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Science News Archive March 2026 - Page 40


Page 40 of 52

Towards tailor-made heat expansion-free materials for precision technology

Researchers from Tokyo Metropolitan University have discovered a hydrogen-absorbing material with negative thermal expansion properties, which can be tuned by adjusting the amount of hydrogen. This finding promises custom high-precision ingredients for precision nanotechnology, addressing volume changes in materials under heating.

SourceTokyo Metropolitan University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateMar 7, 2026

Climate projections warn 20% of Colombia’s cocoa-growing areas could be lost by 2050, but adaptation options remain

Climate projections warn that nearly 20% of Colombia's cocoa-growing areas could lose suitable climate conditions by 2050, particularly in the Caribbean region. However, adaptation options such as wild cocoa, agroforestry systems, and conservation of native forests may help mitigate these impacts.

SourceThe Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture·JournalRegional Environmental Change·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 6, 2026

Evolved robots are born to run and refuse to die

Researchers at Northwestern University have developed AI-designed robots called 'legged metamachines' that can combine and recombine in the wild, recover from injury and transform into new shapes. The robots can adapt to the environment, survive catastrophic damage and even recover from being chopped in half or cut into pieces.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 6, 2026

Why does the body deem some foods safe and others unsafe?

Researchers have identified three new proteins, called epitopes, that help the body determine 'safe' foods, aiding in food tolerance and allergy understanding. The epitopes were found in seed proteins from corn, wheat, and soybean, and interact with regulatory T cells to inform tolerance-or-rejection decisions.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalScience Immunology·DateMar 6, 2026

The hidden cost of ‘bullshit’ corporate speak

A new study by Cornell University researcher Shane Littrell finds that employees who are more susceptible to corporate BS have lower scores on analytic thinking, cognitive reflection, and fluid intelligence. This can lead to less effective workplace decision-making and lower performance.

SourceCornell University·JournalPersonality and Individual Differences·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 6, 2026

How do GLP-1 agonists affect gene expression?

Salk Institute researchers identified Med14, a protein connected to GLP-1 drug effects on pancreatic beta cells, leading to improved viability, insulin production, and stress resistance. The study suggests a potential molecular link between GLP-1 drugs and broader benefits, including type 2 diabetes susceptibility genes.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 6, 2026

A clear view to better batteries

Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis developed an operando microscopy platform to study lithium plating in batteries. The platform revealed the conditions under which plating occurs, allowing for the development of performance maps to optimize fast-charging protocols and enhance battery performance.

Monolithic III-V membrane photonic crystal lasers on soi using selective lateral heteroepitaxy

Researchers have developed monolithically integrated III-V membrane photonic crystal lasers on SOI using selective lateral heteroepitaxy, achieving low-threshold single-mode lasing in the telecom band. This approach enables precise control of the active region and simplified fabrication, facilitating efficient and low-cost production.

Rare pancreatic tumor case suggests distinctive calcification patterns in solid pseudopapillary neoplasms

A new case report describes a large, calcified solid pseudopapillary neoplasm of the pancreatic head, emphasizing the importance of multidisciplinary evaluation and long-term follow-up for monitoring recurrence. The case underscores the diagnostic value of integrating imaging, histopathology, and immunohistochemistry.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalOncoscience·TypeCase study·DateMar 6, 2026

Less trippy, more therapeutic ‘magic mushrooms’

Researchers have synthesized modified versions of psilocin that retain therapeutic activity while producing fewer hallucinogenic-like effects. The compounds, including 4e, demonstrate favorable stability for absorption and enable a gradual release of psilocin, potentially mitigating hallucinogenic effects.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalJournal of Medicinal Chemistry·DateMar 6, 2026

Temporal lobe epilepsy: A new strategy to correct abnormal electrical activity

Researchers have identified two compounds that restore chloride balance in neurons, thereby allowing GABAergic signaling to regain its inhibitory function. PCPZ and CLP-257 significantly improved KCC2 efficiency, reducing seizures and other electrical markers of epileptic activity in human brain tissue and animal models.

SourceInstitut du Cerveau (Paris Brain Institute)·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 6, 2026

LOXL2 enzyme discovery offers new hope for jaw arthritis

Researchers have discovered the protective role of LOXL2 protein in preventing cartilage damage and inflammation in temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis. The enzyme helps suppress inflammatory pathways, reducing cell death and preserving cartilage viability even under inflammatory conditions.

SourceEditorial Office of West China School of Stomatology, Sichuan University·JournalInternational Journal of Oral Science·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 6, 2026

Hidden signal shifts in GPS and BeiDou revealed and stabilized

Researchers developed a unified detection framework to identify flex power operations in GPS and BeiDou, analyzing how these signal changes affect positioning accuracy and navigation reliability. The study introduces resilient estimation strategies and improved data-processing models to maintain stable navigation services.

When geometry matters: Gradient-wall microresonators enable large-scale optical trapping

Researchers develop gradient-thickness-protected microbottle resonator for large-scale optical trapping via whispering-gallery modes, enabling stable trapping over nearly 200 micrometers with ultralow optical power. The design supports high-order axial modes, generating multiple optical trapping sites along its length.

Simultaneous decoding of genetic maps inside cells. . . A game changer for understanding complex human diseases​

Researchers have developed a groundbreaking technology that simultaneously analyzes gene expression, epigenome, and 3D genome structure within a single cell. This innovation enables precise identification of disease genes and their dynamics, laying the foundation for developing treatment strategies for complex diseases.

SourceThe Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)·JournalNature Biotechnology·TypeMeta-analysis·DateMar 6, 2026

Breaking down the battery problem

UT Austin researcher Arumugam Manthiram is working to advance lithium-ion battery technology by understanding the chemistry of oxide cathodes. His research aims to develop more efficient and environmentally friendly battery materials, addressing supply chain disruptions and high costs.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalNature Energy·DateMar 6, 2026