A new study finds that distinctive license plates in Greece are more likely to appear on luxury cars, suggesting a market for bribery to obtain more desirable plates. This phenomenon is seen as a form of conspicuous corruption, where the value of the plate lies not in its price but in the hint of rule-breaking.
After 7 days of recovery, participants did not fully recover on measures of attention, memory, and brain activity. Only reaction speed returned to baseline levels, highlighting the complexity of recovery from chronic sleep loss.
PLOS Medicine features five studies outlining novel strategies for detecting cancer and identifying minimal residual disease. Researchers discuss innovative approaches, including plasma cell-free DNA sequencing and urine tumor DNA detection, to distinguish between benign and malignant tumors.
A recent study found that a person's genetic risk for developing certain diseases decreases as they get older. The researchers analyzed genomic data from 500,000 people and discovered that genetic factors play a more significant role in disease development early in life.
A study reveals that European tax-and-benefit systems mainly target working-aged individuals, while the elderly and young benefit disproportionately. The lifecycle redistribution machine model highlights the significant role of age in shaping welfare state policies.
A well-preserved tapejarid skeleton from Brazil provides the first complete look at the entire body of Tupandactylus navigans, a flying reptile with a mix of terrestrial and aerial adaptations. The fossil's exceptional preservation reveals new details about its anatomy and potential flight capabilities.
Analysis shows US workers in weather-exposed industries work fewer hours on hot days during economic growth, but not during recession. The study predicts $80 billion in lost wages by 2090 due to high-heat labor conditions.
A new commentary paper highlights the need for more research into the microbes living in and on sea creatures. The authors propose a research agenda to fill knowledge gaps and improve our understanding of beneficial microbes' roles in marine ecosystems.
A new study has identified 20 genetic regions linked to face shape in East Africans, highlighting the importance of diverse populations in understanding human facial features. The findings also reveal that shared genetic factors contribute to similarities across populations, while population-specific variants drive differences.
A machine learning algorithm can accurately sex Caucasian 2D footprints with up to 90 percent accuracy, surpassing expert analysis. This breakthrough has significant implications for forensic and anthropological applications.
A national survey in Japan found that men express a stronger wish for longevity than women, while having children and higher income levels also influence desires for a long life. The study sheds light on the individual attitudes toward longevity among Japanese citizens.
Researchers worldwide experience funder suppression of negative health behavior intervention trials, with one in five reporting pressure to delay, alter, or not publish results. Funders' influence can distort research outcomes, hindering the development of effective public health strategies.
A new method validates up to 70% of diurnal bird image identifications on Flickr. The technique uses image features and machine learning algorithms to identify bird species.
A study found that giant anteaters in less forested habitats have larger home ranges, allowing them to access thermal shelters and regulate body temperature. Sex and body size also play a role in space use, with males using more space than females of similar size.
A new study found that limiting passive screen time and news consumption, having a structured daily schedule, and getting enough sleep can promote resilience against mental health problems in youth. The study also identified a strong association between pandemic-related stressors and psychopathology, but noted that children with lower ...
A new approach to modeling COVID-19 spread incorporates real-time data on people's movements, showing promise for optimal lockdown policies. The study suggests a balance between controlling the pandemic and minimizing economic costs can be achieved through mathematical models and Google mobility data.
A new survey study links belief in social Darwinism with dysfunctional psychological characteristics such as exploitative attitudes, hostility and low self-esteem. Social Darwinists tend to admire strength and power despite having a fragile self-image.
A study found that seating students next to each other boosted their tendency to become friends, regardless of gender, ethnicity, or educational achievement. The number of friendships increased more for similar versus dissimilar pairs of students, with gender being the main driver of this pattern.
Researchers studied Pacific Gilbert Islands coral reefs, a natural laboratory for climate change-induced heat stress. The study found that coral reefs in the region exhibit resistance and resilience to multiple stressors, but are still recovering after over a decade of environmental pressures.
A machine learning analysis has identified 50 genes strongly associated with neurological aging in both Drosophila fruit flies and humans. The study suggests that fruit flies could be used as a model organism to further investigate aging-related processes.
A new study reveals that just 42% of nations have expanded their scientific understanding of bird species distributions in the last decade. The researchers developed two new metrics to assess biodiversity data coverage and effectiveness, finding that regions like Asia and South America are closing knowledge gaps.
A study published in PLOS Biology found that shark diversity remained relatively constant during the mass extinction event at the end of the Cretaceous period. However, some groups of apex predators suffered selective extinctions, while others increased in diversity after the K-Pg boundary.
Researchers found that fasting decreases signs of bacterial infection and inflammation in mice. Fasting also alters gut microbiomes, which appear to sequester nutrients and prevent pathogens from infecting the host.
Researchers conducted extensive analysis on the sandstone blocks at Stonehenge, revealing detailed information about their composition and origins. The study contributes to our understanding of the monument's construction and history.
A study found that UK policies to reduce salt, sugar and calories in food products have not led to improvements in their nutritional values. Only one company, Kelloggs, showed a small overall improvement, driven by reducing sugar content in two products.
Researchers successfully detected and monitored Arctic narwhals and beluga whales using satellite orbiting 617km high, a breakthrough in cetacean tracking. This achievement demonstrates the potential of space-based monitoring for conservation efforts, providing valuable insights into these endangered species' habitats and behaviors.
A recent study published in PLOS ONE found that analyzing pain distribution can predict chronic pain outcomes. Researchers identified 9 distinct groupings of pain distribution, which varied significantly across subgroups in terms of demographic and medical characteristics, pain intensity, impact, and neuropathic pain quality. The study...
A high-status Bronze Age woman and her twins were found in a Szigetszentmiklós urnfield cemetery, with remains indicating she was 25-35 years old at death. Strontium analysis suggested she was born elsewhere and moved to Hungary between ages 8-13.
A study analyzing ancient DNA has uncovered new information on the blood types of Neanderthals and Denisovans. The analysis reveals consistent African origins and increased vulnerability to diseases affecting fetuses and newborns, confirming previous evidence of low genetic diversity leading to eventual demise.
A significant minority of people in Kentucky's indoor public areas fail to wear masks correctly during the pandemic. The study found higher compliance rates in larger stores and affluent city districts. Men aged 40-60 are most likely to be unmasked or incorrectly masked.
Researchers discovered gastric balloons as a cost-effective and health-improving solution for obesity treatment. The procedure, non-invasively placed in the stomach, shows promise as a substitute or complement to bariatric surgery.
A new study using video recordings from animal-towed cameras reveals the secret life of basking sharks in Scottish waters. The research shows that the sharks engage in feeding, courtship and social behaviors, challenging previous assumptions about their solitary nature.
A new study published in PLOS Biology elucidates a female sex pheromone pathway in cockroaches, revealing that blocking an enzyme reduces pheromone production and female attractiveness. The study provides valuable insights into insect sexual behavior regulation.
A computational analysis of COVID-19 tests suggests that using less sensitive rapid antigen tests can achieve similar outcomes as more sensitive RT-PCR tests if a high number of people are tested. This approach could allow governments in lower and middle-income countries to ramp up testing and reduce the number of infections.
Researchers found that higher GABA levels in young people were associated with greater math fluency, while lower glutamate levels were related to better math skills. In adults, the opposite was true: low GABA concentrations were linked to greater math fluency and high glutamate levels to poorer performance.
A computational analysis suggests that rapid antigen tests can achieve similar epidemiological outcomes as RT-PCR tests if enough people are tested. The study's findings have implications for policy changes and optimizing testing strategies in lower-income countries.
A study of 1,175 Polish parents found that about 13% regret having children, linked to poorer psychological and physical health. Parental burnout, social pressures, and financial status also play a role in this phenomenon.
Three-quarters of surveyed trans and gender diverse Australians experienced at least two negative encounters with gender insensitivity in sexual health care. The survey found significant associations between cisgenderism, testing for HIV and other STIs, and poor healthcare outcomes.
Researchers studied dairy cow behavior by making them walk in a straight line to identify optimal gaits. The study provided valuable insights into kinematic characteristics of normal gait, enabling the development of more efficient breeding programs.
A study analyzed 11 years of data to find that 37% of Congress members own or have owned healthcare-related assets. The average value of these assets was $43,000, indicating a significant potential for conflicts of interest.
A new analysis reveals that global toxic pollution and climate change disproportionately affect low-income countries, with the top-one-third of at-risk nations accounting for over two-thirds of the world's population. The study provides a list of top-ten countries most equipped to immediately begin risk reduction efforts.
A group of geneticists have outlined a plan to increase diversity and inclusion in their community, including boosting representation at academic conferences and addressing obstacles for underrepresented groups in research labs. The action plan aims to improve equity and fairness in the field of genetics and beyond.
Researchers found that jumping spiders can recognize biological patterns of movement, similar to vertebrates, using point-light displays. This skill allows them to focus on potential prey or predators while ignoring inanimate objects.
A lack of genomic sequencing impedes the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The US ranks 33rd in variant surveillance, highlighting the need for improved international sequencing efforts to track and respond to new SARS-CoV-2 variants. Enhanced sequencing is crucial for understanding disease transmission and severity.
A study found that Airbnb listings were associated with increased violence in Boston neighborhoods, but not with public social disorder or private conflict. The researchers suggest that the presence of short-term rentals may erode local social dynamics and lead to increased violence over time.
A new machine-learning model uses vocal features from phone conversations to identify early signs of Alzheimer's disease. The study found a novel prediction model that can detect dementia risk using telephone conversations.
A new study published in PLOS ONE suggests that smartphone photos of the inner eyelid can be used to screen for anemia. The algorithm achieved accuracy rates of up to 94.4% in predicting anemia, making it a potential tool for early diagnosis and treatment in low-resource settings.
Researchers analyzed 3 years of conversations at a software engineering organization and found a strong link between communication and productivity. The novel method used network and speech analysis strategies to predict employee productivity with an error rate below 10 percent.
In an experiment, dogs were paired with two unfamiliar humans - one helpful and one unhelpful. Despite the humans' behavior, the dogs showed no preference for the helper or did not reciprocate by acting more favorably towards them. The study suggests that dogs may not be able to understand the connection between human help and reward.
At higher altitudes, newborns are more susceptible to increased mortality rates, largely attributed to lower levels of essential nutrients and oxygen. The study suggests that these factors contribute to a higher risk of infant mortality among high-altitude births.