GENEVA, SWITZERLAND - February 17, 2026 - The United States and Iran are scheduled to hold a second round of talks in Geneva on Tuesday regarding Iran's nuclear program, amidst a backdrop of escalating tensions in the Middle East, according to the Associated Press. Simultaneously, the state of Michigan is taking legal action against major oil and gas companies, accusing them of suppressing competition from cleaner energy technologies like solar power and electric vehicles, as reported by Ars Technica. In other news, researchers are making strides in energy storage and battery technology, with a new technique allowing for the detection of elusive lithium-ion anode binders, as detailed by Phys.org.
The talks in Geneva come as the U.S. increases its military presence in the Middle East and Iran conducts large-scale maritime exercises, according to the Associated Press. The details of the discussions remain undisclosed, but the meeting signals a continuation of diplomatic efforts to address the ongoing nuclear concerns.
Meanwhile, Michigan's lawsuit against oil and gas companies marks a different approach to climate-related litigation. Instead of focusing on deception or misrepresentation of climate risks, the state alleges that the companies colluded to inflate energy costs by hindering the growth of renewable energy sources. "The strategy is risky and might run into challenges," legal experts told Ars Technica, "but it could potentially be a game changer if the state can overcome initial dismissal attempts by the industry defendants."
In the realm of scientific advancements, researchers at the University of Oxford have developed a pioneering technique to detect nanoscopic carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) layers and styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) agglomerates on graphite particles in a lithium-ion anode, as reported by Phys.org. This breakthrough could lead to improvements in battery technology.
Further developments in energy storage are also underway. Scientists are exploring molecular solar thermal (MOST) energy storage, a method that could store solar energy for months and release it as heat on demand, according to Ars Technica. This could be a significant step in reducing reliance on fossil fuels for heating, which accounts for nearly half of global energy demand.
In other news, the demand for GLP-1 weight-loss drugs has surged in the past year, with users more than doubling since 2024, according to Vox. While fatigue and nausea are common side effects, new symptoms are emerging as more people use the drugs. Dr. Sera Lavelle, a clinical psychologist, has noticed these new side effects.
AI Experts & Community
Be the first to comment