News on open-access publishing and its reach. Covers journal launches, open-access agreements, and research made freely available.
NeoBiota, a new open-access journal, addresses the challenges of biological invasions through rapid online publishing. The journal incorporates automated cross-linking with major biodiversity platforms to provide barrier-free access to information and data, supporting the study and management of invasive species.
Researchers have engineered bacteria to withstand high levels of mercury and remove it from their surroundings, providing a potential technology for bioremediation. The bacteria were able to grow in extremely high concentrations of mercury and remove over 80% of it in five days.
Research found that small 'sneaker' males produce larger sperm than large, competing males. This adaptation allows them to increase their chances of fertilizing female eggs.
Researchers developed a cell-based test that can classify chemicals as sensitizing or non-sensitizing, predicting the strength of allergic responses. This alternative to animal testing aims to reduce suffering from skin conditions such as eczema.
The article highlights how Facebook profiles are similar to traditional portraiture, where artists must make rhetorical decisions about representation. The author notes that both Rembrandt's famous works and today's social media profiles strive for mastery over the challenges of representation.
A new study examines children's use of multiple screens, finding they often watch TV while interacting with other devices. Children enjoy filling breaks during entertainment with phone calls or texts, and TV is used to provide background entertainment for other activities.
UK PubMed Central will be led by EMBL-EBI for the next five years, providing access to over 2 million full-text biomedical research articles. The service aims to build a gold-standard digital repository for the biomedical literature, benefiting researchers worldwide.
A study published in PhytoKeys has sorted out the names of three Australian Cucurbitaceae species collected in 1856, which are distinct from each other and one is closest to the honeymelon. Molecular data link herbarium science with molecular results to resolve economically important group identities.
Researchers tracked female Asian elephant friendships for five seasons in Sri Lanka's Uda Walawe National Park, finding that elephants tend to congregate in groups of three adult females. Analysis revealed a larger, stable network of friends, with those having few companions being more loyal than those with many.
The study found that 15% of the population from high-income countries were at risk of developing depression over their lifetime. Depression was strongly linked to social conditions and more prevalent in high-income countries, where MDEs were elevated by 28%, with France having the highest incidence.
The PGA has implemented targeted efforts to improve minority participation in golf, including the PGA Professional Golf Management Program accreditation at the University of Maryland, Eastern Shore. The program has helped expose minority students to golf and provided scholarships to encourage participation.
The new journal MycoKeys offers a linked environment for publishing and disseminating information on fungi and lichens. It provides mandatory registration of new taxa in MycoBank and automated cross-linking with major biodiversity platforms.
Scientists discover six new species of Eucalantica micro-moths in Central America, revealing a higher diversity and wider distribution than previously thought. The discoveries highlight the vast underexplored biodiversity of life on Earth, with only 20% of extant species described.
A new study finds that women in conflict-affected areas often want access to family planning but are unable to get it due to limited healthcare services. The research highlights the gap between what women want and what is available, with only a small percentage using modern contraception.
A team of scientists and medical doctors proposes an integrated method using systems medicine to investigate chronic non-communicable diseases as a group. This approach aims to provide personalized holistic treatment at the primary care level, reducing healthcare costs and burden.
Researchers from London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh examined GHIs' operations in Uganda using agency theory. They found strong conflict of interest between GHIs' priorities and the Ugandan government's needs, with the latter preferring flexible resource allocation for long-term benefits.
A single sex pheromone receptor protein determines chemical response specificity of sexual behavior in the silkmoth. The study found that manipulating this receptor can turn moths into detectors for any odor, revealing its critical role in successful reproduction.
A new study has found that variations in the CNR1 gene are associated with longer gaze durations when looking at happy faces. This discovery sheds light on the neural basis of social behavior and may have implications for understanding autism spectrum conditions.
A new, top-tier, open access journal for biomedical and life sciences research will attract the best publications from across these fields. The journal will employ a fair, swift and transparent editorial process with rapid online publication.
Researchers found that oxytocin improved trust, mood, and reduced disruptive behavior in Prader-Willi syndrome patients. The hormone, which plays a key role in social interactions and empathy, showed promise as a potential treatment for the condition.
Researchers developed a mouse model of Familial Hemiplegic Migraine type 2, showing increased susceptibility to cortical spreading depression. The study suggests that episodic disruptions in the excitation-inhibition balance may underlie migraine vulnerability.
A patient who was blind in his right eye for 55 years had functional vision restored after surgery at The New York Eye and Ear Infirmary. The treatment involved monoclonal antibody therapy and retinal reattachment surgery, successfully improving the patient's vision to a distance of five meters.
Between 1993 and 2009, Open Access journal articles increased from 191,000 to an estimated 1.91 million, with a 30% annual growth rate. This accounts for 7.7% of all peer-reviewed journal articles published during the same period.
Researchers used internet traffic modeling to study brain networks, revealing that timing patterns of information emission are indicative of info flow. This method can be applied to study neurological development, aging, and disease, indicating a potential new approach in neuroscience.
Researchers found that increasing CRP levels resulted in increasingly poor prognosis, with a five-year survival rate decreasing from 90% to 74% and deaths from breast cancer increasing from 11% to 20%. Elevated CRP at diagnosis remained predictive of overall survival rates even after excluding patients with suspected bacterial infections.
Researchers found nearly indistinguishable mitochondrial genomes between two species, suggesting possible interbreeding. The study's lead author believes the individual could be a hybrid of both species, challenging traditional views on North American mammoth evolution.
The new journal will be fully sponsored by the Korea-based Future Technology Research Association International (FTRA) and cover multifaceted aspects of human-centric computing technology and information sciences. All research results will be freely available online under the Creative Commons Attribution license.
Researchers from Tel-Aviv University discovered that ground beetles of the genus Epomis prey on live amphibians at night, contrary to their daytime sheltering behavior. The study found that two species of Epomis beetles attack different amphibian species, with only one species preying on a particular species.
Researchers found that bitter cumin seeds are a rich source of phenolic antioxidants, which can mop up free radicals and reduce oxidative stress. This antioxidant activity is correlated with the total phenol content of the seeds, suggesting that multiple phenolic compounds may be responsible for its effects.
Researchers found that extracts from six Indian wild plants effectively killed bacteria and fungi, including E. coli, S. aureus, and Candida. These natural remedies offer hope against resistant species, particularly Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Geographic profiling successfully located the sources of disease outbreaks in London and Cairo, revealing breeding habitats of mosquito Anopheles sergentii. This method shows great promise as a component of policy relating to control of various infectious diseases.
Researchers have rediscovered four new species of purse-web spiders in South Africa, highlighting the urgent need for conservation efforts due to habitat loss and urbanization. The study provides valuable insights into the biology and evolution of these unique spiders.
Researchers found that computer simulations and cutting-edge techniques used by the film industry can restore lost hand and arm function in stroke victims. The study showed significant improvements in patients who played Plasma Pong, Hammer Task, Virtual Piano, and Hummingbird Hunt games.
A new study by Henry Ford Hospital researchers found that nurse-driven, open-access colonoscopy programs are as effective and safe as traditional consultations with a gastroenterologist. The study compared outcomes of 15,901 patients in an open-access program to 6,861 patients who received outpatient consultation prior to screening.
The Kunming Institute of Botany, part of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Springer are launching a new fully sponsored open access journal called Natural Products and Bioprospecting. This journal aims to serve as an international forum for essential research on natural products and their applications.
Researchers investigated zombie ants in Thailand's rainforest, finding they were manipulated by the fungus into dying at optimal conditions for reproduction. The fungus causes muscle atrophy, central nervous system damage, and 'lock jaw', forcing infected ants to bite leaves to release spores.
New research reveals that conjugating green algae, such as Spirogyra, are the closest living relatives to land plants, contrary to the previously accepted theory. The study analyzed genetic divergence in 129 genes from 40 different green plant taxa and found significant evidence supporting this new finding.
Researchers found drinking during early pregnancy increased risk of premature birth and low birth weight, while heavy drinkers were more likely to have unplanned pregnancies and very premature births. The study emphasized the need for improved detection of alcohol misuse in pregnancy.
Cross River gorillas diverged from Western lowland gorillas about 17,800 years ago during the Pleistocene era. The two subspecies continued to interbreed intermittently due to successive rounds of climate change.
A study published in Environmental Health found that children who eat regular breakfasts have lower blood lead levels than those who skip breakfast. The risk of lead poisoning is higher in boys and younger children.
A new study in The FASEB Journal found that free access to scientific journal articles does not increase their citations, contradicting the widely-held 'open access citation advantage' theory. The research suggests that open access articles are seen by more readers but not cited more frequently.
Two articles in PLOS Medicine emphasize the importance of addressing issues that restrict open access to information in developing countries. Experts propose improvements to journal quality assessment standards and increased collaboration between publishers, authors, and readers from these regions.
A Swedish study found that problems in relationships with colleagues and superiors were more frequent in the days leading up to sick leave. Individuals with minor ailments were also more likely to report sick when they expected a stressful workday ahead, highlighting the impact of work environment on behavior when ill.
The BCG World Atlas offers detailed information on current and past vaccination policies across over 180 countries. This database aims to improve the care of patients with tuberculosis (TB) by providing useful resources for clinicians, policymakers, and researchers.
A new study finds that ethnicity, depression, lack of exercise and social support are major risk factors for CFS. Moderate exercise halves the risk, while social status and cultural background play a significant role.
Researchers discovered that individuals from higher socioeconomic backgrounds consumed more bottled water but were not less exposed to cancer-causing contaminants in public drinking supplies. High levels of trihalomethanes (THM) can be ingested through public water or absorbed through the skin in baths, showers, and swimming pools.
Researchers have identified seminal fluid proteins that could affect the behavior and physiology of female mosquitoes, potentially leading to new control strategies. The study's findings may provide a foundation for innovative approaches to regulating mosquito reproduction, feeding, and mating behavior.
Research on Prozac reveals it can reorganize brain plasticity by altering neuronal cell activity and connections in the hippocampus. This changes may contribute to anxiety symptoms experienced by some patients.
A Norwegian study found that women unhappy with their relationships were more likely to experience depression during pregnancy. A good relationship, on the other hand, served as a buffer against everyday stresses, helping women cope better with work-related issues, financial problems, or moving house.
Researchers used two well-known optical illusions to study how the brain assesses relative size, revealing that environmental clues affect perception after three-dimensional image processing. The Ponzo illusion was found to hold true regardless of eye use or presentation order.
A recent study published in Biology of Sex Differences found that female rats are more likely to develop cocaine addiction due to their heightened motivation and impulsivity. Researchers also discovered that the likelihood of drug abuse increases with an individual's sex, highlighting the need for targeted interventions.
A new study reveals that education is inversely correlated with high blood pressure, with educated individuals experiencing a significant decrease in blood pressure over time. The research also found that higher levels of education are associated with lower BMI, smoking rates, and alcohol consumption.
New research shows reovirus-infected cancer cells release pro-inflammatory proteins that recruit and activate white blood cells, killing cancer. A cellular signalling protein, Ras, is abnormally activated in many cancers, providing a window of opportunity for reovirus infection.
A new study found that young people with a family history of melanoma are still ignoring sun safety advice, despite being aware of the risks. The research showed that younger women in particular viewed tanning as healthy and were less likely to use sunscreen.
Researchers developed a new approach to predict which flu strain will be prevalent in a given year by tracking pairs of genetic changes. This method offers insights into epistasis, where mutations interact with each other to affect the virus's fitness. By analyzing these interactions, scientists can gain early warnings of emerging muta...
New research published in Chemistry Central Journal reveals that chocolate contains more antioxidants and polyphenols than fruit juice. Dark chocolate and cocoa have been found to have a higher antioxidant capacity and greater total flavanol content, making them a healthier alternative.
A study of over 44,000 15 and 16 year olds in Germany found that rural teenagers are more likely to engage in binge drinking than their urban counterparts. Binge drinking has serious social and health consequences, including increased risk of accidents, unsafe sexual behavior, and long-term brain damage.
Researchers used acoustic analysis and genetic diversity to identify gibbons from their regional accents, showing a high degree of similarity between species within the same location. The study suggests that gibbon songs are adapted to forest environments, with distinct patterns in each region.
A recent study published in BMC Public Health found that wounded veterans are more likely to die from coronary heart disease due to war-time stress. The research, conducted by Dr. Seppo Nikkari and his team, surveyed 55-year-old Finnish WW2 veterans and found a significant correlation between physical trauma and an increased risk of CHD.
Researchers found that weaver bird chicks change the length and pitch of their begging calls as they get hungrier, making it harder for parents to distinguish them from others. This unique call pattern enables parents to accurately gauge their chick's hunger levels.