News on open-access publishing and its reach. Covers journal launches, open-access agreements, and research made freely available.
A world health insurance scheme could address shared responsibility and progressive realization issues, providing a framework for rich states to assist poor states. The proposed model is based on the Global Fund's success in securing long-term funding for health interventions.
A study published in PLoS Medicine identified four clinical features that can predict the likelihood of death in severely malnourished children. These signs include slow heart rate, weak pulse volume, depressed level of consciousness, and delayed capillary refilling time. The researchers proposed using these indicators to identify high...
A novel compound, tazopsine, isolated from a Madagascan plant has shown activity against the liver stages of human and mouse malaria. Its semisynthetic derivative, NCP-tazopsine, completely protected mice from malaria parasites, suggesting a promising new candidate for anti-malarial prophylaxis.
The new MidWest Tier 2 Center will receive data from the Large Hadron Collider at CERN, enabling physicists to analyze and extract scientific results. The center will utilize grid computing techniques and collaborate with institutions worldwide to process vast amounts of data.
PLoS ONE is launched by the Public Library of Science, a new open-access journal that employs pre- and post-publication peer review. The first issue features 100 peer-reviewed articles covering various topics, including evolution, rabies control, mimicry, and Alzheimer's disease.
A new study suggests that hyaluronate application may reverse skin atrophy, which is more common in older individuals due to the gradual loss of epidermis and dermis. The study found that hyaluronate fragments restore skin thickness and suggest a potential therapeutic approach for this condition.
A study of 2737 medical residents found that extended work shifts are associated with increased reporting of medical errors, adverse patient events, and attentional failures. Doctors working long shifts reported a seven-fold higher risk of adverse patient events compared to those who didn't work extended hours.
Researchers are creating a global map of malaria risk to identify populations most at risk and predict disease impact. The Malaria Atlas Project will use satellite data, population censuses, and electronic information to create a detailed map of malaria transmission in Africa.
A new global malaria map is being developed to address the lack of accurate information on malaria endemicity, which will enable targeted treatment and resource allocation. The Malaria Atlas Project uses statistical approaches to fill in gaps in data and create a comprehensive map of malaria risk worldwide.
A new study analyzed 413 complete influenza genomes from New York State, showing genetically distinct viral strains circulate across the state and exchange genes through reassortment. Adaptive evolution in influenza virus is strongly affected by chance events, making predicting future patterns more difficult.
Between 2002 and 2030, life expectancy is expected to increase globally, with fewer child deaths under 5 years old. However, HIV/AIDS deaths are projected to rise, while tobacco-related diseases surpass them in prevalence.
The iPLEDGE program, an internet-based system, aims to prevent birth defects caused by isotretinoin by verifying pregnancy prevention measures. By ensuring that patients provide documentary proof of non-pregnancy and contraceptive use, the program significantly reduces the risk of birth defects associated with isotretinoin treatment.
Researchers used fruit flies to study the genetic basis of species differences, finding that small changes in control regions of genes can result in morphological differences and potentially even the creation of a new species. The study highlights the importance of regulatory sequences in gene evolution.
A group of advocacy organizations recommends educating health professionals about decision-making, evidence evaluation, and responsible promotion practices. They aim to reduce the influence of pharmaceutical marketing on healthcare outcomes.
Researchers developed radioimmunotherapy to target and kill HIV-infected cells using antibodies. By injecting radioactive antibodies into mice with deficient immune systems, the treatment successfully reduced HIV-infected cell numbers and showed promise for eradicating the virus.
Researchers developed a classification system to improve the effectiveness of blinding methods, leading to better trial design and interpretation. Published studies often lack detail on blinding methods, highlighting the need for improved guidelines.
Researchers have identified a novel genetic change causing aHUS, a chronic disease that causes kidney failure and can be inherited. The mutation affects the factor H protein, which is crucial for controlling the complement system, and may lead to poor transplant outcomes.
A new study suggests that dementia will become increasingly common as life expectancy rises, particularly among older women. The researchers found that a higher level of education was associated with only a slightly lower risk of dementia before death.
The imminent executions of six foreign health workers in Libya will have severe repercussions for the global healthcare community. The case has garnered widespread criticism from the scientific and medical fields, highlighting the importance of protecting healthcare workers' rights.
A new study published in PLoS Medicine found that older people with diabetes are at a higher risk of dying from cardiovascular disease, with the risk being particularly high for those treated with insulin injections. The study followed nearly 6000 individuals over 65 and found that approximately 50-60% of deaths were attributable to ca...
Researchers at Harvard Medical School found increased thickness of two brain areas in people with migraine compared to healthy controls. The study used magnetic resonance imaging and identified structural differences that may explain visual processing problems during attacks.
Researchers investigated XPD allele interactions using compound heterozygote mice, finding that combinations of mutant alleles alleviated disease symptoms and improved gene function. This challenges the existing monoallelic paradigm, suggesting biallelic effects may occur in some patients.
The Open Science Grid Consortium has received a five-year, $30 million award from the National Science Foundation and Department of Energy's Office of Science to operate and expand its computing environment. The OSG enables scientists to share and analyze petabytes of data from around the world.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison is leading a five-year, $30 million program to operate and expand the Open Science Grid, tapping into thousands of processors distributed across more than 30 universities and federal research laboratories. The project aims to lower the barrier to individual scientists using advanced computing.
A study in Heliconius butterflies reveals that a single 'supergene' controls the variation of their wing patterns. The researchers found that this supergene region, responsible for producing diversity in color patterns, is conserved across three species.
A study published in Critical Care reveals that diabetes triples the risk of developing critical illness and dying young compared to non-diabetic individuals. Obesity without diabetes does not significantly increase the risk of critical illness or mortality.
Researchers predict that climate change will reduce cyclamen's ideal climate range by over 60% within the next 50 years, putting many species at high risk of extinction. Mathematical modeling indicates that the plant may disappear from certain regions by the 2050s.
The Public Library of Science (PLoS) has launched PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, a new open access journal focused on the world's most neglected diseases. The journal aims to promote science, policy, and advocacy for diseases affecting poor countries, with a focus on rigorously peer-reviewed research.
Chemistry Central Journal, a pioneering international open access journal, was unveiled at the American Chemical Society meeting in San Francisco. The journal aims to publish research in all areas of chemistry, with a focus on discipline-specific sections.
The article highlights the alarming rate of chronic diseases and injuries in Latin America and the Caribbean, with seven out of ten deaths attributed to these causes. The authors argue that lack of funding for health research is hindering efforts to address this crisis.
Advances in biology are hindered by obstacles such as dwindling National Institutes of Health budgets and overly burdensome regulatory requirements. The Association of American Medical Colleges has outlined key recommendations to promote translational research, including increased investment in medical schools and teaching hospitals.
Researchers developed a new, simple, and accurate dipstick test to identify the cause of bacterial meningitis outbreaks in Africa. The test uses patient spinal fluid and can determine the presence of four common meningococcus groups, paving the way for targeted treatment decisions.
A new study published in PLoS Medicine suggests that delivering rheumatoid arthritis drugs directly into the central nervous system improves treatment outcomes. Researchers found that blocking a protein called p38 with spinal cord administration reduced inflammation, arthritis, and joint destruction in arthritic rats.
A Swedish study found that pensioners who received regular home visits from health professionals had a mortality rate nearly half that of those without visits. The mortality rate increased after the visits ended.
Recruitment incentives have grown due to competition among research sponsors, offering substantial finder's fees. This raises concerns about physician judgment, patient safety, and public trust in clinical research. The issues cannot be resolved by sanctioning individuals, but rather require broader institutional and regulatory reform.
A new study suggests that shorter TB treatment courses of just 2 months could reduce new cases and deaths by 13% and 19% respectively. This would free up resources to improve detection efforts and potentially lead to greater impact on TB control. Implementing such treatments earlier than planned in 2012 could yield even more benefits.
A study found that patients with somatization syndrome incorrectly remember the likelihood of medical explanations for their symptoms. Doctors can reduce this bias by asking patients for summaries about what they've been told, benefiting both patients and the healthcare system.
Research ethics committees run for profit face criticism for prioritizing sponsors' interests over study safety. Examples show that well-performing for-profit IRBs exist, but critics argue that the financial stakes create a conflict of interest. Huge profits from clinical trials can lead to delays in approval and impact patient care.
New research shows that British American Tobacco (BAT) has been complicit in China's cigarette smuggling crisis, benefiting from illicit trade. BAT's internal documents show the company has restructured operations to control and expand contraband trade across Asia.
A Spanish newspaper launched an HIV/AIDS and hepatitis B information service online, which became extremely popular in both Spain and Latin America. The service answered over 900 queries in its first year of operation.
A randomized trial in Zimbabwe found that providing HIV testing at the workplace significantly increases uptake of voluntary counselling and testing. The study suggests that this approach could improve HIV testing rates in Africa, and that intermittent provision might be as effective as continuous testing.
The situation of Nepalese children is dire, with over 1 in 11 dying before reaching the age of five, and almost 70,000 annual deaths from preventable causes. The ongoing conflict has disrupted healthcare delivery and education, exacerbating human rights violations.
A new study published in PLoS Biology found that avoiding punishment activates the same brain reward centers as receiving a reward. Researchers used fMRI to scan the brains of humans performing an instrumental conditioning task, where participants could either lose or win money. The results showed that the medial orbitofrontal cortex (...
Researchers developed a strategy combining two human monoclonal antibodies to combat SARS virus, offering potential breadth of protection against all strains and preventing escape variants. The study presents the characteristics of this antibody combination in cell-culture experiments.
In a study by Udo Groeger and Lutz Wiegrebe, vampire bats were taught to associate different human breathing patterns with cattle blood dispensers. The bats demonstrated the ability to recognize clips of humans breathing at rest and during physical strain, while human participants struggled to do so.
The study finds that HIV/AIDS has a substantial impact on both armed forces and peacekeeping troops worldwide, compromising their effectiveness. Increasing rates of HIV in Russia, India, and China could lead to political, economic, and military repercussions, potentially diverting resources away from the fight against HIV/AIDS.
A study in PLoS Medicine found that US suicide rates fell from 12.2 to 10.4 per 100,000 between 1960 and 2002, coinciding with an increase in fluoxetine prescriptions from 1988 to 2002. The researchers suggest that fluoxetine may have saved up to 33,600 lives during this period.
PLOS ONE introduces a new approach to open-access publishing, eliminating barriers between authors and their audience. The platform employs powerful search tools, annotations, and discussion threads to facilitate exploration and understanding of diverse content.
Researchers found no link between a fatty diet and an increased risk of skin cancer. In fact, patients who had previously been diagnosed with a skin cancer other than melanoma even had a lower risk of getting a further non-melanoma skin cancer if they reported consuming more fat.
The Chikungunya outbreak in the Indian Ocean affects several islands and India, with a large portion of populations infected. The disease is caused by the chikungunya virus, spread by mosquito bites, and has no specific treatment. Genetic analysis reveals unique molecular features among outbreak strains.
This article emphasizes the importance of addressing social determinants of health inequities. It highlights the limitations of reductionism in medicine and suggests that a systems biology approach could be valuable for clinical medicine, focusing on the holistic characteristics of a problem rather than its component parts.
The new open-access journal aims to increase the accuracy and completeness of evidence available for clinical decision-making. All randomized trials are rigorously peer-reviewed and reported accurately, regardless of outcome.
A natural experiment found that open-access articles in PNAS gained a significant citation advantage over non-OA articles, being twice as likely to be cited within 4-10 months and almost three times more likely between 10-16 months after publication. The study suggests that open access accelerates the dissemination of scientific research.
Researchers found that caterpillars respond to variations in plant volatile production to reduce encounters with parasitic wasps. The study demonstrates that plant volatiles, rather than light, control the daily behavior of caterpillars.
Researchers found that density of infected nymphs varies significantly from year to year, primarily influenced by fluctuations in acorn, mouse, and chipmunk abundance. Acorns emerge as the best predictor of Lyme disease risk due to their crucial role in supporting rodent populations.
Researchers found that high-dose CRF injections triggered intense bursts of sugar craving in response to a cue, but low doses or no injection had minimal effect. The study suggests a potential link between stress and binge behavior.
A recent disease outbreak in China, caused by Streptococcus suis, has resulted in 38 deaths and highlights the importance of occupational exposure to pigs. Researchers found that the pathogen was linked to outbreaks in local pig populations, but a new strain may be responsible for the severity of symptoms.
The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) journal has commemorated the late editor-in-chief Nicholas R. Cozzarelli, who improved the quality and reach of the journal through dynamic initiatives. He also championed open-access publishing, making research papers freely available to researchers and the public.
African stonechats exhibit spontaneous nocturnal activity echoing that of European stonechats, indicating the presence of Zugunruhe. The researchers propose that this migratory program may be a common avian feature, allowing birds to adapt to environmental changes.
A study of 216 individuals found that those living on the coast reported more health issues, with a mean symptom score of 14.1 compared to inland residents. The authors conclude that long-term effects of crude oil spills on local populations warrant further investigation.