News on open-access publishing and its reach. Covers journal launches, open-access agreements, and research made freely available.
Facelock, a new password alternative, utilizes human face recognition to provide secure authentication. By leveraging the strengths of human memory, it eliminates the need for memorization and makes the system naturally robust.
Scientists have discovered a new species of spider in Mexico that uses soil particles for camouflage. The Paratropis tuxtlensis has an exoskeleton covered in soil particles, which helps to protect it from predators and deceive its prey.
Researchers have discovered that spiral ganglion stem cells in the inner ear can regenerate and differentiate into mature spiral ganglion cells, neurons, and glial cells. This breakthrough finding makes these stem cells a promising source of replacement cells for therapies aimed at regenerating neural structures in the inner ear.
The New York Stem Cell Foundation (NYSCF) and the eagle-i Network will make NYSCF iPS cell lines and related information available on a user-friendly, web-based, searchable database. This database will help scientists find valuable resources, enabling collaboration and accelerating research.
The new journal, Research in the Mathematical Sciences, covers applied math, pure math, and theoretical computer science. It aims to publish high-quality original articles and seminal papers on emerging areas of mathematical research.
A new study by SAGE found that librarians consider article databases the most useful reference source, followed by statistical databases and abstracting and indexing resources. The study also revealed that use of free resources is as prevalent as use of fee-based resources, with discovery services being the most desired.
The Societas Europaea Lepidopterologica has joined forces with Pensoft Publishers to bring the journal Nota Lepidopterologica on the way to open access and innovation. The new format brings benefits such as shorter waiting times for publication, and all published papers will be accessible online.
A new smartphone-based system, WVC Reporter, increased reporting efficiency, improved accuracy, and enhanced data visualization. Reports using the app produced more accurate locations, were entered quicker, and had a lower data entry error rate than manual reports.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that feeding juvenile corals prior to transplantation significantly improved their survival rates. Coral recruits fed with a higher amount of food grew faster and larger than unfed corals, leading to higher post-transplantation survivorship.
A new species of flat bug, Aradus macrosomus, has been discovered in Baltic amber deposits, highlighting the significance of these ancient fossilized tree resins. The species is characterized by its large size and distinct structures, providing valuable insights into the evolution of arthropods.
CBS-KNAW Fungal Biodiversity Centre's official journal Studies in Mycology will be published by Elsevier, enabling interactive links to live databases and multimedia. The journal, first launched in 1972, is renowned for its systematic monographs of filamentous fungi and yeasts.
The journal, one of the world's oldest entomology journals, adopts a new open access format to increase visibility and dissemination of research papers. This innovation allows authors to freely share their work, promoting increased citation rates and collaboration opportunities.
Elsevier has launched an open-access journal, Computational and Structural Biotechnology Journal (CSBJ), on behalf of the Research Network of Computational and Structural Biotechnology. The journal publishes high-quality research articles and reviews in computational biotechnology, with a focus on mechanistic understanding through appl...
Paul Glasziou argues that open access models can reduce research waste and improve the quality of medical research. He suggests that charities and governments should publish funded work in open access to make it more effective, as $100 billion of pre- and post-publication research is wasted annually.
A new species of Alopoglossus lizard has been discovered in the tropical Andes, characterized by its metallic greenish head and orange belly. The study suggests that this diversity of shade lizards has been underestimated, with six previously described species found to be distinct from one another.
Scientists discover new golden bass species from deep waters off Curaçao, shedding light on Caribbean reef biodiversity. The newly described Liopropoma santi is characterized by its predominantly yellow body and fins.
Frontiers introduces a new open-access journal, covering robotics and artificial intelligence. The journal will utilize the Frontiers open-science platform to facilitate research networking and knowledge sharing.
Researchers have published a study providing complete open access to detailed 3-D images of earthworms, enabling the analysis of rare museum specimens. The study uses micro-computed tomography (microCT) to digitize worm structures, opening possibilities for scanning millions of specimens from museum collections.
Scientists have discovered a new plant species that can absorb high amounts of nickel, accumulating up to 18,000 ppm without being poisoned. This rare phenomenon has great potential for developing green technologies such as phytoremediation and phytomining.
Twenty-four new species of Aleiodes wasps were discovered in the cloud forests of Ecuador, mummifying caterpillars in an unusual way. These small organisms have a significant impact on forest ecology by controlling plant-feeding caterpillar populations, helping to sustain biodiversity.
A team of researchers led by Professor Kenneth Lee attempted to replicate a controversial stem cell acid bath study published in Nature, but were unable to induce pluripotency in mouse somatic cells. The full experimental results are now available online, providing an open and transparent record of the attempt.
Scientists have identified a new species of paper wasp, Polistes helveticus, in Central Europe. The discovery revealed the coexistence of two distinct species, one already known from the region and another previously thought to be limited to southern Europe.
Three new species of tarantulas were discovered in northern Argentina, shedding light on the region's unique arachnid diversity. The newly identified species belong to the subfamily Theraphosinae and are named after local locations and cultural figures.
The winning paper, 'Self-standing electrochemical double layer capacitors,' presents a promising energy source for wearable electronic devices. The design features self-supported electrodes made from multiwall carbon nanotubes and ionic liquids.
The Human Proteome Organization (HUPO) and Elsevier's new open-access journal, Translational Proteomics, have formed a partnership to promote translational proteomics research. The journal aims to link basic sciences to clinical research, with a focus on rapid dissemination of novel discoveries.
Researchers have developed a new process to create high-quality lenses at a low cost, making them suitable for various applications including disease detection, scientific research, and education. The lenses were created using a simple method involving the hanging and curing of droplets of transparent silicone polymer.
Researchers have identified a novel marker, glycan O-GLcNAc, on the surface of human umbilical cord blood stem cells. This discovery may play a crucial role in cell signaling pathways regulating embryonic development and has potential implications for stem cell therapies.
Two new species of yellow-shouldered bats, Sturnira bakeri and Sturnira burtonlimi, have been identified in western Ecuador and Costa Rica. The discovery expands the genus Sturnira to 22 described species, highlighting the high species richness in the Neotropical bat family Phyllostomidae.
Researchers developed a corrugated, translucent panel that redirects sunlight onto narrow streets and alleyways, increasing illumination by 200 percent in autumn and winter. The panel is designed to provide natural light for everyday tasks and improve mental health, and its cost is estimated between $70 and $100 per square meter.
The oldest European zoological journal, Zoosystematics and Evolution, has combined tradition with innovation by joining Pensoft Publishers. The new platform offers a novel, semantically enriched format while maintaining traditional PDF and print versions.
A study found that two days of larval food restriction can reduce adult monarch butterfly wing size by approximately 2% and affect wing pigmentation. Limited access to milkweed stunts monarch wings, which could impact migration success.
Scientists discovered that age-related sleep decline can be prevented and might even be reversible by targeting the IIS signalling pathway. Administering therapeutic agents improved sleep quality even in old flies, suggesting a potential approach to improve sleep quality in humans.
A team of biologists has catalogued all 31 species of the Plectostoma snail genus from West-Malaysia, Sumatra, and Thailand, including ten new species. The study highlights the plight of these tiny creatures, whose habitats are being destroyed due to mining and development, leading to their extinction.
Researchers use CT scanning to capture high-speed 3D X-ray visuals of fly flight muscles, showing structural deformations as key to wing control. The study's findings offer insights into the intricate mechanics of a fly's wingbeat, which beats up to 50 times per second.
Frontiers in Nutrition is a new open-access journal launching to tackle global malnutrition and obesity. The journal aims to provide an integrated platform for exchange of science and ideas from various perspectives.
Internet Interventions, a new OA journal from Elsevier, publishes high-quality research on the application of information technology in mental and behavioral healthcare. The journal aims to fill the gap in dedicated peer-reviewed scientific journals for e-mental health research.
Scientists discover five new species of armored spiders living in caves in the South China Karst, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This finds brings the total number of known spider species in China to 4300, with over 2000 caves investigated.
Researchers have identified two new species of desert poppies in California and Arizona, challenging the notion that deserts are devoid of vibrant flowers. The newly described plants belong to the Eschscholzia genus and possess unique characteristics, including vibrant yellow-colored inflorescences.
The open access journal Colloid and Interface Science Communications provides an innovative channel for publishing short initial reports on new fundamental concepts, research findings, and topical applications. The journal covers topics such as nanomaterials, energy production and storage, biotechnologies, and pharmaceutical products.
A total of 39 new species of endemic cockroaches have been discovered in the southwestern United States and Mexico. The new species, all belonging to the genus Arenivaga, were described by a PhD candidate at the University of New Mexico after a four-year study.
A recent study published in ZooKeys identified 186 new species of Microgastrinae wasps from Area de Conservación Guanacaste in Costa Rica. The findings suggest that parasitoid wasps are more specialized than previously thought, with most species only parasitizing a few moth or butterfly species.
The new journal Frontiers in Materials will utilize the unique Frontiers platform for open-access publishing and research networking. The mission is to empower researchers by promoting constructive criticism and fair evaluation of their work. Key sections for submissions include Biomaterials.
Scientists have discovered two new butterfly species in the eastern United States, one of which is a close relative of the well-known Carolina Satyr. The study reveals distinct differences in genitalia and DNA sequences between the two species, highlighting the complex genetic diversity of these butterflies.
A new geographical password system has been proposed to provide secure online access, using a user's memorable location as the password. The system has proven itself capable of protecting against known password threats, offering a potential solution to reduce data breaches by up to 76%.
A new beetle genus and species was discovered by Dr. Stylianos Chatzimanolis, named after Charles Darwin, based on a specimen collected in Argentina in 1832. Only two specimens of the species, Darwinilus sedarisi, are known, and most of its habitat has been transformed into agricultural fields.
Researchers have developed a new tracking system that takes 3-D movies of living sperm, providing detailed imaging and analyzing motility data. The method helps detect potential infertility-causing anomalies, such as bent tails, and may soon aid in vitro fertilization (IVF) clinics in selecting the most viable sperm cells.
Researchers have identified the Brg1 protein as a key regulator of genes involved in maintaining embryonic stem cell pluripotency. This discovery has important implications for cellular reprogramming technologies, including methods to reprogram adult somatic cells.
The Optical Society (OSA) has announced the launch of a new open-access journal, Optica, which will publish original research articles and letters in all areas of optics and photonics. The first issue is set to be published in July, with a renowned editorial board led by professor Alex Gaeta.
Elsevier has launched a new open-access journal called MethodsX, which provides a platform for researchers to publish their customised methods without the need for full research articles. This initiative aims to save time and money for scientists by making it easier to discover and build upon existing techniques.
The new open access journal Pathogenesis will publish peer-reviewed original research and high-quality reviews in various areas of pathology. It aims to provide a platform for researchers and clinicians to share their work quickly and widely, promoting excellence in pathology.
A recent study reveals that the tropics are the main source of global mammal diversity, driven by higher speciation rates and lower extinction rates. The research, published in PLOS Biology, suggests that tropical regions have been a continuous source of biodiversity, allowing for repeated colonization of temperate regions.
The Journal of Facade Design and Engineering is a peer-reviewed, open-access journal focused on the building envelope, aiming to improve building technologies and process management. Funded by NWO, it invites papers on facade design, engineering, and industrial innovations to disseminate science into practice.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that the horse-chestnut leaf-mining moth has spread rapidly across England and Wales since its arrival in London in 2002. The data collected by citizen scientists revealed that it takes just three years from the first sighting to maximum levels of damage to the horse-chestnut trees.
Research by Simon Fraser University biologists found that male black widow spiders produce carefully pitched vibrations to signal their presence and desirability to females. The team also discovered that these vibratory signals can help avoid potential attacks from the females, allowing males to successfully court and mate.
A new species of toad, Rhinella yunga, was discovered in the Peruvian Yungas ecoregion. The species has a unique body coloration and is distinct from related species due to its absence of a tympanic membrane.
A new species of slave-making ant, Temnothorax pilagens, was discovered in the eastern USA, using minimalistic raiding parties to crack castles made by two related ant species.
Researchers found that complex landscapes led to more complex organisms due to the cost of morphological complexity. The study used a program to simulate the evolution of virtual creatures in various landscapes.
A new invasive plant parasitic nematode, Meloidogyne mali, has been identified in Europe, causing severe galling symptoms on host trees. The species was likely introduced during breeding programs against Dutch Elm Disease and may have a wider host range than known.
A 20-year-old HIV-positive individual on antiretroviral therapy in the U.S. or Canada can now expect to live into their early 70's, surpassing life expectancy of the general population. The study analyzed nearly 23,000 individuals and found that life expectancy increased from 36.1 to 51.4 years between 2000-2002 and 2006-2007.
Three new lizards from Peru have been identified as distinct species using a combination of molecular, ecological, and morphological analyses. The study demonstrates the feasibility of discovering new species with limited resources, highlighting the importance of stable scientific names for biodiversity conservation.