Articles tagged with Open Access
New research reveals that nicotine reduces neutrophil ability to seek and destroy bacteria, contributing to increased susceptibility to infection in chronic tobacco users. The study also found that nicotine suppresses oxidative burst and increases matrix metalloproteinase-9 release, leading to impaired neutrophil function.
A new study published in PLoS Biology shows that gene-environment interactions play a crucial role in determining thousands of traits in yeast, with the environment having a bigger effect on regulated genes than direct mechanisms. The research reveals intriguing interactions between genetic and environmental factors.
Researchers found that large-scale plantations in tropical regions could sequester significant amounts of carbon, potentially offsetting up to 5-7% of global CO2 emissions. However, the effectiveness of these plantations is limited by social, economic, and institutional barriers, as well as uncertainties in land use.
A new study found that doctors are dissatisfied with treating non-native patients due to cultural differences and language barriers. Over 2400 doctor questionnaires revealed that Turkish patients received lower-quality care, highlighting the need for improved communication and intercultural training.
Researchers found septic acute kidney injury (AKI) patients have higher acuity of illness, lower blood pressure, and worse pulmonary function compared to non-septic AKI. The study suggests septic AKI requires specific clinical interventions to reduce injury and promote kidney recovery.
The new NIH policy requires all funded research articles to be made freely available in PubMedCentral within 12 months of publication. This move aims to increase public access to scientific literature and promote better use of the scientific literature through libraries like PMC.
Researchers found that rats use exploratory sniffing to discriminate odors quickly, with neural responses confirming minimal processing takes place in the olfactory bulb. The study suggests odorant identity may be encoded by sequence of responses rather than peak activation.
A study published in BMC Veterinary Research found that lambs can contract scrapie, a fatal neurodegenerative disease, by consuming milk from infected ewes. The researchers detected the prion protein PrPd in intestinal tissues of both infected and control lambs, suggesting that the infectious agent can be shed and transmitted.
A comprehensive study of the genetic basis of psoriasis has discovered seven new sites of common DNA variation that increase the risk of this skin condition. The variations were found to be strongly linked to psoriatic arthritis and other autoimmune disorders, paving the way for more targeted therapies.
Research published in BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine suggests that the berries of Solanum villosum have potential for keeping mosquitoes at bay. The study found that S. villosum was particularly effective at eliminating Stegomyia aegypti larvae, which can spread diseases like dengue fever.
Researchers have isolated a new species of Leptospira, causing the disease leptospirosis, from domestic rats in the Peruvian Amazon. The discovery highlights the importance of region-specific Leptospira in diagnosis and reveals a higher incidence of leptospirosis than previously suspected.
Research published in BMC Neuroscience found that physical activity from juvenile age delays the onset of specific motor deficits in a mouse model of Huntington's disease. The study suggests that benefits stem from stimulation of neuronal receptors and other molecules that prolong normal function and delay motor deficits.
Researchers have identified neurons that form different spiral-shaped axons on the left and right sides of the brain, suggesting a possible explanation for brain asymmetry. The findings provide new insights into how the brain processes information and could lead to a better understanding of cognitive performance and social behavior.
A family-based study found a significant association between pesticide use, particularly herbicides and insecticides, and an increased risk of developing Parkinson's disease. The research team recruited 319 patients and over 200 relatives to analyze the relationship between pesticide exposure and Parkinson's disease development.
In Northern Vietnam, a significant disparity between reported and actual neonatal mortality rates has been discovered. The discrepancy highlights the need for robust health statistics to guide national and international health initiatives.
Researchers pooled data from 15 clinical trials to compare the efficacy of rectal artemisinins and conventional injectable antimalarials like quinine. Rectal artemisinins cleared malarial parasites more rapidly than quinine, suggesting they could be a lifesaving intervention in severe malaria cases.
Experts urge G8 leaders to establish a new fund to support neglected tropical diseases control and elimination. The proposed Global Fund could help scale up donated drug administration, leading to sustainable poverty reduction.
Researchers have developed an algorithm that can replicate the bat's ability to classify plants using echolocation. The study found that plant echoes are highly complex signals due to numerous reflections from leaves and branches.
A study published in Arthritis Research & Therapy found that a gluten-free vegan diet can lower cholesterol and oxidized LDL levels, while raising natural antibodies against phosphorylcholine in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. This may help protect against heart attacks and stroke.
A new essay proposes revising protected area categories to reflect biodiversity outcomes, with potential huge implications for preserving the earth's rapidly diminishing biodiversity. The change aims to make significant gains in biodiversity conservation and stanch species loss, habitat destruction, and ecosystem services degradation.
A review of published literature on women's expectations and experience of pain and pain relief in labour reveals a gap between expectations and reality. Most women underestimate the intensity of pain they will experience and may not be prepared for the possibility that they might need pain relief.
A study of Australian men's attitudes towards health reveals that they are not the disinterested pub-goers often stereotyped. Instead, they proactively monitor their health and seek medical attention only when necessary. The researchers identified four key factors influencing men's help-seeking decisions.
Inhalation of diesel exhaust induces stress response in brain activity, altering information processing. Researchers found that even short exposure can cause changes in brain waves, with effects lasting after subjects leave the room.
A recent study published in Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy found that parental monitoring in high school can reduce teenage drinking and have a protective effect on students' drinking in college. The research suggests that higher levels of parental supervision are associated with lower levels of high-school drinking,...
Researchers identified a hybrid gene in Asian monkeys that produces a protein capable of blocking HIV infection. This is the second time a similar TRIM5-CypA gene has been found in different monkey species, indicating convergent evolution.
A study of over 10,400 patients found no significant decrease in hospital mortality with intensive insulin therapy. In fact, mortality rates were higher in ICU patients with short stays.
Researchers have developed a new statistical model to clean up low-quality HLA data, enabling easier and more cost-effective individual immune system analysis. This advancement has significant implications for transplant medicine, disease diagnosis, and understanding viral evolution.
Researchers have found that electrons lose energy to carbon monoxide faster than to carbon dioxide at higher atmospheric levels on Mars and Venus. This discovery contributes to modeling techniques used for Earth's atmosphere, providing opportunities for validation and testing.
A global malaria risk map has been released, revealing high-risk areas and providing estimates of people living in low-risk zones. The map identifies regions where existing control strategies can be used to eliminate P. falciparum transmission, potentially reducing deaths in sub-Saharan Africa.
A global malaria map reveals a significant reduction in risk, with 1 billion people under lower infection rates. The map, produced by the Malaria Atlas Project, provides critical data for targeted control measures and potential elimination efforts.
Researchers have created a genetic reference collection of mutant Pisum sativum plants, enabling the investigation of essential genes using TILLING (Targeting Induced Local Lesions IN Genomes) technique. This new tool has major benefits for crop breeders worldwide, providing an alternative to Agrobacterium-based techniques.
A new global malaria map highlights the 2.37 billion people at risk from Plasmodium falciparum, with almost one billion in areas where the risk of infection is extremely low. The map aims to help researchers and funding agencies allocate resources more effectively by understanding the relative risk affecting different regions.
A basic educational programme boosts ICU nurses' ability to screen for delirium, surpassing expert performance in a standardised format. The programme's combination of lecture and practical exercises rapidly improves the capacity for nurses to perform delirium assessments accurately.
A study found that 9.6% of US military personnel deployed to Afghanistan had contraindications to mefloquine use, highlighting the need for proper medical screening before prescribing. The research also noted a significant gender disparity, with females being twice as likely to have contraindications.
Researchers argue that autistic savants' exceptional skills come at a cost in other aspects of processing, while animals process sensory inputs according to rules. This shared processing method is thought to be a specialized feature of the left hemisphere, common to both humans and nonhuman animals.
A new study found that young children in impoverished regions are disproportionately affected by cholera. The study, published in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, reveals the African site had the highest incidence of cholera, with vaccination and improved water supply considered immediate strategies.
Researchers have discovered a novel mode of neurogenesis in Drosophila that shares similarities with mammalian brains. This breakthrough suggests key aspects of neural development may be conserved across insects and mammals.
Researchers developed a model of brain function that shows how eye movement signals boost neural representation of objects at future gaze positions, compromising spatial accuracy. This results in the perception of details before looking at an object, making the world appear stable while eyes move.
A study found that the general public tends to support life-saving treatment for severely ill patients, whereas doctors are more reluctant due to concerns about quality of life. The majority of both groups agreed on administering pain relief and sedatives.
A study published in BMC Medicine found that UK medical graduates from different schools perform significantly differently on national exams. The researchers argue that a national licensing exam is needed to standardize the training of doctors. The results showed that some medical schools teach skills not assessed by current exams.
A new study reveals that prion infection increases free cholesterol content in cell membranes, affecting phospholipase A2 activation and neuronal depletion. This finding suggests a crucial role for cholesterol regulation in prion diseases and other neurodegenerative disorders.
A new study reveals that farmed salmon exposure leads to significant declines in wild salmon survival rates, threatening global salmonid populations. The research found a 50% reduction in wild salmon abundance when associated with salmon farms, highlighting the need for sustainable aquaculture practices.
A new study reveals that well-meaning efforts to protect cougars in Washington State have actually increased dangers for the species. Biologists are now scrambling to find a science-based path to coexistence between people and predators.
A study found that socio-economic factors and school catchment areas have a greater impact on reported sexual experience among teenagers than classroom discipline. Despite sex education efforts, schools' social organization and culture play little role in influencing pupils' behavior.
New study sequenced two full FIV genomes of different lion subtypes, showing importance of whole-genome analysis. The findings provide insights into genetic determinants of pathogenicity and virulence differences between domestic cat and lion FIV.
Young infants can detect small changes in the number and identity of objects, and these abilities are processed by distinct neural pathways. The study found that the infant brain responds to both changes in different brain regions, similar to adults.
A new study reveals that human economic activity is a primary driver of invasive fish species in rivers and lakes. The research found no correlation between native species and invasive species, highlighting the need for conservation efforts to protect aquatic ecosystems.
A comprehensive survey of rheumatic diseases in China found that the incidence of certain diseases is now more like Western countries. The study revealed that osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis affect different sites than Caucasian populations, with a higher prevalence among elderly people in northern China.
A new model predicts prostate cancer progression based on Gleason score and biomarker assessments, providing valuable information for patient management and treatment planning. The research has potential benefits for patients diagnosed with early prostate cancer.
A hospital outbreak in Barcelona found that contaminated body moisturizer caused life-threatening infections in five critically ill patients. The bacteria Burkholderia cepacia was found to be present in the product, which had not been invaded after opening.
A new mechanism of HTLV-1-induced leukemia involves the reduction of histone protein levels, promoting genomic instability and cell division. This discovery suggests that Tax, a key viral protein, uncouples histone gene expression from cell cycle progression.
Chameleons use dramatic color changes to display to conspecific competitors and seduce potential mates. The study found that the degree of color change is associated with social signaling, not camouflage, challenging the long-held camouflage hypothesis.
Researchers developed DNA sensors that can detect odors in the vapor phase with high specificity. The study demonstrated a previously unreported property of single-stranded DNA molecules, showing they can respond to odor pulses in a sequence-selective manner on solid surfaces.
Researchers found that old wood floor finishes in some homes can lead to significant PCB exposure, even exceeding levels found in the general population. The study suggests that these finishes, particularly those containing the chemical Fabulon, may harbor high levels of polychlorinated biphenyls.
A new phylogenetic analysis published in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases provides insight into the origins of venereal syphilis. The study's findings have significant implications for understanding the evolution and transmission of this disease.
A new study published in PLOS Biology found that the number of X chromosomes determines the sex of a fruit fly embryo, contradicting previous findings. The researchers discovered that only two X chromosomes can produce a signal to feminize the embryo during a specific stage of development.
Research on frogs and giraffes reveals three distinct species of terrestrial leaflitter frog and at least six genealogically distinct lineages of giraffe, highlighting underestimated biodiversity. The findings suggest that some subspecies have fewer than 100 members, making them highly endangered.
A type of beetle that lives in stored grain has been found to lack full colour vision. The red flour beetle's compound eye retina lacks the blue-opsin encoding photoreceptors, violating the 'one receptor rule' of sensory cells. This adaptation may have provided an evolutionary advantage.
Research suggests that predation pressures are key to maintaining sociality in bees, rather than biological complexity. The study of a rare African species with totipotent social ancestors reveals that ecological pressures prevail over evolutionary changes.
A team of Japanese researchers found that premenstrual syndrome is tied to decreased nerve activity, particularly in those with extreme symptoms. Women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder had altered sympathovagal activity even in the follicular phase, suggesting a potential underlying biomechanism for PMS.