Researchers have identified a new species of frog with unique fluorescent properties, found in Brazil. The newly discovered species is highly poisonous, posing a threat to its ecosystem.
Workers who faced the room and had relatively few desks in their line of sight rated themselves more focused and productive, as well as their teams being better bonded. Staff at window desks also felt more productive than those sitting beside walls.
Researchers discovered that farnesyl pyrophosphate, an intermediate in normal cell metabolism, causes rapid and extensive cell death when present at high concentrations outside cells. Inhibition of TRPM2 channels or targeting its metabolic pathway may offer new avenues for reducing stroke damage.
The collection discusses the epidemiology of P. vivax, highlighting its burden on young children in remote areas with poor healthcare infrastructure. Effective drugs are available but come with limitations, prompting a radical cure approach to eliminate the parasite and prevent relapses.
Repetitive sequences on the Y chromosome in male fruit flies become more active and toxic as males age, leading to a shorter lifespan. This study suggests that these repeat sequences can impair memory and cause DNA damage.
A new study published in PLOS Genetics found that lithium can improve fear memory and hippocampal neurogenesis in mice with symptoms similar to Bardet-Biedl Syndrome. The researchers suggest that this may be an effective treatment for intellectual disability caused by the disorder.
A survey of 6,894 pregnant and postpartum women in 64 countries found that a substantial number scored high for symptoms of anxiety, depression, loneliness, and post-traumatic stress in relation to COVID-19. High information seeking from any source was associated with increased odds of elevated post-traumatic stress and anxiety/depress...
During England's second national lockdown, people with depression experienced distorted perceptions of time, while those dissatisfied with social interactions also reported slower time passage. The findings suggest that mental health and social dissatisfaction play a significant role in how we experience time during isolation.
A study published in PLOS Biology suggests delaying the second dose of COVID-19 vaccines for 9-15 weeks after the first dose can avoid more hospitalizations, infections, and deaths. The researchers found that prioritizing widespread inoculation with available first doses is critical to mitigating adverse outcomes.
Researchers found that AI algorithms significantly influenced participants' decisions on fictitious political candidates and online dating partners. The study suggests people prefer human-explicit advice for subjective matters like dating but rely on algorithms for rational decisions.
A study across 12 countries found that people tend to underreport COVID-19 protocol violations due to feelings of guilt and social pressure. The study suggests that a guilt-free approach may increase self-reported non-compliance with preventive measures.
A survey of 3,536 healthcare workers reveals that 67% are experiencing burnout. Healthcare workers who receive frequent COVID-19 tests are less likely to experience burnout compared to those who do not.
Recent study suggests that biblical texts in Dead Sea Scrolls were written by multiple scribes with mirrored writing styles. Artificial intelligence-based writer identification technique provides new evidence on unknown scribes.
A study of 58,389 European adults found no link between weight gain and improved cognitive performance in older age. The research suggests that weight gain may even be associated with poorer cognitive outcomes.
A new analysis of air pollution data from five large Chinese cities found statistically significant differences between locally-reported and US embassy-reported measurements. The study suggests that when air quality is poor, local stations systematically report lower PM2.5 levels than reported by US stations.
Researchers argue that zoonotic risk predictions are limited in value and instead propose focusing on the human-animal interface for intensive viral surveillance to detect novel viruses early. This approach may help prevent future pandemics like COVID-19.
Researchers have discovered that bearded dragon embryos can become females through two distinct pathways: one activated by sex chromosomes and the other by high temperatures during development. Ancient cellular processes are likely involved in temperature-dependent sex reversals.
Researchers analyzed stone tools from graves in central Europe, finding that men were buried with tools used for woodwork, butchery, hunting, or violence, while women were buried with tools used on animal hides. This study provides new insights into the rise of gender inequalities in the Neolithic period.
Several organizations producing clinical practice guidelines have insufficient conflict-of-interest policies, which can compromise the validity and reliability of these guidelines. These findings highlight the need for improved governance and oversight to ensure the integrity of clinical practice guidelines.
A nationally representative survey of US women identified four techniques to increase pleasure during vaginal penetration: Angling, Rocking, Shallowing, and Pairing. These techniques were previously unnamed in the literature, but provide language for women to communicate and advocate for their sexual pleasure.
A state-by-state analysis of mask-wearing policies and COVID-19 rates reveals a strong association between high adherence to mask wearing and reduced spread of the virus. States with high mask-wearing rates had significantly lower COVID-19 rates, highlighting the importance of this public health measure in mitigating the pandemic.
A study published in PLOS Biology found that human screams communicate multiple emotions beyond fear, including pain, anger, fear, pleasure, sadness, and joy. Researchers used four experiments to investigate the acoustic diversity of scream calls and found that listeners responded more quickly and accurately to non-alarm screams.
A new study published in PLOS Genetics has found that genetic differences may contribute to higher rates of chronic pain in women. The study analyzed genetic variants associated with chronic pain in 209,093 women and 178,556 men, revealing sex-specific differences in gene activity.
A rare PLD3 mutation in Alzheimer's patients disrupts lysosomal recycling, leading to fewer β-amyloid plaques and less cognitive decline. Boosting PLD3 may have a protective effect against the disease.
Researchers have developed an algorithm to identify features of male zebra finch songs underpinning the distinction between courtship and non-courtship contexts. The study suggests a potential for 'bottom-up' approaches to drive discovery in vocal communication, uncovering previously unidentified features.
New research reveals how the immune system influences SARS-CoV-2 evolution, with potential implications for COVID-19 treatment and vaccines. Studies show that immune responses can lead to the emergence of new virus strains, highlighting the need for periodic updates to remain effective.
A study examining deceased US eagles found that 82 percent had detectable levels of rat poison in their systems. The presence of these toxins was linked to mortality rates, suggesting a potential public health concern for bird populations.
A new study found that preprints describing COVID-19 research were downloaded and accessed at unprecedented levels, with a striking change in the way research is accessed and communicated. Preprints are now being heavily used by reporters and policymakers, bringing active research closer to the general public.
Researchers identify three COVID-19 phenotypes with different comorbidities, complications, and clinical outcomes. Phenotype II showed the worst clinical outcomes, while Phenotype III had the best outcomes despite higher respiratory comorbidity rates.
A recent study published in PLOS Genetics has identified six genetic variants that add up to determine the risk of several blood cancers in pre-disposed dog breeds. The study found that dogs carrying five or more of these mutations had a very high risk of developing blood cancer during their lifetime.
A study published in PLOS Biology found that different general anesthetics have varying effects on the brain's hippocampus, a region essential for memory formation. Isoflurane resulted in undisrupted memory formation in mice, while other anesthetics caused significant changes in brain activity and stability of synaptic connections.
A new mechanical model simulates how whiskers bend within follicles in response to external forces, shedding light on the process of sensing touch signals. The model suggests an 'S' shaped deformation and predicts how whiskers interact with mechanoreceptors, influencing tactile sensitivity.
A new model of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein reveals potential new vaccine targets, including spots with minimal glycan shielding. The researchers identified novel sites and confirmed their vulnerability through lab experiments.
Researchers analyzed over 1,000 professional matches played without spectators and found that home teams still performed better than visiting teams. However, referee bias against away teams decreased significantly in the absence of spectators.
Researchers analyzed 25,766 film tropes and identified 42 cluster groups, with some associated with specific genres and high ratings. The study provides insights into the film industry's narrative patterns, potentially informing new film development and story generation.
Researchers found that body fat percentage is a key predictor of exercise capacity and cardiovascular disease risk in individuals with Type II diabetes. Machine learning approaches were used to analyze data and make accurate predictions.
The collection explores gaps in understanding microplastics' effects on ecosystems, human health, and carbon cycling. Experts call for open collaboration to develop policies and regulations for emerging contaminants.
The new PRISMA 2020 guideline provides a 27-item reporting checklist to ensure transparent, complete, and accurate accounts of systematic reviews. This updated version aims to combat incompletely reported reviews that lead to low-value healthcare.
A study published in PLOS Genetics identified the RORB gene as necessary for rabbits to perform their characteristic jumping gait. The researchers used a rare breed of domesticated rabbit with a developmental defect to pinpoint the cause, finding a specific mutation in the RORB gene that disrupts the animal's ability to jump.
Cereal plant remains from Prigglitz-Gasteil show signs of processing off-site, suggesting specialized communities relied on external food sources. This discovery adds to the discussion on Bronze Age mining sites' dietary patterns and highlights the importance of processed foods in sustaining these communities.
A study of Classic Maya communities in southern Belize reveals that they had higher wealth inequalities than neighboring regions with more collective governance, based on assessments of house size. The researchers analyzed data funded by various organizations and found no competing interests among the authors.
A study by PLOS ONE found that virtual reality training with augmented multisensory cues improves user experience during training and task performance in the real world. The findings suggest that this technology can be a valuable tool for teaching essential skills like car maintenance.
A new study analyzing data from over 175,000 people found that excess body weight is associated with higher health care costs for individuals across various BMI levels. The researchers estimated that adult obesity results in $170 billion in excess annual costs per year in the US.
A recent study published in PLOS ONE reveals a positive correlation between higher education levels and greater well-being among Australian women. The research found that educated women tend to have better mental health, engage in healthier behaviors, and have more social connections.
Researchers used wearable data to predict functional capacity and frailty in cardiovascular disease patients. The study found that wearable activity data was a reliable indicator of these factors, allowing for earlier intervention and improved patient outcomes.
A survey of college students in the US found that extroverted individuals experienced significant mood declines during the early COVID-19 pandemic, while introverted individuals saw improved moods. The study suggests that personality traits may play a role in adjusting to the pandemic.
Researchers found that multiple genes and genetic variants are linked to flight performance in flies, with a central gene called pickpocket 23 regulating interactions. This study highlights the importance of genome-wide association studies in understanding complex traits like flight, which involve numerous genes.
A new statistical model identifies potential superspreader cities by incorporating both connectivity between cities and their varying suitability for infection. The risk of a city becoming a superspreader increases with infection suitability only up to a certain extent, but risk increases indefinitely with increased connectivity.
Lockdowns in the US and Europe led to changes in Google Trends data for family-related searches, including weddings and contraception. Researchers analyzed these trends to better understand the impact of social distancing measures on individual behaviors.
A study published in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases found that extreme climate events can increase Aedes aegypti populations in Kenya, but preventative measures may reduce dengue fever cases. The researchers monitored mosquito abundance and dengue infections in a cohort of children.