Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News Archive September 2026


Page 1 of 54

Fit for life: childhood fitness linked to lower risk of adult depression

A new study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders found that children and teenagers with better cardiorespiratory fitness had a lower risk of developing depression as adults. The research, which spanned over 30 years, examined the fitness of Australian children aged 7-15 and found that cardiorespiratory fitness was the strong...

SourceAdelaide University·JournalJournal of Affective Disorders·TypeCase study·DateSep 30, 2026

Clinical trial provides preliminary evidence of blood-pressure effect from feijoa

A clinical trial found that feijoa powder improved systolic blood pressure in people with prediabetes, which was an unexpected finding in a study designed to test its effects on weight loss and blood sugar control. Larger trials are needed to confirm these results and fully understand the potential benefits of feijoa powder.

SourceUniversity of Auckland·JournalDiabetes Obesity and Metabolism·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateSep 30, 2026

Robots approaching from behind are perceived as moving faster

A study found that humans perceive robots approaching from behind as moving faster, regardless of physical speed. This bias affects robot motion design, with bias-corrected models initiating avoidance earlier and maintaining greater distances from pedestrians. The study's findings have implications for safer and more comfortable human-...

SourceToyohashi University of Technology (TUT)·JournalIEEE Robotics and Automation Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 30, 2026

Navigating tough conversations with people who have dementia to stop driving

Flinders University researchers have identified a need for structured communication by health professionals when addressing driving cessation with people with dementia. The study suggests four phases of support: prepare the person, navigate fitness-to-drive decisions, deliver a recommendation, and adjust to life without driving.

SourceFlinders University·JournalAustralasian Journal on Ageing·TypeObservational study·DateSep 30, 2026

Devastating year for Switzerland’s glaciers

Switzerland's glaciers experienced their greatest melt on record in 2026, with average glacier thickness decreasing by 2.5-4m, and several smaller glaciers disappearing completely. The findings, presented in the Swiss Academy of Sciences annual report, highlight the rapid change in Switzerland's glacier landscape.

SourceETH Zurich·TypeObservational study·DateSep 30, 2026

Robotic surgery offers no clear benefit over conventional joint replacement surgery

Studies comparing robotic and conventional joint replacement surgeries found no differences in implant survival, revision risk, or surgical complications. However, robotic surgery was associated with a lower risk of hip revisions. Further research is needed to compare patient functional outcomes and evaluate the technology's effectiven...

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·TypeObservational study·DateSep 30, 2026

Study shows low energy diet combined with structured exercise reverses early onset type 2 diabetes in half of participants

Researchers found that a low-energy diet combined with structured exercise can reverse early onset type 2 diabetes in approximately half of participants. The study, which included 96 participants aged 18-45, showed significant improvements in blood sugar control, fitness, and muscle mass.

SourceEuropean Association for the Study of Diabetes·JournalThe Lancet Regional Health - Americas·DateSep 30, 2026

New daily orforglipron pill demonstrated cardiovascular safety in its largest and longest study of type 2 diabetes (ACHIEVE-4 study)

The ACHIEVE-4 study shows orforglipron pills offer superior weight loss and blood sugar control compared to insulin glargine, but with a higher gastrointestinal adverse event rate. Non-inferiority for cardiovascular safety and superiority for weight reduction were demonstrated.

Respiratory patients and clinicians name the 20 technologies they want most – and could transform NHS lung care

A University of Oxford-led study identified 20 priority areas for new respiratory health technology to improve care for people with chronic lung disease. The study found that existing solutions often lack equity, accessibility and usability, and that patients' needs should be built into technology development from the start.

SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalThorax·DateSep 30, 2026

GLP-1 receptor agonist drugs have real benefits for children, adolescents and young adults with type 2 diabetes, real-world study concludes

Real-world study data from Germany, Austria and Luxembourg show that GLP-1 receptor agonist drugs improve weight (37% reduction ≥ 5%), blood sugar control (glycaemic improvement) and systolic blood pressure in children and adolescents with type 2 diabetes. These benefits remained significant after adjustment for other factors.

Mauritius is the first country to show it is reversing the type 2 diabetes epidemic using gold standard testing across four decades

Mauritius has systematically monitored type 2 diabetes using the 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test, showing a 61% increase in prevalence between 1987 and 2009, but a 11% decrease between 2009 and 2021. The country's multisectoral approaches to prevention and management may hold the key to reversing the epidemic, according to the study.

SourceEuropean Association for the Study of Diabetes·JournalThe Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology·DateSep 30, 2026

Cell by cell: New machine-learning-based method reveals what can make bacteria dangerous

A new method, MALVINA, connects bacterial entry into cells, host-cell responses, DNA damage, and genetic background at the single-cell level. This allows researchers to measure the efficiency of bacterial entry, accumulation, and DNA damage, separating distinct virulence profiles among different bacterial strains.

SourceHUN-REN Szegedi Biológiai Kutatóközpont·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 30, 2026

Placenta problems associated with ADHD

A University of Iowa study suggests the placenta-brain axis plays a role in neurodevelopment, with low placental growth factor (PlGF) levels linked to higher odds of ADHD diagnosis in children. The study found that low PlGF levels in the third trimester were associated with a higher risk of ADHD diagnosis in children.

SourceUniversity of Iowa Health Care·JournalJAMA Psychiatry·TypeObservational study·DateSep 30, 2026

Tuning nitrogen and boron turns waste sawdust biochar into an efficient catalyst for antibiotic removal

Researchers have developed a biochar catalyst that can actively break down antibiotics, achieving high removal efficiency in wastewater treatment. By controlling the nitrogen-to-boron ratio, the material's surface structure and active sites can be optimized for efficient degradation.

SourceBiochar Editorial Office, Shenyang Agricultural University·JournalBiochar·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 30, 2026

Study shows how music may help tackle addiction

A study published in Addiction Neuroscience found that music therapy reduces cravings and alters brain activity in people with substance use disorders. The therapy was shown to improve emotional regulation and reduce negative emotions, providing encouraging evidence for its role in addiction treatment.

SourceAnglia Ruskin University·JournalAddiction Neuroscience·DateSep 30, 2026

Insurance barriers limit access to blood cancer drugs

A nationwide study found that many oral blood cancer drug prescriptions were initially rejected due to insurance hurdles and high out-of-pocket costs, with fill rates dropping significantly when patients faced higher costs. The study suggests that changes to prior authorization, drug coverage rules, and cost-sharing are needed to ensur...

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·DateSep 30, 2026

Stanford Medicine-led research shows promise for a lymphedema drug

A recent clinical trial led by Stanford Medicine shows that a new oral medication, acebilustat, effectively alleviated many symptoms of lymphedema, a condition characterized by excess lymph fluid accumulation. The study involved 23 participants with lymphedema, who took acebilustat for a year and experienced significant symptom relief.

SourceStanford Medicine·JournalScientific Reports·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateSep 30, 2026

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) prevalence peaks at age 55, with patients experiencing frequent cardiovascular comorbidities, including hypertension and diabetes, per study of 556,474 US patients with OSA

A study of 556,474 US patients with OSA found the prevalence peaks at age 55, with frequent cardiovascular comorbidities like hypertension and diabetes. The study also identified age- and sex-stratified prevalence of OSA and stroke risk comorbidities.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS One·DateSep 30, 2026

Among people with a history of sexual abuse, being impulsive is associated with more frequent use of drugs, alcohol and tobacco, per international survey study of 64,472 participants

A large international survey study of 64,472 participants found that impulsivity is strongly associated with increased substance use frequency among individuals with a history of sexual abuse. The study suggests that impulsivity may play a moderating role in the relationship between sexual abuse and substance use, varying by country, g...

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS One·DateSep 30, 2026

Older adults participating in a high-intensity walking program were more likely to improve their frailty status than those walking at a casual pace, although benefits were observed in both groups

Researchers found that high-intensity walking programs led to greater improvements in frailty status compared to casual pace walking in older adults. The study, published in PLOS, suggests that high-intensity walking may be an effective way to reverse frailty in older adults.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS One·DateSep 30, 2026

NASA satellite can monitor most of world’s irrigation canals, study finds

Researchers analyzed data from the Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) satellite, which was designed to track large bodies of water. They found that the satellite could measure water levels with moderate to high confidence at over 85% of canal locations in Asia. This discovery could give farmers around the world a powerful new to...

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateSep 30, 2026