A literature review of neuroimaging studies found altered brain signaling in teenagers with internet addiction, affecting attention and emotional processing. The study suggests that internet addiction may impact development and well-being in adolescents.
The study reveals that fear of harming fetus is a significant barrier to participation, while also highlighting importance of culturally sensitive recruitment strategies. Factors such as lack of trust in research institutions, limited access to healthcare, and social norms also play crucial role in shaping participation rates.
Researchers identified a novel virus in pet trade zebrafish that causes hemorrhaging in laboratory fish, revealing a risk of viral transmission. The study found that viruses circulating in healthy pet trade zebrafish can transmit to laboratory animals and cause severe disease.
A study published in PLOS Biology found that negating adjectives affects brain processing, with slower reaction times and varied interpretations. The researchers used magnetoencephalography to capture brain activity while participants rated affirmative or negated phrases.
Researchers have developed a compact, high-fidelity version of the Cas12a protein, which can be packaged within a non-pathogenic virus for targeted gene editing. The modified protein demonstrates efficient editing activity and has been shown to reduce blood cholesterol levels in mice with high cholesterol.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that cross-partisan discussions were more common on mainstream news outlets than political vlogs, regardless of political leaning. Neutral news outlets like C-SPAN hosted a balanced number of conservative and liberal comments.
Researchers analyzed 130 English-learning infants' vocalizations and found significant cluster patterns of squeals and growls, indicating active play and sound practice. These findings suggest that infant vocal category exploration is a fundamental pathway for language development.
A real-time survey of US adolescents found that smartphone use is associated with improvements in mood, at least in the moment. The study used ecological momentary assessment and was funded by Facebook's Youth Research Fund.
A study found that the sweat bee H. rubicundus is less sociable in Scotland than in Cornwall, exhibiting genetic differentiation and isolation. The authors explored this phenomenon in the context of the species' adaptability to extreme latitudes.
A study using crowd-sourced data from iNaturalist found that slugs and snails are more common in urban areas than other native species. In contrast, butterflies and moths were the least tolerant of urban environments. The analysis provides valuable insights for city planners to increase urban biodiversity.
Simulations suggest small shifts in international ideas can lead to significant changes in country politics. The study found that cross-border influence was a major factor shaping simulated US election outcomes and predicted increased voter turnout through the end of the century.
SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 29, 2024
A literature review finds that globally, most people trust climate scientists, while a small minority's skepticism can hinder climate inaction. The review suggests that climate scientists can increase their credibility by advocating for action and reducing personal carbon footprints.
This study uses machine learning to analyze plant science research topics and reveal shifts in model systems and country-specific research focus. The analysis provides insights into the evolution of plant science research in different countries.
A new study found that genetically engineered canola plants with pesticide resistance are persisting in roadside populations, but may be losing their engineered genes. Almost a quarter of the feral plants were found to not contain transgenes.
Researchers identify superspreaders of low-credibility content on Twitter, including political pundits and low-credibility media outlets that spread toxic language. The study suggests that these individuals and groups are overlooked by Twitter's algorithm despite being more effective at spreading misinformation.
Researchers recruited Hellenic Marine volunteers to test the Dendra armor's combat suitability. The experiment revealed that the armor did not limit a warrior's fighting ability or cause severe strain on the wearer.
A new study published in PLOS ONE found that exclusively breastfed infants used fewer healthcare services and incurred lower costs compared to formula-fed infants. This could have avoided £10 million in healthcare costs if all formula-fed infants were exclusively breastfed for the first 6-8 weeks of life.
A new study explores the growing fentanyl smoking culture in San Francisco, highlighting individual experiences and local trends. Participants reported fear of overdose and challenges with injecting as motivations for switching to smoking, but some expressed concerns about hygiene and residue risks.
A study of young people in contact with mental health services found that half met criteria for problematic smartphone use. The study also revealed high levels of sleep disturbance and self-harm among the participants.
Early hunter-gatherers in central Chile regularly visited Tagua Tagua Lake between 12,440-12,550 years old to hunt ancient elephants and process other local resources. The discovery of the fossil remains of a gomphothere at the site provides insights into the subsistence strategies of early humans during the Late Pleistocene.
A recent laboratory study found that human body lice are more efficient at transmitting Yersinia pestis, the bacterium causing plague, than previously believed. The researchers discovered a new mechanism by which lice can spread the pathogen through bites, highlighting the potential role of body lice in past plague outbreaks.
Researchers propose prioritizing large, interconnected protected areas with high ecological integrity to achieve global biodiversity targets. Identifying these 'Nature's Strongholds' can help coordinate efforts to conserve biodiversity at a global scale.
A study published in PLOS Biology found that stressed participants were more likely to help the victim than punish the perpetrator in a simulated third-party intervention task. The researchers observed higher brain activation in regions linked to decision-making and mentalizing when stressed participants chose to help.
A review of 49 studies suggests vegetarian and vegan diets are associated with lower risk of cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and death. However, the authors note that remaining knowledge gaps must be addressed before making large-scale diet recommendations.
A new study found that rates of obesity and severe obesity increased among Black, Hispanic, and foreign-born students in NYC public schools. Despite overall decline in obesity prevalence, these groups saw significant increases, with Black students experiencing a larger relative increase.
Research suggests that preverbal infants who struggle with sequence understanding are more likely to experience social communication difficulties later in childhood. Visual statistical learning is identified as a key predictor of autistic-related traits and behaviors.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that Eurasian jays can recall visual characteristics of cups with unique features after a 10-minute delay, demonstrating episodic-like memory. This ability may aid the birds in finding food stores and could be explored further.
A new study using wearable Bluetooth devices found that staff members dominated social interactions in four UK care homes, with residents having limited social contact. The findings suggest that wearable technology can be used to improve quality of care by reducing isolation and increasing interaction between staff and residents.
Research detects declines in bees and butterflies in western and southern North America due to environmental change and habitat loss. The study identifies regions of concern and highlights the need for conservation efforts and improved monitoring methods.
SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 15, 2024
A study found that gene expression in a tropical starfish fluctuates between the seasons, revealing reproductive and stress-related transcriptional systems. The research suggests that these changes may help the starfish adapt to seasonal environmental conditions.
A new study published in PLOS Medicine estimates that more than 150,000 people die annually from heatwaves worldwide, with the highest number of deaths in Asia and Europe. The research also reveals regional disparities in heatwave-related mortality, with areas having dry climates and lower-middle incomes experiencing the highest rates.
In Brazil, deaths from diabetes and hypertension have increased significantly since 2020, even after excluding those linked to COVID-19. This persistent trend highlights the need for continued efforts to address these major public health concerns.
A new study analyzed 31 previous studies on global health programs to find common themes in public health success. The researchers identified eight key drivers, including efficient data systems, effective leadership, and women's empowerment, that contributed to exceptional outcomes.
SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Global Public Health·TypeLiterature review·DateMay 9, 2024
Planting cover crops on bare soil before maize can significantly mitigate agricultural greenhouse gas emissions in the EU. According to a new study, this practice can equivalent to 13% of EU's agricultural emissions reduction
Pacific Oysters experienced a significant increase in density, reaching up to 32-fold, concurrent with summer seawater temperature rises of 2-4°C. This trend coincides with warmer ocean conditions in California waters.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that people in Europe primarily consume trustworthy news, but a small percentage rely on questionable sources. The ratio of questionable news to reliable news consumption differs between countries, highlighting the need for context-specific approaches to fighting misinformation.
A study found that adult chimpanzees continue to learn and refine their tool-using skills well into adulthood, suggesting a prolonged learning capacity is key to the evolution of complex tool use in chimps and humans. Chimpanzees developed motor skills for handling sticks by age six, but continued to hone techniques until age 15.
A new study suggests that consistent physical activity throughout middle-age is associated with a higher health-related quality of life in women. Even those who start exercising in their mid-50s can experience significant benefits for physical health, especially in functional functioning.
Researchers used pea, carrot, and tomato plants to simulate Martian agriculture. Intercropping emerged as a promising method to optimize fresh food production in future colonies.
New York State is highly susceptible to severe weather-driven power outages, particularly in Bronx and Queens. Vulnerable populations are disproportionately impacted, highlighting the need for enhanced infrastructure resilience.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that combining time-restricted eating with high-intensity functional training improves body composition and cardiometabolic health more than either alone. The research, conducted on inactive women with obesity, showed significant weight loss and favorable changes in lipid and glucose levels.
A new study found that barley plants recruit distinct microbial communities based on the sugars they secrete from their roots. The custom community of beneficial microbes improves the plants' growth, while differences in gene activity between the two barley types explained the variation in their root communities.
A new study has reconstructed the ancient giant salmon with tusk-like teeth, previously thought to be 'saber-toothed'. The teeth actually pointed sideways out of the fish's mouth, similar to a warthog. This discovery sheds light on the species' possible uses for these massive spikes.
Researchers analyzed language use around ageing to infer wellbeing, discovering 'language markers' that provide insight into healthy aging narratives. The study's findings suggest a new approach to understanding wellbeing in older adults.
Researchers found proactive, targeted, sustained management of Crown-of-Thorns starfish can safeguard reefs. This approach may be crucial in protecting the Great Barrier Reef from the impacts of climate change.
A recent study published in PLOS Biology found that post-mitotic brain neurons re-entering the cell cycle rapidly succumb to senescence. This process is more common in Alzheimer's disease and may provide valuable information about neurodegeneration, while the technique used can be applied to other inquiries.
Therapeutic phages can detect epithelial cells of the human respiratory tract, eliciting proinflammatory responses. Specific phage properties and airway microenvironment influence these responses.
A study using Ronald Reagan's news story reveals that media presentation changes can affect public perception. The study found that including audience laughter can positively impact the image of a leader as an effective communicator.
A recent study reveals that humans inhabited a lava tube in northern Saudi Arabia for thousands of years, with evidence of repeated occupation and a transition to oasis agriculture. The site provides valuable insights into the history of human settlement in the region.
Pediatric opioid overdoses show a decreasing trend between 2008 and 2019, with a notable increase during the COVID-19 pandemic. High-risk populations include young children and adolescents, particularly males and those in urban teaching hospitals.