Researchers from Yale University found that participation in faith-based or community-based extracurricular activities can increase U.S. adolescents' awareness of the dangers of binge drinking. The study suggests that these types of activities could play a crucial role in preventing excessive alcohol consumption among young people.
A national survey reveals significantly higher rates of five mental health conditions in incarcerated individuals and those with recent criminal-legal involvement compared to community members. The study emphasizes the critical need for informed care and treatment to address the high rates of incarceration and improve community support.
A recent study found that ischemic stroke mortality rates have increased in the US over the past two decades, particularly among racial minorities and rural residents. The majority of these deaths now occur at home, rather than in hospitals or medical facilities.
Analysis of citizen science data suggests that warmer ocean temperatures can increase loggerhead sea turtle nesting sites along Italy's coastlines. Preserving natural beaches is crucial for maintaining these habitats.
A new study found that more 'optimistic' medical detection dogs performed better overall on detection tasks, while 'pessimistic' dogs had higher scent detection specificity. The researchers suggest that judgment bias testing could be a screening tool for potential detection dogs.
A French cohort study of over 100,000 adults found that mixtures of common food additives, including aspartame and carrageenan, were associated with a slightly increased risk of type II diabetes. The study suggests that these additives may have adverse effects on glucose metabolism.
Researchers found that mouse brains process active and passive touch through different pathways, with one region responding to surprise at touch. This distinction may help mice navigate their environments more effectively.
A study analyzing over 3 million bacterial samples found that antibiotic resistance initially rises but stabilizes over time, reaching an equilibrium in most species. The study suggests that continued increase in antibiotic resistance is not inevitable and provides new insights to monitor drug resistance.
A UK study found that GPS navigation assistance is associated with increased driving mobility in older adults, particularly those with poor spatial abilities. The study suggests that integrating navigational assistance into strategies can help maintain driving independence.
A new computer modeling tool suggests that Bronze Age people may have traveled directly over the open ocean between Denmark and Norway. The simulations indicate that such trips were possible, but required a boat with specific capabilities and good weather forecasting.
SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS One·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 2, 2025 A new study finds that increased screen time in teen girls leads to deteriorated sleep quality, with poor sleep mediating the association between screen time and depressive symptoms. Screen time also disrupts multiple aspects of the human sleep-wake cycle.
SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Global Public Health·TypeObservational study·DateApr 2, 2025 Despite free treatment in many countries, TB patients incur catastrophic costs due to hospitalization and lost income. A systematic review found that these costs can be prohibitively high for individuals in low-, middle-, and high-income settings.
A small study found 19 types of microplastic particles in cat placentas and fetuses during early pregnancy. The researchers suggest that microplastics may accumulate in cat placentas and potentially impact fetal health, highlighting the need for limits on plastic use and mitigation strategies.
A mass mortality event occurred in Triassic Wyoming, where dozens of giant amphibians called metoposaurid temnospondyls died together on an ancient floodplain. The study provides a unique snapshot of a single population and doubles the known number of individuals of the species Buettnererpeton bakeri.
Researchers found clear evidence of air sacs in fossilized alvarezsaurian bones, which may have helped modern birds fly. This discovery provides new insights into the evolution of bird flight and the role of 'hollow bones' in this process.
A new study in PLOS One reveals over 130 dinosaur footprints on the Isle of Skye, providing insight into their distribution and behavior. The trackways suggest large theropods like Megalosaurus and sauropods like Cetiosaurus strolled through ancient subtropical lagoons.
Patients prescribed medicinal cannabis in Australia showed long-term improvements in overall health-related quality of life, fatigue, and sleep disturbance. The study, which recruited over 2,300 participants, also found improvements in anxiety, depression, insomnia, and pain for those with corresponding conditions.
The Public Library of Science and the Society of China University Journals have formed a strategic partnership to promote open access, open science, and research integrity. The collaboration aims to increase awareness of open science principles and enhance research quality in China.
Researchers discovered that certain marine diatom species can thrive on a diet of seaweed and decaying plant matter due to the acquisition of a bacterial gene. This adaptation allowed them to break down alginate, a carbon polymer in seaweed cell walls, enabling the diatoms to survive without photosynthesis.
A study found that agricultural antifungals, like TBZ, can cause genomic changes in the infectious yeast Candida tropicalis, increasing its resistance. This increase in resistance poses a growing concern for human infections, as many pathogens are becoming resistant to antifungal medicines.
Researchers used mice to examine the activity of two neuronal proteins linked to autism. They found that a natural balance between MDGA2 and BDNF maintains normal neuron activity, but disruption can lead to ASD-like symptoms. This study suggests MDGA2 and BDNF as promising therapeutic targets for future treatments.
Artificial neural networks trained on spontaneous retinal activity patterns show improved motion prediction in natural scenes. The approach also enhances performance when combined with naturalistic movie data.
Researchers found that whales and dolphins use a unique sleep strategy by turning off one half of their brain at a time. This phenomenon is enabled by specific genes and pathways that enable secondary aquatic adaptation.
Young and midcareer scientists in the US face potential cuts to government funding, but can leverage this time to explore new possibilities and opportunities for innovation. The article provides guidance on navigating a successful bioscience career amidst anticipated funding cuts.
New study finds park entrances in Dublin, Ireland, to be heavily contaminated with infective Toxocara canis eggs, posing a risk of zoonotic infection. The researchers call for increased measures to prevent dog feces disposal at these locations.
SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases·TypeObservational study·DateMar 27, 2025 A UK study found that children of obese mothers are more likely to become obese adults, suggesting that societal and early-life factors play a significant role in obesity. The study analyzed data from over 17,000 people born in the same week in 1958 and found that these early life factors persisted through adulthood.
A team of researchers conducted in-depth chemical analysis on three medieval bronze doors created by Barisanus of Trani. The study revealed that one door is the oldest and provided insights into its construction methods, showcasing the skill and expertise of medieval craftsmen.
The study found that religiousness may be protective against symptoms of depression in US college students, although the effect is weaker for those who identify as sexual minorities. The researchers analyzed data from 140 campuses and discovered a link between higher levels of religiosity and lower rates of depressive symptoms.
A study at a Swedish public university found that only 8.1% of students who experienced rape or attempted rape reported the incident, highlighting a 'culture of silence'. The low reporting rate is attributed to factors such as social norms and fear of retaliation, sparking concerns over the effectiveness of reporting mechanisms.
A study found that mice exposed to microgravity for 37 days experienced significant bone loss, especially in weight-bearing bones. This research may inform human acclimation strategies for spaceflight.
Researchers found that inhibiting the sonic hedgehog pathway restricts feather bud outgrowth and branching in chickens. Temporarily modified Shh expression resulted in proto-featherlike structures, highlighting the pathway's importance in feather development.
Despite severe sleep deficits, insomniac fruit fly mutants exhibit enhanced memory performance through altered PKA signaling in the mushroom body. This finding suggests a complex relationship between sleep and memory functions.
A new analysis of data from 27 countries reveals that sociodemographic characteristics such as gender equality, education level, and employment status are linked to attitudes towards voluntary childlessness. The study distinguishes between prescriptive and proscriptive attitudes, finding that lower gender inequality predicts higher acc...
Solutions-based therapy shows promise in improving wellbeing, sleep quality, and reducing anxiety among IVF patients aged 35 or over. The study used a problem-oriented model with clear intervention goals, which can be tailored to individual needs.
A new study published in PLOS One found that people with an evening chronotype have poorer sleep quality, higher alcohol consumption, and act with less mindfulness than morning chronotypes. The association between chronotype and depression symptoms may be mediated by differences in mindfulness, sleep quality, and alcohol consumption.
A study of top 100 ADHD TikToks found that fewer than half of claims about ADHD symptoms aligned with clinical standards. Young adults' perceptions of the informational value of these videos differed from those of psychologists, leading to a potential spread of misinformation.
Following the introduction of warning labels in 2020, Mexico substantially reformed food and non-alcoholic drink products to be healthier. The reformulation resulted in a significant reduction of excessive calories, fats, salts, sugars, sweeteners, and caffeine content in these products.
Researchers argue that the current paradigm of cancer as a genetic disease is unproductive due to inconsistencies in sequencing data. Alternative paradigms considering non-genetic processes, such as disruptions in gene regulatory networks and tissue organization, are proposed to guide future experiments.
A study analyzed conservation actions for endangered species and found that targeted efforts have driven improvements in over 100 species. However, only half of assessed species have conservation actions in place, and roughly six times as many species have deteriorated in recent decades than have improved.
European wolf populations have seen a remarkable 58% growth over the past decade, with at least 21,500 individuals now roaming the continent. This recovery is attributed to conservation efforts and policies supporting large carnivore populations.
SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Sustainability and Transformation·TypeObservational study·DateMar 17, 2025 A new analysis reveals that no country is on track to meet all 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals by the target year of 2030. Machine-learning tools were applied to over 20 years' worth of data from 231 indicators and GDP data, highlighting complex linkages between goals.
SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS One·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 12, 2025 A study published in PLOS Global Public Health suggests a potential association between PM2.5 exposure and increased skin redness in Taiwanese adults. The findings indicate that air pollution may contribute to skin health issues, highlighting the importance of mitigating air quality to protect public health.
Researchers tracked hawksbill turtles migrating over 1,000km from nesting sites to foraging grounds in the Western Caribbean. The study found that turtles congregate in specific feeding hotspots despite riding with and against ocean currents.
A new study published in PLOS One found that adolescent boys who experience violence are at a significantly increased risk of perpetrating physical and sexual intimate partner violence. The research collected real-time data over mobile phones and revealed that these boys have up to 8 times the odds of committing such acts on the same day.
A new study published in PLOS Medicine estimates that the COVID-19 pandemic cost Europe 16.8 million disability-free years of life between 2020 and 2022. The study found that more than half of these lost years would have been lived without disability, highlighting the pandemic's long-term impact on older populations.
Researchers investigated genetic and sensory mechanisms behind mate preferences in Heliconius cydno butterflies with yellow or white wing patches. They found that males prefer females with matching wing colors due to differences in how sensory information is processed.
Wealthy individuals, despite being major contributors to global emissions, possess three positive climate capabilities: investing in green technologies, knowledge about climate change, and social influence. Researchers suggest harnessing their potential to accelerate the UK's transition to net-zero carbon emissions.
A study of nearly 900 postmenopausal women found an association between perimenopausal symptom burden and later cognitive function and behavioral impairment. Women with higher menopausal symptom burdens were more likely to experience poorer cognitive function and mild behavioral impairments, both markers of dementia.
A study published in PLOS One found that scholars accused of sexual misconduct experience a significant decrease in citation rates, unlike those accused of scientific misconduct. Non-academics also reported greater aversion to citing works of accused scholars with sexual misconduct accusations.
Researchers analyzed chloroplast genomes of cacao trees from northern Peru to determine the species' age and diversity. The study found that the current known diversity diversified during the Pliocene or Miocene epochs, approximately 7.5 million years ago.