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Frontiers


Deeper than obesity: A majority of people is now overfat

Researchers estimate that up to 76 percent of the world's population is overfat, including normal-weight individuals with increased risk factors for chronic disease. The study suggests a new pandemic has quietly overtaken the world, and argues for a change in global health efforts against chronic and metabolic diseases.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Public Health·DateJan 3, 2017

Vitamin D improves gut flora and metabolic syndrome

Researchers discovered that vitamin D deficiency contributes to metabolic syndrome progression in mice by disrupting gut bacteria balance. Vitamin D supplementation improves metabolic syndrome outcomes by recovering gut bacteria balance and reducing blood sugar levels.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Physiology·DateDec 21, 2016

Fish sperm race for reproductive success

Researchers found that dominant Arctic char produce sperm swimming faster in diluted ovarian fluid, while subordinate males produce faster-swimming sperm in water. These adaptations may give them an edge in competition for mates.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Ecology and Evolution·DateDec 21, 2016

How physical exercise aids in stroke recovery

A recent study published in Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience found that physical exercise can help preserve adult visual plasticity in mice and restore it after a stroke. This suggests that exercise may be used as a preventive or therapeutic approach to aid recovery after a cortical stroke.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Aging Neuroscience·DateDec 12, 2016

Honeybee memories: Another piece of the Alzheimer's puzzle?

Honeybee memories may hold clues to understanding human long-term memory formation and combating degenerative brain diseases. DNA methylation plays a crucial role in regulating memory specificity, with implications for treating conditions like Alzheimer's and dementia.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Molecular Neuroscience·DateDec 8, 2016

Helping children achieve more in school

A recent study published in Frontiers in Psychology shows that learning strategies are crucial for academic success among underachieving students. The research highlights the importance of reinforcing these strategies and promoting autonomy and responsibility in teachers and parents. By targeting interventions inspired by overachievers...

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·DateDec 7, 2016

How kids' brains respond to a late night up

A new study found that sleep deprivation in children increases slow-wave activity in posterior brain regions, suggesting these areas may be more susceptible to lack of sleep. The research also discovered a correlation between sleep loss and myelin content, indicating the potential for temporary effects on early brain development.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Human Neuroscience·DateNov 28, 2016

The cost of feeling like a fraud

A new study found that individuals who feel like impostors in their jobs are less likely to fulfill their full potential, undervaluing their talent and affecting their careers. However, this phenomenon can also encourage people to offer their best performance, highlighting the complex relationship between self-doubt and success.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·DateNov 21, 2016

Genes for speech may not be limited to humans

A recent study published in Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience has found that mice with a genetic mutation similar to the one affecting human speech also have difficulty producing complex vocal patterns. The study suggests that the FOXP2 gene regulates not only human speech but also mouse vocal communication.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience·DateNov 15, 2016

Probiotics improve cognition in Alzheimer's patients

A daily dose of probiotic Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium bacteria taken over 12 weeks significantly improved the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score in Alzheimer's patients, indicating a moderate but significant improvement in cognitive function. This is the first study to show that probiotics can benefit human cognition.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Aging Neuroscience·DateNov 10, 2016

Healthy living equals better brain function

A study published in Frontiers found that individuals with greater self-control tend to engage in healthier behaviors, which in turn improve their executive function. The research suggests a bidirectional relationship between physical activity, executive function, and healthy behavior.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Neuroscience·DateNov 9, 2016

Can you smell through your lungs?

Researchers discovered two olfactory receptors in human lung tissue that regulate airway smooth muscle cell contraction. Activation of these receptors may help constrict or prevent airway constriction in diseases such as asthma and emphysema.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Physiology·DateNov 3, 2016

How your diet can influence your environmental impact

A study published in Frontiers in Nutrition found that adopting a plant-based diet can significantly decrease the environmental impact and phosphorus footprint, with a potential reduction of 72% in phosphorus fertilizer requirements. This change has a moderate effect on reducing phosphorus excreted by the environment.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Nutrition·DateNov 3, 2016

Can a brain-computer interface convert your thoughts to text?

A recent study published in Frontiers presents a brain-to-text system that decodes speech from brain signals with high accuracy. The technology uses electrocorticography and language models to match patterns of neural signals to spoken words, offering potential benefits for individuals with speech disorders or locked-in patients.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Neuroscience·DateOct 25, 2016

Robotic tutors for primary school children

Researchers developed an integrated computational architecture to detect emotional states and provide pedagogic interventions with robot tutors, aiming to improve learning outcomes. The platform was tested on two primary school volunteers, showing that children preferred the robot tutor but still required human guidance.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Neuroscience·DateOct 24, 2016

Weethinking the role of bacteria in incontinence

A new study from Oregon Health and Science University suggests that the type of bacteria present in the urinary tract may play a role in general health conditions like Urgency Urinary Incontinence (UUI). Women with UUI tend to have fewer diverse bacterial communities, while those with lower diversity experience more severe symptoms.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology·DateOct 7, 2016

Taking stock of charcoal in the world's soil

Researchers at the University of Zurich have created the world's first global PyC database, revealing charcoal is a major component of soil worldwide. The study found PyC represents more than half of the organic matter identified, with agricultural land and high pH soils retaining it best.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Earth Science·DateOct 7, 2016

Mental illness genetically linked to drug use and misuse

A new study published in Frontiers in Genetics finds a significant link between mental illness and genetic risk for substance involvement. The research suggests that individuals with a genetic predisposition to mental illness are also more likely to develop problematic usage patterns of licit and illicit substances.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Genetics·DateOct 6, 2016

Enjoying your workout is the best motivation

Researchers found that four factors - perceived competence, social interaction, novel experiences, and physical exertion - trigger positive emotions in exercise. Enjoyment is a key factor among regular exercisers, leading to increased motivation and adherence.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·DateOct 6, 2016

Touchscreens may boost motor skills in toddlers

UK toddlers show increased fine motor control when using touchscreens from a young age, with actively scrolling screens correlating to improved skill development. The study found no link between touchscreen use and language development or walking abilities.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·DateOct 6, 2016

Study shows infants pay more attention to native speakers

A study published in Frontiers in Psychology found that infants as young as 5 months old give more attention to objects presented by their native speaker. This preference for native language is thought to aid infants' quick acquisition of societal knowledge and cultural adaptation.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·DateOct 5, 2016

Eating your greens could enhance sport performance

A recent study published in Frontiers in Physiology found that taking nitrate supplements alongside Sprint Interval Training can improve athletic performance in low-oxygen conditions. After just five weeks, the muscle fiber composition changed with enhanced nitrate intake during training in these conditions.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Physiology·DateOct 5, 2016

Your next nurse could be a robot

Researchers have trained a robot to imitate natural human actions, allowing for effective coordination during high-stakes events like surgeries. This development holds promise for improving safety and efficiency in medical procedures.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Robotics and AI·DateOct 5, 2016

Sex before sport doesn't negatively impact performance

A recent review published in Frontiers in Physiology challenges long-held views that abstinence from sexual activity can improve athletic performance. Research suggests that sex before competition may have a beneficial effect on marathon runners' performance and does not negatively impact performance.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Physiology·DateOct 4, 2016

Disease-causing gut bacteria common in children

A study found that disease-causing gut bacteria, Enteroaggregative E. coli, are prevalent in 14% of children, even in industrialized countries with mild symptoms. The researchers hope to investigate factors contributing to diarrheal disease and explore probiotic agents for maintaining gut balance.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology·DateOct 4, 2016

Emotionally invested parents give children a leg up in life

Children with emotionally invested parents tend to be more successful due to their enhanced cognitive control, including improved memory, impulse resistance, and social behavior. This study suggests that a caring and emotionally attentive environment can have long-lasting benefits for children's future life skills.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Human Neuroscience·DateSep 7, 2016

One vent just isn't enough for some volcanoes

Mount Etna's unusual crater formation is attributed to eastern flank instability, causing new stresses and pressures on the volcano's structure. This makes it a prime subject for study, with recent research monitoring its behavior over ten years to predict future eruptions.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Earth Science·DateSep 2, 2016

'Gambling' wolves take more risks than dogs

In a study published in Frontiers in Psychology, scientists found that wolves are consistently more prone to take risks when gambling for food than dogs. The researchers trained 7 wolves and 7 dogs to choose between a safe option and a risky option with uncertain rewards, and the results showed that wolves chose the risky option in 80%...

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·DateSep 1, 2016

When silencing phantom noises is a matter of science

Scientists have identified the GLAST gene as a potential protector against tinnitus, a condition characterized by ringing in the ears. The study found that mice with normal GLAST function were less prone to developing tinnitus when exposed to toxic substances.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience·DateSep 1, 2016

Insecure childhood can make dealing with stress harder

A study found that individuals with insecure childhood experiences had lower task performance under emotionally negative conditions and less brain activity in response to target letters. This suggests that inefficient emotional regulation strategies may lead to reduced cognitive resources for task completion.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Human Neuroscience·DateAug 31, 2016

Next steps in understanding brain function

Researchers are uniting to tackle the complex challenge of understanding brain function through large-scale computational modeling. This approach aims to improve our knowledge of brain function by creating realistic models based on biological data.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Neuroanatomy·DateAug 26, 2016

How easy is it to spot a lie?

A study reviewed 20 research papers on deception in groups, revealing that collective interviews are used in only a third of investigations. This highlights the need for new methods to detect deception, as individualized interviews can be manipulated by suspects with prepared scripts.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·DateAug 25, 2016

Most adults know more than 42,000 words

A new study published in Frontiers in Psychology found that native English-speaking Americans know an average of 42 thousand dictionary words by the age of twenty. As people get older, they learn one new word every two days, leading to a total of 6000 additional words known by age sixty.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·DateAug 16, 2016

Sewage sludge could make great sustainable fertilizer

Thermally conditioned sewage sludge serves as an excellent fertilizer improving soil properties and reducing phosphorus waste. The nutrient-rich sludge stimulates microbial activity, inducing competition between microorganisms and plant roots for phosphorus uptake.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Nutrition·DateAug 15, 2016

Seasonal allergies could change your brain

Research published in Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience found that seasonal allergies can lead to increased neuron production in the hippocampus, a region responsible for forming new memories. This discovery raises questions about the long-term consequences of allergies on brain development and function.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Cellular Neuroscience·DateAug 8, 2016

Under-reporting of fisheries catches threatens Caribbean marine life

A recent study reveals that marine fisheries catches in the Turks and Caicos Islands are being under-reported by 86%, threatening the marine environment and local livelihoods. The research calls for urgent policy action to establish more accurate catch limits, taking into account both commercial and local consumption of seafood.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Marine Science·DateAug 5, 2016

What can a sea-lion teach us about musicality?

Researchers found that a sea lion named Ronan can keep the beat better than any other non-human animal, suggesting that beat-keeping abilities may be more ancient and widespread than thought. The study used mathematical equations to analyze Ronan's brain activity while she moved to different rhythms.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Neuroscience·DateAug 2, 2016

Fish oil vs. lard -- why some fat can help or hinder your diet

A study published in Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience found that a high-fat diet, particularly one rich in saturated fats like lard, can impair cognitive function and lead to increased hunger. In contrast, consuming fish oil has been shown to support brain health and regulate appetite.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Cellular Neuroscience·DateJul 29, 2016

Music makes beer taste better

Researchers found that music and packaging design can increase enjoyment of beer. A study involved participants tasting beer with different conditions: no label, label only, or label with matching song. Results showed those with the matching song rated the beer more enjoyable. The study suggests multisensory information influences tast...

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·DateJul 28, 2016

Pain of rejection makes us more likely to commit fraud

A recent study published in Frontiers in Psychology found that people are more likely to inflate insurance claims if their original submissions are rejected. The researchers used a mock insurance claim scenario and found that rejection leads to increased feelings of unhappiness and dishonest behavior.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·DateJul 25, 2016

Is the agile wallaby man's new best friend?

A new study published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science ranks the suitability of mammals as pets, with Agile Wallaby, Sika Deer, Tamar Wallaby, Llama, and Asian Palm Civet making the top five list. The research developed a methodology to assess mammal suitability for domestic ownership, considering behavioral needs and welfare risks.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Veterinary Science·DateJul 11, 2016