A large controlled trial found that teaching genetics first significantly improved students' test scores on evolution, especially for foundation classes. The study suggests that priming students with genetics information before teaching evolution can lead to better understanding of this complex concept.
Scientists developed an automated approach to track neurons in the brain of freely crawling worms, enabling researchers to correlate neural activity with specific movements and behaviors. The new algorithm, dubbed Neuron Registration Vector Encoding, improves upon previous methods by assigning a unique identity to each neuron it detects.
A new study published in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases found that Chagas disease significantly increases the risk of death, especially among those with cardiac complications. The study suggests that deaths from Chagas have been under-reported due to misdiagnosis and highlights the need for further research into new therapeutic options.
A novel signaling system in S. pneumoniae strains may control gene expression and virulence in co-colonizing strains, according to a study published in PLOS Pathogens.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that Myanmar's intact forest cover declined by 11% between 2002 and 2014, with a significant loss of 2 million hectares. The researchers suggest prioritizing protection of intact forests and exploring alternative sustainable forest management practices.
Researchers identified brain scans, genetic tests, and CSF analysis as predictive biomarkers for Parkinson's disease-related cognitive decline. Biomarkers associated with dopamine deficiency, beta-amyloid protein, and single nucleotide polymorphisms were found to correlate with cognitive impairment in newly diagnosed patients.
Natural and artificial beaver dams can alter stream temperatures to benefit temperature-sensitive salmonid species. Beaver dams increase surface water storage, reducing high temperatures in streams.
A new study found that responders to the West African Ebola epidemic showed little evidence of infection, with 99% showing no signs. Despite reported near-miss exposures and symptoms, many respondents were not tested for Ebola virus at the time, highlighting the need for standardized protocols.
A human protein called valosin containing protein (VCP) is crucial for human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) replication. Reducing VCP expression in infected cells significantly reduced viral replication.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that mothers with early HIV infection and high CD4+ counts who continued antiretroviral therapy (ART) after delivery experienced fewer adverse outcomes. However, challenges with long-term ART adherence were observed.
A study published in PLOS ONE suggests that changes in tectonic activity may have driven a transition from water-bearing to dry, hot magmas over time. The researchers found differences in the physical structure and chemical composition of volcanic rocks along the Panama Canal.
A retrospective household survey found that nearly 3,100 Yazidis were killed, mostly by execution, and 6,800 kidnapped during the ISIS siege on Mount Sinjar. Children accounted for nearly all those who died and were disproportionately affected in captivity.
A recent study published in PLOS Medicine found that genetic alterations associated with lower vitamin D levels do not predispose individuals to asthma, atopic dermatitis, or high IgE levels. The researchers looked at data from over 100,000 individuals and found no statistically significant difference between rates of these conditions.
A new study found that a TB vaccine candidate is safe and effective in adolescents infected with Schistosoma mansoni, a parasitic worm. No serious adverse events were recorded during the trial.
A study suggests that the onset pattern of an epileptic seizure may be determined by characteristics of the surrounding 'healthy' brain tissue, not just the site where the seizure originates. The high amplitude slow pattern is associated with higher excitability in surrounding healthy tissue.
Researchers estimate Zika's economic burden in the US, ranging from $183 million to over $1.2 billion depending on infection rates. The virus can lead to serious health issues like Guillain-Barré Syndrome and birth defects.
The study reveals that a single antibody can block an envelope protein's function, enabling the scientists to mathematically model the amount of antibodies needed to neutralize HIV-1. The findings could aid research into nAb-based vaccines and treatments, which have proven complex to develop.
Researchers analyzed high-speed endoscopic videos of vibrating vocal folds and audio recordings to study register changes in professional sopranos. They found distinct vocal fold vibratory patterns, including abrupt transitions and temporary loss of contact, which correlate with audible register breaks.
In a study published in PLOS ONE, researchers found that female Drosophila buzzatii fruit flies use courtship songs to pick mates of their own species. The study suggests that this preference may have driven speciation in the cluster. Female preferences for specific songs varied among individuals.
Research found that meerkat calls vary with factors such as sex and social status, providing cues about the producer. Call rates were higher in dominant females and one-year-old males during foraging, but not linked to stress hormones.
Early findings from PopART, a clinical trial evaluating universal HIV testing and treatment, show increases in HIV awareness and ART coverage. However, challenges persist in reaching men and younger adults with HIV, highlighting the need for optimized resource allocation to accelerate progress against the global HIV epidemic.
Researchers found that a harmful bacterium in the lungs of cystic fibrosis patients produces substances that enhance the growth of other bacteria, known as streptococci, which can inhibit the harmful bacterium's biofilm. Streptococci adhesins play a crucial role in this process.
A study of 27 Tibetan genomes found variants of five genes that help Tibetans survive at high altitudes. The genes are related to oxygen levels, vitamin D metabolism, and other physiological responses to extreme conditions.
A new study reveals that variability in shared resources available to microbes in the human body explains significant person-to-person differences in microbial species abundance. The research also found that closely related species tend to share common resources and are more abundant in certain body sites.
Researchers developed a personalized algorithm that predicts the impact of specific foods on an individual's blood sugar levels. The algorithm has been integrated into an app, Glucoracle, allowing individuals with type 2 diabetes to make better nutritional choices.
A study found that physical activity can reduce the weight-gaining effects of the strongest known genetic risk factor for obesity, the FTO gene. Accounting for physical activity also identified 11 novel genetic variants linked to obesity.
A blood test can predict which children are at risk of developing dengue shock syndrome, a life-threatening complication. Daily platelet counts and changes in platelet levels over time help identify patients who are most likely to develop the condition.
Researchers discovered bifacial, serrated points with pressure flaking technique and hafting on projected weapons. The findings suggest early use of projectile technology in southern Africa during the Middle Stone Age.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that shortening standard consent documents did not affect comprehension, but early delivery and in-person explanations improved it. Concise forms showed promise in streamlining ethics committee reviews, but further testing is needed.
A study found low gene flow between Bengal tiger populations in western Himalayan foothills, highlighting the need for conservation strategies. Relocating villages and industries, reducing human dependency, and banning mining can help maintain genetic variation and spread beneficial genes.
Researchers have discovered how individual neurons coordinate to anticipate events in the brain's auditory cortex. This process is impaired in neurological and psychiatric disorders such as dyslexia and ADHD. By understanding these mechanisms, scientists hope to develop new models for studying predictive signals in the brain.
A study published in PLOS Biology reveals that gut bacteria control food preferences in fruit flies by inducing metabolic changes that mimic protein satiety. The research identifies two bacterial species responsible for altering appetite behavior, shedding light on the complex interaction between diet and microbes.
Research finds elevated immune activation during treatment is not driven by low HIV levels in the blood. Pre-treatment immune events may contribute to continued activation despite antiretroviral success.
Researchers like Dr. Julie Pfeiffer are studying poliovirus, a highly infectious childhood disease now close to global eradication, to gain insights into other viruses like Ebola, Zika, and influenza. This basic research can lead to new treatments and vaccines for these viruses.
Researchers developed a new virtual drug screening platform to predict interactions with TNF and RANKL proteins. Two promising molecules, T23 and T8, were identified as strong TNF inhibitors with low potential for side effects.
The journal's 10th Anniversary Collection highlights the progress made in controlling or eliminating NTDs, with a focus on disease elimination. Despite mixed success stories, researchers remain optimistic about achieving breakthroughs for at least five NTDs within a few years.
Scientists have discovered thousands of rare genetic mutations contributing to cancer growth, focusing on shared protein domains. These findings could guide the development of treatments targeting multiple mutated proteins simultaneously.
A new type of footprint made by 247-million-year-old reptiles has been discovered in the Pyrenees. The discovery suggests that archosauromorphs played a large role in vertebrate recovery following the Permian mass extinction.
A new species of extinct carnivorous mammal, Masrasector nananubis, was identified in Egyptian fossils dating back 34 million years. The hyaenodont was a teratodontine with largely complete skulls and limb bones.
A study in Berkeley, California found that a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages reduced sales of these drinks by 9.6% while increasing water consumption by 15.6%. The effects of the tax varied by store type, with larger chains passing through the tax more consistently than independent stores.
Researchers found a link between drinking iced tea and increased risk of cholera in Ben Tre province, Vietnam. Drinking iced tea was associated with an increased risk of contracting the disease, possibly due to Vibrio cholerae bacteria found in ice.
A study published in PLOS Computational Biology found that humans' ability to make random choices peaks around age 25 and declines thereafter. The researchers assessed over 3,400 participants and used online tasks to evaluate their algorithmic randomness.
Researchers found that gonorrhea infects the female reproductive tract by breaking connections between cells that normally form a protective barrier. The study uses tissue samples from human endocervix and reveals how Neisseria gonorrhoeae promotes activation of non-muscle myosin II to induce cell shedding and penetration.
A recent study published in PLOS ONE analyzed 194 native Latin American maize populations, revealing three distinct geographic groups of maize in Mexico and four groups in South America and the Caribbean. The findings suggest that genetic variation in maize populations may reflect human migration patterns and agricultural development.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that melatonin can protect the small intestine of rats from radiotherapy-induced toxicity. Melatonin reduced intestinal cell death and inflammation, facilitating intestinal recovery. This suggests oral treatment with melatonin may help prevent radiotherapy-induced gut toxicity in cancer patients.
A study of 500,000 Chinese adults found that higher fresh fruit consumption was associated with a lower incidence of diabetes and reduced occurrence of complications in people with diabetes. Fresh fruit consumption was linked to an estimated 0.2% reduction in the absolute risk of diabetes over 5 years.
A randomized controlled study found no significant difference in eczema severity for children wearing silk garments compared to their usual clothing. The results suggest that silk garments are unlikely to provide additional clinical or economic benefits over standard care.
A study found that three-spined stickleback fish evolved the same genetic changes in their color-vision gene to adapt to dark and clear water environments. The research demonstrated convergent evolution across vastly different time scales, showing that mechanisms underlying adaptive evolution are predictable.
Researchers explored genetic similarity between spouses from three generations of white people in the Framingham Heart Study. They found that individuals preferred spouses with the same ancestry, but this preference decreased over time, resulting in a more genetically diverse population.
A recent study published in PLOS Pathogens found that lactate produced in the upper throat can initiate the dispersal of Neisseria meningitidis microcolonies, allowing the bacteria to invade the body and cause meningitis. The researchers suggest that high concentrations of lactate serve as a signaling molecule for bacterial dispersal.