A study finds that banning menthol cigarettes would likely lead to a significant reduction in smoking rates, particularly among young people and racial/ethnic minorities. The review of 78 studies reveals that almost a quarter of menthol cigarette smokers quit smoking altogether after a ban.
A new study found that digital collateral programs lead to positive selection, increased loan repayment, and profitability. Securing loans with digital collateral also increased school enrollment and attendance in developing countries.
A new study finds that widespread remote work adoption due to COVID-19 increased productivity among workers at home, but reduced collaborative work efficiency in the office. This shift led to higher housing costs in areas near downtowns and outer suburbs, as well as a widening of income inequality.
Research finds that people with higher HIV viral loads have higher recombination rates, enabling the virus to diversify and evade the immune system. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of how recombination drives HIV evolution.
Genetic material from Neanderthal ancestors may have influenced the preference for waking up early in some people. Studies found that introgressed genetic variants from Neanderthals are associated with increased morningness and a shorter circadian period, which is beneficial at higher latitudes.
Scientists have developed a new system to display epitopes in mammal cells for immunization studies, potentially speeding up the immunization process. This method allows for targeted immune responses against specific viral proteins without the need to purify antigens.
A new paper reveals that media coverage of Bruce Willis' condition was inaccurate, with journalists misrepresenting the relationship between aphasia and frontotemporal degeneration. The disease was often described as if it were a separate disorder from aphasia, when in fact aphasia is a symptom of frontotemporal degeneration.
A new study suggests that reducing greenhouse gas emissions is not enough to combat climate change, with a potential for global warming to reach as high as 4.8°C. Aerosol reduction has offset some warming in the past century, but its decline may now reveal hidden greenhouse gas warming.
A multicenter, retrospective study of Japanese patients treated with JAK inhibitors found impressive remission rates and low disease activity. The study's results contradict previous concerns about the effectiveness of these drugs, suggesting they may be a viable option for patients with other health problems.
A study by researchers from National Institutes of Health and Glasgow University found that amlodipine does not activate calcium channels, contradicting earlier concerns. The medication remains a recommended first-line treatment for high blood pressure, reducing deaths from hypertension.
Pre-contact agave species cultivated by early cultures like the Hohokam people continue to persist in Arizona's landscape. These domesticated agaves are distinct from their wild counterparts and offer a rare opportunity to study plant species unchanged since prehistory.
A new study provides comprehensive genomic resources for pangolins, helping protect these threatened mammals from extinction due to habitat loss and trafficking. The data will aid in conservation priorities and management plans, as well as tracing the pangolin trade.
A new study has found that bats' extraordinary ability to host and survive infections may be linked to their low cancer rates. Researchers sequenced the genomes of two bat species and compared them to other mammals, discovering genetic adaptations that allow bats to tolerate viral infections.
Researchers have developed a new vaccination method that induces the production of antibodies in mucus, which can disable viruses. This approach has shown promising results in monkeys, suggesting that oral vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 may be more effective and popular than traditional subcutaneous vaccinations.
A new study finds that children's books in the US continue to lack diversity, with only 2% of characters pictured as Black and 4% as Latinx. Mainstream books are also cheaper than those highlighting diverse identities, suggesting a possible reason for the disparity.
Researchers developed a bioinformatic tool that selects parts of proteins to elicit strong immune responses. This approach, grounded in immunological theory, was four times more efficient than current methods, suggesting better vaccine protection against diseases.
Researchers found that the annulated sea snake possesses four intact copies of the opsin gene SWS1, two with ancestral ultraviolet sensitivity and two with evolved sensitivity to longer wavelengths. This suggests that sea snakes have regained color discrimination to distinguish predators, prey, and mates in their marine habitats.
A new study reveals that Dupuytren's disease, a hand disorder affecting Northern Europeans, has a significant genetic component tied to Neandertal ancestry. Researchers identified three variants of Neandertal origin as major risk factors for the condition.
Researchers found altered serotonin 2A/C receptor binding in brain stems of infants who died from SIDS, suggesting a biological basis for the condition. The study suggests that specific combinations of genetic vulnerability, external stressors, and critical developmental periods may contribute to SIDS.
A new study found that overweight boys tend to have lower testicular volume, putting them at risk for infertility in adulthood. The research suggests that weight loss could help patients avoid infertility later in life.
Researchers found that women tend to accept job offers earlier and are more likely to accept lower-paying offers compared to men. The study suggests that risk tolerance and salary expectations may account for a significant proportion of the observed gender difference in earnings.
Researchers propose that 'lager yeast' S. pastorianus originated from a contamination event involving S. cerevisiae at the Duke's court brewery in Munich in 1602. The new findings suggest that lagers likely first emerged in Bavaria at least two hundred years earlier than previously thought.
A new paper proposes an itemized checklist to guide researchers in publishing analyses using complex sample survey data. The checklist, PRICSSA, consists of 17 important items to report for any analyses conducted on complex survey data. This reform aims to increase transparency and make analytic mistakes easier to spot.
Research reveals eastern wolves are genetically distinct from grey wolves and coyotes, suggesting a separate evolutionary origin around 67,000 years ago. The study also indicates hybridization between coyotes and eastern wolves has occurred at least twice, in the Great Lakes region.
Researchers find that patients with destructive nasal lesions may be suffering from cocaine-induced granulomatosis with polyangiitis, a condition often misdiagnosed. Cocaine use can trigger production of antibodies leading to symptoms similar to idiopathic Granulomatosis With Polyangiitis.
A new study finds that tax interventions needed to combat climate change will need to be larger and more effective than previously thought. Improvements in energy efficiency technology are crucial, but technological adjustments take time.
Researchers found that televised debates have little effect on voter decisions, with information from other sources such as media and activists being more influential. Voter choice consistency increased by 17 percentage points over the last two months of campaigns, affecting electoral results.
A new study by Oxford University Press USA found that watching nature documentaries, such as BBC's Green Planet, increases public awareness of plants and their importance. The researchers measured online behavior and found a significant effect on viewers' interest in portrayed plant species.
A recent study published in the British Journal of Surgery found that patients undergoing liver surgery fare better in higher-volume hospitals. In-hospital mortality rates were lower in these facilities, with a rate of 2.8%, compared to 3% in lower-volume hospitals.
A new paper reviews the exclusion of Latin American and Caribbean researchers in ornithology, citing language hegemony, publication costs, and North-biased views. The authors argue that this systemic barrier is not only unjust but also detrimental to scientific rigor and bird conservation.
A new study published in Evolution, Medicine, and Public Health found that proper hand hygiene in clinical work can reduce the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The researchers developed a mathematical model to predict how good or poor hygiene affects resistance evolution, and tested it against data from 691 long-term care facil...
A new study uses mobile game apps to promote healthy decision-making among adolescent girls in India, presenting them with challenges and conflicts that mirror real-life situations. The game aims to build agency and awareness about health issues such as menstrual hygiene management.
A new study published in PNAS Nexus reveals that children living near airports are exposed to toxic levels of lead from aviation gasoline. The researchers found a significant correlation between blood lead levels and proximity to the airport, with higher levels detected in East-facing directions.
Researchers identified several characteristics increasing risk of infection, while others decreased it. Strict adherence to mask-wearing and vitamin D consumption provided significant protection against COVID-19.
A study of 159 consultations between doctors and patients with obesity found that weight loss advice was rarely effective and mostly consisted of generic tips like eating less and being more active. Doctors often offered unsupported guidance and stigmatizing stereotypes, hindering patient progress.
Scientists have identified the ancient yeast species necessary for lager beer production in Europe, with a previously unknown parent strain found in Ireland. The discovery sheds new light on the history of brewing and suggests that natural populations of the yeast may still remain hidden in European forests.
Researchers found that fertilizers change the electric field surrounding a flower, affecting bees' ability to navigate and feed. This alteration lasts for up to 25 minutes and can persist beyond a single use of chemicals.
A team of researchers from Japan sequenced the draft genome of Argonauta argo and discovered that the species' egg case protein-coding genes were not used to form shells in distantly related species. This suggests that the eggs case evolved independently, rather than being a modified shell.
A new study by Jean Lacroix found that the Voting Rights Act of 1965 halved instances of actual political violence and reduced the likelihood of new waves of violence. In counties covered by the act, citizens voted to voice their views, leading to a change in political strategies rather than policy changes.
A new study finds that underrepresented minority students experience greater negative impacts on graduating from low intro course grades than their White, male peers, even after controlling for academic preparation. Low grades in introductory STEM courses disproportionately deter minoritized students from pursuing STEM degrees, with Bl...
A new study found that certain pre-existing conditions have a more significant impact on COVID-19 outcomes than previously thought. Researchers developed a novel prediction model, PDeathDx, which outperformed conventional models and identified degenerative neurological diseases, dementia, and severe disabilities as major risk factors.
A new study found that strict lockdowns in France resulted in a measurable improvement in cardiovascular health, with reduced vascular stiffness and body weight. In contrast, partial lockdowns in Germany had little to no impact on cardiovascular health.
A study found that overweight patients are more inclined to disagree with their healthcare providers on weight loss and lifestyle advice. Disagreement was particularly pronounced for advice given by doctors on weight and lifestyle issues, with overweight patients more likely to disagree.
A new study finds that nearly 40% of businesses are willing to hire workers with criminal backgrounds. Offering employers crime and safety insurance or performance reviews increases demand by up to 68%. The researchers conclude that cost-effective policies can expand labor supply without deterring employers.
A new study finds that Harry Potter's economic model is distorted from professional models, influencing readers' views on economics. The paper highlights key aspects of the 'Potterian economy,' including its critique of market-based systems and government corruption.
A large cohort study found that hormone replacement therapy for breast cancer survivors is not associated with an increased risk of recurrence. The study included over 8,400 Danish postmenopausal women and found no link between vaginal estrogen or menopausal hormone therapy and breast cancer reoccurrence.
Researchers found that terminating Supplemental Security Income benefits at age 18 significantly increases criminal charges, with a 20% rise in income-generating crimes and a 60% increase in incarceration likelihood. The effect persists for more than two decades.
A new study found that hormone replacement therapy within six months of COVID-19 diagnosis was associated with a 78% reduction in all-cause mortality in women. This suggests estrogen may offer protective effects against COVID-19 severity, explaining the lower hospitalization and death rates among women compared to men.
A new study finds that workplaces with a larger share of men experience higher rates of sexual harassment, leading to women leaving for jobs with lower wages. Women are nearly six times more likely than men to be victims of harassment in male-dominated workplaces.
A new study found that reality TV programs in the UK exhibit frequent displays of alcohol, tobacco, and unhealthy foods, raising concerns about youth exposure. The research estimates that these shows delivered millions of impressions to children, highlighting the need for revised regulations.