Science
press releases.

Science27 Jan 2026

A novel rolling driving principle-enabled linear actuator for bidirectional smooth motion

Piezoelectric actuators are widely used in precision positioning, micro/nano fabrication, and microrobotics due to their high precision, fast response, and compactness, yet their inherently limited stroke (typically ~1/1000 of their length) constrains broader applications. To extend travel, stepping actuation approaches—such as inchworm, ultrasonic, and stick-slip mechanisms—have been explored, with stick-slip attractive for its relatively simple structure and control. However, many stick-slip designs still struggle with bidirectional motion consistency and motion smoothness/linearity: particularly, parasitic-motion-based ...

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Science27 Jan 2026

Mountain snow and water forecasting tool developed by WSU researchers

PULLMAN, Wash. — A new tool developed by Washington State University researchers could someday provide daily or weekly forecasts of water availability in the mountains similar to a weather forecast that agencies could use for important water management decisions. The researchers recently presented their forecast tool for snow-water equivalent, which predicts potential water availability, at the Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence Conference on Artificial Intelligence in ...

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Science27 Jan 2026

Identification of the central pathological substrate of bipolar disorder as paraventricular thalamic nucleus

Bipolar disorder (BD) is a major mental disorder, affecting 1% of the global population. Patients suffering from BD frequently experience manic and depressive episodes, which disrupt interpersonal relationships and social confidence. While conventional therapies can mitigate the symptoms for some patients, they are also associated with adverse effects and treatment resistance in many, highlighting the urgent need for pathology-driven diagnosis and therapeutic intervention. The thalamus, especially the paraventricular ...

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Science27 Jan 2026

New study redefines our understanding of how memory works

A new study into how different parts of memory work in the brain has shown that the same brain areas are involved in retrieving different types of information, the findings could redefine how memory is understood and studied. Researchers from the School of Psychology at the University of Nottingham and the Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit at the University of Cambridge have examined episodic and semantic memory, combining task based and fMRI data and have shown that there is no difference in neural activity between successful semantic and episodic retrieval. The findings have been published today in Nature Human ...

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Science27 Jan 2026

The most prominent trend in Holocaust commemoration worldwide is a growing focus on the rescuers of Jews

Embargoed until Tuesday (27 January) at 11:00 (Israel time) Study: The most prominent trend in Holocaust commemoration worldwide is a growing focus on the rescuers of Jews. • The report also addresses a decision made this year by France to designate the day Captain Alfred Dreyfus was exonerated as an annual national day. It notes that the Dreyfus Affair continues to generate significant public interest in France, as it reflects the ongoing conflict over the identity and direction of the Republic. Ahead of International Holocaust Remembrance Day, the Center for the Study of Contemporary European Jewry ...

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Science27 Jan 2026

Most common methods of inducing labour similarly effective

A new review including over 100 clinical trials has found that no induction method was clearly effective than low-dose vaginal misoprostol, although some methods were less effective and safety profiles varied. Induction of labour involves initiating labour using pharmaceutical or mechanical methods. It’s common in obstetrics, particularly when there are health risks for the mother and baby or when pregnancies go beyond 42 weeks. Many induction methods exist, but the evidence behind them has previously been fragmented and unclear. The review compared 13 different methods of induction using a statistical technique called ...

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Science27 Jan 2026

Low-cost system turns smartphones into emergency radiation detectors

Prompt, individual-based dose assessment is essential to protect people from the negative consequences of radiation exposure after large-scale nuclear or radiological incidents. However, traditional dosimetry methods often require expensive equipment or complex laboratory analysis. Now, researchers at Hiroshima University have developed a cost-effective, portable dosimetry system that can provide immediate on-site readings using radiochromic film and a smartphone. The study, published in Radiation Measurements, demonstrates ...

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Science26 Jan 2026

Study compares ways to support opioid deprescribing in primary care

Original Research Study Compares Ways to Support Opioid Deprescribing in Primary Care Background: This study examined how different types of support for 32 primary care clinics affected opioid prescribing and overall costs using a 2 x 2 design. Clinics were divided into four groups: education about opioid prescribing and regular feedback on their prescribing patterns only; education and feedback plus help changing clinic workflows; education and feedback plus coaching for prescribers; or education and feedback plus both clinic ...

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Science26 Jan 2026

CRISP translation guide enables translating research-reporting guidelines across languages

Methodology CRISP Translation Guide Enables Translating Research-Reporting Guidelines Across Languages Background: Consensus Reporting Items for Studies in Primary Care (CRISP) is a research-reporting guideline developed for primary care. Because no widely accepted procedure exists for translating research-reporting guidelines, the authors developed the CRISP Translation Guide to facilitate the translation of research-reporting guidelines and related documents to support worldwide dissemination and application of primary care research results. What They Developed and ...

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Science26 Jan 2026

Systems-level approach in primary care improves alcohol screening, counseling, and pregnancy-intention records

Original Research Systems-Level Approach in Primary Care Improves Alcohol Screening, Counseling, and Pregnancy-Intention Records Background: The United States Preventive Services Task Force recommends screening adults, including pregnant women, for unhealthy alcohol use and providing brief behavioral counseling when risky drinking is identified. This study examined whether implementing the American Academy of Family Physicians’ Office Champions Quality Improvement Model, a framework that empowers local staff to lead care improvement ...

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Science26 Jan 2026

ARPA-H award will fund creation of portable lymphatic imaging scanner

Researchers at the University of Arizona were awarded up to $1.8 million by the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health, or ARPA-H, an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, to develop a lymphatic scanner small and light enough for physicians to bring with them to diagnose and monitor patients with lymphatic disease. Lymphatic disorders affect hundreds of millions of people worldwide. Standard imaging modalities like lymphoscintigraphy, magnetic resonance and ultrasound fall short in providing sufficient detail for physicians ...

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Science26 Jan 2026

New study may offer hope to women suffering menopausal hot flashes, night sweats

A woman’s insulin levels in midlife are linked to the timing and duration of menopausal hot flashes, night sweats and cold sweats, according to new research from the University of Victoria (UVic). The study found that having higher insulin levels at age 47 predicted younger onsets of hot flashes and night sweats,” says Faria Athar, lead author of the study, which is published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. “Higher insulin at age 47 was also associated ...

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Science26 Jan 2026

From experience-based simulations to predictive science

Abstract: Professor Hirotoshi Mori (Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Chuo University), together with Nichika Ozawa (first-year Ph.D. student at Ochanomizu University) and Assistant Professor Nahoko Kuroki of Ochanomizu University, has proposed a new design principle for QM/MM (quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics) simulations. The approach enables objective and automatic determination of the quantum-mechanical region based on electronic-state changes, addressing a long-standing ...

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Science26 Jan 2026

Cumulative lifespan stress, inflammation, and racial disparities in mortality between black and white adults

About The Study: In this cohort study of St. Louis adults, heightened cumulative lifespan stress and elevated inflammation were associated with shorter survival among Black participants, suggesting these pathways may represent plausible mechanisms mediating racial disparities in mortality among Black and white U.S. individuals. The findings underscore the need for policies that address structural racism, alongside treatments that reduce inflammation and limit stress exposure to reduce mortality disparities. Corresponding Author: To contact the corresponding ...

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Science26 Jan 2026

Consumer food purchases after glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist initiation

About The Study: Changes in purchasing patterns after glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) initiation were seen across most nutrient categories. Opposed to comparisons, after the first prescription, participants purchased fewer calories, sugars, saturated fats, and carbohydrates, alongside modestly more protein. The share of ultraprocessed foods also decreased. Although modest at the individual level, these changes may accumulate at the population level, particularly given increasing GLP-1RA use. Corresponding Author: To contact the corresponding author, Kathrine ...

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Science26 Jan 2026

SwRI scientist uses anime for STEM outreach

SAN ANTONIO — January 26, 2026 — A new paper by Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) staff details how using popular culture could effectively teach science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) concepts. The paper shares insights from SwRI staff who hosted “Physics of Anime” panels at anime and hobbyist conventions across the country, presenting complex scientific ideas in an engaging way to curious attendees. “Anime,” a style of animation originating in Japan and popular worldwide, reached an estimated global value of around $25 billion in 2024. For nearly five years, Dr. Roman G. Gomez, a lead scientist in SwRI’s Space Science Division ...

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Science26 Jan 2026

FAU ‘shark-repellent’ method could reform fisheries by curbing bycatch

For decades, sharks have been the unintended victims of longline fisheries aimed at tuna and swordfish. Rising accidental catches have contributed to population declines and created serious challenges for both conservation and commercial fishing. And the impacts go beyond the sharks themselves – every time a shark takes the bait, hooks are lost to target species, gear gets damaged, costs climb, and crews face added risks when handling or releasing the animals. Although some gear modifications can reduce bycatch, they ...

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Science26 Jan 2026

Why U.S. middle-aged adults are falling behind peers abroad

Americans born in the 1960s and early 1970s report higher loneliness and depressive symptoms and show poorer memory and physical strength than earlier generations. Such declines are largely absent in peer countries, particularly in Nordic Europe, where outcomes have improved over time. In a new study, psychologist Frank J. Infurna of Arizona State University and co-authors, analyzed survey data from 17 countries seeking to identify why U.S. trends diverge from other wealthy nations. “The real midlife crisis ...

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Science26 Jan 2026

Einstein Foundation Award 2026: Apply now for a €350,000 prize advancing research integrity and quality

Researchers at all career stages, as well as institutions and initiatives, are invited to apply or nominate candidates for the prestigious international €350,000 Einstein Foundation Award – the only prize dedicated to honoring outstanding contributions to strengthening the rigor, reliability, robustness, and transparency of research across the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and life sciences. The submission deadline is April 30, 2026, with winners to be announced at the end of the year. The ...

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Science26 Jan 2026

Major open access publisher appoints new office head in Korea

Seoul, South Korea (January 26, 2026)—MDPI, the open access publisher, has appointed Sangwoo Lee as head of its South Korea office. Mr. Lee joins from Public Relations agency Prain Global, where he served for more than three years as chief director of strategic communications consulting institute. In his new role, Mr. Lee will lead MDPI’s operations in South Korea and oversee marketing, communications, and external affairs. Mr. Lee brings more than 20 years of experience in communications (public affairs, crisis management, public policy, and public relations), including senior roles at Synergy Hill and Knowlton (now Synergy Burson) and Macoll Consulting Group. His ...

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Science26 Jan 2026

To reach net-zero, reverse current policy and protect largest trees in Amazon, urge scientists

At the United Nations Climate Change Conference in 2015, countries around the world committed to striving towards net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by the middle of the 21st century. But achieving this goal is difficult, even for countries boasting extensive forests that could, in principle, act as important carbon sinks if deforestation were halted. Now, a study in Frontiers in Forests and Global Change has shown that in Peru, national forest regulations will need a substantial review if the country is to meet its goal of achieving net-zero by 2050. In particular, ...

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Science26 Jan 2026

Elucidating liquid-liquid phase separation under non-equilibrium conditions

Crystallization is a well-explored natural phenomenon where atoms or molecules arrange themselves into highly organized solid forms called as crystals. This phenomenon has been widely utilized across pharmaceutical and agrochemicals industries, as well as in food industries, to form, separate, and purify pure crystalline materials. The process is usually considered a solid-liquid phase transition, but it can also involve liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS). In LLPS, the solution separates out into solute-rich and solute-poor liquid phases. Crucially, this secondary phenomenon can significantly ...

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Science23 Jan 2026

Hidden nitrogen in China’s rice paddies could cut fertilizer use

A team of scientists has shown that rice paddies in two of China’s most important grain producing regions release soil nitrogen in strikingly different ways, and that these differences can be predicted using fast, low cost laboratory tests. The findings could help farmers tailor fertilizer doses to local soils, avoiding waste while maintaining high yields. “Our work shows that farmers in different rice regions are not starting from the same nitrogen baseline in their soils, even when their yields look similar,” said lead author Siyuan Cai of the Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy ...

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Science23 Jan 2026

Texas A&M researchers expose hidden risks of firefighter gear in an effort to improve safety and performance

When firefighters respond to an emergency, the gear they wear to protect themselves can also create challenges that could jeopardize their performance and safety. Their gear is bulky, and it may not fit perfectly. Those challenges can include restricted movement, added weight and increased heat stress that raise the risk of injury and health problems down the road. Nearly 40% of the non-fatal injuries firefighters report involve their muscles and bones, and those injuries are often linked to the physical demands of the job and limitations that could be imposed by their personal protective equipment (PPE). Dr. ...

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Science23 Jan 2026

ISSCR statement in response to new NIH policy on research using human fetal tissue (Notice NOT-OD-26-028)

The abrupt ending of NIH support for fetal tissue research will undermine the development of new therapies for diseases that affect American families. Research with human fetal tissue (HFT) and HFT-derived cell lines has been integral to biomedical progress for nearly a century and has long been supported on a bipartisan basis under many U.S. administrations. This research has contributed to fundamental advances in understanding human development, infertility, infectious diseases, and chronic and neurodegenerative conditions. HFT-derived cell lines have played a critical role in the development of vaccines that have saved millions of lives worldwide. This research ...

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