Researchers found that people who enjoy holidays like Christmas or Ramadan are more likely to feel they come quicker, and those with better social lives also report a faster pace of time. The study suggests that our experience of time is influenced by both our attention to its passage and our plans for the future.
A meta-analysis of North American correspondence studies found that perceived warmth and competence ratings predicted callback differences between identities. Applicants with lower callback rates were often rated as less warm and competent, highlighting the role of social perceptions in hiring bias.
Women's funding campaigns on Dutch platforms are 20% shorter in duration compared to men's and couples', according to a new study published in PLOS ONE. This suggests that crowdfunding may be a more favorable platform for female entrepreneurs.
A new study found that delaying diabetes diagnosis for at least four years through diet and exercise significantly lowers the risk of dying and experiencing cardiovascular events. Individuals who maintained prediabetic status for longer periods had better long-term health outcomes, with a reduced risk of death and complications.
A global database of animals with four feet has identified significant gaps in tetrapod knowledge, including biases in biodiversity data. Researchers used artificial intelligence to predict missing data and improve the accuracy of ecology, evolution, and conservation studies.
SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 9, 2024
Researchers found that smokers are more extraverted but less conscientious and agreeable than non-smokers. Cigar smokers tend to exhibit lower neuroticism and higher openness compared to other types of smokers.
A new study links dengue fever to a higher risk of depression, both short- and long-term. Researchers analyzed medical records of nearly 50,000 people who experienced dengue fever in Taiwan and found an elevated risk of depressive disorders across all timeframes.
SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases·TypeObservational study·DateJul 3, 2024
A study of 2,001 American adults found that cryptocurrency ownership is associated with belief in conspiracy theories, support for political extremism, and the 'Dark Tetrad' of personality traits. Fringe social media sources are also a key predictor of crypto ownership.
A new German study reveals widespread grading bias based on gender, ethnicity, social origin, and body size, with minority students and those with higher BMIs receiving lower grades. The study used data from over 14,000 ninth graders, showing that biases stack up against students with multiple intersectional identities.
A study published in PLOS Climate found that childhood home temperatures and community connectedness can help predict how U.S. residents set their thermostats. The researchers surveyed 2,128 participants and found that those who grew up in cold-winter locales tend to dial up their thermostats higher than those raised in warmer homes.
A global scoping review reveals that women in the healthcare workforce are more likely to experience verbal abuse, sexual harassment, and bullying. Men, on the other hand, face higher rates of physical violence in the workplace.
A global heat early warning system is now crucial to prevent heat-related deaths. The review highlights the need for planning in four key areas: data management, communication, infrastructure, and governance to ensure successful implementation.
A new study finds that antimicrobial peptide mixtures can delay the evolution of antibiotic resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The mixtures, which are synthesized in a lab, were found to prevent cross-resistance and maintain drug sensitivity.
Researchers found that patterns of neural activity in the hypothalamus predict performance in survival tasks, while associations with other brain regions were observed for hunting and escaping behaviors. The study provides new insights into how the human brain coordinates survival strategies.
SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJun 27, 2024
A study of 4,782 Sri Lankan children aged 10-18 with dengue found that obese individuals were more than twice as likely to be hospitalized due to the disease. The research highlights the potential consequences of rising childhood obesity rates on public health.
Researchers found that individuals with positive schizotypy are more likely to share false political information on social media, particularly when motivated to raise awareness. This study suggests that understanding the psychological characteristics of those who spread misinformation can inform targeted strategies to combat its spread.
A revised radiocarbon calibration curve for the period between 433-250 BCE has been established, allowing for improved date estimates on Greek shipwrecks. The study confirms the Kyrenia Ship's final voyage around 280 BCE, slightly later than previous estimates.
Researchers found that AI-generated submissions went undetected in a UK university's examinations system, earning higher grades than real students' answers. The study suggests that AI tools could potentially allow students to cheat and achieve better grades than their peers.
The new interactive atlas provides a library of case studies for adapting to drought in the US Southwest. The atlas offers geospatial solutions to water scarcity, helping communities implement effective adaptation strategies.
A new study by Khanh Duong found that family conditions have a significant impact on upward social mobility, with parental dependency having the largest negative effect. Gender inequality also affects mobility, but its effect is smaller and decreasing across generations.
SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJun 20, 2024
Climate change may enable parrot colonization in Polish cities due to rising temperatures and altered ecosystems. The frequency of escaped parrots in urban areas could be an early sign of this phenomenon.
Researchers found same-sex behavior in primates is common, yet underreported due to perceived rarity, according to an online expert survey. The study suggests that experts often overlook this phenomenon because they believe it's rare.
Researchers developed new lager yeasts by hybridizing brewer's yeast with Patagonian wild strains, which resulted in enhanced fermentation capacity and unique aroma profiles. The study provides a way to expand the range of currently available beer styles through wild yeast exploration.
A recent study published in PLOS Biology reveals that people can infer hidden social preferences by observing how fast others make social decisions. By analyzing response times and options, participants were able to predict the other person's preference even if they didn't know what choices were made.
Chimpanzees have been observed seeking out specific plants with medicinal properties to treat their ailments, and further pharmacological testing has confirmed the presence of anti-inflammatory and antibiotic compounds. These findings highlight the importance of studying animal behavior in discovering new medicines.
A social psychology study of US adults found that those with higher weights and high-quality interactions with heavier individuals exhibit reduced weight bias. The study highlights the role of social norms, intergroup contact, and ingroup favoritism in shaping weight stigma.
A new study published in PLOS ONE found that lifetime LSD use is associated with a higher likelihood of severe psychological distress after losing one's job. The study analyzed data from over 15,000 adults and found that prior LSD use was linked to greater symptoms of psychological distress.
A new study found that neonicotinoid-treated seeds led to an 8% drop in butterfly species diversity, with the pesticide also affecting monarch butterfly populations. The research calls for publicly available data on pesticide use to understand the causes of butterfly decline.
A new study uses a closed-loop auditory stimulation approach to selectively modulate brain alpha oscillations in humans. The technique has been shown to interfere with sleep onset dynamics, highlighting its potential as a tool for neuroscientific research.
Researchers found that only 5% of therapies tested in animals gained regulatory approval for human use. The analysis of over 120 systematic reviews revealed a steep drop-off before final approval, suggesting areas for improvement in experimental approaches.
A study found that responses with both visual and tactile feedback were most effective in conveying emotions on social media. Participants experienced greater feelings of support and approval when receiving tactile emoticons compared to visual-only feedback alone.
A recent study reveals that some honeybees exhibit superior learning abilities compared to others, which may be attributed to distinct gene expression patterns in their brains. The research explores the behavioral and genetic underpinnings of individual differences in learning performance among Apis mellifera.
Researchers analyzed ancient plant and animal remains to study historic food chains in ancient Syria. The analysis revealed a diet rich in grains, olives, grapes and dairy products, similar to the modern Mediterranean diet.
Surveyed Neighbours fans exhibited intense emotional responses, including grief and loss, indicating a deep parasocial connection with the show. The study suggests that these strong relationships can lead to feelings of abandonment or uncertainty when the series concludes.
Researchers found that housing compatible shelter dogs together can significantly reduce stress in the dogs. The study also showed that this approach may lead to faster adoption rates for the dogs.
A Bronze Age purple dye workshop has been found on the Greek island of Aegina, featuring tools, ceramics, and snail shells that reveal the production process. The site provides insights into Mycenaean culture and trade during the Late Bronze Age.
A new species of great ape, Buronius manfredschmidi, has been identified from the Hammerschmiede fossil site in Bavaria, Germany. The species is estimated to have weighed around 10kg and had a distinct lifestyle from the larger-bodied Danuvius, allowing for cohabitation without resource competition.
A study by Dr. Edwin Dalmaijer found that pigeons' desire for social proximity leads to improved flight paths as younger birds learn from older ones. This generational improvement in route efficiency is similar to those seen in real-life data, suggesting a key role for social factors in navigation.
SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJun 6, 2024
A recent study found that schooling fish expend up to 79% less energy while swimming in turbulent water compared to solitary fish. This suggests that traveling in schools allows fish to shield each other from disruptive water currents, making it easier to swim through rough waters.
A study published in PLOS Medicine found that children born via frozen embryo transfer have similar metabolic profiles to those born via fresh embryo transfer. The research compared over 4,000 children aged 2-5 years and found no differences in blood glucose, insulin, or cholesterol levels.
A small study compares healthy brains of young and old, finding normal ageing associated with increased blood-brain barrier permeability in Alzheimer's Disease vulnerable areas. This increased permeability may contribute to disease progression.
A new study reveals that US Islamist extremist groups are characterized by small, close-knit clusters of co-offenders who share similar characteristics. These relationships are shaped by mutual contacts, ideological affiliation, spatial proximity, and shared socio-cultural traits.
SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJun 5, 2024
Researchers found a universal equation that approximates the frequency of wingbeats and fin strokes across different animal groups. The equation shows a proportional relationship between body mass, wing area, and wingbeat frequency, revealing a relatively constant pattern across diverse species.
A randomized controlled trial found that patients who viewed virtual rooms with Feng Shui or evidence-based design reported lower anxiety and improved sense of control compared to those viewing standard rooms. However, golden ratio-based design showed no benefits.
A study of over 10,000 US adults found a strong association between pro-inflammatory diets and elevated NT-proBNP levels, indicating potential increased cardiovascular risk. The research suggests that dietary inflammatory index may be an important factor in heart failure biomarker levels.
Research found that maternal obesity leads to increased levels of microRNA miR-505-5p in the hypothalamus, resulting in altered fatty acid sensing and increased intake of high-fat foods in mouse offspring. Exercise during pregnancy mitigates this effect.
A nationwide Australian survey highlights the importance of centering lived experience in future mental health research. The study, which gathered insights from people with mental health conditions and their families and carers, emphasizes the significance of connections and experiences over individual conditions.
A holistic approach to mental health management involves integrating medication with lifestyle changes, social support, and community engagement. This approach recognizes the interconnectedness of physical and mental factors affecting mental health, emphasizing individual rights and dignity.
SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Mental Health·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateJun 4, 2024
A survey of nearly 340,000 texts spanning 79 years shows that generic terms in mental health have shifted towards "mental illness," with "psychiatric" and "mental health" becoming more common. The study suggests further research is needed to understand how language affects people experiencing mental ill health.
SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Mental Health·TypeObservational study·DateJun 4, 2024
A survey of over 5,000 smokers found that mental health conditions do not affect the effectiveness of smoking cessation aids. The most effective aids were vaping products, varenicline, and heated tobacco products, with no differences in efficacy between people with mental health conditions.