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Science News Archive March 2026 - Page 24


Page 24 of 52

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

Novel study shows physical activity reshapes neural connectivity and makes the brain more resilient after childhood trauma

Research in Biological Psychiatry: Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging reveals that lifetime physical activity can reshape neural connectivity, strengthening the brain's internal communication and optimizing its response to stress. The study challenges traditional deficit-focused views of adversity, offering a more dynamic and hope...

SourceElsevier·TypeImaging analysis·DateMar 17, 2026

MSU study demonstrates faster discovery of therapeutic drugs through AI

A team of researchers at MSU used machine learning to predict how chemicals will influence gene expression, leading to the discovery of promising compounds for the treatment of liver cancer and a chronic lung disease. The study results from years of interdisciplinary work across multiple disciplines and institutes.

SourceMichigan State University College of Human Medicine·JournalCell·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 17, 2026