News on open-access publishing and its reach. Covers journal launches, open-access agreements, and research made freely available.
A new study estimates that up to 1.5 million EU children are born each year with mercury exposures above the safe limit, resulting in a potential lifetime earning loss of €8-9 million per person. Exposure reduction could equate to €10 billion per year in benefits.
Researchers found that the Nopili rock-climbing goby uses the same set of muscles for both climbing and eating, filming jaw muscle movement during both activities. The study suggests that these fish have learned to use similar movements to meet two different needs, potentially coopted through evolution.
A new rat model simulates traumatic muscle tissue loss in humans, enabling the testing of tissue engineering solutions. The model shows successful repair using a biological scaffold, providing valuable insights for developing treatments.
In a recent discovery, botanists have identified three new species of cave-dwelling nettles in the Guangxi province of China. These plants thrive in extremely low light conditions, deep within limestone caves.
Research published in PLOS ONE found that kids who perform acts of kindness are happier and find greater acceptance among their peers. Kind acts, such as giving someone lunch or visiting a pleasant place, increased children's well-being and improved their relationships with classmates.
The World Allergy Organization Journal is transitioning to BioMed Central's open access publishing platform, increasing global accessibility to allergy research. This move aims to improve knowledge-sharing and dissemination of research in the field of allergy, asthma, and clinical immunology.
A large-scale study on newborn screening for fragile X syndrome reveals the high prevalence of the premutation allele among carriers. The research identifies one in 209 females and one in 430 males with the premutation, highlighting the need for better understanding of its impact on families and systems.
A bioartificial liver machine has been scaled up and tested in a large animal model, providing temporary support for liver regeneration. The system uses encapsulated human-derived liver cells grown in a bioreactor and can be transported to a patient's bedside within 48 hours.
Research published in BMC Pediatrics found that repeated infections early in life increases the risk of developing celiac disease. The study revealed a significant association between early-life infections and celiac disease, highlighting the importance of breastfeeding in reducing this risk.
Elsevier has launched a new open-access journal, Journal of Pediatric Surgery Case Reports, which will publish original, peer-reviewed case reports on unusual presentations and novel diagnostic and therapeutic techniques in pediatric surgery. The journal aims to provide high clinical interest and educational value.
A new model reveals that viruses construct intermediate structures before final capsid production, outperforming direct assembly in efficiency. This method allows the viral genome to be protected and propagated successfully, even without host cells.
Researchers from Italy have developed a wearable system that uses strain sensors to monitor human trunk movements and estimate flexibility. The device will enable remote monitoring of physiotherapy exercises at home or during everyday tasks, providing an advancement in portable rehabilitation tracking.
The eLife journal has launched its new website, offering a fresh approach to presenting scientific content. The site features clean and distraction-free design, allowing authors to showcase their research in full and readers to delve deeply into the work.
A large European study found that multiple myeloma is related to farm work, printing and cleaning. The EPILYMPH study, which included 277 cases and matched controls by age and gender, found an increased risk for farmers, cleaning workers, telephone and radio operators.
Research found that both men and women prefer female candidates with masculine voices, regardless of the leadership role. The results suggest that voice pitch can influence perceptions of leadership capacity across different domains.
The Optics Express Special Issue on ECOC 2012 features in-depth versions of 134 papers from the conference, covering topics such as multicore components and hybrid optoelectronic devices. The issue includes submissions from 37% of authors of the 350+ papers presented at the conference.
A new study by Nayuta Brand and Michel Chapuisat found that queen sweat bees restrict the amount of food provided to their first brood, resulting in smaller female workers. This 'choosing' behavior ensures that daughters become workers rather than queens.
Exposure to second-hand smoke significantly increases the risk of invasive meningococcal disease in children, with doubled risks at home and tripled risks for those born to smoking mothers. The study estimates an extra 630 cases of childhood invasive meningococcal disease per year.
Researchers found that prehistoric artwork showed a significantly lower rate of incorrect leg positioning compared to modern art, highlighting the accuracy of cavemen's animal depictions.
Researchers developed a new method to create long-lived stem cells for bone replacement by inserting human telomerase into mesenchymal stem cells. This allows the stem cells to retain their ability to become bone cells and divide repeatedly, making them suitable for tissue engineering applications.
Researchers from the University of Ryukyus discovered two new species of Neozoanthus anemones in southern Japan and the Great Barrier Reef, Australia. The finding highlights the vast yet under-explored biodiversity of marine ecosystems.
A total of 42 reptile species were found in Lenáois Maranhenses National Park, with approximately 80% living in restinga habitats. The park's ecosystems are threatened by human activities such as off-road vehicle use and path creation, which could harm the environment and potentially endangered species like sea turtles.
Researchers found that grey mouse lemur females can distinguish between advertisement calls from unrelated males and their fathers, suggesting a mechanism for avoiding inbreeding. This discovery provides evidence that paternal recognition through vocalizations is not exclusive to complex social groups.
A new species of blunt-headed vine snake has been discovered in Ecuador's Chocó region, characterized by its thin body and unique features. The discovery expands the number of species in this group to seven and highlights the importance of preserving biodiversity hotspots.
Researchers successfully engineered Arabidopsis plants to reduce xylan content and improve breakdown of carbohydrate into simple sugars. The resulting plants exhibit improved saccharification properties, allowing for better production of biofuels from plant biomass.
Research reveals that black dahlia flowers accumulate more anthocyanins due to low flavone concentrations, leading to their distinctive dark color. This finding could be used to engineer plants with tailored flavone contents, as the suppression of flavone formation is an effective mechanism.
Research finds that male-dominated symposia have significantly fewer women presenters than those organized by women or mixed groups, despite primatology being a field with a significant history of female scientists. Women in the field tend to give more posters than talks, whereas men dominate talks.
Researchers compare three immunoassay methods to detect EBV infection in patients with mononucleosis or immunosuppressed adult liver transplant recipients. The study suggests that molecular tests identifying early protein markers may have value for diagnosing active infection.
The Illacme plenipes, a millipede species from California, boasts the most legs of any animal group, with females reaching up to 750 legs. Its unique anatomy and adaptations enable it to thrive in its limited habitat near San Juan Bautista, where thick fog accumulation provides a specialized environment.
The Wuzhishan miniature pig genome sequence has provided valuable knowledge for medical engineering and drug design. Despite high levels of polymorphism, the genome is mostly homozygous, with 84% homology between humans and pigs.
Researchers found that stress-related problem drinking is linked to a specific combination of neural circuit functioning, including highly reactive reward circuits and hypo-reactive threat circuits. This imbalance can lead to excessive drinking in response to stress, as the brain struggles with opposing drives for pleasure and fear.
Researchers discovered that wild birds were previously exposed to the West Nile virus before their arrival in Greece during autumn migration. The study found 14 positive serum samples from birds up to 8 months prior to the human outbreak, and genetic determinants of increased virulence were present in these samples.
Short-term alcohol intake increases brain activity and GABA-mediated signal transmission in healthy social drinkers, altering the brain's resting-state network. The study suggests a potential mechanism for the effects of alcohol on the brain.
Nine new species of arboreal tarantulas were discovered in Central and Eastern Brazil, including four of the smallest species ever recorded. These discoveries highlight the need for conservation efforts due to high pressure from human activities on regions with threatened biodiversity.
Researchers found that adding thickening agents and creamy flavors increased expected fullness, but only thickness affected hunger suppression. Texture and flavor play a crucial role in satiety perception.
Researchers have made a breakthrough in nuclear reprogramming by identifying histone H3.3 as a key player in reverting nuclei to a pluripotent state, capable of becoming any cell type. This discovery has significant implications for regenerative medicine and cancer treatment.
The Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Journal is expanding its reach to the international plastic surgery community through a publishing partnership with Revista Brasileira de Cirurgia Plastica. The journal will exchange content with RBCP, allowing for easy access to research advances among Brazilian leaders. A new open-access title, ...
The partnership enables the publication of high-quality stem cell research in an open-access venue, promoting outreach and quality in the field. Stem Cell Reports will feature various article types and allow authors to retain full copyright over their work.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that older adults are worse at distinguishing between lifted weights than younger counterparts. The researchers assessed the ability of participants in two age groups to estimate weight ratios and found that older adults consistently estimated the ratios as much higher than they actually were.
The Beutler laboratory has released its ENU mutagenesis data, which underpin the Nobel Prize-winning discoveries, for public use. The dataset is available in an online open access repository called Mutagenix, linked permanently to a 'Data Note' article published in BMC Research Notes.
The PLOS Biology editorial emphasizes the need for open access journals to ensure research reusability, beyond just accessibility. The scientific community can progress by sharing and building upon each other's work.
Researchers identified molecular pathways involved in both systemic and arthritic components of SJIA, revealing differences in affected organs. The study found that glucocorticoid signalling was more heavily involved in inflammation associated with SJIA, highlighting the need for tailored treatment plans.
A comprehensive review article discusses progress and application of Cell-SELEX technology, which uses live cells as targets for binding aptamers. The technique offers stability, short length, and ease of manufacturing, making it an attractive option for drug compound screening.
A new study published in Molecular Autism found that common genetic variations can add up to increase the risk of autism spectrum disorder. The research, which analyzed data from over one million participants, suggests that inherited risk is additive and can significantly impact an individual's likelihood of developing ASD.
A new cave-dwelling reef coral species, Leptoseris troglodyta, has been discovered in the Indo-Pacific region. This species differs from its relatives by its small polyp size and lack of symbiotic algae, providing insights into coral-algal symbiosis.
Researchers developed a new model that incorporates detailed household transmission data to better predict flu outbreaks. The study found that infection rates were higher than previously thought, revealing the importance of including untested individuals in outbreak analysis.
A study published in Clinical Epigenetics found that individuals with a specific genetic variation in SIRT1 are more likely to develop vibration-induced white finger disease. The research suggests that testing for this variant before starting work with vibrating machinery could prevent years of pain and disability.
A genomic sequencing project funded by community donations has published the first sequence of the critically endangered Puerto Rican Parrot. The project, led by Dr. Taras Oleksyk, covers nearly 76% of the parrot's genome and has found similarities to zebra finches and chickens.
The apple flea weevil has reemerged as a significant pest in organic apple orchards, causing up to 90% damage. The authors discuss management options and highlight the need for proven methods in organic production.
Researchers found that viewing objects associated with one gender can make viewers perceive an androgynous face as being of the opposite gender. The study suggests two possible explanations for this effect, including common brain regions involved in identifying both types of stimuli and a higher cognitive function of adapting to gender.
A new article explores the link between chronic laminitis and inflammation, identifying an anti-inflammatory protein APOA-IV as a key factor. The psychology of equine performance also plays a crucial role in enhancing horse's mood, emotion, and temperament to improve performance.
Researchers developed an Audiobased Environment Simulator to help blind users learn about a new space using only audio cues. Blind participants played the virtual reality game and showed improved navigation skills in real-world environments.
Researchers found that women's disgust responses are weaker when they are sexually aroused. The study, published in PLOS ONE, used a combination of peer review and post-publication rating and commenting to maximize the impact of every report it publishes. All works published in PLOS ONE are Open Access.
Researchers have discovered a new species of African monkey, the lesula, in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The species is threatened by local bush meat hunting and has a limited range of 6,500 square miles, making it vulnerable to extinction.
Researchers found that 7 out of 10 top media-covered ADHD studies were refuted or strongly attenuated by later research. This phenomenon may cause significant distortion in health science communication if generalized to other health topics. The study highlights the potential for misleading early results to dominate public discourse.
A modeling study published in PLOS ONE found that introducing small payments alongside punishment can create stable, righteous societies in the face of corruption. Once corruption is eradicated, it can be held at bay indefinitely even if power inequalities return.
Two groundbreaking papers from the CMS and ATLAS experiments announce the discovery of the elusive Higgs boson, marking a major milestone in particle physics. The observation confirms the Standard Model of particle physics and validates theories explaining how elementary particles can have mass.
Researchers developed a Bayesian Artificial Neural Network model to analyze gene expression levels from over 90 FNA samples. The model identified eight biomarkers capable of distinguishing between malignant and benign tumours with high accuracy. This approach could potentially reduce the number of people with benign nodules undergoing ...
Researchers tracked albatross movements using GPS to discover the 'dynamic soaring' technique, which allows birds to fly with minimal mechanical cost. This method may lead to advancements in robotic aircraft design, enabling them to harness wind energy without engines.
The ENCODE project has published a series of articles annotating the functional elements in the human genome, revealing new information on pseudogenes and regulatory elements. The study's findings are now freely available online as part of BioMed Central's open access policy.