A study published in PLOS Biology found that global brain fluctuations decrease as the day progresses, affecting cognitive function and connectivity. The researchers analyzed fMRI data from over 900 subjects and observed a cumulative decrease in global signal fluctuation and functional connectivity with time of day.
Climate-driven farming in 'frontiers' could pollute downstream water resources and decrease biodiversity, threatening 1.8 billion people and accelerating global warming.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that consumers may be wasting more than twice as much food as commonly believed, and that affluent consumers waste more food. The researchers used a human metabolism model to quantify the relationship between food waste and consumer affluence.
Two studies found that soft drink taxation and labeling laws led to a decrease in beverage purchases high in sugar, sodium and saturated fat. In Chile, front-of-packaging warning labels reduced consumption by 22.8mL per capita per day, while the UK Soft Drinks Industry Levy increased prices by 31% and resulted in significant reductions...
A pilot program launched by the Berlin Institute of Health aims to enhance the quality and value of translational research through training, tools, and monetary incentives. The QUEST Center's initiative seeks to address concerns over transparency and reproducibility in biomedical science.
A recent study analyzing over 200 mumps virus genomes provides insights into the US outbreaks, revealing a dominant strain responsible for many cases. The research also demonstrates the value of high-quality genomic data in public health surveillance and suggests future efforts should incorporate whole genome sequencing.
A new study finds that educating growers about the effectiveness of control strategies is key to combating plant pathogens. Researchers coupled a mathematical model with human behavior data from a survey of growers, highlighting the importance of maintaining frequent engagement and trust.
Researchers successfully coordinated MDA to stop onchocerciasis transmission in Sudan and Ethiopia, demonstrating the effectiveness of binational cooperation. The study marked the first known interruption of transmission across international borders.
A new skeleton discovered in Tulum's submerged caves provides evidence for an early settlement of the Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico. The Chan Hol 3 skeleton, found to be approximately 30 years old and a woman, has a distinctive skull shape that contrasts with other American crania from a similar age range.
A large dataset of daily resting heart rates from wearables reveals significant individual variations, accounting for less than 10% of variation between people. The analysis also identifies seasonal trends and brief periods of abnormal heart rate.
At-home genetic ancestry tests may decrease beliefs in racial essentialism among those with higher genetic knowledge, but increase them among those with lower genetic knowledge. The study suggests that people's understanding of genetics influences the impact of ancestry testing and polarizes test-takers' views on racial essentialism.
A study published in PLOS ONE describes five trackways containing 25 footprints from three types of animals: small synapsids, large dinosaurs, and quadrupedal dinosaurs. The fossils suggest that a variety of animals survived the intense environmental stress caused by volcanic activity.
Researchers found that smaller, younger, non-neutered dogs, and those living in US counties with high opioid prescription rates are at higher risk of accidental opioid poisoning. The study suggests increased public awareness and knowledge of drug trends could help lessen further harm.
Four late Pleistocene-early Holocene skulls from Tulum, Mexico, show high morphological diversity among early North Americans. The study found associations between ancient remains and modern populations from diverse regions, including Asia, Europe, and South America.
Research reveals that domesticated wheat originated from the interbreeding of wild emmer wheat with cultivated varieties in southeast Turkey. This process occurred around 9,500 years ago, contradicting earlier theories of a single origin point.
A study published in PLOS ONE reveals that prehistoric Italian communities traded copper across complex networks, with most coming from Tuscany. Non-Tuscan copper was also a significant import to the region, contributing to a growing picture of independent metal exchange networks.
New Zealand researchers reveal a significant gender pay gap, with men earning an average of NZ$400,000 more than women over their lifetime. Only 40-70% of the pay gap can be attributed to research performance and age.
New study finds low doses of ionizing radiation used in medical imaging create breaks that allow extra bits of DNA to integrate into the chromosome, potentially leading to mutations. The researchers stress that translating these findings to animal models is necessary to determine full effects and impact on patient health.
A systematic review found that albendazole (ALB) and praziquantel (PZQ) are effective in treating taeniasis caused by the pork tapeworm. The study analyzed 20 studies, including before-after designs and controlled trials, and reported cure rates ranging from 52% to 99.5%.
Researchers have discovered a secreted protein signature of aging cells, which is enriched with biomarkers found in human plasma. This breakthrough could lead to the development of therapeutic approaches to treat age-related diseases by targeting senescent cells.
A study published in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases found that typhoid prevalence is likely higher than estimated due to missed blood cultures, with patients more likely to have cultures if older, feverish or suspected urinary tract infection.
A new study reveals genetically engineered mosquitoes that are refractory to all four types of dengue virus, providing a promising approach for controlling the spread of this mosquito-borne disease. The mosquitoes express an anti-DENV gene that prevents them from being infected or transmitting the virus.
A new computational model shows that regular crop rotations switching every other year may not be optimal for maximizing crop yield when threatened by plant pathogens. The analysis identified patterns of crop rotation that maintain soil quality and diminish pathogen load, suggesting a more sustainable approach to agriculture.
A new analysis reveals that a marine heatwave caused mass starvation of common murres off the US west coast. The study found that unusually elevated sea temperatures reduced food supplies, leading to widespread die-offs and reproductive failure among seabirds.
Neandertals used clam shells as scrapers and pumice stones as abrading tools, collecting resources from the beach and coastal waters of Italy. The study found that nearly a quarter of the shells had been collected underwater, suggesting Neandertals waded or dived into coastal waters to gather materials.
The Pachacamac Idol, a sacred icon worshipped for nearly 700 years, was symbolically painted with red, yellow, and white colors using cinnabar pigment. The study confirms the idol's polychromatic design and sheds light on pre-Columbian cultural practices in South America.
A study found that an overactive immune system gene causes schizophrenia-like changes in mice, including neural and behavioral aspects of the disease. The researchers suggest that this gene may be contributing to the development of schizophrenia through mis-regulated synaptic pruning.
Researchers used moths' real flight trajectories to develop decision-making programs for autonomous vehicles. The program performed better in simulations of complex forest layouts, incorporating information about object locations into navigational decisions.
A new study finds that low doses of DEHP impair egg production in roundworms by increasing DNA double-strand breaks and hampering repair systems. This can lead to chromosomal defects and embryonic development problems.
A new study published in PLOS Medicine found that California's elimination of non-medical vaccine exemptions led to a significant increase in MMR vaccination coverage, with non-medical exemptions decreasing by 2.4% and medical exemptions increasing by 0.4%. The policy change was associated with a 3.3% increase in MMR coverage across th...
A recent study found that obesity is a significant risk factor for cardiotoxicity in breast cancer patients treated with chemotherapy, particularly those receiving anthracyclines and trastuzumab. The study suggests that overweight and obese individuals may benefit from careful cardiac screening and follow-up during treatment.
Researchers report that two commercially-available rapid diagnostic tests can be combined for conclusive diagnosis of Chagas disease. The tests provided a sensitivity of 97.7% and specificity of 96.1%, outperforming the conventional serological method.
A study found that premature deaths from visceral leishmaniasis in Brazil were faster in urban areas and among younger patients, while those with HIV had slower survival times. The median time between symptom onset and death was around 9 days, highlighting the need for early diagnosis and treatment.
A novel 3D microscopy technique allows researchers to quantify previously unseen or unexplained cell behavior. The technique has been applied to study the dynamics of organelles and fat droplets within living cells, revealing new aspects of their behavior such as synchronization of swelling among droplets.
A new computational model suggests that the human gut microbiome follows a four-level food web, with energy flowing from microbes that consume nutrients in food eaten by humans, to those that eat nutrients produced by these microbes. The model predicts systematic changes in species composition along the length of the gut.
A meta-analysis of 250 studies reveals that approximately 1.4 billion people worldwide, or 19%, are exposed to Toxocara. The prevalence rates vary greatly between regions, with highest rates in Africa and East Asia.
Researchers find gene drives more efficient than releasing immune mosquitoes in controlling mosquito populations spreading malaria parasites. The study demonstrates the effectiveness of gene drives in driving mosquito populations to extinction, with some mutations hindering their effectiveness.
A new study published in PLOS Medicine found that social determinants of health, such as income inequality and trust in institutions, are associated with higher gun homicide rates in the US. The study also showed that levels of social mobility and poverty are linked to neighborhood gun homicide rates.
A recent study published in PLOS Medicine estimates that approximately $50.4 billion of the annual healthcare cost of cardiometabolic disease in the US population is associated with suboptimal diet. The highest costs are linked to low consumption of foods like nuts, seeds, and seafood-derived omega-3 fats.
Researchers have identified 150 possible inhibitors of the Nipah virus, a highly deadly disease with no licensed drugs against it. The study found that 13 proposed inhibitors showed high potential against all strains of the virus.
A new analysis confirms human genomic data can predict success in clinical trials, with genetically supported drug targets twice as likely to be approved. Historically, drugs targeting proteins with amino acid sequence changes linked to the disease have the best chance of approval.
Researchers discovered small insects like mosquitoes become visible to bats in large swarms due to Quasi Constant Frequency signals. This finding sheds light on the evolution of bat echolocation and its potential applications for detecting drone swarms.
New research reveals that knowing more about a partner's actions accelerates joint physical task collaboration. Game theory insights inform the development of robots that can interact with humans in a natural, human-like fashion.
Researchers found that women in Ethiopia often delay seeking care due to social taboos surrounding genital and breast diseases, while men may be deterred by economic dependence on their partners. The study suggests integrating NTD treatment into primary healthcare can address these gender-related challenges.
Researchers engineered a violet-colored polyester fabric that attracts more female tsetse flies and shows improved effectiveness against savannah species. The new fabric was developed based on understanding how flies see color.
The discovery of Aegicetus gehennae sheds light on the transition from foot-powered to tail-powered swimming in whales. The new genus and species is found to be more fully aquatic, with adaptations indicating a transitional stage between early and modern whale locomotion.
Researchers found that a lower body mass index (BMI) is associated with reduced type II diabetes risk, including in individuals who are not overweight. A study of 287,394 British individuals found that a 1 kg/m2 BMI reduction lowered diabetes risk by 37% among non-overweight people without a family history of diabetes.
IBP-CP24, a newly engineered peptide, exhibits prolonged half-life and potent anti-HIV activity, including effectiveness against drug-resistant strains. Its combination with broad neutralizing antibodies may reduce treatment costs.
In a groundbreaking study, researchers found that rats can transfer information about danger to each other in both directions, influencing their responses to threats. The study suggests that this reciprocal exchange of information could enhance the detection of danger within groups, similar to cross-species eavesdropping.
Researchers have found that behavioral interventions, such as imposing strict meal restrictions, can be as effective as anorectic drugs in reducing food intake in rodents. The study suggests that changes to diet, particularly those that slow gut emptying, might be a strong strategy for weight loss.