A new meta-research section in PLOS Biology examines the 'credibility crisis' in science, focusing on study transparency and reproducibility. The section aims to improve research standards in the biological sciences and beyond.
A team of researchers has shed new light on the relationships between cartilage structure and function, revealing microdomains that behave differently from surrounding tissue. This discovery paves the way for more effective treatments of meniscus tears and osteoarthritis.
Aging stars stop slowing down as their magnetic field interacts with a wind of particles flowing away from its surface, according to research published in Nature. This discovery challenges previous theories on stellar rotation and has implications for understanding how the Sun influences its local environment, including planets.
Researchers found the Greenland ice sheet's firn layer is changing rapidly with climate change, altering its ability to store meltwater. The study suggests this could lead to higher-than-predicted sea level rise contributions from the ice sheet.
Cardiovascular disease is prevalent among adult survivors of childhood cancer, presenting at an earlier age and causing substantial morbidity. The American College of Physicians emphasizes the need for systematic assessment and potential value of routine physical exams to identify cardiac abnormalities.
A new study suggests that hydroxyurea can be effective in reducing the risk of stroke for some children with sickle cell disease. The Transcranial Doppler with Transfusions Changing to Hydroxyurea (TWiTCH) study, stopped early due to positive preliminary results, showed that transitioning from regular blood transfusions to daily doses ...
Researchers at University of Groningen find self-replicating molecules that diversify into distinct sets, sparking debate on life's molecular roots. The study reveals a process similar to biological speciation, but occurring at the molecular level.
A new study has identified the factors contributing to the transmission of zoonotic diseases from bats to humans, highlighting areas at high risk in West Africa, sub-Saharan Africa, and South East Asia. The research used data spanning over 110 years to create a global map showing hotspots for bat-human virus transmission risk.
A recent NUS study examines the factors leading to mangrove deforestation in Southeast Asia between 2000 and 2012. The researchers found that rice agriculture in Myanmar and oil palm plantations in Malaysia and Indonesia are major drivers of this deforestation, posing future threats to the region's mangrove ecosystems.
Researchers at the Allen Institute for Brain Science have developed a taxonomy of cells in the mouse visual cortex based on single-cell gene expression, identifying 42 neuronal and 7 non-neuronal cell types. This study provides a basic understanding of brain function by categorizing cellular building blocks.
Researchers at University of Missouri-Columbia discovered that the gene Sprouty2, previously believed to suppress cancer growth, may actually promote metastasis in colorectal cancer. This finding has significant implications for understanding and treating the disease.
New research indicates that stars older than the Sun spin less than expected, affecting age calculations. This discovery has significant implications for understanding stellar aging and predicting future changes in our own Solar System.
A new study found that African American men with low-grade prostate cancer produce less PSA and have significantly lower PSA density than Caucasian men. This could lead to inaccurate surveillance criteria and affect treatment decisions for African American patients.
Two studies published in PLOS Biology reveal that researchers rarely provide full protocol, data, and transparency to verify or replicate their work. The findings highlight the need for improvement in reporting practices, which can lead to wasted funding and biased results.
Researchers found that students who are socially influential can shape their peers' behaviors and social norms, leading to a 30% reduction in student conflict reports. The Roots program, which engages these student influencers in spreading anti-conflict messages, is a promising solution to curb school bullying.
Studies have shown that oxygen levels in the deep ocean were at least 4% of modern concentrations 1.4 billion years ago, indicating that animals could exist and evolve with this amount of oxygen. Despite this, animals did not appear on Earth until about 600 million years ago.
A recent study by University of California, San Diego School of Medicine analyzed 2.4 million physician payments totaling $475 million made during the last five months of 2013. Internal medicine and orthopedic surgery received the greatest total value at $111 million each.
A physically active lifestyle can substantially decrease the genetic effect of the major obesity gene FTO on body weight in a multiethnic population. Researchers at McMaster University found that physical activity can blunt the effect of inherited obesity genes by up to 75 per cent.
Researchers find massive release of CO2 from Southern Ocean occurred when Antarctic sea ice melted, not due to changes in ocean density. The expansion and retreat of sea ice acted as a 'lid' controlling CO2 exchange between ocean and atmosphere.
A new UNC-Chapel Hill study shows that social relationships reduce health risk across the lifespan. The research found that strong social connections are vital for overall well-being, particularly in adolescence and old age, while quality of relationships matters in middle adulthood.
Research reveals significant disparities in data quality and quantity among European countries and species, hindering effective conservation efforts for the region's 16 recognized freshwater mussels. The study highlights the need for standardized monitoring and management protocols to conserve this vulnerable group and its habitats.
Scientists have successfully implemented an innovative scheme to increase proton collision rates at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC), resulting in doubled peak and average luminosity measures. This enables researchers to collect more data to answer important questions about proton spin and nuclear physics.
Two studies found that recurrent acute and chronic pancreatitis in children has a high disease burden, with 42% rate of rehospitalizations and estimated annual healthcare costs of $40,000. The studies highlight the need for information and research to prevent suffering and reduce costs.
A new model suggests a more nuanced response to climate change in the Amazon forest, with individual trees experiencing water stress, leading to a gradual shift from high-biomass forests to low-biomass ecosystems. This approach better captures ecosystem heterogeneity and predicts a less drastic transition.
A new Boston University study found that most obesity research relying on one-time measures of body mass index (BMI) overlooks the health impacts of weight change over time. The researchers argue that using 'weight histories' in studies clarifies the risks of obesity and shows they are much higher than appreciated.
A new study reveals that mandatory tumor tissue requirements in clinical trials delay treatment and reduce patient enrollment. Trials without these requirements show faster treatment initiation and higher enrollment rates.
A $13.5 million funding award from the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) will support a study analyzing the safety and effectiveness of three blood-thinning drugs used to prevent post-surgery blood clots in patients undergoing hip and knee replacement.
Researchers at NYU Langone developed an antiscarring paste that inhibits fibrosis caused by radiation therapy in mice. The study suggests the use of A2A receptor blockers as a potential therapeutic approach to prevent scarring and fibrosis in cancer patients.
The canSAR database has been upgraded with 3D protein structures and maps of cancer communication networks, allowing scientists to design new treatments more effectively. The updated database will enable researchers to identify key targets for future cancer drug discovery and develop innovative drugs more rapidly.
A team at Osaka University has successfully demonstrated experimental evidence and theoretical calculations to show that Coulomb blockade occurs on two-dimensional organic conducting polymer films. This breakthrough could revolutionize our understanding and design properties of organic and molecular devices.
A RIKEN group led by Kosuke Morita has discovered element 113, the first superheavy element found in Asia. The discovery was confirmed through a series of experiments that demonstrated the decay chain of the new element.
A recent study at MD Anderson Cancer Center found that dietary sugar, particularly fructose, can increase the risk of breast cancer tumors and lung metastasis in mice. The research suggests that high sugar intake activates an inflammatory pathway called 12-LOX, leading to increased tumor growth and spread.
Researchers have discovered a triple therapy approach that could make treatment-resistant lung cancers susceptible to therapy. The combination of two experimental drugs and radiation therapy was found to be effective in mice with KRAS-related gene mutations.
Scientists at SISSA create synthetic prion series for the first time, allowing precise control over their pathogenic behavior. The study verifies that these synthetic prions cause illness comparable to natural ones, paving the way for potential treatments for neurodegenerative diseases.
Researchers have developed a new technique to accurately measure the surface gravity of distant stars, allowing for more precise analysis of exoplanet sizes and habitability. This breakthrough will play a crucial role in the study of planets beyond our Solar System.