Open access

Papers, explained

338 open-access papers, free to watch.

Menstrual characteristics and associations with sociodemographic factors and self-rated health in Spain: a cross-sectional study 4:35

Menstrual characteristics and associations with sociodemographic factors and self-rated health in Spain: a cross-sectional study

A period is not only a monthly event to manage. It may also act as a warning light for health, and the warning can be shaped by money, education, caregiving, and everyday living conditions.

Explaining the variation in 137Cs aggregated transfer factor for wild edible plants as a case study on Koshiabura (Eleutherococcus sciadophylloides) buds 3:35

Explaining the variation in 137Cs aggregated transfer factor for wild edible plants as a case study on Koshiabura (Eleutherococcus sciadophylloides) buds

A forest can look less contaminated on paper, yet its edible shoots can still carry unexpectedly high radioactivity. The reason may be not how much is in the soil, but where in the soil it sits.

Drought Resistance and Ginsenosides Biosynthesis in Response to Abscisic Acid in Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer 4:09

Drought Resistance and Ginsenosides Biosynthesis in Response to Abscisic Acid in Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer

A dry spell can damage ginseng twice: it weakens the plant and threatens the valuable compounds in its roots. This study found that one natural plant signal may help with both problems.

Integrating the Soil Microbiota and Metabolome Reveals the Mechanism through Which Controlled Release Fertilizer Affects Sugarcane Growth 5:06

Integrating the Soil Microbiota and Metabolome Reveals the Mechanism through Which Controlled Release Fertilizer Affects Sugarcane Growth

More fertilizer does not necessarily mean more sugar. This study found that sugarcane did best when nutrients arrived at the right pace, apparently by changing the living community and chemical signals around its roots.

The distribution of Van Genuchten model parameters on soil-water characteristic curves in Chinese Loess Plateau and new predicting method on unsaturated permeability coefficient of loess 3:39

The distribution of Van Genuchten model parameters on soil-water characteristic curves in Chinese Loess Plateau and new predicting method on unsaturated permeability coefficient of loess

When soil is only partly wet, predicting how water will move through it is crucial, but measuring that movement directly is very difficult. This study finds a quicker route: let the soil’s water-retaining behavior reveal it.

It’s complicated: Executive functioning moderates impacts of daily busyness on everyday functioning in community-dwelling older adults 4:46

It’s complicated: Executive functioning moderates impacts of daily busyness on everyday functioning in community-dwelling older adults

A busy day can make almost anyone late. But for some older adults, the bigger danger may be how sharply life swings from quiet one day to chaotic the next.

Biotransformation and bioaccessibility of active ingredients from Radix Astragali by Poria cocos during solid-state fermentation and in vitro digestion and antioxidant activity evaluation 3:49

Biotransformation and bioaccessibility of active ingredients from Radix Astragali by Poria cocos during solid-state fermentation and in vitro digestion and antioxidant activity evaluation

A traditional herbal root contains a valued protective compound, but only a small amount is normally available. This study found that growing a food fungus on the root could make much more of that compound accessible after digestion.

Rabies vaccinations at the rural–urban divide: successes and barriers to dog rabies vaccination programs from a rural and urban campaign in Zambia 4:00

Rabies vaccinations at the rural–urban divide: successes and barriers to dog rabies vaccination programs from a rural and urban campaign in Zambia

A rabies campaign can succeed in a rural community yet fall short in a city, not because people do not care, but because the distance to one vaccination point can decide which dogs are protected.

Assessment of associated credit risk in the supply chain based on trade credit risk contagion 4:21

Assessment of associated credit risk in the supply chain based on trade credit risk contagion

A company can look safe on its own and still become dangerous to a bank when a business partner gets into trouble. This study asks how financial risk travels through the supply chain before the damage is obvious.

ULTRA-effective labeling of tandem repeats in genomic sequence 4:16

ULTRA-effective labeling of tandem repeats in genomic sequence

Some of the most important parts of a genome are made from repeated DNA, but once those repeats become damaged and irregular, computer programs can mistake them for something else entirely. This paper introduces a way to keep finding them.

Implementation of a high-throughput whole genome sequencing approach with the goal of maximizing efficiency and cost effectiveness to improve public health 5:02

Implementation of a high-throughput whole genome sequencing approach with the goal of maximizing efficiency and cost effectiveness to improve public health

When disease outbreaks move quickly, public health laboratories need answers quickly too, but often without more staff or money. This study found a way to process thousands of bacterial genomes while keeping the results dependable and affordable.

Sustainable beef labeling in Latin America and the Caribbean: Initiatives, developments, and bottlenecks 5:21

Sustainable beef labeling in Latin America and the Caribbean: Initiatives, developments, and bottlenecks

A small label on a package of beef can promise animal welfare, environmental care, and fairer production. But in Latin America and the Caribbean, the label may be easier to print than to trust.