News on open-access publishing and its reach. Covers journal launches, open-access agreements, and research made freely available.
Research shows brain activity persists and evolves with time after learning new information, integrating recent memories through dynamic processing. The findings challenge the idea that sleep is essential for strengthening memories.
Authors debate the benefits and harms of direct-to-consumer advertising of prescription drugs. Some argue it can promote underused, life-saving medications, while others claim it raises patients' expectations, increases the quality of care, but also delivers flawed information that may lead to premature adoption of new drugs.
Researchers in Hong Kong found that flu outbreaks increase hospital admissions for heart conditions, stroke, diabetes, and respiratory diseases. Influenza was responsible for 11.6% of respiratory disease admissions, comparable to temperate countries.
A study found that three pharmaceutical promotional brochures contained data that differed from the results of underlying studies. Of the 20 identified studies, 15 were deemed valid, while 16 had been funded by the pharmaceutical company producing the drug. This raises concerns about the accuracy of promotional marketing materials.
Researchers use functional magnetic resonance imaging to investigate the brain regions involved in illusory tactile perceptions. The study finds that the same sector of the brain is activated whether the sensation is real or illusory, suggesting a connection between conscious perception and somatotopic cortical processing.
Researchers found that Culex mosquitoes changed their feeding behavior from American robins to humans in the fall, leading to large-scale outbreaks of disease. The study's findings suggest a continent-wide phenomenon and may explain why West Nile virus outbreaks are more intense in the US than in Europe and Africa.
A study of 3,778 individuals found that 52.1% of those with circulatory disorders continued to smoke. Only 3.4% of smokers had received counselling in the past year.
In cluttered conditions, observers make more high-confidence errors due to increased background noise and reduced accuracy. The study's findings suggest far-reaching implications for complex cognitive tasks, including problem-solving and memory.
A study found that genes involved in the innate immune response are underexpressed in female mice during puberty, while those involved in the adaptive immune response are overexpressed. This difference is controlled by the Fas/FasL pathway, modulated by estrogen.
Between 2000 and 2003, Sweden reported an increasing number of MRSA infections, peaking at 544 cases in 2003. A significant portion, 433 cases, were acquired outside the country.
A recent study reveals a catastrophic collapse in orangutan populations due to massive deforestation and palm oil plantations. The genetic analysis indicates that the decline occurred within the past hundred years, coinciding with the acceleration of deforestation efforts.
Researchers analyze cost-effectiveness of different screening strategies to prevent cases through contaminated blood products. Screening only during mosquito season is deemed unnecessary in states with low WNV infection rates, while creating a 'supersafe' pool of blood for vulnerable individuals may be an effective solution.
A study found that patients prefer receiving both their GP letter and patient letter, as they provide valuable information. The letters were also compared for accuracy, with GPs preferring the structured format of their own letters.
Researchers discovered that adult interneurons in the visual cortex can dynamically change their branch tips through growth, retraction, and new additions. This finding highlights the complex dynamic properties of cortical neurons, which may underlie observed functional reorganizations.
A study of 1627 patients found that 53% stopped treatment early, with 36% citing ineffective treatment or worsening symptoms. Patients who experienced an early response to medication were 80% more likely to complete treatment, highlighting the importance of early symptom control and discussing treatment expectations.
Dr. Raz examines inconsistencies in antidepressant data for treating child and adolescent depression, highlighting the need for stronger evidence and questioning the safety of SSRIs for this age group.
A new study suggests that declining biodiversity in pollination networks may threaten plant community persistence. The experimentally manipulated plant and pollinator interactions show increased pollination efficiency with complementary insect and flower pairings.
A study of 80 medical school applicants found that assessors couldn't accurately predict happiness with a career in medicine from application forms. Higher educational qualifications were associated with perceived happiness, but didn't actually predict it.
A new study found that racial and ethnic minorities are just as willing, if not more willing, to participate in health research than non-Hispanic whites. However, they were less likely to be invited to participate in these studies, highlighting the need for improved access and inclusivity.
Researchers found that human cells without securin protein can recover from widespread chromosome losses over time, suggesting compensatory mechanisms at play. This discovery has implications for cancer treatment, as mathematical models often assume cell populations cannot recover from chromosomal instability.
A gene variant in Complement Factor H is associated with an increased risk of soft drusen, a precursor to advanced age-related macular degeneration. The study found that the CFH variant contributes to the development of soft drusen but does not determine who will progress to advanced AMD.
Researchers found that progressive loss of two types of hypothalamic neurons, Pomc and Agrp, leads to altered food intake patterns in mice. This discovery provides a potentially informative model for studying human age-related obesity and the regulation of energy homeostasis.
A study found significant differences in genetic effects between Chinese and non-Chinese studies on gene-disease associations. The researchers identified 161 Chinese studies on 12 topics, but only 20 were indexed in PubMed. This bias may lead to skewed evidence depending on language and publication sources.
A recent study found that nearly one-third of clinicians surveyed do not feel confident in counselling patients who report intimate partner violence. The study also revealed that only 10% of reports documented the clinician's level of documentation, highlighting a need for improved training and protocols.
Researchers found that only a third of high-risk patients were prescribed aspirin in 2003, despite its cost-effectiveness and recommended use for people with diabetes. The study suggests that physicians prioritize statins over aspirin due to advertising and preference.
A 1960s tool, adapted for influenza planning, identifies strengths and opportunities for improvement in Thailand's preparedness efforts. The Haddon matrix lends itself to rapid decision making necessary for effective pandemic response.
A study of Norwegian medical students found that nearly 70% self-prescribed medication in their first year after graduation, a trend that continued into their fourth and ninth years. The most commonly self-prescribed medications were antibiotics, contraceptives, and analgesics.
A short course of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) increases finger sensitivity by 15% immediately after treatment, with effects lasting up to two hours. The brain map representing the index finger also enlarges in response to rTMS, corresponding to increased sensory perception.
The new study found that full open-access journals face significant financial pressures over the longer term, with 41% reporting shortfalls. In contrast, subscription journals tend to be more profitable, with 81% of HighWire and AAMC journals reporting a profit.
Researchers observed western gorillas using sticks to test water depth and create a bridge in the wild. This discovery provides valuable insights into the evolution of tool usage in great apes and their abilities.
AZojomo is the first open-access publishing system to reward authors and peer reviewers with revenue sharing, providing a more inclusive and accessible way for scientists to publish research papers. Peer-reviewed by internationally renowned materials science experts, AZojomo ensures the credibility of published content.
Physicians can serve as investigators in bioterrorism cases, collecting forensic evidence like in a sexual assault investigation. They should also document the patient's medical history and physical exam. This helps prevent further attacks and achieves justice.
Limiting free antiretroviral medicine access to only treatment-naïve patients puts patients at risk of adverse effects and can slow treatment enrollment. Human rights issues arise when some individuals are denied medication due to financial constraints, potentially leading to their demise.
A study published in PLoS Medicine found that a computer monitoring system can alter doctors' behavior, making them more likely to stop prescriptions or order further tests when alerted to potential problems. This could lead to significant reductions in adverse drug events and hospital costs.
Research studies with smaller sample sizes are more prone to false results. Additionally, scientific fields with smaller postulated effects tend to have higher rates of false positive claims. Financial interests and prejudices can also influence the accuracy of research findings.
The Beilstein Journal of Organic Chemistry is a peer-reviewed online journal that covers all aspects of organic chemistry and related disciplines. It invites submissions from organic chemists worldwide, offering efficient refereeing, rapid publication, and high visibility, with no publication charges or copyright restrictions.
Researchers studied over 13,000 people from five diverse sites to investigate dementia incidence. The study found no convincing evidence of variation in dementia incidence across sites or age groups, challenging previous proposals for public health policy.
A novel coronavirus, HCoV-NL63, is strongly associated with croup in children under three years old. The study found that 43% of patients with high viral load and no co-infection had croup, compared to 6% of those without the virus.
Children in southern Italy face a constellation of risks including high school dropout rates and low youth employment. The region also struggles with low vaccination uptake rates, leaving kids vulnerable to preventable diseases.
A study found that health-related adverts accounted for approximately half of all adverts in mainstream women's magazines, but only a quarter in black and Hispanic magazines. The disparity highlights existing health inequalities among different ethnic groups.
Researchers found that mosquitoes were significantly more attracted to children with infectious stages of malaria, whereas treatment with antimalarial drugs showed no difference in attractiveness.
The study found age-related changes in gene expression in the human brain's cortex, but not in non-brain tissues. The results support a theory that DNA damage and protein degradation contribute to aging, with more metabolically active tissues showing greater gene activity reduction.
The media's role in spreading health messages is being reevaluated by experts. Journalists have a responsibility to mirror society's needs and issues comprehensively and proportionally. They must investigate and report possible conflicts of interest among sources, citing earlier research and seeking independent expert opinions.
Cats have no way to recognize carbohydrates, resulting in a diet high in meat and fat. This is due to the pseudogenization of sweet-receptor genes, which prevents cats from tasting sweetness.
Researchers have identified new genes that regulate aging, with effects on insulin signaling, metabolism, and dietary regulation. Inhibiting these genes increases lifespan in certain organisms, suggesting potential therapeutic applications for age-related diseases.
A study of Nigerian healthcare professionals found discriminatory attitudes towards patients with HIV/AIDS, including refusal to care for or admit them. The authors highlight inadequate education and resource shortages as contributing factors, and call for targeted interventions to address these issues.
A study by Professor Chris McManus found a decline in postgraduate medical exam scores between 1997 and 2001, with a sharper drop in 2001 compared to 1996. This decline had implications for medical education, prompting further studies on performance in other exams.
Stephen P Goff, a prolific scientist with over 250 publications, was recognized for his outstanding research and mentorship. He developed the Moloney murine leukemia virus as a genetic system and made significant contributions to the development of antitumor drug Gleevec.
The International Campaign to Revitalise Academic Medicine proposes three possible futures for academic medicine: one driven by the private sector, another by public engagement, and a third by global networks. The scenarios offer insights into how academic medicine should evolve, with potential benefits including improved efficiency, i...
A new study in PLoS Biology confirms the genetic link between Polynesians and indigenous Taiwanese populations, revealing three unique mitochondrial DNA mutations. The findings suggest that Taiwanese aboriginal populations have been genetically isolated from mainland Chinese for 10,000 to 20,000 years.
PLOS Biology has achieved a record-breaking impact factor of 13.9, placing it above established journals such as EMBO Journal and Current Biology. This milestone reflects the journal's growing influence in the scientific community, particularly among open-access advocates.
A promising new vaccine candidate has shown protection against Lassa fever in macaque monkeys, offering hope for a potential vaccine. The vaccine's effectiveness and safety will need to be further assessed in larger studies.
A recent study using ancient DNA reveals that South American horses diverged from North American caballines around 3 million years ago. The research also suggests that all North American caballines belong to the same species and convergently evolved morphologically.
Researchers discovered extensive microRNA target gene predictions, assigning a biological function to 70% of all microRNAs. The findings provide insights into the importance and function of microRNAs across huge evolutionary time scales, shedding light on their role in shaping life's diversity.
A new theoretical framework allows for two-dimensional drawings of neuron arbors, facilitating the creation of biologically realistic connection maps. This enables computer simulations of neural circuits involving tens of thousands of neurons, potentially unraveling brain mysteries.
A comprehensive annotation of Candida albicans genome paves way for improved diagnostics and therapies. The 6,354 gene annotation will aid in understanding the yeast's role in human diseases.
Researchers discovered a genetic link between a Fog2 gene mutation and small lungs, abnormal diaphragm development, and breathing difficulties in children. The study provides an important genetic starting point for further insight into human disorders.
A new study reveals that traditional models of extinction underestimate species extinction risk by ignoring a critical parameter. The researchers used water fleas as a model organism and found that incorporating density-dependent demographic stochasticity into the models accurately predicted extinction rates.
A comprehensive analysis of 1,721 estimates from 188 studies covering 46 countries found schizophrenia is more common in developed countries but overall less common than thought. The study revealed that immigrant populations have higher rates of the disease than native-born individuals.
Medical journals rely heavily on pharmaceutical funding, which can lead to biased research and favoritism towards company-funded trials. Experts like Richard Smith argue that this creates a cycle of dependency that compromises the credibility of journals.