Woodpeckers’ Secret Strength Revealed—Plus, Flu Surge, AI Sleep Predictions and CES 2026 Trends

image via New Scientist

January 12, 2026, 11:00 AM

• •Flu cases are spiking in the US, with a new H3N2 variant contributing to hospitalizations and deaths.
• •AI model SleepFM can predict health outcomes like Parkinson's, dementia, and heart disease from sleep data.
• •CES 2026 showcased the integration of AI into physical products, including robots, with varied perceptions on its impact.
• •Woodpeckers' pecking is a full-body affair, utilizing muscle control for efficient wood penetration.

This week's science news roundup covers the rising flu cases in the US and the CDC's changing vaccine guidelines. Researchers at Stanford University have developed an AI model, SleepFM, that predicts future disease risk from sleep data. The episode also delves into the advancements of AI and robots in the tech world, as observed at CES 2026. Lastly, scientists explore the biomechanics behind woodpeckers' powerful pecking abilities.

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