National analysis maps German hospital vulnerability to flood-driven traffic disruptions

• Due to climate change, extreme weather events such as flooding are expected to increase in Germany in the future. • This poses hidden risks to the health care system that have ha

Science · February 18, 2026 (updated February 24, 2026) · 1 min · 59 words

Map suggests up to 30% of western bird hotspots face severe wildfire risk

• Up to 30% of bird diversity hotspots, places where large numbers of different bird species occur, in the western United States face threats from high-severity wildfires in the fu

Science · February 18, 2026 (updated February 24, 2026) · 1 min · 47 words

Indigenous Peoples and locals report a drastic decline in bird size across three continents

• Birds currently inhabiting many territories across Africa, Latin America and Asia are, on average, considerably smaller than those that predominated in 1940. • This is the conclu

Science · February 18, 2026 (updated February 24, 2026) · 1 min · 86 words

Quantum simulator reveals statistical localization that keeps most qubit states frozen

• In the everyday world, governed by classical physics, the concept of equilibrium reigns. • If you put a drop of ink into water, it will eventually evenly mix. • If you put a glas

Science · February 18, 2026 (updated February 24, 2026) · 1 min · 92 words

New durable hybrid materials enable faster radiation detection

• Researchers at the University of Oklahoma have developed new hybrid materials that challenge conventional thinking about how light-emitting compounds work and could advance the f

Science · February 18, 2026 (updated February 24, 2026) · 1 min · 63 words

Benchmark of 1.4 million checked protein structures could sharpen AI predictions

• University of Missouri researchers have released the world’s largest collection of protein models with quality assessment-a groundbreaking new resource that could accelerate drug

Science · February 18, 2026 (updated February 24, 2026) · 1 min · 84 words

Genetic discovery offers hope for global banana farming

• Scientists have pinpointed crucial genetic resistance to a fungal disease that threatens the global banana supply in a wild subspecies of the fruit. • In a valuable step forward

Science · February 18, 2026 (updated February 24, 2026) · 1 min · 144 words

Homes in the fire zone: Why wildland-urban blazes create significantly more air pollution

• A research team led by the U.S. • National Science Foundation National Center for Atmospheric Research (NSF NCAR) has published a foundational inventory of emissions produced by

Science · February 18, 2026 (updated February 24, 2026) · 1 min · 154 words

When fluctuations shape biodiversity: A minimalist model explains why 'rarity' is so common

• An ecosystem is not a still life. • Even where everything looks stable-a woodland, a lake, the soil-the internal ‘bookkeeping’ keeps changing: how many individuals belong to whic

Science · February 18, 2026 (updated February 24, 2026) · 1 min · 154 words

When electronics become flexible: Atom-thin materials for future devices

• In a paper published in the journal Small, a team of physicists from IISER Pune have developed tiny electronic devices from a special semiconductor material called bismuth oxysel

Science · February 18, 2026 (updated February 24, 2026) · 1 min · 100 words

Machine learning helps solve a central problem of quantum chemistry

• By applying new methods of machine learning to quantum chemistry research, Heidelberg University scientists have made significant strides in computational chemistry. • They have

Science · February 18, 2026 (updated February 24, 2026) · 1 min · 136 words

Plant-based material offers sustainable method of recovering rare earth element

• Despite rare earth elements’ importance in manufacturing cell phones, magnets and a host of other consumer and commercial electronics, the lack of a sustainable, environmentally

Science · February 18, 2026 (updated February 24, 2026) · 1 min · 105 words

Chemistry-powered 'breathing' membrane opens and closes tiny pores on its own

• Chemistry-powered membrane autonomously opens and closes nanoscale pores, mimicking biological ion channels. • Pores are fabricated at angstrom-scale widths, matching the size of

Science · February 18, 2026 (updated February 24, 2026) · 1 min · 129 words

Giant DNA viruses encode their own eukaryote-like translation machinery, researchers discover

• In a new study, published in Cell, researchers describe a newfound mechanism for creating proteins in a giant DNA virus, comparable to a mechanism in eukaryotic cells. • The find

Science · February 18, 2026 (updated February 24, 2026) · 1 min · 100 words

Beyond Mendel: Researchers call for a new understanding of genetics

• For more than a century, Mendelian genetics has shaped how we think about inheritance: one gene, one trait. • It is a model that still echoes through textbooks-and one that is in

Science · February 18, 2026 (updated February 24, 2026) · 2 min · 215 words

Current levels of violence, harassment should classify Canadian schools as hazardous workplaces, says report

• Canadian schools now face crisis-level violence and harassment, prompting calls for hazardous workplace classification. • University of Ottawa researchers highlight alarming inci

Science · February 18, 2026 (updated February 24, 2026) · 1 min · 131 words

Ultrasound-jiggled nanobubbles can crack cancer's collagen 'fortress'

• Researchers at Case Western Reserve University have discovered a way to breach one of cancer’s most stubborn defenses: the impenetrable fortress that solid tumors build around th

Science · February 18, 2026 (updated February 24, 2026) · 1 min · 59 words

'Ridiculous' plan developed at Florida zoo saves wild rhino's eyesight in Africa

• Corralling a wild rhinoceros into a small chute to give it eyedrops might seem like a crazy plan. • But if it’s crazy and it works, then it’s not crazy.

Science · February 18, 2026 (updated February 24, 2026) · 1 min · 64 words

Simplifying quantum simulations-symmetry can cut computational effort by several orders of magnitude

• Quantum computer research is advancing at a rapid pace. • Today’s devices, however, still have significant limitations: For example, the length of a quantum computation is severe

Science · February 18, 2026 (updated February 24, 2026) · 1 min · 131 words

Quantum-level effects in biology: Weak magnetic fields and isotopes can alter cell protein structures

• First demonstration of weak magnetic fields altering cellular protein structures. • Isotopes used alongside magnetic fields to induce quantum-level changes in cells. • Technique

Science · February 18, 2026 (updated February 24, 2026) · 1 min · 145 words

Digital forestry team combines AI with satellite data to monitor urban trees

• A Purdue University digital forestry team has created a computational tool to obtain and analyze urban tree inventories on public and private lands with record-breaking speed at

Science · February 18, 2026 (updated February 24, 2026) · 1 min · 154 words

Simulations map how single-crystal battery materials could boost cycle life

• The performance of rechargeable batteries is governed by processes deep within their components. • A fundamental understanding of electrochemistry, structure-property-performance

Science · February 18, 2026 (updated February 24, 2026) · 1 min · 106 words

Turtles' brains shed light on evolutionary developments dating back hundreds of millions of years

• A new study from the School of Neurobiology, Biochemistry, and Biophysics reveals a surprising insight into the operation of the ancestral brain: the visual cortex of turtles is

Science · February 18, 2026 (updated February 24, 2026) · 1 min · 194 words

Chiral myosin steers actin into stable rotating rings without a template, study finds

• Living cells are highly organized, yet they are not assembled using rigid blueprints or by following a predetermined plan. • Instead, order emerges on its own from countless inte

Science · February 18, 2026 (updated February 24, 2026) · 1 min · 107 words

Trapping a single protein in a molecular cage: A new path to drug discovery for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

• Proteins often function in pairs or groups, concealing their internal connection points and making it difficult for scientists to study their individual units without altering th

Science · February 18, 2026 (updated February 24, 2026) · 1 min · 146 words

A super stable laser on the moon could guide future lunar missions and improve our timekeeping

• Scientists are proposing to build a laser in a crater on the moon to help future lunar missions land safely in the dark and find their way around. • This ultra-stable light sourc

Science · February 18, 2026 (updated February 24, 2026) · 1 min · 110 words

New study identifies sequence of critical thresholds for Antarctic ice basins

• Antarctic ice sheet behaves as multiple interacting basins, not a single tipping element. • Study by Potsdam Institute and Max Planck reveals distinct critical thresholds. • Curr

Science · February 18, 2026 (updated February 24, 2026) · 1 min · 171 words

Prussian-blue based electrode demonstrates high capacity for cesium removal

• Prussian blue electrode shows record cesium adsorption capacity. • Targets radioactive Cs⁺ ions, high solubility threat. • Simplified fabrication reduces production complexity. •

Science · February 18, 2026 (updated February 24, 2026) · 1 min · 87 words

Mantle plume vs. plate tectonics: Basalt cores reshape the North Atlantic breakup debate

• About 56 million years ago, Europe and North America began pulling apart to form what became the ever-expanding North Atlantic Ocean. • Vast amounts of molten rock from Earth’s m

Science · February 18, 2026 (updated February 24, 2026) · 1 min · 120 words
EPA sued for attacks on science & clean air which hike your energy costs $1.4T

EPA sued for attacks on science & clean air which hike your energy costs $1.4T

• A coalition of 17 environmental groups have filed suit against the EPA’s recent illegal attacks on clean air and climate science, pointing out that the rule will raise American e

Why negativity can motivate founders: Study links doubts to greater persistence

• A new study finds entrepreneurs become more committed to their business ventures when they are told they will fail, increasing their efforts to make those businesses successful.

Science · February 18, 2026 (updated February 24, 2026) · 1 min · 144 words

Understanding 'Snowball Earth' extreme climates when the world is covered in ice

• In the whole history of Earth’s climate, few events are as extreme as those that geologists call ‘Snowball Earth.’

Science · February 18, 2026 (updated February 24, 2026) · 1 min · 43 words
Microsoft's new 10,000-year data storage medium: glass

Microsoft's new 10,000-year data storage medium: glass

• Archival storage poses lots of challenges. • We want media that is extremely dense and stable for centuries or more, and, ideally, doesn’t consume any energy when not being acces

Science · February 18, 2026 (updated February 25, 2026) · 2 min · 235 words
More dog breeds found to have high risk of breathing condition

More dog breeds found to have high risk of breathing condition

• Pekingese (left) and Japanese chin (right) dogs have a high risk of breathing problemsMichael Schultze, KATAMOUNT/Alamy Pekingese (left) and Japanese chin (right) dogs have a hig

Science · February 18, 2026 (updated February 24, 2026) · 2 min · 336 words
Paediatricians' blood used to make new treatments for RSV and colds

Paediatricians' blood used to make new treatments for RSV and colds

• Paediatricians do more than just treat children’s ailments - or dress up as princesses. • A team of 10 in China had their blood screened to help develop treatments for common chi

Science · February 18, 2026 (updated February 24, 2026) · 2 min · 258 words

Rewriting our understanding of early hominin dispersal from Africa to Eurasia

• What if Homo erectus (H. • erectus), the direct ancestor of modern humans, arrived in China much earlier than we thought? • Research published in Science Advances may rewrite our

Science · February 18, 2026 (updated February 24, 2026) · 1 min · 79 words

Pekingese, Shih Tzu and Staffordshire bull terrier among 12 dog breeds at risk of serious breathing condition

• Scientists have identified a further 12 dog breeds as being at risk of brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome-a condition that can cause serious breathing problems-including

Science · February 18, 2026 (updated February 24, 2026) · 1 min · 85 words

Rising simultaneous wildfire risk compromises international firefighting efforts

• The most high-risk conditions for fires are increasingly happening across countries at the same time, making resulting wildfires even more challenging to tackle, new research rev

Science · February 18, 2026 (updated February 24, 2026) · 1 min · 57 words

Interplay of class and gender may influence social judgments differently between cultures

• Certain markers of high status may more strongly boost attitudes toward women versus men, and low status markers may more strongly worsen attitudes toward men versus women-with b

Science · February 18, 2026 (updated February 24, 2026) · 1 min · 138 words

Climate change and persistent contaminants deliver one‑two punch to Arctic seals, study finds

• New research shows a single year of warmer-than-average Arctic temperatures can cause malnutrition in Arctic seals, intensifying risks to Inuit food security and northern ecosyst

Science · February 18, 2026 (updated February 24, 2026) · 1 min · 77 words

Prototype 'digital twin' helps better predict groundwater

• Developed a digital twin model to forecast groundwater levels in Enschede, Netherlands. • Model uses real‑time data to anticipate flooding and drought conditions early. • Enables

Science · February 18, 2026 (updated February 24, 2026) · 1 min · 141 words

New 'Mars GPS' lets Perseverance pinpoint its location within 25 centimeters

• Imagine you’re all alone, driving along in a rocky, unforgiving desert with no roads, no map, no GPS, and no more than one phone call a day for someone to inform you exactly wher

Science · February 18, 2026 (updated February 24, 2026) · 1 min · 159 words

How the humble silkworm could help us discover new anti-aging treatments

• When scientists want to study aging and how to slow it down, they often turn to microscopic worms or lab mice among other models. • The former are too different from humans, whil

Science · February 18, 2026 (updated February 24, 2026) · 1 min · 137 words
Artists gaze into space in stunning new exhibition

Artists gaze into space in stunning new exhibition

• Janette Kerr Janette Kerr Royal West of England Academy Both artists and astronomers are, in a way, translators. • They convert what we can see into a story we can tell. • InCosm

Science · February 18, 2026 (updated February 24, 2026) · 2 min · 269 words
Hannah Fry: 'AI can do some superhuman things - but so can forklifts'

Hannah Fry: 'AI can do some superhuman things - but so can forklifts'

• BBC/Curious Films/Rory Langdon BBC/Curious Films/Rory Langdon The chances are that you think about artificial intelligence far more today than you did five years ago. • Since Cha

Science · February 18, 2026 (updated February 24, 2026) · 2 min · 287 words
New Scientist recommends The Big Oyster: History on the half shell

New Scientist recommends The Big Oyster: History on the half shell

• Alicia Clarke/Alamy Alicia Clarke/Alamy I am currently readingThe Big Oyster: History on the half shell, a chronicle of New York City told through its renowned oyster beds. • Eve

Science · February 18, 2026 (updated February 24, 2026) · 2 min · 233 words
Spruce trees stumped (sigh) when it comes to predicting eclipses

Spruce trees stumped (sigh) when it comes to predicting eclipses

• Josie Ford Josie Ford Feedback isNew Scientist’spopular sideways look at the latest science and technology news. • You can submit items you believe may amuse readers to Feedback

Science · February 18, 2026 (updated February 24, 2026) · 2 min · 245 words
The maths quirk that can cheer you up if you're feeling unpopular

The maths quirk that can cheer you up if you're feeling unpopular

• Orlando Gili/Millenium Images Orlando Gili/Millenium Images Your friends are likely to have more friends than you do. • Don’t worry, it’s nothing personal. • It’s just about how

Science · February 18, 2026 (updated February 25, 2026) · 1 min · 203 words
We need to get better at identifying postpartum depression in dads

We need to get better at identifying postpartum depression in dads

• Cavan Images/Alamy Cavan Images/Alamy International Women’s Day, held annually on 8 March, is a stalwart of what we might call the ‘awareness calendar’ - the loose collection of

Science · February 18, 2026 (updated February 25, 2026) · 2 min · 290 words
Weird and wonderful fungi should be so much more than sci-fi villains

Weird and wonderful fungi should be so much more than sci-fi villains

• Elaine Knox Elaine Knox Someone inhales fungal spores. • They might get a bit bitey. • Something gruesome happens and the horror spreads. • Such is the fate of many inCold Storag

Science · February 18, 2026 (updated February 24, 2026) · 1 min · 178 words
What to read this week: The Laws of Thought by Tom Griffiths

What to read this week: The Laws of Thought by Tom Griffiths

• Dwight Ellefsen/FPG/Archive Dwight Ellefsen/FPG/Archive The Laws of ThoughtTom Griffiths, William Collins (UK) Macmillan (US) FOR nearly 70 years, cognitive researchers have been

Science · February 18, 2026 (updated February 25, 2026) · 2 min · 236 words
Why it's high time we stopped anthropomorphising ants

Why it's high time we stopped anthropomorphising ants

• Fuller/VWPics/Alamy Jon G. • Fuller/VWPics/Alamy Pollution is making many cities unlivable for their human inhabitants, but it is also tearing ant families and communities apart.

Science · February 18, 2026 (updated February 24, 2026) · 2 min · 218 words

Why coping with heavy rain in Scotland's whisky country shows how to save water for the summer

• After weeks of relentless rain and flooding, and even more forecast, 2025’s droughts and hosepipe bans feel like ancient history.

Science · February 18, 2026 (updated February 24, 2026) · 1 min · 48 words

Archaeologists identify elders in Iron Age Israel through household artifacts

• A new study from Bar-Ilan University is shedding light on a long-overlooked social group in archaeology: the elderly. • While research on women and children has flourished in rec

Science · February 18, 2026 (updated February 24, 2026) · 1 min · 143 words

Fungus with species-jumping genes threatens coffee crops. 'Resurrecting' fungal genomes may help understand it

• For anyone who relies on coffee to start their day, coffee wilt disease may be the most important disease you’ve never heard of. • This fungal disease has repeatedly reshaped the

Science · February 18, 2026 (updated February 24, 2026) · 1 min · 102 words

Machine learning algorithm fully reconstructs LHC particle collisions

• The CMS Collaboration has shown, for the first time, that machine learning can be used to fully reconstruct particle collisions at the LHC. • This new approach can reconstruct co

Science · February 18, 2026 (updated February 24, 2026) · 1 min · 131 words

Microscopic mirrors for future quantum networks: A new way to make high-performance optical resonators

• Researchers in the Harvard John A. • Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) and the Faculty of Arts and Sciences have devised a new way to make some of the sma

Science · February 18, 2026 (updated February 24, 2026) · 1 min · 135 words

The Peace-Athabasca Delta is at risk. Here's what we can do to evaluate the threats

• River deltas are among the most complex and productive environments on Earth. • Yet, they face serious threats from upstream industrialization and climate change, which alter sup

Science · February 18, 2026 (updated February 24, 2026) · 1 min · 99 words

CEOs who experience natural disasters are more likely to lead safer workplaces

• CEOs who survived natural disasters prioritize workplace safety, reducing injury rates. • Their firsthand crisis experience translates into stronger safety protocols for employee

Science · February 18, 2026 (updated February 24, 2026) · 1 min · 113 words

Intense heat waves directly threaten crops and native species. Here's what we can do

• During Australia’s unprecedented heat wave in late January, air temperatures reached 50°C in inland South Australia.

Science · February 18, 2026 (updated February 24, 2026) · 1 min · 37 words