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Science News Archive March 2026 - Page 10


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.

SourceStanford University·JournalScience·DateMar 26, 2026

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.

SourceStockholm University·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 26, 2026

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...

SourceMIT Sloan School of Management·Journalnpj Climate Action·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 26, 2026

Computational chemistry and supercomputers to help understand the mechanisms of life

A new study from IIT, Uppsala University, and AstraZeneca uses computational chemistry and supercomputers to better understand splicing, a key process in gene expression. The results provide precise insights into splicing dynamics and help explain previously difficult-to-interpret data.

SourceIstituto Italiano di Tecnologia - IIT·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 26, 2026

UT Health San Antonio announces $6.5 million gift to strengthen pediatric health workforce through new Harvey E. Najim Pediatric Health Scholars Program

The program aims to support future pediatric-focused professionals in dentistry, medicine and nursing through competitive scholarships and training. With the gift, UT Health San Antonio will expand access to high-quality care for children and families in Bexar County.

Second-hand smoke exposure down 96% since Scotland’s smoking ban, study shows

Since Scotland's landmark smoke-free legislation in 2006, second-hand smoke exposure has decreased significantly, with a 95.7% reduction in salivary cotinine levels among non-smokers between 1998 and 2024. Despite this progress, many workers still face risk of exposure, particularly in outdoor hospitality settings.

SourceUniversity of Stirling·JournalTobacco Induced Diseases·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 26, 2026

Home testing kits could bridge the cervical screening gap for Disabled women, new study finds

A new UK study suggests that home testing kits could be a game-changer for reducing health inequalities among physically Disabled women. Over 50% of the surveyed women prefer self-testing over traditional clinic visits due to barriers such as discomfort and embarrassment. The proposed scheme will offer DIY test kits to under-screened o...

SourceUniversity of Sheffield·JournalJournal of Medical Screening·TypeSurvey·DateMar 26, 2026

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.

New model for the complex earthquake patterns of the Phlegraean Fields near Naples

A recent study combines two modelling approaches to capture the seismicity associated with land uplift and earthquake swarms in the Phlegraean Fields. The model explains long-term trends in earthquake activity by combining changes in stress within the Earth's crust with friction behaviour of geological faults.

SourceGFZ Helmholtz-Zentrum für Geoforschung·JournalNature Communications·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 26, 2026

Targeting histone modifications in colorectal cancer: therapeutic potential of epigenetic modifiers on acetylation, methylation and phosphorylation

Epigenetic modifiers targeting histone acetylation, methylation, and phosphorylation show significant preclinical promise in CRC. Combination strategies and novel degraders offer pathways to overcome resistance, including PROTACs targeting KDM3A/B that eliminate cancer stem cells via Wnt/β-catenin inhibition.

SourceXia & He Publishing Inc.·JournalGene Expression·DateMar 26, 2026

Insights from past cold and warm periods: Larger interannual temperature variability over China

Research reveals increased interannual temperature variability over China, with greater summer variability during the Last Interglacial and stronger winter variability during the Last Glacial Maximum. This study provides a critical long-term perspective for understanding future changes in extreme temperature events.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAtmospheric and Oceanic Science Letters·DateMar 26, 2026

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.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 26, 2026

AI agent accelerates catalyst discovery for sustainable fuel development

Researchers used AI to identify key characteristics of catalysts and guide their designs, discovering a universal design principle for copper-based single-atom alloy catalysts. The approach uses machine learning to predict catalyst performance and inspire generalizable design principles.

SourceAdvanced Institute for Materials Research (AIMR), Tohoku University·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateMar 26, 2026

New lithium-ion battery design could power longer-lasting electric vehicles and portable devices

Researchers developed a novel lithium-ion battery anode that stores more than 3500 milliampere-hours per gram, outperforming current graphite-based batteries. The new design, VISiCNT, features a vertically integrated silicon-carbon nanotube structure that maintains performance and stability over hundreds of charge cycles.

SourceUniversity of Surrey·JournalACS Applied Energy Materials·DateMar 26, 2026

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.