Scientists are making significant strides in understanding the universe's most enigmatic objects, advancing life-changing genetic treatments, and revolutionizing energy storage with artificial intelligence. New research in early 2026 reveals how black holes grew rapidly in the early cosmos and how our own galaxy's supermassive black hole was once surprisingly active. Breakthroughs in gene editing aim to make therapies more accessible, while AI is driving the development of next-generation batteries.
Cosmic Giants Reveal Ancient Secrets
New cosmological simulations by astronomers at Maynooth University, published on January 21, 2026, shed light on the rapid growth of "light seed" black holes in the early universe. These simulations show that chaotic conditions allowed these smaller black holes to quickly devour matter, becoming supermassive objects found in early galaxies.Daxal Mehta, a Ph.D. candidate at Maynooth University, explained that these early black holes grew "incredibly fast" to tens of thousands of times the size of our Sun.Dr. Lewis Prole, a postdoctoral researcher at Maynooth University, called this a "breakthrough" that solves one of astronomy's major puzzles.[sci+5]
Closer to home, our Milky Way's central black hole, Sagittarius A, shows signs of a violent past. A study published January 15, 2026, using data from the XRISM space telescope, found that Sagittarius A was "shockingly explosive" as recently as a few hundred years ago.Researchers from Michigan State University observed X-ray emissions from a gas cloud near the galactic center, acting as a "cosmic mirror" reflecting the black hole's past X-ray blast.Stephen DiKerby, a lead author from Michigan State University, stated that nothing in his professional training prepared him for such a finding.[earthsky+3]
In January 2025, the James Webb Space Telescope also observed Sagittarius A* emitting energetic flares in the mid-infrared range for the first time.Researchers plan longer, 24-hour observations to determine if these flares follow a pattern or occur randomly.Separately, another study on January 20, 2026, reported a supermassive black hole "waking up" after a nearly 100-million-year dormant period, spewing plasma jets hundreds of thousands of light-years into space.Shobha Kumari, an astronomer at Midnapore City College in India, described this event as "like watching a cosmic volcano erupt again."[space+3]
Gene Editing Broadens Patient Access
The year 2026 marks a critical period for CRISPR-based gene-editing treatments to move from cutting-edge experiments to widely accessible therapies.The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first CRISPR-based treatment for sickle cell anemia in December 2023, followed by approval for beta thalassemia in January 2024.While over 75 CRISPR treatment centers opened worldwide in 2025, challenges like specialized medical teams and complex procedures still limit widespread access.[annahar+2]
A significant shift expected in 2026 involves clinical trials treating gene editing as a "platform therapy." This means applying learnings from one patient to others with the same disease, even if they have different specific mutations, making treatments more repeatable and scalable.This moves away from highly individualized, "one-person custom" treatments.Preclinical research is also developing "mutation agnostic" gene-editing systems.[annahar+2]
Researchers at the University of Tokyo are investigating CRISPR-Cas3 as a therapeutic approach for genetic disorders like transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTR).Tomoji Mashimo, who co-led the study, highlighted CRISPR-Cas3's efficiency and its potential to reduce off-target DNA editing compared to the more common CRISPR-Cas9 system.In mouse models, CRISPR-Cas3 achieved over 48% hepatic editing and reduced serum TTR levels by 80%.Mashimo believes this technology could lead to clinical applications for many currently incurable inherited diseases.[regmednet+3]
Further advancements include Scribe Therapeutics entering clinical trials in mid-2026 with STX-1150, a CRISPR-based therapy that epigenetically silences PCSK9 to lower LDL cholesterol without directly altering DNA.Scientists at UNSW Sydney also developed new CRISPR technology that enhances gene therapy safety by showing how small chemical markers actively silence genes.Additionally, Carnegie Mellon University researchers found a way to target RNA for neuromuscular disorders like myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1), which affects at least 1 in 2,300 people globally.Professor Danith Ly described their "pothole filler" molecules that precisely bind to disease-causing RNA without affecting healthy RNA, promising therapies with fewer side effects.[crisprmedicinenews+3]
AI Powers Next-Generation Batteries
The energy storage industry is undergoing rapid transformation, with 2026 expected to bring more diverse technologies, stable revenue models, and lower costs for longer-duration batteries.Growing demand from AI-driven data centers and wildfire risks are pushing for safer chemistries and more resilient supply chains.Julie Royes, Vice President of Corporate Affairs at CMBlu Energy, Inc., noted that "AI-driven battery management and smarter manufacturing is giving people and communities energy storage resources they can rely on."[ess-news+2]
Silicon batteries are emerging as a crucial solution for AI-enabled data centers in 2026. Their extreme fast discharge capability addresses the power demands that traditional lithium-ion batteries struggle to meet.Pilot projects using silicon batteries are anticipated this year.Research institutions like Argonne National Laboratory are already using AI and robotics to conduct thousands of battery experiments, accelerating development.[batterytechonline+2]
Solid-state batteries (SSBs) are a major focus, promising significant improvements in safety and energy density by replacing liquid electrolytes with solid materials.The market for SSBs could reach $10 billion by 2036.At CES 2026, Estonian startup Donut Lab announced it has "solved" solid-state batteries and is in production, powering the Verge TS Pro motorcycle.Donut Lab claims its solid-state design offers an energy density of 400 watt-hours per kilogram, lower costs than lithium-ion, a five-minute charge time to 100%, and an extraordinary lifespan of 100,000 charge cycles, with no thermal runaway fire risk.However, specific details about the proprietary technology are limited, leading to some skepticism awaiting independent verification.[idtechex+8]
Another company, Solidion Technology, focuses on solid-state EV battery technology, aiming to reduce battery weight, volume, and cost.They are developing graphene-enhanced silicon oxide and silicon-rich anode materials and claim over 500 patents in silicon anode technology.SandboxAQ, a company spun out of Google, is partnering with electric vehicle manufacturers and the US military on battery advancements using AI solutions.Overall, battery energy storage system costs declined by 61% from 2020 to 2025, a trend expected to continue in 2026, leading to a 31% annual increase in installed capacity through 2030.China is projected to hold 46% of the global BESS capacity in 2026.[oreateai+4]
These advancements across astrophysics, biotechnology, and energy technology highlight a year of significant scientific and technological progress, pushing the boundaries of what is possible.
