A large-scale study of UK twins found that identical twins shared a greater affinity for nature and frequent visits to natural spaces compared to fraternal twins. Heritability estimates ranged from 46% for nature orientation to 34% for garden visits, suggesting a moderate genetic influence.
A study published in PLOS Medicine found that reducing air pollution exposure can slow cognitive decline in older women, with benefits seen across various demographics. The research followed 2,232 women for up to 20 years, revealing a significant association between improved air quality and reduced cognitive decline.
A study in rats found that mothers with sleep apnea during pregnancy may have an increased risk of their male offspring developing autism-like behaviors, including impaired cognitive and social function. The findings suggest a potential mechanism for the link between maternal sleep apnea and neurodevelopmental disorders.
Researchers found a brain region, dorsal precentral gyrus, monitors auditory feedback to produce smooth speech. Hearing one's own voice with unnatural delays leads to increased activity in this region and the superior temporal gyrus.
Researchers analyzed trends in reported effects of ocean acidification on fish behavior and found that the magnitude of those impacts has decreased dramatically, with negligible effects for the past five years. Common scientific biases, such as publication bias, largely explained the decline in severe effects.
A study found that humans have evolved less sensitive noses compared to other primates, with genetic variations affecting scent perception. Researchers screened the genomes of over 1,000 Han Chinese people and an ethnically diverse population to identify novel genetic variants associated with odor detection.
A recent study evaluated pet cages, running wheels, and hay racks sold in German retailers and found that many failed to meet animal welfare standards. The research highlights concerns about the quality of pet supplies sold in retail stores.
A study found a link between ASMR and higher levels of neuroticism and anxiety. Those who experience ASMR reported reduced anxiety after watching an ASMR video, suggesting it could be a suitable intervention for anxious individuals.
In Bangladesh, cesarean sections have increased significantly from 3.88% in 2004 to 33% in 2017/18, but the disparity in access between wealthy and poorer women has grown. The study highlights the need for targeted interventions to address this issue.
The COVID-19 pandemic has compounded pre-existing inequalities among refugee adolescents in Jordan, leading to increased stress and high rates of depression. The study highlights the need for targeted interventions to support these vulnerable populations.
A study analyzed Reddit posts to identify common parenting concerns, including sleep, eating, and emotional difficulties. The authors used latent Dirichlet allocation to categorize the posts and found that these topics are consistently discussed among parents.
Researchers compared preprints to their final publications and found that over 83% of COVID-19 and 93% of non-COVID related life sciences articles do not change from their preprint to final published versions. A machine learning tool also recommends potential journals for linguistically similar articles.
A study published in PLOS Medicine found associations between obesity and various female reproductive conditions. Researchers used Mendelian randomization to investigate causal links between body mass index, waist-to-hip ratio, and risk of conditions like uterine fibroids and pre-eclampsia.
A trial found that parents bought fewer sugary drinks when products displayed pictorial warnings about type 2 diabetes or heart damage. Pictorial warnings are being explored as a strategy to reduce children's intake of sugary drinks and related health outcomes.
A new study found that patients with chronic non-communicable diseases are more than twice as likely to die from any cause if they also have a psychiatric comorbidity. Comorbid psychiatric disorders were associated with higher all-cause mortality rates, ranging from 5.5-21.1%.
A new analysis links genetic variants associated with high blood levels of lipoprotein A to a higher risk of prostate cancer, including advanced or early-age-onset cases. The study found no significant associations for other blood lipids.
Researchers analyzed over 60 million GitHub posts to find that developers who don't use emojis are three times more likely to drop off the platform. Emoji usage patterns varied among developers, but were associated with factors like work type and time management.
A study published in PLOS ONE suggests that changing climate conditions 23,000 years ago expanded food options for humans in Israel's Sea of Galilee region. The research analyzed animal remains at the submerged archaeological site of Ohalo II, revealing a diverse diet with multiple prey sources.
A new portable $51 testing kit can provide fast and reliable COVID-19 detection in resource-poor regions, refugee camps, and disaster zones. The non-invasive saliva sampling system uses a technique similar to PCR testing, with costs comparable to commercial tests.
Research published in PLOS ONE found that flat-faced breeds like Neapolitan mastiffs and English bulldogs are disproportionately affected by the condition. The study suggests that breed-specific characteristics may contribute to the development of cherry eye.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that younger people are more interested in owning exotic pets, such as pythons, than older generations. The research suggests a growing trend towards unusual pet ownership among younger populations.
A new analysis predicts climate change will decline suitable regions for coffee arabica, cashews, and avocados in major producing countries. Suitable areas may expand at higher altitudes and latitudes, particularly for cashews and avocados.
A large English study found that people hospitalized for COVID-19 are more than twice as likely to die or be readmitted in the next several months compared to the general population. These findings highlight the need for increased monitoring of COVID-19 patients after discharge and raise awareness of potential complications.
A meta-analysis of 87 surveys from 35 African countries found that nearly one in ten sexually active men have paid for sex and are 50% more likely to be living with HIV. Men who pay for sex should be recognized as a priority population for HIV prevention efforts.
British households that normally buy more alcohol saw a 17-fold increase in purchases, while those in socially disadvantaged locations also boosted their buys. Overall alcohol purchases didn't change after COVID-19 lockdowns, but sales data suggest an rise in alcohol-related problems.
A study found a significant decrease in social salience of climate change during the COVID-19 pandemic's first wave. Facebook shares and reshares revealed a notable dip in climate change attention.
Historic redlining in Baltimore continues to impact present-day health outcomes, with lower average life expectancies observed across affected communities. The study highlights the persistence of systemic racism and unequal access to healthcare in these areas.
A recent study of Dutch citizens between ages 14 and 26 reveals that lower educational attainment is associated with higher rates of alcohol use, rather than the other way around. This finding challenges previous assumptions about the relationship between education level and substance abuse.
A new study of over 4 million adults in the UK found that people with COVID-19 symptoms are less likely to get tested due to barriers such as mild symptoms, poor knowledge of nearby testing sites, and certain demographic factors. The study suggests that targeted messaging and improved education are needed to increase test uptake.
A new study of UK Biobank adults found significantly increased rates of nearsightedness, particularly in children. The study suggests changing environmental factors and gene-environment interactions may be to blame for the rising trend.
Researchers discovered distinct gut microbiomes in Black and white US women, with potential associations to insulin resistance. The study highlights the importance of understanding individual microbiome variations in relation to metabolic health.
Researchers discovered humans unconsciously mirror a humanoid robot's body language, mirroring human behavior when interacting with peers. The study highlights the intriguing similarity between human-Robot interactions and interpersonal relationships.
A survey study found links between problematic smartphone use and low sense of control, fear of missing out (FOMO), and repetitive negative thinking during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study suggests that physical activity and mindfulness practices may help reduce such use.
A survey of 17,302 healthcare workers in 57 countries found that male participants and nurses had higher preparedness scores than women and doctors. Preparedness varied across national wealth and sociodemographic characteristics, with East Asia and the Pacific having significantly higher scores.
A study found that UK adults' accuracy in estimating national statistics is influenced by their intelligence, religiousness, and political beliefs. Respondents were most accurate when estimating characteristics like vegetarianism and car ownership, but least accurate for minority groups like homosexuals.
A new study published in PLOS Computational Biology found that the order of COVID-19 symptoms varies depending on the SARS-CoV-2 variant. In the USA, cough was most likely to be the first symptom, while fever and diarrhea were more common third symptoms.
Researchers have identified a key protein in the brain that regulates habituation, a mechanism essential for focus and attention. The study found that a decrease in this protein leads to hypersensitivity and symptoms similar to those seen in Autism Spectrum Disorder.
The study found that animal strains of SARS-CoV-2 are closely related to human strains in the same geographic regions, indicating widespread interspecies transmission. Multiple emerging variants were detected across many countries in various animal species, suggesting a potential reservoir for future virus establishment.
Researchers found that a Parkinson's disease mutation mislocalizes iron in activated microglia, leading to toxic iron accumulation. This mislocalization may explain the disease's progression and provide a basis for therapies targeting LRRK2.
An analysis of thousands of children's books published between 1960 and 2020 found that while female protagonists are increasingly represented, males remain overrepresented. The study also identified factors associated with representation, including author gender and book genre.
A US survey found that dog owners experienced fewer negative psychological impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic compared to potential dog owners. The study suggests that dog ownership may have played a role in mitigating the mental health effects of isolation and confinement.
The CDC found flaws in the assay design and contamination of one component, leading to false positive reactivity in negative controls. A redesign and improved quality control measures have since been implemented.
Younger children report need for social interaction, while older students seek support for anxiety and educational pressures. The study surveyed 6291 young people in Wales to understand factors influencing their wellbeing during the pandemic.
An analysis of data from 16 US states reveals a major increase in wine and spirit sales during the COVID-19 pandemic, accompanied by changes in the relationship between alcohol sales and business visits. Sales of spirits and wine increased by as much as 20-40% in some states, while beer sales declined overall.
A novel 'virtual segmentation' method enables accurate visualization of microtomography imaging of Egyptian mummies. This technique helps researchers reconstruct detailed anatomical structures of ancient animals, shedding new light on their biology and evolution.
A December 2020 survey found that about two-thirds of adults in Jordan, the West Bank, and Syria were unwilling or hesitant to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Concerns over vaccine rigor and long-term health risks were primary reasons for hesitation.
A computational analysis of billions of tweets has uncovered high-resolution timelines of the major stories surrounding Trump's presidency from 2016 to 2021. The study found that turbulence in these stories varied over time, with dominant narratives emerging for longer periods during certain periods.
During the pandemic, Twitter sentiment around vaping went from broadly positive to mostly negative, likely due to concerns over its link to COVID-19 infection. The study analyzed tweets and found a significant shift in public opinion on the risks associated with vaping.
Research using fNIRS found that young children's ability to appreciate humor varies with age and sex. The study suggests differences in brain activity between boys and girls, as well as developmental stages, when it comes to recognizing humor.
Seasonal air pollution may contribute to asthma emergency department visits even in areas with generally low pollutant levels. The study used Bayesian time-stratified case-crossover models to examine associations between air pollution and asthma seasons.