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Science X provides daily science news on research developments, technological breakthroughs and the latest science innovations.
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Dating apps are engineered to maximize user engagement and data collection, often prioritizing prolonged use and monetization over fostering meaningful romantic connections. doi.org/gjq27d
What dating apps are really optimizing. Hint: It isn't love
In the weeks leading up to Valentine's Day, dating apps typically see a spike in new users and activity. More profiles are created, more messages sent, more swipes logged.
phys.org
February 14, 2026 at 9:01 AM
Dating apps are engineered to maximize user engagement and data collection, often prioritizing prolonged use and monetization over fostering meaningful romantic connections. doi.org/gjq27d
Remote genetic counseling via telehealth, integrated with primary care, increases access to genetic testing and early cancer screening for adult survivors of childhood cancers.
What telehealth changes for adult survivors of childhood cancers: More genetic testing, earlier screening options
Adult survivors of childhood cancers are at higher risk for another cancer—such as breast, colorectal, sarcomas and thyroid cancer—that is not a relapse of their original illness.
medicalxpress.com
February 13, 2026 at 11:30 PM
Remote genetic counseling via telehealth, integrated with primary care, increases access to genetic testing and early cancer screening for adult survivors of childhood cancers.
Thermodynamic analysis of the histamine H1 receptor reveals how subtle molecular differences between drug isomers influence binding selectivity, offering new strategies for rational drug design. doi.org/hbpgpg
How a key receptor tells apart two nearly identical drug molecules
G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are one of the largest families of cell surface proteins in the human body that recognize hormones, neurotransmitters, and drugs.
phys.org
February 13, 2026 at 10:40 PM
Thermodynamic analysis of the histamine H1 receptor reveals how subtle molecular differences between drug isomers influence binding selectivity, offering new strategies for rational drug design. doi.org/hbpgpg
A biological mechanism involving senescent "zombie cells" has been identified as a contributor to chemotherapy resistance and recurrence in lung and ovarian cancers. Targeting these cells may improve treatment outcomes. doi.org/hbpghn
The 'zombie cell' effect: New study explains chemotherapy resistance in lung and ovarian cancers
Researchers have identified a biological mechanism that helps explain why some lung and ovarian cancers become resistant to chemotherapy, offering insight into why cancers recur.
medicalxpress.com
February 13, 2026 at 9:40 PM
A biological mechanism involving senescent "zombie cells" has been identified as a contributor to chemotherapy resistance and recurrence in lung and ovarian cancers. Targeting these cells may improve treatment outcomes. doi.org/hbpghn
The IceCube Neutrino Observatory at the South Pole has expanded its detector array, enhancing sensitivity to lower-energy neutrinos and enabling more detailed studies of cosmic phenomena.
The IceCube experiment is ready to uncover more secrets of the universe
The name "IceCube" not only serves as the title of the experiment, but also describes its appearance. Embedded in the transparent ice of the South Pole, a three-dimensional grid of more than 5,000 extremely sensitive light sensors forms a giant cube with a volume of one cubic kilometer.
phys.org
February 13, 2026 at 9:00 PM
The IceCube Neutrino Observatory at the South Pole has expanded its detector array, enhancing sensitivity to lower-energy neutrinos and enabling more detailed studies of cosmic phenomena.
Loss of the Y chromosome in some cells increases with age in men and is associated with higher risks of cardiovascular disease, cancer, and reduced lifespan. Environmental factors may also contribute. doi.org/hbpgfc
Men lose their Y chromosome as they age: Scientists thought it didn't matter—but now we're learning more
Men tend to lose the Y chromosome from their cells as they age. But because the Y bears few genes other than for male determination, it was thought this loss would not affect health.
medicalxpress.com
February 13, 2026 at 8:40 PM
Loss of the Y chromosome in some cells increases with age in men and is associated with higher risks of cardiovascular disease, cancer, and reduced lifespan. Environmental factors may also contribute. doi.org/hbpgfc
DNA analysis of 11,000-year-old remains from a Cumbrian cave identifies Northern Britain's oldest known human as a female child, offering new insight into early Mesolithic burials. doi.org/hbpgd3
Northern Britain's oldest human remains are of a young female child, DNA analysis reveals
The oldest human remains ever found in Northern Britain have been identified as a young female three years after being discovered in a Cumbrian cave.
phys.org
February 13, 2026 at 8:20 PM
DNA analysis of 11,000-year-old remains from a Cumbrian cave identifies Northern Britain's oldest known human as a female child, offering new insight into early Mesolithic burials. doi.org/hbpgd3
Companies that prioritize transparent and responsible data privacy practices can achieve stronger customer loyalty and improved financial performance, turning privacy stewardship into a competitive advantage. doi.org/hbpgbm
Research shows companies can gain advantage by prioritizing customer privacy
For many companies, customer privacy is often seen as a regulatory burden that limits data use and personalization rather than as a business opportunity.
techxplore.com
February 13, 2026 at 8:00 PM
Companies that prioritize transparent and responsible data privacy practices can achieve stronger customer loyalty and improved financial performance, turning privacy stewardship into a competitive advantage. doi.org/hbpgbm
Fungal recycling strategies influence how much carbon forests can store, with some species efficiently reusing mycelium while others leave more organic matter behind. This diversity impacts the forest carbon cycle. doi.org/hbpgbk
Recycling strategies of fungi can affect how forests store carbon
Some fungi are wasteful, while others recycle—and this can determine how much carbon is stored in a forest. Researchers at Lund University have now revealed how fungi manage their mycelium, the network that builds the structure of fungus.
phys.org
February 13, 2026 at 8:00 PM
Fungal recycling strategies influence how much carbon forests can store, with some species efficiently reusing mycelium while others leave more organic matter behind. This diversity impacts the forest carbon cycle. doi.org/hbpgbk
A new microfluidic chip enables direct, one-step detection of PFAS and other pollutants in solid-containing samples, streamlining environmental and food safety analysis without the need for pretreatment. doi.org/hbpgbj
A microfluidic chip for one-step detection of PFAS and other pollutants
Environmental pollutant analysis typically requires complex sample pretreatment steps such as filtration, separation, and preconcentration.
phys.org
February 13, 2026 at 7:40 PM
A new microfluidic chip enables direct, one-step detection of PFAS and other pollutants in solid-containing samples, streamlining environmental and food safety analysis without the need for pretreatment. doi.org/hbpgbj
Lab-grown retinal tissue demonstrates that sharp human vision develops through the interaction of vitamin A derivatives and thyroid hormones, guiding the formation of cone cells in the retina. doi.org/hbpgbh
How did humans develop sharp vision? Lab-grown retinas show likely answer
Humans develop sharp vision during early fetal development thanks to an interplay between a vitamin A derivative and thyroid hormones in the retina, Johns Hopkins University scientists have found.
phys.org
February 13, 2026 at 7:30 PM
Lab-grown retinal tissue demonstrates that sharp human vision develops through the interaction of vitamin A derivatives and thyroid hormones, guiding the formation of cone cells in the retina. doi.org/hbpgbh
A new predictive model enables more accurate control of acoustic streaming in ultrasonic phased arrays, supporting improved stability and precision in midair haptics and acoustic levitation. doi.org/hbpgbg
Midair haptics and levitation may get steadier with predictable ultrasonic airflow
Acoustic streaming generated by airborne ultrasonic phased arrays plays a critical role in the performance of advanced ultrasonic technologies, including midair haptic feedback, odor delivery, and acoustic levitation.
techxplore.com
February 13, 2026 at 7:20 PM
A new predictive model enables more accurate control of acoustic streaming in ultrasonic phased arrays, supporting improved stability and precision in midair haptics and acoustic levitation. doi.org/hbpgbg
Analysis of wild Yellow-naped Amazon parrots' warble duets shows these vocalizations follow complex syntactic rules, suggesting language-like structure in their communication. doi.org/hbpgbf
Syntax discovered in the warbling duets of wild parrots
With a few minutes of searching, anyone can find videos online of chatty birds: macaws talk to their keepers, cockatoos sing to the camera, corvids mimic the jarring sounds of construction sites.
phys.org
February 13, 2026 at 7:20 PM
Analysis of wild Yellow-naped Amazon parrots' warble duets shows these vocalizations follow complex syntactic rules, suggesting language-like structure in their communication. doi.org/hbpgbf
Zebrafish models can help distinguish true from false positive spinal muscular atrophy results in newborn screening, supporting more precise and timely clinical decisions. doi.org/hbpgbd
False alarm in newborn screening: How zebrafish can prevent unnecessary spinal muscular atrophy therapies
A positive newborn screening for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is currently considered a medical emergency. Without early treatment, severe disability or death in infancy are likely.
medicalxpress.com
February 13, 2026 at 7:20 PM
Zebrafish models can help distinguish true from false positive spinal muscular atrophy results in newborn screening, supporting more precise and timely clinical decisions. doi.org/hbpgbd
A newly identified protein complex, including the surface receptor CD25, enables aggressive leukemia cells to survive by dampening activation signals; disrupting this complex can trigger cancer cell death. doi.org/hbpf99
Study identifies a new class of drug targets for aggressive leukemia
Hyperactive signaling pathways of some aggressive blood cancer cells can be tamped down by a previously unrecognized protein complex, ensuring the cancer's survival.
medicalxpress.com
February 13, 2026 at 7:06 PM
A newly identified protein complex, including the surface receptor CD25, enables aggressive leukemia cells to survive by dampening activation signals; disrupting this complex can trigger cancer cell death. doi.org/hbpf99
Implanted brain devices can now detect walking in people with Parkinson’s disease during daily life, offering a step toward more adaptive and personalized neuromodulation therapies outside the lab.
From the lab to the living room: Decoding Parkinson's patients' movements in the real world
Scientists have traditionally studied how the brain controls movement by asking patients to perform structured tasks while connected to multiple sensors in a lab.
medicalxpress.com
February 13, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Implanted brain devices can now detect walking in people with Parkinson’s disease during daily life, offering a step toward more adaptive and personalized neuromodulation therapies outside the lab.
Fossil and modern evidence shows gray wolves shift to consuming harder foods, such as bones, during warmer climates, highlighting the impact of climate change on their feeding strategies. doi.org/hbpf98
Fossil evidence reveals how gray wolves adapt diets to climate change
Gray wolves adapt their diets as a result of climate change, eating harder foods such as bones to extract nutrition during warmer climates, new research has found.
phys.org
February 13, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Fossil and modern evidence shows gray wolves shift to consuming harder foods, such as bones, during warmer climates, highlighting the impact of climate change on their feeding strategies. doi.org/hbpf98
A new hologram processing method increases the depth of focus in 3D images fivefold, enhancing the flexibility and performance of holographic microscopy for complex biological studies. doi.org/hbpf96
Hologram processing method boosts 3D image depth of focus fivefold
Researchers from the University of Tartu Institute of Physics have developed a novel method for enhancing the quality of three-dimensional images by increasing the depth of focus in holograms fivefold after recording, using computational imaging techniques.
phys.org
February 13, 2026 at 6:52 PM
A new hologram processing method increases the depth of focus in 3D images fivefold, enhancing the flexibility and performance of holographic microscopy for complex biological studies. doi.org/hbpf96
New findings show that under extreme conditions, heating pure metals can increase their strength, challenging traditional views and offering new strategies for advanced material design. doi.org/hbpf94
Rule-breaking discovery reveals new way to strengthen metal in extreme conditions
There's a reason why blacksmiths fire metals before hammering them. Heat always softens metal, making it more malleable and easier to reshape.
techxplore.com
February 13, 2026 at 6:48 PM
New findings show that under extreme conditions, heating pure metals can increase their strength, challenging traditional views and offering new strategies for advanced material design. doi.org/hbpf94
Pancreatic cancer can alter its environment at the earliest stages, with increased TNFα signaling emerging as a potential biomarker for early detection and intervention strategies. doi.org/hbpf92
How pancreatic cancer prepares the tumor environment: A possible biomarker for the earliest stage of development
Even before a tumor in the pancreas becomes discernible, an activated cancer gene actively remodels its future environment and creates an inflammatory and immune-defensive microenvironment in which the carcinoma can grow.
medicalxpress.com
February 13, 2026 at 6:42 PM
Pancreatic cancer can alter its environment at the earliest stages, with increased TNFα signaling emerging as a potential biomarker for early detection and intervention strategies. doi.org/hbpf92
Wireless voltage pulses can now induce reversible bending in carbon microfibers, enabling precise, contactless control of fiber motion for applications in micromechanics and soft robotics. doi.org/hbpf9z
Shaping carbon fiber with electricity: Wireless voltage pulses drive reversible bending
Controlled manipulation of fibers that are as thin as or even thinner than human hair is a real challenge. Despite technological development, the precise and reversible change of the microfibers' orientation is not easy.
phys.org
February 13, 2026 at 6:40 PM
Wireless voltage pulses can now induce reversible bending in carbon microfibers, enabling precise, contactless control of fiber motion for applications in micromechanics and soft robotics. doi.org/hbpf9z
Controlling how plastic deformation spreads at the atomic scale can significantly enhance fatigue resistance in metal alloys, offering a new approach for designing tougher, longer-lasting materials. doi.org/hbpf9x
'Dynamic plastic delocalization' can slow metal alloy cracking, engineers find
Metal alloys crack and fail through a mechanism called "fatigue" when repeatedly loaded and strained. While it is well known how to design alloys to withstand static loads and pressures, it is very difficult to design resistance to fatigue because it is difficult to predict how the underlying cause manifests at the atomic scale.
techxplore.com
February 13, 2026 at 6:40 PM
Controlling how plastic deformation spreads at the atomic scale can significantly enhance fatigue resistance in metal alloys, offering a new approach for designing tougher, longer-lasting materials. doi.org/hbpf9x
Parkinson's disease is linked to selective loss of body fat and a shift in energy production, with the body increasingly relying on fat breakdown as carbohydrate metabolism declines. doi.org/hbpf9w
Parkinson's disease triggers a hidden shift in how the body produces energy
Weight loss is a well-recognized but poorly understood non-motor feature of Parkinson's disease (PD). Many patients progressively lose weight as the disease advances, often alongside worsening motor symptoms and quality of life.
medicalxpress.com
February 13, 2026 at 6:40 PM
Parkinson's disease is linked to selective loss of body fat and a shift in energy production, with the body increasingly relying on fat breakdown as carbohydrate metabolism declines. doi.org/hbpf9w
Mathematical analysis suggests time crystals could enable quantum clocks with greater precision and efficiency, potentially reducing energy demands compared to conventional timekeeping methods. doi.org/qq6j
Time crystals could become accurate and efficient timekeepers
Time crystals could one day provide a reliable foundation for ultra-precise quantum clocks, new mathematical analysis has revealed.
phys.org
February 13, 2026 at 6:40 PM
Mathematical analysis suggests time crystals could enable quantum clocks with greater precision and efficiency, potentially reducing energy demands compared to conventional timekeeping methods. doi.org/qq6j
A conserved amino acid motif enables the NIN transcription factor to broadly bind DNA, supporting its key role in regulating genes essential for rhizobial symbiosis in legumes. doi.org/hbpf9s
Ancestral motif enables broad DNA binding by NIN, a master regulator of rhizobial symbiosis
Researchers at University of Tsukuba have uncovered a master transcriptional regulator that controls rhizobial symbiosis between plants and nitrogen-fixing bacteria.
phys.org
February 13, 2026 at 6:22 PM
A conserved amino acid motif enables the NIN transcription factor to broadly bind DNA, supporting its key role in regulating genes essential for rhizobial symbiosis in legumes. doi.org/hbpf9s