A study of 2,329 academic journals found a significant gender gap in manuscript submissions during the first COVID-19 wave, with women submitting fewer papers than men, especially in health and medicine.
A new analysis spanning 10,000 years of history and ten major world regions found that world population size, major technological advances, and geographical connectivity are key drivers of military technology evolution. The study's methodology employed a resource called Seshat: Global History Databank to empirically test prior hypotheses.
Arctic krill detect tiny changes in light intensity during polar winter days, allowing them to maintain their daily biological rhythms. This adaptation enables the krill to synchronize their daily migrations with external light cues, such as twilight.
International panel develops EPIFORGE guidelines to standardize reporting of epidemic prediction research, aiming to improve manuscript quality and impact. The checklist outlines 19 recommended items, including clear data sources and public availability of computer code.
A new analysis suggests that the continuous arrival of infected individuals has a significant influence on the evolution and severity of local outbreaks. The researchers found an association between the number of seed arrivals and the speed of spread, final number of people infected, and peak incidence rate.
A study found that snakes rapidly diversified their diets following the K-Pg mass extinction event, incorporating birds, fish, and small mammals into their diet. This diversification was triggered by ecological opportunities presented by the extinction, with some lineages experiencing further bursts of adaptive evolution.
A study found that nearly 70% of surveyed healthcare workers in Ghana and Kenya experienced stress and burnout during the COVID-19 pandemic. The researchers suggest that perceived preparedness plays a crucial role in mitigating these negative effects on job satisfaction.
The cost of establishing laboratories to track antimicrobial resistance in Southeast Asian hospitals is substantial, making it challenging for many countries to implement such programs. Financial support is crucial to overcome these costs and provide effective antimicrobial resistance monitoring.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that free food provided to US households at school and work is of poor nutritional quality. In contrast, food for families receiving the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) appears to be of better nutritional value.
Research suggests that brief exposure to COVID-related social media content can have negative emotional consequences, whereas reading about kind acts during the pandemic does not. The study found that individuals who engaged in 'kindness-scrolling' experienced improved mental health and well-being.
A large Swedish cohort study found that obese patients (BMI >35 kg/m2) were twice as likely to experience a prolonged ICU stay or die from COVID-19. The study also showed that obesity is an independent risk factor for severe outcomes, suggesting closer monitoring for individuals with obesity hospitalized for COVID-19.
Researchers found associations between 10 sleep measures and lifetime psychiatric diagnoses, with sleep efficiency most affected. The study used wrist accelerometer data from 89,205 individuals, providing detailed, objective sleep measurements at scale.
A recent study published in PLOS Biology found that science written in languages other than English may hold untapped information crucial to the conservation of global biodiversity. The research analyzed over 400,000 peer-reviewed papers and identified 1,234 studies providing scientific knowledge on saving species and ecosystems.
Chronic P. vivax infections cause significant damage to kidneys, brain, and circulatory system, affecting impoverished communities. The parasite can hide at low levels, making diagnosis difficult and treatment efforts challenging.
Research in Borneo suggests that forest patches adjacent to palm oil plantations provide critical habitats for generalist species, including the Asian water monitor lizard. These refuges help maintain biodiversity in oil palm-dominated landscapes.
A multi-country study finds that students performing COVID-19 distance learning exhibit increased motivation and perseverance when they perceive themselves as self-motivated and connected to others. The study also reveals lower procrastination rates among these students.
Detailed analyses of cremated bone fragments from Tomb of Nestor's Cup uncovered at least three humans with varying life stages, alongside animal remains like goats and dogs. The study sheds new light on funeral practices and ancient Greek culture.
A new study found that healthcare workers, especially those under age 50 and women, experienced exceptionally high levels of stress during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. The researchers analyzed data from an international questionnaire and discovered that paramedical staff had even higher stress levels than medical doctors.
A study at Jordan River Dureijat site in northern Israel uncovered a wide variety of hook shapes and sinkers, indicating humans had profound knowledge of fish behavior. The findings coincide with the beginning of agriculture in the region, highlighting the importance of aquatic resources for human subsistence.
Researchers investigated whether hospital admission and discharge are associated with increased risk of fatal drug overdoses. The study found that the first two days after hospital discharge is a critical moment for people who use illicit opioids.
A new analysis of 134 studies found that color-coded nutrition labels and warnings encourage more healthful purchases. The study suggests that these labeling systems are beneficial in nudging consumers towards foods with lower levels of energy, sodium, fat, and saturated fat.
A satirical opinion article by Iruka Okeke critiques the extractive and exploitive aspects of health research partnerships between high-income and low-income countries. The author highlights twenty problematic practices that maintain and exacerbate inequities in global health biomedical research.
A 16,000-25,000-year-old jawbone from Sulawesi provides conclusive evidence of Pleistocene-era humans in the region. The fossil exhibit unusual dental wear patterns, offering insights into the daily lives and dietary habits of early Homo sapiens.
A new study of 51,000 UK adults found that COVID-19 lockdowns had differential impacts on people's income, time use, and subjective well-being based on their gender, ethnicity, and educational level. The study suggests that these inequalities may persist even after lockdown restrictions eased.
Researchers found that clover grown with symbiotic nitrogen-fixing bacteria in Martian regolith experienced significant 75% more root and shoot growth compared to uninoculated plants. However, the regolith showed no excess production of nitrogen compounds, suggesting a potential role for these microbes in terraforming Mars soils.
Researchers developed a model using data from over 1.1 million volunteers to identify the 7 most informative symptoms for COVID-19 test allocation. The model predicted PCR positivity with high accuracy, resulting in potential 30% to 40% increase in eligible individuals and 70% to 75% detection of positive cases.
A special issue of PLOS Medicine explores the social determinants of child and adolescent health, including poverty, pollution, and violence. The studies focus on the intersection of child health and challenging environments, highlighting urgent redirective strategies to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
A PLOS study found that low-frequency magnetic stimulation can improve episodic memory by reducing beta-waves in the brain. The study, led by Mircea van der Plas and Simon Hanslmayr, used slow rTMS over the left prefrontal cortex to enhance verbal memory formation.
A study published in PLOS Biology suggests that machine learning models using viral genomes can predict the likelihood of an animal-infecting virus infecting humans. The researchers identified generalizable features in viral genomes that are independent of taxonomic relationships and developed models to identify candidate zoonoses.
A study published in PLOS Biology found that Asian elephants successfully cooperated in 80% of trials, using strategies like fighting back or moving sides to prevent cheating. However, cooperation quickly broke down when one partner could monopolize the reward, revealing a complex dynamic in their social behavior.
Female vampire bats with close social bonds leave the roost separately but reunite when hunting, indicating a preference for cooperative foraging. The study also reveals three distinct call types used during foraging trips, including one that may help identify friends and foes.
Mathematical modeling suggests that contact-tracing apps can help achieve herd immunity by identifying individuals with greater exposure to others and targeting them for vaccination. The approach, known as 'hot-spotting,' could reduce the number of vaccine doses needed by up to half.
A new analysis suggests that online searches can reduce belief in misinformation about Zainichi Koreans, particularly among those who were predisposed to believe it. However, participants showed an increase in negative feelings toward the group after conducting their searches, despite correction of specific misinformation.
A study found that elevated mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cell activation is strongly correlated with poor immune coordination and increased mortality in severe COVID-19 patients. In contrast, focused immune responses driven by interferon-alpha are associated with survival.
A team of researchers has discovered a new group of coral-infecting microbes called Corallicolida. Despite lacking photosynthetic genes, they express chlorophyll genes and may still play a role in their host cells. The authors propose that Corallicolida could be an ancient parasite that lost its photosynthetic machinery.
A new study found that genome-wide association studies (GWAS) results from people with European ancestry can still be applied to predict breast and prostate cancer risk in diverse groups. However, the findings emphasize the need for more diverse participants in GWAS analyses to realize the full potential of polygenic risk scores.
A new study published in PLOS ONE found that children born with congenital Zika Virus-related microcephaly have varying levels of neurodevelopmental impairment. The researchers used a routine neurological assessment to track the children's development, revealing differences in cognitive and motor skills. The findings suggest that HINE ...
Despite consent complications, vulnerable individuals and their guardians often participate in research projects. A new study explores attitudes towards research participation among legally supervised individuals with and without prior experience.
Married couples in supportive relationships showed a significant decrease in stress levels when watching horror movie clips with their partner compared to alone. The study found that spousal emotional support and relationship quality have a buffering effect on pupillary response to horror movies.
A study published in PLOS Biology suggests that microparticle concentrations in lakes are higher than previously reported and can be predicted by surrounding land use. The researchers found that areas with more human activity and lower forest cover had higher microparticle concentrations, while lakes with more active microorganisms had...
A new study suggests that peripherally produced amyloid-beta protein from the liver can cause neurodegeneration and brain atrophy in mice. The findings indicate that peripheral A-beta has the ability to cause neurodegeneration and may be a potential contributor to human Alzheimer's disease.
A study published in PLOS Genetics found that smoking-related DNA methylation patterns explain around 1/5 of the variation in body mass index between individuals. The study analyzed genomic sequence data from over 390,000 participants and found that genetics accounted for 50% of the variation in BMI.
Researchers have identified nine FDA-approved drugs that can effectively suppress SARS-CoV-2 replication in human cells. These compounds have been shown to be safe in humans and could potentially provide an alternative treatment for COVID-19 patients.
The COVID-19 vaccine has been shown to have a positive impact on the mental health of US adults, with those receiving the first dose experiencing improvements. A recent study published in PLOS ONE found that the vaccine reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression.
A study published in PLOS One found that stimulus checks largely reversed post-lockdown spending declines and stimulated spending among people making less than $35,977 per year. The research analyzed 5.6 million daily transactions and identified local 'hot spots' of spending changes.
A study published in PLOS ONE reveals a surprising diversity of Cretaceous reptiles at an Argentina fossil site. The research expands the known diversity of reptiles at the Cerro Fortaleza locality, which previously only preserved skeletal remains of giant sauropods.
A new study found that rearranging supermarket layouts to prioritize fruit and vegetables over candy leads to healthier food choices. The research, conducted in partnership with Iceland Foods Ltd, showed a decrease in confectionery sales and an increase in fruit and vegetable sales after the changes were made.
A recent study found that Cavalier King Charles spaniels have an increased number of disease-causing mutations compared to other breeds. The breed's history of intense breeding and limited gene pool has led to the accumulation of harmful genetic variants, including those linked to myxomatous mitral valve disease, a common heart condition.
A new analysis suggests that the pace of vaccination should directly dictate the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions to boost freedoms and minimize new waves of infection. The study's findings suggest that further severe waves can be avoided if restrictions are lifted no faster than the pace dictated by vaccination progress.
A study by Greta Wengert and colleagues found that illegal cannabis farms overlap with habitat ranges of endangered Pacific fisher, threatened Humboldt marten, and northern spotted owl. The researchers mapped 1469 illicit cultivation sites using location data and compared them to habitat distribution models.