Researchers identified two P. falciparum-selective proteasome inhibitors with potent antimalarial activity against drug-resistant parasites. The inhibitors exhibited low propensity for generating resistance and synergized with multiple antimalarial agents.
Researchers suggest that sexual reproduction prevents invasion of transmissible cancer by generating genetic variation and detecting foreign cells. This theory proposes a novel explanation for the evolution of sex in multicellular organisms, shifting our understanding of evolutionary biology.
A new climate modeling approach suggests that social processes strongly affect global warming predictions, and mitigation efforts should account for this influence. The rate at which people learn about climate mitigation strategies via social interactions can raise warming predictions by over 1 degree Celsius.
Research comparing American, Pacific, and Southeast Asian Zika virus strains found that the American subtype has the highest ability to grow in vitro and in vivo. The strain also caused more testis damage in infected mice, highlighting potential concerns about its pathogenicity.
Archaeologists discovered unusual ring-shaped objects made from barley and wheat dough in a Late Bronze Age hillfort site. The finds suggest that these cereal rings were not intended for eating and may have been created for ritual purposes, expanding our understanding of ancient food diversity.
Plan U proposes funder mandates for preprint servers, making research papers accessible sooner and stimulating evolution of the publication system. This approach has been demonstrated by existing preprint servers like arXiv, which hosts over a million papers and brings benefits to biology.
A nationwide register study found no increased risk of congenital malformations in children conceived after their fathers received radiotherapy or chemotherapy treatment for testicular cancer. The study, published in PLOS Medicine, followed 4,207 children of 2,380 fathers and compared the risks before and after treatment.
Researchers found that CD8+ T cells retain protective functions despite sustained inhibitory receptor expression during Epstein-Barr virus infection. Blocking the PD-1 pathway leads to specific defects in controlling the virus and increases tumor formation.
Research found that wild boars, hunting dogs, and hunters in Brazil are carriers of Rickettsia bacteria, transmitted through ticks. The study highlights the importance of public action planning to prevent neglected vector-borne diseases in overlapping areas.
Researchers found that hand hygiene was effective in limiting transmission of ESBL K. pneumoniae, but additional measures like environmental decontamination were necessary to prevent spread of ESBL E. coli. Wearable sensors tracked human contact patterns over eight weeks, revealing the importance of close proximity interactions.
Researchers identified a gene, SPI-1, that restricts the replication of modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) in human cells. Reintroducing SPI-1 into MVA or host cells increased virus spread by over 100-fold, providing insight into host-range restriction mechanisms.
A new statistical framework has been developed to evaluate the effectiveness of mosquito control programs across various time and space scales. The model, applied to a citywide intervention in Iquitos, Peru, found that insecticide spraying reduced Ae. aegypti populations by an average of 67%.
A new model suggests that declining fertility rates in young Neanderthal women could have contributed to the population's decline and eventual extinction. The study used demographic modeling to explore possible scenarios, finding that a decrease in fertility rates of just 2.7 percent could have led to extinction within 10,000 years.
Researchers identified at least three possible routes for Homo sapiens to travel through North and Central Asia during the Late Pleistocene Epoch, using GIS software and archaeological data. These routes follow ancient lake and river systems and may have been traversable during warmer interglacial periods.
A mass die-off of puffins and Crested auklets was recorded in the Bering Sea due to climate-driven food shifts, with reduced prey resources potentially leading to starvation. The study suggests that future research should investigate seabird resilience in a changing environment.
The AccessLab project enables broader access to scientific research through direct citizen-scientist pairings. Community groups and artists have benefited from the initiative, which exposes science researchers to accessibility challenges and promotes inclusive publishing.
A study published in PLOS Medicine found that a computer-assisted diagnostic procedure can detect the growth of low-grade brain tumors earlier and at smaller volumes than current clinical methods. This could lead to reduced delays in detecting tumor growth and potentially improve patient outcomes.
Researchers discovered a receptor on human cells that detects metabolites from fermented food bacteria, triggering immune cell movement. Consuming lactic acid bacteria may provide anti-inflammatory effects and serve as a potential drug target for inflammatory diseases.
A recent study has sequenced the genomes of Leptospira bacteria from around the globe, revealing 30 new species and reorganizing the genus into four distinct lineages. The findings provide new insights into the evolution and diversity of Leptospira bacteria, which are a major cause of zoonotic disease affecting millions worldwide.
Computational modeling reveals that vaccination success increases with access to local information about disease prevalence, rather than relying solely on global data. This suggests a need for strategic dissemination of detailed incidence data to inform individual vaccination decisions.
Beetles infected with intestinal parasites exhibit reduced aggressive behavior during simulated attacks from predators and rival males. Larger beetles tend to fight back more than smaller ones, while parasitized beetles produce fewer squeaks as a defensive behavior.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that women outperform men on math and verbal tests when the room temperature is warmer, while men perform better at lower temperatures. The researchers suggest that ambient temperature may impact cognitive performance differently for men and women.
A study found that UK heart failure patients receive suboptimal care, with gaps in screening, follow-up, and medication doses disproportionately affecting women and older individuals. The study suggests improvements are needed in health services design to support high-quality care.
Scientists discovered a lineage of budding yeasts that has lost dozens of genes involved in DNA repair and cell cycle processes. These gene losses result in the yeast's genomes changing rapidly, leading to unique biological characteristics.
A new study published in PLOS Medicine found that community-based adherence clubs for HIV patients resulted in higher losses from care over two years compared to clinic-based care. Despite this, health outcomes were similar between the two groups.
Researchers found that simple prevention methods such as sealing floors, using soap for daily feet washing, and good household infrastructure can reduce tungiasis cases by up to a third and nearly half. The study suggests that public health workers can play a key role in expanding WASH policies to prevent the disease.
A study found that host-cell enzymes PARP12 and PARP14 play a crucial role in combating mutant coronavirus replication. The macrodomain of the virus is required to prevent these enzymes from inhibiting viral replication and enhancing the production of antiviral proteins.
A new mutation in the ADAMTS3 gene is associated with breathing difficulties in bulldogs and Norwich terriers. Swelling from edema in the airways can cause respiratory disease, independent of face shape. Screening for this mutation could help identify at-risk dogs and inform breeding practices.
Researchers captured detailed images of infants' skulls and brains before and during delivery using 3D MRI, finding that fetal head molding occurs in all seven infants, with different parts of the skull overlapping. The study suggests that infants experience greater skull stresses during birth than previously thought, potentially under...
New research reveals that young adults are distressed by labels of narcissism and entitlement, which they believe are negative traits. Emerging adults have negative reactions to these labels, even when applied to their own age group.
A study of ancient fish ponds in Bolivia's seasonal drylands reveals intentional maintenance of fish habitats for food. The discovery supports a permanent human settlement, using ponds to store water and harvest fish year-round.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that captive chimpanzees can spontaneously use tools to excavate underground food without prior experience. The chimps chose to use tools over bare hands and even reused them, similar to early human tool use.
A new study finds that hunting is reducing large mammal populations by 40% in intact tropical forests. Hunting impacts are expected to be high in areas with high human population density and hunter access points.
Researchers use cutting-edge sequencing technology and microscopy to discover the sequences of all centromeres in the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. They found that centromeres contain a high number of transposable elements, including retroelements, which may play a role in centromere function across species.
A new computational framework has compared four rheumatoid arthritis medications' impact on biological pathways in mice, revealing previously unknown differences in gene expression. The study suggests that some treatments may affect non-arthritis-related genes, providing new insights into arthritis pathology mechanisms.
A study published in PLOS Biology found that feeding mosquitoes sugar reduces their attraction to human skin, and regulates this behavior through the vitellogenin gene. This protein influences reproduction and foraging in insects, and its manipulation could reduce mosquito bites and disease transmission.
A new model demonstrates how a network of neurons can act as a 'neuronal metronome' by accurately estimating time intervals between beats within tens of millisecond accuracy. This framework relies on rhythmic brain activity patterns known as gamma oscillations to keep track of time.
Researchers discovered a parasitic yeast species that can kill emerging multi-drug resistant yeast pathogen Candida auris. The study identified genes and proteins involved in the predatory behavior of Saccharomycopsis schoenii, which could lead to new biocontrol agents or novel antifungal agents.
The dengue virus uses nonstructural protein 1 (NS1) to replicate in infected cells, with a key role in viral RNA replication and formation of the membranous replication organelle. A novel interaction between NS1 and NS4A-2K-4B is required for viral RNA replication but not for replication organelle formation.
Athletes consider concussion symptoms' impact on their health, team prospects, and performance culture, influencing their reporting decisions. The study highlights the importance of athlete education and organizational culture in encouraging concussion reporting.
Urban trees exhibit accelerated growth but higher mortality rates than rural counterparts, resulting in a net loss of street-tree carbon storage over time. Strategic planting and maintenance initiatives can help maximize urban greening efforts as a climate-mitigation tool.
A randomized controlled trial involving 288 people with obesity found that a mobile phone-based intervention had no significant effect on participants' weight over a 12-month period. The study suggests that the intervention may not be cost-effective in its current form.
A new study found that running caused forced vibrations in the wings of a primitive dinosaur, potentially leading to passive wing flapping. This motion could have developed earlier than gliding flight and may have contributed to the evolution of flying in birds.
Researchers discovered that H. pylori exploit a specialized niche within gastric glands to maintain stable bacterial reservoirs. This allows the bacteria to serve as stable populations and prevents incoming bacteria from establishing themselves.
A randomized, double-blind study conducted in Panama found that paromomycin-based topical treatments are effective in curing cutaneous leishmaniasis with an 80% cure rate. The treatment showed high efficacy in children under 12 and teens from 12-17, with cure rates of 84% and 82%, respectively.
Research found that living alone is positively associated with common mental disorders across all ages and sexes. The prevalence of people living alone was linked to an increased risk of mental health issues, with loneliness explaining 84% of the association.
Researchers analyzed six Iberian prehistoric beads and found that some had a multilayered coating made of tree resins, likely used to imitate amber's translucence. The study suggests unscrupulous traders may have substituted fake amber for true amber in tomb sites.
In a touchscreen-based task, wolves behaved more prosocially towards their fellow pack members than dogs. Wolves opted to deliver significantly more food to an adjacent enclosure when it held a member of their own pack present.
A new study reveals that disrupting normal circadian rhythms promotes tumor growth and suppresses the effects of a tumor-fighting drug. Circadian rhythm disruption increases cell proliferation by activating key proteins involved in cell cycle regulation.
A commentary by Chinese experts critiques the first reported instance of germline gene editing in humans, arguing that it was misconceived due to outdated assumptions about HIV infection. The authors recommend strict laws and regulations to oversee future human germline editing experiments.