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Science News for October 1, 2026


Researchers use eggshells (yes, eggshells) to make stronger, lighter metal alloys

Researchers have developed a technique to produce high-quality magnesium alloys using eggshells as a low-cost, environmentally sustainable alternative to conventional calcium materials. The process, called friction stir extrusion, converts eggshell calcium carbonate into calcium oxide and produces a high-strength alloy.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalJournal of Magnesium and Alloys·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 1, 2026

Immune ageing accelerates around 40 and 60, with key differences between men and women

Scientists at Duke-NUS Medical School analyzed 3.8 million immune cells from nearly 2,000 people to uncover how healthy immune cells change differently in men and women as they age. The study found distinct waves of immune ageing and sex-specific changes, shedding light on why some autoimmune conditions disproportionately affect women.

SourceDuke-NUS Medical School·JournalNature Communications·TypeMeta-analysis·DateOct 1, 2026

Mount Sinai awarded $2 million to launch international clinical trial on spontaneous coronary artery dissection

Mount Sinai has launched an international clinical trial to determine the optimal treatment for spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD), a sudden tear in the wall of a heart artery that can reduce blood flow and cause an uncommon type of heart attack. The trial, known as SCAD-ALIGN, will compare a moderate antiplatelet strategy o...

Simply telling teenagers ‘just don’t send nudes’ does not work and can deepen shame, researchers warn

Current responses to teenagers sharing sexual images are often fragmented, punitive, and poorly equipped to address evolving threats like sextortion and deepfakes. Researchers propose a new approach called 'safe uncertainty,' which prioritizes restoring safety, dignity, and trust in cases of image-based sexual abuse.

SourceUniversity of Surrey·JournalSexualities·TypeObservational study·DateOct 1, 2026

Catalog of mitochondria across life’s family tree unearths new roles for the cell’s powerhouse

Researchers have built a comprehensive catalog of mitochondrial proteins across six eukaryotic organisms, including five parasites and one plant, providing insights into the organelle's evolution and functions. The study suggests new therapeutic targets for neglected tropical diseases and sheds light on the origins of mitochondria in e...

Staphylococcus aureus is highly resistant and virulent in milk

Staphylococcus aureus grows differently in milk and serum, with thicker membranes and increased pigment production in milk, making it more virulent and resistant to antibiotics. This unique relationship between milk lipids and bacterial severity suggests a need to adapt treatment protocols for mastitis infections.

Sometimes it helps to take a step back

A study found that family caregivers who write immediately after a stressful event or while with the care recipient tend to focus on emotional expression, whereas those who wait or change their environment exhibit more objective reflection and problem-solving. The researchers hope their findings will encourage caregivers to recognize t...

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 1, 2026

Mount Sinai study uncovers how loss of the critical tumor suppressor p53 enables mutant cells to expand through normal tissue

A Mount Sinai study reveals that loss of p53 can reorganize Wnt signaling into a radial gradient, allowing mutant cells to expand through normal tissue. The researchers found that the spatial organization of Wnt signaling, rather than its overall activity, plays a critical role in this process.

Science or strategy? Researchers call for transparency over the Anthropocene rejection

A commentary paper by Max Planck Institute researchers argues that the IUGS decision to reject the Anthropocene proposal was based on compromised evaluation and invalid voting processes. The authors demand transparency and procedural legitimacy, citing the importance of geoscience informing societal understanding of Earth system change.

SourceMax Planck Institute of Geoanthropology·JournalEarth's Future·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateOct 1, 2026

Alzheimer’s disease and aging reshape brain communication in different ways

A new study from Lund University reveals that Alzheimer's disease changes brain communication in distinct patterns from normal aging, with early alterations detectable before cognitive symptoms emerge. The study analyzed brain imaging from over 1,000 people, showing that connectivity patterns between brain regions change in coordinated...

SourceLund University·JournalNature Neuroscience·TypeImaging analysis·DateOct 1, 2026

Study links 90+-day spaceflights to higher rates of hip fractures in astronauts

Researchers found a higher incidence of hip fractures in astronauts after long-duration spaceflights, occurring at a younger age than expected in non-astronauts. The study suggests the need for expanded assessment of long-term skeletal health in astronauts to safeguard their health ahead of planned long-duration space missions.

SourceElsevier·JournalMayo Clinic Proceedings·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 1, 2026

Following ancient rain toward the origins of life on Mars

A new map shows where atmospheric formaldehyde on early Mars is likely to have reached the surface, potentially providing clues to the origins of life on the planet. Water vapor played a crucial role in formaldehyde formation and delivery, with water-rich regions predicted to receive more formaldehyde than drier areas.

SourceTohoku University·JournalThe Planetary Science Journal·DateOct 1, 2026

"Mom says a pink flight jacket is ok"

A new study examines the Instagram activity of three women astronauts and science influencers, finding that personal experiences, identity, and platform-specific tools contribute to shaping their messages. The researchers identified six broad topics, seven message frames, and five types of communication tactics, highlighting the strate...

SourceSissa Medialab·JournalJournal of Science Communication·TypeCase study·DateOct 1, 2026

When does the molecule emerge from the column?

The new approach can make predictions even for new systems and unknown molecules, outperforming previous methods that required extensive training on the target system. The method can be used to identify unknown small molecules in natural product research, environmental analysis, food chemistry, and pharmaceutical research.

SourceFriedrich-Schiller-Universitaet Jena·JournalNature Methods·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 1, 2026

Q&A: The safety and sterilization of pharmaceuticals manufacturing

Pharmaceutical products can become contaminated with microorganisms, posing serious health risks. Sterilization processes vary in time and cost, with heat sterilization and gamma irradiation being traditional methods. Aseptic processing and sterile filtration are also used to produce sterile drug products.

SourcePenn State·JournalBiotechnology Journal·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 1, 2026

Largest-ever jaguar analysis identifies how jaguar populations are connected across the Americas

A comprehensive assessment of jaguar connectivity across the Americas has identified key habitats and movement corridors that could guide conservation efforts. The study found a vast connected landscape spanning across 11 countries, with major connectivity gaps in parts of Mexico, Central America, and the Atlantic Forest.

SourceUniversity of Southern Denmark·JournalGlobal Change Biology·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 1, 2026

Even high-altitude forests in Switzerland are now weakened by frequent droughts, making natural hazards more dangerous

Researchers found that Swiss forests are no longer shielded from the worst effects of summer droughts, despite growing at high altitudes. The study, published in Frontiers in Forests and Global Change, reveals that the number of trees per stand is reduced due to drought, causing a progressive decline of these precious forests.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Forests and Global Change·TypeObservational study·DateOct 1, 2026

Beyond explosions: A roadmap for understanding materials and structures under extreme conditions

A comprehensive roadmap brings together 175 researchers to present a broad view of how matter, materials, and engineering systems behave under extreme dynamic loading. The roadmap reviews advances and challenges in energetic materials and detonation, shock waves, and impact dynamics, with a focus on integrating experiment, theory, and ...

SourceMaximum Academic Press·JournalTheoretical and Applied Mechanics Letters·DateOct 1, 2026

How a desert alga helps us understand plants’ adaptability to extreme environmental conditions

A single-celled green alga from the Negev Desert has become a key model organism in modern photosynthesis research, offering insights into plants' adaptability to extreme environmental conditions. The alga's exceptional growth rates and resilience to stress factors make it an ideal research model for developing more resilient crops.

SourceRheinland-Pfälzische Technische Universität Kaiserslautern-Landau·JournalNew Phytologist·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 1, 2026

How a path-tracing method could help train next-generation event cameras

A new path-tracing method simulates event camera data from virtual 3D scenes efficiently, reducing computational costs for applications like autonomous driving and robotics. The method uses physically-based path tracing and adaptive temporal search to precisely determine event timings, enabling more efficient training-data generation.

SourceChiba University·JournalIEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 1, 2026

A formidable type of childhood cancer gets added to highly regarded library of treatment recommendations

The new NCCN Guidelines for Pediatric Bone Sarcoma focus on Ewing sarcoma and other undifferentiated round cell sarcomas, aiming to provide clear medical roadmaps for patients and their families. With a 5-year survival rate of 81% for early-stage diagnosis, these guidelines can help ensure teenagers receive optimal treatment and support.

A new scale for reproductive aging in Chinese women based on ultra-sensitive AMH testing

A new scale for reproductive aging in Chinese women has been developed based on ultra-sensitive AMH testing. The scale provides age-specific percentiles for AMH levels in women aged 35-55, enabling earlier identification of women at risk of low ovarian reserve and better management of perimenopausal symptoms.

SourceChinese Medical Journals Publishing House Co., Ltd.·JournalChinese Medical Journal·TypeObservational study·DateOct 1, 2026

A deadly fungus may not live to see the last of us

Researchers identified a mechanism to kill the fungal pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus, which causes severe respiratory infections with high mortality rates. The study found that a genetic modification allowed the echinocandin drug to kill the fungus, paving the way for more targeted attacks.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalMolecular Biology of the Cell·DateOct 1, 2026

Novel treatment combination improves progression-free survival in most common form of metastatic breast cancer

Researchers discovered a novel treatment combination that significantly improves progression-free survival in patients with ER-positive breast cancer. The study found that the combination of giredestrant and everolimus reduced the risk of disease progression by 44% in the ITT population and 63% in patients with ESR1 mutations.

SourceDana-Farber Cancer Institute·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateOct 1, 2026

Children with common genetic variant may have more inflammation in response to asthma drug

A study found that children with a common genetic variant may experience more inflammation in response to asthma drug mepolizumab, leading to worse asthma outcomes. This discovery paves the way for precision medicine in asthma care by identifying patients who may not respond effectively to the treatment.

SourceAnn & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago·JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology·DateOct 1, 2026

Brain connectivity reveals new insights for more personalized psychiatry in depression

A new study proposes a paradigm shift in understanding depression by examining specific symptoms and their underlying neurobiological mechanisms. The research highlights distinct brain connectivity patterns associated with key clinical dimensions of depression, including anhedonia, rumination, insomnia, and suicidal behavior.

SourceInstitut de Recerca Sant Pau (Sant Pau Research Institute)·JournalTranslational Psychiatry·TypeSystematic review·DateOct 1, 2026

SKKU research team demonstrates the powerful engagement and customer-driving effects of ‘micro ads’ in the short-form era

Researchers at SKKU demonstrate that ultra-short micro ads are significantly more effective than longer ads at driving online visits and consumer engagement. Micro ads lasting 10 seconds or less outperformed longer ads in both TV and social media environments, generating more clicks and community engagement.

Mount Sinai researchers identify a brain circuit that remembers stresses to help shape reaction to them

Mount Sinai researchers have identified a brain circuit, the anterior hypothalamic nucleus (AHN), that helps explain how prior adversity makes the brain more reactive to future stress. The study found that dialing AHN activity up or down directly altered how strongly mice responded to stress.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 1, 2026

New study provides hope for resistance to beech leaf disease

A new study has found evidence of genetic resistance to beech leaf disease (BLD) in some American beech trees, which could lead to the development of breeding populations for resistance. Researchers found that trees with good resistance to BBD also showed reduced symptoms of BLD, suggesting a genetic link between the two diseases.

SourceHolden Forests & Gardens·JournalForest Pathology·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 1, 2026