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Frontiers launches a new open-access journal in Energy Research

Frontiers' new journal in Energy Research will publish rigorously peer-reviewed articles on various topics related to energy systems, including nanotechnology solutions, policies, and storage. The journal aims to provide a free-to-access platform for researchers to share their findings with the scientific community.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Energy Research·DateAug 29, 2013

Kids' fast food ads emphasize giveaways more than food

Research published in PLOS ONE found that fast-food marketing aimed at children emphasizes giveaways and movie tie-ins more frequently than ads targeted at adults. The study also highlights the importance of aligning advertising to children with health promotion efforts to address concerns about obesity.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateAug 28, 2013

Forensic familial search methods carry risk of certain false matches

Research finds that DNA-based familial search techniques can mistakenly identify second cousins and half-siblings as siblings, with a 3-18% chance of error for first cousins and up to 42% for half-siblings. This misidentification can lead to unnecessary investigations and exacerbate ethical concerns surrounding the use of these methods.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateAug 14, 2013

Angry opponents seem bigger to tied up men

Research published in PLOS ONE found that physical handicaps like being tied down make men overestimate an opponent's size and underestimate their own. This effect persists even when anxiety is ruled out, suggesting an automatic processing of physical capacities towards potential conflicts with others.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateAug 7, 2013

Belief in precognition increases sense of control over life

Research suggests that believing in precognition can provide a psychological boost to perceived control, particularly when individuals feel a loss of control. People who experienced loss of control reported increased belief in precognition and subsequently felt more in control.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateAug 7, 2013

Placebo effects of different therapies not identical

Research found that responses to placebos are influenced by diverse factors including route of administration, environmental cues, and learning. Participants' expectations correlated with pain thresholds and tolerance, suggesting a complex relationship between placebo effects and individual traits. Sham acupuncture's effect on genuine ...

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJul 31, 2013

American Neurological Association and Wiley launch new open access journal

The American Neurological Association has launched a new open access journal, Annals of Clinical and Translational Neurology, to publish original research and scholarly reviews on nervous system diseases. The journal is supported by Annals of Neurology, the most prestigious peer-reviewed clinical neurology journal worldwide.

SourceWiley·JournalAnnals of Clinical and Translational Neurology·DateJul 31, 2013

'Weightism' increases risk for becoming, staying obese

A recent study published in PLOS ONE reveals that experiencing weight discrimination increases the likelihood of becoming and staying obese. Researchers analyzed data from over 6000 participants, finding a significant correlation between perceived weight discrimination and obesity rates.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJul 24, 2013

Plant-eating dinosaurs replaced teeth often, carried spares

Sauropod dinosaurs like Diplodocus and Camarasaurus replaced their teeth frequently, with some species replacing up to one tooth every 62 days. This constant growth and replacement was likely caused by the high amount of plant food they consumed, which led to extensive tooth wear.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJul 17, 2013

Bodychecking rules don't reduce concussions in elite hockey

Research published in PLOS ONE found that bodychecking rules didn't decrease concussions in elite hockey. Concussions were caused by body-checking 64% of the time, while illegal incidents accounted for only 28%. The authors suggest stricter enforcement or additional rule changes may be needed to reduce injury risk.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJul 17, 2013

Sharks stun sardine prey with tail-slaps

Researchers tracked thresher shark activity and analyzed instances of tail-slapping to stun or kill sardines. The study highlights the diversity of shark hunting strategies in the ocean, where top predators adapt to prey's evasion behaviors.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJul 10, 2013

Tweet timing tells bots, people and companies apart

Researchers analyzed over 160,000 tweets from personal accounts, corporate accounts and bot-controlled accounts to develop a method to predict when new tweets would be posted. The study found that individual tweeters were most active in the afternoons and evenings, while corporate-managed accounts tweeted during work hours.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJul 3, 2013

Supersense: It's a snap for crocs

Research found that crocodylians have unique multi-sensory organs called dome pressure receptors or Integumentary Sensory organs, which grant fingertip sensitivity and detect surface pressure waves. These sensors also help regulate body temperature and detect suitable habitats.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalEvoDevo·DateJul 1, 2013

Snail genetic tracks reveal ancient human migration

A study published in PLOS ONE suggests that Mesolithic humans transported banded wood snails from southern France to Ireland, based on genetically identical snails found in both regions. The research provides insight into the ancient human migration patterns and their impact on the local ecosystem.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJun 19, 2013

Infants express non-verbal sympathy for others in distress

Researchers found that 10-month-old infants preferentially reach for the victim rather than the aggressor in an animated sequence test. This suggests that infants may exhibit rudimentary sympathy toward others in distress based on their evaluation of roles in interactions.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJun 12, 2013

Turtles watch for, snack on gelatinous prey while swimming

Researchers found that loggerhead turtles rely on sight to identify and move towards gelatinous, floating prey like jellyfish and other organisms. They can snack on these low-energy foods approximately twice every hour, suggesting they may rely on such prey for energy more than previously thought.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJun 12, 2013

Very berry study aims to improve wine quality

A gene expression study highlights genes that help buffer grapevines against environmental change and may explain the different quality performances of grapevine when grown in different terroirs. The research could be used to identify and breed grapevine varieties better suited to climate change.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalGenome Biology·DateJun 6, 2013

The protein profile of restless leg syndrome

A study published in Fluids and Barriers of the CNS found a significantly altered level of six specific proteins in people with restless leg syndrome (RLS), consistent with iron deficiency, dopamine dysregulation, and inflammation. The discovery could lead to new treatments for RLS and its associated cardiovascular disease risk.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalFluids and Barriers of the CNS·DateJun 6, 2013