News on open-access publishing and its reach. Covers journal launches, open-access agreements, and research made freely available.
A research team has developed a handheld, mobile device capable of rapidly detecting brain injuries such as hematomas in patients with traumatic brain injuries. The device uses near-infrared imaging to detect changes in blood volume and can be used for quick screenings before more expensive imaging techniques.
Researchers studied Campbell's monkeys and found that females pick up habits from each other through grooming and contact calls. The study suggests that human speech evolved gradually from ancestral primate vocalisations and social patterns, influenced by environmental factors rather than genetic predisposition alone.
Researchers have identified an enteric virus-binding protein (EVBP) found in activated sludge, capable of capturing norovirus, rotavirus, and poliovirus. This breakthrough could enable the detection of low concentrations of viruses in water supplies.
A new biodiversity data publishing framework has been proposed by the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) to encourage and facilitate the sharing of biodiversity data. The framework aims to overcome barriers to access and publishing of data, making it the expected norm for biodiversity research.
Researchers have found two new species of the miniaturized frog genus Paedophryne in southeastern New Guinea. The tiny frogs have reduced digit sizes and inhabit leaf litter, reflecting their adaptation to a unique food source.
A molecular phylogeny study reveals three Mediterranean species as a separate evolutionary line, sister group to all remaining Delphinieae. The genus Staphisagria has been resurrected for these species, which share traits not found in Delphinium or Aconitum.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that yawn contagion is linked to social empathy, with family members and close friends triggering the most responses. The researchers identified a pattern of empathy similar to other measures, suggesting that yawn contagion occurs due to our natural inclination to connect with others
A study published in PLOS ONE found that students' ability to estimate time is correlated with their math skills, suggesting a common reliance on spatial ability. The researchers suggest that developing this skill could improve mathematical intelligence.
Research on naked mole rat sperm reveals a lack of competition among breeding males, resulting in degenerate evolution. The sperm's motility and structure are abnormal for any other mammal, but the males are still fertile and father healthy offspring.
Researchers found that probiotic treatment increased interferon levels and reduced the number of infections in ICU patients. Probiotics also helped to shift the balance of the immune system, reducing Th2-associated factors and promoting a healthier response.
The use of Creative Commons 'non-commercial' licenses is a major barrier to reusing biodiversity information, hindering conservation and climate change research. The ambiguity between 'non-for-profit' and 'non-commercial' restrictions imposes significant risks on organizations, limiting the sharing of valuable information.
Researchers found that a year-long Maks therapy, combining motor stimulation, cognitive exercises, and daily living activities, halted the progression of dementia in patients. This therapy showed similar results to cholinesterase inhibitors, but with twice as much effect on daily living tasks.
Researchers developed a method to characterize the optical properties of ZnO nanoparticles, allowing them to assess their safety in sunscreen. The study found that nanoparticles did not penetrate beneath the stratum corneum, the topmost layer of skin, after being applied and washed off.
Researchers found that silverfish steal the ant's scent to avoid being killed or rejected from the nest. By continually updating this scent, the silverfish remain protected from ant aggression. This co-evolutionary arms race highlights the ants' complex scent recognition system and the silverfish's elaborate behavioral adaptations.
The open access journal ZooKeys has seen significant growth in publications and articles since its launch in 2008, reaching over 10,000 pages and 420 articles in 2011. The journal's innovative publishing model with automated extraction and dissemination of information allows for easy distribution of valuable data on biodiversity.
New research published in BMC Research Notes found that snow leopards in the central Himalayas have a much lower population size than previously estimated. Genetic analysis of snow leopard scat samples revealed only 19 out of 71 original samples were actually P. uncia, with most coming from nine individuals.
Researchers found that Dantrolene, a muscle relaxant, reduces the severity of walking and balance problems in mice with Huntington's disease. The drug prevents calcium-dependent toxicity in laboratory-grown neurons and protects coordination in mice with HD-like disease.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that increased consumption of ground beef or processed meat is positively associated with aggressive prostate cancer. The research team suggests that this result is due to increased levels of carcinogens in meat prepared using high heat methods, such as grilling or barbecuing.
Research suggests that dyslexic adults struggle to focus due to excessive external noise, leading to impaired reading skills. This study confirms the hypothesis that dyslexia is linked to difficulty filtering out background information.
Researchers discovered 16 new species of Caenorhabditis, found in rotting fruit and vegetation, using molecular barcoding. The newly identified species will aid future research on genome evolution, reproductive modes, and development.
The new journal, Food and Energy Security, aims to publish high-quality, peer-reviewed articles on agricultural crop and forest productivity to improve global food and energy security. The journal will be published under Wiley Open Access and is open to submissions now.
New research shows that male nursery web spiders offer 'worthless' gifts to potential mates, which females promptly reject. Despite this, the act of giving a gift still increases mating success for males. The study suggests that both males and females assess the value of gifts and adjust their behavior accordingly.
A study on Lysmata amboinensis shrimp found that larger groups than pairs experience violent attacks and kills, with smaller groups remaining intact. Monogamous pairs emerge after aggression subsides, with reduced group sizes resulting in increased molting rates.
Researchers from North Eastern Hill University investigate the karyomorphological data of Citrus species, revealing that C. indica has an intermediate asymmetry index value, making it a true progenitor of cultivated Citrus. This study supports the classification of three true species of Citrus: C. grandis, C. reticulata, and C. medica.
A comprehensive list of 235 planthoppers from Iran has been compiled, featuring new species names and taxonomic data. The study aims to improve pest control management and encourage further research on this important group of insects.
Researchers found that older male nightingales matched songs less often and overlapped songs more frequently with younger birds. This suggests a different strategy than previously thought, where older males may 'show off' to protect their territories by adding new songs to their repertoire.
A study published in BMC Emergency Medicine found that higher body mass index (BMI) and fitness levels improve CPR performance, while lower BMI and fitness lead to decreased compression depth and fatigue. The researchers recommend changing CPR providers every two minutes to prevent tiredness from impeding proper compression.
Researchers developed a new method using two-photon polymerization with multiple foci to create finely detailed structures, such as tissue scaffolds and microneedles, more quickly than traditional techniques. This enables faster production of microscale medical devices for tissue engineering applications.
Using Fourier Transform Light Scattering (FTLS), the UIUC team analyzed light scattering patterns from RBCs to identify healthy cell signatures. The Born approximation model enabled accurate detection of misshapen cells in just a few seconds.
Using ultra-short pulses of ultraviolet light, scientists increase the number of right-side-up antibodies in QCM sensors, more than doubling their sensitivity. This breakthrough opens up new possibilities for research using this type of sensor.
Researchers have developed a fast new method for mapping blood vessels that could aid cancer research by analyzing the vascular network of organs in less than two days. The technique uses knife-edge scanning microscopy to create detailed 3D maps of blood vessels, from arteries and veins to smallest capillaries.
Research published in BMC Public Health found that commuting by car or public transport is associated with negative health effects compared to walking or cycling. The study of 21,000 people showed that longer journey times increased the risk of poor health outcomes.
Researchers studied woodpecker anatomy and behavior to understand how they resist head impact injury. Key findings include the relative 'spongy'-ness of cranial bones and beak features that absorb shock, leading to a combined effect of multiple morphological features.
Researchers have created a novel EEG-based brain-computer interface that allows users to control a virtual helicopter using only their minds. The system was tested with great success, reaching targets 85% of the time in a task requiring users to navigate randomly positioned rings in three-dimensional space.
The genome sequencing of Clonorchis sinensis reveals that it lacks enzymes required for fatty acid biosynthesis, unlike other liver flukes. This discovery provides insight into the parasite's complex lifestyle and may lead to new ways of controlling diseases caused by this parasite.
The cereal leaf beetle, introduced in the US in the early 1960s, has rapidly spread across the country, becoming a major pest of oats, barley, and wheat. Current research focuses on developing new information and procedures to encourage growers to adopt integrated pest management approaches.
The Pecan Pest Information Platform for Extension and education (PIPE) provides real-time access to information on pecan integrated pest management. Stakeholders have increased adoption and usage of the resource, with over 41,000 annual visits recorded.
A new study published in BMC Evolutionary Biology reveals that deep-reef coral species have adapted to low-light conditions by increasing their nutrient and plankton exploitation capacity. This physiological strategy allows them to outperform shallow corals in growth rate and abundance.
Research published in BMC reveals that musical aptitude is intrinsically related to reading ability, with children who excel in music also showing improved literacy skills. The study found a correlation between neural responses to rhythmic sounds and reading ability, suggesting a common cognitive mechanism underlying both skills.
Researchers have discovered a new way to produce biodegradable plastic PHB using microalgae. This alternative method could provide a renewable source of plastics, reducing the millions of tons of waste caused by petroleum-based plastics.
A new study published in BMC Public Health found that never-married men have a significantly higher risk of dying from cancer compared to their married counterparts. The difference in mortality between married and never-married men has increased over the past 40 years, with the gap growing from 18% to 35% for men.
Researchers identified a strategy of prevention that has evolved to compensate for the inefficiency of NMD by decreasing the frequency of nonsense errors. Human genes preferentially encode codons less likely to be mistranscribed into premature STOP codons, improving robustness to transcriptional errors.
The Journal of Visualized Experiments (JoVE) will partner with Carl Zeiss MicroImaging to support the sharing of scientific information through open access. JoVE will film and edit three open-access video articles, which will undergo rigorous peer-review.
A 22-year retrospective analysis of brain dead organ donors in the Netherlands found that discussing donation with relatives earlier may negatively impact consent rates. The introduction of the Donor Register in 1998 increased patient-consent rates seven-fold, from 5.7% to 41%.
Researchers analyzed 300,000 NBA free-throws, finding strong support for the hot hand phenomenon, which suggests a streak of positive outcomes is likely to continue. This study sheds new light on an old question, supporting fans' view that the phenomenon exists and opens doors for further physiological and psychological investigations.
Research on Galapagos mockingbirds reveals co-evolutionary history with parasites, affecting bird survival and conservation. The study's findings highlight the importance of considering parasite histories in re-introducing birds to new islands.
New research shows that prolonged alcohol consumption can reduce the body's ability to produce anti-viral cytokines, leading to increased inflammation and impaired immune response. This study highlights the negative impact of alcohol on the immune system, particularly in relation to viral infections.
In polygynous colonies, worker ants reinforce dominant queens by feeding and grooming them, while eliminating weaker sisters. Researchers found that inter-queen fighting involves ritualistic behavior, while workers are more aggressive, suggesting a complex reproductive strategy to maintain queen dominance.
A new study reveals that UK healthcare programs can vary significantly depending on a person's postcode, with those in deprived areas receiving more funding. The 'Health Checks' program aims to reduce cardiovascular disease risk but faces challenges in implementation and evaluation.
The Texas Advanced Computing Center announces the deployment of Stampede, a world-class supercomputer with comprehensive computing and visualization capabilities, made possible by a $27.5 million NSF grant. The system will support over 1,000 projects in computational and data-driven science, enabling researchers to explore complex phen...
Using a single UV laser pulse, researchers can now zap away biological tissue at multiple points simultaneously. This technique allows scientists to isolate specific cells and observe their shape dictated solely by internal forces. The method has potential applications in developmental biology and bioengineering.
Thrips infestation in cotton seedlings can lead to significant crop injury, including distortion, malformation, and reduced plant growth. Management practices for thrip infestation are discussed in the article.
Researchers identified genes expressed when diamondback moth is attacked by parasitic wasp, which could lead to new control measures and resistance management strategies. The study provides a comprehensive analysis of the impact of parasitization on host physiology.
The soybean aphid, Aphis glycines, is a significant insect pest reducing US soybean yields by $2.4 billion annually. Biological control, host plant resistance, and other factors affecting its populations are reviewed.
Researchers used text mining to analyze electronic health records and identified co-occurrence of diseases and clustered patients into groups with similar clinical features. The study also mapped disease correlations to the genetic level, potentially revealing a genetic cause behind some diseases.
Researchers found that life expectancy in deprived areas of Brazil increased at three times the rate of more affluent areas, narrowing the gap to 4.2 years by 2005. This decline in social inequalities in life expectancy corresponds to a significant increase in life expectancy between deprived and affluent areas.
New research on male helminthomorph millipedes has uncovered the intricate process of leg-to-gonopod metamorphosis, essential for their reproductive success. This complex transformation involves significant reorganization of the exoskeleton and muscles, altering the animal's body plan.
The tammar wallaby genome sequence provides valuable information on the evolution of mammalian reproduction, development, and fascinating biological characteristics. Researchers discovered genes responsible for the kangaroo's characteristic hop, excellent sense of smell, and antibiotics in mother's milk to protect newborns from harm.
A research team from Yale University has successfully achieved two-color stimulated emission depletion (STED) microscopy in living cells, overcoming previous challenges in labeling target proteins. The breakthrough enables resolutions of 78 nanometers and 82 nanometers for sequential scans of two proteins in living cells.
Researchers developed a near-infrared imaging system using optical coherence tomography (OCT) that can reliably distinguish between low-risk and high-risk pancreatic cysts. The system achieved a success rate close to microscope-assisted examinations, showing its potential as a future diagnostic tool for pancreatic cancer.