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Parental type 1 diabetes can affect children’s cognitive development

A recent study published in PLOS Medicine found that having a parent with type 1 diabetes may be linked to lower school performance in children. The research involved over 622,000 Danish children and suggested a negative association between parental type 1 diabetes and cognitive development.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateApr 26, 2022

Living near fast food restaurants in South Asia may increase risk of Type 2 diabetes

A new study published in PLOS Medicine found that living near fast food restaurants increases the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. The research, conducted in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, linked cross-sectional health data with environment mapping surveys to examine the associations between the density and proximity of healthy and unhea...

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateApr 26, 2022

Cannabis poisoning cases in pets have increased significantly

A survey of veterinarians in the US and Canada reveals a significant increase in cannabis poisoning cases among pets since Canada's 2018 legalization, with most cases treated successfully. The study highlights the importance of understanding the effects of cannabis on pets to inform veterinary efforts and policies.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeSurvey·DateApr 20, 2022

New York City green roofs planted with native vegetation may perform better at managing stormwater than conventional succulent-planted green roofs, according to case study

A recent study found that native vegetation green roofs in New York City are more effective at managing stormwater runoff compared to conventional succulent-planted green roofs. The research used the Ranaqua green roof as a case study, which was constructed and monitored by the NYC Department of Parks & Recreation.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateApr 20, 2022

Opioid-related deaths affecting more younger adults, study finds

A new study found that opioid-related mortality rates in Ontario, Canada, have shifted downward to peak in the mid-30s among males and females. The study analyzed high-frequency data from 2003 to 2020 and hypothesizes that opioid-related mortality among younger adults will continue to grow.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeObservational study·DateApr 20, 2022

Online program improves well-being of stroke survivors

A randomized controlled trial found that an online program improved health-related quality of life among adult stroke survivors by promoting healthy lifestyle behaviors and reducing disability. The study showed significant benefits in personal care and daily activities for those who received access to the online program.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateApr 19, 2022

Mental illness associated with increased death from cardiovascular disease

A systematic review and meta-analysis of 108 studies found that people with severe mental illness, including schizophrenia, have twice the cardiovascular-related mortality rate as the general population. The association has grown stronger over recent decades, with a possible link to changes in antipsychotic use and smoking prevalence.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·TypeSystematic review·DateApr 19, 2022

Open sharing of biotechnology research – transparency versus security

A recent study published in PLOS Biology explores the intersection of open science practices and biosecurity risks, proposing solutions to mitigate catastrophic misuse. The authors argue that controlling access to research materials and software is necessary to prevent the spread of risky information.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateApr 14, 2022

High cardiovascular risk is associated with symptoms of depression

A new study published in PLOS ONE finds that high and very high cardiovascular risk are associated with depressive symptoms, especially in women. The researchers used data from a Mediterranean Diet trial and found that participants with higher cardiovascular risk had lower depressive status scores after following the diet.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeObservational study·DateApr 13, 2022

Family structure associated with delinquency for adolescents

A new study finds that asymmetrical family structures, such as single-father or single-mother households, are associated with higher delinquency rates among adolescents. In contrast, symmetrical arrangements like mother-stepfather families show lower rates of delinquent behavior.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeSurvey·DateApr 13, 2022

Busy mothers did less breastfeeding in 19th century Netherlands

A study found that mothers in a 19th century Dutch village had low rates of breastfeeding, likely due to their busy work schedules and easy access to cow's milk. Researchers analyzed the remains of 277 individuals and found little evidence of breastfeeding, surprising given the community's cultural associations with breastfeeding.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeObservational study·DateApr 13, 2022

Injured dinosaur left behind unusual footprints

Researchers analyzed an abnormal trackway of six theropod dinosaur footprints in Spain, dating to around 129 million years ago. The tracks show evidence of an injured innermost toe and abnormal gait as the dinosaur compensated for its injury.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeObservational study·DateApr 6, 2022

U.S. trees may provide over $100 billion dollars in savings via environmental benefits – but face growing threats

A recent study found that US trees generate a total of $114 billion annually in ecosystem services, with carbon storage and air quality regulation contributing 51% and 37% respectively. The most valuable tree species are pine and oak, but face growing threats from climate change and pests.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Sustainability and Transformation·TypeObservational study·DateApr 5, 2022

How left brain asymmetry is related to reading ability

A new study reveals that greater left-brain asymmetry is related to both better and average performance on reading ability tests, depending on the analysis method used. The findings support two opposing theories of language processing, suggesting a complex relationship between brain structure and speech sound processing.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeObservational study·DateApr 5, 2022

Reproductive factors and dementia risk

A study published in PLOS Medicine found that certain reproductive events, such as shorter estrogen exposure, may be associated with increased dementia risk in women. However, the association between the number of children and dementia risk was similar for women and men, suggesting social and behavioral factors may play a role.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateApr 5, 2022

Sri Lankan twin study finds one-third of variation in depressive symptoms is genetic; two-thirds is environmentally influenced - and symptoms are strongly associated with health-related quality of life

A recent Sri Lankan twin study reveals that genetic factors contribute to approximately one-third of the variation in depressive symptoms, while environmental influences account for around two-thirds. The study also found a strong association between depressive symptoms and health-related quality of life.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMar 30, 2022

Tuberculosis infection protects mice from developing COVID-19

Researchers discovered that mice infected with tuberculosis are resistant to developing COVID-19, suggesting a potential protective effect against the virus. The findings may explain why double infections of both diseases are rare in humans and contribute to the high rates of infection for each disease individually.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Pathogens·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 24, 2022

Can supermarkets coax people into buying healthier food?

Researchers found that increasing availability of healthier options, such as low-fat chips and lower-calorie biscuits, led to significant changes in purchasing behaviors. Removing seasonal chocolates from prominent locations also attenuated the usual increase in confectionery sales.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 24, 2022

Artificial sweeteners may not be safe sugar alternatives

A study published in PLOS Medicine found associations between consuming artificial sweeteners and increased cancer risk. The researchers analyzed data from 102,865 French adults and discovered higher risks for overall cancer, breast cancer, and obesity-related cancers.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateMar 24, 2022

Women who report significant antibiotic use in midlife are more likely to experience cognitive decline in later life, perhaps through gut microbiome changes, in study of almost 15,000 U.S. nurses

A study of nearly 15,000 US nurses found that significant antibiotic use in midlife is associated with increased risk of cognitive decline later in life. The researchers suggest that this may be related to changes in the gut microbiome, which can impact brain function and overall health.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMar 23, 2022

Obese pregnant women are more likely to experience stillbirth or neonatal death, and over 60 percent of this increased risk is associated with delivery occurring at an earlier gestational age

A recent study found that obese pregnant women are at a higher risk of experiencing stillbirth or neonatal death. The research revealed that over 60% of this increased risk is associated with deliveries occurring at an earlier gestational age, highlighting the importance of careful prenatal care and monitoring.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMar 23, 2022

Teen internet usage associated with stress and suicidal ideation

A survey of nearly 30,000 Korean high school students found a strong association between non-academic internet usage and mental health issues such as stress and suicidal ideation. Students who spent more time online reported better health, reduced stress, and fewer feelings of sadness and suicidal thoughts.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeSurvey·DateMar 23, 2022

Shining a light on protein aggregation in Parkinson’s disease

A novel system to control protein aggregation in a model of Parkinson’s disease suggests that aggregation of alpha-synuclein plays a critical role in disrupting neuronal homeostasis and triggering neurodegeneration. Light treatment led to formation of Lewy body-like aggregates, neurodegeneration, and Parkinson-like motor deficits in mice.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 22, 2022

Lighting the way to healthier daily rhythms

A new report has provided the first scientific consensus on healthy daily light exposure to support sleep, alertness, and well-being. The recommendations aim to optimize lighting in workplaces, public buildings, and homes to promote healthier body rhythms and improve overall health.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateMar 17, 2022

Study finds association between cigarette tax and reduced infant deaths

A study analyzing data from 159 countries found that raising tobacco taxes is associated with a significant reduction in neonatal and infant mortality rates. The research suggests that implementing recommended WHO tobacco tax rates could lead to substantial decreases in these deaths, potentially saving up to 231,220 infant lives annually.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Global Public Health·TypeObservational study·DateMar 16, 2022