Featured News – Science & research news

‘Golden needle in the haystack’: Potential Paralympians face more challenges in being talent spotted

April 16, 2021

By Colm Gorey, Frontiers science writer/Dr Nima Dehghansai, York University and Paralympic Innovation Dr Nima Dehghansai. Image: Dr Nima Dehghansai Potential Paralympian [...]

Virtual humans are equal to real ones in helping people practice new leadership skills

April 16, 2021

Virtual humans can train people in leadership: Frontiers in Virtual Reality [...]

97% of Earth’s land area may no longer be ecologically intact

April 15, 2021

Only between 2% and 3% of the Earth’s terrestrial surface can be considered ecologically intact, according to a new study published in Frontiers in Forests and Global Change [...]

Researchers identify five double star systems potentially suitable for life

April 15, 2021

Habitable Zones, potentially suitable for life, can exist in systems with twin stars and giant planets: Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences [...]

Crop rotations with beans and peas offer more sustainable and nutritious food production

April 13, 2021

Crop rotations with beans and peas offer more sustainable and nutritious food production, finds new study in Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems [...]

Earth’s crust mineralogy drives hotspots for intraterrestrial life

April 9, 2021

Earth’s crust mineralogy drives hotspots for intraterrestrial life, finds new study in Frontiers in Microbiology [...]

Gut bacteria ‘talk’ to horse’s cells to improve their athletic performance

April 8, 2021

Metabolic crosstalk between gut bacteria and mitochondria during exercise of horses: Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences [...]

New Lyme disease test distinguishes between early and late-stage disease

April 7, 2021

Novel sensitive test for Lyme disease: Frontiers in Microbiology [...]

From ghosts to evil genies: How the world experiences terrifying sleep paralysis very differently

March 29, 2021

By Colm Gorey, Frontiers science writer/Dr Baland Jalal, Harvard University and University of Cambridge Dr Baland Jalal. Image: Dr Bamo Jalal Dr Baland Jalal has spent years [...]

What did the brains of the first land vertebrates look like?

March 26, 2021

By Mischa Dijkstra, Frontiers science writer / Dr Alice M Clement, Flinders University Dr Alice Clement. Image: Flinders University What did the brain of the early [...]

Deforestation, forest conversion and palm oil plantations linked to disease outbreaks

March 24, 2021

Deforestation, forest conversion and palm oil plantations linked to disease outbreaks, finds new study in Frontiers in Veterinary Science [...]

Having a single personal doctor may sometimes lead to unnecessary tests

March 22, 2021

Having a single personal doctor may promote overtesting for prostate cancer: Frontiers in Medicine [...]

Tragedy of the Commons: The potential role of individualism in the spread of Covid-19

March 19, 2021

By Dr Yossi Maaravi, Adelson School of Entrepreneurship at IDC, Herzliya John David Photography / Shutterstock.com Dr Yossi Maaravi of the Adelson School of Entrepreneurship [...]

Dolphins adapt to survive invasive coastal constructions

March 18, 2021

Marine ecosystems are endangered by an increasing number of coastal development projects. A new study shows for the first time that bottlenose dolphins may adapt to [...]

Astronauts in crewed Mars missions could misread vital emotional cues

March 17, 2021

By Tania Fitzgeorge-Balfour, Frontiers science writer Long-exposure photo of the centrifuge used to simulate microgravity in the research subjects. Image: DLR Spending an [...]

3 bacterial strains discovered on space station may help grow plants on Mars

March 15, 2021

By Colm Gorey, Frontiers science writer Interior view from the International Space Station cupola. Image: NASA Swab samples of 8 surfaces aboard the International Space [...]

Could coloring our steaks blue help reduce the world’s insatiable demand for meat?

March 11, 2021

By Prof Charles Spence, University of Oxford Image: SciePro/Shutterstock Blue has become an increasingly popular color in drinks and confectionary. Now, Prof Charles Spence [...]

Use of image and performance-enhancing drugs surged during Covid-19 restrictions

March 10, 2021

Figure of a woman in a red bathing suit inside a plastic rectangle on top of a fabric cloth.

By The University of Hertfordshire Image: Zenza Flarini/Shutterstock 28% of people have used image and performance-enhancing drugs (IPEDs) during the Covid-19 pandemic, [...]

Seagrass loss around the UK may be much higher than previously thought

March 4, 2021

By Suzanna Burgelman, Frontiers science writer Dogfish between seagrass. Image: Frogfish Photography The United Kingdom (UK) could have lost as much as 92% of historic [...]

Team reveals amazing reconstructions of our ancestors to correct mistakes of the past

February 26, 2021

How to ensure accuracy in soft tissue reconstructions of early hominins such as Lucy? A review in Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution [...]

Improving water quality could help conserve insectivorous birds — study

February 26, 2021

Scarcity of insect prey in disturbed lakes and streams contributes to bird decline, show new results By Anna Sigurdsson and Mischa Dijkstra, science writers A new study shows [...]

Allergy season starts earlier each year due to climate change and pollen transport

February 25, 2021

Long-distance pollen affects length of allergy seasons in Germany: Frontiers in Allergy [...]

Jingmai O’Connor: ‘I think people imagine we spend far more time digging up fossils than we actually do’

February 22, 2021

Jingmai O'Connor crossing her arms and leaning on a table while looking at fossilized remains of a bird.

By Colm Gorey, Frontiers science writer/Jingmai O’Connor Jingmai O’Connor, associate curator of fossil reptiles at Chicago’s Field Museum. Image: Jesse Goldberg [...]

Prof Gisli H Gudjonsson: 40 years’ worth of scientific research shows anyone can be coerced into a false confession

February 22, 2021

Prof Gisli H. Gudjonsson reviews the forensic science of false confessions: Frontiers in Psychology [...]

Life from Earth could temporarily survive on Mars

February 22, 2021

Researchers send microbes to Earth’s stratosphere to test if these could survive on Mars: Frontiers in Microbiology [...]

Biotech fit for the Red Planet

February 16, 2021

Cyanobacteria can grow under a N2-CO2-rich low-pressure atmosphere with only water and nutrients from Mars dust: Frontiers in Microbiology [...]

Strange creatures accidentally discovered beneath Antarctica’s ice shelves

February 15, 2021

Prior research has suggested that the watery depths below the Antarctic ice shelves are too cold and nutrient poor to sustain much life. But a new study from British [...]

Mapping hotspots of undersized fish and crustaceans may aid sustainable fishing practices

February 5, 2021

Study uses size distribution of catch to identify hot spots for reproduction of fish and crustaceans in Mediterranean and Eastern Atlantic: Frontiers in Marine Science [...]

Why we cannot ignore the place of viruses on the ‘Tree of Life’

February 3, 2021

By Dr Hugh Harris, APC Microbiome Ireland/University College Cork Image: Corona Borealis Studio/Shutterstock One particular virus has come to dominate our lives. Now Dr Hugh [...]

Voters perceive political candidates with a disability as qualified for elected office

January 28, 2021

Image: Shutterstock By Suzanna Burgelman, Frontiers science writer Political candidates with a disability have historically been underrepresented. A new study has found for [...]

Rescuers at risk: emergency personnel face trauma and post traumatic stress symptoms

January 19, 2021

Emergency workers face suicidal thoughts and PTSS: Frontiers in Psychiatry [...]

Gut microbes may antagonize or assist in anorexia

January 12, 2021

Gut microbes may significantly contribute to anorexia nervosa: Frontiers in Psychiatry [...]

One-two punch: sea urchins are stuck belly up in low-oxygen hot water

January 8, 2021

How do sea urchin cope with climate change? Frontiers in Marine Science [...]

Better learners in collared flycatchers are more likely to copy information from competing species

December 22, 2020

Ability to use social information depends on individual cognitive skills in female collared flycatchers: Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution [...]

Researchers deconstruct ancient Jewish parchment using multiple imaging techniques

December 18, 2020

What can modern imaging techniques tell us about the fabrication and origin of ancient parchments? Frontiers in Materials [...]

Scientists warn of likely massive oil spill endangering the Red Sea, region’s health

December 15, 2020

Scientists from Stony Brook warn of the risk of massive oil spill in Red Sea: Frontiers in Marine Science [...]

Ocean heatwave has triggered new toxic algal blooms on the US west coast

December 14, 2020

Climate change increases likelihood of harmful algal blooms in oceans: Frontiers in Climate [...]

Frontiers Editors’ Summit – December 2020

December 10, 2020

An update on Frontiers' coronavirus response, plans and progress, and the COVID-19 academic survey and Policy Labs initiatives [...]

Measuring broken hearts: divorce has negative effects on physical and mental health

November 30, 2020

What are the mental health effects of divorce? Frontiers in Psychology [...]

High achievement cultures may kill students’ interest in math – especially for girls

November 25, 2020

In countries with high academic standards in math, students (especially girls) typically are less interested: Frontiers in Psychology [...]

How dolphins avoid “the bends”

November 24, 2020

New research suggests dolphins conserve oxygen and prevent dive-related problems by consciously decreasing their heart rates before diving: Frontiers in Physiology [...]

Synthesis study demonstrates phytoplankton can bloom below Arctic sea ice

November 19, 2020

The results of synthesis study suggest that primary production in some regions of the ocean may be an order of magnitude greater than originally predicted: Frontiers in Marine Science [...]

Solitary bees are born with a functional internal clock – unlike honeybees

November 12, 2020

Developmental lag in the circadian clock may facilitate sociality: Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology [...]

“Helper” ambrosia beetles share reproduction with their mother

November 4, 2020

Fungus-growing Xyleborus affinis beetles have independently evolved a similar social structure to many casteless wasps and bees: Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution [...]

Your favorite music can send your brain into a pleasure overload

November 3, 2020

How are "chills" from music reflected in brain activity? Frontiers in Neuroscience [...]

Male fin whales surprise scientists by swapping songs

October 29, 2020

Fin whales vary their song structure and pick up new songs from other whale groups, study suggests: Frontiers in Marine Science [...]

How does the immune system develop in the first days of life?

October 23, 2020

Innate immunity quickly develops in the first days after birth: Frontiers in Immunology [...]

Cows prefer “live” co-moo-nication, study reveals

October 15, 2020

Cows enjoy the sound of a human voice -- but are more relaxed by a face-to-face chat than when listening to a recorded voice through a loudspeaker: Frontiers in Psychology [...]