News on open-access publishing and its reach. Covers journal launches, open-access agreements, and research made freely available.
Researchers used social network analysis to simulate Sicilian Mafia networks and found that targeting individuals with high Betweenness centrality was effective in disrupting the network. The study provides new insights for law enforcement strategies, highlighting the potential benefits of applying network measures to select targets.
A new analysis of satellite images has found that nearly half of the world's protected land has experienced changes in land productivity over the past 15 years. Stable levels of land productivity were maintained in around 44% of protected areas, while increases or decreases were observed in almost half.
A cross-sectional study in the Netherlands found that loneliness experiences differ by age, with certain factors associated with loneliness varying across adult life stages. The strongest association with loneliness was found for those who felt excluded from society.
An international team has developed five principles to measure and reward research integrity, aiming to enhance scientific integrity and amplify its benefits. The Hong Kong Principles value responsible practices, accurate reporting, open science, diverse research scholarship, and various contributions to scholarly activity.
A study published in BMC Public Health found that poor work-life balance is associated with poor general health, particularly among women. The researchers analyzed data from 32,275 working adults across 30 countries and found that workers who reported poor work-life balance were twice as likely to report poor health.
The new ARRIVE 2.0 guidelines aim to simplify and streamline reporting of animal studies, promoting better study design and transparency. The guidelines prioritize two sets: Essential 10 for basic minimum reporting and a recommended set for context.
A study published in BMC Public Health suggests that extending US menthol cigarette flavor bans could encourage smokers to quit and lower smoking rates. The authors estimate that up to 45% of current US menthol smokers may quit in response to a ban, while some retailers continue to sell banned products.
A study of 800 research papers found that papers with more popular media coverage tend to be more highly cited. The association between media coverage and citations suggests that media attention may influence the likelihood of a paper being cited by subsequent papers.
Research found that couples sleeping together exhibit increased rapid-eye movement (REM) sleep and synchronized sleep patterns, positively associated with relationship depth. This study suggests that sharing a bed may enhance REM sleep, leading to improved social interactions and reduced emotional stress.
Telemedicine Reports will publish articles on telemedicine and telehealth advancements, offering innovative solutions for practitioners and medical centers. The journal will provide a dedicated forum for authors to share research, reviews, and practical solutions.
A new study found that people who feel more threatened by COVID-19 and have high levels of emotionality and conscientiousness are most likely to stockpile toilet paper. The study, which surveyed 1,029 adults from 35 countries, also found that older people and Americans were more likely to stockpile toilet paper.
A new deep-water dogfish shark, Squalus shiraii, has been discovered in the tropical waters of Southern Japan. The species boasts distinctive features, including a tall first dorsal fin and caudal fin with broad white margins.
A new study confirms lockdown restrictions reduced COVID-19 transmission in France, but a second wave is possible due to low herd immunity. The R-number, a key measure of disease transmission, fell from 3.2 to 0.47, highlighting the effectiveness of containment efforts.
A new study by Dr. Thomas D. Carr finds that the size and weight of Tyrannosaurus rex do not determine its age, contrary to long-held assumptions. The research reveals a high-resolution growth series for T-Rex, which shows that even small juveniles had powerful skulls and teeth, making them just as deadly as adults.
Research found that emotional eaters experience a stronger appetite response when experiencing negative emotions, while restrictive eaters show no significant change. The study suggests potential strategies for treating eating disorders by focusing on emotion regulation.
Researchers analyzed 155 COVID-19 patients in Wuhan, China, finding that over 50% of critically ill patients died due to multiple organ dysfunction and severe complications. The study highlights the importance of early intervention, including timely nutrition support and antibiotic treatment for bacterial co-infections.
Pensoft has launched a pilot phase with its open-access journal Biodiversity Data Journal, certifying reviewers' contributions via ReviewerCredits. Reviewers can now record their peer reviews and earn virtual credits redeemable for benefits, including discounted APCs.
Researchers found that spiracle fluttering in insects enhances oxygen diffusion, reducing water loss during respiration. This unique breathing mechanism allows for efficient oxygen uptake, benefiting the insect's survival.
This study compared early postoperative pain in patients undergoing bilateral scheduled staged TKA, finding no significant differences between the first and second surgeries. The frequency and number of analgesic requests were also similar, but showed a positive correlation at 24 hours after the second surgery.
A new study estimates that approximately one in ten people in the US with symptoms caused by major vascular events, infections, or cancers will be misdiagnosed. The study found that these conditions are among the most frequently misdiagnosed, resulting in significant harm and disability.
The COVID-19 pandemic has worsened health inequities among vulnerable populations, with increased racial and ethnic biases impacting healthcare decisions. Remote diagnosis and care technology access also affects patient outcomes.
A recent study found that participants were more likely to choose non-alcoholic drinks when presented with eight options, including increasing the proportion of non-alcoholic drinks. The study suggests that interventions to encourage healthier food and drink choices may be effective by changing the relative availability of options.
A new study published in Frontiers in Medicine found that early government intervention was crucial in limiting the spread of COVID-19 cases in Hunan province, China. The research team used a modified SIR model to compare infection trends between Hunan and Italy, finding that early measures reduced infection rates by up to 70%.
The new journal focuses on vegetation typologies and classification systems, publishing original research papers, applied studies, and methodological studies. It features double-blind peer review and permanent special collections on Ecoinformatics and Phytosociological Nomenclature.
Neurotrauma Reports is a peer-reviewed open access journal publishing research on traumatic brain and spinal cord injury. The journal aims to provide a dedicated forum for the neurotrauma field, including original papers, review articles, and studies on regional scope or patient populations.
Researchers developed a new method to define metropolitan areas based on census commuter data, identifying 182 clusters that account for over 90% of commuters. These clusters are larger than traditional regional definitions, suggesting important connections extending beyond expected boundaries.
The recent 18th International Congress of Myriapodology brought together top experts to present the latest findings on myriapod diversity, distribution, and biology. The research highlights the lack of dedicated funding for threatened species conservation and urges for the establishment of a Myriapoda Specialist Group.
Researchers have devised a faster and less memory-intensive method for constructing pan-genome subgraphs, allowing scientists to create visualizations on different scales rapidly. The new method enables the analysis of specific genome parts in a more efficient manner.
A new species of green pit viper was discovered in Arunachal Pradesh, India, and is named Trimeresurus salazar. The species is characterized by its unique orange to reddish stripe on the head and body of males.
The Annual Review of Public Health has converted to open access, with all articles published under a CC BY license, thanks to the Subscribe to Open program. This move makes the journal's 2020 volume and back volumes freely available for new audiences and contributes to enhanced population health.
The Asian hornet's rapid invasion of Europe has estimated economic costs of €11.9M annually for France, €9.0M for Italy, and €8.6M for the UK by 2025. The cost of nest destruction is expected to reach €23M if the invasive species continues to spread at a similar rate.
Researchers found that men in non-Western cultures were less preoccupied with body appearance and pursuing a muscular physique than their Western counterparts. Local ideas about masculinity and the association between muscle mass and work ethic played a significant role in shaping these attitudes.
A recent study found that image-and-text health warning labels on alcoholic drinks and energy-dense snacks can significantly reduce consumption. Labels depicting bowel cancer were associated with the highest level of negative emotions, while those on high-density snacks were judged more acceptable.
All Life is a new open-access journal that will publish multidisciplinary reproducible life science research, focusing on the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. The journal aims to foster collaboration and information sharing across the life sciences.
New research addresses diagnostic stewardship for SARS-CoV-2, recommending test utilization and frequency based on patient risk factors. The study highlights the importance of considering individual factors, such as age, symptoms, and exposure history, when deciding when to test.
Researchers found that birds with larger brains, like crows or gulls, can thrive in cities due to their intelligence. Conversely, small-brained species like pigeons succeed through frequent breeding attempts, prioritizing future reproductive success over present survival.
A recent study published in BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth found that labor after cesarean (TOLAC) is a safe option for many women, with 64.1% opting for TOLAC and 91.3% experiencing successful vaginal births. Health professionals are advised to educate expectant mothers on the risks and benefits of each delivery option.
Researchers assessed over 4,000 studies on species reintroduction and found that conservation success rates have improved over time. Machine learning and natural language processing techniques helped identify key indicators of positive sentiment, such as words like 'success,' 'protect,' and 'growth.'
Researchers found that people's prior beliefs about themselves may prevent accurate judgment of real appearance. By viewing their body from a third-person perspective, individuals rated it more attractively, pointing to potential applications for treating body perception disorders.
A unique rock carving with six limbs has been identified as a part man, part mantis, suggesting humans have linked mantids to the supernatural since ancient times. The petroglyph was discovered in Iran's Teymareh site and is believed to be between 40,000-4,000 years old.
A ketogenic diet can lead to flu-like symptoms within the first few weeks, according to a new study published in Frontiers in Nutrition. The symptoms peak in the first 7 days and dwindle after four weeks, with common reported symptoms including fatigue, nausea, dizziness, and decreased energy.
A study found that at-risk drinking rates are highest in East Germany, followed by South Germany, while unhealthy nutrition is most prevalent in West Germany. Physical activity levels do not differ between regions, with women more likely to report lower physical activity than men.
Researchers at FAU found that belemnites, ancient squid-like creatures, shrank significantly as water temperatures rose during the Toarcian period. The study suggests climate change played a significant role in shaping the morphology of aquatic organisms and may have contributed to their extinction.
The Annual Review of Cancer Biology has converted to open access, making its content freely available worldwide. The move is part of a pilot program called Subscribe to Open, which uses existing library relationships and subscription purchases to convert gated journals to open access.
An international team of scientists has launched a comprehensive overview of all proteins expressed in the human brain, published in Science. The Brain Atlas resource offers medical researchers an unprecedented resource to deepen their understanding of neurobiology.
Research published in PLOS Biology found that the timing of meals affects metabolism, with eating breakfast promoting fat burning and late-night snacking delaying it. The study suggests that a daily fast between evening meal and breakfast can optimize weight management.
The new journal will publish peer-reviewed articles on end-of-life care and relief of suffering, focusing on improving quality of life for patients and their families.
The invasive flatworm Obama nungara has been found across metropolitan France, covering three quarters of the country. Molecular studies reveal a single population originating from Argentina, posing a potential threat to European soil ecology.
A recent case analysis published in JACEP Open reveals that vaping emergencies can be challenging to diagnose due to initial symptoms that resemble pneumonia. The study highlights the importance of accurate diagnoses, which typically involve ruling out other infections and conditions.
A new study reveals genetically engineered mosquitoes that are refractory to all four types of dengue virus, providing a promising approach for controlling the spread of this mosquito-borne disease. The mosquitoes express an anti-DENV gene that prevents them from being infected or transmitting the virus.
Two hermit crab species, Coenobita rugosus and C. perlatus, coexist on the same beaches by selecting differently shaped shells as their homes. The study found that C. rugosus prefers short, spherical shells, while C. perlatus prefers elongated shells with a narrow opening.
A new study has developed a prototype tagging and monitoring system to detect lameness in sheep. The system uses smart wearable technology that tracks the animal's behavior and movement, identifying features that differ between lame and non-lame sheep. This can help improve sheep health and welfare on farms.
A UK study found that poor sexual health affects women in diverse ways and is often overlooked by current intervention efforts. The research identified distinct groups at risk, including women with low interest in sex and those experiencing depression, alcohol or drug use. Tailored programs may be needed to address these vulnerabilities.
A statistical analysis of Roman emperors' deaths reveals a distinct pattern, with high risk in the first year and a bathtub-like curve indicating stabilization by the eighth year. The study suggests underlying processes governing the length of each rule until death, similar to reliability engineering.
A novel 3D microscopy technique allows researchers to quantify previously unseen or unexplained cell behavior. The technique has been applied to study the dynamics of organelles and fat droplets within living cells, revealing new aspects of their behavior such as synchronization of swelling among droplets.
A recent study found that less appetizing moths are more relaxed when attacked by bats, while more palatable ones employ evasive maneuvers. The research demonstrates complex risks and rewards of anti-predator strategies, potentially allowing scientists to predict the behaviors of rare or extinct species.
Ostrich eggshell bead sizes in southern Africa increased with herding introduced around 2,000 years ago, while eastern Africa showed consistently larger sizes over several thousand years without correlation to herding. This suggests that cultural transmission of beads is more complex and not solely linked to herding practices.
A new coral disease has been found to alter the community of microbes on host corals, and measuring these changes may be a useful tool for monitoring coral health. The disease, known as 'grey-patch disease', was characterized by the growth of cyanobacteria, forming a biofilm that overgrew live coral tissue.
A study published in BMC Public Health found that children who experienced maltreatment are more likely to engage in delinquent and offending behaviors in adolescence and young adulthood. Males showed a significantly higher frequency of non-violent offending behaviors compared to females, with no differences by race or sexual orientation.
A study on male spider mating found that they possess nervous tissue and sensory organs in their copulatory organs, contrary to previous beliefs. This discovery suggests that these organs may play a role in the transfer of sperm and assessing female spiders during mating.