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Science News Archive September 2026 - Page 31


Page 31 of 54

Beyond BMI

Researchers at the University of Connecticut found that people with excessive visceral fat around their organs are more vulnerable to the harmful effects of ultrafine particulate air pollution. Using HEPA filters can help mitigate this risk, especially for those with high waist circumference.

SourceUniversity of Connecticut·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Cardiology·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 14, 2026

New light-emitting nanoparticles can detect subtle chemical differences to enhance pharmaceutical manufacturing, pollution prevention and more

Researchers created dye-sensitized nanoparticles that absorb low-energy photons and emit high-energy photons, enabling highly sensitive chemical sensing. The particles can detect target chemicals at very low concentrations, even tiny traces of chemical pollutants in groundwater.

SourceUniversity of Toronto Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateSep 14, 2026

Mosquito waste reveals viruses hiding in plain sight

A new approach captures mosquito waste to detect viruses and parasites, revealing a hidden world of genetic material. The method identifies a complete West Nile virus genome, a Hedwig-like virus, and potentially new viruses, strengthening mosquito surveillance for emerging health threats.

SourceRutgers University·JournalMicrobiology Spectrum·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 14, 2026

How can countries prevent shocks and disasters from turning into food crises? Science points to Resilience

A new study published in PNAS finds that countries with high resilience can break the link between shocks and food insecurity, despite being more severely affected by disasters. The study highlights the importance of government effectiveness, diverse food systems, and human capabilities in reducing the risks of crises.

New PNAS special feature examines how segregation continues to shape environmental risks and benefits in cities

A new PNAS special feature examines how segregation shapes environmental risks and benefits in cities, including access to water, safety from floods, and exposure to extreme heat. The authors argue that understanding segregation as a social-ecological system can help break cycles and build more equitable cities.

SourceCary Institute of Ecosystem Studies·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 14, 2026

How to build an evolutionary trap for viruses

Harvard chemists have developed a method to engineer the evolutionary landscape of viruses, pushing them away from high-risk variants and into evolutionary dead ends. The approach, called fitness landscape design, uses antibody combinations to suppress mutations and prevent the emergence of new viral strains.

Chocolate’s new climate threat: Too much rain

Cocoa farmers in West Africa face a new climate threat: excessive rainfall. Scientists at Harvard University discovered that predicting extreme rains could help protect harvests. The study found that heavy rain during the wet season and dry season can damage cocoa crops, leading to price volatility and reduced production.

SourceHarvard University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 14, 2026

Venus ate its moon

Venus, Earth's twin planet, lacks a rocky satellite due to its slow spin and gravity, which causes a moon to collapse and crash into the planet. The discovery sheds light on the planet's evolution and potential habitability.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·DateSep 14, 2026

Local industrial emissions linked to congressional election outcomes

Researchers analyzed 40,000 industrial plants and 5,000 U.S. House elections to find that firms in Democratic districts have lower emissions due to increased inspections and enforcement actions. This reallocation had potential financial impacts for firms and public health concerns for local communities.

SourcePenn State·JournalReview of Financial Studies·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 14, 2026

University hospitals awarded historic $56.25 million HRSA grant to lead new Pediatric Prevention Network

The Pediatric Prevention Network, led by University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, aims to improve pediatric emergency preparedness and resilience nationwide. The network will develop evidence-based solutions to strengthen preparedness and improve outcomes for children, building on the expertise and experience of UH Rainbow Babies...

Teen cannabis surveys may be missing rise in diagnosed disorder, study of 637,000 adolescents finds

A study of 637,000 adolescents found that cannabis use disorder diagnoses began climbing after recreational cannabis was legalized in California in 2016, reversing a steady decline in the three years prior. The researchers say their findings call for disorder-level outcomes to be tracked alongside standard measures of use prevalence an...

SourcePublic Health Institute·JournalAddiction·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 14, 2026

First ever find of a Diplodocus outside of North America

A team of palaeontologists has discovered the first Diplodocus fossil outside North America, found in Spain and dating back 150 million years. The fossil, which includes 14 exceptionally preserved caudal vertebrae and chevron bones, confirms that Diplodocus inhabited Europe during the Late Jurassic period.

SourceTaylor & Francis Group·JournalJournal of Vertebrate Paleontology·TypeObservational study·DateSep 14, 2026

Newly identified genetic mechanism essential for hearing

Researchers discovered FMN1 gene required for hearing in humans and mice, revealing a previously unknown role for formin-1 in maintaining inner ear structure. The study also found a connection between FMN1 and pigmentation through a molecular complex involved in melanosomes, leading to hearing loss and altered skin and hair color.

SourceTel-Aviv University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 14, 2026

Anomalous splitting of image-potential states on HOTI Bi(111) provides a new spectroscopic window into possible monopole-like topological magnetoelectric responses

A team of researchers used low-temperature STM to investigate image potential states on Bi(111), a material with higher-order topological character. They observed a strikingly unexpected splitting feature, which they propose is related to a monopole-like topological magnetoelectric response.

SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 14, 2026

How a protein shapes the cell membrane

Researchers at the Max Delbrück Center have discovered the structure of a protein chain that stabilizes caveolae, small invaginations on the cell membrane that protect cells from mechanical stress and allow nutrient uptake. The findings offer new insights into lipid metabolism disorders and related diseases.

SourceMax Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 14, 2026

Cultural adaptation strengthens cardiovascular disease and diabetes prevention strategies in Latin America

A 16-week intervention reduced systolic blood pressure by 3.3 mmHg among high-risk workers in Loja, Ecuador. The culturally adapted program showed decreases in body fat and waist circumference, but did not demonstrate significant benefits on diabetes risk or weight loss.

SourceUniversidad Tecnica Particular de Loja·JournalTranslational Behavioral Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 14, 2026

New low-waste method breaks down tough-to-recycle plastics

A team of researchers from the University of Texas at Austin and Sandia National Laboratories has developed a simple method for breaking down durable plastics that currently have no practical recycling method. The approach uses less energy and produces less waste than incineration, while allowing for the full recovery of valuable fibers.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 14, 2026

Nationwide Safety Program associated with 65% reduction in hospital-onset MRSA bloodstream infections

A nationwide safety program significantly reduced hospital-onset MRSA infections by 65% in participating US hospitals. The program implemented evidence-based infection prevention strategies, including hand hygiene, environmental cleaning, and device-associated infection prevention, and engaged front-line workers across disciplines.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateSep 14, 2026

Room temperature quantum processor based on on-chip arrays of single-ion qudits enabled by materials science and engineering

This technology features arrays of single-erbium ion qubits embedded in silicon-based hollow nanopillars, enabling high-performance, room-temperature quantum sensing and communication. It demonstrates record-long optical coherence times in the telecom C-band, exceeding 500 μs at ambient conditions.