A new study tracking global progress on child mortality finds that the world will miss a key United Nations (UN) health target by at least five years at current rates, with the burden falling heavily on Sub-Saharan Africa. The findings were published this week in the open-access journal PLOS One by Min Liu of Peking University, Beijing, China, and colleagues.

In a study of U.S. adults, walking was, by far, the most popular leisure-time physical activity, while rural residents also enjoyed gardening, hunting and fishing, and urban residents more commonly reported running, weightlifting and dance. Urban residents were more likely than rural residents to meet physical activity guidelines. Christiaan Abildso of West Virginia University, U.S., and colleagues present these findings in the open-access journal PLOS One on April 1, 2026.

Commonly used self-report measures of romantic relationships may capture people’s overall appraisal of their relationship, more than measuring distinct relationship facets such as communication, conflict and affection, according to a new study published April 1, 2026 in the open-access journal PLOS One by James Kim of Lakehead University in Ontario, Canada, and colleagues. The findings also suggest that a person’s judgment of their overall relationship quality strongly shape how they answer questions intended to capture distinct, separate facets of the relationship.

The history of science and technology is marked by major breakthroughs — the theory of evolution, the splitting of the atom, the development of antibiotics — and a research team including faculty at Binghamton University, State University of New York, has developed a method to help pinpoint discoveries that reshaped the course of science. 

A study publishing in Science Advances on April 1 maps the landscape of innovation to identify disruptive studies and patents that challenge existing paradigms and inspire waves of follow-up research. The measure was developed by a team including Sadamori Kojaku, assistant professor of systems science and industrial engineering at Binghamton University, along with his colleagues Munjung Kim and Yong-­Yeol Ahn at the University of Virginia.

Evangelical churches often present themselves as places of belonging, espousing open doors and open hearts. But in her new book, sociologist Amy McDowell shows that behind closed doors, congregations and their leaders often use small talk to silence opposing opinions or thoughts that might lead to disruption or progressive views.  

The SETI Institute announced today that Dr. Lori Marino will receive the 2026 Drake Award, continuing its tradition of celebrating contributions to the search for life and intelligence beyond Earth. Marino is recognized for advancing our understanding of intelligence—on Earth and beyond—and for applying that knowledge to foster meaningful scientific, ethical, and social change.

“Dr. Marino’s work is a true inspiration, not just because her research on intelligence has profound implications for our search for life beyond Earth, but because she is an example of how science can guide us towards deeper, more responsible relationships with all forms of life on Earth,” said Lucian Walkowicz, Chair of the SETI Institute’s Science Advisory Board.

Named after Dr. Frank Drake—the architect of the Drake Equation and the inaugural president of the SETI Institute’s Board of Directors—the Drake Award honors remarkable achievements in SETI and astrobiology. Each year, the SETI Institute’s Science Advisory Board nominates candidates, who are then ratified by its Board of Directors.