Recent research reveals that Easter Island's culture was affected by droughts and wet seasons, which influenced population dynamics and cultural exchange. Complete sedimentary samples show a continuous record of the last 3000 years, shedding light on the island's ecological and cultural development.
Researchers studied kindergarten children's social exchanges to understand dynamics of complex interactions, finding evidence of non-traditional hierarchies and reciprocal pairings such as leadership/followship and aggression/submission. The study suggests people do not always behave in a hierarchical manner, with some 'leaders' showin...
Researchers found that robot avatars using multi-modal communication, combining speech and iconic hand gestures, are as easily understood as human actors. The study demonstrated that avatars can convey their message more effectively when using gestures with speech.
A new study published in Frontiers in Psychology suggests that watching online tutorials with prior knowledge of the demonstrator's skill level can lead to improved performance. The researchers found that this approach enables students to better detect technical errors and imitate expert-level shots.
A new study by Wuhan University of Technology reveals the most efficient ways to conserve energy in homes, including opening windows during heating and using window shades in warm temperatures. The researchers recommend adjusting thermostat settings, adding solar panels, and turning off lights to reduce energy consumption.
Researchers found that mimicking simple actions can aid recovery, with human trainers outperforming computer-based methods. The study suggests a potential tool for rehabilitation, providing insight into the ongoing ability of Alzheimer's patients to imitate movements.
A recent study published in Frontiers in Neural Circuits identified specific brain areas that may contribute to stress-induced depression. The research found that mice displaying 'helpless' behavior had reduced neuronal activation and stereotypical brain-wide activity patterns, which are distinct from those showing 'resilient' behavior.
Researchers found that pyruvate increases brain energy reserves and improves cognitive function in mice, including enhanced exploratory behavior and spatial learning. The findings suggest potential therapeutic applications for Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders.
Researchers found that Common Bluebottles have 15 photoreceptor classes, one for each wavelength of light, allowing them to distinguish millions of colors. This discovery reveals a unique system in butterfly vision, where four classes are used for routine color vision and eleven others detect specific stimuli.
A study published in Frontiers in Psychology found that people are quicker to find a hard-to-see person in an image when the directions mention a prominent landmark first, as opposed to last. The researchers also discovered that listeners prefer to use these landmarks as 'mental bookmarks' to speed up the process.
New research suggests the cacao tree is 10 million years old, offering a chance for genetic variation to improve disease resistance and flavor diversity in the industry. This ancient origin provides a solution to the lack of genetic variation in cultivated cacao, making it vulnerable to pests and climate change.
Researchers found that oxytocin-treated marmosets attracted more physical proximity and grooming from their long-term mates. The study suggests that oxytocin may increase the social attractiveness of treated individuals, which could be beneficial for people with social deficit disorders like autism spectrum disorder and social anxiety.
Researchers detected distinct daily patterns in digital activities such as calling, texting, and emailing among individuals. These personal rhythms are influenced by geographical and physiological factors, suggesting potential medical applications for monitoring patients' mental health and sleep patterns.
Researchers from various disciplines set eight research axes to improve nutrition science, including sustainability, data analysis, and human behavior. The initiative aims to bring together experts to tackle key challenges in the field.
A new study found that girls who perceive their mathematical ability as strong and open to growth are more likely to pursue careers in math-intensive fields. Schools, families, and policymakers can help shift perceptions to increase female participation in STEM fields.
A new study reveals that social and sensory overstimulation is the primary driver of autistic behaviors, contradicting decades-old views of autism as a mental retardation. The research proposes that autistic brains are hyper-functional, requiring predictable and structured environments to function optimally.
A new study finds that racial disparities in cancer outcomes are decreasing, with African Americans showing faster decreases in cancer mortality than Caucasians. The causes of these disparities include low education and income, as well as reduced access to quality healthcare.
New research reveals that cichlid fish courtship rituals evolve rapidly in response to feeding depth. Castle-building males live at shallower depths, while pit-digging males thrive at greater depths, driven by differences in eye structure and display behavior.
A new study reveals high rates of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression among war-afflicted teenagers in Northern Uganda, with former child soldiers showing the highest rates. The study suggests that psychological support should be offered through the education system to all young people in the region.
Researchers found that A1M stops the oxidation of blood fats and repairs damaged molecules, protecting against atherosclerosis. The protein can also clean and reduce oxidised blood fats from LDL and take care of dangerous substances from MPO.
A study suggests that dry forests in the western US are more threatened by insect outbreaks and droughts than wildfires. Historically, these forests had a mix of large and small trees, providing 'bet-hedging' insurance against multiple disturbances.
Researchers found that exposure to lavender aroma significantly increased money transfer between test persons in a trust game. The study suggests that smelling lavender may help establish trusting negotiations and build team spirit in various situations.
Researchers tested whether monkeys show a common human bias towards confusing price with quality. Contrary to expectations, capuchin monkeys did not exhibit this bias, unlike humans.
The future ocean will be warmer, with reduced ice extent, higher sea levels, more acidic, and lower oxygen levels. Research must focus on understanding marine systems' responses to cumulative pressures.
Researchers found that combining imagery with observation strengthens brain activity in movement-related areas, potentially aiding motor function recovery for stroke patients. The technique may help compensate for lost brain functions through brain plasticity.
A new study from City University London found that eye movement analysis can detect diseases like glaucoma while watching TV. This method could help clinicians identify the disease earlier, enabling timely treatment before permanent damage occurs.
Researchers found that people prefer leaders with a healthy complexion, regardless of intelligence level, except for situations requiring negotiation or exploration. A study of 148 participants revealed that health is the most important trait when selecting a leader, surpassing intelligence as an optional extra.
Energy drinks have been linked to high caffeine levels, which can cause heart palpitations, hypertension, nausea, and vomiting. Mixing energy drinks with alcohol is also a significant risk factor for adverse health effects.
The Mediterranean is invaded by over 1,000 alien species, including fish and algae, threatening native biodiversity. Invasive species disrupt delicate balances in ecosystems, causing devastating effects on animal species.
A diet of junk food reduces rats' preference for novel foods and leads to overeating and obesity. Researchers found that the brain's reward circuitry is affected by excessive consumption of junk food.
A survey of over 200 non-tenure-track academics found that nearly one-third experience stress due to lack of job security, with women and underrepresented groups more affected. The authors call for universities to address these issues to improve faculty wellbeing and student outcomes.
Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine is a new open-access journal publishing peer-reviewed articles on cardiovascular disease diagnosis, treatment, and pathogenesis. The journal provides unrestricted access to current information for clinicians and medical educators worldwide.
Researchers recorded record-breaking solar ultraviolet radiation in the Bolivian Andes, significantly higher than normal levels. This extreme radiation is comparable to those found on early Mars and poses a threat to local ecosystems.
Four species, including a bacterium and wasp, share the same odor signal to exploit their prey, demonstrating complex communication networks in nature. The study highlights the role of volatile organic compounds in facilitating predator-prey relationships between different species.
A new study finds that the brain of children with gender dysphoria reacts to androstadienone, a male musk-like steroid, in a way typical of their biological sex at puberty, but shifts to their experienced gender afterwards. This suggests a partial rewiring of the brain as children grow up.
Frontiers introduces a new open-access journal, covering robotics and artificial intelligence. The journal will utilize the Frontiers open-science platform to facilitate research networking and knowledge sharing.
A recent review warns of the dangers of smart drugs on young people's developing brains, highlighting the potential for long-term impairments and decreased brain plasticity. Methylphenidate and modafinil, two popular smart drugs, have been found to cause these effects in young brains.
Frontiers in Nutrition is a new open-access journal launching to tackle global malnutrition and obesity. The journal aims to provide an integrated platform for exchange of science and ideas from various perspectives.
Research reveals that female lizards' bright orange patches on their underbellies signal peak fertility to males, attracting them with showy behavior. Males also exhibit aggressive behavior towards pregnant females, which can be deterred by the females' display of bright orange color.
The new journal Frontiers in Materials will utilize the unique Frontiers platform for open-access publishing and research networking. The mission is to empower researchers by promoting constructive criticism and fair evaluation of their work. Key sections for submissions include Biomaterials.
A recent study reveals the unique way honeybees process information from both front tarsi to decide whether to feed, highlighting the importance of their sense of taste in finding nectar and pollen. The sensitivity of their claws and tarsomeres plays a crucial role in detecting sweet and salty substances.
A comprehensive study of 650,000 Americans reveals significant disparities in access to preventive dental care among ethnic groups. Despite an increase in preventative dental care uptake over a decade, 23-43% of Americans received no care in 2008, depending on ethnicity.
A recent study found that wolves and dogs can learn where to find food by observing a human or dog demonstrator. This suggests that the ability to learn from others was already present in wolf ancestors, which prehistoric humans could then build on. The researchers' findings provide new insights into the domestication of dogs.
The new journal will cover a range of topics in ecology and evolution, including agroecology, behavioral and evolutionary ecology, and phylogenetics. It will be an interdisciplinary platform for researchers to share their findings, with open access publishing and fast publication.
Researchers followed 80 child synesthetes over 4 years, observing development of strong associations for around 50% of graphemes by age 7. The study also found that some children's synesthesia disappears as they grow older, likely due to changes in brain organization.
A new study found that children with stronger empathy skills are better at recognizing sarcasm. Children began to detect sarcasm between ages 6 and 8, but some took longer to develop this skill. Empathy skills were measured using eye gaze and reaction time during a task that required recognizing sarcastic language.
Researchers have discovered pollen grains from direct ancestors of flowering plants, dating back 240 million years to the Early Triassic. The findings suggest that flowering plants may have evolved up to 100 million years earlier than previously thought.
A neuroimaging study found that individuals with psychopathy fail to activate brain areas associated with empathy and concern for others when imagining others in pain. This atypical pattern of activation suggests that psychopaths may not care for others, but could be triggered into emotional response through cognitive-behavior therapies.
Researchers found that Facebook users' intensity of use is predicted by activity in the nucleus accumbens, a region involved in processing rewards and reputation. The study suggests social media use may be linked to changes in brain function related to reputation and self-image.
Frontiers' new journal in Energy Research will publish rigorously peer-reviewed articles on various topics related to energy systems, including nanotechnology solutions, policies, and storage. The journal aims to provide a free-to-access platform for researchers to share their findings with the scientific community.