Researchers found that artificial lighting near waterways attracts more flying insects and changes the predator community living beneath the lights. The study highlights the importance of considering ecological impacts when designing new lighting concepts.
A study published in Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution found that jealousy leads to increased brain activity in areas associated with social pain and pair bonding in male coppery titi monkeys. The researchers also observed heightened activity in the lateral septum, a region involved in forming pair bonds in primates.
A study published in Frontiers in Neuroanatomy found that HIV-positive children who started antiretroviral treatment by 18 months old have ongoing disruptions in white matter development at age 7, even with viral suppression. Uninfected children also show changes in brain development, suggesting long-term effects of HIV exposure
A study of African-American and Latino adults in a high-risk urban community found that despite numerous risk factors, the rate of substance use problems is low for a substantial proportion of participants. Protective 'resilience' factors, such as support, education, and employment, also play a crucial role in preventing substance misuse.
A study published in Frontiers in Robotics and AI found that virtual interviewers combined anonymity with social rapport to help troops open up about mental health. Virtual interviews revealed significantly more PTSD symptoms compared to surveys, suggesting a new approach to diagnose and treat post-traumatic stress disorder.
A study published in Frontiers in Psychology found that women's facial contrast, including eyes, lips, and eyebrows, decreases with age across different ethnic groups. Observers perceive women with increased facial contrast as younger, suggesting facial contrast is a cross-cultural cue to age perception.
A new study uses DNA analysis of albatross feces to assess their diet and interactions with fisheries, revealing a high level of fishery involvement in some areas. This non-invasive technique provides a valuable tool for improving fisheries management and monitoring marine biodiversity.
A Spanish research team found that urban house sparrows suffer from more stress due to toxic effects of air pollution and unhealthy diets compared to their country counterparts. This could have health implications for people living in cities.
A study published in Frontiers in Neurology has found strong associations between healthy lifestyle factors and reduced pain levels in people with multiple sclerosis. Regular exercise was shown to increase pain threshold and tolerance, while a balanced diet and no smoking were also linked to lower pain levels.
A survey of university students found that many know about common learning strategies, but fewer actually use them. The reasons include lack of time, ineffective application, and difficulty in seeing the benefits. To improve this, universities should provide more self-regulated learning training, including hands-on practice to learn ho...
A computational study models the strength of basal ganglia connections between healthy and Parkinsonian brains, revealing a broad overlap in neural connection strengths. The research could lead to customized therapies specific to individual patterns of neural degeneration.
Researchers found that formula-fed or cesarean-delivered infants had altered bacterial colonization trajectories compared to vaginally-born and breastfed babies. This could have implications for their future health, particularly in the development of food allergies.
A recent study has found no evidence of auditory nerve injury or permanent hearing difficulties in young adults after attending a loud event. The research suggests that traditional hearing tests may not detect hidden hearing loss caused by recreational noise, highlighting the need for alternative testing methods.
A study found that rats whose mothers ate a junk food diet during pregnancy had offspring that preferred fatty foods and showed altered brain reward circuitry into adulthood. A balanced diet in childhood seemed to reduce this preference, but did not eliminate it entirely.
Researchers have identified networks of genes related to autism spectrum disorder (ASD) that may also be involved in cancer, potentially leading to new treatment options. The study used a computational technique to account for gene interactions, revealing genes that could affect similar pathways.
A new study reveals Easter Island's maximum population size could have reached 17,500 people, supported by the island's agricultural potential. The research, published in Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, aims to unravel the mystery of the giant statues and population crash.
Researchers found that children can learn how to solve a puzzle on a tablet computer and transfer this learning to the same problem in the physical world. The study contradicts most previous research and suggests different screen learning media have varying effects on skill transfer.
A prototype Google Glass app, Holli, recognizes conversational prompts and provides suitable responses, improving social skills for children with autism spectrum disorder. Children find it easy to use and enjoy interacting with the technology.
Researchers found distinctive changes in brain activity of young binge-drinking college students, which may indicate early signs of brain damage. The study suggests that bingeing has tangible effects on the young brain, comparable with those seen in chronic alcoholics.
Researchers have developed a new testing regime to diagnose severe combined immune deficiency (SCID) syndrome faster, enabling more infants to receive life-saving treatment within a critical timeframe. The regime uses a checklist of potential SCID markers, including family history, candidiasis, and low absolute lymphocyte counts.
Researchers have developed a novel technique to deliver steroids directly into the cochlea, reducing hearing loss caused by cisplatin treatment in mice by 50%. This breakthrough has potential applications for treating various types of hearing loss and could also be used to deliver other drugs and therapies.
A new paper defines 50 term pairs in psychology, including envy/jealousy and disease/illness, to improve psychological literacy. The list helps distinguish between related concepts, such as punishment vs. negative reinforcement, antisocial vs. asocial behavior.
Researchers have successfully isolated fetal heart sounds from background noise using a mathematical technique, allowing for potential non-invasive and low-cost fetal monitoring at home. This could inform doctors about fetal health and make pregnancy safer by enabling long-term monitoring between checkups.
A new study published in Frontiers in Psychology reveals that saying sorry when making a social rejection can have the opposite effect of its intention. Researchers found that apologizing can increase feelings of hurt and create pressure to forgive before being ready. The study's findings challenge popular beliefs about apologies in so...
Scientists have successfully produced artemisinin, a key malaria treatment, in large quantities using genetically engineered moss. The process is simple, efficient, and cost-effective, offering a promising solution to the global shortage of artemisinin.
A team of researchers in Australia developed an automatic system to diagnose Parkinson's disease severity from drawing speed and pen pressure measurements. The system combines these metrics into a single measurement, the Composite Index of Speed and Pen-pressure score, allowing for accurate diagnosis and monitoring of treatment effects.
Researchers have identified the best ways to diagnose, prevent, and treat exercise-induced bronchospasm (EIB) in children with and without asthma. Effective treatments include pharmacological interventions and practical preventative methods such as wearing face masks and selecting warmer exercises.
A recent study found that almost all antidepressants present significant side effects, but some individuals may better tolerate certain side effects. Personalized medicine is recommended to match chronic pain patients with suitable antidepressant medication, taking into account their individual health profiles and existing health issues.
Researchers found that mind wandering occurs in 70% of drivers during a simulation, causing distinctive brain activity. Drivers are often unaware of their mental drift, which can impair reaction time and increase road traffic crashes. The study suggests that autonomous transport systems may be an option to improve safety.
Climate change creates extreme conditions that impact railway bridge maintenance, requiring new solutions to mitigate track deterioration and reduce carbon emissions. The study evaluates the effectiveness of eight mitigation measures, recommending elastic rail pads, soft baseplates, and under ballast mats for short-span bridges.
A study found that inattentiveness is linked to worse academic performance up to 10 years later, even when accounting for intellectual ability. Inattentiveness can have significant adverse effects on the academic performance of children with and without ADHD.
A new study finds that 40% of economic losses and deaths result from secondary effects rather than shaking. Key findings include the importance of preparing against disasters such as tsunamis, liquefaction, fires, landslides, and flooding.
A new study published in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience found that dancing has a measurable impact on the brain of elderly individuals, reversing age-related decline. Dancing proved more effective than endurance training in improving balance and behavior.
A recent review suggests that the gut-microbiome's formation and influence begin early in life, potentially leading to imbalances that contribute to depressive syndromes. The review also finds evidence of disturbances in the microbiome due to stress, diet, and medications, highlighting the importance of nutrition in mental health.
Researchers found that mothers' authoritative parenting styles and warmth helped protect children from mental health symptoms after exposure to war. Maternal permissive or authoritarian styles were associated with more severe internalizing and externalizing symptoms.
A new study published in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience has found that the harmonic structure of pop songs is linked to their placement in the Billboard Top 100 charts. The research analyzed chord-by-chord transcriptions of 545 songs and found that rare chords and surprising harmonies are key factors in a song's popularity.
Research finds that intensive yoga and meditation retreats positively impact brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), cortisol awakening response, and inflammatory markers. Participants experienced improved subjective wellbeing, mindfulness, and reduced anxiety and depression.
Researchers found significant microstructural changes in brain structure from early to mid-adulthood, allowing for accurate age estimation. These changes were associated with cognitive decline and disease, but the link to old-age cognitive decline is unclear.
Staphylococcus aureus, a common bacteria causing severe infections, has developed mechanisms to evade the human immune system. Researchers have identified various tactics used by S. aureus to slow down neutrophil migration, impede priming, and even kill neutrophils. Understanding these strategies can lead to new therapeutic approaches.
A study found that increases in state-level temperatures lead to higher voter turnout and votes for the incumbent party. For every 10C increase, voter turnout rises by 1.4%., The study also reveals a rise in temperature motivates citizens to vote for smaller parties while government popularity soars.
A new study suggests that High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) is an efficient way to combat high insulin resistance, a warning sign for diabetes. HIIT improved blood pressure and glucose levels in women at risk of type 2 diabetes, with the greatest benefits seen in those with higher insulin resistance.
Research suggests that traumatic brain injuries in childhood and adolescence can increase the risk of alcohol abuse problems in adulthood. The study found a clearer link between brain injury and alcohol abuse in people who suffered an injury before age 5, with children under 5 being over 3.6 times more likely to exhibit substance abuse...
A recent study found that belief in neuromyths, such as seeing letters backwards being a sign of dyslexia, is prevalent among educators, the public, and those with neuroscience training. Training in education and neuroscience helps reduce these false beliefs.
A recent review suggests that frailty can be prevented with proper exercise, weight management and socialization. By adopting these measures, the elderly may be able to live healthier lives and avoid symptoms like fatigue and isolation.
Researchers found that humans take a stronger liking to faulty robots, which helps them understand and correct their own behavior. This finding has exciting implications for the field of social robotics, emphasizing the importance of embracing imperfections in robot design.
A new study published in Frontiers in Marine Science reveals current threats to ocean health, including climate change, marine plastic pollution, and conservation efforts. The research also highlights the importance of integrated coastal zone management and marine protected areas in mitigating these issues.
Researchers found that early exercise can alter the way bones metabolize energy from food, reducing inflammation-linked genes. This 'bone memory' effect persists into mid-life, setting up a healthier response to high-fat diets.
Researchers have developed a new surgical technique to reconnect sensory neurons to the spinal cord, offering hope for treating traumatic spinal injuries. The technique involves implanting neural offshoots into the dorsal horn of the spinal cord to form a functional neural circuit.
A study of 154 individuals with near-death experiences found that while common phenomena like feeling peacefulness and seeing a bright light occur frequently, the order of appearance varies greatly between participants. The most commonly reported sequence was out-of-body experience followed by a tunnel, bright light, and finally peace.
A recent study published in Frontiers in Public Health found that up to 90% of adult males and 50% of children in the US may be overfat. The condition is linked to various health problems, including hypertension, coronary heart disease, and Type 2 diabetes.