Articles tagged with Open Access
Scientists have described two new species of parasitic wasps found at high altitudes in Tibet, revealing their unusual habitat and characteristics. The newly named Microplitis paizhensis and Microplitis bomiensis are part of the microgastrine wasp group known for their parasitism.
Researchers observed bonobos in swamps foraging on aquatic herbs rich in iodine, a critical nutrient for brain development. This finding suggests that prehistoric humans may have obtained iodine from natural sources, potentially explaining their nutritional needs.
A new plant species discovered in Australia exhibits unusual fluidity in its flower form, defying the traditional concept of binary sexuality. The species, Solanum plastisexum, is one of few plants that display a range of sexual forms, including unisexual flowers and bisexual blossoms.
A study found that altering food order and offering substitutes lower in saturated fat can encourage healthier choices when shopping online. Participants who received these interventions chose products with less saturated fat than those with no intervention.
A study of nearly 800,000 NYC schoolchildren found that Black, Hispanic, and Asian students live closer to unhealthy food outlets than White students. The researchers used precise home and school address data to calculate distance to each student's closest food outlet.
Two new species of narrowly distributed moths, Arctesthes titanica and Arctesthes avatar, have been discovered in New Zealand. The moths are named after mythological deities from Greek and Hindu mythology, respectively, highlighting their unique connection to James Cameron's films.
A recent study published in Environmental Health found that the US uses voluntary mechanisms for pesticide cancellations, leading to a delayed ban on harmful pesticides compared to the EU, Brazil, and China. The study identified nearly all pesticide cancellations in the US as being done voluntarily by the industry.
Researchers developed an automated cough analysis technology integrated in a smartphone app, achieving high accuracy (81-97%) in diagnosing asthma, croup, pneumonia, and other respiratory diseases. The tool may enable targeted treatments to begin sooner by removing the need for clinical examinations.
The ESMERALDA project has generated research insights and practical solutions on ecosystem service mapping and assessment. The open science collection shares tested methods, collected datasets, and case study experience directly applicable to practical situations.
A study of 1,726 US adults found that dating app users are more likely to engage in unhealthy weight control behaviors such as vomiting, laxative use, or diet pill use. The authors warn that the image- and appearance-focused nature of dating apps could exacerbate these behaviors.
A new rat snake species, Elaphe urartica, has been identified in eastern Turkey and its range includes Turkey, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Iraq, Iran, and Russia. The discovery sheds light on the biogeography of the Blotched Rat Snake and fills an important piece of the Eurasian biota evolutionary puzzle.
A survey of Japanese researchers found that 95% had shared their data, but only 56% had created a data management plan (DMP). The main reasons for not creating a DMP were unfamiliarity with funders' requirements and lack of institutional support. Japanese researchers cited supporting research progression and transparency as motivations...
Researchers warn that current vaccination policies may not be enough to prevent measles resurgence in seven high-income countries. The study suggests that countries like the UK, Ireland, and US would benefit from compulsory vaccination at school entry to achieve stable herd immunity levels.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that captive chimpanzees can spontaneously use tools to excavate underground food without prior experience. The chimps chose to use tools over bare hands and even reused them, similar to early human tool use.
A study of nearly 134,000 patients found that age significantly impacts the risk of death for ICU patients, extending beyond the initial hospital stay. The association between age and mortality risk was observed even three years after discharge.
A study published in PLOS Biology found that feeding mosquitoes sugar reduces their attraction to human skin, and regulates this behavior through the vitellogenin gene. This protein influences reproduction and foraging in insects, and its manipulation could reduce mosquito bites and disease transmission.
A new species of medicinal mushroom, Ganoderma tropicum, was recorded in Thailand for the first time. The study found optimal growth conditions for mycelia production at specific temperatures and pH levels.
In a touchscreen-based task, wolves behaved more prosocially towards their fellow pack members than dogs. Wolves opted to deliver significantly more food to an adjacent enclosure when it held a member of their own pack present.
A new species of perennial Bromus has been identified in the Iberian Peninsula, specifically in Picos de Europa National Park. The plant is a small rhizomatous herb with distinctive features, and its discovery highlights the region's biodiversity.
A study of over 25 million pregnant women found that quitting smoking during pregnancy significantly lowers the risk of preterm birth. The research also revealed that smoking cessation rates at the start and during pregnancy have increased in recent years.
Researchers evaluated four state-of-the-art tools for recognizing names in text and found solutions to boost accuracy from 7% to 90%. They also extracted social networks from novels to explore differences in story structure. The study highlights the challenges faced by NLP tools in handling names in popular fiction.
A large-scale replication project found that most links between personality traits and life outcomes are indeed replicable, with 85% of attempts reproducing previously identified trait-outcome associations. However, the study also revealed weaker-than-expected associations between some personality traits and life outcomes.
A new species of Surazomus, a rare arachnid found in the Amazon, has been discovered with unique characteristics that provide insight into its mating habits. The species' male flagellum and female chelicerae anchor onto each other during copulation, offering clues about evolutionary changes within the genus.
A recent review paper predicted nearly half of the world's insects would go extinct due to a rapid decline. However, scientists have identified major flaws in the study's methodology, including query- and geographically-biased summaries, mismatched objectives and cited literature, and misuse of existing conservation data.
Researchers estimate that alcohol use during pregnancy and drunken driving are linked to substantial harm beyond the drinker, including fetal alcohol syndrome and road traffic fatalities. Effective prevention strategies targeting vulnerable populations, such as pregnant women and road users, are necessary.
Researchers discover six new spider species in Colombia, including four unknown to science, and create new genus Stormtropis inspired by Star Wars' clone troopers. The spiders are well adapted to camouflage and burrowing into habitats.
A new deep-mapping computer model detects visual changes to individual properties, allowing researchers to track gentrification in neighborhoods and cities. The model achieved 95% accuracy in detecting gentrification indicators, revealing detailed maps of spatial evolution of gentrification through time.
In a 15th century archaeological site in Peru, hundreds of bodies were found with cut marks suggesting chest removal during a ritual. The remains included over 140 children and 200 llamas, dated to around 1450 AD, indicating heavy rainfall may have inspired the sacrifice.
A study found that chelated calcium improves leaf mechanical strength in poinsettias, enhancing their resistance to physical damage. This treatment is recommended for stock plants to improve postharvest quality during shipping and propagation.
A study examines how costume changes in Star Wars female leads Padmé and Leia parallel shifts in their positions of power and romantic relationships. The researchers argue that these changes contribute to the objectification of women through costume design, highlighting the importance of considering the portrayal of women in media.
A study published in Critical Care Explorations found that both CT angiography and transcranial Doppler have limited accuracy in detecting cerebral vasospasm and predicting delayed cerebral ischemia in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage. The tests showed conflicting results, with CT angiography being highly sensitive but lacking spe...
The collection of over 1,700 animal and plant specimens from Sir Charles Lyell's era provides insight into volcano formation and palaeontology. The data is now easily searchable for researchers worldwide.
A new study published in PLOS One found that zebra stripes deter horse flies from landing on them by reducing the likelihood of a successful bite. The striped coat prevented flies from slowing down and failing to land, leading to fewer bites.
A new species of Aloe, Aloe sanguinalis, has been discovered in Somaliland with distinctive bright red sap and large clump formations. The discovery was made possible by Ahmed Awale's sighting of the plant while driving through the country.
The study predicts three plausible future scenarios for the research ecosystem, driven by technology advancements and changing funding models. Researchers can expect benefits from faster publication, improved reproducibility, and greater career flexibility.
A new species of tarantula, Ceratogyrus attonitifer, was recently discovered in Angola with a distinctive 'horn' protruding from its back. The species is part of the horned baboon spider group and has been found to have a soft, characteristically longer 'horn', unlike other species in the same group.
Researchers at Penn State have released open-access satellite data to track seasonal population movements in Niger and Nigeria. This data can be used to address research questions in fields ranging from agriculture to epidemiology, particularly for infectious diseases and public health interventions.
Research published in PLOS ONE found that unfamiliar words in hyperlinks slow down reading speed, but color choice has no significant effect. Readers tend to dwell longer on linked words and re-read sentences if the hyperlink word is uncommon.
The NCCR MARVEL/CECAM team has been awarded the EPFL Open Science Fund to develop open software services for classrooms and research. The team will create an online hub with simulation and data-analysis tools that can be easily used by researchers and students.
The inaugural issue of Advanced Photonics showcases significant research across optics and photonics technologies, including light-sheet microscopy and deep learning for digital holography. The journal aims to provide a trusted source of groundbreaking research in optics and optical technologies.
Scientists discover a new family of fungi that threatens the UNESCO-listed Old Cathedral of Coimbra in Portugal. The fungus, Aeminiaceae fam. nov., has been found to cause severe biodeterioration and is considered an endemic species to Iberian Peninsula limestone quarries.
Czech researchers used 360-degree headshots to assess fighters' perceived fighting ability. Despite this, ratings were not linked to actual MMA score or physical characteristics. However, heavier fighters with higher anaerobic performance were judged as more successful based on their facial features.
Researchers found that patients with more long-term conditions were more likely to miss appointments and had a higher risk of mortality. Patients with mental-health-based LTCs were associated with a higher risk of missing appointments than physical LTCs.
Scientists have discovered a new treefrog species in Ecuador's Andes, characterized by an extraordinary enlarged claw-like structure. The species, Hyloscirtus hillisi, is already at risk of extinction due to its small distribution range near a large-scale mining operation and habitat destruction.
Researchers at UC Berkeley created accurate 3D-printed miniature models to reconstruct Pumapunku building in Tiwanaku site, shedding light on its purpose and alignment. The study provides clues about the site's layout and potential connections to Incan beliefs.
A new study published in PLOS ONE found that people perceive subtle differences in eye blinks during conversations, affecting response lengths and indicating a joint activity between speakers and listeners. The research suggests that even small movements like blinking can serve as nonverbal communication.
A recent study found that poverty and obesity are connected, with a significant increase in obesity rates among low-income households since the early 1990s. The correlation between household income and obesity rate has grown steadily over time, with the poorest counties experiencing the largest increases.
Researchers analyzed 330 Game of Thrones characters and found that switching allegiance increases survival rates. The risk of death was higher for low-born characters compared to high-born ones.
The new journal explores the unbreakable bond between people and plants, highlighting its impact on societies, cultures, and ecosystems. It aims to publish emerging plant science with societal relevance, covering six themes: plant conservation, genomics applications, diversity, global change, natural assets, and their interconnections.
Research found that tree frogs prefer larger, fuller bromeliad tanks with less leaf litter, but the very largest tanks are often empty. The study suggests that conservation strategies should consider trade-offs in site selection.
Young aphids use this behavior to quickly return to a safe host plant after escaping from grazing animals. This helps them increase their chances of survival in hostile environments.
A new machine learning algorithm assesses over 150,000 plant species worldwide, predicting more than 10% as highly likely to qualify for at-risk IUCN classification. The model flags regions with high native biodiversity and endemic species as areas of concern.
Researchers found that frequent sauna users had a significantly lower risk of cardiovascular death compared to infrequent users. The study, which followed over 1,600 participants for 15 years, also found that longer sauna sessions were associated with lower mortality rates.
Research reveals unexpectedly low condom use rates among Western Australian sex workers, with only 33% of female sex workers reporting consistent condom use during oral sex. The authors recommend decriminalization, increased sexual health education, and peer support opportunities to address this issue.
Priming individuals with superhero images, such as Superman, increases their likelihood of engaging in prosocial behaviors. However, the study found no direct effect on perceptions of meaning in life. The research used both self-reported and actual helping behavior experiments to explore this phenomenon.
A new brain-computer interface (BCI) enables people with paralysis to directly operate an off-the-shelf tablet device by thinking about making cursor movements and clicks. The participants were able to navigate through various apps, browse music selections, search for videos on YouTube, and compose emails and chats with high accuracy.
A newly described tomato relative, Solanum kollastrum, boasts long thorns and sticky stems, but surprisingly starts as a beneficial species in its ecosystem. It's preferred by medium- to large-sized bees and has fruits that are eaten by bats.
Research reveals that female birds-of-paradise evaluate not only physical attractiveness but also singing and dancing abilities when choosing a mate. The study found correlations between behaviors, such as increased colors and sounds in more elaborate displays.
Recent studies suggest that biomedical research is becoming more transparent and reproducible, with a significant increase in data sharing and funding disclosure. However, the authors argue that there is still much to be done to improve research practices, particularly in terms of protocol sharing.
Researchers have discovered a way to make paper supercapacitors that can bend, fold, flex and still hold electricity. These new supercapacitors have vast potential applications, including medical implants, wearable tech, and novel energy storage solutions.