Defective viruses in grass genomes form partnerships with other viruses to compensate for functional deficiencies, resulting in concerted evolution of noncoding regulatory sequences. This partnership enables the development and maintenance of relationships over time.
A survey of experts and novices found that cancer scientists overestimated the replicability of high-profile preclinical studies. In reality, none of the six completed studies by the Reproducibility Project: Cancer Biology reproduced the original results. Training might help overcome cognitive biases in interpreting scientific reports.
Mass drug administration campaigns in Cameroon have successfully reduced lymphatic filariasis rates, with only 0.13%, 0.57%, and 0.45% of children infected in three evaluation units. The WHO's elimination strategy is on track, but post-mass drug administration surveillance is necessary to ensure disease transmission does not resume.
A set of guidelines helps create, reference and maintain web-based identifiers to improve reproducibility, attribution, and scientific discovery in life sciences. Persistent identifiers enable the linking and discovery of data, but their robustness and uniqueness are crucial for usefulness.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that a successful smile may contradict the 'more is always better' principle, with a bigger smile showing more teeth being perceived less well. The researchers also discovered that smiles developed symmetrically are rated as more successful.
A study found that hoarding symptoms are heritable and moderately stable between 15-18 years old, suggesting genetic effects play a significant role. The findings could help inform treatments development for young people experiencing hoarding symptoms, preventing potential progression into Hoarding Disorder as adults.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that pups born during warm years had lower antibody levels and were unable to respond to an immune challenge. High sea surface temperatures can lead to prey declines, forcing sea lions to extend foraging trips and eat lower-value prey.
A human enzyme, cyclophilin 40, unravels protein aggregates contributing to Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Experimental expression preserves brain neurons and rescues cognitive deficits in a mouse model.
A study found that training enhances attention in the brain, leading to improved performance in tasks like reading x-rays and excelling in sports. However, after extended training, this initial gain in attention disappears, even though behavioral performance remains improved.
A new study found that cells can adapt to environmental changes more rapidly by accelerating genetic changes around genes that boost fitness. By increasing the number of copies of genes, cells can synthesise more protein product, making processes more efficient.
Researchers identified naturally infected Aedes aegypti mosquitoes with Chikungunya virus genotype ECSA in Brazil. The finding highlights the need for expanded surveillance to prevent new outbreaks and expose other countries at risk.
A new brain network model suggests that understanding brain connections and structure can help predict how brain function changes after injury. The study identified key white matter pathways and lesions responsible for network disruptions, which could lead to more accurate treatment plans and therapeutic targets.
Researchers identified a novel molecular pathway involving p300, C/EBPα, and microRNA-203 that helps maintain normal skin cell proliferation. HPV8's E6 protein disrupts this pathway in EV patients, potentially paving the way for skin cancer.
Researchers found that simulated honeybees with removed mushroom body circuits performed well in odor learning tasks, using a simple neural circuit previously associated with instinctive behaviors. This suggests that even the simplest nervous systems can exhibit remarkable plasticity and adaptability.
A genetic study suggests that human genes for coronary artery disease contribute to greater numbers of children, providing an evolutionary trade-off between early-life reproductive benefits and later-life disease costs. The study uses genome-wide scans and lifetime reproductive data to identify genetic variation linked to the disease.
A study analyzing self-reported data from over 53,000 respondents found that sleep chronotypes vary widely, peaking in lateness during adolescence. Chronotypes can differ up to 10 hours between individuals, suggesting tailored work schedules could minimize health risks.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that adults rely more on top-down processing when viewing Van Gogh's paintings, focusing on less noticeable features after hearing descriptions. In contrast, children initially focus on standout features before being influenced by prior knowledge, making their attention shift to more subtle details.
Researchers found that minimally invasive autopsy (MIA) can accurately identify cause of death in newborns and children in Mozambique. MIA showed substantial agreement with complete diagnostic autopsy (CDA) for categorization of disease, with the majority of neonatal deaths due to infectious diseases.
Researchers found that mucosa-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells can mount a rapid and robust inflammatory response to bacterial superantigens, contributing to severe organ damage or death. The overzealous response leads to exhaustion of MAIT cells, resulting in immunosuppression and increased susceptibility to secondary infections.
A team of scientists has identified genetic mutations that could potentially allow the bird flu strain H7N9 to spread between humans. The researchers found that certain mutations in a key protein could enable the virus to latch onto human cells, sparking concerns about a potential pandemic.
A new genetic technique developed by Upeksha Rathnapala and colleagues at the University of Melbourne could enhance research into potential drug targets for malaria treatment. By using a novel approach involving fluorescent markers, scientists can identify metabolic processes essential for Plasmodium development in host animals.
A new study reveals that nearly all Indonesian children in urban areas are infected with the dengue virus by childhood. The researchers found that 69.4% of children tested positive for dengue antibodies, with infection rates increasing from 33.8% of 1-4 year olds to 89.0% of 15-18 year olds.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that older female elk adjust their behavior to avoid hunters, reducing movement rates and using safer terrain when near roads. This suggests that learning plays a role in shaping their avoidance of hunters.
Researchers identify new Aleodon species in Brazil, previously thought to be Chiniquodontids. The discovery strengthens the correlation between probainognathians from South America and Africa.
A study published in PLOS Medicine found that funding from the US President's Malaria Initiative (PMI) in sub-Saharan African countries was associated with a significant reduction in under-five child mortality. The analysis, which controlled for other factors, showed an average risk reduction of 16% in PMI-funded countries.
A recent study published in PLOS Medicine suggests that genetic variants associated with higher body mass index (BMI) are linked to lower risk of Parkinson disease. The researchers used a Mendelian randomization approach to examine the relationship between BMI and Parkinson disease, and found an 18% lower risk of Parkinson disease amon...
A group of scientists found that parasitic nematode species can thrive without sex by using large, duplicated genomes. These genomes provide a reservoir for adaptation to different environments and plant hosts, giving the nematodes an evolutionary advantage over their sexual relatives.
A new software tool called Mendel,MD can help doctors analyze patients' genetic data to diagnose diseases caused by mutations. Developed for easy use by physicians, the tool is freely available and has been validated using clinical cases and tests at multiple research centers.
A new study found that sanitation access is crucial for children's growth and health, with households having access to toilets or latrines seeing improved stunting, anemia, and diarrhea rates. Increasing community-level sanitation access can also have a significant impact on child health.
A new tool called Wide-Open identifies overdue scientific datasets and encourages their public release. The system uses text mining to detect dataset references in published articles and enforces open data policies.
A study found that most female Steller sea lions breed at the rookery where they were born, with fewer than 3% switching locations. When they did move, they preferred nearby rookeries with higher population densities.
Researchers tracked lesser kestrels with GPS and accelerometers, finding that birds adjust flight and hunting strategies in response to solar radiation, wind speed, and air temperature. Energy expenditure per foraging trip remained constant, suggesting kestrels have a fixed energy budget.
A national fruit and vegetable subsidy is estimated to avert 150,500 CVD deaths, while a mass media campaign might reduce deaths by 25,800. A tax on sugar sweetened beverages could avert 31,000 CVD deaths, with a combination of these policies potentially saving around 230,000 lives
A study published in PLOS Biology found that duration, biomechanics, and force influence the subjective effort associated with arm movements, while movement amplitudes have no effect. The researchers also discovered a link between brain functions involved in decision-making and movement execution.
A new study published in PLOS Computational Biology suggests that targeting vaccination efforts at children and the elderly during flu season can have the greatest overall benefit, saving lives and money. The researchers developed a synthetic population model to capture indirect effects of vaccination on community transmission.
Research suggests that anesthesia may work by decreasing available information within brain areas, rather than disrupting connection between them
Researchers found that Mycobacterium tuberculosis inhibits a key signaling pathway in human white blood cells, leading to increased production of MMP-1, which destroys lung tissue. The study suggests that this mechanism may drive disease progression and increase infectiousness.
Research reveals that adults with lymphatic filariasis in Nigeria are four times more likely to experience depression than other adults in the country. The study found that patients with low self-esteem and unemployment were more prone to depression, highlighting the need for holistic management of the condition.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that migratory Nathusius and Soprano bats are attracted to artificial green light, which could disrupt their flight paths. The researchers exposed bats to brief periods of green light at a wavelength of 520nm, recording increased calling activity near the light source.
A study found that social closeness, rather than physical proximity, determines if a bystander consoles a victim. Human adults were more likely to console victims based on gender and the threat level of the situation. These findings suggest that humans may be motivated to console their peers out of empathy, similar to chimpanzees.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that budgerigars can perceive the difference between 'd' and 't' sounds without prior experience with human speech. The birds' perception of speech sounds depends on trading cues, such as voice onset time and formant frequencies.
A large-scale study found that older mothers are at a higher risk of severe morbidity and mortality during childbirth. Maternal age was associated with increased rates of obstetric shock, amniotic fluid embolism, renal failure, and intensive care unit admissions.
Researchers found that mosquitoes infected with Wolbachia spread at about 100-200 meters per year in large release sites but had limited impact in smaller areas after two years. This suggests strategic releases can transform urban mosquito populations and virus transmission in cities.
Researchers found associations between Native American ancestry and various causes of death in Latin Americans. Mapuche ancestry was linked to gallbladder cancer and asthma, while Aymara ancestry was associated with increased risk of certain cancers.
A viral protein in the chickenpox virus enhances its ability to hijack white blood cells and spread throughout the body. The protein interacts with chemokines to attract more white blood cells to the site of infection, allowing the virus to spread to other parts of the body.
Researchers found distinct genetic variations in mountain and savannah honey bees that help them adapt to high altitudes. The study reveals a shared evolutionary history between the two sub-species.
A new computational model reveals how mechanical forces from blood flow influence white blood cell migration into the artery wall, and suggests that neutrophils are primary cell types in plaque at two timepoints during atherosclerosis. The model provides insights into plaque growth and could inform clinicians in choosing treatment plans.
Podoconiosis is preventable by wearing shoes in areas with red clay minerals, yet many Ethiopian children have misconceptions about the disease and its prevention. Research found that children believed barefoot exposure to dew or pond water was a risk factor, despite knowing symptoms and benefits of proper footwear.
The study found that Middle Stone Age humans in the Porc-Epic cave likely acquired and processed the same types of ochre over a 4,500-year period. The analysis revealed a gradual shift from grinding to flaking and scraping techniques, suggesting cultural drift within the practice.
A study found that grizzly bears in Canadian national parks use railways as a food source, likely attracted by spilled grain and vegetation. The researchers recommend reducing grain spills and mitigating foraging areas to minimize the risk of train collisions.