A machine learning model has been developed to predict a patient's risk for a sleep disorder using demographic, lifestyle, physical exam results, and laboratory values. The model identified depression, weight, age, and waist circumference as the greatest predictors of a sleep disorder diagnosis.
A new 52 million-year-old bat species has been discovered in Wyoming, shedding light on Eocene chiropteran diversification. The oldest known bat skeleton, this find provides valuable insights into the evolution of bats.
A recent study published in PLOS Biology identifies a global strain of emerging wheat disease fungus, highlighting the importance of genomic surveillance in tracking pathogen evolution and crop resistance. The research found that breeds of wheat carrying the Rmg8 gene are resistant to this fungal strain.
Regular third trimester ultrasound scans can help identify undiagnosed breech pregnancies, allowing for better care before and during labor. This could lead to improved perinatal outcomes and reduced rates of undetected breech pregnancy by 71%.
A recent study published in PLOS ONE found that smartphone plant identification apps are not accurate enough to rely on when it comes to identifying toxic plants. The researchers developed a repeatable scoring system to assess the accuracy of these apps and found them to be unreliable for this purpose.
Researchers analyzed manillas and found a strong similarity between the metal composition of Benin Bronzes and Portuguese trade prior to the 18th Century. The consistency in metal composition suggests that African metalsmiths were selective about what metal they used, with German brass being the principle source.
A study found that researchers tend to collaborate with individuals of the same gender, driven by demographic factors, social norms, and gender representation. This phenomenon is also influenced by personal preferences in academic collaborations.
Research in NYC neighborhoods suggests gentrification improves mental health outcomes among White populations, yet has adverse effects on Black and Latino communities. The study analyzed data from 2002-2015 to understand the relationship between neighborhood changes and serious psychological distress.
Job candidates with typos on their resumes are less likely to get an interview due to being perceived as having lower mental abilities, conscientiousness, and interpersonal skills. This study found that a typo-laden resume can result in a 18.5 percentage point decrease in getting an interview invitation.
A modelling study in Denmark found that universal varicella vaccination significantly reduces chickenpox-related cases and deaths in both children and adults. The study also showed cost-effectiveness of the vaccine, informing policymakers about routine immunization.
Research reveals people misremember events in just seconds, altering memories to suit their expectations. This distortion can significantly impact perceptions of reality.
A systematic review of existing methods for reducing conspiracy beliefs found that most approaches are ineffective, but those fostering critical thinking show promise. Effective interventions include exposing participants to factual inaccuracies before presenting conspiracy statements.
Studies investigate multimorbidity, which is increasing due to improved survival from chronic diseases and population aging. The prevalence of multimorbidity varies greatly depending on the number and types of conditions considered, with some combinations spending more than the sum of individual diseases.
In a 50-generation evolutionary experiment, male beetles from lineages with intense sexual selection produced lower quality offspring after DNA-damaging radiation. This suggests that males invest more in competition at the expense of DNA repair, impacting future offspring survival and fertility.
The latest issue of PLOS Biology features a special collection on biology-based solutions to reduce plastic pollution, carbon dioxide emissions, and produce food or energy more sustainably. Insect enzymes may degrade plastic waste, while photosynthetic algae can capture CO2 produced by industrial applications.
A new study by Boston University researchers reveals that visual stimulation can induce large-scale changes in cerebrospinal fluid flow during wakefulness. The findings have implications for treating conditions like Alzheimer's disease, which are associated with declines in fluid flow.
A new analysis shows that the US has substantially higher death rates at all but the oldest ages compared to five high-income European countries. The excess death gap widened during the Covid-19 pandemic, with the number of excess deaths nearly doubling between 2019 and 2021.
A pilot study uses drones to accurately map how and why pedestrians use city streets in Santiago de Chile. The study finds that drones can reliably collect data on pedestrian behavior, providing valuable insights for urban planning and infrastructure development.
A team of researchers from South Africa has discovered exceptional trace fossils that provide insight into the locomotion of ancient giant amphibians. The fossils, found on a rock surface once part of a tidal flat or lagoon, suggest these animals propelled themselves through water with continuous side-to-side tail motions.
A study of over 65,000 Japanese infants found that those exposed to indoor pets during fetal development or early infancy had fewer food allergies. Children exposed to indoor dogs and cats were significantly less likely to experience specific allergies, while hamster exposure unexpectedly increased the incidence of nut allergies.
Researchers analyzed human mortality data from 19 countries and found no evidence of a maximum lifespan being approached. The study suggests that while mortality rates increase with age, the rate of death doesn't reach a plateau or maximum limit.
According to a recent study, most biological life falls within these two extreme sizes, with substantial uncertainty surrounding body size and biomass across different environments. The research suggests that this pattern may be due to various factors such as energy efficiency and adaptability.
Research shows that higher Body Mass Index (BMI) in the oldest old is associated with a range of health issues. The study also found significant differences between women and men in terms of mental health concerns related to BMI.
A Danish cohort study reveals significant health risks associated with bereavement in older adults. The study found that men are disproportionately affected, with an increased mortality rate after spousal loss.
A scoping review of 50 studies across 17 countries found a strong association between social media usage and body image concerns, poor mental health, and disordered eating. The study suggests that excessive social media use can have negative effects on young people's self-esteem and overall well-being.
A recent study found that nearly one in five UK adults (18%) have misophonia, with the most common trigger sounds being chewing and sniffing. The survey also revealed that individuals with misophonia often feel trapped or helpless around these sounds, leading to significant negative reactions.
A study published in PLOS Global Public Health found significant increases in overdose deaths from all categories except heroin in 2020. The largest death rate was for black males in the District of Columbia due to fentanyl, with a rate almost 10 times higher than that for white males.
A 2020 survey found that Ukrainians who perceived higher conflict between Ukraine and Russia were more likely to endorse false news about Russia, but less likely to believe false news about the European Union. Conflict perceptions play a significant role in the spread of misinformation.
A new study links shorter telomeres to multiple changes in the brain associated with dementia, including reduced grey matter volume and a thicker cerebral cortex. Longer telomeres were found to be protective, reducing the risk of dementia but not stroke or Parkinson's disease.
A novel sperm sex selection technique has been found to be around 80% effective in producing offspring of the desired sex. The new method is considered safe and its efficacy was determined through a small clinical trial.
Researchers have developed a new restoration method that utilizes color space-based segmentation to clean up ancient manuscripts. This technique allows for the analysis of previously inaccessible or damaged texts, providing insights into history and culture.
A new study published in PLOS Medicine found a similar association of progestogen-only and combined hormonal contraceptives with breast cancer risk. The analysis of almost 10,000 women under 50 years old showed a 20-30% relative increase in breast cancer risk associated with both types of contraceptives.
A new study found that loss of Menin in the hypothalamus drives physiological aging in mice, including cognitive decline and reduced lifespan. However, supplementation with the amino acid D-serine reversed these age-related changes, improving skin thickness and bone mass.
A 16-year analysis of Brazilian research funding reveals stagnant funding for neglected tropical diseases, including chikungunya, Chagas disease, schistosomiasis, and malaria. Systematic underfunding is observed even among these diseases, which are considered neglected tropical diseases.
Researchers found that fomepizole blocked energy production in bacteria and reduced bacterial burden in mice with pneumonia. The combination treatment prevented invasive disease development, suggesting a potential novel treatment for multidrug-resistant pneumococcal disease.
Researchers found that dogs with anxiety have altered brain connectivity, particularly between the amygdala and hippocampus. The study used fMRI to characterize abnormal neural networks in anxious dogs, providing insight into anxiety disorders in both animals and humans.
A study found that self-reported sleep quality is significantly associated with quality of life for individuals over time and when comparing between people. High-quality sleep improves quality of life regardless of sleep duration or timing.
Researchers discovered extensive use of iron staples in Notre-Dame's construction, dating back to the 1160s, making it a pioneering example of iron-based architecture. The study sheds light on the medieval Parisian iron market and its role in shaping the city's history.
This study analyzes the relationship between specific skills taught in US undergraduate degree courses and graduate earnings. The research found that certain skills, such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving, have a significant impact on post-graduation salaries.
Researchers explore biotechnologies that use microbes to extract rare minerals and fuels from wastewater. This innovation has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by utilizing previously unused resources.
Volunteer divers monitored the SS Thistlegorm wreck for eight years, discovering an artificial coral reef that supports a diverse fish community. The study, published in PLOS ONE, highlights the importance of citizen science in understanding marine ecosystems.
Archaeologists have discovered evidence of ritualistic belief and economic factors intertwined for Neolithic people in northwest Arabia. Excavations at a mustatil east of AlUla revealed animal offerings, human interment, and suggest repeated pilgrimages, challenging previous understandings of the region's culture.
A global maternal Strep B vaccination program could avert over 200,000 cases and more than 31,000 deaths, as well as reduce disability in children. The study found that a one-dose vaccine program could cost $1.7 billion globally, while saving $385 million in healthcare costs.
Research reveals that individuals with OCD exhibit lower-than-normal learning rates when rewards are less than expected, while those with problem gambling display boosted learning from high rewards and blunted learning from low rewards. This study highlights the benefits of using neurocomputational approaches to understand psychiatric ...
A study published in PLOS Climate suggests that climate change is significantly affecting land where coffee is cultivated, particularly due to synchronous climate hazards occurring in multiple areas. The researchers found an increase in climate hazards and compound events threatening coffee crops globally between 1980 and 2020.
A recent large-scale Netherlands cohort study found that growing up in an affluent neighborhood has a more significant positive impact on educational attainment than growing up in a poor one. Exposure to affluence was found to have a greater effect, surpassing the negative effects of poverty.
A new analysis shows that places of worship in Washington, D.C. are associated with higher rates of violent and property crime. The study controlled for sociodemographic factors and other crime-risk indicators, suggesting that high foot traffic at these sites may inadvertently fuel crime.
A study reveals a rapid increase in ocean plastics since 2005, with an estimated 170 trillion plastic particles in the world's oceans by 2019. The researchers predict that without policy changes, plastic pollution will accelerate sixfold by 2040.
After six months of disrupted schooling during the COVID-19 pandemic, German students scored substantially lower on intelligence tests compared to earlier cohorts. The gap in test scores persisted even after sixteen months of irregular schooling.
Research suggests that participants in psychology studies are more likely to exhibit symptoms of personality disorders, which could impact the validity of study results. The prevalence of these disorders may be due to self-selection biases in participant recruitment.