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Phys.org / Could the discovery of a tiny RNA molecule explain the origins of life?

One of the greatest mysteries of our planet is how a soup of lifeless chemicals transformed into the first living cell. There are several competing theories about where this happened, from frozen polar ice to superheated ...

Feb 13, 2026 in Biology
Phys.org / Does vegan-friendly haircare work? Early tests show shinier, easier-to-comb strands

To find new ways to shield hair from heat, sunlight and air pollution, researchers in Brazil are turning to vegan-friendly ingredients for shampoos and conditioners. Published in ACS Omega, early tests show that a fruit-algae ...

Feb 16, 2026 in Chemistry
Phys.org / Slippery ions create a smoother path to blue energy

Osmotic energy, often called blue energy, is a promising way to generate sustainable electricity from the natural mixing of salt and fresh water. It exploits the voltage that arises when ions from saltwater pass through an ...

Feb 16, 2026 in Nanotechnology
Phys.org / Social media images help fill 'major gaps' in global biodiversity data

A new study published in Conservation Biology shows that geotagged social media photos can significantly improve biodiversity datasets, especially in regions underrepresented in global monitoring efforts. Led by scientists ...

Feb 16, 2026 in Biology
Phys.org / Navigation apps can help level the playing field for ride-hail drivers

Technology is making the ride-hail industry more accessible than ever, according to new research published in the Strategic Management Journal. The study, conducted by academics at the National University of Singapore (NUS), ...

Feb 17, 2026 in Other Sciences
Tech Xplore / Organic solar cells degrade quickly, but a solid additive could help them last longer

Solar power continues to grow—accounting for most new capacity added to U.S. electric grids in 2024—but the mid-1950s technology most often used to capture the sun's energy comes with environmental costs.

Feb 16, 2026 in Energy & Green Tech
Medical Xpress / Combining nerve blocks with therapy speeds recovery in military personnel and veterans, clinical trial finds

Military service members and veterans frequently experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which is linked to a range of psychological challenges and adverse effects. Cognitive-behavioral therapies like cognitive ...

Feb 17, 2026 in Psychology & Psychiatry
Medical Xpress / Negative experiences like divorce or bullying may increase obesity risk in children

Adverse childhood experiences, such as physical or sexual abuse, parental divorce, socioeconomic hardship, neglect or bullying, may increase the risk of obesity in children, according to new University of Georgia research. ...

Feb 17, 2026 in Overweight & Obesity
Medical Xpress / Alzheimer's gene boosts seizures, but pathway can be targeted, study finds

The gene most strongly correlated with Alzheimer's disease also boosts seizure activity by decreasing levels of ion pumps and energy-producing enzymes in neurons, a new study by researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign ...

Feb 16, 2026 in Genetics
Phys.org / China has slashed air pollution, but the 'war' isn't over

Fifteen years ago, Beijing's Liangma riverbanks would have been smog-choked and deserted in winter, but these days they are dotted with families and exercising pensioners most mornings.

Feb 17, 2026 in Earth
Medical Xpress / FDA-approved drug may reverse T-cell exclusion in fibrolamellar liver cancer

Immunotherapy—which activates the body's own immune system to kill cancer cells—has not worked well against a rare and fatal liver cancer, but a new study finds an existing FDA-approved drug may allow the immunotherapy ...

Feb 17, 2026 in Oncology & Cancer
Tech Xplore / NASA advances high-altitude traffic management

High-altitude flight is getting increasing attention from sectors ranging from telecommunications to emergency response. To make that airspace more accessible, NASA is developing an air traffic management system covering ...

Feb 17, 2026 in Hi Tech & Innovation