News on open-access publishing and its reach. Covers journal launches, open-access agreements, and research made freely available.
Research suggests that men with muscle dysmorphia prefer traditional masculine roles, while those with anorexia nervosa display greater adherence to traditional feminine roles. The study highlights the increasing pressures men face to define their masculinity in the modern world.
A study published in Frontiers in Zoology found that female great tits' appearance signals healthy attributes in their offspring, with black stripe correlating to chick weight at two weeks and white cheek patches to immune strength. The research suggests a balance between genetic and environmental factors in determining offspring health.
The BMC Ecology Image Competition has announced its winners, featuring striking visual elements that depict specific ecological interactions. The overall winning image highlights the coevolution of a stick insect and its host, while the runner-up showcases a subalpine flower meadow in Colorado.
A new study found that nearly half of Florida manatees seek power plant outfalls for warmth, while about 17% choose warm springs. Hot springs offered the best protection against cold weather, suggesting protecting access to these refuges is crucial for long-term survival.
A study published in Cost Effectiveness and Resource Allocation found that managing musculoskeletal disorders can improve employment rates, household income, and reduce the need for disability benefits. The analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between physical function and economic outcomes.
Research suggests that low to moderate drinkers of alcohol may experience lower severity of fibromyalgia symptoms, including chronic pain, fatigue, and sleep problems. Moderate drinking has also been found to improve quality of life, with benefits seen in physical function, ability to work, and overall well-being.
A new species of long-horned beetle has been discovered in Yunnan Province, China, characterized by its striking blue-greenish body and blue legs. Seven previously unknown species have also been recorded from the region, including rare ones found only in China, Myanmar, and Vietnam.
Researchers found that one-sided cellphone conversations are more distracting and memorable for bystanders than chats between two people. Participants rated cell phone conversations as more distracting and recalled more words from them.
The invasive dog-strangling vine (Vincetoxicum rossicum) has been found to compete successfully with native Canadian plants in both disturbed and undisturbed areas. Despite cooler temperatures, the plant produces an equal number of seeds as it does in its typical range.
A new checklist of Cucurbitaceae from India brings up-to-date information on the family's evolution, diversity, and distribution. The list includes 94 species, 79% of which have DNA sequences available in GenBank.
A new fish species, Alburnoides manyasensis, has been described from the Koca Stream drainage of Lake Manyas in Turkey. The species is characterized by small black spots and inhabits clear fast-running water with cobble and pebble substrates.
Researchers found that describing blood donations as a way to prevent a death rather than save a life significantly increased the rate of donations. Volunteers presented with 'prevention of loss' messages were also more likely to expect larger donations.
A large European study found that eating processed meat was associated with an increased risk of premature death, particularly from cancer and cardiovascular disease. The researchers estimated that up to 3% of premature deaths could be prevented if people consumed less than 20g of processed meat per day.
The new center is designed to improve how science is conducted and communicated, with tools to promote accurate and transparent findings. It also provides incentives for original research and replication of previous studies.
The Association for Psychological Science has launched an initiative to encourage multi-center replication studies, with a new type of article that allows replication study designs to be peer-reviewed before data collection. The goal is to make replication a valued part of daily scientific practice.
Research on sugar gliders and grey short-tailed opossums reveals a distinct pattern of handedness based on gender. Unlike other mammals, quadruped marsupials show reversed sex-related handedness, with males being right-handed and females left-handed, particularly for more complex tasks.
A new method for estimating blood loss, based on base deficit (BD), is more accurate than the current Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) classification. BD was linked to increased severity of injury, length of stay, morbidity and mortality.
The Pseudophoraspis genus, known for giant cockroaches, has expanded its range to the north with the discovery of three new species in China's Hainan, Yunnan, and Guangxi provinces. The newly described species are smaller than previously known species but significantly expand the genus' reach.
A study published in BioMed Central's Investigative Genetics journal found that over 80% of game meat samples in South Africa were mislabeled, with some species being substituted almost entirely. The labelling error has implications for animal safety and cultural/religious practices.
Protection of marine areas from fishing significantly increases fish density and biomass. Even partial protection yields a 50% increase in biomass for target species like lobsters and scallops. However, the success of marine protection depends on its size and management style.
Bearded capuchin monkeys deliberately place palm nuts in a stable position to crack them open, revealing their capacity for tactile strategy. The researchers found that the monkeys' tool-use skills improved with experience, as they learned to optimize the placement of the nut based on its shape.
A tablet-based experiment found that subconcussive head impacts in soccer can cause changes in performance on certain cognitive tasks, particularly those requiring voluntary responses. High school female soccer players were significantly slower than non-players when pointing away from a target.
Surgeons who played games on a Nintendo Wii improved certain metrics of performance on laparascopies. The study found that Wii-trained surgeons showed significant improvements in economy of instrument movements and efficient cautery.
Friedreich's Ataxia, a rare genetic disorder, imposes significant annual costs of £11,000 to £19,000 on individuals. The study emphasizes the need for tailored resource allocation to maximize quality of life while minimizing its impact.
BMC Psychology is the first solely dedicated open access psychology journal, covering all aspects of psychology. The new journal will practice open peer review and welcome submissions of replications and null findings in addition to positive results.
Researchers have discovered that saw-scaled viper venom contains both anticoagulants and coagulants, which can be used to develop new treatments for blood disorders. The venom's toxic clotting factors were found to be lethal to mice, making them a promising area of study.
The Brazilian Journal of Venomous Animals and Toxins including Tropical Diseases has moved to BioMed Central's open access publishing platform, expanding the publisher's portfolio to 250 journals. The journal will publish research on all aspects of toxins, venomous animals, and tropical diseases.
A recent study published in BMC Psychology found that people with HIV have difficulty recognizing facial expressions, particularly fear, and are more likely to experience memory problems. The researchers suggest that this impairment can be debilitating and impact daily life and personal interactions.
Two new species of Dianous and two new species of Stenus have been discovered in the Liupan Shan Natural Reserve. The beetles possess a unique ability to glide on water due to special gland secretions.
A study published in BioMed Central's open access journal BMC Genetics found that coral DNA variations correlate with water temperature and clarity, which can inform reef conservation efforts. The research team identified specific genes involved in immune response and stress-induced cell-death, suggesting that corals with certain genet...
A study published in Journal of Eating Disorders found that women's conversations about weight, known as 'fat talk,' were more prevalent during younger years. In contrast, discussions about aging, or 'old talk,' increased with age and were less frequent. Women who engaged in both types of talk tended to have a more negative body image.
Research finds that mosquitoes' odor receptors become less sensitive to DEET after brief exposure, allowing them to seek out attractants despite the presence of the repellent. The effect lasts up to three hours and is thought to be a form of habituation similar to human olfactory adaptation.
A new species of scorpion, Vaejovis brysoni, was found in the Santa Catalina Mountains near metropolitan Tucson, Arizona. The discovery is significant as it represents the first documented case of two vorhiesi group species inhabiting the same mountain range.
A study found that genetic variation within a single tree allows it to produce branches with leaves resistant to herbivory, while others are more susceptible. The variations in genes related to terpene production influence the leaves' edibility.
Researchers found that adding simple movements to mental rehearsal improved performance by 45% for high jumpers, compared to 35% with internal visual imagery. Dynamic imagery also shortened the number of jumps required.
Research published in BMC Medicine found that caffeine from all sources reduces birth weight and increases pregnancy length by 5 hours per day. Caffeine intake from coffee was associated with an even longer gestational length, increasing risk of small for gestational age at birth by almost a third
A new species of forcepfly (Mecoptera, Meropeidae) was discovered in Brazil's Atlantic Forest biome, representing the third extant species described in this family. The discovery highlights the importance of conservation efforts for this threatened ecosystem.
PeerJ, founded on principles of affordability, innovation, and Open Access, publishes its first 30 peer-reviewed articles, offering a rapid, peer-reviewed journal with a Creative Commons license. The organization assembles an Editorial Board of 800 esteemed academics to ensure rigorous peer review and high standards in publication.
Researchers sequenced genes responsible for light-sensitive pigment in 40 bird species, revealing at least 14 shifts between violet and ultraviolet color vision. This evolution is driven by single nucleotide changes in DNA, resulting in unique visual adaptations among birds.
A recent study published in PLOS ONE found that women who are more aware of their internal bodily signals, such as their heartbeat, tend to have lower levels of self-objectification. This increased awareness is linked to a reduced tendency to think of one's body as an object, rather than a source of physical competence and health.
Researchers discovered a novel syndrome caused by mutations in the ASXL3 gene, characterized by non-specific symptoms and intellectual disability. The study provides a molecular definition of this condition, which is difficult to distinguish from Bohring-Opitz syndrome, and highlights the importance of sharing genomic data.
A systematic review assesses the reliability of global mapping of infectious diseases, finding that only a small percentage have been mapped reliably. The study suggests using novel solutions like crowdsourcing to gather data, such as analyzing Twitter messages about disease.
Researchers found that Arabidopsis thaliana plants exhibit genetic traits from older generations, contradicting Mendelian inheritance. New experiments support these findings, providing evidence for novel DNA-based genetic phenomena and implications for plant biology and agriculture.
Two new methods for detecting and measuring the levels of antisense drugs in cells have been developed, allowing researchers to track PMO delivery to individual cells and quantify its presence in tissue. These methods will advance the field of PMO research and provide valid alternatives to current time-consuming detection techniques.
The International Society of Hymenopterists and Pensoft Publishers' switch to open access has led to a flexible schedule allowing an unlimited number of published articles per year. This change has also facilitated public outreach through press releases and social media, increasing the research's popularity.
The star-nosed mole's star-shaped snout contains a high proportion of nerve endings sensitive to light touch, with fewer receptors that detect pain. This study highlights the importance of examining diverse species to reveal common biological mechanisms.
A Concordia librarian advocates for open source technology to make academic journals freely available, reducing subscription fees. The initiative aims to ensure institutional support for long-term sustainability and promotes the mission of libraries to support scholarly research.
The new publication guidelines for systematic reviews cover two types of analysis: realist synthesis and meta-narrative reviews. These guidelines aim to provide a standard framework for researchers to report their methods and findings, ensuring thorough peer-review and consistency in methodology.
Researchers used dispensary records to measure the effect of forest fires on people with chronic lung diseases. The study found that even small increases in smoke were associated with higher salbutamol dispensations, highlighting the impact of pollution on public health.
A new study published in PLOS ONE found that taking smaller bites outweighs the tendency to eat more when distracted. Researchers discovered that participants who ate pre-specified small sips of soup consumed about 30% less soup than those who didn't have a set size limit.
A new study published in BMC Microbiology reveals that children with eczema have a more diverse set of bacteria in their guts than healthy children. The types of bacteria present were also more typical of adult gut microbes, suggesting an early change towards adult-type bacteria may be a risk factor for eczema.
A study of over a thousand women reveals that both adaptive and maladaptive perfectionism contribute to body dissatisfaction, increasing the risk of developing an eating disorder. Women who desired lower BMIs showed greater concern about making mistakes and self-doubt, highlighting the need for addressing 'all or nothing' attitudes.
The Journal of Eating Disorders is an open-access journal publishing research on the science and clinical practice of eating disorders. Recent studies explore internalized weight bias, perfectionism in body dissatisfaction, and cross-cultural aspects of eating disorders.
A new study found that the brain's pattern of blood flow in the prefrontal cortex alters with age during multitasking. Healthy older people had a higher and more sustained increase in oxygenated haemoglobin, indicating increased brain activity. This change is associated with normal aging and may impact dual-task performance.
A longitudinal study of Labrador Retrievers in the UK is providing valuable insights into canine diseases and veterinary care. The research found that four out of ten dogs were ill at some point, with 80% showing signs of illness by one year old.
A new study uses DNA analysis to reconstruct hair and eye color from ancient human remains, confirming the blue eyes and blond hair of a Polish general. The HIrisPlex system was also able to identify details from medieval samples, including a mysterious woman buried in a 12th-14th century crypt.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that people judge men's trustworthiness based on face shape and eye color, with brown-eyed faces appearing more trustworthy than blue eyes. The researchers tested various combinations of eye color and face shape to determine which features contributed most to the perception of trustworthiness.
A 'cheater' mutation in Dictyostelium discoideum allows it to exploit its social partner by reducing the ability of normal Dictyostelium to form spores. This enables the cheater strain to outcompete wild type for survival and resources, with no observed fitness cost or impairment to lifespan.
A study published in BMC Biology has generated interactive 3D models of the zebra finch's syrinx, a complex vocal organ. The models reveal the delicate balance between strength and lightness required to control sound production at superfast speeds.
A team of researchers used cutting-edge 3D imaging techniques to study the syrinx, a unique vocal organ found in songbirds. The detailed structure reveals how birds can produce superfast trills and stabilize their sounds while moving.