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Science News for September 23, 2026


Weight loss alone does not explain lower heart disease for those on semaglutide

A new study suggests that semaglutide reduces heart disease risk beyond just weight loss, but the exact mechanism is unclear. The study analyzed data from a clinical trial of semaglutide, which found that patients taking the drug had a 20% lower risk of heart disease, but only half of this reduction could be explained by changes in kno...

SourceEuropean Society of Cardiology·JournalEuropean Heart Journal·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateSep 23, 2026

NOAA selects Mississippi State to host new Northern Gulf research institute with up to $100 million in funding

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has selected Mississippi State University to host its new Cooperative Institute in the Northern Gulf of America, advancing environmental research, forecasting, and sustainable resource management. The institute will generate discoveries that benefit coastal communities and strengthen ...

AI framework improves 3D mapping of groundwater pollution and PFOA transport

Researchers developed an AI framework that can represent complex three-dimensional hydraulic conductivity fields more efficiently and use monitoring data to improve predictions of PFOA movement in groundwater. The framework, VA-LSGAN, compressed complex fields into a smaller set of variables while preserving important spatial patterns.

Optica Foundation names recipients for 2026 Prizes & Fellowships

The Optica Foundation has announced the recipients of its 2026 Prizes & Fellowships, recognizing individuals who are making meaningful contributions to the field of optics and photonics. The award winners include researchers and innovators who are working on ultrafast lasers, quantum optics, and biomedical optics, among other areas.

SourceOptica·DateSep 23, 2026

Less is more: Exercise rivals common pain meds

A new study found that exercise can significantly reduce acute and chronic pain across various conditions, with shorter-duration programs delivering greater pain reductions. Exercise was associated with substantial reductions in pain, regardless of the type, intensity, or duration of exercise.

SourceAdelaide University·JournalPAIN Reports·TypeMeta-analysis·DateSep 23, 2026

Study examines racial disparities in patients’ adherence to their diabetes medications

A new study published in JAMA Network Open found that Black and Hispanic patients are less likely to adhere to their diabetes medications compared to White patients. The study, which analyzed national health data from 2019, showed that extra assistance programs significantly reduced treatment gaps, particularly for high-cost treatments.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 23, 2026

Herbal formula counteracts immune stress in simulated microgravity

A three-herb preparation restored immune function in rats exposed to simulated weightlessness and challenged with bacteria, suggesting a nutritional way to help crew health on long-duration missions. The study also highlights the potential for the formula to support individuals on the ground who experience similar immune declines.

SourceKeAi Communications Co., Ltd.·JournalModel Organisms Research·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 23, 2026

People with dementia want to participate in research: Novel Law Clinic Study was found to be meaningful and empowering

A novel research approach, the Law Clinic Study, allows people with dementia to contribute to knowledge, increasing societal understanding and improving future situations. Participants valued being heard and contributing to research, challenging stereotypes that people with dementia are unable to participate.

SourceUniversity of Eastern Finland·JournalJournal of Alzheimer’s Disease·DateSep 23, 2026

Novel robost and radiation-resistant sodalite microspheres: Breakthrough for integrated adsorption in situ immobilization of radioactive Cs+ and Sr2+

Researchers have developed radiation-resistant sodalite microspheres for efficient adsorption and in-situ immobilization of radioactive Cs+ and Sr2+ ions. The material's high strength, adsorption capacity, and radiation resistance make it a promising solution for nuclear waste management.

SourceTsinghua University Press·JournalJournal of Advanced Ceramics·DateSep 23, 2026

Eating with a loved one lowers your blood sugar

A new study found that eating with a companion reduces blood glucose spikes and improves glucose recovery, suggesting that human physiology is inherently social. The researchers call this principle Social Physiology, which states that the human body regulates itself more efficiently in the presence of social partners.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 23, 2026

University of Phoenix study finds GenAI use among online adult learners associated with academic performance and technology confidence

A University of Phoenix study found that GenAI use among online adult learners is associated with higher academic performance and stronger digital confidence. The study, conducted by Jessica Sylvester and Melinda Kulick, surveyed 491 non-traditional undergraduate students and found that GenAI use was linked to better grades and confide...

SourceUniversity of Phoenix·JournalArtificial Intelligence in Education·TypeSurvey·DateSep 23, 2026

Kibble with microbial proteins appeals to cats and dogs in new study

A new study published in PLOS One finds that cats and dogs prefer kibble containing microbial proteins over standard animal-derived protein in a short-term preference test. The study involved 30 dogs and 30 cats, who were offered two bowls of food simultaneously for four consecutive meals over two days.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS One·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 23, 2026

Among women with planned natural pregnancies, those who had sex more than four times a week tended to conceive faster than those who had sex less often, according to a Norwegian survey of 64,193 women examining the month before conception

A Norwegian survey of 64,193 women found that those who had sex more than four times a week conceived faster than those who had sex less often. The study suggests that higher sexual frequency may be associated with increased fertility in planned natural pregnancies.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS One·DateSep 23, 2026

New Trinity research suggests a simple pill could prevent sight loss in common form of diabetes-driven eye condition

Researchers have found that an oral medication called Danegaptide can protect against vision-threatening damage in Non-Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (NPDR), a leading cause of blindness in working-age adults. The study highlights a new therapeutic approach that could replace or complement frequent, invasive eye injections for mill...

SourceTrinity College Dublin·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateSep 23, 2026

People born preterm are likely to be less physically active as teenagers and adults, according to large Norwegian study which measured a week of participants' activity using wearable sensors

A large Norwegian study found that people born preterm are less physically active as teenagers and adults. The study, which measured physical activity using wearable sensors, suggests that preterm birth may be associated with reduced physical activity in young adulthood.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS One·DateSep 23, 2026

The historical carbon emissions of major oil, gas, coal, and cement producers will contribute to global warming for many centuries, per simulations under a range of future emissions scenarios

Simulations predict that historical carbon emissions from major fossil fuel producers will continue to contribute to global warming for many centuries. The study analyzed various future emissions scenarios, highlighting the long-term impact of past emissions on the environment.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Climate·DateSep 23, 2026

Mystery surrounding the formation of asteroid Bennu solved

ETH Zurich researchers analyzed asteroid Bennu's samples, revealing a Jupiter-led scenario and insights into the Solar System's early formation. The findings suggest that Bennu and other asteroids formed in a specific zone where material from the inner and outer regions mixed, with Jupiter playing a key role in this process.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalScience Advances·DateSep 23, 2026

Turning scar-forming cells into neurons helps restore movement after spinal cord injury

Researchers developed a gene-delivery system that converts reactive astrocytes into functional neurons, improving motor recovery in mice and rats. The system, TRANsCre-DIONE, selectively targets scar-forming cells and reprograms them into neurons, which generate nerve impulses and receive signals from other neurons.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalExperimental & Molecular Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 23, 2026

Signal recovery teaches neural networks to estimate unobservable parameters without their labels

Researchers developed physics-embedded inverse learning (PEIL) to supervise parameter estimation in wireless communications and MRI. PEIL uses signal recovery to estimate intermediate parameters without labels, achieving strong symbol recovery and comparable performance to parameter-supervised baselines.

SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 23, 2026

Why AI won’t fix Britain’s supply chains

A major review found that AI and big data can improve supply chains, but technology alone cannot overcome poor data, weak skills, and bad decision-making. Businesses need reliable data, people with the right skills, and clear management systems to unlock the value of advanced technology.

SourceUniversity of East London·JournalBenchmarking An International Journal·TypeLiterature review·DateSep 23, 2026

The Antarctic’s only two flowering plants reveal opposing strategies for surviving long-term warming

A seven-year study on Antarctic plants reveals two complementary adaptive pathways in response to climate change. Deschampsia Antarctica and Colobanthus quitensis develop contrasting physiological responses to warming, prioritizing stability and hydraulic safety or plasticity and rapid acclimation.

SourceInstituto de Ecologia y Biodiversidad·JournalPhysiologia Plantarum·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 23, 2026

Effects of obesity decoded

Researchers discovered that immune cells in adipose tissue require the enzyme ACC1 to maintain metabolic health, but its inhibition leads to metabolic impairment and inflammation. The study provides new insights into the complex relationship between obesity, immune cells, and metabolic health.

Study reviews potential health effects of mobile phone use during pregnancy

A systematic review of mobile phone use during pregnancy and fetal outcomes found that prolonged or intensive use was associated with a range of adverse outcomes, particularly cardiovascular abnormalities and shorter gestational duration. The evidence also suggests possible biological mechanisms through which mobile phone use could con...

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalJournal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology·DateSep 23, 2026

Employment instability and early retirement linked to cognitive deficits and risk of dementia

A new study from Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health found that stable employment in midlife is associated with better cognitive health in later life, while employment instability, early retirement, and dropping out of the labor force are linked to poorer cognitive outcomes. Men experience lower cognitive scores and gre...

Bigger brain atlases are not enough: Editorial sets out a path from brain multi-omics to clinical value

The editorial highlights the gap between prioritization and mechanism in brain multi-omics research, emphasizing the need for functional testing and harmonized metadata to establish biological meaning and clinical relevance. It proposes three complementary strategies: dynamic comparisons, joint measurements, and targeted perturbation e...

SourceMedicine Discovery·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateSep 23, 2026

New evidence of how hormones alter women’s mood

A study by the University of Barcelona found that higher progesterone levels during the menstrual cycle can blur brain activity related to emotion regulation, leading to a lower mood. The research suggests personalized approaches to assessing and treating hormone-related mood disorders, such as premenstrual dysphoria.

SourceUniversity of Barcelona·JournalPsychological Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 23, 2026

A protein-degradation mechanism opens a new treatment route for an inherited arrhythmia

Researchers identified a protein-degradation mechanism that contributes to the development of inherited CPVT, a disease that affects children and young people. The study suggests that inhibiting calpain, an enzyme involved in protein degradation, may restore normal heart function and reduce arrhythmias.

SourceCentro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III (F.S.P.)·JournalCirculation Research·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 23, 2026

An error-state kalman filter with multibody integrator for state estimation of flexible cable-net systems

Researchers propose an error-state extended Kalman filtering method for state estimation in flexible cable-net recovery systems. The method directly employs multibody integrators for one-step state prediction, improving stability and accuracy, and achieving real-time operational capability.

SourceBeijing Institute of Technology Press Co., Ltd·JournalSpace: Science & Technology·DateSep 23, 2026

Nine studies led by Mount Sinai investigators featured in coordinated collection of papers that map the molecular and cellular architecture of brain disorders

Researchers identified shared and disease-specific molecular changes in human brain tissue, contributing to neurodegeneration, psychiatric illness, and cognitive decline. The collection establishes a foundational resource for understanding brain disorders, accelerating discovery and therapy development.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalNature·TypeObservational study·DateSep 23, 2026

Structural brain volumes and delay discounting

A cross-sectional study found that structural brain volumes are associated with delay discounting, a key component of impulsive decision-making, in college-aged adults. The multilayer perceptron model provided an accurate estimate of delay discounting, shedding light on the neural basis of impulsive behavior.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Psychiatry·DateSep 23, 2026

Receptor-free signal transduction: Discovery of new method for inflammatory cell communication opens door for therapeutic opportunities in treating autoimmune diseases

Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital discovered a receptor-free means of signal transduction, identifying a potentially more effective therapeutic target for treating autoimmune diseases. This new method suggests alternative pathways for cell-to-cell communication, which may lead to the development of new therapeutic treatments.

SourceBoston Children's Hospital·JournalNature·DateSep 23, 2026

Modeling childhood epilepsy in brain organoids points to possible treatments

A new study by UC Berkeley researchers suggests that hyperreactive astrocytes are a primary driver of childhood epilepsy, particularly in the inherited disorder tuberous sclerosis complex. The findings highlight possible therapies to reduce inflammation and alleviate seizures, challenging the traditional view that neurons are the sole ...

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 23, 2026

Engineering a “delivery system” for mitochondria

Recent advances in engineered mitochondrial delivery aim to improve stability, efficiency, and precision of mitochondrial transplantation. Four strategies have been proposed, including surface-engineering, cell-mediated delivery, vesicle-encapsulation, and cell-type-specific targeting.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience Bulletin·TypeLiterature review·DateSep 23, 2026

First telomere-to-telomere (T2T) licorice genome uncovers key genes for medicinal metabolite biosynthesis and desert stress adaptation

The study provides unprecedented genomic resources for licorice, revealing key genes for medicinal metabolite biosynthesis and desert stress adaptation. The GiPHL1-Gi4CL5 regulatory module is identified as a major determinant of licochalcone A accumulation and drought tolerance in licorice species.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience China Life Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 23, 2026

A two-way trust framework for AI agents and blockchain

The study establishes a bidirectional trust framework for AI and blockchain interactions, addressing key issues like identity, permission, and intent-based execution. The framework identifies unfinished standards and security questions, highlighting the need for further research to ensure secure and autonomous systems.

SourceELSP·JournalBlockchain·TypeSystematic review·DateSep 23, 2026

Physics-constrained machine learning for the inverse design of multifunctional composites

Researchers develop PHICS framework to integrate physics-causal modeling and Pareto optimization for inverse design of composites. This enables high-throughput evaluations and high-precision inverse parameter inversion of optimal microstructural parameters, leading to breakthroughs in thermal management materials.

SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 23, 2026

Baseline liver fibrosis severity predicts superior HBeAg clearance and fibrosis reversal following peg-ifnα plus nucleos(t)ide analog therapy in HBeAg-positive chronic Hepatitis B patients

This study found that patients with more severe baseline liver fibrosis achieved higher rates of HBeAg clearance and substantial improvements in non-invasive fibrosis indices. Baseline liver fibrosis severity is a key independent factor in predicting treatment response to Peg-IFNα plus NAs in HBeAg-positive CHB patients.

SourceXia & He Publishing Inc.·JournalJournal of Clinical and Translational Hepatology·DateSep 23, 2026

New ACLM framework aims to standardize lifestyle medicine data collection across healthcare systems

The American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM) has developed a new framework to standardize lifestyle medicine data collection across healthcare systems. The framework outlines a consistent approach to capturing information on lifestyle behaviors, clinical outcomes, interventions, and patient experiences. By standardizing data colle...

SourceAmerican College of Lifestyle Medicine·JournalAmerican Journal of Lifestyle Medicine·DateSep 23, 2026

Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia researchers find dietary interventions may prevent inflammatory symptoms associated with Hirschsprung disease

Researchers at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia found that dietary interventions can significantly alter outcomes in Hirschsprung disease, suggesting previously unknown mechanisms to improve care for children. The study discovered that a standard diet can induce microscopic and cellular changes in the colons of animal models, leadin...

SourceChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia·JournalGastroenterology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateSep 23, 2026

Africa–Europe research consortium targets evidence gap keeping young children out of parasite control programs

The IVM-KIDS project aims to address the evidence gap for ivermectin use in children under 15 kg, a population excluded from parasite control programs due to lack of safety evidence. The four-year initiative will conduct clinical research to determine the safety and efficacy of ivermectin in this age group.

SourceMundo Sano España·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateSep 23, 2026

Quantum device simulates matter popping into existence

A research team at the Duke Quantum Center has observed string-breaking dynamics related to particle-antiparticle formation on a quantum simulator. The experiment emulates a phenomenon where two connected fundamental building blocks of matter stretch apart, creating new particles when the connection snaps.

SourceDuke University·JournalNature Physics·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 23, 2026

International study sets new standards for arthritis ultrasound diagnosis

An international study has established age-specific ultrasound reference values to distinguish normal joint changes from early signs of inflammatory arthritis. The study analysed over 28,000 joints from 802 healthy volunteers and developed new thresholds for normal and abnormal findings, which will help clinicians identify inflammatory...

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalThe Lancet Rheumatology·TypeObservational study·DateSep 23, 2026

Does paracetamol/acetaminophen use in pregnancy increase the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders in children?

A recent review of 3 million participants found small positive associations between prenatal paracetamol exposure and autism and ADHD, but these associations weakened with higher-quality studies. The evidence does not support a causal link between paracetamol use during pregnancy and neurodevelopmental disorders in children.

SourceWiley·JournalDevelopmental Medicine & Child Neurology·DateSep 23, 2026