Science news summaries — Page 2
Essential facts and source links for recent science stories.
-
MIT-developed bioresorbable battery powers ingestible devices for up to three days
An MIT-led study tested a paper-like, bioresorbable battery that powered ingestible devices for up to three days. In pigs, it ran a medication-tracking capsule and a stomach-stimulation device; the researchers have not tested it in people. -
Yale study finds farm liming yields net carbon storage in Mississippi Basin soils
A Yale-led study found that applying crushed limestone to fields across the Mississippi River Basin leaves soils storing more carbon dioxide than they emit. Farmers already use liming to correct acidic soils and help crops perform better. -
Patriots and Broncos equip new training facilities with AtmosAir systems
The New England Patriots and Denver Broncos installed AtmosAir Solutions’ bipolar-ionization systems in their new training facilities, alongside 24/7 air-quality monitoring. The stated aim is to reduce airborne contaminants; no player-health results are reported. -
Survey links bottled-water use to convenience, perceived safety and ads
A Concordia University study drawing on responses from more than 15,000 people in 81 countries linked bottled-water use to convenience, perceived protection from microbes and advertising. Awareness of plastic-related health risks did not always change buying habits. -
UK review models up to 90% lower satellite power costs with silicon cells
A University of Surrey-led review estimates silicon solar cells could cut satellite power costs by 85%–90%, even with protective space-qualified glass, and reduce the solar-cell mass needed by about half. Its models covered one side of a 3U CubeSat and a Micro Sat. -
University tests found a 61% particle drop with DIY classroom filters
Two homemade Corsi-Rosenthal boxes reduced airborne particles across occupied university classrooms by 61% in tests spanning 59 class sessions. Researchers estimated each unit costs about $60 to build; the boxes ran quietly enough not to disrupt instruction. -
Czech sanctuary dates to over 6,500 years ago, 1,000 before Stonehenge
Researchers say a circular prehistoric sanctuary in the Czech Republic is more than 6,500 years old, about 1,000 years older than Stonehenge. Its 230-meter-diameter enclosure has 12 entrances researchers say align with key solar and lunar cycles. -
Qnetic's 200-kWh Pulsar enters low-speed tests after 100 fault-free cycles
Qnetic has begun low-speed tests of its 200-kWh Pulsar flywheel after 100 consecutive charge-discharge cycles without faults or degradation. Engineers are checking its control and safety systems before increasing the rotor's speed. -
Study maps 920 chemicals with properties linked to breast cancer risk
A U.S. study catalogued 920 chemicals whose biological properties are linked to increased breast cancer risk; 652 had exposure evidence in at least one category. Researchers say the findings can help prioritize chemicals for monitoring and risk assessment. -
Researchers revisit São Tomé and Príncipe’s 150-year green mamba question
Researchers are reviewing a preserved green snake specimen to determine whether a green mamba ever lived on São Tomé and Príncipe, a question open for more than 150 years. No finding is reported; the historic specimen is not evidence of a current snake emergency. -
Specialist identifies an anaconda after a sighting by Bavaria’s Danube
A reptile specialist identified an anaconda beside the Danube near Kirchroth, Bavaria, after a 66-year-old woman reported seeing a snake over 6.5 feet (2 meters) long. Police and firefighters responded, and signs suggested it had spent time in captivity. -
Frankie LaPenna faces REK humanoid robot in 44-second cage bout
Influencer Frankie LaPenna appears to take several kicks from a REK humanoid robot in an MMA-style cage bout, with a final blow sending him sprawling. The article cautions the matchup may be partly performance art, not a serious human-versus-machine test. -
New method tests whether the universe’s oldest light has a real twist
UC San Diego researchers developed a calibration method to test whether a suspected twist in the cosmic microwave background is real or caused by detector-orientation errors. It compares maps from different detector groups, but cannot determine the absolute rotation on its own. -
Vesuvius’s 79 CE date sharpens argon-argon dating precision
Researchers calibrated argon-argon dating against Vesuvius’s historically inferred Aug. 24, 79 CE eruption date. Tests put the Pompeii-burying eruption at 1,938 years before 2025, give or take 13 years, compared with 1,946 years in historical records. -
Florida’s 1559 Spanish wrecks challenge standard magnetic searches, study finds
A University of West Florida study of three wrecks from Tristán de Luna y Arellano’s 1559 Florida expedition found unusually weak magnetic signatures, suggesting magnetometer surveys may miss other early colonial wrecks; researchers recommend more flexible search methods. -
Adams Lake camper finds only the third known mastodon tooth in British Columbia
Ron Storie found a 2.2-pound mastodon tooth while camping on Adams Lake’s shore in British Columbia on Sept. 14. Royal B.C. Museum paleontologist Derek Larson identified it as only the province’s third known specimen and said it likely dates to 75,000–125,000 years ago. -
Dutch team designs seven-day plant-based hospital menu with 90–97g of protein daily
A 16-person Dutch team has designed a seven-day plant-based hospital menu template; each day's menu provides 90–97 grams of protein and costs €10.50–€12.30 ($11.94–$13.98), according to Plant Based News. The team selected 30 of 40 tested recipes. -
Mouse study links abstinence-related alcohol seeking to dBNST activity
A 2026 mouse study found forced abstinence increased drinking despite an unpleasant taste in some mice, compared with animals that did not undergo abstinence. Those mice also showed greater activity in the dBNST before alcohol access resumed. -
Island states press for climate action at U.N. as rising seas threaten homes
Small island nations are pressing for climate action at the U.N., warning rising seas threaten their land, culture and survival. Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. said two-thirds of Helen Island was gone when he returned, 40 years after his last visit. -
A hair-based hormone model identified adult grizzlies’ sex correctly 94% of the time
A computer model analyzing 16 hormones in hair from 130 Alberta grizzlies identified sex correctly 80% of the time overall and 94% among adults. It correctly detected whether adult females had cubs that year in 66% of cases. -
Falcon 9 lifts off from Vandenberg for U.S. Space Force's USSF-385 mission
SpaceX’s Falcon 9 lifted off from Vandenberg Space Force Base at 7 a.m. PDT Saturday on the U.S. Space Force’s USSF-385 mission. At the customer’s request, its payload and second stage were not shown; booster B1096 landed on a Pacific drone ship after its 10th flight. -
Sixteen bears enter Fat Bear Week vote as Chunk seeks to defend title
Online voting is open for Fat Bear Week at Alaska’s Katmai National Park, where 16 brown bears compete based on pre-hibernation weight gain. Last year’s winner, Chunk (Bear 32), hopes to defend his title; the final is scheduled for Tuesday, 29 September. -
FDA authorizes two emergency-use animal treatments for New World screwworm
FDA authorized two F10 insecticide products for emergency use against New World screwworm: a topical spray and an ointment about a month later, on April 24, 2026. They cover livestock, horses, exotic mammals and birds; no medicated feeds for screwworm are approved in the U.S. -
Research identifies at least 485 breast cancer-linked chemicals in US pesticides
A peer-reviewed paper identified at least 485 chemicals used in US pesticide products that are linked to breast cancer. Only about 145 are registered with the EPA as active ingredients; the list also includes hundreds classified as “inert.” -
MeerKAT links repeating radio bursts to exoplanet Beta Pictoris b
Researchers using South Africa’s MeerKAT array report repeating radio bursts traced to Beta Pictoris b, a gas giant 64 light-years away. Their non-peer-reviewed preprint says it may be the first direct radio detection from an exoplanet and links the bursts to auroras. -
NOAA’s partner surveys estimate recreational fishing catches nationwide
NOAA Fisheries’ Marine Recreational Information Program (MRIP) draws on more than 25 programs and state, regional and federal partners to estimate recreational catch in U.S. waters. Those estimates, alongside commercial and biological data, help inform quotas and fishing rules. -
Thunberg and Aurora pursue a second climate case against Sweden
Greta Thunberg and Swedish youth group Aurora are pursuing a second climate case against Sweden, arguing it is failing to protect young people. Aurora says Sweden is off track for its 2045 net-zero target despite cutting emissions faster than the EU average. -
Lake District charity plans 1,500 wildflowers for Cumbria meadow
Friends of the Lake District plans to plant 1,500 wildflowers in an upland hay meadow at Mazonwath, Little Asby, Cumbria, on 13 October, and is seeking volunteers. The work aims to restore native species lost through some farming practices.
