PLOS Biology joins forces with MetaROR to enhance the peer-review process, utilizing pre-existing reviewer reports to streamline publication practices. This collaboration aims to promote open science and accelerate meaningful change in research publishing.
The interactive one-person play 'Every Brilliant Thing' has been shown to reduce suicide-associated stigma among university students who attended the performance, even up to 30 days later. The study found a significant decrease in stigma following the intervention.
A survey of 2,592 Hong Kong children and adolescents found a strong association between binge gaming and mental health issues. Boys were more likely than girls to report binge gaming habits, which was linked to depression, anxiety, and poor sleep.
Researchers have developed a 'tap-and-go' approach using specially adapted drones to apply monitoring tags to whales. This innovative method significantly speeds up the process while minimizing human interaction with the animals.
A new study analyzing over 13 million electronic health records found that clinicians are more likely to doubt the sincerity or competence of Black patients. This bias may contribute to ongoing disparities in healthcare and be addressed through medical training and AI-powered language tools.
Parents and men in particular may be susceptible to infidelity-related risk factors during high-stress life events. A new study reveals that parents reported a higher desire for and engagement in infidelity during the COVID-19 pandemic, with similar patterns observed across genders.
A study investigated approach/avoidance tendencies in male AUD patients through a gait initiation task, using posturography. The findings suggest that analyzing micromovements and reaction times may help predict if individuals will relapse following treatment.
Monarch butterflies utilize magnetic fields for migratory directionality, with orientation recalibrated by cold temperatures. Experimental study suggests this ability may be disrupted under climate change, threatening their migration patterns.
A Korean survey of over 50,000 middle and high school students found that adolescent girls with weight concerns are at higher risk for depression and suicidality. The study highlights the importance of addressing body image issues in young females to prevent mental health problems.
Researchers analyzed ocean sediments from Baffin Bay and found geochemical clues consistent with a comet impact triggering the Younger Dryas cooling event. The study detected metallic debris and nanoparticles with high levels of platinum, suggesting extraterrestrial origin.
A recent survey of 178 dogs in 10 states found that two-thirds consume higher-than-recommended levels of heavy metals in their drinking water. The study highlights the need for further research on the long-term health effects of these exposures, particularly in rural areas where private wells are common.
Researchers found that cockatoos display a wide repertoire of dance moves, with at least 10 out of 21 species exhibiting this behavior. The study reveals that dancing may have originated as courtship behavior redirected towards owners, and playing music to parrots could improve their welfare.
A new analysis of data on scientists with exceptional early-career success identified common characteristics, including affiliation with institutions in less developed countries and work in specific fields. These findings could aid efforts to distinguish stellar talent from problematic behaviors.
A new study found that kids of obese parents are more likely to have obesity due to inheriting related genes. The study suggests that a mother's BMI may be particularly important in determining a child's weight, both through direct genetic inheritance and indirect nurture effects.
Researchers observed 22 wild chimpanzees and found that their communication style was similar to that of their mother and maternal relatives, but not their father and paternal relatives. This suggests that chimpanzees may learn their communication behavior through social interaction with their mothers.
A new study has found a strong correlation between the sentiment of Instagram images and user sentiments on social media, particularly for anti-war images. The research suggests that social media images can significantly influence public opinion on sociopolitical events, with notable effects observed in comments from users.
An international survey of over 300 adults suggests that males born in summer are potentially more prone to depression. Female study participants did not show a similar association with depression.
A study published in PLOS found that urban exposure significantly increases the risk of obesity among middle and old-age migrants in India. The longer they stay in cities, the greater the risk of obesity.
Long-term heat exposure negatively impacts students' cumulative learning, with complex tasks more affected than simpler ones. Lower socioeconomic groups face disproportionately greater impacts, underlining critical inequalities.
Researchers found surprisingly high concentrations of small-diameter microplastics in air samples from their homes and cars, estimating adults inhale 68,000 particles per day. The study suggests health risks due to inhalation of lung-penetrating microplastics may be higher than previously thought.
A scoping review of 66 studies suggests distinct physiological underpinnings for different dimensions of psychopathy and its impact on facial emotion recognition. Oxytocin is proposed to play a role in modulating this skill.
A study of nearly 5 million Chinese women found that those with low blood sugar levels prior to conception had a higher risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes, including preterm birth and low birth weight. The study also showed varying risks associated with different body mass indices.
Despite improvements in childhood immunization coverage, many African countries are unlikely to meet global targets by 2030. The study found that socioeconomic inequalities persist in coverage, with significant gaps between wealth quintiles.
Researchers used AI tools to analyze posts from 54 Reddit communities, finding similarities in speech patterns between hate speech groups and communities for certain psychiatric disorders. The study suggests that exposing oneself to hate speech online may lead to decreased empathy and traits similar to Cluster B personality disorders.
A study found that SARS-CoV-2 infection caused different long-term consequences in lean and obese macaques, with obesity increasing risks like persistent lung damage. Lean animals also experienced signs of metabolic disruption, suggesting long COVID may be more common than reported.
A study examining Italian medical academia over the last decade reveals a persistent 'leaky pipeline' of women not advancing to senior roles. The research highlights significant gender disparities in academia, affecting women's career prospects and opportunities.
A recent study of a Czech dating app analyzed heterosexual users and found that men pursue more desirable women, while mutual matches occur between those with similar desirability levels. This pattern is largely due to rejection by less desirable counterparts rather than an initial preference for similarity.
A recent study published in PLOS One found that European peatlands require warm temperatures and a specific water table depth to accumulate plant matter and store carbon. The study suggests that maintaining a water table around 10 centimeters below the surface is key to allowing peat to grow quickly and store carbon over the long term.
A recent study found that adolescents using e-cigarettes or conventional tobacco products report higher symptoms of depression and anxiety compared to non-users. The study analyzed data from the U.S. National Youth Tobacco Survey on over 60,000 middle and high school students.
Researchers found that Magellanic penguins alternate between traveling in direct routes and swimming with the flow of strong currents to maximize navigation efficiency. By doing so, they conserve energy while maintaining accurate headings towards their colonies.
A study analyzed the campaign by Partnership for America's Health Care Future, a private health industry lobby group, and found it used similar marketing strategies as unhealthy commodity industries to manufacture doubt about universal healthcare policies. The campaign received millions of views on Meta platforms and targeted specific ...
A study found that stimulant use is on the rise, coinciding with an increase in opioid-related deaths. 82% of opioid users also use stimulants, posing a significant public health concern.
Increasing regular walking pace by 14 steps per minute in older adults led to clinically significant improvements in aerobic capacity and walking endurance. This study highlights the importance of activity intensity on functional capacity in prefrail and frail older adults.
Research suggests that linear amplification can improve vocal emotion recognition in individuals with mild-to-moderate sensorineural hearing loss. The study found that amplification across all sound levels can enhance the ability to recognize emotions in voices, particularly in middle-aged and older adults.
Research published in PLOS Mental Health found that food insecurity causes rapidly emerging negative effects on mental health, with deteriorations occurring when food security worsened and improvements when it improved. The study suggests that eliminating periodic food insecurity could reduce the number of people with clinically concer...
The elimination of federal and state tools to monitor and forecast climate disasters imperils public health efforts. Climate data is crucial for preparing and responding to heatwaves, wildfires, floods, and hurricanes, particularly affecting vulnerable populations.
A new study reveals how political conditions in ultra-wealthy elites' home countries influence their offshore finance strategies. Elites from countries with high corruption and unfair law application used blacklisted financial centers, while those from risk of government confiscation employed identity-concealing strategies.
A new study suggests that people's perceptions of others' tears are influenced by contextual factors, including the gender and warmth of the crier. Tears are perceived as more honest in non-manipulative situations and by individuals who are less expected to cry, such as men or those with lower warmth ratings.
A new study found that climate anxiety in the US is associated with being younger, female, and feeling personally affected by climate change. Climate anxiety was also linked to increased media exposure, discussion frequency, and engagement in environmental behaviors.
A study published in PLOS Biology found that long-term musical training can mitigate age-related declines in speech perception by promoting a more youthful pattern of brain activity. This suggests that musical training may build cognitive reserve, helping older adults maintain optimal cognitive performance.
A new study predicts up to 34,027 yearly UK heat-related deaths in the 2070s, a 50-fold increase from recent baseline rates. Climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies could significantly limit this rise, but even under best-case scenarios, heat-related mortality is projected to rise six-fold by 2070.
Researchers developed a soft electroactive polymer eel-like robot that can explore underwater environments with minimal impact on wildlife and fragile structures. The robot uses dielectric elastomer material, enabling it to swim efficiently without causing harm to the environment.
A new study found that 4 in 5 adults in the US report some level of loneliness, strongly correlated with poor mental health days and physical health days. Women and Black individuals experienced higher rates of depression and poor mental health days than men and White individuals, respectively.
Located in the western Mediterranean Sea, the Caprera Canyon is home to a high concentration of cetacean species. The canyon's unique geography supports a diverse array of marine life, including whales and dolphins.
Four new species of dragon pseudoscorpions have been discovered in caves of South Korea, characterized by their unique dragon-like jaws. These blind creatures were identified through integrative taxonomy, providing insight into the biodiversity of cave-dwelling animals.
Half of Brazil's high-potential areas for discovering new angiosperm species are located within protected indigenous lands. The study highlights the need for conservation priorities in these areas.
A new study found that seafloor fish communities are maintaining their uniqueness despite widespread human impacts, with some regions showing increased diversity. The research suggests that conservation efforts should be tailored to each region to be effective.
Researchers analyzed four complete donkey skeletons and remains to discover that Egyptian donkeys were incorporated into ritual burials during the Early Bronze Age in present-day Israel. Local donkeys were also part of the diet, according to the study published in PLOS One.
A recent analysis of 16 years of data on Japanese adults reveals a strong association between socioeconomic status and the incidence of five common cancers. Communities with low employment rates or low incomes show higher cancer rates compared to those with higher socioeconomic status.
A study published in PLOS Global Public Health explores Somali women's perspectives on FGM/C and efforts to support its abandonment. The research found that many participants supported the abandonment of 'pharaonic' FGM/C due to its harms, but some continued to support 'gudniinka sunnah', citing cultural and religious reasons.