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Science News Archive March 2026 - Page 23


Page 23 of 52

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...