University of Stirling

About: University of Stirling is a education organization based out in Stirling, Stirling, United Kingdom. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Polyunsaturated fatty acid. The organization has 7722 authors who have published 20549 publications receiving 732940 citations. The organization is also known as: Stirling University.

Immunocompetence: a neglected life history trait or conspicuous red herring?

Abstract: We thank everyone whom directly or indirectly contributed to this review, especially Victor Apanius, Matthew Evans, Bryan Grenfell, Frances Gulland, Bob Lochmiller, Anders Moller, Andrew Read, Ben Sheldon, Mike Siva-Jothy and Simon Verhulst. I.P.F.O. also thanks Paul Harvey for hospitality during his sabbatical and K.W. acknowledges the support of the NERC.

Symmetry Is Related to Sexual Dimorphism in Faces: Data Across Culture and Species

Abstract: BackgroundMany animals both display and assess multiple signals. Two prominently studied traits are symmetry and sexual dimorphism, which, for many animals, are proposed cues to heritable fitness benefits. These traits are associated with other potential benefits, such as fertility. In humans, the face has been extensively studied in terms of attractiveness. Faces have the potential to be advertisements of mate quality and both symmetry and sexual dimorphism have been linked to the attractiveness of human face shape.Methodology/Principal FindingsHere we show that measurements of symmetry and sexual dimorphism from faces are related in humans, both in Europeans and African hunter-gatherers, and in a non-human primate. Using human judges, symmetry measurements were also related to perceived sexual dimorphism. In all samples, symmetric males had more masculine facial proportions and symmetric females had more feminine facial proportions.Conclusions/SignificanceOur findings support the claim that sexual dimorphism and symmetry in faces are signals advertising quality by providing evidence that there must be a biological mechanism linking the two traits during development. Such data also suggests that the signalling properties of faces are universal across human populations and are potentially phylogenetically old in primates.

Evaluating COVID-19 Public Health Messaging in Italy: Self-Reported Compliance and Growing Mental Health Concerns

Abstract: Purpose The COVID-19 death-rate in Italy continues to climb, surpassing that in every other country. We implement one of the first nationally representative surveys about this unprecedented public health crisis and use it to evaluate the Italian government’ public health efforts and citizen responses. Findings (1) Public health messaging is being heard. Except for slightly lower compliance among young adults, all subgroups we studied understand how to keep themselves and others safe from the SARS-Cov-2 virus. Remarkably, even those who do not trust the government, or think the government has been untruthful about the crisis believe the messaging and claim to be acting in accordance. (2) The quarantine is beginning to have serious negative effects on the population’s mental health. Policy Recommendations Communications should move from explaining to citizens that they should stay at home to what they can do there. We need interventions that make staying following public health protocols more desirable, such as virtual social interactions, online social reading activities, classes, exercise routines, etc. — all designed to reduce the boredom of long term social isolation and to increase the attractiveness of following public health recommendations. Interventions like these will grow in importance as the crisis wears on around the world, and staying inside wears on people.

Music and everyday life

Abstract: In the British House of Commons on March 15, 2000, Robert Key, the Conservative MP for Salisbury, begged to move “That leave be given to bring in a Bill to prohibit the broadcasting of recorded music in certain public places” (Hansard [Parliamentary Debates]. Sixth Series, 1999-2000, vol. 346, pp. 326-327).