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Science News Archive September 2026 - Page 52


Page 52 of 54

Researchers study a centaur transforming into a comet

Researchers using NASA's James Webb Space Telescope and Gemini Observatory study a distant icy object, Centaur 450P/LONEOS, as it awakens and releases gas and dust, behavior more commonly associated with comets. The study provides new insight into how centaurs evolve into active comets as they migrate inward through the solar system.

SourceUniversity of Central Florida·JournalPlanetary Science·TypeObservational study·DateSep 1, 2026

Department of Energy awards University of Houston-led team $2.88M to use AI to strengthen America’s critical mineral supply chain

Researchers aim to develop new magnets that reduce American reliance on supply-vulnerable foreign sources by finding alternatives to critical minerals. The UH-led team will use AI to design and manufacture next-generation permanent magnets, with the goal of surpassing industry-standard materials like neodymium iron boron.

SwRI-led modeling identifies new scenarios for Moon formation

Researchers have discovered that material strength and temperature can significantly impact the formation of the Moon. The study suggests that a Mars-sized object collided with Earth, but the simulations previously ignored material strength, which is now found to matter. The results imply a potential connection between the Moon's compo...

SourceSouthwest Research Institute·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 1, 2026

Penn Nursing study: Youth suicide risk remains high in violent neighborhoods, despite post-pandemic recovery

A new study published in Pediatrics found that adolescent suicide risk remains elevated in high-violence neighborhoods even as overall post-pandemic shooting rates decline. The study analyzed over 71,000 primary care visits for Philadelphia-area teens and found that community violence continues to impact youth mental health.

Toxic metals above set limits found in 12% of children’s toys on the El Paso-Cd. Juárez border

Researchers found that 78% of children's toys in the El Paso-Ciudad Juárez region contain at least one toxic element, with nickel being the most common cause of allergic reactions. The study, led by the University of Texas at El Paso, highlights the need for harmonized safety standards and better labeling to protect children from poten...

SourceUniversity of Texas at El Paso·JournalEnvironmental Pollution·DateSep 1, 2026

New math tames GNSS chaos when signals go haywire

A new framework generalizes Gaussian success-rate bounds to a broad family of heavy-tailed distributions, preserving computational simplicity. This enables accurate characterization of robustness against realistic non-Gaussian disturbances in GNSS positioning, urban canyons, autonomous vehicles, and safety-critical applications.

End of free school meal program led to increased stress and hunger, poorer diets, and reduced focus, say teachers

Teachers in the Anchorage School District observed increased student hunger and stress, junk food consumption, and reduced focus after the universal free school meal program ended in 2022. The study, published in Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, found that teachers perceived no benefits to the program's termination.

SourceNew York University·JournalJournal of Nutrition Education and Behavior·TypeSurvey·DateSep 1, 2026

Elementary school teachers report increased student hunger and anxiety after universal free school meals ended

Elementary school teachers reported a significant increase in student hunger and anxiety after the federal universal free school meals policy ended. The study, published in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, found that the policy helped reduce student hunger and family stress, but its expiration was associated with decrea...

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of Nutrition Education and Behavior·TypeObservational study·DateSep 1, 2026

Damaged red blood cells can trigger inflammation

Researchers at Lund University have identified a mechanism by which heme, released from damaged red blood cells, activates an inflammatory response. The kallikrein-kinin system pathway was found to be involved, leading to increased permeability and fluid leakage in surrounding tissues.

SourceLund University·JournalKidney International·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 1, 2026

AI’s eye on the tropics

A University of Miami-led study found that AI can provide valuable additional guidance for predicting tropical cyclone development in the Atlantic Ocean. The AI system offered higher probabilities of development at longer lead times and improved location forecasting, but its performance decreased at shorter lead times.

SourceUniversity of Miami·JournalWeather and Forecasting·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 1, 2026

LED lets archaeologists see the past in a new light

Researchers from Aarhus University developed a low-cost multispectral imaging system that uses LEDs at 16 different wavelengths to reveal differences in materials. The system was tested at Sorte Muld and Fredbjerg, revealing new layers and changes in the fill that were difficult to distinguish in normal color photographs. This technolo...

SourceAarhus University·JournalJournal of Archaeological Science·DateSep 1, 2026

Breast density laws linked to higher ultrasound use after mammography

A new study found that laws requiring notification of dense breast tissue led to modest increases in follow-up imaging tests, while insurance mandates had a significant impact, increasing ultrasound use four times. This study examined the influence of notification laws and insurance coverage independently.

SourcePenn State·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 1, 2026

September 2026 issues of APA journals feature new research on treating substance use disorders, mood disorders, pediatric anxiety disorders, and more

The September 2026 issues of APA journals feature new research on treating substance use disorders, mood disorders, and pediatric anxiety disorders. Journal highlights include studies on the effects of parental social media use and the implementation of measurement-based care in mental health services.

SourceAmerican Psychiatric Association·JournalAmerican Journal of Psychiatry·DateSep 1, 2026

New study sheds light on how motor control develops

Researchers at the University of Ottawa have identified key neural changes behind motor control in zebrafish, which could provide insights into human movement development. By studying electrical currents in nerve cells, the team found that changes in these currents shape the refinement of movement in growing zebrafish, allowing them to...

SourceUniversity of Ottawa·JournalJNeurosci·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 1, 2026

Integrated bioinformatic modeling of goniothalamin as a dual-target medicinal chemistry candidate against antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli

Researchers discovered goniothalamin's strong binding affinities to bacterial proteins agrA and ftsZ, indicating a potential dual-target mechanism. This could lead to a new class of antibacterial agents that reduce virulence and resist resistance.

SourceBentham Science Publishers·JournalThe Open Medicinal Chemistry Journal·DateSep 1, 2026

Investigating mobile gaming addiction and musculoskeletal pain: A cross-sectional study among medical students in Jordanian universities

A cross-sectional study among 364 medical students found that those with mobile gaming addiction experienced significantly more pain in their neck, upper back, elbows, and wrists. Elbow pain was particularly common, with addicted students reporting over four times the risk of experiencing it compared to non-addicted peers.

SourceBentham Science Publishers·JournalThe Open Public Health Journal·DateSep 1, 2026

Tumor-derived extracellular vesicles show promise for earlier detection of metastatic risk

Tumor-derived extracellular vesicles exhibit intrinsic organotropism and participate in establishing premetastatic niches, making them promising vehicles for targeted imaging probe delivery. However, current imaging approaches have limitations, including difficulty distinguishing between tumor-derived EVs and normal host cell-derived EVs.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalOncotarget·TypeLiterature review·DateSep 1, 2026

Healthy aging: Training the mind and emotional skills helps keep the brain healthy

Two studies from SISSA show that cognitive reserve built over a lifetime, together with emotional resources, helps preserve mental abilities in adults over 65. Cognitive reserve improves language performance and working memory, while emotional intelligence influences responses to emotional stimuli.

SourceScuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati·JournalBrain Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 1, 2026

Researchers develop four hybrid gasoline blends with octane ratings of up to 102

The study reports the development of four new high-octane gasoline formulations using renewable fuel additives, achieving improved knock resistance, volatility, and combustion-related properties compared to base gasoline. The highest-grade formulation, HyperFuel-102, was developed with high-performance engines and applications in mind.

SourceUniversity of Sharjah·JournalThermal Science and Engineering Progress·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 1, 2026

New high-temperature, high-pressure isotope ratio analysis method for halogenated compounds

Researchers have developed a custom liquid chromatography–isotope ratio mass spectrometry device capable of high-temperature, high-pressure combustion to analyze halogenated compounds. The method provides a new tool for source identification and fate analysis, contributing to effective management strategies.

SourceShibaura Institute of Technology·JournalAnalytica Chimica Acta·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 1, 2026

New AI method helps robots learn from the past without being trapped by it

A new AI method called OMPO (Occupancy-Matching Policy Optimization) has been developed to help robots learn from past experiences without being trapped by changing conditions. OMPO uses a combination of historical data and recent interactions to stabilize reinforcement learning and adapt to policy and physical changes.

SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 1, 2026

New imaging technique reveals the inner workings of immune cells

Researchers have developed a nondestructive imaging technique to measure single-cell immune metabolism in real patient blood samples, providing a higher level of information than current clinical techniques. This breakthrough could improve disease diagnosis and treatment for conditions like blood cancers, lupus, and sepsis.

SourceMorgridge Institute for Research·JournalBiophotonics Discovery·TypeImaging analysis·DateSep 1, 2026

Walking performance and daily activity are linked to better quality of life in people with multiple sclerosis

A study by the University of Eastern Finland found that walking performance and daily physical activity are strongly associated with quality of life in people with multiple sclerosis. Lower disability levels and better walking performance were linked to better perceived quality of life.

SourceUniversity of Eastern Finland·JournalMultiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders·DateSep 1, 2026

How close are we to building a digital copy of the human brain?

Researchers from the University of Warwick report that building a digital twin brain is shaped by the resolution, completeness, and updatability of biological measurements. The review charts a path toward dynamic models that update with new data and interact with the biological system. Digital twin brains have potential applications in...

SourceUniversity of Warwick·JournalNature Reviews Electrical Engineering·TypeLiterature review·DateSep 1, 2026

Extracting predictable signals from observational precipitation data: A new approach to seasonal precipitation prediction

The study develops a new climate prediction method called SFA-based Climate Prediction (SCP) that extracts predictable signals from precipitation data. It demonstrates higher prediction skill than two dynamical models and a hybrid dynamical–statistical system, providing a new approach for regional seasonal precipitation prediction.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience China Earth Sciences·DateSep 1, 2026