News on open-access publishing and its reach. Covers journal launches, open-access agreements, and research made freely available.
A study in BMC Medicine critiques university ranking systems for being misleading and invalid, citing discrepancies between top lists from Shanghai and Times Higher Education. The authors argue that such flaws can harm science and education, highlighting the need for global collaboration to standardize data.
A BMC Medical Education study reveals that newly qualified doctors in the UK feel better prepared for their first clinical posts since 2000. The research suggests that updated medical school curricula and teaching methods are having a positive impact on doctors' perceptions of their readiness.
Research published in BMC Public Health found that traditional family circumstances and workplace inequality contribute to long-term sick leave among Swedish women. Women reported high physical and mental demands at work, lack of flexibility, and bullying as factors affecting their health.
A new study reveals that over 30 US states require specific consent for HIV testing, potentially limiting the implementation of CDC's 2006 recommendations. Researchers found that nearly half of these states also require pre-test counseling and disclosure of transmission information to patients.
Scientists have found distinct gene expression signatures in the umbilical cords of premature infants who developed bronchopulmonary dysplasia, a fatal lung disorder. These signatures were associated with chromatin remodelling and histone acetylation pathways, providing a potential proxy for predicting disease risk.
A study published in International Journal of Mental Health Systems highlights the long-term effects of war on mental health. The research suggests that grassroots community approaches are effective in coping with disasters and promoting collective well-being.
A Norwegian study found that teenagers in Norway increased in height and weight between 1966-69 and 1995-97. The study also revealed a shift in the distribution of body mass index (BMI), with more underweight adolescents than previously thought.
A virtual bazaar called PAZAR has been established to share gene regulation data, allowing researchers to access information without charge. This open-access database aggregates data on transcription factor and regulatory sequences, enabling the development of novel cancer therapies and stem cell treatments.
Research suggests that dilaton effects could reduce the abundance of stable dark matter particles like neutralinos by a factor of ten. This finding has implications for supersymmetric searches in colliders and challenges standard cosmology theories.
Research published in BMC Evolutionary Biology shows that a snake's intended prey affects the type and evolution of toxins in their venom. The study found that sea snakes have less diverse toxins due to their shared feeding behavior and diet.
Research reveals lymph nodes facilitate neuroinvasion of prions at low doses, accelerating infection after node removal. The study's findings have important implications for developing new prevention and treatment strategies for prion diseases.
A study found that Dutch GPs unnecessarily prescribe antibiotics for respiratory tract infections based on arbitrary diagnostic labelling and patient symptoms. The over-prescription of antibiotics poses significant risks due to resistance and costs.
A study suggests that teenage girls' friendships play a crucial role in protecting them from abuse in dating relationships. The 'circle' of friends sets social norms and values, acts as a safety net, and helps girls navigate uncertain situations. Strong friendship circles reduce uncertainty and protect against abuse.
A study found that a third of spam messages advertise health products, including prescription drugs and natural health products. Researchers successfully purchased several controlled substances through these messages.
A study published in BMC Evolutionary Biology found that some protozoa are globally dispersed, while others are geographically restricted, suggesting a moderate degree of endemicity. The analysis used a new fast-evolving DNA marker to reveal higher biodiversity than previously thought.
Genomic imprinting evolved in a stepwise, adaptive way, with genes becoming imprinted as needed. The study provides important clues about the evolution of imprinting, despite its complex nature.
The World Antimalarial Resistance Network (WARN) aims to provide a globally co-ordinated effort to tackle malaria. The network will facilitate worldwide monitoring and characterisation of drug resistance, including clinical efficacy, in vitro response, molecular markers, and pharmacological properties.
Research published in Critical Care found that mobile phones can cause electromagnetic interference (EMI) on critical care equipment such as ventilators and pacemakers. The study recorded almost 50 EMI incidents, with the second generation GPRS signal causing the highest number of incidents at over 60%.
Research reveals a key mechanism by which gene expression is modified in response to addictive drugs, identifying a splicing factor as a critical regulator. This study provides new insights into the molecular underpinnings of addiction and offers promising avenues for developing novel treatments.
Researchers found that flies have a complex immune system regulated by AP-1 and STAT transcription factors, which edit and repress the immune response to prevent 'friendly fire'. This mechanism is evolutionarily conserved to maintain balanced immune responses.
A study published in Critical Care suggests that large burns can lead to cardiac problems, inflammatory responses, and hypermetabolic states. Effective treatments may focus on addressing these multiple aspects, including inflammation and organ function.
A Taiwanese study suggests that Four-Agents Decoction, an 800-year-old traditional Chinese herbal formula, may exhibit a beneficial effect on primary dysmenorrhea after extended treatment. However, the study did not detect significant pain reduction in the initial cycle. The authors recommend further research with larger sample sizes a...
Research suggests women with a history of gestational diabetes are at higher risk of developing pancreatic cancer. A study of over 37,000 mothers who gave birth in Jerusalem between 1964 and 1976 found five cases of pancreatic cancer among those with gestational diabetes.
Research suggests that children can safely consume fat as part of a healthy diet, contrary to concerns over obesity. Children's bodies are more efficient at burning fat relative to energy expenditure due to their high growth rates and higher protein synthesis needs.
Nile tilapia significantly reduced Anopheles gambiae and Anopheles funestus mosquito populations by over 94%. The sustainable method provides a win-win situation for Kenyans, offering food and income while controlling malaria.
Heat wave duration significantly impacts hospital admissions for fluid and electrolyte balance disorders, acute renal failure, and breathing issues. While individual hot days may have minor effects, prolonged heat waves can lead to increased health risks, particularly among the elderly.
A study of US medical residents found that nearly half of them incorrectly answered questions about diagnosing and managing tuberculosis (TB). The residents showed particular difficulty in answering questions related to latent TB, the progression from latent to active disease, and interpreting diagnostic tests for patients with active TB.
Researchers have identified a potential biomarker, urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (uNGAL), to predict acute kidney injury (AKI) in critically ill children. The study found that uNGAL levels increased 48 hours before a jump in serum creatinine levels, suggesting its potential as an early warning system for AKI preven...
A study of diabetic patients from three North West London Primary Care Trusts found that those from ethnic minorities receive lower quality care, with poorer diabetes control and treatment outcomes. The researchers attribute this to patient factors, such as poor understanding of the disease, rather than institutional racism.
A recent study published in Human Resources for Health found that international health volunteers have a positive impact on capacity building and resource allocation in low-income countries. However, junior and inexperienced NGO volunteers often lack the necessary skills and knowledge to work effectively in these settings.
Research reveals air pollution particles can trigger inflammation in blood vessels, leading to atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. Exposure to particulate matter increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Scientists from PLOS Biology overturned the previously held belief that pterosaurs fed by skimming, revealing that drag forces would have imposed too great an energetic cost. The findings suggest that even smaller pterosaurs lacked necessary adaptations for skim-feeding, explaining its rarity in modern birds.
In a study published in PLOS Biology, researchers discovered parietal neurons that respond with increasing activity as the number of items in a display is varied, suggesting an accumulator neuron role. This finding supports computer models separating summing and numerical identification processes.
The complete mitochondrial genome of the mastodon has been sequenced, increasing the age limit for paleogenomic analyses by almost a complete glacial cycle. The study reveals that mammoths are more closely related to Asian than African elephants, with divergence times similar to those of humans, chimpanzees, and gorillas.
A recent study published in Critical Care found that decreasing nurse staffing levels in intensive care units increases the risk of serious infections. Over a four-year period, researchers discovered that patients were more likely to develop ventilator-associated pneumonia six days or more after being placed on a ventilator when there ...
Research finds cryptic species hiding in plain sight across all major branches of the animal kingdom, defying geographical and taxonomic expectations. DNA analysis reveals genetic divergence among similar-looking animals, highlighting a significant underestimation of global biodiversity.
A study analyzing 138 bird species reveals that maximum flight speed is not solely determined by aerodynamic scaling rules. The authors found that flight speed also reflects the evolutionary history of the species, with species from the same group tending to fly at similar speeds.
A Canadian study found that paracetamol overdose rates decreased significantly between 1995 and 2004, with a notable drop in hospitalizations among young women and Aboriginal populations. The lack of package size restrictions in Canada contributed to this decline, contrasting with the UK's successful implementation of smaller pack sizes.
A study of over 3 million Italians found that men over 65 pay more for prescriptions than women, with costs escalating sharply after age 65. The research model developed in the study can help policymakers better allocate resources for prescription costs.
Wide-scale communal use of insecticide-treated bed nets would provide considerable benefit to vulnerable groups, particularly adults and older children. This approach is supported by malaria transmission models suggesting a significant reduction in mosquito-borne disease transmission.
A survey of 2,250 people in Rwanda found a lower prevalence of blindness than expected. The study, published in PLoS Medicine, suggests that the country has made significant progress in addressing avoidable blindness in the post-conflict period.
Rats who received help in the past were more likely to help another unknown partner, demonstrating generalized reciprocal cooperation. This finding suggests that evolutionary explanations for cooperation in animals may be broader than previously thought, potentially involving cultural and anonymous experiences.
The study reveals a novel anti-apoptotic signaling pathway disrupted by PINK1 mutations, suggesting a potential target for therapeutic intervention in Parkinson's disease. Increasing evidence links single-copy mutations in PINK1 to the development of later-onset PD.
Researchers found that mothers' brains respond more quickly and robustly to ultrasonic calls of mouse pups, enabling them to detect and discriminate between sounds. This improvement in brain function is associated with the ability to recognize behaviorally significant sounds, such as those made by their young.
Researchers identify complex regulatory network controlling epithelial stem cell proliferation in mouse incisors. Spatial differences in gene expression levels contribute to characteristic asymmetry of rodent incisors.
Researchers employ a module-based systems theory approach to explore the design principles of signal transduction and transport receptors. The study reveals that endocytosis and other receptor/ligand properties can be described by just a few control parameters, including avidity and consumption.
AZoJono has introduced a revenue share scheme that pays authors and peer reviewers up to $500 and $100-$500 respectively. This open-access model has led to high-quality Nanotech science being disseminated globally, with over 350,000 monthly visitor sessions.
Researchers created a dynamic model to understand cellular signaling pathways in C. elegans, revealing gaps in current understanding and potential for future exploration of biological systems. The model can predict how cells respond to gene mutations and signals, saving laboratory time and resources.
Despite challenges such as password issues and internet outages, African postgraduate doctors are making regular use of online medical literature. Textbooks remain a central source of information for many, but 66% have used the Internet for health information in the last week.
Researchers discovered a genetic mutation that increases muscle mass and enhances racing performance in whippets, similar to humans. Whippets with one mutated copy of the myostatin gene are more muscular and fast, while those with two mutated copies have excessive muscle and poor athletic performance.
A low-tech operation called symphysiotomy, performed under local anesthesia, can increase the size of the pelvic outlet and permit vaginal delivery of the baby. This procedure has been largely abandoned in developed countries due to its simplicity and effectiveness in addressing maternal mortality in Africa.
Research by Nicholas Foulkes and colleagues found that peripheral clocks require cortisol to generate daily rhythms of cell proliferation. Constant levels of cortisol can restore normal cell-division rhythms in cortisol-deficient strains.
Researchers predicted 3D structures for yeast proteins using de novo methods and integrated with biological data, providing a global view of protein relationships. The study assigned domains to families of evolutionarily related proteins, generating testable hypotheses about their mechanisms of action.
Research suggests that a video of an extinct woodpecker in Arkansas may be a case of mistaken identity, as it closely resembles another native species. The analysis compares the footage with fresh recordings of the Pileated Woodpecker, revealing similarities in wing movement and plumage
A team of researchers investigated the mechanism of phage DNA packaging, directly testing the connector rotation hypothesis. They found that it is unlikely to be the correct mechanism, and instead suggest a nonrotating model where ATPases compress and extend alternately, drawing in the DNA.
Researchers estimate malaria transmission to be much higher than previously thought, ranging from 1-3,000, with serious implications for disease control. The study suggests that targeting the most frequently bitten individuals could lead to local elimination of malaria.
The winners of the BioMed Central Research Awards have made significant contributions to both human health and scientific understanding. Dr. Lalit Dandona's work on HIV in India reveals major differences from official estimates, while Flavio R Zolessi's research on retinal ganglion cells sheds light on neuronal differentiation.
Researchers describe two structural forms of human RECQ1 helicase, which regulate its dual enzymatic activity. The larger complex is associated with DNA strand annealing, while the smaller form carries out DNA unwinding.
A new study uses visual immunoprecipitation to reveal the regulation of microtubule dynamics via coordinated changes in protein interactions. Microtubules become dynamic during mitosis due to the release of a destabilizer molecule.
Researchers used structural biology techniques to probe the molecular mechanisms of the major drug efflux pump in E. coli, AcrB. The study confirms that AcrB is split into three subunits with differently shaped substrate transport channels.