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Science News Archive March 2026 - Page 39


Page 39 of 52

‘Sea creature’ minibot hoovers up oil spills

Engineers at RMIT University developed a remote-controlled minibot to collect oil spills using a filtering system inspired by sea urchins. The 'Electronic Dolphin' can skim slicks and collect oil with high efficiency, offering a safer and more targeted way to respond to spills in sensitive environments.

SourceRMIT University·JournalSmall·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 9, 2026

Dual-coil magnetic guidewire robot: a new smooth steering solution for vascular interventional navigation

The dual-coil magnetic guidewire robot offers improved steering capabilities, switching between three modes for better curvature control and branch entry. The robot's design and control enable safer and more consistent procedures by reducing unintended vessel-wall interaction and enhancing access to small, tortuous, and branching targets.

Water spider and fish scale bioinspiration drives Janus air electrode for advanced zinc-air batteries

Researchers developed a bioinspired Janus air electrode with a fish-scale and waterspider-leg structure, enabling rapid substance transport and improving catalytic site utilization. The asymmetric architecture significantly enhances zinc-air battery performance, achieving high power density and specific capacity.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience Bulletin·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 9, 2026

Exploring the feedback limits of quantum dot lasers for isolator-free photonic integrated circuits

Researchers have directly observed coherence collapse in quantum dot Fabry–Perot lasers, establishing practical design rules for isolator-free photonic integration. The lasers maintain telecom-grade performance even near the coherence collapse boundary.

Tiny vesicles, big risk: Environmental sweeteners trigger antibiotic resistance transfer

Researchers found that artificial sweeteners stimulate soil bacteria to release vesicles carrying antibiotic resistance genes, increasing resistance risk in ecosystems. The study demonstrates that increasing chemical diversity can intensify resistance dissemination through previously overlooked pathways.

SourceChinese Society for Environmental Sciences·JournalEnvironmental Science and Ecotechnology·DateMar 9, 2026

Digital media use and child health and development

A systematic review and meta-analysis found consistent associations between digital media use and risks to child health and development, particularly social media use. The study highlights the need for multifaceted policies and interventions to mitigate potential harms from digital media exposure.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·DateMar 9, 2026

Experimental observation of topological Dirac vortex mode in terahertz photonic crystal fibers

Researchers have successfully observed and verified a topological Dirac vortex mode in terahertz photonic crystal fibers, enabling ultra-broadband signal transmission with zero polarization dispersion. This breakthrough has promising applications in terahertz sensing, subwavelength-resolution imaging, and distributed quantum networks.

New study offers strong evidence of elevated heart failure risk in adults with prediabetes, hypertension and subclinical heart injury or stress

A new study finds that adults with prediabetes and hypertension who have subclinical heart injury or stress are at increased risk of heart failure. The study highlights an at-risk population that can be identified using common cardiac biomarkers and emphasizes the importance of preventive care.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalJAMA Cardiology·DateMar 9, 2026

Researchers develop a biomimetic platform to enhance CAR T cell therapy against leukemia

Researchers developed a biomimetic platform to enhance CAR T cell therapy against leukemia by creating a molecular bridge that reinforces the interface between CAR T cells and leukemia cells. This platform, called FACE, uses ferritin to bind to CD71 on leukemia cells, improving cell recognition and elimination.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalCell·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 9, 2026

Study finds teens spend nearly one-third of the school day on smartphones, with frequent checking linked to poorer attention

A new study found that middle and high school students spend nearly one-third of the school day on their smartphones, with frequent checking linked to weaker attention and impulse control. The study also found that students who checked their phones more frequently showed poorer cognitive control, a key skill for learning and academic s...

Heart and metabolic risk factors more strongly linked to liver fibrosis in women than men, study finds

Women with cardiometabolic risk factors such as type 2 diabetes and high waist circumference face a higher risk of liver fibrosis, with rates increasing 11-fold and 2.8-fold compared to men. The study highlights the importance of managing these risk factors for liver health beyond heart disease prevention.

SourceKeck School of Medicine of USC·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 9, 2026

Maternal acetaminophen use and child neurodevelopment

A study in Taiwan found a positive association between maternal prenatal acetaminophen use and increased risk of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) in offspring. However, associations were not observed in sibling-matched analyses, suggesting unaddressed sources of bias.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·DateMar 9, 2026

Chinese Neurosurgical Journal highlights gut–brain axis in pituitary tumor–related cognitive decline

Pituitary neuroendocrine tumors (PitNETs) are associated with cognitive decline, which may be linked to hormonal dysregulation and gut microbiota alterations. Surgical intervention improves cognitive function, suggesting a potential endocrine mechanism underlying cognitive dysfunction and recovery.

SourceChinese Neurosurgical Journal·JournalChinese Neurosurgical Journal·TypeObservational study·DateMar 9, 2026

Single-cell atlas reveals why rotator cuff injuries heal with damaging scars

Researchers discovered that tendon stem cells and progenitor cells fail to differentiate into mature, functional cells, instead promoting scar buildup. Immune cells, including macrophages, also play a central role in sustaining fibrosis, creating a self-sustaining environment that is difficult to reverse.

SourceEditorial Office of West China School of Stomatology, Sichuan University·JournalBone Research·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 9, 2026

Increased risk of bullying in open-plan offices

A study by Linköping University found that traditional open-plan offices increase the risk of bullying, while activity-based offices show no increased risk. The researchers suggest providing private spaces and handling irritation before it escalates as key lessons for employers.

SourceLinköping University·JournalOccupational Health Science·TypeSurvey·DateMar 9, 2026

Brain activity reveals how well we mentally size up others

Researchers analyzed brain activity of over 570 people in game situations to understand adaptive mentalization, a process where we infer others' thoughts and adjust our behavior. The study found that brain activity in specific regions, including the temporoparietal cortex, predicts how well people adapt to changing opponent behavior.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalNature Neuroscience·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 9, 2026

Spring fatigue cannot be empirically proven

A study by researchers at the University of Basel and University of Bern found that spring fatigue is not a real biological phenomenon, but rather a culturally influenced concept. Participants in an online survey reported feeling more exhausted in spring, but the data showed no correlation with seasonal changes.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalJournal of Sleep Research·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 9, 2026

Many patients want to talk about their faith. Neurologists often don't know how.

Patients with neurological diseases face profound questions about identity, purpose, and meaning, but neurologists often lack training and tools to address these concerns. A new paper offers practical strategies for incorporating spiritual assessment into routine neurological care.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalNeurology Clinical Practice·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateMar 9, 2026

“Peculiar” ancient ancestor of the crocodile started life on four legs in adolescence before it began walking on two

A new study reveals that the ancient reptile Sonselasuchus, a relative of the crocodile, began life on four legs before learning to walk on two. The discovery was made by analyzing the proportions of the limb skeletons of different animals, suggesting that the creature's bipedal stance may have resulted from differential growth patterns.

SourceTaylor & Francis Group·JournalJournal of Vertebrate Paleontology·DateMar 9, 2026

The ultra-high-energy neutrino may have begun its journey in blazars

A new study suggests that the ultra-high-energy neutrino may have originated from a population of blazars, which could provide a plausible explanation for the rare phenomenon. The researchers used a combination of simulations and observations from various instruments to test their hypothesis.

SourceSissa Medialab·JournalJournal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 9, 2026

Doubling of new prescriptions for ADHD medications among adults since start of COVID-19 pandemic

New prescriptions for stimulants among adults with ADHD more than doubled since the COVID-19 pandemic, with the largest increases among younger adults. The trend is driven by improved recognition and treatment of ADHD in adulthood, as well as increased access to care and virtual health services.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·TypeObservational study·DateMar 9, 2026

AI disclosure labels may do more harm than good

A new study published in JCOM found that AI disclosure labels may have the opposite effect of what regulators intend, decreasing the credibility of true scientific information while increasing that of false claims. The study tested 433 participants and found a counterintuitive pattern where the same label reduces credibility in opposit...

SourceSissa Medialab·JournalJournal of Science Communication·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 9, 2026

Mechano-electrochemical synergy in cellulose@MOF scaffold-based asymmetric electrolyte for stable solid-state lithium metal batteries

Researchers developed a novel cellulose@MOF scaffold-based asymmetric electrolyte for stable solid-state lithium metal batteries, achieving enhanced safety and energy density. The design incorporates a cellulose framework decorated with MOF nanosheets, providing a strong mechanical barrier and efficient ion transport.

SourceShanghai Jiao Tong University Journal Center·JournalNano-Micro Letters·TypeNews article·DateMar 8, 2026

Effect of selenium on reproductive function and oxidative stress in male rats with cisplatin-induced testicular damage

Researchers found that selenium reduced oxidative stress and partially restored hormone levels in male rats with cisplatin-induced testicular damage. The study suggests that selenium may support the body's natural defenses and protect reproductive organs during chemotherapy.

SourceShanghai Jiao Tong University Journal Center·JournalReproductive and Developmental Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 8, 2026

Smart textiles with built-in “brain”: Shandong University team release fiber memristor-based physical reservoir computing system for ultra-low-power multi-modal sleep monitoring

The research team created a fiber memristor-based physical reservoir computing system that enables seamless, continuous, and unobtrusive sleep monitoring. The system achieved 94.8% accuracy in snore event detection, 95.4% in sleep stage classification, and 93.5% in multi-modal fusion tasks.

SourceResearch·JournalResearch·TypeNews article·DateMar 8, 2026

Empowering women boosts conservation success

A global review of 32 wildlife management projects found that empowering women leads to improved species recovery, habitat restoration, and reduced poaching. Women's unique insights and knowledge, often overlooked in conservation research, are essential for effective community-based wildlife management.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalJournal of Environmental Management·TypeLiterature review·DateMar 8, 2026

Frontier AI in computational civil engineering: a review of graph, sequence, physics-informed deep learning, and beyond (2020–2025)

The review explores the applications of frontier AI techniques in computational structural analysis, highlighting the potential of graph neural networks, sequence-to-sequence models, and physics-informed methods. However, challenges such as physical interpretability and scalability remain, and future research directions are discussed.

SourceELSP·JournalSmart Construction·TypeLiterature review·DateMar 8, 2026

CityUHK researchers unveil the mystery of “Asian Flush” mechanism, pioneering new directions in precision treatment for heart attacks

A recent study by CityUHK researchers has identified the 'Asian Flush' mechanism, a deadly cardiovascular risk caused by the ALDH2 genetic mutation, which triggers a specific type of cell death during heart attacks. The study reveals that individuals with the mutation suffer significantly more heart damage, and that existing iron chela...

Birth order difference in neurodevelopment appears within the first year of life

Researchers compared neurodevelopmental outcomes between firstborn and second-born children using the Ages & Stages Questionnaire, Third Edition. By 6 months, second-born infants scored lower than their firstborn siblings across all domains, with the greatest differences observed in communication and personal-social skills. These early...

SourceUniversity of Toyama·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 8, 2026