Articles tagged with Open Access
A recent survey of e-cigarette users found that the devices are helpful in quitting smoking for most people. However, respondents expressed concerns about potential health risks and the lack of regulation surrounding e-cigarettes. The study highlights the need for further research on the efficacy and safety of e-cigarettes.
Researchers investigated the role of low-frequency auditory spatial cues in barn owls' ability to localize sounds. They found that these cues dominate azimuth representation, while high-frequency cues dominate elevation representation. These findings have implications for understanding sound localization in other species, including hum...
A recent investigation found that 125 out of 940 completed clinical trials for acute ischemic stroke were not published in full, with some trials involving fewer than 10 patients. The study highlights the importance of publishing trial results to ensure patient safety and inform clinical practice.
Researchers found that rainfall affects sex ratios in African buffalo, with more males born during rainy seasons. The study suggests the presence of sex ratio genes influencing semen quality and female-biased sex ratios during dry periods.
Researchers developed a novel hybrid of two orchid species, creating a unique scent that attracted a distinct wild bee. The offspring's floral odor was highly attractive to solitary bees unfamiliar with the parent plants' scent.
Researchers found that martial arts fall exercises can reduce hip impact forces, making them safe for older adults with osteoporosis if precautions are taken. The study suggests that martial arts training could be a viable option for preventing hip fractures in this population.
Researchers found strong correlation between colder weather, low rainfall, and higher prostate cancer rates in the US. The study suggests that persistent organic pollutants may be to blame, with cold weather slowing their degradation.
Researchers found that a Mediterranean diet high in phenols represses pro-inflammatory genes, which could contribute to reduced cardiovascular disease risk. The study also suggests that this diet can alter the activity of immune system cells, leading to a less deleterious inflammatory profile.
Research finds disabled children in the UK face higher levels of poverty and personal and social disadvantage compared to their non-disabled peers. The study, published in BMC Pediatrics, found that households with disabled children are more likely to rely on social security benefits and experience additional financial costs.
Researchers found that earplugs and eye masks improved sleep quality, increased REM sleep, and reduced arousals in ICU patients. The study suggests promoting routine use of these aids to potentially enhance clinical outcomes.
A study published in Tobacco Induced Diseases found that work pressures can actually lower a smoker's nicotine dependence. Employees who experience stress at work are likely to smoke less than they otherwise would, suggesting that heavy workload may drive employees to smoke only in their spare time.
A study published in BMC Biology found that male fallow deer vocalizations contain accurate information about their competitive abilities, which change dynamically with age. The researchers also discovered that the deer's vocal identity changes substantially from one year to the next.
Researchers found that nicotine withdrawal syndrome is more common in agitated smokers than non-smokers, increasing risks of accidental tube removals. The study highlights the need for improved strategies to prevent agitation or treat it earlier in critically ill patients.
Researchers found that most H5N1 outbreaks occurred at sites with temperatures between 0°C and 2°C, where wild waterbirds congregated along freezing fronts. This congregation created ideal conditions for the transmission of the virus within and between species.
A recent study by Zalika Klemenc-Ketis and colleagues suggests that raised carbon dioxide levels in the blood may contribute to near-death experiences. The research found a significant association between high CO2 levels and NDEs, with 11 of 52 cardiac arrest patients reporting the phenomenon.
Researchers have discovered small animals in the Mediterranean Sea that live their entire lives without oxygen and reproduce despite a complete absence of oxygen. These multicellular organisms possess organelles resembling hydrogenosomes found in anaerobic environments, challenging our current understanding of life on Earth.
Researchers have created the first class of reagents to potently and selectively inhibit miRNAs in C. elegans, a widely used model organism. The new reagents efficiently and specifically inhibited targeted miRNA in different tissues, including the hypodermis, vulva, and nervous system.
Research suggests that females initiate courtship in crayfish and send conflicting signals to males via urine sprays. This allows females to gauge male size and strength, ensuring only the fittest males fertilize their eggs.
Researchers found that variations in the giggles' pitch and timbre can encode information about a hyena's age, dominance status, and individual signature. This allows hyenas to establish feeding rights and organize their food-gathering activities.
The European Union-funded Infrafrontier project has expanded its network of partners to include six new countries: Canada, Czech Republic, Austria, France, Italy, and the Czech Republic. This international collaboration aims to create an open-access research infrastructure for high-quality mouse models in biomedical research.
The study compared two chemical name dictionaries and found that automatic curation with Chemlist outperformed manual curation with ChemSpider. The Chemlist dictionary achieved a higher recall and better F-score, while ChemSpider's precision was higher after filtering and disambiguation.
Researchers taught goldfish to associate a light flash with a shock, inducing fear. However, fish injected with lidocaine in the cerebellum showed no fear and returned to normal behavior after the anesthesia wore off. This study suggests that understanding brain processes related to fear may lead to human phobia cures.
A new portable device can determine the strength of alcoholic drinks rapidly and easily, using a simple infrared sensor. The technique has been shown to be just as accurate as traditional lab-based methods and can be used in developing countries.
A study published in PLOS Computational Biology found that patient referrals between hospitals influence the rates of hospital-acquired infections, with University Medical Centers showing higher rates. The authors suggest focusing interventions on central hospitals in the network of patient referrals.
Researchers followed 1162 healthy French men and women for nine years, monitoring plasma selenium concentrations and incidence of dysglycemia. High selenium levels in men were associated with a lower risk of developing dysglycemia, while no such association was found in women.
A study on fruit-flies published in PLOS Biology found that genes beneficial to males are detrimental to females, and vice versa. This genetic conflict maintains genetic variation within species by regulating sex-specific characteristics and strategies, such as resource acquisition for reproduction.
Researchers developed a 'Braccio di Ferro' robot to assist patients in learning arm movements again. The interactive robot helps patients perform correct movements, promoting motor system learning and improving movement ability.
Researchers found stress and poor coping mechanisms are common among people who grind their teeth at night. Stress has been implicated in the development of sleep bruxism, which can lead to tooth wear, sensitivity, and muscle pain.
A study published in BMC Gastroenterology found that thiopurine therapy significantly improved the health-related quality of life of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) patients. The clinical trial, conducted by Guillermo Bastida and his team, reported a substantial improvement in quality of life after one year of treatment.
Researchers found that the IGF1 gene variant responsible for small size in dogs is closely related to that found in Middle Eastern wolves, supporting an ancient origin. The study also suggests that smaller body size may have been desirable in densely populated agricultural societies where dogs lived indoors or in confined spaces.
A systematic review found that neonatal and infant circumcision by trained staff rarely results in problems, with relatively minor adverse events being low among infants under one year old. However, complications are more common when performed by inexperienced providers or with subpar equipment.
Researchers investigating UK samples have found no association between XMRV and chronic fatigue syndrome, contradicting a previous report. The study suggests that CFS may encompass a range of diseases and that further investigations are needed to confirm or rule out an association with XMRV infection.
Researchers investigated Norwegian Red cattle's performance and health in free-stall and tie-stall systems. Free-stall cows in small herds produced significantly less milk due to increased fighting time, while larger herds offset this loss.
A systematic review found that neonatal and infant circumcision is relatively safe, with minor adverse events common but severe complications rare. The risk of complications increases with inexperienced providers or inadequate equipment, highlighting the need for improved training and safety measures.
Researchers found that patients who walked at least two bouts of 1500 steps each on three days a week reported significantly less arthritis pain and improved physical function. Glucosamine sulphate supplementation also showed benefits, with both groups achieving significant improvement in symptoms.
Researchers found that patients with type-2 diabetes struggled with impulse control, particularly resisting high-fat food cues. Cognitive impairment of impulsivity control was the primary explanation for this inability, contributing to chronic lifestyle-related diseases.
A study published in BMC Neurology found no association between teenagers' use of computer games, mobile phones, or television and headaches. However, daily music consumption was significantly associated with suffering from any type of headache. The researchers suggested that music might be a self-therapy by relaxation.
Researchers developed a color chart called The Manchester Color Wheel to study people's emotions. Depressed individuals tend to prefer gray, while anxious ones choose between positive and negative colors more frequently than healthy participants.
A study found that psychiatric patients who absconded from wards were more likely to be young, unemployed, and homeless with high rates of schizophrenia and substance misuse. Improving ward environments and implementing tighter controls on exits may help prevent these cases.
Researchers have found that young squeaker catfish can detect sounds made by their older relatives, challenging prior assumptions about auditory development. The study suggests that fish of all ages use the 'squeaking' sound to communicate, increasing in level and duration as they grow.
A UK study found that ethnicity and previous births significantly impact breastfeeding duration. The research identified that White mothers were more likely to stop breastfeeding compared to non-White mothers, highlighting the need for tailored support programs.
Researchers discovered a genetic locus in cichlids that determines left or right jaw asymmetry, providing a distinct feeding advantage. The study found that these lopsided fish develop mouths directed to the left or right, enabling them to feed on the opposite side of their prey.
A study published in BMC Ecology found that rescued chimpanzees in Cameroon are from the same region, suggesting local trade is a significant issue. The research also revealed that protected areas are being targeted for poaching, highlighting the need for conservation efforts to protect endangered subspecies.
Research found that Pacific dunlins have lost weight and spend more time flying to escape peregrine falcons, a response to the increased threat of predation. The dunlins' adaptations help them survive harsh winters with reduced risk of starvation.
The ADH1B*47His allele, causing an unpleasant response to alcohol, emerged around 10,000-7,000 years ago with rice domestication in southern China. This genetic adaptation may help protect against alcoholism and organ damage.
Research published in BMC Microbiology found that eating apples regularly can increase beneficial bacteria in the gut, producing short-chain fatty acids and butyrate. These findings suggest a link between apple consumption and improved digestive health.
A study published in BMC Public Health found that childhood traumas are associated with an increased risk of developing lung cancer. The researchers analyzed data from over 17,000 individuals and found that those who experienced six or more traumas were approximately three times more likely to develop lung cancer.
Researchers found that fish oil improved lung function and reduced inflammatory markers in sepsis patients, resulting in shorter hospital stays. The study suggests that traditional soybean oil may promote inflammation, highlighting the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil.
Researchers found scant evidence of antibiotic resistance genes in isolated polar bears, contradicting previous findings in other animals. The study suggests that the spread of antibiotic resistance may be caused by human contact, rather than natural occurrence.
Researchers discovered that human chromosomes can reorganize their territories surprisingly quickly, taking up to 15 minutes to complete, when transitioning from proliferation to quiescence. This rapid process is driven by an energy-driven mechanism involving nuclear actin-myosin motor function.
A new supplement provides essential reference and set of tools for evidence-informed health policymaking. The series addresses four broad areas and contains 17 support tools from renowned experts.
Researchers found that adults with less than 12 years of formal schooling experienced worse asthma symptoms and lower asthma self-efficacy. Higher education was associated with better asthma control and reduced emergency health service visits.
The number of people overweight/obese increased significantly in sub-Saharan Africa between the early 1990s and early 2000s. The rate of increase was higher among the poor group, highlighting a pressing public health concern.
Certain cardiac pacemakers may inadequately stimulate a patient's heart while undergoing an MRI scan due to the magnetic pulses mixing with electronic pulses from the pacemaker. This can lead to incorrect or absent stimulation and is potentially dangerous for the patient undergoing the scan.
Research shows Italy's poor are more likely to be hospitalized with avoidable conditions, mirroring global patterns. Socio-economic disparities exacerbate the issue, particularly among males and those aged 45-64.
A systematic review found that cannabis extracts reduced spasticity and improved mobility in multiple sclerosis patients. The study suggests that combined THC and CBD extracts may provide therapeutic benefits for MS spasticity symptoms.
A recent study by Jeremy Wright has catalogued the presence of venom glands in 158 catfish species, suggesting that at least 1250 and possibly over 1600 species may be venomous. Catfish venoms are neurotoxic and hemolytic, causing severe pain, muscle spasm, and respiratory distress.
Researchers identified scent secretions in lemurs that encode markers of relatedness, preventing inbreeding and facilitating nepotism. The study reveals a complex olfactory mechanism allowing lemurs to recognize family ties and avoid unfamiliar kin.
A recent study published in Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology found that sperm from men with non-obstructive azoospermia are equally capable of producing embryos through intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). The study also showed that there were no significant differences in implantation rates or clinical pregnancy rates betwee...
A survey of eight European countries found that school closures significantly reduce illness transmission, with a 10% decrease in contacts. Closing schools may have a greater impact on disease transmission during a pandemic, potentially reducing transmission by up to 21%.