14-Oct-2026 Flu season is here. Is it time for your shot? University of Texas at Arlington Flu season runs October through May, with activity most often peaking between December and February, although it can start as early as the fall. Health officials recommend getting an annual flu shot by the end of October, as it takes about two weeks to build full immunity.
14-Oct-2026 Should you turn to AI for mental health advice? University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston The on-demand availability of artificial intelligence chatbots means that most individuals have quick, easy access to a wealth of information. The ease and accessibility of these tools may make it tempting to turn to AI for advice about mental health. But it’s important to note that these systems are prone to reinforcing a user’s existing beliefs or, in some cases, providing inaccurate information. AI chatbots should never be used to diagnose or treat mental health conditions. Instead, AI tools should be used as a supplement to professional care.
14-Oct-2026 AI is great at math, but does it know how to do research? Princeton University, Engineering School Computer scientists used AI to solve an important open math problem. The process showed them that while AI models are good at finding solutions but they lack the research judgment necessary to build theories.
14-Oct-2026 FIU engineers develop ultrathin solar device to power soldiers’ gear Florida International University A team of FIU engineers has developed a dual-use, razor-thin solar device that can harvest sunlight to generate electricity and produce light. Journal Nano Energy Funder NASA Award, DoD Office of Naval Research, U.S. Army DEVCOM ARL Army Research Office
14-Oct-2026 Lasers, Doppler effect personalize chemotherapy drug selection for cancer tumors Purdue University Physicist David Nolte is developing a laser-based"bio-dynamic" imaging system that could improve the care of cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Nolte's system can rapidly evaluate the outcome of different drugs on patient biopsies obtained during diagnosis to ensure patients get the chemotherapy treatment that would be most effective on their specific tumor. Journal Scientific Reports
14-Oct-2026 Listening for trouble University of Pittsburgh A team of University of Pittsburgh researchers at the Swanson School of Engineering, in partnership with Pittsburgh startup Sensible Photonics, has developed a fiber-optic ultrasonic acoustic-sensing system that can detect corrosion and cracking in steel nuclear fuel storage canisters. The team recently field-tested the system at the Idaho National Laboratory, demonstrating its feasibility.
13-Oct-2026 SwRI unveils new products for safety-critical battery applications Southwest Research Institute SAN ANTONIO — October 13, 2026 — Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) is deeply involved in the development of safety-critical battery systems. With markets requiring higher rates of charge/discharge (C-rate) to meet application demands, modern batteries are being pushed to their limits. SwRI has developed two new products to meet those demands, offering significant improvements in overall system control as well as module-level cooling.
13-Oct-2026 The Morton Arboretum’s global network of arboreta and tree professionals sees momentous growth with 1,000th accredited arboretum The Morton Arboretum Now in its 15th year, The Morton Arboretum’s ArbNet program celebrated its 1,000th accredited arboretum this week with the addition of Kórnik Arboretum in Kórnik, Poland. As the only international accreditation program in the world specific to arboreta, or outdoor living museums of trees that serve the public, ArbNet doubled its network in the last five years alone.
13-Oct-2026 SwRI adds 12-foot thermal vacuum chamber to Space Systems Integration Facility Southwest Research Institute SAN ANTONIO — October 13, 2026 — Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) has added a 12-foot-diameter, 10-foot-long thermal vacuum (TVAC) chamber to simulate the vacuum and extreme temperatures of space to ensure spacecraft can survive that harsh environment. The chamber, which weighs roughly 40,000 pounds, is the newest addition to SwRI’s 74,000-square-foot Space Systems Integration Facility.
13-Oct-2026 How flu infiltrates your cells University of Tennessee at Knoxville University of Tennessee, Knoxville researcher Carolyn Shurer received a $1.5 million National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases New Innovators Award to investigate how influenza A enters cells. Her team will test whether the virus reorganizes a protective cell-surface layer, potentially revealing new targets for preventive antiviral treatments.
