informed liquid biopsy suggests structural-variant ddPCR can monitor high-grade serous ovarian cancer

A novel method for monitoring on-treatment disease burden in high-grade serous ovarian cancer uses tumor-informed breakpoints-spanning ddPCR, detecting superior sensitivity and specificity compared to real-time PCR. The approach may enable sensitive and specific detection of minimal residual disease and early relapse detection.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalOncoscience·TypeNews article·DateMar 19, 2026

Striking a chord: How music primes our minds for connection

A new study published in The Journal of Neuroscience found that listening to harmonically consonant chord progressions during face-to-face interaction strengthens neural activity in brain areas associated with social perception, emotional processing, and interpersonal connection. This suggests that music may help promote social bonding...

Replicating bacteria DNA relies on accordionlike folds to separate

Researchers at Rice University discovered that bacterial cells use SMC proteins to enable the separation of their circular chromosomes during replication. This process relies on repulsive forces strengthened by SMC, allowing the cell to split neatly into two with its own copy of DNA.

SourceRice University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 19, 2026

Meat consumption and cognitive health by APOE genotype

A new study published in JAMA Network Open suggests that high meat consumption is associated with better cognitive trajectories and lower dementia risk among individuals with the APOE 34/44 genotype. The finding contradicts previous expectations, highlighting potential clinical and public health relevance for this population.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateMar 19, 2026

Limited jobs block social mobility opportunities for young people in coastal and rural areas, study shows

A new study by the University of Exeter finds that limited job opportunities in coastal and rural areas constrain social mobility for young people. Those who stay in their local area are more likely to work in routine and manual jobs, while those from professional backgrounds have higher odds of moving to other regions.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalJournal of Youth Studies·DateMar 19, 2026

RURAL health study reveals key drivers of chronic disease in assumption parish

A recent study published by Pennington Biomedical Research Center has shed light on the key drivers of chronic disease in Assumption Parish. The research found that residents with lower education levels are more likely to suffer from high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and obesity. This correlation suggests a strong link between edu...

SourcePennington Biomedical Research Center·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 19, 2026

TikTok’s mental health ‘minefield’

A systematic review of social media platforms reveals that TikTok contains a substantial proportion of misleading information about mental health and neurodivergence, with higher rates of misinformation than other platforms. The study emphasizes the importance of credible sources and evidence-based content to combat spreading false ide...

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalJournal of Social Media Research·TypeSystematic review·DateMar 19, 2026

Terasaki Institute and UCLA Technology Development Group partner to program advanced organ and tissue repair session at LABEST Innovation Conference

The Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation and UCLA Technology Development Group will co-curate an Advanced Organ and Tissue Repair (AToR) session at LABEST, featuring leading experts in regenerative medicine. The session aims to accelerate the translation of breakthrough technologies into real-world clinical solutions.

European regions with the highest poverty levels are the most vulnerable to the health effects of air pollution

A new study reveals that socioeconomic factors and renewable energy adoption significantly influence the risk of mortality related to air pollution in Europe. Regions with lower GDP per capita and poverty rates, particularly in Southern and Eastern Europe, experienced a higher risk of mortality associated with air pollution.

SourceBarcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal)·JournalNature Medicine·TypeMeta-analysis·DateMar 19, 2026

Blood pressure-lowering drug with a light switch

Researchers have discovered how a light-switchable beta blocker interacts with its biological receptor, allowing for targeted treatment of high blood pressure. The new compound's shape changes in response to light, reducing its potency and minimizing side effects.

SourcePaul Scherrer Institute·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 19, 2026

National health insurers vs. anesthesiology practices: ASA weighs in on No Surprises Act dispute

The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) has filed an amicus curiae brief to support NorthStar Anesthesia in a lawsuit with UnitedHealthcare. ASA warns that insurers bypassing Congress' framework undermines the No Surprises Act and threatens patient access to care. The organization advocates for administrative remedies over frau...

High meat consumption linked to lower dementia risk in genetic risk group

A new study from Karolinska Institutet found that older people with a genetic risk of Alzheimer's disease who consume relatively large amounts of meat have a lower risk of cognitive decline and dementia. The study also shows that the type of meat is important, with a lower proportion of processed meat associated with a lower risk of de...

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeObservational study·DateMar 19, 2026

Researchers design a pioneering drug capable of reversing cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s disease in animal models

Researchers have designed a pioneering drug that reverses cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease by reprogramming the neuronal epigenome. The new experimental compound, FLAV-27, works through an epigenetic mechanism that acts not only on symptoms but directly on molecular mechanisms contributing to disease progression.

SourceUniversity of Barcelona·JournalMolecular Therapy·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 19, 2026

Optimus protein

Researchers at Kyoto University identified DHX29 as a central regulator of codon-dependent gene expression. They found that DHX29 preferentially interacts with ribosomes decoding non-optimal codons and recruits a protein complex to selectively repress mRNAs enriched in these codons.

SourceKyoto University·JournalScience·TypeImaging analysis·DateMar 19, 2026