females

Males Aren’t Larger Than Females in Most Mammalian SpeciesA new study corrects a biased assumption promoted by Charles Darwin 150 years ago and repeated ever sinceBy Rachel Nuwer In The Descent of Man, Charles Darwin posits that in most species of mammals, males are larger than females. Although Darwin did not cite evidence to back up this claim, his view on sexual size dimorphism was readily accepted as fact, and it still dominates today.But Darwin, in this case, seems to have been wrong. An analysis of 429 mammalian…

Following the COVID-19 pandemic’s start, there was a marked increase in antidepressant dispensing among adolescents and young adults, especially females, highlighting an accelerated trend and suggesting a deepened mental health crisis. The study points to the need for further investigation into interventions that can effectively address the mental health challenges faced by young people.After March 2020, the dispensing of antidepressants to young people increased at a faster pace, particularly among females.A new study…

February 7, 20243min readMost primate societies have long been assumed to be male-dominated, but a new study shows many have females in charge or feature power sharingBy Sara Novak Female lemurs call the shots in their societies. Not only do dominant females choose their own mates; they also use prompts—such as tail and fur pulling or the occasional nip—with both males and females to dictate which other females in the group can mate. Primatologists have long categorized the world’s 108 lemur species as a female-ruled…

December 12, 20234min readBirds might sing in the morning because they need a vocal workoutBy Olivia FerrariA male zebra finch (Taeniopygia castanotis) Most professional singers agree that practice makes perfect. And now research published in Nature Communications shows that songbirds also rely on a daily vocal workout—if they want to impress potential mates. The new study is the first to show that birds’ vocal muscles require exercise to achieve peak performance, the authors say.The need for such a routine could help…

Beloved indie band announced it will be 'coming to an end' nearly a decade after they formed Screaming Females, the beloved DIY band, is breaking up. “After 18 years we have decided Screaming Females is coming to an end,” the band announced on social media Tuesday. “A lot has changed around us over those 18 years but at our core we operated pretty much the same throughout.” Led by singer-guitarist Marissa Paternoster (whom Rolling Stone recently named one of the greatest guitarists of all time),…

Scientists have conducted a study using a mouse model to understand sex differences in obesity. They found that female mice, compared to males, are more resistant to obesity and inflammation due to a higher secretion of an immune protein called RELMalpha.  The study reveals a crucial ‘RELMalpha–eosinophil–macrophage axis’ in females, offering potential novel therapies to combat obesity.UC Riverside mouse study describes mechanisms underlying sex differences for obesity.A study at UC Riverside found that female mice are…

A research team has shed light on the brain mechanisms that may influence infanticide in female mice, as detailed in a study published in the journal Nature. The study found that a region of the brain called the principal nucleus of the bed nucleus of stria terminalis (BNSTpr), linked with emotional control, appears to drive female mice to kill young ones, a behavior often seen prior to their own first birthing to potentially preserve food resources.Researchers at NYU Grossman School of Medicine have discovered that a…

Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Publicly available salary information prompts organizations to reduce the gender pay gap, according to a new study from the University of California San Diego's School of Global Policy and Strategy. The research counters previous assumptions that salary transparency creates more equal pay because…

According to new research, subcutaneous fat, which is more common in females, is protective against brain inflammation.Females’ propensity toward subcutaneous fat, which is fat stored under the skin, often in places like their hips, buttocks, and the backs of their arms, is protective against brain inflammation, at least until menopause. This is according to a new study by scientists at the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University. It is important because brain inflammation can contribute to serious problems such…

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