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Science X / Phys.org
@sciencex.bsky.social
Science X provides daily science news on research developments, technological breakthroughs and the latest science innovations.
Phys. org: https://phys.org/
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Analysis of psychotherapy outcomes for autistic adults highlights diverse trajectories in anxiety and depression, with factors such as ethnicity and daily functioning influencing therapeutic response. doi.org/hbphm3
Therapeutic outcomes for autistic adults: Exploring factors that shape anxiety and depression trajectories
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition marked by differences in social interactions and in the understanding of others' thoughts or feelings, restricted interests and repetitive behaviors.
medicalxpress.com
February 14, 2026 at 6:00 PM
An atom-thin ferroelectric transistor using graphene and hexagonal boron nitride heterostructures can store 3,024 stable polarization states, supporting advances in neuromorphic hardware. doi.org/hbj65d
Atom-thin ferroelectric transistor can store 3,024 polarization states
Over the past few decades, electronics engineers have been trying to develop new neuromorphic hardware, systems that mirror the organization of neurons in the human brain.
techxplore.com
February 14, 2026 at 6:00 PM
Volatile organic compound analysis of ancient Egyptian mummies provides new insights into embalming recipes, revealing changes over time and differences between body parts. doi.org/hbnr2v
Scent analysis reveals the composition of ancient Egyptian embalming materials
In a recent study published in the Journal of Archaeological Science, Wanyue Zhao and her colleagues used volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to analyze the composition of scents given off by mummies and their embalming materials.
phys.org
February 14, 2026 at 5:40 PM
Plastic pollution in Norway’s freshwater and coastal areas is leading to high concentrations of PFAS and heavy metals, posing risks to wildlife and human health and highlighting the need for long-term solutions. doi.org/hbphmz
Polluting the environment for all eternity—and still sticking our heads in the sand
The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework states that plastic pollution must be eliminated by 2030. So why haven't we enacted measures that make a real difference?
phys.org
February 14, 2026 at 4:56 PM
The southern Indian Ocean off western Australia is experiencing rapid freshening, which may disrupt ocean circulation patterns and impact marine ecosystems due to reduced vertical mixing. doi.org/hbphmk
One of the ocean's saltiest regions is freshening: What it means for circulation
The southern Indian Ocean off the west coast of Australia is becoming less salty at an astonishing rate, largely due to climate change, new research shows.
phys.org
February 14, 2026 at 4:30 PM
Combining GLP-1 receptor agonists with progestin therapy is associated with a lower risk of endometrial cancer and reduced need for hysterectomy compared to progestins alone. doi.org/hbphmf
Combining GLP-1 drugs with hormones may lower uterine cancer risk
Adding GLP-1 medications like Ozempic to progestin therapy could cut the risk of developing endometrial cancer. A retrospective study published in the journal JAMA Network Open found that women using this combination had a much lower risk of developing the disease than those on progestins alone.
medicalxpress.com
February 14, 2026 at 4:00 PM
Firms that prioritize cybersecurity readiness tend to experience stronger financial performance, as investors view these efforts as integral to effective risk management and business strategy.
Cybersecurity spending may pay off: Study links readiness to stronger returns
The infamous Target data breach during the 2013 holiday shopping season, which cost the company more than $200 million in damages, has since been hailed as a landmark case in cybersecurity.
techxplore.com
February 14, 2026 at 4:00 PM
A new clinical framework describes AI Replacement Dysfunction (AIRD), highlighting the mental health impacts of AI-driven job insecurity and outlining strategies for healthcare intervention. doi.org/hbphk4
Researchers identify mental health effects of AI-driven job insecurity
As AI rapidly moves into the workplace, many workers are feeling uneasy. Two University of Florida researchers have developed a new clinical model that could help health care providers recognize and treat the stress and disruption that come with it.
medicalxpress.com
February 14, 2026 at 3:00 PM
Sediment core analysis indicates that Antarctic ice melt during past deglaciations intensified Southern Ocean stratification, influencing global ocean circulation and climate regulation. doi.org/hbphk3
Antarctic ice melt can change global ocean circulation, sediment cores suggest
A new study shows that during the last two deglaciations, i.e., the transition from an ice age to the warm interglacial periods, meltwater from the Antarctic ice sheet intensified stratification in the Southern Ocean.
phys.org
February 14, 2026 at 3:00 PM
Genetic analysis shows pig-boar hybrids in Fukushima inherited rapid reproductive cycles from domestic pigs, leading to swift genetic turnover after the 2011 evacuation.
Saturday Citations: Pig-boar hybrids in Japan; neuroprotective lattes; the exercise/weight-loss conundrum
This week, researchers reported on a juvenile great white shark caught by fishermen in Spanish Mediterranean waters. China's clean air initiatives have resulted in major public health gains, but may have one unintended consequence.
phys.org
February 14, 2026 at 2:00 PM
A 15-minute virtual reality eye exam can assess vision changes linked to brain health, offering a potential tool for early detection of cognitive decline in accessible community settings. doi.org/hbphgj
A 15-minute VR eye test could flag vision changes tied to brain health
In the recreation room at Eskaton Village in Carmichael, Bonnie Dale, one of the residents, is trying on a virtual reality (VR) headset.
medicalxpress.com
February 14, 2026 at 12:00 PM
Rosy-faced lovebirds in Phoenix demonstrate strong lifelong pair bonds and adaptability, thriving in urban environments far from their native African habitat.
What we can learn from lovebirds, the rare birds that mate for life
Minutes after getting to a park in the middle of Phoenix, you can see flashes of green in the sky and hear chatter because love is in the air—or at least, the lovebirds are.
phys.org
February 14, 2026 at 10:10 AM
Fossils of a mastodon and a giant sloth, estimated to be up to 40,000 years old, have been discovered in Costa Rica, marking a significant paleontological find for the region.
Costa Rica digs up mastodon, giant sloth bones in major archaeological find
Researchers in Costa Rica have unearthed fossils from a mastodon and a giant sloth that lived as many as 40,000 years ago, officials announced Friday, calling it the biggest such find here in decades.
phys.org
February 14, 2026 at 9:42 AM
Low-credibility health information is rarely encountered online, but exposure is concentrated among older adults, particularly those who frequently seek health content or hold certain beliefs. doi.org/hbnnsm
Online medical misinformation is scarce, but older adults see most of it
Even as misinformation proliferates across the Internet, sites containing low-credibility health information remain relatively scarce and unseen.
medicalxpress.com
February 14, 2026 at 9:41 AM
Children exposed to negative or objectifying language about snakes are more likely to view them as different from other animals, but brief educational interventions can reduce this bias. doi.org/hbpg9k
Antipathy toward snakes? Your parents likely talked you into that at an early age
A study of more than 100 kindergarten-age children suggests kids tend to think of snakes differently than they do other animals and that hearing negative or objectifying language about the slithery reptiles might contribute to that way of thinking.
phys.org
February 14, 2026 at 9:35 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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