The open-source 'OpenCap' platform enables clinicians to analyze human movement from smartphone videos, significantly reducing analysis time by 25x and costs. The platform is made available for academic research at no cost.
A new study identifies Magel2, a novel imprinted gene, as crucial for regulating nesting behavior and parental care in mice. The study found that mice lacking active Magel2 are inattentive parents with poor nests.
A large Danish study finds that migrants typically receive inferior care for type 2 diabetes, particularly in monitoring and controlling biomarkers. Migrants from Somalia face the worst care, with elevated risks across all indicators.
Researchers used behavioral and live brain imaging studies to understand why food-sated fruit flies avoid cooler temperatures. They found that insulin signaling modulators play a key role in regulating thermosensation under different feeding states.
Recent study on Drosophila melanogaster museum specimens shows that Northern European populations gave way to well-connected fly populations across the continent. The analysis also highlights genes that may have helped this species adapt to novel climates, viruses, and insecticides.
A study published in PLOS ONE reveals that pre-Columbian Caribbean cultures consumed a wide variety of plants, including sweet potato, chili peppers, and domesticated tomatoes. The analysis also detected tobacco and cotton, challenging the traditional staple food narrative.
A new study analyzing English primary care records found that hypertension, obesity, diabetes, and low HDL cholesterol confer a higher risk of dementia in South Asian and Black people compared to White individuals. The results suggest tailored dementia prevention efforts should be targeted towards minority ethnic groups.
A study found that participants rated women's bodies as slimmer when viewed in selfie photographs compared to external perspectives. The researchers also discovered a link between self-viewing and disordered eating thoughts, suggesting potential harm from social media consumption.
Researchers found that humans can make abstract choices without linking them to motor actions, and the brain processes these choices separately. This study provides new insights into how our brains process decisions related to perception and action.
A novel procedure using a refined technique and narrower tube has reduced the risk of transmitting mitochondrial disease during assisted reproduction. The study found that the new protocol resulted in normal development of embryos and healthy offspring, with minimal transfer of maternal mitochondria to the offspring.
A study by Annika Avedik and Marcus Clauss found that hippos' prominent tusks and wide gaping mouths restrict grinding jaw movements, making chewing inefficient. This limitation may have restricted common hippos to a semi-aquatic lifestyle.
A new study suggests that antimicrobials do not improve outcomes for dogs with uncomplicated diarrhea, prompting a potential reduction in their use by veterinarians. The findings come from a causal inference analysis of clinical trial data.
A systematic review found conversion practices affecting approximately 1 in 10 sexual and gender minority populations, with significant variations across countries, racial groups, and sex assignments. The study's results highlight the need for increased awareness and support for individuals experiencing these practices.
Research reveals human occupation in Charco Verde II site from 21,000 to 15,000 years ago, defying the idea that Upper Palaeolithic humans avoided inland Iberia due to its cold climate.
A genome-wide association study reveals 34 genes potentially involved in choosing a vegetarian diet, including those related to lipid metabolism and brain function. The findings suggest that genetics play a role in the ability to subsist on a vegetarian diet.
A new analysis estimates that switching all pet dogs and cats to vegan diets could spare nearly 2 billion land-based livestock animals yearly in the US, and nearly 7 billion globally. This could lead to significant reductions in environmental impacts such as land use, water consumption, and greenhouse gas emissions.
Current WHO TB prevention guidelines do not adequately address the needs of imprisoned populations, who are disproportionately affected by the disease. Researchers call for programs to prioritize prison inmates' access to preventive treatment.
A recent study has found that rural US counties have worse health outcomes than their urban counterparts, with declines in health measures accelerating over time. The researchers developed a publicly available dashboard to visualize health disparities and identify areas for policy interventions.
A mathematical model suggests females infer attractiveness by watching peers' choices, learning to prefer rare traits that distinguish successful males. This learning process helps maintain variation in male traits and female preferences over time.
A machine learning model developed by researchers can predict lung cancer risk with an 83.9% sensitivity, identifying those who need screening for the disease. The model uses just three predictors: age, smoking duration, and pack-years of smoking, making it a simplified approach to determine high-risk populations.
A recent study found that households headed by single women of color in Brazil are four times more likely to experience food insecurity compared to those headed by married white men. The researchers argue that policies addressing gender equality, antiracism, and family considerations can help reduce poverty and hunger.
A new study published in PLOS Climate suggests that implementing meat taxes and livestock emissions regulations could be a feasible solution to reduce agricultural emissions. The authors argue that such policies could build support for climate action, making them an attractive option for policymakers.
A study published in PLOS Biology identifies key genetic loci that distinguish Penstemon species with flowers adapted to different pollinators. The research reveals surprisingly few genetic differences between species with different pollination syndromes, suggesting strong selection to maintain flower traits.
A new study found that only about 3% of adults in England with overweight or obesity were referred to publicly funded weight management programs. The study also showed large regional differences in access to these programs, with some areas having much higher rates of referral.
People with fewer financial resources have lower life expectancies due to factors like healthcare costs and economic inequality. Longer-term financial planning is associated with a lower risk of death, even after accounting for other factors.
A new study found that faces against houseplant or bookcase backgrounds are perceived as more trustworthy and competent than those with other backgrounds. The research, published in PLOS ONE, suggests that videoconference users, particularly men, may benefit from using these background images to make a good impression.
Analysis of the 2021 Tokyo Olympics shooting competitions reveals equal performance between male and female shooters for stationary targets. However, men hold a slight advantage when targets are moving.
A study of 288 skeletons and rock art reveals a surprising consistency in rates of violence over time, with an increase in lethal violence during the Formative Period. The absence of centralized political systems may have contributed to these violent tensions.
Researchers found substantial associations between donations and policy priorities expressed in congressional speeches, marking a viable arena for studying the impact of donors on congressional behavior. Businesses donate more to legislators than labor unions, with a stronger association with issue-attention.
Research reveals women are negatively impacted by gender-exclusive language in job ads, feeling excluded and disengaged from the workplace. A preregistered replication confirms previous findings on the topic.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that 72% of US-managed cetacean and pinniped stocks are highly or very highly vulnerable to climate change. The researchers used a trait-based climate vulnerability assessment framework to evaluate the impacts on marine mammals.
Researchers found evidence of intentional post-mortem modifications to human remains, including fractures and scrapes, at a cave in southern Spain. These alterations suggest that the ancient humans reused and repurposed their own burial sites for practical purposes.
Only 1% of US children who start obese in elementary school regain a healthy weight, while 25% eventually achieve it. Researchers analyzed childhood obesity trajectories, highlighting the slow pace of recovery.
Researchers found that training the gut's immune system to target flagellin, a protein enabling bacterial motility, protects against emulsifier-induced chronic intestinal inflammation and metabolic dysregulation. This study suggests a potential new approach for preventing inflammatory conditions such as obesity and type 2 diabetes.
In C. elegans, a specialized anti-aggregation mechanism is triggered in response to core protein quality control failure, promoting tissue-specific resilience to age-dependent protein aggregation. This mechanism relies on pathogen response factors and lysosomal mediated degradation.
This study reveals Aspergillus fumigatus can cause life-threatening invasive infections in those with weakened immune systems. The fungus produces an unprecedented number of meiotic crossovers, highlighting its potential as a virulent pathogen.
A study of 3,500 traffic sensors in California found that rush hour is expanding but with less congestion after the COVID-19 pandemic. Researchers attribute this shift to changes in commuting patterns and road usage.
A study found Europeans are more willing to assist Ukrainian asylum seekers than Syrians or Somalis, largely because of the perceived lower threat level associated with Ukrainians. The research suggests that emotional factors and prejudice play a significant role in shaping attitudes towards helping refugees.
A survey of 1,369 cat owners found that those on vegan diets tended to report fewer veterinary visits and less medication use compared to those on meat-based diets. While the differences were not statistically significant, these findings support the healthfulness of vegan diets for cats.
Researchers in Namibia analyzed prehistoric rock art engravings of animal tracks and human footprints, revealing surprising details about the diversity of species represented. The findings suggest culturally determined preferences in the depiction of animals, with a preference for adult male footprints.
A trained detection dog was found to be more accurate and efficient than humans in detecting sea turtle nests in Florida. The study indicates the potential of using dogs for nest monitoring, which could improve conservation efforts for three sea turtle species.
A recent study published in PLOS ONE reveals that people who use both tobacco and cannabis are more likely to experience anxiety and depression than those who use tobacco only or neither substance. The study analyzed data from over 50,000 US adults and found a significant association between co-use and poor mental health outcomes.
A multi-state analysis of US county-level data found that minor court debt can lead to jail admissions in Texas, Wisconsin, and Oklahoma. The study suggests a pressing issue with modern-day debt imprisonment.
A study involving wolves and dogs found that both species can remember where people hid food if they observed the hiding process. However, wolves outperformed dogs in finding caches, suggesting differences in traits like persistency and food-related motivation.
Researchers analyzed Wikipedia's CRISPR-related articles to understand the site's role in documenting scientific history. The study found that Wikipedia's content reflects global conversations on cutting-edge technologies like CRISPR.
A recent study published in PLOS Biology suggests that chemotherapy injury to surrounding non-cancer cells can awaken dormant breast cancer cells, promoting cancer growth and recurrence. The researchers found that the release of specific cell signaling molecules, G-CSF and IL-6, by injured stromal cells drives this process.
Researchers found that plant-to-plant interactions can modulate disease susceptibility in both wheat and rice, with 23 same-species mixtures showing a significant effect. This phenomenon, known as Neighbor-Modulated Susceptibility, may be used to design varietal mixtures with embedded crop protection.
Analysis of over 1 million Danish inpatients reveals nearly 4,000 drug pairs linked to increased dosage adjustments and potential harmful interactions. The study suggests previously undiscovered interactions among these pairs, highlighting the importance of considering dosage when evaluating polypharmacy.
Researchers identified the neural pathway behind chronic stress-induced sleep disturbances and found that bright-light treatment counteracts these effects by targeting the lateral habenula. The study reveals a critical connection between the habenula and the rostromedial tegmental nucleus, which is essential for regulating non-REM sleep.
Researchers developed a model explaining why bat-borne viruses cause higher case fatality rates in humans compared to other zoonoses; life history and immunology play key roles.