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Science News Archive October 2026 - Page 38


Page 38 of 50

Study documents beef industry group’s early efforts to counter climate concerns

A 1989 study by the National Cattlemen's Association aimed to counter early climate concerns by protecting consumer demand through public relations. The association questioned global warming, downplayed beef production's contribution, and challenged campaigns encouraging consumers to eat less beef.

Pharmaceutical company marketing negatively influences prescribing

A new Cochrane review finds that pharmaceutical company marketing, including payments, gifts, and free meals, leads to less appropriate prescribing habits and higher medicine costs. The review analyzed millions of prescribers and found a clear dose-response relationship between paid-for meals and inappropriate prescriptions.

SourceCochrane·JournalCochrane Database of Systematic Reviews·TypeSystematic review·DateOct 8, 2026

Discovery marks the first detection of variable water clouds outside of our solar system

Researchers have confirmed that water clouds on a Jupiter-sized world outside our solar system are changing thickness over time, similar to weather on Earth. The James Webb Space Telescope captured the most detailed time-series portrait of the object's atmosphere, revealing complex processes that govern its behavior.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 8, 2026

Genetic analysis reveals that some specialty coffee seeds do not match their commercial identity

Researchers found discrepancies in two out of four morphotypes of plants grown from Sidra and Gesha seeds, highlighting the importance of genetic and morphological verification in specialty coffee. The study underscores the need for accessible identification tools and certification systems for producers.

SourceUniversidad Tecnica Particular de Loja·JournalFrontiers in Plant Science·TypeCase study·DateOct 8, 2026

A train, a solar storm and an 185-year-old mystery

A Baylor researcher helps uncover the likely truth behind a 185-year-old mystery involving a train, a solar storm, and disrupted telegraph equipment. The study, published in Space Weather, reveals that the delay was not the first recorded technological disruption caused by space weather, but rather an early warning from the sun.

SourceBaylor University·JournalSpace Weather·TypeLiterature review·DateOct 8, 2026

Alternative signaling pathway improves transplantation of blood stem cells

Researchers discovered a protein called activated protein C (aPC) that helps blood stem cells remain in a protected state, reducing premature differentiation and improving transplantability. This approach shows promise for improving the success of stem cell transplantations and gene therapies for treating blood disorders.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalEMBO Molecular Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateOct 8, 2026

African gemsbok spreading in New Mexico: How far could they go under climate change?

A new study predicts that African gemsbok, well adapted to arid conditions, may expand across the US southwest under climate change, threatening native wildlife and resources. The spread of gemsbok could lead to diet overlap with domestic and native species, diminishing food reserves and exacerbating drought stress.

Chronic intestinal inflammation can affect heart through changes in gut microbiota and immune cells, study finds

A study by researchers at Georgia State University found that chronic intestinal inflammation can drive cardiac dysfunction through changes in gut microbiota and immune cells. The study identified a bacterial component called lipopolysaccharide as an important link between the gut and heart.

SourceGeorgia State University·JournalCirculation Research·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 8, 2026

Rare ovarian cancer diagnosed during early pregnancy highlights diagnostic challenges

A rare case of high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma diagnosed during early gestation at 10 weeks of pregnancy was reported, highlighting the challenges of identifying ovarian malignancy during early pregnancy. The patient underwent surgical management and received adjuvant chemotherapy, and remained disease-free at one-year follow-up.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalOncoscience·TypeCase study·DateOct 8, 2026

Study finds positive parenting teaches children how to experience joy—and could lead to better mental health

A study found that positive parenting in early years is associated with increased joy and satisfaction in children, and may reduce the risk of depression. The research, conducted over 15 years, tracked 465 children and their parents, and found that positive parenting behaviors were linked to larger brain responses to rewards.

SourceUniversity of Notre Dame·JournalCommunications Psychology·TypeObservational study·DateOct 8, 2026

Origami geometry could make open-ocean seaweed farming scalable for carbon sequestration

A modular, origami-inspired aquaculture system could help move seaweed farming into the open ocean, where strong currents and scarce nutrients limit scale. The Seaweed Origami-inspired Aquaculture System (Seaweed OAS) uses a shell-core structure to slow local flow, provide attachment surfaces, and store slow-release nutrients.

SourceChinese Society for Environmental Sciences·JournalEnvironmental Science and Ecotechnology·DateOct 8, 2026

AI may improve students’ grades when used to support learning and provide feedback, rather than replace critical thinking

A recent study at the University of Eastern Finland found that using AI to seek feedback and identify missing perspectives leads to significantly better student performance. In contrast, instrumental use of AI can lower grades, highlighting the importance of teaching students how to use AI effectively.

SourceUniversity of Eastern Finland·JournalComputers in Human Behavior·DateOct 8, 2026

NIST study shows how the toxic substances mixed into fentanyl vary across the U.S. and change over time

A new NIST study documents how the amount and type of adulterants in fentanyl supply change over time and differ between eastern and western US. The study provides timely and detailed information on harmful substances, including anesthetics and industrial chemicals, to help combat the fentanyl epidemic.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalDrug Testing and Analysis·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 8, 2026

New NYU Abu Dhabi algorithm could predict Arctic sea ice up to nine months ahead, offering new climate insights

A new algorithm developed at NYU Abu Dhabi can predict Arctic sea ice extent up to nine months in advance, providing new climate insights. The Random Analogue Predictor (RAP) uses historical sea ice data to identify past patterns and generate possible future forecasts, with an estimate of uncertainty for each forecast.

SourceNew York University·JournalScientific Reports·TypeObservational study·DateOct 8, 2026

Human milk offers a window into mammary gland function—and its links to infant growth

Researchers analyzed thousands of molecular measurements from human milk to identify shared patterns with infant growth and mammary gland function. Seven biomarkers, including short-chain acylcarnitines and selenium, were linked to maternal nutrition and infant growth, offering a new understanding of the complex relationships between m...

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 8, 2026

Why big dogs age faster

A new study from Arizona State University found that large dogs age faster due to the loss of regulatory marks in their DNA, specifically in 'jumping genes' called LINE1s. This loss is more pronounced in larger breeds and is associated with increased disease risks, challenging the long-held assumption that larger dogs live longer.

SourceArizona State University·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 8, 2026

Researchers identify high-IgA MASLD subtype linked to liver-related events

A study published in the Journal of Hepatology reveals a high-IgA subtype of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) linked to liver-related events. The IgA-enriched subgroup showed coordinated immune activity in the gut and liver, highlighting a new way to understand disease progression and risk.

SourceShinshu University·JournalJournal of Hepatology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 8, 2026

Factor graph optimization with heterogeneous graph learning improves GNSS/LEO precise point positioning

A new study introduces a factor graph optimization framework for integrated GNSS/LEO precise point positioning, combining heterogeneous graph-based stochastic modeling with adaptive covariance rescaling. The method achieved improved three-dimensional positioning accuracy, availability, and short-term continuity in complex environments.

Hospital closures on the rise in both rural and urban areas—particularly among safety-net hospitals

A new study led by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that hospital closures in the US have increased over the past 15 years, with no significant difference between rural and urban rates. For-profit, small, and safety-net hospitals, as well as those in the most vulnerable communities, were most likely to close. The study s...

SourceHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health·JournalJAMA·TypeObservational study·DateOct 8, 2026

Elderly could live independently for longer thanks to new home sensor system which detects emergencies

A new home sensor system uses radar, heat sensors, and smart plugs to track daily routines and detect potential health events, enabling elderly individuals to remain independent for longer. The system combines data from these technologies to identify unusual patterns, allowing for early intervention and care.

SourceNottingham Trent University·JournalSensors·TypeImaging analysis·DateOct 8, 2026

Study finds automated breast ultrasound is an effective alternative to handheld ultrasound for breast cancer screening

A new study published in the Journal of the American College of Radiology found that automated breast ultrasound (ABUS) had similar cancer detection rates to handheld ultrasound (HHUS) in women with dense breasts, while ABUS had a lower false-positive rate. ABUS is a viable alternative to HHUS for supplemental ultrasound screening.

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of the American College of Radiology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 8, 2026