Researchers identified 100 undisturbed reefs with potential to provide coral larvae to damaged areas, promoting regional recovery. Effective local protection is crucial to support this ecosystem's resilience.
The 'Human Trafficking, Exploitation and Health' collection in PLOS Medicine explores the global crisis of modern slavery, highlighting extreme hazards suffered by trafficked workers in high-risk sectors. Research is needed for evidence-based approaches to prevention and providing appropriate health care for victims.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that Camponotini ant species have distinct microbiomes, with some stages having unique bacterial populations. This suggests that the microbiome may play a role in shaping the ant's biology and adaptation to its environment.
Researchers found that bowhead whales in the eastern Canadian Arctic molt and rub on large rocks to facilitate exfoliation, shedding parasites and sun-damaged skin. This behavior may help reduce ultraviolet radiation damage, important for long-lived species like bowhead whales.
Researchers used 'reality mining' to analyze mobile phone records of one million people, finding that the timing of sunrise and sunset still guides daily activities. The study also reveals sex differences in sleep duration, with women sleeping more than men as they age.
A new study suggests that a second HIV test can substantially reduce incorrect diagnoses in infants, saving costs on unnecessary treatment. The study found that confirmatory testing reduces the number of infants incorrectly diagnosed with HIV by 99.6%, leading to cost savings over a lifetime.
Scientists have developed a revolutionary dipstick technology that can extract DNA and RNA from living organisms in under 30 seconds, enabling rapid disease diagnosis and treatment.
Researchers found that a sugar industry trade group halted animal research linking sucrose to disease in the 1960s due to adverse findings on cardiovascular health and bladder cancer. The Sugar Research Foundation secretly funded a review article downplaying these links.
Research reveals that fish continuously change which neighbor they pay attention to for seamless collective movement, challenging previous assumptions about coordination strategies. This finding has implications for optimizing and automating complex processes like swarms of drones.
A mathematical model published in PLOS Medicine estimates that reducing the PMI budget by 44% would result in 67 million more malaria cases over four years. Maintaining funding would prevent 162 million cases and save 692,589 lives between 2017 and 2020.
Prior Zika infection protects against reinfection during pregnancy in mice, according to new research published in PLOS Pathogens. Protective antibodies from previous infection defend against reinfection, reducing Zika RNA levels and fetal risk.
Scientists warn against the accidental spread of self-propagating gene drive systems, which could cause significant ecological harm. However, genetic technologies still hold promise for conservation work, but with strict regulations and international cooperation.
Scientists followed 150 adolescents infected with M. tuberculosis for several years, finding elevated immune system activity 1-2 years before diagnosis and suppressed gene expression in T cells before active disease began. This study provides a clearer timeline of biological events leading to pulmonary TB development.
A new computational model allows researchers to estimate the probability of rare heartbeat irregularities that can cause sudden cardiac death. The model realistically incorporates molecular processes that occur in heart cells, increasing its accuracy.
Researchers have long used preprints to accelerate scientific discovery. A forgotten biology preprint experiment from the 1960s has been unearthed, revealing a long history of resistance to open knowledge sharing among publishers and learned societies.
Researchers discovered a diverse microbial ecosystem at Laguna La Brava, with Euryarchaeota and Crenarchaeota groups dominating the environment. The absence of cyanobacteria led the authors to suggest alternative microorganisms precipitating minerals in these extreme conditions.
A new study published in PLOS Medicine found that recent health care reforms in England did not lead to the expected decrease in hospitalisations and specialist visits. In fact, there was an increase in outpatient specialist visits, resulting in 3.7 million additional specialist visits between 2012 and 2015.
Induction of labor at 40 weeks is associated with a lower risk of in-hospital perinatal death and meconium aspiration syndrome in nulliparous women over 35. The study analyzed data from 77,327 mothers giving birth between 2009 and 2014.
Research investments in five areas of study are needed to accelerate new innovations for neglected diseases, according to Dr. Peter Hotez. Strategic funding could jumpstart a new generation of translational medicine and control tools.
Researchers found that a dengue virus protein disrupts the protective lining of blood vessels, leading to severe disease symptoms. The underlying mechanism appears to be disruption of glycocalyx components, paving the way for new potential treatments.
A recent study published in PLOS ONE found that fish biomass is up to five times greater in protected zones compared to unprotected areas at northernmost reefs of the Great Barrier Reef. The researchers analyzed data from 31 reefs and found that even in lightly exploited areas, protected zones showed significant benefits for fish popul...
The study reveals that Albertocetus had a large brain size, intermediate between modern cetaceans and terrestrial even-toed hoofed animals. The partial vertebral column indicates that it retained a similar shape and moved similarly to its archaeocete ancestors.
A special issue of PLOS Medicine presents groundbreaking research on HIV prevention, treatment, and cure. Studies reveal improved outcomes with combined interventions aimed at linking patients to care and retention, as well as substantial benefits for people with HIV.
Researchers have developed new software to improve the interpretation of Y-chromosome DNA evidence in court. The tool estimates the number of matching males and their possible relatives, helping courts determine the likelihood of the suspect being identified.
Researchers found that different conditions leading to reduced gastric acid secretion alter the stomach's microbial community, influencing tumor risk. The study suggests that manipulating these bacterial communities may lead to new ways to prevent cancer.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that incorporating citizen science into undergraduate education significantly improves student engagement and knowledge of environmental issues. Students participating in the ClimateWatch program collected data on plant and animal life cycles, contributing valuable phenological records.
A new giraffid species, Decennatherium rex, has been found in Spain, providing insights into the evolution of giraffe ancestors. The fossil, dating back to the late Miocene, features an unusually complete skeleton, shedding light on the evolutionary relationships between sivatheres and samotheres.
A new study shows that young bats adopt a specific 'dialect' spoken by their colonies, even when it differs from their mother tongue. Researchers used playback recordings to expose pups to different vocalizations and found they developed a dialect resembling the one they were exposed to.
Researchers developed a mathematical model of cefixime resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae, estimating that treating up to 25% of cases with cefixime would not lead to resistance re-emerging. The study suggests cefixime may be an effective alternative to current treatments in the fight against antimicrobial-resistant gonorrhea.
A study published in PLOS Medicine found that removing weekend allied health services from hospitals had no significant effect on patients' length of stay or adverse events. In fact, having no services was associated with a 2% reduction in length of stay and a 3% decrease in adverse events.
Multiple sclerosis is believed to be a single disease with varied symptoms due to the same underlying biological mechanism: immune system attack on nerve cells. Computational simulations support this hypothesis by reproducing the variability of disease courses seen in patients.
A nearly complete Jurassic ichthyosaur fossil was discovered in India, measuring over 5.5 meters in length. The fossil is believed to belong to the Ophthalmosauridae family and is thought to have lived between 165-90 million years ago.
Researchers found that oysters rapidly closed their shells at sound frequencies between 10 and 1000 hertz in response to high-acoustic energies. This behavior suggests that oysters may 'hear' tidal cues, triggering appropriate behavior as the tide rises.
Researchers have discovered an Alvarezsaurid dinosaur fossil in Uzbekistan, revealing distinctive characteristics that set it apart from other species. The findings provide evidence for the continent's role in the species' evolutionary history.
A new article in PLOS Biology argues that universities should support the sharing of educational resources to benefit society. The author proposes several ways institutions can counter practices that inhibit open information flow, including awarding faculty prizes for community engagement.
A new deep learning approach has been developed to classify the shapes of red blood cells in a patient's blood, which could help monitor people with sickle cell disease. The system successfully classified red blood cell shape for both oxygenated and deoxygenated cells.
Researchers identified a link between lower levels of defective viral RNA molecules and increased flu severity. The findings suggest that these molecules could serve as a general marker for predicting disease severity in influenza A virus-infected patients.
A new low-cost, easy-to-use, and self-made customizable piece of equipment called the ethoscope has been invented to study flies' behavior. Ethoscopes can automatically record fly movements and even manipulate them, saving researchers time and enabling more efficient studies.
Researchers found that flu pandemics are more likely to emerge in late spring and early summer due to the temporary immune protection provided by seasonal flu. This narrow window for pandemic emergence can help public health agencies detect and respond to new viral threats.
A new study found that CagA, a protein produced by the bacterium Helicobacter pylori, can alter the population of microbes living in the fruit fly gut, leading to disease symptoms. The researchers suggest that manipulating the balance of microbes in the gut may be able to mitigate the harmful effects of infection with H. pylori.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that the total flying insect biomass decreased by more than 75 percent over 27 years in protected areas. Insects play a crucial role in ecosystem functioning, pollinating 80 percent of wild plants and providing a food source for 60 percent of birds.
A study found that mating induces sexual inhibition in female jumping spiders, causing them to reject subsequent male suitors. Females commonly store sperm from their first mating and can use it for the rest of their lives.
A study in rural China found that healthcare providers fail to correctly manage tuberculosis cases, with a high proportion of antibiotics prescribed unrelated to TB treatment. The researchers highlight the need for reforms and improved training to address these gaps in care.
Researchers found a significant association between elevated systolic blood pressure and the development of mitral regurgitation, a condition where the heart valve leaks. The study suggests that controlling blood pressure may be crucial in preventing this common heart valve disorder.
Scientists have developed a new strategy to reengineer patient immune system cells to fight HIV. The approach shows benefit in human cell cultures and mice, with T cells expressing the enhanced CAR protein being over 50 times more effective than those with the original CAR.
The sea cucumber genome provides new insights into its ability to regenerate damaged body parts, including viscera, which can be regrown within weeks. The study identified specific genes that may contribute to this ability, offering potential avenues for regenerative medicine research.
Researchers found that people exposed to more sandfly bites had higher anti-saliva IgG immune responses and a greater risk of developing cutaneous leishmaniasis. This study provides insights into the mechanisms governing resistance or susceptibility to Leishmania parasite transmission.
Researchers studied dive patterns of five toothed whale species in the Bahamas and found that two beaked whale species took exceptionally long, deep dives for their size. This suggests that these whales may extend their foraging dives by shifting from aerobic to anaerobic respiration.
A study found that pumas in developed areas are more active at night, expending 10-11% more energy daily. This increased activity affects their ability to hunt and feed their young, highlighting the importance of conservation strategies in human-dominated landscapes.
A study published in PLOS Medicine found that law enforcement-related deaths in the US are significantly undercounted in official government data. The study used capture-recapture analysis and multilevel logistic regression to estimate the number of such deaths, finding that only 44.9% were documented by state death certificates compar...