Leading experts argue that full clinical study reports of authorized drugs should be made publicly available to allow independent re-analysis. The authors use Tamiflu as an example, highlighting discrepancies in regulatory evidence and advocating for open access to clinical trial data.
A French research team analyzed data from over 13,000 patients to investigate the long-term effects of metformin. The study found no significant impact on mortality or cardiovascular risk with metformin compared to other drugs.
A recent study in Brazil found that severe food insecurity is associated with increased symptoms of sexually transmitted infection and decreased condom use among women. The authors argue that addressing food insecurity could have beneficial implications for HIV prevention by reducing risk avoidance behaviors.
A new model based on game theory and social learning can predict the patterns of vaccine scares, explaining why vaccine uptake takes time to recover after a scare. The model highlights the interplay between disease dynamics and vaccination behavior, suggesting that herd immunity can lead to complacency among unvaccinated individuals.
Elite soccer players exhibit superior executive functions compared to non-players, correlating with performance in goals and assists. Cognitive flexibility and creativity are also essential components of top-tier athleticism.
A study of 7,131 participants in Paris found that shopping at discount supermarkets or in areas with poorly educated consumers is associated with higher body mass indices (BMI) and waist circumferences. Supermarket size and produce quality were not linked to BMI or waist circumference.
Research published in PLoS ONE reveals that photographs of children with Down syndrome elicit less positive attitudes than those of typically developing children. The study found a strong negative bias among caregivers working with intellectually disabled persons.
A study analyzing data from 47 studies found that increasing height increases the risk of ovarian cancer by 3% per decade. For body mass index, risks vary depending on whether women have taken menopausal hormone therapy, with an attenuated relationship in never-users.
Researchers found that ants' social contact with sick ants promotes disease protection in their group members through low-level micro-infections. This social mechanism enables colonies to recover more rapidly from infections.
The US CDC proposes to focus investments on six public health functions: strategic epidemiologic information, and strengthening key institutions and infrastructure. The agency aims to engage public health institutions domestically and abroad in health systems strengthening efforts.
Researchers created a new game to teach epidemiology concepts and promote collaboration between scientists. The game simulates an epidemic, demonstrating the importance of data collection and collaboration in tracking diseases.
A study published in PLOS Medicine analyzed medical records of 325 patients attending a clinic in Darfur, finding consistent evidence of torture, including beatings, gunshot wounds, and sexual assault. The research enhances the credibility of patient claims, but lacks data to corroborate assailant identities or genocidal intent.
Researchers propose that non-genetic resistance can occur before genetic mutations, changing the approach to designing combination therapies. This new perspective aims to improve outcomes by understanding how cancers evolve and adapt to extreme challenges.
A recent study published in PLoS ONE found that the Body Mass Index (BMI) substantially under-diagnoses obesity in the US, with 39% of Americans classified as overweight being actually obese. The researchers suggest using leptin levels in conjunction with BMI to provide a more accurate measure of adiposity.
Researchers reveal a genetic mutation behind the distinctive double-flowered sunflowers depicted in Van Gogh's paintings, which has been hidden for over a century. The study identifies a disrupted gene responsible for creating the mutated trait.
PLoS Currents: Disasters is a new publication channel for sharing research and operational analyses on disasters. It supports timely publishing and revision-friendly article formats.
A recent study published in PLOS ONE found that sleep disturbances significantly impair the overnight improvement and plateau performance of motor tasks in patients with sleep apnea. The authors concluded that optimal memory consolidation requires continuous sleep, independent of the total amount of sleep.
A Finnish study found that the Pandemrix vaccine used during the 2009 H1N1 pandemic was associated with a significant increase in childhood narcolepsy. The vaccine's AS03 adjuvant was linked to an abrupt rise in incidence rates, especially among vaccinated children under 19.
A recent study published in PLOS ONE suggests that learning a new language can improve with time off. Adult subjects who took a break after high proficiency showed no decline in abilities and even processed the language more naturally. This unexpected result may be attributed to the brain's ability to reorganize and adapt.
A class of compounds found in hops has been shown to reduce weight gain and improve gut permeability in obese and diabetic mice. The treatment also normalized insulin sensitivity markers, suggesting a novel mechanism for improving metabolic health.
Researchers argue that incentives can encourage participants to engage in healthy behaviors when properly designed and evidence-based. The authors propose that Research Ethics Committees require an evidence-based rationale for predicting incentive effectiveness.
Researchers found that humans can only monitor up to three strategies while making decisions, and creativity is favored over reliable options. The frontal lobe plays a crucial role in this process, with individual differences in performance linked to variations in creative ability.
New studies reveal lower fetal/infant death risks among planned repeat caesarean sections, while higher uterine rupture risk found in women with multiple previous caesarean sections. Research emphasizes pragmatic studies to improve maternal and infant care.
A randomized trial found IPTi to be an effective preventive measure against malaria episodes in infants exposed to both falciparum and vivax malaria. The study showed a significant reduction in malaria cases with regular IPTi treatment during infancy.
Researchers found that patients who received early temporary treatment with antiretroviral drugs (cART) for 24 weeks had a lower viral setpoint and delayed the need to restart treatment during chronic HIV infection. This delay lasted for an average of 0.7 years, compared to those who did not receive early cART.
Researchers have identified enzymes and biochemical compounds that target the dengue virus, suggesting a potential new therapy. Medications used for high cholesterol may also inhibit the virus's replication.
Researchers found that frequent ballet and Indian dance spectators exhibited enhanced neural motor responses when watching their respective styles. This suggests that spectators can simulate dance movements without requiring prior motor expertise, highlighting the brain's ability to mirror actions.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that individuals without a sense of smell have increased social insecurity and risk for depression. They also experienced increased risk for household accidents despite not having significant deviations from daily functions like food preferences.
The SpikerBox is a low-cost, open-source bioamplifier that allows users to amplify and listen to neurons' electrical activity. This tool has been developed by Backyard Brains to make neuroscience education more accessible.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that Toxoplasma gondii infection suppressed the immune system, leading to a significant decrease in b-amyloid plaque deposition and improved performance in behavior tests like the water maze. This suggests that the parasite may have favorable effects on Alzheimer's disease progression.
A study published in PLOS ONE reveals that both human infants and baboons prefer using their right hand for gestural communication, supporting the idea of a common gestural system. This suggests that language development may be based on this shared communication system, which is localized in the left hemisphere of the brain.
The US physician workforce has a significant international training component, with 128,729 physicians (15%) trained in lower-income countries. This highlights a potential problem for global healthcare, as these countries lose their investment in medical education.
A study found that selective reporting of trials enhances apparent clinical effectiveness, potentially misleading clinicians. The results of published trials influence prescribing decisions.
Neuroscience research with military funding sparks debate over scientific validity and consequential ethical considerations. Dual-use applications include brain-computer interfaces and neuromodulation technologies that may enhance or suppress neurological capacities in soldiers.
A study discovered mutations in the mitochondrial methionyl-tRNA synthetase gene that cause neurodegenerative disorders in both fruit flies and humans. The findings suggest that antioxidants may counteract the negative consequences of these mutations in flies, raising hope for potential therapeutic approaches in human patients.
A study found that CD4 cell count is associated with AIDS risk in HIV-infected adults on combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) with a suppressed viral load. Patients with higher CD4 counts have lower AIDS risk, even at counts above 500 cells/μL.
The article discusses the importance of researching health systems interventions and assessing the reliability of evidence. The authors argue that useful tools are available to evaluate effectiveness, but more work is needed to assess other key factors such as policy acceptability and implementation feasibility.
A new cross-cultural study shows that tonal trends used to express feelings in music are consistent across cultures and parallel those used in speech expressing similar emotions. The authors conclude that music's emotional expression is due to its imitation of vocal characteristics.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that crocodilians possess a remarkable capacity for generating force through their bites. The researchers measured bite forces and tooth pressures for 23 species of crocodilians, with saltwater crocodiles displaying the strongest bite force at over 3,700 pounds.
Researchers identified brain mechanisms linking visual appeal of food to nutritional reward. Participants rated tastes as more pleasant when preceded by images of high-calorie foods like pizza or pastry.
A new study has failed to replicate a controversial experiment suggesting the existence of precognition, thereby debunking claims of psychic ability. The researchers, led by Stuart Ritchie, found no statistically significant effects in their attempts to replicate the results.
A study of over 6,600 US mothers found that giving birth to unusually small infants doubles the risk of ischemic heart disease. The correlation was independent of other factors, suggesting that such pregnancies may induce cardiovascular changes and be an early risk factor for heart disease.
Researchers have discovered that Japanese honeybees use a novel defense mechanism when threatened by Asian giant hornets, creating a 'hot defensive bee ball' to cook the hornet. This behavior differs from European honeybees and is associated with increased neural activity in higher brain centers.
Researchers call for linking guideline development and policy development to improve global health systems guidance. A panel can ensure output is used for both policy and guidance development, addressing complexity of health systems and contexts.
A UK study published in PLOS Medicine found that uterine rupture is rare but increases with the number of previous caesarean deliveries. Women planning vaginal delivery after a previous caesarean section are at higher risk, especially if labor is induced or has a short interval since the last surgery.
A study published in PLOS Medicine suggests that women who have a previous caesarean section may benefit from a planned repeat caesarean section in terms of reduced bleeding and infant mortality. The research found that elective repeat caesarean sections were associated with lower risks of severe bleeding and serious infant morbidity.
A study published in PLOS Medicine finds that the revised DSM-5 has been influenced by the pharmaceutical industry, despite a policy to disclose financial conflicts of interest. The authors argue that transparency alone cannot mitigate bias and recommend stricter safeguards to protect the revision process.
A team of scientists has identified a key player in the amplification of pain signals in the spinal cord, which could lead to the development of novel treatments for chronic pain. By removing an enzyme called PKG-1 from pain-sensing nerves, researchers found that LTP was abolished and pain-related memory and behavior were also altered.
A recent study by Mount Sinai School of Medicine identified five novel genetic mutations associated with an increased risk of Crohn's disease in Ashkenazi Jews. These findings provide new insights into the disease's causes and may lead to the development of novel treatment approaches.
A recent study led by Carlos J. Melian found that speeding up evolution through sexual reproduction may actually decrease species diversity. The researchers developed new models to connect the mode of reproduction to biodiversity and found that high genetic variation and evolutionary rates have little effect on general biodiversity.