Monthly Archives: June 2018

Possible link between blind cavefish and Autism

Astyanax_fasciatus_(Mexican_blind_cavefish)_1_(15719439215)

27/06/2018 Dr. Masato Yoshizawa

One of the most important questions in evolutionary biology is whether multiple changes in animal behavior share a genetic basis across species. One particularly interesting species to look at is the blind cavefish which exhibit human Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)-like symptoms. In their paper published in BMC Evolutionary Biology, a group of researchers used this fish as an animal model to study the genetic mechanisms underlying ASD.

Biology

Gallbladder cancer: a rare, deadly disease with an abnormally high incidence in Native American populations of New Mexico

26/06/2018 Rama Gullapalli & Ursa Brown-Glaberman

Gallbladder Cancer is a rare, yet deadly cancer of the gastrointestinal tract. It has an odd geographical distribution with hotspots across the globe. It is rare in the Western hemisphere and yet, shows an abnormally high incidence among the Native American populations of New Mexico. In a review published in BMC Cancer, lead authors Drs. Rama Gullapalli and Ursa Brown-Glaberman review the literature of this peculiar cancer and highlight the current hurdles faced by clinical oncologists in treating this cancer effectively.

Health Medicine

Do smoking bans lead to less or more smoking in the home?

26/06/2018 Natalie Pafitis

In a study recently published in BMC Public Health, researchers aim to address the question of whether smoke-free legislations result in a displacement from smoking in public to smoking at home.

Health

Feathered fruit-eater frozen in fossil form

25/06/2018 Daniel Field & Allison Hsiang

It is well known amongst birdwatchers that if you want to see many different species of bird, the best places to visit are in the Southern Hemisphere. So why is there so much more bird species diversity here compared to, for example, regions of Europe? Here, Daniel Field and Allison Hsiang describe their research, published in BMC Evolutionary Biology, where they examined a 52-million-year-old fossil bird to find out more.

Biology

Celebrating Pride while recognizing the mental health challenges of the LGBTQ community

22/06/2018 Ben Ragen

June is International Pride Month. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) individuals with their straight allies gather in cities all across the world to celebrate their true selves while recognizing the struggles they face. In New York City, the birthplace of the gay rights movement, will have their Pride parade on June 24th.

Health

Little world, big problems: unravelling the origin of slave-raiding in ants

22/06/2018 Marta Gritti

In a recent BMC Evolutionary Biology publication, researchers use a phylogenomics analysis to disentangle the relationships of Formica genus ants, making suggestions for the evolutionary origin of slave-making. They propose an explanation for this behaviour that has puzzled generations of biologists, including Charles Darwin himself.

Biology

Highlights of the BMC series: May 2018

19/06/2018 Tom Micklem

Oxytocin receptor gene methylation in social and emotional functioning • Safe smart phone sound levels •Causes of death among street-connected children and youth in Eldoret, Kenya • The evolution of Apoidea: the sister group of bees • Conscientious objection to participation in abortion by midwives and nurses • Cone beam computed tomography in implant dentistry

Biology Health Medicine

BMC Ecology Image Competition Announcement 2018

Figure 1_Overall winner_Podocnemis expansa_Ana Carolina Lima

15/06/2018 Ying Lou

The closing date for entries has been extended to 15th October 2018 We are delighted to announce that the 6th annual BMC Ecology image competition launches today! We are calling for ecologists around the world to submit their images. We created the competition as a chance for ecologists to share their research and photographic skills, and… Biology

‘3 of your 5-a-day’ labels keep the fruit and veggies away

14/06/2018 Natalie Pafitis

An article recently published in BMC Public Health looks at how a ‘3 of your 5-a-day’ versus a ‘1 of your 5-a-day’ smoothie product label affects subsequent consumption of fruit and vegetables.

Health

Unhealthy sleep patterns and risk of metabolic syndrome

13/06/2018 Natalie Pafitis

A study published today in BMC Public Health involving over 100,000 Korean men or women finds that fewer than six and more than ten hours of sleep per day are associated with metabolic syndrome and its individual components.

Health