A study by researchers at Brighton and Sussex Medical School analyzed search results for 'vaccines autism' and found that 10%-24% of websites had a negative stance on vaccines, with some ranking highly in different languages. The research highlights the potential impact of misinformation on public health.
A new study in Frontiers in Psychology found that basketball teams playing for survival in critical NBA playoff games are more likely to lose. The researchers analyzed 1,930 playoff games and discovered that the threat of elimination actually made teams more likely to lose, suggesting they 'choke' under pressure.
A new study exposes the widespread practice of killing aquatic mammals like dolphins, sea lions, and otters for use as bait in global fisheries. The review highlights that more than 40 species have been utilized as bait since 1970, with over 80% deliberately killed for at least one fishery.
Researchers developed a novel hormone analysis technique to measure the effects of fishing gear entanglement on North Atlantic right whales. The study found that entanglement can cause severe stress responses, starvation, and changes in migration patterns.
Researchers used social media images of cultural events to create a model that predicts neighborhoods with high wellbeing and gentrification. The study found a correlation between cultural capital and neighborhood growth, providing insights for city planners to prevent displacement.
Cesarean-born babies may be at risk for health problems due to differences in their microbiome. A new review suggests that routine antibiotic administration during C-section deliveries is a major underlying problem, rather than a lack of exposure to vaginal microbes.
A recent study has found that 'uniquely human' muscles, such as those associated with bipedalism and facial expressions, are present in various ape species. Researchers have discovered that these muscles are not exclusive to humans, but are also found in bonobos and other apes, suggesting a more complex origin of human soft tissues.
Groundbreaking research reveals that leg exercise sends vital signals to the brain for healthy neural cells. Limiting physical activity impairs nerve cell production and maturity.
A new study developed agility tests specifically for soccer players, which successfully discriminated between youth players of different ages. The tests measured reactive and pre-planned agility, with the under-19 group showing higher scores due to their longer involvement in soccer training.
Inuit hunters in East Greenland report changes in their subsistence hunting patterns, polar bear ecology, and distribution due to climate change. They note more bears coming into towns, eating more seal parts, and using boats instead of dog sledges.
Researchers found that virtual avatar-to-avatar interviews increased accurate information recall by up to 60% compared to traditional face-to-face interviews. This innovative approach reduces distractions and promotes honesty, making eyewitness testimony more reliable.
A free online course designed to change students' attitudes towards mathematics leads to significantly higher test scores. The study found that a growth mindset approach can increase students' engagement and achievement in math, contrary to previous discouraging results.
A study published in Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience found that people are willing to sacrifice themselves for others, consider victim age, and swerve onto sidewalks to minimize lives lost, contradicting ethically acceptable behavior and political guidelines. Researchers aim to initiate discussions on how self-driving vehicles sho...
A new study reveals that a family history of obesity is a significant risk factor for early onset and severity of childhood obesity. The research found that the youngest children were the most severely obese and showed signs of insulin resistance, increasing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Researchers propose empowering soccer coaches to make reliable assessments of player psychological characteristics, which could help teams identify talented players and enhance performance. Coaches' unique insight into player behavior during matches and training can complement standard questionnaires completed by players.
Parasites have evolved to 'hack' their host's nervous system, controlling behavior and decision-making. Researchers explore the mechanisms involved, discovering compounds that act on neural circuitry, offering insights into neural control of animal behavior.
A recent study found that maternal binge drinking during pregnancy and lactation can impair the mental health of their offspring, leading to mood disturbances and increased vulnerability to alcohol abuse as adolescents. The research suggests that even occasional heavy drinking can have a depressive effect on the mother and pass on chan...
A new review concludes that stem cells derived from adult body tissues can differentiate into mature body cells with similar efficiency to those from younger donors. This validates induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) as a viable alternative to embryonic stem cells in regenerative medicine.
Researchers found that children's muscles are more fatigue-resistant and recover faster than those of untrained adults and even well-trained endurance athletes. This discovery may lead to better understanding of how our bodies change from childhood to adulthood and inform the development of athletic potential in children.
A new study published in Frontiers in Psychiatry found a significant link between common allergic diseases and a broad spectrum of psychiatric disorders. Patients with asthma and hay fever were found to have a 1.66-fold increased risk of developing a psychiatric disorder within a 15-year period.
A study published in Frontiers in Psychology found that teachers perceive playful boys as disruptive and rebellious, leading to negative classmate perceptions and self-esteem issues. In contrast, playful girls are not subject to such scrutiny, highlighting gender differences in teacher attitudes towards playfulness.
A study published in Frontiers in Environmental Science detected cadmium, mercury, and lead in high concentrations in plastic debris collected from Lake Geneva's beaches. The presence of toxic elements reflects the age of the plastic litter, which could be decades old.
Research conducted with 147 Dutch children found that structured music lessons significantly enhance cognitive abilities, including language-based reasoning and short-term memory. Visual arts classes also showed a benefit, improving visual and spatial short-term memory.
Researchers found that writing critically about past setbacks leads to lower levels of the
A study published in Frontiers in Psychology found that parents' engagement in mathematical activities with their children is linked to higher early numeracy skills. Activities such as counting, sorting, and simple sums were associated with better number processing and calculation skills.
Researchers create a new 'green' material made from solid wastes and natural polymers to adsorb pollutants in wastewater and air. The hybrid material outperforms activated carbon with 94% efficiency and lower embodied energy.
Researchers found a crucial link between chronic fatigue syndrome and lower levels of key thyroid hormones. CFS patients had lower serum levels of T3 and T4, but normal thyroid-stimulating hormone, and higher levels of reverse T3, which may indicate reduced tissue T3 levels.
Primary school children with lower executive function skills are more likely to show increased aggression in middle childhood, including physical and relational types. The study suggests that improving executive function could reduce aggression, and training programs may be effective in achieving this.
A new model forecasts that nearly 25% of elderly Japanese women will be impoverished, while only about 10% of men will face the same issue. The current pension system is expected to fail these women due to unfavorable benefits and higher risk of living in single-person households.
Research published in Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience found that a combination of caloric restriction and low-fat diet prevents activation of brain's immune cells, called microglia, in aging mice. Exercise was significantly less effective than caloric restriction in preventing these changes.
A comprehensive review of gaps in risk assessments for adjuvants in commercial pesticides highlights the need for new regulations to protect people and the environment. The review found that exposure to environmental levels of some adjuvant mixtures can affect non-target organisms and even cause chronic human disease.
A new study suggests that smartphone addiction taps into the human need to connect with others, rooted in evolution. By turning off push notifications and setting boundaries, individuals can regain control over their smartphone use.
A new algorithm enables larger parts of the human brain to be represented using the same amount of computer memory, significantly reducing the memory required for simulations. This breakthrough allows researchers to simulate neuronal networks on the scale of the human brain for the first time, enabling studies of complex brain functions.
A study published in Frontiers in Psychology found that adults with food allergies face unique challenges in daily life, including anxiety and social exclusion. Openness to experience was the biggest predictor of these issues, highlighting the importance of personality traits in coping with a food allergy.
Researchers found a substance indicating oxidative damage increases in urine as people get older, potentially providing a method to measure biological age. The study measured 8-oxoGsn levels in human urine samples from Chinese residents aged 2-90 years old, finding an age-dependent increase in urinary 8-oxoGsn.
Researchers have developed a safer and more specific CRISPR/Cas9 system to treat Huntington's disease, a neurodegenerative disorder caused by a defective gene. The new technique successfully inactivates the mutant gene and reduces toxic protein synthesis, offering hope for a potential cure.
Researchers have developed a new technique to study lake sediments, using moth scales to identify past and future insect outbreaks. This discovery can help improve knowledge of insect impact on forests, predictability, and links to climate change.
A recent study published in Frontiers in Psychology found that judo athletes who wear a white uniform have an advantage in winning, regardless of the color of their opponent's uniform. The researchers analyzed extensive data from judo competitions and found no effect of uniform color on winning.
A new study on attacker motives identifies successful phishing strategies, including authoritative tone and shared interest, which can be used to develop detection tools. The study also found that incentives, such as quicker and larger rewards, motivate attackers to apply more effort in constructing persuasive emails.
A new study published in Frontiers found microplastics in the stomachs of nearly three out of four mesopelagic fish caught in the Northwest Atlantic, with 73% ingesting pollutants. This high ingestion rate has significant consequences for marine ecosystems and biogeochemical cycling.
A new study in Ghana found that the timing of measles vaccination can significantly impact child survival rates. Measles vaccination after DTP3 increased child survival by 28% within the first year and 18% until age five. The vaccine also showed a stronger beneficial effect on boys compared to girls.
A major new study confirms that a diet high in fruit and vegetables is better for the planet than one high in animal products. Organic food consumption adds additional climate benefits for plant-based diets, but not for diets with only moderate contribution from plant products.
A study found that obese men have higher levels of inflammatory markers in their seminal fluid and lower sperm quality, correlating with body mass index (BMI). Chronic inflammation in the male reproductive organs may explain the link between obesity and reduced fertility.
A review explores the applications of neuroscience in law, highlighting the need for clear guidelines to balance potential benefits with civil liberties. The use of neuroscientific evidence raises concerns about individual rights and privacy, particularly in determining guilt and intent.
New research found that e-cigarette flavoring chemicals can cause significant inflammation in monocytes, a type of white blood cell, and many compounds are toxic. Mixing flavors is more damaging than vaping just one, with cinnamon, vanilla, and buttery flavors being the worst offenders.
Listening to motivational music during sports activities and exercise increases risk-taking behavior without improving overall performance. Self-selected music has a stronger effect on self-esteem among participants who are already performing well.
Researchers found that emotionally charged pictures alter people's behavior, increasing consumption, while emotive words do not. The study tested the effect of images versus words on behavior, including their duration, and found nearly invisible images had the same effect as clearly noticeable ones.
A new study argues that US energy colonialism is a key cause of Puerto Rico's Hurricane María crisis, exacerbated by outdated infrastructure, debt crisis, and industrial contracts. The author calls for decarbonization and community control to address energy justice and sovereignty.
A study analyzed the DNA of a heat-loving microbe that uses ammonia for energy production and found highly mobile genetic elements and frequent DNA exchange with other organisms.
Researchers develop a modular 'life detection platform' to directly detect and characterize microorganisms in extreme environments. The platform uses existing low-cost technology in new ways, enabling real-time analysis of microbial ecology and DNA sequencing.