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Science News Archive October 2026 - Page 19


Page 19 of 50

Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and NTT Research announce THUMPIN’ initiative to develop living, bioengineered heart tissues for children

A consortium of researchers and clinicians aims to develop living cardiac tissues and components for infants and young children with congenital heart disease. The THUMPIN' initiative, supported by a $29.6 million contract, will create living heart tissue that can grow and adapt throughout childhood.

How life on Earth experiences climate change

A new review shows how climate change alters microclimates, which can differ substantially from regional climate averages. Vegetation and atmospheric changes, such as cloud cover, influence local climate conditions, affecting biodiversity responses to climate change.

SourceStockholm University·JournalGlobal Change Biology·TypeLiterature review·DateOct 21, 2026

More current with less calcium: Computational models help solve longstanding ion channel evolution mystery

A new study from Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology uses computational models to shed light on the evolutionary origins of potassium conduits, identifying spike timing as a probable evolutionary pressure. The research suggests that higher unitary conductance channels, found in mammals and birds, were essential for achieving pr...

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalCommunications Biology·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 21, 2026

Transparent minispheres reveal that some look-alike cancer drugs part ways in 3D

Researchers used Cell Painting to study 52 cancer drugs in 3D minispheres, revealing differences in how they affect cells. The study found that two drugs, 5-fluorouracil and olaparib, behaved differently when looking at individual cells, with 5-fluorouracil causing less DNA damage but stopping cells from dividing more effectively.

SourceUppsala University·JournalNature Communications·TypeImaging analysis·DateOct 21, 2026

Tracking maternal depression and bonding may improve early support after childbirth

Researchers found that higher postpartum depression scores were associated with greater mother–infant bonding difficulties, which can affect maternal well-being and child development. Repeated assessments identified varied symptom patterns, including mothers whose bonding difficulties increased during the first three months.

SourceUniversity of Fukui·JournalFrontiers in Psychiatry·TypeObservational study·DateOct 21, 2026

When mothers ask for help, we must answer

A recent study by Flinders University found that women with postpartum psychosis often contact healthcare services seven times before receiving a diagnosis. The research highlights the need for greater awareness of the condition and timely assessment to improve outcomes for mothers and their families.

SourceFlinders University·JournalJournal of Advanced Nursing·TypeSurvey·DateOct 21, 2026

Do hurricanes affect hospitalizations and deaths among older adults using electricity-dependent medical devices?

Researchers found sustained increases in hospitalizations and deaths among Medicare beneficiaries aged ≥65 years in North Carolina after Hurricane Matthew. The study also showed a stronger association between hurricane exposure and hospitalizations and deaths, with Black individuals experiencing worse outcomes.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateOct 21, 2026

Can drinking tea help protect against cardiovascular disease?

A study found that regular tea consumption was linked with an 11% lower risk of cardiovascular disease, with the lowest risk estimated at approximately 6–8 cups per day among weekly drinkers. Black tea showed more consistent inverse associations with vascular disease than green tea.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Internal Medicine·DateOct 21, 2026

Do women with postpartum psychosis receive adequate medical care?

A study of 15 Australian women with postpartum psychosis found that they experienced delayed recognition, inadequate assessment, and dismissal of their concerns. The findings emphasize the need for professionals to listen to women's accounts and respond appropriately to improve outcomes.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Advanced Nursing·DateOct 21, 2026

Invisible eland identified from 60,000-year-old ochre-rich sediment

Researchers used palaeoproteomics to analyze ancient proteins in sediments from a 60,000-year-old archeological site in South Africa, revealing the presence of collagen from the common eland. The findings provide new insights into the complex technical and symbolic behaviors of early Homo sapiens.

SourceKyushu University·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society of London B Biological Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 21, 2026

Your car’s weakest spot may not be in the car

Researchers found that IT vulnerabilities in automotive software have shifted to apps and cloud services, posing risks to driver data and car control. Experts advise car manufacturers to secure systems and encourage owners to update software and use strong passwords

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalSoftware Quality Journal·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 21, 2026

Ancient fish bones reveal how Arctic cod species survived the last ice age

Scientists have discovered ancient fish bones in deep-sea sediments, providing evidence of past vertebrate life in the central Arctic Ocean. The findings reveal that two Arctic-endemic fish species, ice cod and polar cod, survived the last ice age, with ice cod thriving in polynyas and polar cod disappearing from the North Pole area.

SourceStockholm University·JournalNature Communications·TypeObservational study·DateOct 20, 2026

How much water do we really taken from nature? New footprint separates consumption from appropriation

A revised water footprint estimates water consumption in agriculture and forestry, distinguishing between blue water and green water usage. The study found that human water appropriation in south-central Chile was 2.7 times lower than conventional estimates, with forestry plantations being a major source of rainwater appropriation.

SourceKeAi Communications Co., Ltd.·JournalInternational Soil and Water Conservation Research·DateOct 20, 2026

China’s 70-year soil conservation journey shows why environmental recovery takes time

China's 70-year soil conservation journey shows that environmental recovery takes time, requiring sustained work of 10 to 20 years. The country's experience highlights the importance of integrating engineering, ecological restoration, law, and local livelihoods to address different forms of erosion.

SourceKeAi Communications Co., Ltd.·JournalInternational Soil and Water Conservation Research·DateOct 20, 2026

Pressure turns a nickelate metallic without erasing its magnetism

Researchers from Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, have discovered that high pressure can transform single-layer nickelate La2NiO4 into a metal without destroying its magnetic order. Strontium doping also alters the material's magnetic moments, leading to ferromagnetism at high doping levels.

Like humans, some primates become cautious of germs in the wake of a viral outbreak

A study by UC San Diego researchers found that macaques exposed to a deadly disease outbreak became more wary of contaminated food, suggesting that pathogen-avoidance behavior can be shaped by experience. The findings provide new insight into the behavioral immune system and its evolutionary roots.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalRoyal Society Open Science·TypeObservational study·DateOct 20, 2026

Alzheimer-related changes in the brain may affect prognosis in ALS

Researchers investigated the association between Alzheimer-related changes and disease progression in ALS, finding that coexisting changes may affect prognosis. The study suggests that biomarkers like amyloid beta and NfL could improve diagnosis and prognosis, and may contribute to better patient stratification and more efficient clini...

SourceLund University·JournalEBioMedicine·TypeObservational study·DateOct 20, 2026

Diverse and sustained social activities may boost cognition in older age

A large international study found that diverse and sustained social activities may boost cognitive performance and slow the decline in brain health associated with ageing. Engaging in at least 3 social activities, including volunteering and sports club membership, was particularly effective in keeping minds sharp.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalJournal of Epidemiology and Community Health·TypeObservational study·DateOct 20, 2026

Substantially more people likely vaping, and more frequently, in US since 2013-14

US vaping rates have increased substantially between 2013-14 and 2023, with daily vaping rising by 230% and vaping among under 21s quadrupling. The increase in vaping frequency among adults has contributed to the overall rise in vaping rates, with vaping days among those under the minimum legal age of 21 more than quadrupling over the ...

SourceBMJ Group·JournalTobacco Control·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 20, 2026

Thermal noise used to send data without an active signal

Researchers at Stanford University have successfully transmitted data using thermal noise, a ubiquitous background static, without an active signal. The system works by manipulating tiny oscillations in voltage to create distinctive noise patterns that can be distinguished as zeros and ones, enabling efficient low-power data transmission.

SourceStanford University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 20, 2026

INFORMS names 12 operations research and analytics leaders as 2026 Fellows

The Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences has named 12 distinguished leaders as the 2026 class of INFORMS Fellows. These individuals have made pioneering contributions across academia and industry, advancing artificial intelligence, optimization, and decision science. They have tackled consequential problems in ...

UT MD Anderson names 2026 winners of The Brown Foundation Award for Excellence in Oncology Nursing

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center has awarded Lakeisha Keller-Davis, RN, MSN, CMSRN, and Ellen C. Mullen, Ph.D., APRN-BC, with the 2026 Brown Foundation Award for Excellence in Oncology Nursing. The awards recognize exceptional patient care, clinical practice, leadership, and commitment to improving patient outcomes.

Nutritional supplement may help ease ‘brain fog’ after breast cancer treatment

A new study found that oxaloacetate, a molecule that helps cells produce energy, may improve cognitive function and reduce fatigue in breast cancer survivors with 'chemo brain' or brain fog. The study showed significant improvements in memory, concentration, and physical functioning after 8 weeks of treatment.