A new study found that seafloor fish communities are maintaining their uniqueness despite widespread human impacts, with some regions showing increased diversity. The research suggests that conservation efforts should be tailored to each region to be effective.
Researchers analyzed four complete donkey skeletons and remains to discover that Egyptian donkeys were incorporated into ritual burials during the Early Bronze Age in present-day Israel. Local donkeys were also part of the diet, according to the study published in PLOS One.
A recent analysis of 16 years of data on Japanese adults reveals a strong association between socioeconomic status and the incidence of five common cancers. Communities with low employment rates or low incomes show higher cancer rates compared to those with higher socioeconomic status.
A study published in PLOS Global Public Health explores Somali women's perspectives on FGM/C and efforts to support its abandonment. The research found that many participants supported the abandonment of 'pharaonic' FGM/C due to its harms, but some continued to support 'gudniinka sunnah', citing cultural and religious reasons.
A study suggests that eliminating invasive rats can restore the flow of nutrients across food chain networks in Seychelles, potentially enhancing ecosystem function on coral reefs. Seabird populations play a mediating role in this process by increasing turf algae growth and stimulating top-down controls.
A study published in PLOS One finds that early childhood education policies worldwide favor competition, individualism, and talent over cooperation, solidarity, and luck. Only four countries acknowledge uncontrollable factors like health and climate disasters as contributors to success.
A new study suggests that sustained US military spending reductions could lead to substantial decreases in energy consumption, with potential annual savings comparable to those of Slovenia or Delaware. The analysis found that decreased spending primarily affects energy consumption from facilities, vehicles, and equipment, and jet fuel.
A study published in PLOS One found that performing small acts of love increases feelings of being loved, which can lead to better psychological wellbeing and happiness. Participants who expressed love were more likely to feel loved themselves, but received love did not have the same effect.
A recent study published in PLOS One found that emoji use in text messaging can enhance perceived responsiveness and lead to higher closeness and relationship satisfaction. The presence of emojis was more critical than their type, suggesting they serve as signals of attentiveness and emotional engagement.
A recent study found that pet owners who recently adopted pets often struggled to access veterinary care, particularly those working from home and having children. The researchers analyzed an online survey of 751 US residents and discovered that 20% of all pet owners faced difficulties accessing basic veterinary services.
A study published in PLOS Global Public Health found that prenatal exposure to ambient fine particulate matter is associated with low birth weight and preterm birth in India. The researchers used geospatial models to highlight vulnerable areas, including the Northern districts where children are more susceptible to air pollution.
A study published in PLOS Biology found that mild electrically stimulating certain neural networks can improve math learning in individuals with weaker connections. The researchers used brain stimulation and magnetic resonance spectroscopy to measure connection strength between brain regions associated with math learning.
A recent study published in PLOS Biology found that taking a nap with deeper sleep can lead to increased 'aha' moments, with 70.6% of participants experiencing insight after a 20-minute rest period.
A multi-country study found that extreme droughts in Low Income Countries (LMICs) are associated with an increase in sexual violence against adolescent girls and young women. The study highlights the indirect impact of climate change on social vulnerabilities in these regions.
Increased public awareness of solar geoengineering may lead to bipartisan engagement in US politics. The study found that Americans' views on the technology became more moderate as they gained knowledge about its effects and mechanisms.
A longitudinal study found that the COVID-19 pandemic significantly decreased US adults' confidence in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), while increasing trust in personal doctors and local health departments. Confidence in these institutions dropped by 26% between 2020 and 2024.
A study analyzing data from over 5,000 students found that participants' attitudes toward politicians and Black people were more strongly related to their attitudes toward the men than the women of each group. The research suggests that 'man' is often seen as the default for attitudes towards these groups, but this varies by region and...
A UK study analyzed over 30,000 crimes and found that the overall risk of crime increases after dark, but only for specific types such as burglary, robbery, and criminal damage. The risk varies by neighborhood, suggesting that darkness itself may be a contributing factor to crime.
A study in the Andes found that early farmers relied on consistent food resources and managed wild plants, contradicting the idea of an agricultural shift driven by hardship. The researchers analyzed ancient diets and found high proportions of plant material in the diet, supplemented by smaller amounts of meat.
A 40,000-year-old boomerang made from mammoth tusk has been discovered in a Polish cave, pushing back the known age of such artifacts in Europe. The analysis of this artifact provides new insights into the chronology of the Early Upper Paleolithic period.
A study of Iowa's birth records and county-level nitrate measurements found a link between prenatal nitrate exposure and increased preterm birth and low birthweight babies. The study suggests that current regulatory standards may be insufficient to protect against the risks of nitrate exposure.
A study from PLOS found that affectionate behavior is associated with higher relationship satisfaction across cultures. However, cultural differences impact how affection is displayed and perceived in relationships.
Researchers analyzed over 200 species of tetrapods to understand mammalian posture evolution, finding that ancestral synapsids had a sprawling posture but distinct anatomy. The study suggests that parasagittal posture evolved late in synapsid evolution, around 100 million years ago.
Researchers have successfully edited harmful mitochondrial DNA mutations in liver and skin cells using a genetic tool called a base editor. The study, published in PLOS Biology, offers promising results for treating mitochondrial diseases and aging-related conditions.
A study found that fish face a trade-off between tooth size and jaw mobility, restricting their ability to catch fast-swimming prey. Fish with larger teeth use rapid bursts of swimming to close in on prey, while those with extendible jaws rely on suction forces.
Researchers have discovered two new viruses closely related to Nipah and Hendra viruses, as well as other microorganisms, in bats from Yunnan province. The study highlights the need for comprehensive microbial analyses of previously understudied organs to better assess spillover risks.
A study of 403 Italian adolescents suggests that low social support and a tendency to compare oneself to others are associated with an increased risk of problematic social media use. The longitudinal study found that these factors predict trajectories of adolescent social media use over time.
A recent study found that wildfires in the US West Coast in 2020 led to the disruption of outdoor activities, which in turn shaped the circulation of respiratory pathogens such as influenza and COVID-19. This research highlights the indirect health impacts of extreme weather events.
A meta-analysis of over 10,000 patients found that knee braces, hydrotherapy, and exercise are the most effective non-drug therapies for reducing pain and improving mobility in knee osteoarthritis. These treatments offer a safer alternative to anti-inflammatory drugs with fewer gastrointestinal and cardiovascular risks.
A study found that six breeds are significantly more likely to get diarrhea than generic crossbreeds, while two breeds are less likely. Most dogs recover quickly from diarrhea, but around 38% require antibiotic treatment.
A recent study suggests that ladybird colors are produced by a combination of pigments and the physical properties of their wingcase. Researchers have discovered structural mechanisms underlying color production and pigment modulation in these insects.
A new study analyzing over 3,200 US hospitals reveals stark regional differences in patient satisfaction. The Midwest emerged as the clear leader, with South Dakota ranking on top and New York performing poorly. Communication about medications and discharge instructions were consistently among the lowest-rated aspects of care.
A study of 34 children found significant differences in basal ganglia volume between those exposed to prenatal Superstorm Sandy and those not exposed. The findings suggest that extreme heat may have amplified the risk of having a differently-sized basal ganglia.
A new report calls for stronger rules around transparency and bias in AI-driven medical technologies, especially to protect vulnerable populations. The authors recommend creating public data repositories to track AI performance and offering tax incentives for companies that follow ethical practices.
Researchers developed an animal model of forelimb embodiment in mice to study the neural basis of sensory-based forelimb embodiment. The findings suggest that mice can develop a sense of embodiment of an artificial limb, similar to humans who participate in the rubber-hand illusion experiment.
Researchers found CBD and related phytocannabinoids effective in clearing topical fungal infections, including those causing cryptococcosis and athlete's foot. The study's findings suggest potential applications for these compounds against various fungal diseases.
A new AI program, Enoch, has been developed to analyze ancient handwriting styles and estimate the age of undated manuscripts. The program, trained on radiocarbon dating data, was tested on 135 Dead Sea Scrolls and found realistic estimates for approximately 79% of the samples.
Phytoplankton biomass in the North Atlantic has declined by up to 2% per year over six decades, potentially affecting the entire ocean's ecosystem. This decrease may have significant consequences under climate change.
Doctors rate GPT-generated educational materials as clear, accurate and complete as human-authored versions, but easier to read. The AI-generated materials were translated into five languages for a randomized assessment.
Researchers and participants from a Philippines disaster-preparedness project discuss the ethics of closing projects 'well' in the context of USAID withdrawal. Key considerations include ensuring timely completion of critical tasks and minimizing negative impacts on affected communities.
A study found that between 11.6% and 20.2% of women with a history of pregnancy or testing for pregnancy visited crisis pregnancy centers across four US states, including Arizona and New Jersey. The attendance rates were not correlated with age, race, or socioeconomic status.
A study of Polish and US-based studies found that vegetarians are more likely to endorse values of independence and individuality. However, they are surprisingly less likely to endorse benevolence compared to non-vegetarians.
Adolescents in India whose mothers experience domestic violence are at a significantly increased risk of developing anxiety and depression. The study highlights the importance of addressing this issue, particularly in Indian communities where domestic violence is prevalent.
As people age, their brain connectivity is disrupted, affecting their ability to form and maintain relationships. This study uses brain scans to show how intrinsic functional connectivity networks mediate the impact of age on sociability.
Refugees in Sweden who lived in institutional housing during the asylum process were prescribed more anti-anxiety and anti-depressant medication and visited hospital more often. This association persisted for years, highlighting potential long-term effects of institutional care on mental health.
A new study of college undergraduates in Japan found that self-perception of athletic ability is linked to personality traits, family characteristics, and prior sports experience. Students who perceived themselves as more athletic tended to be younger siblings, have a growth mindset, and come from households with higher incomes.
New multi-proxy analysis suggests llamas were domesticated in the region prior to the Incas' arrival. The findings shed light on the early history of camelid domestication in Chile.
A study suggests that decolonizing global health requires Northern institutions to accept losing resources, shifting funding directly to Global South. Faculty members expressed anxiety about impact on livelihoods due to changes in financial structures.
A study published in PLOS One found that domestic cats can discriminate between familiar and unfamiliar humans based on their odor. Cats spend longer sniffing the odor of a stranger than that of their owner, suggesting they can identify human scent patterns.
A systematic review of 10 studies found no evidence that mouth taping helps treat sleep-disordered breathing or obstructive sleep apnea. However, mouth taping may be associated with some improvement in mild obstructive sleep apnea severity in a subset of patients.