A new study published in PLOS Biology has discovered a way to assess future literacy challenges in children. The research centers on the child's ability to decipher speech in a chaotic, noisy environment, and found that preliterate children with brain inefficiencies are more likely to struggle with reading and language development.
The article highlights Stanley Perlman's career journey from studying mouse viruses to researching human coronaviruses like SARS and MERS. His work demonstrates the importance of basic research in understanding virus interactions with the immune system, which can inform strategies for preventing or treating diseases.
Researchers found that blocking a specific pathway involving cannabinoid and serotonin receptors can reduce detrimental cognitive effects while preserving pain relief. The breakthrough aims to create safe cannabis-based therapies without memory impairment or other adverse effects.
Researchers characterize immune proteins that recognize and eliminate virus, providing insight into developing a potent Nab response against different HIV subtypes. Studies examine the efficacy of Nabs in blocking direct cell-to-cell transmission of HIV, highlighting the importance of controlling virus replication via this pathway.
Researchers Ache and Dürr develop a computational model of a descending mechanosensory pathway involved in active tactile sensing, capturing key properties of diverse neurons. The model is validated against real neuron coding properties and provides a common framework for modeling diverse neuron types.
A new species, Wendiceratops pinhornensis, discovered in Alberta, Canada, reveals hook-like horns and a prominent nasal horn, shedding light on nose horn evolution in the Triceratops family. The findings add to growing research suggesting high diversity of ceratopsids associated with rapid evolutionary radiation.
A study published in PLOS Medicine found that poor sanitation practices, such as open defecation, were associated with increased risks of adverse pregnancy outcomes among women in rural India. Nearly two-thirds of the women studied practiced open defecation, and a quarter experienced preterm birth or low birth weight.
Scientists develop synthetic prions to study prion disease, demonstrating similarity with natural disease-causing prions. The researchers also explore the transmission capabilities of human prion mutations in mice, revealing the importance of expressing mutant human PrP for infection.
A newly discovered, 48-million-year-old fossil of the 'Jesus lizard,' Babibasiliscus alxi, has been found in Wyoming. The ancient reptile may have thrived in a once-tropical habitat and provides valuable insight into how climate change affects tropical species.
Saber-toothed cat canines took years to grow and fully emerged later in life compared to living relatives. Researchers used a novel technique to calculate the eruption rates of their teeth.
A systematic review of 65 studies in 34 countries identifies 7 areas of mistreatment and abuse during childbirth, including physical, sexual, and verbal abuse. The authors call for improved access to privacy, resources, and trained staff to reduce morbidity and mortality.
An innovative imaging study shows that the spinal cord learns complex motor tasks on its own, independent of the brain. This discovery may offer new opportunities for rehabilitation after spinal cord injury.
Researchers discovered that chestnut-crowned babbler birds can rearrange meaningless sounds to create new meanings, similar to human language formation. This finding suggests a potential early step in the evolution of complex language systems.
Researchers developed a computational model to predict pressure ulcer formation in individuals with spinal cord injuries. The model demonstrated that early anti-inflammatory measures were crucial in preventing ulcers.
A new study suggests that restricting specific antibiotics could lead to an increased frequency of multi-drug resistance. The study found that using restricted antibiotics can facilitate the spread of resistant pathogens, despite potential short-term benefits in treatment effectiveness.
Kasturi Haldar and Grant McFadden emphasize the importance of basic research in their articles on PLOS Pathogens. They share their personal experiences and highlight how fundamental research can lead to breakthroughs in fields like malaria, cancer, and inflammatory diseases.
Researchers developed targeted nanoparticles that deliver existing drugs directly into parasite cells, reducing the curative dose by 100-fold and circumventing drug resistance. This high-tech approach has the potential to reverse resistance to many first-line treatments for infectious diseases.
Rapidly turning lovebirds execute extremely fast head turns when their wings cover their eyes, shortening blurry phases and maintaining stable vision. This super-fast behavior allows them to make split-second decisions during maneuvers.
Researchers have identified a new species of Yeti Crab, Kiwa tyleri, found in the Antarctic region surrounding hydrothermal vent systems. This unique crab thrives in extreme environments with temperatures and densities that are challenging for other marine life.
A study found that household contacts of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDRTB) patients were 44% less likely to contract tuberculosis than those of drug-susceptible cases. The researchers suggest this may be due to a lower relative fitness of MDRTB strains.
A new study using disease-transmission models shows that silent transmission of poliovirus could continue for more than three years with no reported cases. To ensure eradication, aggressive surveillance and vaccination campaigns must continue in endemic countries after the last reported case.
A recent study published in PLOS Computational Biology suggests that new motor skills memories formed during a single practice session are intrinsically unstable, contrary to previous theories. This finding has implications for our understanding of how motor skills memories are stabilized over time.
A study found that influenza viruses use both airline and commuter road travel to distribute across the continental US. The commuter network was more often associated with genetic distance than other measures of spatial or network distance for the H1N1 subtype.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that climate change may affect tourism at US national parks, with potential increases in visitation in temperate areas and decreases in high-latitude and high-elevation parks. The authors suggest that protected areas can adapt to these changes to minimize detriment.
A study found that highly specialized coronulid barnacles exclusively attach to the fins of dolphins, particularly along the trailing edge facing away from water flow. The barnacles select suitable areas on the fins to filter nutrients and protect developing larvae.
A study found that genetic variants predicting higher systolic blood pressure are associated with lower Alzheimer's risk and increased use of antihypertensive medication. The study suggests that either high blood pressure or antihypertensive therapy may play a protective role against Alzheimer's disease development.
A study found that dendritic cells in elite HIV controllers can detect early signs of HIV infection and trigger a powerful immune response. This ability helps to control the virus, suggesting new avenues for preventative or therapeutic interventions.
A study published in PLOS Computational Biology reveals that woodlice can calm their excited neighbors through a process of behavioral contagion, leading to greater group cohesion. This phenomenon is observed when calm individuals reduce the excitation of their neighbors, causing them to become calm as well.
Researchers found that EBV-infected B cells evade immune system using the viral protein LMP2A. The protein interferes with recognition by CD8+ T cells, allowing infected cells to escape detection and elimination.
A study found that chimpanzees produce the same facial expressions when laugh sounds are present or absent, suggesting flexibility in their expression. The study also showed that facial expressions and vocalizations are used differently during social play.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that participants estimated the length of a round-trip walk as shorter than the outward trip, even when the times were equal. This phenomenon, known as the return trip effect, may be related to our perception of time and awareness of the destination.
A new study finds that climate change will lead to overall declines in plant growing days by 2100 due to warming, drought, and limited solar radiation. The study reveals that tropical regions will face significant reductions in suitable climates for plant growth, with some areas facing up to a 200-day reduction per year.
A cluster randomized controlled trial in Ethiopian children found that promoting handwashing with soap significantly reduces intestinal parasite re-infection rates, with a 14% re-infection rate compared to 29% in non-handwashing groups. Additionally, weekly nail clipping interventions also showed efficacy, particularly when combined wi...
A new study published in PLOS Pathogens reveals that malaria parasites growing in different host cells can develop resistance to antimalarial drugs. Researchers found that the metabolic state of red blood cells provides a unique environment for Plasmodium parasites, allowing them to scavenge essential resources and evade drug targeting.
Researchers developed an algorithm to predict planarian regeneration outcomes and identified a simple regulatory network. This breakthrough applies artificial intelligence to understand complex biological processes.
A recent study found that post-menopausal hormone therapy did not improve cognitive function, but may have benefits for certain mood symptoms. The trial included 693 recently postmenopausal women and followed them for four years, with some women experiencing improvements in mood symptoms.
Researchers have identified a genetic association between elevated triglyceride levels and decreased type 2 diabetes incidence. Triglyceride-increasing alleles were found to be associated with lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes, suggesting that these genetic variants may play a role in protecting against the disease.
Researchers discovered a specific immune cell type that reduces inflammation and protects against liver damage. The Ly6C-negative monocyte subset dampens the immune response and induces anti-inflammatory genes in nearby cells.
Studies reveal differences in statistical regularities between dark and bright components of the natural world, with implications for understanding cortical networks and perceptual asymmetries. The findings suggest that the brain exploits these patterns to better navigate its surroundings.
A study published in PLOS Computational Biology found that sleep strengthens and weakens synapses, leading to memory erasure or new memories. The results provide an empirical framework for understanding the complex role of sleep in learning and memory.
Scientists have identified a gene variant in wild chimpanzees that encodes an HIV-fighting protein, suggesting that hominids have been fighting off HIV-like viruses for at least five million years. The discovery could yield insights into biological and pharmaceutical applications to enhance HIV-infected people's survival.
Cancer patients often experience significant alteration of their sense of taste during chemotherapy or radiation treatment, leading to malnutrition and weight loss. The study's findings suggest that activating a protein in the Wnt pathway may renew taste buds after chemotherapy.
A nearly complete skull from the Sima de los Huesos cave site in northern Spain shows two penetrating lesions that may indicate an act of lethal interpersonal aggression around 430,000 years ago. The injuries are unlikely to be caused by a fall and suggest early evidence of funerary behavior.
A study in PLOS Medicine predicts that vaccinating Thai children with seasonal flu vaccine will reduce approximately 3,000 deaths annually. The policy is considered cost-effective according to WHO criteria.
Higher adherence to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans was associated with a 14-23% lower mortality rate from cardiovascular disease, cancer, and other diseases in a low-income population in the southeastern US. Participants with the healthiest diet had only about 80% of the risk of death compared to those with the least healthy diet.
Researchers found that a viral co-infection with Epstein-Barr virus can suppress the immune response to malaria in mice, leading to severe anemia. The study suggests that similar effects may occur in humans, particularly young children living in malaria-endemic areas.
Researchers found that male Java sparrows synchronize their bill-clicking sounds with the melody of their song, similar to human percussionists. This behavior suggests that birds may have an innate ability to produce and coordinate non-vocal sounds with vocalizations.
The discovery of a 16.7-inch-long, 8.7-inch-wide theropod dinosaur femur from the Late Cretaceous period is the first dinosaur fossil found in Washington State. The fossil is approximately 80 million years old and provides insight into the West Coast's dinosaur record.
A study of over 56,000 people born in Britain from 1946 to 2001 found that most of the rise in BMI has been due to increases at the upper end of the distribution, with childhood obesity more prevalent among younger generations. The age at which adults enter the overweight range decreased over time.
A new study suggests that widespread diabetes screening in India using current methods could lead to massive waste of resources and unnecessary testing. The researchers estimate that only between 26 million and 37 million out of 567 million eligible individuals would meet the international diagnostic criteria for diabetes.