A systematic review suggests a Mediterranean diet may lower COVID-19 infection risk. The study found no evidence that the diet affects symptom severity or illness outcomes.
A new study published in PLOS ONE found that homicide rates were the leading contributor to the racial gap in life expectancy between Black and White men during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study revealed that homicides accounted for nine times more of the racial gap in lifespan variability than deaths from COVID-19.
A mathematical framework reveals how the unobservable nature of effort and risk shapes research strategies and incentive structures. Scientists opt for safer projects that generate evidence of effort but hinder scientific progress.
A study found that older age, female sex, and irregular heart rhythms can predict Alzheimer's cognitive decline over two years. The results also showed strong correlations between caregiver load and various patient-related measures.
A study published in PLOS Water found associations between weather, geographic location, and urban/rural settings with waterborne infectious disease hospitalizations. Hospitalization rates were higher for enteric and biofilm-forming bacterial pathogens in areas using groundwater, while precipitation increased parasitic infections.
A recent study found that job titles with gender-neutral and feminine grammatical forms drew more ad views by women. The research, published in PLOS ONE, analyzed real-world data on 256,934 German-language job listings from 2020 to 2022.
A clinical trial in Denmark found that offering women further screening opportunities during breast cancer screenings significantly increased their participation and enabled early diagnosis of other cancers. The study used a cluster-randomized crossover design and involved over 27,000 participants.
A novel two-step vaccination strategy has been developed to combat seasonal flu, pairing an intramuscular injection with a nasal spray of a weakened live-virus. The approach resulted in a strong immune response and reduced shedding of the vaccine candidate from the upper respiratory tract.
A new study published in PLOS Computational Biology found that prioritizing older individuals for booster vaccination consistently leads to the best public health outcomes, regardless of economic level or age category. This strategy is more effective than vaccinating younger individuals with the most contacts.
A recent study found that 60% of birds surviving building collisions die during rehabilitation, contributing to a staggering number of fatalities. The authors estimate US bird collision deaths could reach over 1 billion annually.
A Dutch survey study found that higher satisfaction with home office setup, including air ventilation, is associated with higher productivity and lower burnout. The study suggests that investing in home-office hardware and environmental factors can support work-from-home policies.
Research reveals a notable income disparity among Dalit business owners in India, attributed to social stigma and caste-based discrimination. The study's findings highlight the need for targeted initiatives to address this issue and promote economic equality.
A new study by Charles Sturt University in Australia found that exposure to pro-anorexia content on TikTok leads to decreased body image satisfaction and increased internalization of beauty standards. Women who spend more time on the app are also more likely to experience disordered eating behaviors.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that repetition of climate-skeptical statements increased their perceived truth among climate science endorsers, including those who self-identified as 'Alarmed' by climate change. This effect holds true even for the strongest believers in climate science.
A team of archaeologists conducted the first-ever archeological survey in space on the International Space Station, using daily photos to document how astronauts actually used areas. The study found discrepancies between the intended and actual use of certain areas, with some being used for storage or personal items.
A new study quantifies air pollution for NYC subway commuters, revealing disparities in exposure across racial and income groups. The research found that people from lower-income working communities have higher exposures and Black and Hispanic workers experience on average 35% and 23% higher PM2.5 exposure, respectively.
Researchers found that air pollution affects people differently, causing some to feel less aroused and more negative. The study suggests that this effect can contribute to increased anxiety risk and inform climate adaptation planning.
Researchers from Poland developed an ice cream made from mare's milk blended with cow's cream, which may have beneficial probiotic qualities. The study found that this unique combination could lead to the creation of synbiotic ice cream production, potentially offering a new approach to probiotic supplements.
Researchers have trained dogs to sniff out Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in the droppings of farmed and wild deer. This method offers a promising non-invasive approach for detecting CWD.
Researchers believe a hydraulic lift system could have been used to raise and lower building stones, while water treatment facilities would have filtered sediment from the water. The discovery provides new insights into the construction of ancient Egyptian pyramids.
Climate events in California lead to negative mental health effects in over 1/5 of affected individuals. Young, white women and those experiencing property damage are disproportionately affected.
Mental health crisis calls to 911 may lead to inappropriate responses and increased risk of harm. Harvard-trained psychiatrist Dr. Rupinder Legha advocates for reevaluating the standard for mental health crisis response.
Historical records suggest that anomalous climate conditions during El Niño events contributed to the establishment and spread of new cholera strains. Climate-facilitated emergence of novel strains is projected to increase through the end of the century due to climate change-driven increases in climate variability.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that body appreciation varies across cultures, with significant differences between Western and non-Western countries. Black Nigerian women reported the highest level of body appreciation, while White Western women reported the lowest. The study also found that internalization of thin ideals and soci...
Researchers evaluate ChatGPT as a diagnostic tool for medical learners and clinicians, finding it reliable only half the time. The study warns against relying on the AI for medical advice due to its limitations.
Research suggests gentle parenting, focusing on emotional regulation and relationships, is associated with higher parent satisfaction. However, some individuals may experience uncertainty, burnout, and low efficacy in their parenting approach.
A study published in PLOS ONE analyzed 24 state-of-the-art Large Language Models (LLMs) and found that most produced responses rated as left-of-center when asked politically charged questions. The researchers used various tests, including the Political Compass Test and Eysenck’s Political Test, to evaluate the LLMs’ political orientation.
A study published in PLOS Medicine found that abnormal routine blood test results can predict cancer risk in patients with abdominal symptoms. The researchers analyzed data from over 470,000 patients and identified specific blood abnormalities linked to increased cancer risk across different age groups and sex.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that American adults have an average of four to five friends, similar to numbers from the 1970s to 2015. Many participants expressed a desire for closer friendships and more time spent with friends, despite being generally satisfied with their current relationships.
A new case definition of market-driven epidemics (MDEs) helps address critical barriers to timely prevention and mitigation. The study highlights the success of US efforts to reduce cigarette, sugar, and opioid consumption, demonstrating that public health leaders can save lives through earlier, more decisive action.
A new study published in PLOS Digital Health found that machine learning models can reliably predict the disability progression of multiple sclerosis. The models were trained on data from 15,240 adults with at least three years of MS history and had an average accuracy of 0.71 ± 0.01.
Human lung organoids can form lifelike models for tuberculosis infection, enabling the testing of anti-tuberculosis drugs. These models may also facilitate the development of host-directed therapies.
Researchers found that older concertgoers can recognize musical themes and patterns just like their younger counterparts. The study's results suggest that age may not be a significant factor in musical memory, contrary to previous assumptions.
Researchers found that even those with positive attitudes towards immigrants perceive them as less competent and trustworthy than US citizens. The study used facial recognition tests to examine intergroup evaluative bias, revealing a pervasive phenomenon in the US.
Researchers found that domestic hens exhibit distinct facial expressions, including flushing and feather fluffing, to convey different emotions. The study provides a window into the emotional lives of farmed poultry, potentially improving their welfare.
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly widened existing economic and health disparities, slowing progress toward health-related Sustainable Development Goals. Low-income countries can expect an average progress loss of 16.5% across all health indicators.
The study analyzed comments on Sina Weibo to understand the public response to China's three-child supportive measures. Positive attitudes emerged towards housing subsidies and financial incentives, while negative responses were linked to extended maternity leave concerns.
A recent study found that Best Paper awards in PLOS Biology are lacking in transparency, inclusivity, and support for Open Science. The research analyzed publicly available award descriptions and assessment criteria to determine their impact on promoting equitability in science.
Oligodendrocyte-derived amyloid beta produces toxic peptide that promotes neuronal dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease. Selective suppression of oligodendrocyte Aβ production rescues abnormal neuronal hyperactivity, suggesting targeting these cells as a promising therapeutic strategy for AD.
A cross-sectional study in Australia and Canada found that physical exercise is associated with fewer depression symptoms in people with osteoarthritis. The study suggests that exercise may be particularly beneficial for individuals experiencing severe pain, improving mental health outcomes.
Researchers sequenced genomes of 179 wild-caught flies and museum specimens, producing low-cost, high-quality DNA sequences. The new data helps refine our understanding of the evolutionary relationships among 360 species in the Drosophilidae family.
Research by University of Nottingham and Queen's University Belfast found that mental health training for line managers is associated with better business outcomes, including lower sick leave and improved customer service. The study suggests that providing such training could hold strategic value for companies.
A survey of 7 in 10 US adults found that humor can be an effective parenting tool, with individuals whose parents used humor more likely to report positive relationships. Those who grew up in households using humor reported better parental bonding and stronger family ties.
A study published in PLOS ONE found cut marks on fossils of a glyptodont, a giant relative of armadillos, that are consistent with known marks made by stone tools. The placement of these marks indicates a butchering sequence targeting areas of dense flesh.
A new tool has been developed to compare gender inequality among different US states, revealing substantial gender disparities across the country. States with higher gender inequality scores tend to have lower measures of women's wellbeing and fewer tweets about the #MeToo movement.
A majority of people in Afghanistan support human rights for Afghan women, with men more likely to back women's rights when considering their eldest daughters. The study found that fathers of eldest daughters are a key constituency for elevating women's status in Afghan society.
Historical DNA barcodes from over a century old butterfly specimens help classify a group of rare Calinaginae butterflies. The classification sheds new light on the taxonomy of this insect group.
University of Cambridge students who undertook an 8-week mindfulness course reported increased frequencies of disembodiment and unity up to a year after the program. The randomized controlled trial found long-term effects of mindfulness on altered states of consciousness.
Researchers used machine learning to create highly detailed maps of individual trees, providing valuable information for conservation efforts and ecological projects. The algorithm achieved high accuracy in classifying common tree species, with strengths shown in areas with open space and lower species diversity.
A Danish study of over 100,000 children used machine learning to identify at-risk kids earlier, potentially improving child maltreatment detection and social worker decision-making. The findings suggest that predictive risk models could enhance outcomes for these vulnerable children.