News on open-access publishing and its reach. Covers journal launches, open-access agreements, and research made freely available.
A new species of goby, the Godzilla goby, has been discovered in the southern Caribbean by the Smithsonian Institution's Deep Reef Observation Project (DROP). The fish features bright yellow and orange colors, a large head, and unique dental structure.
A study finds that fishing closures in Indonesia's shark sanctuary increase shark abundance, while also forcing fishermen to fish in unprotected areas, often turning to illegal practices. Ecotourism may provide an alternative livelihood, but its impact on fishing pressure and illegal activity is uncertain.
Two new research papers on scabies and tapeworms showcase a collaboration with protocols.io to share scientific methods, improving reproducibility. The articles provide detailed and complete methodology descriptions, enabling researchers to easily access and build upon the studies.
The first FORCE11 Scholarly Commons workshop aimed to restart scholarly communication using technology and business-enabled models. The report published in RIO Journal outlines five principles: open and sustainable, fair, credit for all endeavors, technology- and business-enabled, not -led, and governance and funding.
A study suggests that women in Corded Ware culture were highly mobile, with 42% of individuals found to be non-local, indicating a pattern of female exogamy
A study of 88 teenage boys found that those who experienced sudden growth spurts had lower coordination and more irregular gaits than their peers, suggesting that the brain needs time to adjust to rapid height increases.
A recent study published in PLOS ONE found that ocelot densities in the Brazilian Amazon may be stable but lower than predicted. The research used camera-trap surveys to estimate ocelot density in a pristine forest area and found an average of 25 ocelots per 100 km2, which is lower than expected for the region.
Researchers found that email-based exercises showed sustained improvements in psychological health over two years, with significant effects on stress, confidence, and gratitude. The study suggests that internet-based interventions can be an effective tool for promoting mental health.
Dr. Michael Skvarla's Ph.D. research at the University of Arkansas has discovered 30 previously unknown sawfly species in the state. The study highlights the vast natural history still to be explored about insects, with many species having large range extensions across hundreds of miles.
The Open Neuroimaging Laboratory aims to aggregate annotated brain imaging data and develop a tool for distributed team collaboration. The project seeks to improve transparency, statistical power, and reproducibility in brain data analysis.
The Italian Botanical Society has launched an online open-access journal called Italian Botanist, which covers both Italian and international research in botany and mycology. The new journal is part of Pensoft's portfolio and aims to boost scientific value and international visibility.
In a groundbreaking discovery, Czech researchers found the first case of ovoviviparity in long-horned beetles from Borneo, resulting in three new genera and four species descriptions. The study reveals high morphological diversity in this lineage, challenging current knowledge on beetle reproduction.
A flexible exosuit developed by Harvard University researchers reduces the metabolic cost of loaded walking by 7.3% on average, allowing wearers to return to a natural walking profile. The device is composed of textiles and assists the hip and ankle joints, reducing work done without impacting movement freedom.
The Open Science Prize has announced six team finalists to develop prototypes addressing big data access and usage challenges. The teams will receive $80,000 each and compete for the grand prize of $230,000.
A systematic review of seven randomized controlled trials found little evidence of an effect of probiotics on the gut microbiota of healthy adults. The study suggested that measuring the effect of probiotics in healthy individuals is more difficult due to the lack of a clear definition of a normal or healthy fecal microbial community.
A new parasitic wasp species, Conobregma bradpitti, has been discovered in South Africa, measuring less than 2 mm and bearing a striking resemblance to Hollywood star Brad Pitt. The species belongs to a large group of wasps that lay eggs in moth or butterfly caterpillars.
Researchers identified factors that make some species more resilient to extinction, including color variation, live birth, and low-latitude habitats. These species are more likely to adapt to future climate changes, helping conservationists predict which species are most at risk.
New research suggests that heat-based exercise is a more efficient means of improving altitude tolerance than normobaric altitude training. Heat-based training reduced physical strain and improved time-trial performance in cyclists, with similar effects on blood cells as low-oxygen training.
Researchers designed a biomimetic environment to support the growth of engineered whole lungs. The new bioreactor system mimics ventilation and blood flow in the chest cavity, keeping lung tissue alive and functional.
A study by Emile Fiesler and Tracy Drake discovered 689 species of invertebrates in the Madrona Marsh Preserve, including flightless creatures such as camel crickets and velvet ants. The diversity was found to be surprisingly high despite urbanization pressures.
Researchers Warren Savary and Rob Bryson have discovered a new species of scorpion in the Sierra Nevada foothills, related to several previously described species from California. The discovery highlights the state's vast and underexplored biodiversity, with many scorpion species remaining to be described.
Scientists describe a new Australian land snail species using micro-computed tomography, creating a 3D model of the genitalia without damaging the specimen. The novel method allows for species delimitation and identification of molluscs with reduced dissection, highlighting its potential as an alternative approach.
Dairy fats found on ancient pottery sherds suggest high alpine dairying began at least 3000 years ago. The findings provide early evidence of nutritious resources being produced and exchanged for socioeconomic development.
A collaborative collection development platform called Cobweb is proposed to support comprehensive web archiving by coordinating independent activities of the web archiving community. The platform will leverage existing tools and sources of archival information to retrieve holdings data from over 3,500 collections across 350 institutions.
FACETS, Canada's first open access science journal, has launched with a broad scope encompassing six major research fields and over 30 subjects. The journal waives article processing charges for submissions by June 30, 2016, to foster open access publishing and advance scientific knowledge.
A Lothian improvement project has seen a 13% increase in eligible women receiving food and vitamin vouchers compared to an 8% decline across Scotland. The scheme has also boosted family budgets by £4,500 on average.
The Electrochemical Society (ECS) has published its first Editors' Choice article, detailing transformative findings in the dosage and spatial distribution of lithiation. The article uses a focused Li-ion beam to probe lithiation mechanism at the nanoscale, enabling precise dosage and control.
The Endocrine Society is launching a new open-access journal, Journal of the Endocrine Society (JES), to rapidly publish cutting-edge science in endocrinology. The journal will cover topics such as diabetes, obesity, and hormone-related cancers.
A global data management advisory platform, Roadmap, combines the functionality of DMPTool and DMPonline to support open science initiatives. The platform aims to provide a framework for engaging with disciplinary communities, enhancing data sharing, reuse, and discoverability.
Researchers found that metabolically healthy obese individuals tend to be younger and more likely to engage in physical exercise. They were also less likely to smoke or drink heavily. Metabolically unhealthy individuals, on the other hand, had factors such as high cholesterol, age, and smoking status associated with their health.
A study found that salmon are less aggressive in tanks with darker backgrounds, preferring dark grey and black over light grey and light blue. This suggests a simple environmental modification to improve fish welfare.
A new global catalog, Paperity Central, aims to aggregate scholarly journals and make all publications openly accessible. The catalog will also incorporate features like manual curation, semantic linking, and deduplication to ensure accuracy and context.
A recent study has identified nearly 2,000 species of looper moths in the Andes mountains. The researchers used DNA barcodes to categorize and identify the species, revealing a higher diversity than previously estimated.
The proposed platform, amanuens.is, integrates ContentMine and Hypothes.is prototypes to mine critical facts from scientific documents and make them publicly available. By combining machines and humans, it aims to reduce costs, increase transparency, and facilitate collaboration in biomedical research.
A new large fish species, Myloplus zorroi, has been discovered in the Amazonia region of Brazil. The fish is characterized by its distinctive teeth, specialized to crush seeds, and a reddish silver color with darker markings. It grows up to 47.5 cm in length and dwells in moderately to rapidly flowing clear rivers.
The review discusses conventional immunosuppressive agents and biologic therapies, including rituximab and belimumab, as effective treatments for refractory SLE. Managing co-morbidities like cardiovascular risk factors and bone health is also crucial in SLE treatment.
Oxford University Press launches Biology Methods & Protocols, a new open access journal focusing on biological sciences methods and protocols. The journal aims to provide a common forum for methodology and protocol papers, benefiting from an international editorial board led by Dr. Silvia Ayora.
A study of 10,498 11-year-olds in the UK found that nearly 14% had drunk more than a few sips, with factors such as friends' drinking and mothers' behavior strongly associated. Positive perceptions of alcohol and lack of parental supervision also linked to increased odds of drinking.
The Zika Response Working Group provides recommendations for countermeasures against the Zika virus, highlighting the need for open-minded responses and collaboration. Key findings include the potential of currently marketed drugs to have anti-Zika activity and the challenges of rapid vaccine development.
A team of scientists collected over 70 fertile/flowering orchid specimens from the field during the 6-week Lengguru 2014 expedition. Four new orchid species were identified among them, all collected in high-altitude forests above 1000 meters above sea level.
A new species of blue-tailed monitor lizard unique to Mussau Island has been described, with distinct features including a pale yellow tongue and turquoise pigmentation. The lizard plays a crucial ecological role in the island ecosystem as a top-predator and scavenger.
A new study found that adding raltegravir to standard antiretroviral therapy did not reduce HIV DNA levels or improve CD4+ T-cell counts in early HIV infection patients. Researchers from the University of Washington and National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases reported their results after a 96-week study.
Research finds people in deprived areas more likely to combine heavy drinking with other health-damaging behaviors, multiplying risks of ill health. Alcohol consumption is linked to increased rates of smoking, excess weight, poor diet, and low exercise levels.
The Preregistration Challenge tests how addressing incentives can improve the reproducibility of published research by offering $1,000 rewards for published results. Over 60% of researchers are choosing to submit public preregistrations, and the first results are expected in late 2016.
Elsevier has launched Transplantation Reports, an online-only, open-access journal serving the international transplant community. The journal will publish original research, reviews, editorials, and commentaries related to transplantation.
Scientists have discovered two new giant bent-toed gecko species in New Guinea, one of which reaches up to 17 cm in length, making it the largest of its kind. The geckos, named 'king' and 'knight', exhibit unique characteristics such as dark grey-brown markings and alternating regions of coloration.
Two new species of weakly electric mormyrid fish have been discovered in the rivers of Gabon, belonging to a newly described genus Cryptomyrus. The discovery was made using only three specimens collected over 13 years, highlighting the need for natural history collections to connect the dots.
A study found that gentoo chick aggregations help individual chicks save energy during wet, cold conditions, but differ between colonies, suggesting a colony-specific behavior.
A pilot training program implemented in an urban clinic significantly improved attitudes and clinical skills towards transgender individuals. The evaluation showed a notable change in awareness of transphobic practices and readiness to serve transgender patients, indicating potential for broader healthcare equity.
Researchers from University of California Riverside and San Diego State University discover a new daddy longlegs species, Cryptomaster behemoth, in the mountains of southwest Oregon. The discovery highlights the importance of short-range endemic arachnids for understanding biodiversity.
Researchers gather features and metrics from private datasets, creating vast data points that describe the physical power grid. The combination of these elements determines the performance of the grid, which has become more complex with recent additions like renewables and intelligent devices.
A new, tiny arboreal toad species from the Andaman Islands has been identified, prompting concerns about its endangered status. The 'Andaman bush toad', named Blythophryne beryet, is characterized by its reddish-brown coloration and is threatened by human activity and invasive fauna.
Researchers used data from a national survey to model areas of high risk of Mansonella perstans infection and examine its overlap with other parasitic infections. The study found that forested areas and high densities of cattle are associated with increased levels of M. perstans infection.
A new iguana species, L. uniformis, has been discovered in the Andean highlands of Central Chile with consistently colored bodies across males and females. The species' unique coloration is consistent even among individuals from different sexes.
Researchers developed an algorithm to predict five-year dementia risk from UK patient records, identifying 930,395 patients. The Dementia Risk Score could help rule out low-risk patients and aid primary care clinicians.
A new carnivorous dinosaur species, Dracoraptor hanigani, has been uncovered in south Wales, potentially dating back to the earliest days of the Jurassic Period. The fossil, discovered in 2014, represents one of the most complete theropod specimens from Wales and may be one of the oldest known Jurassic dinosaurs in the UK.
A recent study published in PLOS ONE suggests that the bacteria that causes plague, Y. pestis, may have persisted in Europe for over 300 years, including during the 'Black Death' pandemic. The researchers analyzed ancient DNA from 30 plague victims and found evidence of long-term persistence in a yet unknown reservoir host.
The PhD project plan aims to publish outputs from the whole research cycle using an open science approach. It focuses on digitizing scholarly papers and data, making them more accessible and citable, and ensuring reproducibility.
Staff at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust have reduced waiting times for mental health patients after redesigning their referral system. The results show an improvement in both waiting times and percentage of patients seen within set standards following a single intervention.
A recent study published in PLOS Biology reveals that TDP-43's normal function involves pathologic aggregation, and mutations tilt the balance toward aggregation. The research discovered a region of the protein that promotes its association with membranes, increasing aggregation propensity.