A new analysis confirms that ancient Roman coins featuring the portrait of 'Sponsian' are genuine, suggesting he was a real leader who ruled Roman Dacia in the 260s CE. The study used advanced microscopy and spectroscopy techniques to analyze the coins and uncover evidence of their authenticity.
A Canadian cross-jurisdictional population-based cohort study found that about 2% of pregnant individuals self-report cannabis use, associated with increased risk of preterm births and low birthweight newborns. The study also linked cannabis use to higher rates of congenital anomalies.
A new study ranks Great Britain's city centers based on their green attributes, including tree cover, vegetation, and parks, revealing disparities in urban biodiversity and human health. The top five cities are located in southern England, while the bottom five relate to industrial areas in northern Britain.
A global dataset reveals widespread witchcraft beliefs varying substantially between countries and world regions. Higher education and economic security are associated with lower belief in witchcraft. Weak institutions, low social trust, and conformist culture also correlate with higher witchcraft prevalence.
A recent study found that 95% of UK adults living with Long Covid report experiencing stigma about their condition. The research aimed to develop a scale to measure this stigma and better understand its impact.
A new study published in PLOS Medicine found that COVID-19 vaccination provides significant protection against reinfection, with varying levels of effectiveness (60-94%) across different variants. The study analyzed data from over 200,000 people in Denmark and showed that vaccination offered up to 71% protection during the Alpha period...
A study of over 45,000 births in Scotland found that women who had a planned vaginal birth after a previous C-section were more likely to undergo pelvic floor surgery compared to those who planned another C-section. The risk was particularly high for pelvic organ prolapse and urinary incontinence.
A Norwegian study of over 72,000 births found no increased risks of adverse outcomes for babies conceived within three months of a miscarriage or abortion. In fact, shorter intervals were associated with lower risks of small for gestational age and large for gestational age, as well as lower risk of gestational diabetes.
Researchers identified five genetic variants that progressively increase the risk of becoming nearsighted with more schooling, especially for university-level education. These findings provide new insights into biological pathways causing nearsightedness and its interaction with lifestyle factors.
A new study found that mothers of young children and those with multiple children tend to engage in lower amounts of moderate or vigorous physical activity. However, these groups may still benefit from efforts to boost their opportunities for higher-intensity activity.
A new study published in PLOS Global Public Health found that 70% of ayahuasca users experienced physical health adverse effects, while 55% reported mental health concerns. Most adverse events were reported as mild and temporary, with only 2.3% requiring medical attention.
A new study published in PLOS Medicine found significant long-term morbidity in children, adolescents, and adults after COVID-19 infection. Children and adolescents are at risk of post-COVID-19 syndrome, with rates of malaise, cough, and headache increased compared to controls.
A study analyzing seroprevalence data found that global COVID-19 infection rates are likely higher than reported, with 59.2% of the population seropositive as of September 2021. The study suggests that two-thirds of the global population may have antibodies from vaccination or infection.
Researchers induced brain-like sleep in an artificial spiking neural network, enabling it to retain previously learned information. This breakthrough helps the model avoid catastrophic forgetting and improve its overall performance over time.
Researchers recorded gloomy octopuses throwing debris, with females accounting for 66% of throws. The behavior was often linked to social interactions or mating attempts.
An experimental study found that U.S. political partisanship strongly influences first impressions of strangers' faces, affecting their perceived likability and competence. Disclosure of partisan affiliation had a greater impact on impressions than non-disclosure.
Between 2000 and 2020, malaria infections fell globally, but a significant increase occurred in sub-Saharan Africa, with 52.4 million pregnancies at risk from Plasmodium falciparum and vivax infection. Control initiatives failed to mitigate this trend.
A study of nearly 20,000 sub-Saharan adolescents found that loneliness, hunger, anxiety, and substance use were associated with suicidal ideation. In contrast, those with peer and parental support had a decreased likelihood of suicidal thoughts.
A UK Biobank study found that people with hypertension have a 22% higher chance of developing severe COVID-19. Successfully managing blood pressure through medication can significantly lower this risk. The study analyzed data from over 16,000 infected individuals.
A linguistic analysis of Nazi propaganda shows that dehumanization of Jews shifted over time, with earlier propaganda focusing on disengaging moral concern and later propaganda portraying Jews as having a greater capacity for agency. This study suggests that dehumanization can motivate violence by reducing moral concern for victim groups.
A new study confirms that COVID-19 deaths among children and young people are rare, with most fatalities occurring in those with severe neurodisability or compromised immune systems. The analysis of detailed data showed that half of COVID-19 deaths occurred within 30 days of infection.
A study published in PLOS Genetics found that genetic variants linked to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) may also provide protection against severe COVID-19 infection. The researchers identified TYK2, a gene involved in interferon production, as the key locus behind this protective effect.
A rare genetic variation in the X chromosome's TLR7 gene has been identified as a five times greater risk factor for severe COVID-19. The study, conducted across 12 countries, highlights the importance of host genetics in COVID-19 outcomes.
Researchers found that COVID-19 challenge trial participants are motivated by a desire to help others, not financial gain. The study suggests that volunteers have a thorough understanding of the risks involved and are driven by altruistic intentions.
Study participants recommend longer sentences for rehabilitation or public protection, but shorter sentences if punishment is the primary focus. The findings highlight the importance of considering the underlying motivations behind incarceration in sentencing decisions.
A new study published in PLOS ONE found that chronic pain at age 44 is associated with poor mental health outcomes, joblessness, and general health issues in later decades. The research also suggests a link between chronic pain and COVID-19 infection, highlighting the need for attention to chronic pain as a public health concern.
The Global Jukebox, an online tool for exploring music and performing arts from around the world, has made its dataset and data available to the public. The database includes 5,776 recordings representing 1,026 societies, with detailed musical style categorization data and additional features such as breath management and instrumentation.
Researchers analyzed the survival mechanisms of snail species during the end-Triassic mass extinction event. Over half of other gastropod species were affected, with some species exhibiting adaptations that allowed them to thrive.
Researchers discovered a link between reduced protein synthesis and Feingold syndrome type 1, a rare genetic disorder. The study suggests that a nutritional supplement may help reverse this decrease, potentially alleviating intestinal symptoms in patients with the condition.
Germ-free zebrafish larvae have altered neural connections due to reduced microglia pruning by immune cells. Reintroducing normal microbiota restores normal development and social behavior. Microorganisms stimulate microglial activity, promoting neural connection remodeling.
A recent study found that individuals who strongly believed in COVID-19 conspiracy theories were more likely to develop an increased tendency to believe in conspiracy theories in general. The study also showed that these individuals were more likely to believe in other conspiracy theories, such as voter fraud.
A new study by Syracuse University researchers found that more conservative state policies were associated with higher mortality rates among US workers. The study suggests that liberalizing policies on gun safety, labor, and tobacco taxes could lower mortality rates.
A new ancient whale genus has been discovered in Morocco, dating back to around 40 million years ago. The species likely employed manatee-like swimming and feeding habits.
The study of Bronze Age Politiko-Troullia in Cyprus reveals farming practices for sheep and cattle. Analysis of animal isotopes indicates communal feasting on wild game like deer and pigs during special occasions.
A low-cost sensor disguised as a sea turtle egg can predict nest hatching time almost to the day. The TurtleSense system monitors nests remotely and detects synchronized developmental movement in real-time, enabling better decision-making for conservationists.
A study of 10 million Reddit comments reveals equal public interest in female and male politicians, yet with significant differences in how they are discussed. Female politicians were often referred to by their first names or bodies, whereas men's professions were highlighted more frequently, suggesting a subtle yet persistent bias.
A meta-analysis of 410 articles from 68 countries found that patients in lower-income countries take up to four times longer to initiate care for cancer treatment. Cancers causing non-specific symptoms, such as myeloma and colorectal cancer, typically take the longest to diagnose.
Researchers used data from 100,000 UK Biobank participants to develop predictive models of mortality risk using only 6 minutes of steady walking collected by smartphone sensors. These models achieved similar accuracy to traditional measures of gait speed and walk pace.
A new study found that profiles perceived as more original spark more attraction, with owners also scoring higher on intelligence and humor. The researchers analyzed 308 anonymized dating profiles to identify features contributing to originality, including metaphors and concrete personal information.
In a study published in PLOS ONE, researchers found that large pelagic fish prefer using sharks as scratching surfaces for parasites. In contrast, smaller fish tend to avoid taking this risk due to the threat of predation, highlighting the adaptability of these species.
Fossils of ostrich-like dinosaurs from Mississippi provide valuable insights into the diversity and distribution of North American ornithomimosaurs. The discovery reveals that these dinosaurs lived side-by-side with multiple species, including giant body sizes weighing over 800kg.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that high-status individuals in medieval Norway had higher bone mineral density and were taller than those from lower socio-economic backgrounds. This suggests that socioeconomic status may have played a role in shaping health outcomes over time.
A mathematical model suggests that social interactions between sedentary and moderately active people can stimulate higher levels of overall physical activity in a population. The model found that interacting with moderately active individuals helped sedentary populations become more physically active over time.
Researchers found that endogenous retrovirus RNA is present in all non-diseased tissue types, including cerebellum and thyroid tissues. This discovery has important clinical implications for the use of HML-2 expression as a cancer biomarker or therapeutic target.
Adults who sleep for five hours or less per night have a greater risk of developing multiple chronic conditions compared to those who sleep seven hours. Shorter sleep duration at mid-to-late life is associated with an increased risk of chronic disease and subsequent multimorbidity.
Researchers advocate for ocean-centered governance to resolve crises and foster harmony with humanity. The Earth Law Center and other experts propose introducing rights to the ocean.
Marine aquaculture systems can provide a nutrient-rich alternative to terrestrial agriculture, reducing ecological impact and freshwater usage. Microalgae-based aquaculture offers high protein content and micronutrients without land or water requirements.
The Black in Marine Science organization, founded by Tiara Moore, aims to increase diversity in the field. Despite its efforts, it still faces significant challenges, including a lack of representation among minority groups.
Genetic and genomic technologies can protect marine life by identifying illegally harvested seafood products and monitoring disease outbreaks. Assisted evolution and synthetic biology could also benefit ocean ecosystems by introducing beneficial species or manufacturing products in the lab.
Researchers created theoretical models to explain geographical clustering of vaccine hesitancy, attributing it to both social selection and social influence. The models found that these two processes independently generate clusters of high hesitancy, with social selection playing a key role when societies trust propaganda.