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Science News Archive October 2026 - Page 8


Page 8 of 50

Night shifts during pregnancy linked to heightened risk of young child’s neurodevelopmental abnormalities

Research published in Occupational & Environmental Medicine found that night shifts during pregnancy are linked to neurodevelopmental abnormalities in young children. Prenatal sleep length may modify this association, with longer sleep duration associated with an 80% heightened risk of abnormalities.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalOccupational and Environmental Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateOct 27, 2026

Extreme risk protection orders are designed to prevent gun violence. But how do they impact the people subject to them?

A new study examines the consequences of extreme risk protection orders (ERPOs) on people subject to them, revealing a wide range of outcomes including violence prevention. Researchers found that respondents' experiences vary, highlighting the need for a broader understanding of ERPO outcomes.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis Health·JournalPLOS One·TypeSurvey·DateOct 27, 2026

Engineers cut carbon capture energy use in half

Researchers at the University of Delaware have developed a direct air capture technology that uses a battery-inspired system to pull carbon dioxide from the air at room temperature, reducing energy costs. The technology, which consumes about 50% less energy than conventional systems, has the potential to significantly lower the cost of...

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalNature Energy·DateOct 27, 2026

Does the future of food production start in the lab?

Researchers at the University of Illinois are on the forefront of precision fermentation technology, developing tailored food ingredients such as alternative proteins, vitamins, and nutrients. The technology has the potential to create affordable, sustainable products supplementing traditional agriculture, addressing global food insecu...

SourceCollege of ACES at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign·JournalCurrent Opinion in Biotechnology·DateOct 27, 2026

Why male mosquitoes are attracted to the sound of female wingbeats

Researchers discovered that the 'fruitless' gene in mosquitoes is responsible for males' ability to locate and mate with females by listening for their wingbeat sound. The study found that mutating this gene in males makes them incapable of locating female mosquitoes, leading to female-like behavior and impaired sound detection.

SourceInstitute of Transformative Bio-Molecules (ITbM), Nagoya University·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 27, 2026

Rising rates of colorectal cancer found in nearly all age groups

A new study published in NEJM Evidence found that colorectal cancer rates are rising across younger and older age groups, with younger adults now at the highest risk. The study found that the age-adjusted incidence rate fell in the early 2000s but rose to 38.3 in 2023, with the sharpest increase among 45-49-year-olds. The researchers w...

SourceUniversity of Chicago Medical Center·JournalNEJM Evidence·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 27, 2026

USF study finds we rewrite memories of fallen artists, but preserve memories of their art

Researchers at the University of South Florida found that people revise their past views of creators after learning about their misconduct while preserving memories of their art. The study, published in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, revealed that the brain separates the creator from their work, allowing people to maint...

SourceUniversity of South Florida·JournalJournal of Experimental Social Psychology·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 27, 2026

Origami-based construction method yields complex structures that are cheaper and easier to assemble

MIT researchers have developed a new origami-based construction method that can be used to build complex structures at a lower cost and with less material. The method uses modular components that can be fabricated from flat sheets of material and then folded into shape. This approach could be particularly well-suited for disaster relie...

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalInternational Journal of Solids and Structures·DateOct 27, 2026

Planned power shutoffs aimed at preventing wildfires may increase risk of acute respiratory illness

Researchers found planned power shutoffs associated with increased healthcare utilization for respiratory conditions in California. When combined with wildfires, smoke exacerbated emergency department and hospital admissions for acute respiratory illnesses. Utilities must weigh health costs against wildfire-prevention benefits.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateOct 27, 2026

Sea slugs can learn too: Study reveals how RNAs support behavioral habituation and synaptic plasticity in these marine mollusks

Researchers studied sea slugs and found that changes in transfer RNAs accompany synaptic remodeling and behavioral habituation, a form of learning. The study reveals that neuronal tRNA modifications are reprogrammed during learning, raising questions about molecular mechanisms underlying behavioral habituation.

How our blood vessels age from within

Scientists studied endothelial cells to understand how blood vessels age from within, finding age-related changes in genes involved in blood flow and inflammation. The Human Aging Endothelial Cell Atlas provides a resource for exploring these changes, highlighting the need for targeted efforts to maintain vascular health.

UT San Antonio Health Science Center study finds state’s highest endometrial cancer rates in San Antonio region

The study found the highest hysterectomy-corrected incidence of endometrial cancer in the Upper-South region, including San Antonio and Bexar County, with a rise of 53.8 per 100,000 women between 2010-2019. Hispanic women under 50 had the highest incidence of endometrial cancer, with rates 17.2 per 100,000 in the Upper-South region.

ASTRO updates guideline on shorter-course radiation therapy for localized prostate cancer

The updated guideline recommends moderate hypofractionation over conventional fractionation for patients across all prostate cancer risk groups who choose EBRT, supported by high-quality randomized data showing comparable outcomes, side effects and quality of life. Ultrahypofractionation is also strongly recommended as a standard optio...

SourceAmerican Society for Radiation Oncology·JournalPractical Radiation Oncology·DateOct 27, 2026

Study finds plant climate sensitivity varies by region

A study analyzing plant climate sensitivity in the US finds regional variations, with species more vulnerable in some regions than others. The research used climate niche breadth and geographic occurrence records to calculate intrinsic climate sensitivity, highlighting the importance of regional data for conservation.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalEcography·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 27, 2026

NIFA awards $2.5 million Research Facilities Act grant to UADA for greenhouse modernization

The University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture has been awarded a $2.5 million grant from the USDA to modernize its aging greenhouses, creating a $5 million investment in agricultural research and extension infrastructure. The new facility will feature advanced environmental control technologies, classroom space, and preparation ar...

Satellite and drone data could give cotton growers an early yield forecast

A new sensing framework using drone and satellite imagery can predict cotton height, biomass, and lint yield with high accuracy. The approach combines growth-curve metrics with machine learning to deliver field-wide and within-field estimates, supporting more precise decisions on nitrogen, irrigation, and growth regulators. By leveragi...

Researchers tie exposure to wildfire smoke during pregnancy to higher risk of autism

Exposure to wildfire smoke fine particles during pregnancy is associated with a higher risk of autism diagnosis, with the strongest associations during the second and third trimesters. The study found a 30% higher risk of autism diagnosis for each 0.75-microgram-per-cubic-meter increase in wildfire-related fine particles during pregnancy.

SourceRutgers University·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 27, 2026

National study finds decline in drug use-associated heart infections but growing share involve stimulants

Hospitalizations for drug use-associated heart infections have declined by 18% from 2020 to 2022, primarily due to a decrease in opioid cases. Stimulants, such as methamphetamine and cocaine, are increasingly involved in these infections, particularly in the Western US, highlighting the need for improved treatment options.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz·JournalClinical Infectious Diseases·DateOct 27, 2026

Endocrinologists who demonstrate greater medical knowledge more likely to prescribe a recommended treatment for patients with type 2 diabetes

A study found that endocrinologists who scored higher on the American Board of Internal Medicine's Longitudinal Knowledge Assessment were more likely to prescribe key diabetes drug classes following a treatment guidelines update. The study analyzed Medicare claims data from 2017 to 2022 and included 1,061 endocrinologists caring for 17...

SourceAmerican Board of Internal Medicine·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeObservational study·DateOct 27, 2026

Establishment and application of a novel fluorescence quantitative PCR method for detecting bovine kobuvirus

A novel fluorescence quantitative PCR method has been established for detecting bovine kobuvirus, a causative agent of calf diarrhea. The method exhibits high sensitivity and specificity, detecting as few as 5.08 × 10¹ copies/μL of plasmid DNA, and has been validated in clinical samples with a positivity rate of 32.3%.

Med-X | Wearable vagus nerve stimulation paves the way for personalized depression treatment

A comprehensive review highlights the potential of wearable vagus nerve stimulation for depression treatment. Emerging wearable devices, including earclips and flexible patches, offer non-invasive alternatives to conventional VNS, improving accessibility and comfort. The review outlines promising directions for more accessible and pers...

SourceShanghai Jiao Tong University Journal Center·JournalMed-X·TypeNews article·DateOct 27, 2026

From the classroom to future careers: how science capital shapes STEM aspirations in Abu Dhabi

A study published in ECNU Review of Education explores the relationship between science capital and science-related career aspirations among students in Abu Dhabi. The study found a significant positive relationship between science capital and students' aspirations for science-related careers, highlighting the importance of school infl...

SourceECNU Review of Education·JournalECNU Review of Education·DateOct 27, 2026

Biodiversity hotspots in south-west Germany are losing their species richness

A 50-year study reveals that areas with high species diversity in south-west Germany are losing species richness, highlighting the importance of local context in biodiversity conservation. The study emphasizes the need to consider ecological characteristics and evolutionary distinctiveness when developing conservation measures.

SourceStaatliches Museum für Naturkunde Stuttgart·JournalGlobal Change Biology·TypeObservational study·DateOct 27, 2026