Researchers found a genetic difference in people with African and European ancestry that affects inflammation response. The study suggests malaria's evolutionary pressure shaped the immune system's adaptation, which may still influence health disparities today.
A study published in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases found that rice and cattle farming are associated with acute infection. The research suggests that controlling Leptospira infection in livestock could play a role in preventing human leptospirosis in Africa.
A new computational model accurately predicts the gradual progression of metabolic syndrome in mice, identifying two disease subtypes and their underlying metabolic differences. The model also correctly predicts comorbidities like fatty liver disease, offering new insights into preventing the disease.
A study in northern Tanzania found that cattle, sheep, and goats are infected with Leptospira bacteria, which can cause severe disease in humans. The research highlights the importance of understanding animal transmission to develop control measures.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that mouse vocalizations are influenced by sex and social context, with males producing more vocalizations after social interaction. Females, on the other hand, produce similar numbers of vocalizations regardless of prior social experience.
Researchers analyzed three Late Pleistocene human mandibles found in Borneo's Niah Caves, dating back 28,000-10,000 years. The oldest mandible suggests a diet rich in dried meats and palm plants to adapt to the challenging tropical rainforest environment.
A recent study published in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases found that nearly a third of febrile patients in Northwest Ethiopia tested positive for dengue virus. The study identified key risk factors, including residence, occupation, and lack of mosquito net use, which can contribute to DENV infection.
Researchers discovered that cytomegalovirus can infect the iris of mouse eyes, causing chronic inflammation and long-lasting eye problems. The virus remains dormant for months after infection, prompting a reevaluation of its effects on healthy individuals and potentially misdiagnosed conditions.
Biosecurity measures have been shown to effectively curb invasive plant pathogen introductions, even as trade and travel increase. The study found that targeted biosecurity interventions can reduce the establishment of non-native pathogens in agricultural sectors, slowing their spread.
A study found that smaller societies with female leadership have higher female representation, but still lag behind male representation, indicating a need for constitutional commitments to equality. Academic societies can promote gender equity through supporting female leadership and making an outward commitment of equality.
A novel computational approach has been developed to calculate optimal personalized brain stimulation treatment for Alzheimer's disease. The new framework incorporates patients' MRI scans and physiological brain signaling measurements to identify specific brain regions that would benefit from stimulation.
A gene regulation network in Acinetobacter baumannii boosts both virulence and antibiotic resistance when faced with antibiotics. The network, known as BfmRS, controls key processes involved in cell envelope construction and division, leading to increased drug resistance and disease severity.
Researchers analyzed 736 ZIKV positive patients and found that older veterans with underlying health issues were more likely to be hospitalized. Patients presenting with neurological symptoms were also more likely to be hospitalized. This study helps providers evaluate and treat patients with ZIKV infection.
A new genome study reveals that effective population sizes dropped substantially after European and African immigration, but rebounded later, with the smallest bottleneck occurring in Puerto Rico. The study's findings can help understand health risks and select populations for disease studies.
Researchers analyzed WASH and IPC data from two Ebola treatment centers in Sierra Leone, finding strong correlations between patient population size, disinfectant usage, and personal protective equipment use. The study's findings can aid planning and management of facilities for future Ebola outbreaks.
Researchers analyzed coprolites from freshwater sediments dating back to the Early Cretaceous period and found a diverse range of carnivorous animals that fed mainly on fish. The findings support previous evidence suggesting Las Hoyas was a rich and diverse wetland ecosystem.
A study published in PLOS ONE found microplastics at all 16 sites studied in Baynes Sound and Lambert Channel, with highest contamination in Henry Bay and Metcalfe Bay. The researchers identified three main types of microplastics: microfibers, microbeads, and microfragments, with microbeads being the most common type.
The PLOS AMR Channel offers access to the latest research, commentaries, blogs, news, and discussions on antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Key challenges include improving infection prevention, limiting unnecessary antibiotic use, and using existing antibiotics appropriately.
A Brazilian study suggests that austerity measures have led to an increase in childhood mortality rates, with the potential to reduce this trend by maintaining social protection programs. The research found that the maintenance of Bolsa Familia and Estrategia Saude da Familia could lead to a reduction in child mortality by 8.6% in 2030.
Research in mice shows that chronic intestinal worm infection reduces the number of white blood cells in lymph nodes near the BCG vaccine injection site, hindering the immune response to tuberculosis. De-worming treatments can restore immune function after infection.
Researchers have discovered that mosquito saliva can trigger a prolonged immune response in humans, detected up to 7 days after a bite. The study found that the proteins in mosquito saliva interact with human immune cells, leading to changes in cytokine levels and T helper cell responses.
A mass-drug administration program reduced scabies complications by 62% among Eritrean and Ethiopian asylum seekers. The program, implemented from January 2014 to March 2016, led to a significant decrease in scabies-related bacterial skin infections and rashes.
Researchers discovered tooth wear linked to bit-wearing on ancient donkey remains from the Early Bronze Age (EB) period. The findings suggest that donkeys may have worn bits as early as 2700 BCE, long before the introduction of horses.
Scientists predict that climate change will alter the location and size of suitable habitats for many marine species on North America's continental shelves. The study found that habitats generally tend to shift north along the coastline, but these shifts vary depending on specific species' requirements and seafloor characteristics.
The study estimated high mortality rates among civilians in Mosul, Iraq, with a rate of 2.09 deaths per 1,000 person-months during the 9 months of military liberation, compared to 0.71 and 0.50 deaths per 1,000 person-months during ISIS control periods for males and females, respectively.
A randomized trial of 383 women with uncomplicated urinary tract infections found that taking ibuprofen instead of antibiotics prolonged symptom duration and increased the risk of serious complications. The study concludes that ibuprofen is not a safe alternative to antibiotics for treating uncomplicated UTIs.
Ants working together use switching between two types of motion to overcome barriers, with smaller groups favoring squeezing through a narrow hole and larger groups using sideways motions around the barrier. The size of the food item determines which mode of motion will dominate.
A team of researchers used machine-learning techniques to reconstruct a short movie of small, randomly moving discs from signals produced by rat retinal neurons. Nonlinear decoding methods outperformed linear decoders in accurately reconstructing the movie.
Researchers developed a brain-computer interface that uses mutual learning to improve control for tetraplegic individuals. The system allowed users to adapt and learn at their own pace, leading to significant improvements in performance.
A holistic, community-based approach to detection and case management improves disease prognoses in mycetoma patients. The study successfully trained over 300 care providers and implemented free treatment, reducing patient delay and dropout rates.
A recent study published in PLOS ONE found that the occurrence probability of three lemur species increases with forest fragment size, while its impact on isolation varies depending on the species. The researchers suggest that maintaining habitat area may be crucial to maintaining populations in a fragmented landscape.
A recent NIH-funded study found that applied science research produced a higher volume of translational research publications than basic science. The researchers analyzed 6,387 awards and determined that 7.4% of applied research publications were translational.
A study found that a drug originally designed to treat osteoporosis enhances human hair growth by inhibiting SFRP1, a key protein that regulates Wnt signalling. This new agent, WAY-316606, shows promise in promoting hair growth without the side effects of existing treatments.
Researchers discovered a genetic variant associated with migraine headaches that is more common in people living in colder climates and higher latitudes. This variant may have helped early humans adapt to the cold, contributing to its high frequency in European populations and higher prevalence among individuals suffering from migraines.
Computer simulations show microbeads can significantly reduce or eliminate bacterial infections in burn wounds when combined with debridement. The tiny plastic spheres compete with bacteria for binding sites, physically keeping them from attaching to host cells.
Researchers report that expanding community-level control programs for soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) can reach more children than traditional school-based programs. In a pilot study, community-based deworming and water, sanitation, and hygiene interventions showed a 58% reduction in STH infections among participating children.
Researchers discovered a connection between genes controlling hair color and innate immune response in mice. Gray hair is associated with activation of the innate immune system, which produces signaling molecules to fight off viruses and bacteria.
Plants use chemical signals in soil to adapt to stressed neighbors, altering root growth and leaf development. Researchers discovered that brief aboveground disturbances can impact underground communication, affecting plant growth.
Populations of freshwater dolphins in the Amazon basin are declining rapidly, with both boto and tucuxi species facing severe decline rates. The study reveals that these species would be classified as Critically Endangered under IUCN Red List criteria if current trends continue.
A new framework helps interpret engravings on stone artifacts, suggesting Neanderthals engaged in symbolic activities. Researchers analyzed a flint flake from Crimea and concluded that the incisions were deliberate, requiring fine motor skills and attention to detail.
A new study found that Philip Morris continued to study addiction from the mid-1990s to at least 2006, exploring psychological, social, and environmental factors alongside nicotine. The internal research suggested that reducing smoking prevalence requires policies addressing all factors driving addiction.
Cadm1 protein interacts with Kaposi's sarcoma viral proteins to promote inflammation and cancer growth in KSHV-infected cells. This discovery could lead to a new therapy targeting human protein CADM1 in viral-mediated cancers.
A new model simulates the metabolic effects of exercise on an individual level, accounting for factors such as age, weight, and exercise type. This allows for better understanding of how exercise prevents diseases and improves health outcomes.
Researchers found that matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) inhibitors improve blood vessel health at the sites of tuberculosis infection, enhancing delivery and retention of standard drugs. This synergy revitalize current TB treatment and reduce the risk of multi-drug resistant strains.
A pilot study in Kenyan counties found a strong link between RVF-associated syndromes and rainfall, with mosquito swarms preceding cases. The enhanced surveillance system provided early warnings for major outbreaks, enabling preventive measures to be taken.
Researchers found temperature, precipitation, humidity, and cloud cover associated with positive or negative expressed sentiments. Positive expressions increased up to 20 degrees Celsius before declining over 30 degrees Celsius, while high humidity and cloud cover were linked to negative expressions.
DNA analysis of ancient latrines reveals past diets, animal domestication, and hunting practices in Northern Europe and the Middle East from 500 B.C. to 1700 A.D., with parasite eggs reflecting raw or undercooked fish and pork consumption.
A new study published in PLOS Medicine found that early childhood interventions may have some efficacy in boosting measures of child health and development, particularly in language skills. However, the interventions did not significantly impact cognition, motor skills, or adaptive behavior, highlighting the need for further research o...
Researchers found more than 200 attacks on healthcare in Syria in 2016, resulting in 112 health worker and 185 patient deaths. A new mobile reporting tool improved data collection accuracy, highlighting the need for consistent methods to quantify these attacks.
A study published in PLOS Biology found that exercise-induced appetite suppression is linked to the activation of temperature-sensitive TRPV1-like receptors in hypothalamic arcuate nucleus cells. These cells respond to heat and play a role in suppressing food intake in response to exercise.