A recent study analyzing data from 63 foraging societies worldwide reveals that women hunt in at least 79 percent of these societies, targeting game of all sizes. Women's involvement in teaching hunting practices and employing diverse weapon choices also challenges the long-held perception of men as primary hunters.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that equine-facilitated psychotherapy significantly improves the lives of patients struggling with substance use disorders. The therapy, which involves horses, has been shown to boost mood and overall well-being.
A recent meta-analysis of 29 studies found that intranasal insulin treatment can boost cognition in individuals with mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer's Disease. The analysis suggests potential benefits for this treatment approach, which may be worth further investigation.
Researchers in New York City adopted a community-led response to the mpox outbreak, utilizing principles learned from colleagues in the Global South. The study's findings highlight the importance of involving local communities in the development and implementation of public health strategies.
A new study published in PLOS ONE found that kindness meditation improves the retrieval of specific personal memories in people with a history of depression. After four weeks, participants in the meditation group showed increased memory specificity and reduced rumination compared to those in the control condition.
A new study analyzing 57 million Facebook posts found that the amount of controversy generated by a post is strongly linked to its speed of spread. The study suggests that posts reaching a wide audience quickly are more likely to be associated with negative or controversial reactions, regardless of topic.
A study published in PLOS Biology found that deaf mice develop normal auditory circuitry until the ear canal opens and hearing begins. This spontaneous activity is necessary for training the auditory system to respond correctly to sounds of different frequencies, potentially preparing it for cochlear prostheses.
A new checklist has been proposed to reduce bias in AI algorithms, promoting more accurate and fair decision-making. The checklist provides a standardized framework for identifying and addressing biases in AI systems.
African countries have made significant progress in increasing their share of global HIV research output, rising from 5.1% in 1986 to 31.3% between 1986 and 2020. Despite this growth, the continent still produces relatively low amounts of HIV research compared to its high burden of infections.
A new study found that wild and feral cats in high-human population density areas release more Toxoplasma gondii parasites. Temperature fluctuations also played a role in parasite shedding from domestic and wild cats. The findings suggest managing feral cat populations could reduce toxoplasmosis transmission risk.
Researchers have identified finger-marks on a cave wall in France as the oldest known Neanderthal engravings, dating back to around 75,000 years ago. The marks were made using a plotting analysis and photogrammetry to create 3D models, confirming that they are deliberate, organized shapes created by human hands.
Researchers found that monarch butterflies with more and larger white spots on their wings had a higher survival rate during long-distance migrations. The study suggests that these white spots may provide an aerodynamic benefit, helping the butterflies navigate and stay aloft during their journeys.
Researchers found that mentalizing scores increase gradually over time, peaking in young adulthood, with females consistently outperforming males. The study also discovered significant positive correlations between mentalizing capacity and personality traits such as Agreeableness, Openness to Experience, and Conscientiousness.
A recent study published in PLOS ONE found that individuals with higher incomes tend to be more generous when living in areas with high levels of economic inequality. In contrast, the lowest-income groups show less generosity in more unequal areas. The researchers used local data from the US and UK to examine this relationship.
Researchers developed a primer scheme for the human monkeypox virus that can be easily integrated into existing sequencing and bioinformatics infrastructure. This approach enables public health laboratories to rapidly adapt their genomic workflows in response to new outbreaks.
A new study in PLOS Biology found that specific brain cells, R2 and R4 neurons, are activated when flies encounter dead flies, leading to faster aging. This increased activity is linked to the serotonin receptor 5-HT2A, which can potentially be targeted for slowing down human aging.
A nationwide Danish study found that both men and women with migraine have a similarly increased risk of ischemic stroke. Women with migraine may also have a slightly higher risk of heart attack and hemorrhagic stroke compared to men and the general population.
Researchers have identified DYRK1A as a key regulator of the SARS-CoV-2 viral receptor, which is critical for entry into human tissues. Reducing DYRK1A activity decreases infection, providing new insights into COVID-19 causation and potential antiviral treatments.
A new study deployed unmanned ground vehicle systems to monitor and eradicate Aedes mosquitos in Taiwanese sewers. The system detected 20.7% of inspected sewers with mosquito traces, leading to a significant reduction in adult mosquito density after intervention.
A study published in PLOS Biology found that the CARD8 inflammasome sensor is essential for detecting coronavirus infections, but may detect different viruses in different people. The researchers also discovered that genetic variation among humans and across species affects the sensor's ability to detect viral enzymes.
A new analysis of nearly 6,000 people found that childhood cognitive ability is associated with better scores on measures of wealth in adulthood, but the relationship varies for different financial measures. The study also discovered an inverted U-shape relationship between cognitive ability and debt levels.
A new species of dinosaur, Iani smithi, has been discovered in Utah's Cedar Mountain Formation, providing insights into how dinosaurs weathered ecological change during the mid-Cretaceous period. The discovery suggests that several major groups of dinosaurs survived into the early Late Cretaceous despite the changes.
A trained detection dog can find great crested newts even through soil and at a distance, potentially aiding critical conservation efforts. The study, published in PLOS ONE, found the dog achieved an 87% success rate in detecting the species across various environmental conditions.
The study uses neural recordings and computer modeling to show that phonetic information is encoded differently when speech stands out versus being drowned out. This finding could help develop more accurate hearing aids.
Researchers analyzed data from 120 clinical trials and found no evidence that treatment efficacies differ depending on the number of comorbidities. The study suggests that modest levels of comorbidities do not affect treatment outcomes, providing valuable insights for clinicians to make informed recommendations.
Researchers have deciphered the biosynthetic pathway of orcinol glucoside from Curculigo orchioides and successfully engineered its production in Yarrowia lipolytica. The resulting yields are significantly higher, exceeding 6,400-fold that of natural plant extraction.
Research shows that bursts of electrical stimulation can modify activity in the subthalamic nucleus, influencing human behavior and potentially treating neurological disorders like Parkinson's disease. The study suggests a new approach to restore healthy brain function in people with these conditions.
Researchers found that people divide complex tasks into simpler subtasks by balancing utility and computational cost. This approach is consistent with a new computational theory, suggesting a fundamental principle underlying human decision-making.
The study reveals the life cycles of four Lonomia Walker species, characterized by unique morphological features. New parasitoids and host plants have also been discovered, shedding light on the complex relationships within this genus.
A study of almost 65,000 children aged up to 5 found that nearly 27% are infected with malaria, with older under-five children and those from large families or rural areas being most vulnerable. Insecticide-treated bed nets and improved housing are promising means to prevent malaria infection among children.
Only 16 US states provide free, detailed, and updated suicide data from their prison systems, but many others have incomplete, sparse, or no data at all. This lack of transparency is in violation of the Death in Custody Reporting Act.
A study in Pakistan found that coworkers who date report being ostracized and sabotaged by colleagues. Romantic relationships can impact work performance and job satisfaction.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that COVID-19 lockdowns led to less accurate recollections of event timing, particularly for events in 2021. Participants who struggled with timeline accuracy also exhibited higher levels of depression, anxiety, and lower resilience.
Researchers have developed a novel hand cleansing product, Tab Soap, in dispenser roll or tear-off formats, increasing accessibility and popularity of hand cleansing worldwide. The project was supported by the FCDO and CLEAR consortium, aiming to make this innovation available at scale.
A study found that children are more curious than great apes, opting for an unknown option over a certain reward. After being shown the larger potential reward of the uncertain option, apes quickly learned to investigate and choose the opaque cup with the better outcome.
A previously unidentified marine reptile fossil from Svalbard has been classified using X-ray analysis, providing unique insights into ancient life in the Norwegian archipelago. The study's findings suggest that fossils from this formation are particularly well-suited for radiographic imaging due to the presence of sulfur minerals.
Researchers surveyed medical staff at a large Japanese children's hospital about their experiences with full-time hospital facility dogs, finding that they improve terminal care and patient cooperation. The study also reveals that HFDs help staff manage workload and encourage children to express themselves more.
A new study found that obstructive sleep apnea causes widespread changes in gene activity in mice, affecting up to 16% of genes, particularly in lung tissue. The findings may lead to diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, including blood tests tracking dysregulated gene products.
Researchers analyzed hospitalization and fatality rates of SARS-CoV-2 infection in England between May 2020 and March 2022. The study found that the mass vaccination campaign significantly reduced severe effects of the virus, with notable improvements after the emergence of Alpha, Delta, and Omicron variants.
A study published in PLOS Biology found that polar fish reproduce later and produce more eggs than tropical fish, confirming model predictions. As a result, polar fishes tend to produce more eggs than tropical fishes.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that food-insecure US teens tend to consume sugary drinks and junk foods when experiencing emotional distress. The research suggests a link between food insecurity and unhealthy eating habits among adolescents.
A recent study found that young people engaging in online anti-social behavior do so for recreation, reward, and to seek social approval. The researchers also discovered that those who exhibit such behavior tend to have lower cognitive empathy scores.
A new study finds that popular compostable plastics like PLA don't biodegrade in marine environments, instead persisting unchanged. The research highlights the need for standardizing tests to see if materials promoted as compostable or biodegradable actually break down in natural environments.
A recent study found that high temperatures are a significant factor in human migration, causing heat-related illnesses and death. The research also highlights the vulnerability of marginalized communities to temperature extremes.
Researchers found both dryer types produce microfiber pollution, including water pollution from lint traps. Simple remedy is to clean lint filters and dispose of collected fibers as dry waste to reduce microfiber release.
The US firearm crisis is preventable with practical public health solutions. Harm reduction and community engagement programs can reduce the impact on individuals, families, and communities. Legislative policies also hold promise, particularly safe storage laws, which correlate with reduced injury and death rates.
A new analysis of over 10,000 adults reveals that physically active individuals have higher pain tolerance than sedentary ones. The study suggests that boosting physical activity could be a potential strategy for easing chronic pain.
A new analysis suggests that being religious contributes to the link between morning preference and higher life satisfaction, with conscientiousness also playing a role. The study found that morning-oriented individuals are more likely to be religious and have higher levels of conscientiousness.
Carefully planned restoration of agricultural coffee landscapes can increase crop yield by promoting pollinators' habitat, leading to long-term conservation and economic benefits. Over a 40-year period, strategically allocating land to agriculture and forest can double profits for landholders while increasing forest cover by 20%.
Researchers have found that reduced oxygen intake is associated with a 50% increase in lifespan and delayed onset of aging-associated neurological deficits in fast-aging mice. The study's findings suggest that oxygen restriction may hold anti-aging potential for mammals, including humans.