Insights into MDPI Top Picks: January 2026
In MDPI’s first Top Picks roundup of 2026, we explore new research on the productivity of digital reading for children, the impact of climate change on coastal regions of Southwestern Ghana, and results from a 33-year-long study on the endangered Pinto’s Spinetail bird. We also see how withdrawal of intravenous sedation impacts patients with dental phobia.
Feature Paper
Physiological and Subjective Measures Associated with Withdrawal from Intravenous Sedation in Dental Phobia: A Prospective Cohort Study
Published in Journal of Clinical Medicine
Dental phobia is a relatively common phenomenon, with 17% of the population suffering with some extent of anxiety when visiting the dentist.
This fear is often brought about by a negative past experience. Although most people may not particularly enjoy a visit to the dentist, severe dental phobia can cause individuals to avoid going to the dentist completely, potentially leading to detrimental effects on dental health, particularly when urgent treatment is needed.
To help patients with severe dental phobia receive the treatment they need, intravenous sedation (IVS) is sometimes offered in dental clinics as an effective way of managing fear and anxiety.
These patients are then weaned off exposure to IVS as the number of dental visits increases.
A study published in the Open Access Journal of Clinical Medicine sought to find out the psychological and physiological effect of withdrawing from this type of treatment on the patient.
Dr. Yukihiko Takemura, author of the study, discusses the aim and findings of the research:
This clinical study focuses on a common phenomenon encountered in routine practice—the continuation of or withdrawal from IVS.
We demonstrate that physiological stress markers may still be observed even when patients report low levels of fear and anxiety, indicating that stress responses during dental treatment cannot be fully captured by a single measure alone.
By using salivary biomarkers to objectively assess patients’ internal physiological states, and by considering both subjective reports and objective indicators, this study provides a perspective that bridges mutual understanding between healthcare providers and patients.
These findings may help reconsider the role of IVS in dental care and the management of dental phobia.
Screens with Stories: Productive Digital Reading for Children?
Published in Education Sciences
Reading during childhood is important for many aspects of development, including cognitive growth and critical thinking. Reading for pleasure during childhood has also been linked to better mental health during adolescence.
However, the landscape of books and reading is changing as the digitalisation of books has emerged in the last decade. Many parents opt to give their children access to digital books. Reasons for this choice may include better accessibility, more friendly for children with certain disabilities, portability, multi-language availability, and more.
With help from European Funding, researchers from Norway, Türkiye and The Netherlands developed a digital library for families to access children’s books.
The aim of the study, published in Education Sciences, was to investigate the reading habits of the children using the digital library, including the frequency of visits, extent of re-reading, and the different languages chosen.
They found that over four months, children often re-read the books and consistently self-navigated to earlier scenes within books to develop familiarity with the story, just like children would do with picture books. The findings show that digital libraires are an attractive platform and accessible option for families to instil an enjoyment of reading in children to help with their learning and development.
The Impact of Climate Change and Planning Policies on Future Coastal Landscape Dynamics in Southwestern Ghana
Published in Coasts
Climate change is increasingly affecting coastal environments by altering the natural dynamics of coastal landscapes. These effects include the reduced resilience of coastal landscapes caused by rising sea levels and increased erosion and flooding. These changes can lead to further downstream problems, such as damage to infrastructure and destruction of coastal habitats.
Strict regulations are put in place for governments to ensure that coastal regions are maintained and restored. Anarticle published in the journal Coasts reviews how climate change and spatial planning policies impact coastal landscape dynamics in Southwestern Ghana.
The results showed a decrease in wetlands – important biodiverse areas essential for local ecosystems – from 1882.43 hectares in 2010 to 1743.49 hectares in 2020. The authors of the study suggest governments and relevant stakeholders to establish appropriate policy to ensure coastal landscape restoration is carried out to support and satisfy the Sustainable Development Goals 11 and 13.
New Breeding Information on the Endangered Pinto’s Spinetail Synallaxis infuscata in the Atlantic Rainforest of Northeastern Brazil
Published in Birds
Alongside its impact on coastal landscapes, climate change also has prominent impacts on animal and plant biodiversity.
One important aspect of monitoring endangered animal species is to analyse their breeding biology and patterns in different environments. In a first of its kind study, researchers looked at the breeding biology of Pinto’s Spinetail, an endangered species of Brazilian bird, in the Atlantic Rainforest of Northeastern Brazil, between 1986 and 2018.
Author of the study Leïla Perroulaz discusses the importance of their research, and the insightful findings that help further biologists’ understanding of the birds’ population and how it is impacted by factors such as predation.
Synallaxis infuscata is an endangered species of Brazilian bird, endemic to the Atlantic Forest. So far, no information has been available regarding its breeding biology. This study describes 33 nests observed between 1986 and 2018, and presents clutch and egg sizes, breeding period, and nest success.
The results obtained for this species fall within the range of observations from a comprehensive analysis of other Synallaxis species. The breeding information obtained is useful for developing accurate conservation plans, since breeding data are important for understanding population dynamics. This information can also inform the future monitoring of the species.
This paper is the result of the lifelong dedication of the late Dr Anita Studer to studying of the breeding biology of Brazilian birds.
To read more exciting new research across a diverse range of science topics, access MDPI’s full journal list.
