Researchers propose a new explanation for how dinosaur mummies might form, suggesting desiccation and deflation as a common pathway. This process is also observed in modern animal carcasses, revealing that rare fossils may not be as unusual as previously thought.
A recent UK Biobank study found that Black participants are at a higher risk of developing dementia compared to White participants, with an HR of 1.43. South Asians also have a similar risk to White participants. The study included 294,000 volunteers, but the results may not be representative of the wider UK population.
The study finds that many species are protected too late, with insufficient time to recover and breed, and with limited financial resources to support conservation efforts. This analysis highlights the need for improved policy and increased funding to effectively protect endangered species in the US.
Researchers have discovered that erect-crested penguins, an endangered species, lay a smaller first egg and reject it in favor of a larger second egg. This reproductive strategy allows the bird to better feed its chicks and increases the chances of survival for both eggs.
Researchers warn that half of the world's coral reefs may become unsuitable by 2035 due to a combination of climate change stressors. This finding has significant implications for local biodiversity, culture, fisheries, and tourism in Hawaii and beyond.
A new study found that babies born below the 25th percentile for birthweight are at a higher risk of developmental concerns compared to those born in the middle range. The researchers suggest that better birthweight surveillance and support during childhood may help reduce these risks.
The COVID-19 pandemic is linked to increased malnutrition risk, as reduced access to food and healthcare worsens nutritional deficiencies. In turn, malnutrition amplifies the spread of infectious diseases, creating a vicious cycle that threatens global health.
Researchers found that petting real dogs activates the prefrontal cortex more than stuffed animals, with increased brain activity each time interaction occurs. This effect persists after the dog is gone, suggesting a long-lasting impact of social bonding.
In some sub-Saharan African countries, up to 88% of adolescents express vaccine hesitancy due to safety and efficacy concerns. The study identifies determinants of this phenomenon, shedding light on strategies to improve vaccination rates in the region.
A new study found an association between college student FoMO and maladaptive behaviors such as academic misconduct, drug and alcohol use, and breaking the law. Brief FoMO assessments may be valuable risk prediction tools for counselors assisting students in transition to college.
A new study suggests that a two-carbon compound, acetyl phosphate, played a crucial role in the evolution of metabolism before the advent of cells. The researchers propose a mechanistic explanation for how AcP's unique interactions with ADP and iron ions led to the emergence of ATP as the universal energy carrier.
A new study published in PLOS Medicine found that Medicare eligibility at age 65 is associated with significant improvements in health care access and financial strain for low-income adults. The study also found modest effects on higher-income adults, suggesting that lowering the age of Medicare eligibility could advance health equity ...
The study explored how humans react to DAVE, a Virtual Labrador, in virtual reality. Researchers found that humans exhibited varying behaviors when interacting with the digital dog, shedding light on canine-human interactions.
Students who used at least one self-control strategy had higher SAT scores and spent more time practicing than those relying on pure willpower. The study suggests that helping students employ self-control strategies could be a cost-effective way to boost their scores.
A study of 7,109 Americans found small shifts in personality traits between pre-pandemic and 2022, with younger adults showing disrupted maturity. The changes were about one-tenth of a standard deviation and suggest that population-wide stressful events can slightly bend the trajectory of personality.
A new study found that dogs can differentiate between breath and sweat samples from people before and after a stress-inducing task with an accuracy of 93.75%. The researchers believe that dogs are able to detect changes in volatile organic compounds produced by humans in response to stress.
A US cohort study suggests that maternal acetaminophen use during pregnancy may be associated with increased risk of sleep and attentional problems in offspring at age 3. The study found a potential link between acetaminophen exposure and neurobehavioral issues in children.
Researchers identified 7 core categories of behaviors important for human-dog bonds, including attunement, communication, and physical affection. These behaviors may be incorporated into robotic systems to provide mental health benefits for humans.
A cohort study of nearly 200,000 people found that intentional weight loss reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes for those who are overweight or obese. However, for lean individuals, weight loss attempts are associated with longer-term weight gain and higher risks of type 2 diabetes.
A newly discovered sarbecovirus in Russian bats has the ability to use human ACE2 to enter cells and is resistant to antibodies from people vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2. This finding highlights the potential risk of transmission between animals and humans.
A literature review suggests a significant increase in monkeypox cases globally, with human-to-human transmission now the primary mode of transmission. The study highlights the need for improved surveillance and investigation into potential risk factors and treatments.
A new study reveals that smoking is the main cause of preventable cancer and death in England, with socio-economic disparities in cancer incidence attributed to smoking prevalence. If everyone had the same smoking prevalence as the least deprived quintile, over 5,000 cases per year could have been prevented.
Patients undergoing virtual reality immersion during hand surgery required significantly less anesthetic to manage pain, suggesting its potential as a non-pharmacologic distraction method. The study compared VR immersion to monitored anesthesia care and found no significant differences in post-operative pain or anxiety levels.
Researchers inculcated an avirulent Fusarium strain into Cavendish bananas, enhancing their resistance to Panama disease. This innovative approach may provide a sustainable solution for combating the devastating impact of Tropical Race 4 on global banana crops.
A survey reveals that 87.7% of South Korean mothers of young children face extremely high levels of maternal distress. The findings are more severe compared to a previous Australian study on the same topic.
A UK study found that adults struggling with debt management had higher rates of anxiety, depression, and mental health treatment. The research highlights the importance of addressing debt as a threat to mental health, regardless of income level.
Researchers developed an epigenetic activator TTK21 to aid spinal cord regeneration in mice 12 weeks after severe injury. Treatment improved axon sprouting, sensory axon growth, and halted retraction of motor axons, leading to potential breakthroughs for human patients.
Researchers found woodpeckers have brain regions similar to those in songbirds that control vocal learning and production. The study suggests drumming is a learned behavior with complex motor movements and adaptations for territorial defense.
A new study published in PLOS Medicine found that people with hospital-treated infections in early- and mid-life had a higher risk of developing Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD). The research analyzed data on over 291,000 cases and matched controls to identify the association between infections and neurodegenerativ...
Researchers found that nearly nine in ten cases of sudden cardiac death due to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) are preceded by symptoms, ECG abnormalities, or a positive family history. Expanded screening programs could aid in the prevention of SCD in young individuals with HCM.
Research at Abu Hureyra, Syria, suggests that hunter-gatherers may have tended small numbers of animals outside their dwellings between 12,800 and 12,300 years ago. This finding challenges the widely held view that crop cultivation began first.
A recent study found that reporting racial discrimination leads to increased salivary cortisol levels in Black adults on the same day and next day. This highlights the long-term impact of microaggressions on stress response, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions.
Research suggests that COVID-19 patients can transmit viruses with multiple genetic sequences simultaneously, which may impact the development of new variants. This complex sequence diversity highlights the need for continued research into the evolution and transmission of SARS-CoV-2.
A new analysis of mentoring relationships in academic research reveals that gender inequities in resources available to women mentors may indirectly affect their trainees. Trainees with female mentors were less likely to become academic mentors themselves, a disparity reduced when accounting for institutional bias factors.
A new study found that tighter blood sugar control for women with gestational diabetes reduced infant death, trauma, and shoulder dystocia by half. However, it also increased the risk of serious health complications for the mother, such as major postpartum hemorrhage.
A Swedish study found that babies who gain weight rapidly in their first six months are more likely to have an increased weight-to-height ratio at 5 years old. The study also identified a link between rapid weight gain and parental body mass index (BMI).
A new study across 67 countries reveals that people who believe in COVID-19 conspiracy theories are less likely to support public health efforts, but a strong sense of morality can weaken this effect. The study suggests that appeals to moral foundations could be an effective strategy to reduce such beliefs.
A new study finds that climate data, particularly UV radiation levels, can help accurately model the spread of COVID-19. The research analyzed data from 196 countries and found that high UV radiation levels are strongly associated with reduced COVID-19 transmission rates.
A new web app, Healthy-Day-App, links daily schedules with health outcomes for children, revealing associations between screen time, physical activity, and body fat percentage. The app allows users to customize the impact of time allocations on health measures.
A Dutch study reveals that 55% of ICU survivors experience significant health-related quality of life impairment one year after admission. The study also found that these patients have high healthcare utilisation and struggle to return to work.
Researchers found that men who received positive fortune telling outcomes were more likely to take financial risks, while the effect was weaker in women. This study suggests that superstition can influence behavior, even among those who claim not to be superstitious.
A recent meta-analysis reports that female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) is declining in 26 countries, but progress is slow in others. The study estimates 100 million women and girls have been affected globally, with many countries not reporting on the practice.
Researchers have developed a novel DNA-based method to identify people at greater genetic risk of developing Alzheimer's disease before symptoms appear. The method uses data on common DNA variants from over 7.1 million individuals and predicts a person's risk of Alzheimer's, depending on which DNA variants they have.
A large Nordic study found that children born after frozen-thawed embryo transfer had a higher risk of cancer than those conceived naturally or through fresh embryo transfer. The most common types of cancer seen were leukemia and central nervous system tumors.
The article emphasizes the need to incorporate Indigenous self-determination into research, respecting knowledge, ethics, and processes. This move aims to address historical injustices and promote more equitable health research practices.
A third vaccine dose offers better protection against Omicron infection and hospitalization compared to two doses. The study found that a third dose maintained longer protection against infection for a longer time.
Researchers found a negative correlation between age-standardized death rates and levels of decommodification in 21 OECD countries. Decreased labor market polarization and risk were associated with improved population health, particularly in men.
A study by PLOS analyzed Australian race yards and found no significant difference in performance between male and female jockeys. The research suggests that the sex of the jockey does not impact the physiology or performance of the racehorse.
Researchers found that impressions formed during small talk influenced behavior in strategic games. Participants who believed their partner was an extrovert behaved more cooperatively, while shared personality traits made it harder to out-guess opponents. This study highlights the importance of regular small talk communication.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that combining blue and green spaces at former industrial canals improves mental well-being. The research, which utilized ecological momentary assessment, revealed the benefits of these environments on boosting mood and promoting relaxation.