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Science 2026-03-20

Genes tied to impulse control play a major role in addiction risk

Most of the genetic risk for developing a substance use disorder comes from genes that broadly affect how our brains process rewards, regulate impulses and weigh consequences – not from genes that specifically influence substance use disorder or any single drug. Researchers of a Rutgers Health–led study headed by Holly Poore, a faculty instructor of psychiatry at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, analyzed genetic data from previously published genome-wide association studies totaling more than 2.2 million individuals to understand how genes shape vulnerability ...
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Technology 2026-03-20

AI shows promise for flood forecasting and water security in data scarce regions

New research reveals that ‘foundation models’ trained on vast, general time‑series data may be able to forecast river flows accurately, even in regions with little or no local hydrological records. The approach could improve flood warnings, drought planning and water-resource management in parts of the world where monitoring data is limited. The study, published in Machine Learning: Earth, was conducted by researchers from The University of Texas at Austin and Hydrotify LLC. In many parts of the ...
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The next mountain tourism boom? Via Ferrata’s global rise prompts call for industry collaboration
Engineering 2026-03-20

The next mountain tourism boom? Via Ferrata’s global rise prompts call for industry collaboration

As interest in structured mountain adventure continues to surge across Europe and North America, a new study led by researchers at the University of Eastern Finland and Lakehead University provides the first comprehensive scoping review and research agenda dedicated specifically to Via Ferrata tourism and recreation. Published in the Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism, the study examines the rapid growth of this hybrid outdoor sport, which combines elements of hiking, mountaineering and rock ...
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Computer simulation improved understanding of refugees
Technology 2026-03-20

Computer simulation improved understanding of refugees

Computer simulations can help people gain a better understanding of the situation faced by migrants. This is shown by a new study in which 148 teenagers were assigned random migration pathways, with different start and end points. Along the way, they encountered unforeseen events that affected their journey. Experiences from the game led to a partial shift in attitudes towards migration. The researchers set out to investigate whether it is possible to improve the standard methods currently used in teaching about migration. One common teaching method is for teachers to present international migration statistics. The teaching ...
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Science 2026-03-20

Sleep apps help some users, but they stress out people with insomnia

Do you track your sleep? The increasing availability of sleep monitoring apps, and rising interest in sleep health, has led to a sharp increase in people tracking their rest. But these apps might not give people an accurate image of their sleep, and they could be making it harder for people to rest. Now scientists studying the use of sleep apps in Norway have found that while the apps helped some people, those who reported insomnia experienced more negative effects.  “The rapid development of sleep app technology requires the scientific community to keep up with technological ...
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Climate variability poses a threat to cold blooded animals
Medicine 2026-03-20

Climate variability poses a threat to cold blooded animals

A new Murdoch University study has found that cold blooded animals (ectotherms) are unable to adjust physiologically to daily temperature fluctuations, a limitation that could leave them increasingly vulnerable as climate change drives even greater temperature variability. Daily temperature variations are a common feature in natural environments, ranging from subtle to extreme depending on the geographic location, season, and local climate patterns. Ectotherms, which includes almost all fish, reptiles, and invertebrates, rely on external sources to regulate their body heat. Their internal temperature closely mirrors the temperature of their environment, ...
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Queensland GPs face barriers in supporting VAD: QUT study
Science 2026-03-20

Queensland GPs face barriers in supporting VAD: QUT study

Queensland general practitioners provide compassionate, holistic care to patients seeking voluntary assisted dying (VAD), but many face significant hurdles that limit their capacity to participate, new QUT‑led research has found. Published in the Australian Journal of General Practice, the study explored the experiences of 12 Queensland GPs during the first year of the state’s VAD legislation. Researchers identified wide variation in GP involvement - from no participation to more than 50 cases - and highlighted the need for improved remuneration, streamlined processes, and broader education to support safe ...
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Teaching AI to see molecular electrostatics could accelerate battery electrolyte discovery
Technology 2026-03-20

Teaching AI to see molecular electrostatics could accelerate battery electrolyte discovery

Electrolytes sit at the heart of modern electrochemical energy storage. They control how ions move, how interfaces form, how stable a battery remains over time, and ultimately how safe and efficient the device can be. Yet discovering better electrolyte molecules remains a very challenging problem. The relevant behavior depends on subtle intermolecular interactions, solvation effects, and charge distributions, which are often expensive to resolve with quantum-chemical calculations at the scale needed for materials discovery. This is where artificial intelligence (AI) has ...
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Science 2026-03-20

Sulfuric acid method improves accuracy of nitrogen isotope tracking for atmospheric ammonia

By comparing sulfuric and boric acid absorption systems, they found sulfuric acid delivers higher recovery rates and reduces isotope fractionation, even at low concentrations. Field applications successfully distinguished emissions from cropland, livestock, orchards, and vegetables, improving the accuracy of ammonia source identification. NH₃ is the most important alkaline gas in the atmosphere and a major contributor to air pollution. It reacts with sulfur dioxide (SO₂) and nitrogen oxides (NOₓ) to form ammonium sulfate and ammonium ...
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Science 2026-03-20

Largest study of its kind tests hydration strategy for kidney stones

DURHAM, N.C. – Kidney stones can cause some of the most intense pain people ever experience, affecting daily life and leading many to hospital emergency visits. It affects 1 in 11 people in the U.S., and almost half will experience a recurrence. A major new study from the Urinary Stone Disease Research Network, coordinated by the Duke Clinical Research Institute, tested whether a behavioral program could help people drink enough fluids to prevent stones from coming back. The study, published in The Lancet on March 19, ...
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Biochar from energy crops could remove CO2 at $9.60 per ton in China
Energy 2026-03-19

Biochar from energy crops could remove CO2 at $9.60 per ton in China

A new study calculates that biochar produced from bioenergy crops grown on China's abandoned farmland could remove atmospheric CO2 for roughly $9.60 per ton, compared to about $91 per ton for bioenergy with carbon capture and storage. The approach could scale to 1.88 billion tons annually under optimized conditions.
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