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Science News Archive March 2026 - Page 21


Page 21 of 52

Do political insults pay off? New research shows what politicians actually gain from divisive political rhetoric

A new study finds that personal attacks in politics are strongly associated with greater media coverage, but show no correlation with fundraising or policy success. Researchers discovered an asymmetric pattern of conflict entrepreneurs, who use antagonistic rhetoric to gain media attention and become 'media celebrities'.

SourceUniversity of Notre Dame·JournalPNAS Nexus·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 20, 2026

University of Phoenix study explores how AI‑supported storytelling helps adult learners understand environmental science

A peer-reviewed study examines how character-driven narratives and human-centered AI support adult learners in understanding complex scientific ideas. The study found that 87.1% of surveyed students enjoyed engaging with narrative elements, and 82.0% agreed that the approach reinforced systems thinking.

SourceUniversity of Phoenix·JournalGlacies·TypeObservational study·DateMar 20, 2026

Cells in the mosquito’s gut drive its appetites

Researchers found that mosquitoes' rectal cells interact with their nervous system, influencing appetite and behavior. The study suggests the gut plays a key role in regulating behavior across species, with implications for understanding mosquito feeding habits and potential treatments.

SourceColumbia University·JournalCurrent Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 20, 2026

Scientists develop single-cell mass spectrometry imaging method to resolve lipid heterogeneity during drug-induced cell apoptosis

Scientists developed a high-spatial-resolution mass spectrometry imaging method to study lipid metabolism heterogeneity during drug-induced cell apoptosis at the single-cell level. The method achieved a spatial resolution of approximately 800 nm, allowing researchers to profile alterations in the cell membrane microenvironment and meta...

SourceDalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateMar 20, 2026

Data-driven subgroups for 3-year risk stratification of incident diabetes and complications in diabetes-free Chinese adults

A study identified metabolic subgroups in diabetes-free Chinese adults to predict 3-year risk of developing diabetes and related complications. The low-risk subgroup had favorable metabolic profiles, while the high-risk subgroup showed poor glycemic control and increased risks of fatty liver disease and cardiovascular events.

SourceChinese Medical Journals Publishing House Co., Ltd.·JournalChinese Medical Journal·TypeObservational study·DateMar 20, 2026

Healing skin deep

Researchers at Harvard University have discovered a way to fully regenerate skin in mice by unblocking an embryonic healing mechanism. The study suggests that removing the block on this mechanism may be sufficient to allow regeneration to occur, potentially leading to new therapies for human patients.

SourceHarvard University·JournalCell·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 20, 2026

Ultra‑light poly(N‑isopropylacrylamide) hydrogels: Light weight water materials for passive thermal management via insulation and cooling

Researchers have developed ultra-lightweight water materials that retain water's inherent thermal advantages while overcoming its density constraints. These materials enable passive thermal management without energy-intensive active cooling systems, addressing the weight burden limitation of conventional hydrogels.

SourceShanghai Jiao Tong University Journal Center·JournalNano-Micro Letters·TypeNews article·DateMar 20, 2026

How ants distinguish friend from foe

Researchers found that ants continually update their sense of nestmate identity and tolerance for outsiders through repeated exposure, revealing a flexible behavioral foundation for studying social recognition. This discovery opens the door to exploring the neural circuits behind ant social behavior.

SourceRockefeller University·JournalCurrent Biology·DateMar 20, 2026

KAIST reveals the formation mechanism of skyrmions inside magnets…a clue to solving AI power consumption​

Researchers at KAIST discovered that skyrmions can spontaneously emerge from magnetism and lattice deformation in most magnetic materials. This finding could lead to the development of next-generation spintronics technology with higher data storage densities and lower power consumption.

Identifying older adults for heat-related illness

Researchers analyzed electronic health records to determine heat exposure thresholds associated with emergency department use in vulnerable older patients. They found that heat-associated ED use among these patients spikes at around 90 F, not 95 F, and that targeted interventions can enhance their heat adaptive capacity.

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeObservational study·DateMar 20, 2026

A new questionnaire to reliably measure patients’ anxiety about their cancer

A new questionnaire has been developed to reliably measure patients' anxiety about their cancer progression, with results showing that it provides accurate scores for clinical use. The tool assesses a single dimension of cancer-related anxiety, which has a direct impact on patients' emotional and functional well-being.

SourceUniversitat Rovira i Virgili·JournalScientific Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 20, 2026

HKUST engineers develop CarGAP, a vitamin B₁₂ and light-controlled molecular valve to precisely regulate cell communication

Researchers at HKUST developed CarGAP, a chemo-optogenetic tool that uses vitamin B₁₂ and green light to control gap junctions. This innovation allows precise regulation of cell communication, with far-reaching potential for understanding disease mechanisms and advancing regenerative medicine.

SourceHong Kong University of Science and Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeObservational study·DateMar 20, 2026

Uncovering the molecular mechanisms that drive cartilage-to-bone transition

Researchers developed in vitro and in vivo models to track cartilage-to-bone transition, identifying key signaling pathways and transcription factors involved. The study found that some cartilage cells can transition into bone-like cells, challenging the traditional view of bone cell origin.

SourceEditorial Office of West China School of Stomatology, Sichuan University·JournalBone Research·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 20, 2026