Chinese fossils have provided insights into the evolutionary origin of animals from single-cell ancestors. The fossils preserve stages in the life cycle of an amoeba-like organism, revealing a pattern similar to early animal embryology, contrary to previous assumptions.
A study published in PLOS ONE introduces a lighter-weight GPS tag model that enables tracking of animals weighing at least 5.5 pounds, previously inaccessible due to equipment limitations. The team identified optimal deployment strategies for the smaller devices, resulting in successful tracking across a broader range of sizes.
A species of ancient predator, varanopid 'pelycosaur', survived a major extinction event in the Permian Period. Varanopids had sleek bodies, saw-like teeth, and a diet consisting of over 70% meat, contributing to their long survival.
Tel Aviv University researchers create mathematical models using machine learning and signal processing to improve echo localization and accuracy in medical imaging. The new technology could lead to earlier detection of defects in embryos and non-invasive cancer tumor detection.
Researchers discovered reindeer use three tactics: panting with nose closed, mouth open and brain cooling system, to prevent overheating while exercising. The team found that reindeer selectively cool their brains only when temperature becomes dangerously high.
A recent study reveals a diverse range of microscopic animals in soils from tropical forests to tundra and boreal forests. The research found that each ecosystem has its unique set of soil animals, contradicting the long-held assumption that diversity decreases at higher latitudes.
A study published in Bioinspiration & Biomimetics found that flapping wings on robots increased running speeds and climbing abilities. Researchers believe this suggests tree-dwelling animals may have evolved first, with gliding ability as a precursor to flight.
A University of Hull study found that weeds are vital to the existence of many farmland species, providing food for over 330 species of insects, birds, and animals. The research also showed that increasing farm management intensity can lead to a decline in seed biomass and energy, affecting farmland biodiversity.
Researchers created a mouse model that displays remarkably similar symptoms and behavior as children and adults on the autism spectrum. The animals responded well to an FDA-approved drug prescribed to treat repetitive behaviors often associated with the disease.
A study by UCLA scientists has found the first evidence of the H1N1 virus in animals in Africa, with 89% of pigs studied showing exposure to the virus. The discovery highlights the rapid spread of diseases globally and the importance of understanding viral transmission between humans, wild animals, and domestic animals.
A new study reveals that wild animals like zebras can sometimes enhance cattle growth and production, especially during times of plenty. Grazing by zebras reduced weight gain for cattle in the dry season but increased it in the wet season due to improved grass quality.
African ranchers may need to rethink their approach to managing savanna rangelands, as a new study suggests that coexisting with wildlife can enhance cattle growth. Grazing by wild animals like zebras can actually improve the quality of grass for cattle during the wet season when grass becomes rank and unproductive.
Researchers aim to combat diseases like zoonoses, transmitted from animals to humans, using models to predict and control outbreaks. Projects funded by $17M in US-UK collaboration will draw on biological and social sciences expertise.
Researchers from Caltech and UCLA found that the human amygdala responds preferentially to images of animals, with no emotional content influencing this response. This hemispheric asymmetry suggests an early evolutionary specialization for processing unexpected stimuli in the right hemisphere.
Researchers at Purdue University have created a type of turfgrass that is safe for grazing animals but toxic to certain insects. The fungus, called Neotyphodium, produces compounds that kill insects while protecting the grass from animal harm. This breakthrough could lead to reduced pesticide use and promote sustainability in agriculture.
Researchers found that a socially engaging environment can convert white fat to brown fat, leading to increased energy expenditure and weight loss. The study suggests that social isolation may contribute to obesity, highlighting the importance of social engagement in maintaining a healthy metabolism.
Scientists have developed a new skin test that can determine the age of wild animals while they are still alive. The test detects advanced glycation end products (AGEs) in skin tissue, providing valuable information for wildlife management and population control.
Researchers studied flatworms to understand how they regenerate their excretory systems from scratch, providing clues about the evolutionary origin of mammalian kidneys. They found that flatworm protonephridia, a complex epithelial organ, shares structural similarities with mammalian nephrons.
A new study suggests that moderate exercise can prevent age-related memory loss after a bacterial infection. Researchers found that older rats who ran on an exercise wheel showed improved cognitive function and reduced inflammation in the hippocampus compared to non-exercising rats.
Research finds that animal species large and small are governed by the same rule for how common they are in an ecosystem. Body size and food chain position determine abundance and biomass production.
Scientists at UC Santa Barbara have discovered two general rules for ecosystem abundance: one based on body size and food chain position, and another that biomass production is independent of animal size or type.
The Hastings Center will use the grant to develop educational resources on ethical issues in biomedical research, including alternatives to animal models. The project aims to promote nuanced thinking on animal welfare and medical progress.
A new study from the University of Texas at Austin reveals that current and proposed border fences pose significant threats to wildlife populations along the US-Mexico border. The study identifies four species listed as threatened globally or by both the US and Mexico, and another 23 with small range sizes.
Zooplankton have adapted to survive in low-oxygen areas by suppressing their metabolism and using anaerobic glycolysis. However, as climate change expands these zones, zooplankton will face increased predation risk, potentially leading to population crashes and cascading effects on the ocean ecosystem.
Zooplankton use adaptations to survive in low-oxygen areas, but climate change may force them into a narrow band of water making them susceptible to predators. Anaerobic glycolysis helps them conserve energy, but also leads to acid build-up that must be disposed of when returning to surface waters.
Researchers analyzed the heads of pachycephalosaur dinosaurs and compared them to modern animals that engage in head butting. They found that the bony anatomy of pachycephalosaur domes is better at protecting the brain than in any modern head-butting animal.
A new study has reduced the threat level for caribou in Alberta's oilsands country by revealing that their survival isn't as threatened as previously thought. The researchers found that it is not merely the presence of roads and cut lines, but the intensity of human activity such as noise levels that has the biggest effect on the animals.
Researchers have found a link between methane production and levels of archaeol in the faeces of cows, sheep, and deer, offering a potential solution to quantify animal methane contributions. The discovery could enable more accurate assessments of global greenhouse gas emissions.
Sodium channels are a key component of animal nervous systems but evolved prior to their development, according to new research published in PNAS. The discovery suggests that complex traits like the nervous system can evolve gradually from pre-existing genes.
A new study identifies the ion channel TRPA1 as the molecular sensor responsible for detecting weak acids in animals. This detection mechanism can trigger cell death and is why animals avoid weak acids, which are found in substances like vinegar and fermented foods.
Researchers discovered that ancient microbial mats could produce enough oxygen to support tiny, mobile life forms billions of years ago. The study challenges the long-held assumption that oxygen was necessary for animal evolution.
A Spanish study reveals that livestock, particularly pigs and cattle, are prone to traffic accidents during transport, resulting in pain and stress. The study calls for specific protocols and emergency services training to deal with these incidents and improve animal welfare.
A recent study by researchers at Seoul National University found that magpies can recognize individual humans, but only through visual cues. The birds showed aggressive responses to climbers and were able to distinguish them from non-climbers, suggesting a level of cognitive ability similar to that of domesticated animals.
Researchers found that Zaire ebolavirus replicates in pigs, causing disease and transmitting the virus to unexposed animals. Pigs with respiratory symptoms shed high viral loads, posing a risk of transmission to humans.
Researchers discovered infected cats and wildlife with Toxoplasma gondii in a natural area, suggesting feral cats are the source of infection. The parasite is shed in cat feces and transmitted to animals through soil, water, or contact with infected animals.
A Spanish-Mexican research team found that wild birds exhibit ageing in terms of reproductive capacity and DNA damage. As males age, their germline becomes damaged, increasing the risk of genetic illnesses in their offspring.
Scientists analyzed aphid movements and found they wander randomly, with some individuals moving very little or a lot. This discovery challenges the long-held idea of Lévy flights in animal behavior.
Researchers at Brown University have found that the Notch signaling pathway regulates sleep in nematode worms, and similar genes are expressed in human brains. The study suggests that targeting this pathway could lead to more precise and safer sleep aids.
A comprehensive study of 20th century children's books found a significant bias towards tales featuring men and boys as lead characters. The findings suggest that even when animal characters are involved, they tend to be male, perpetuating the underrepresentation of females in literature.
Researchers at Boston University's Computational Neurophysiology Laboratory have discovered a link between theta rhythm and the ability of animals to track their location. Grid cells in the entorhinal cortex require theta oscillations as a clock to help animals keep track of their spatial location.
Scientists at the University of Gothenburg have discovered how certain sea squirts can activate telomerase, an enzyme that protects DNA, leading to exceptional health. These organisms also have a unique ability to discard 'junk' from their cells, which helps maintain their youthful state.
A new study reveals that dinosaurs, like velociraptors, were nocturnal hunters, while plant-eaters were active during the day and night. The research uses eye measurements to separate ecological and phylogenetic signals, providing insight into how environment influences evolution.
New research reveals that some dinosaurs, such as big plant-eating dinosaurs, were active both day and night due to their need for constant food intake. Velociraptors, on the other hand, hunted at night like modern nocturnal animals, challenging the traditional assumption about dinosaur activity patterns.
Fossil teeth analysis reveals different herbivore families responded differently to the emergence of C4 warm-season grasses in East Africa. The shift occurred at varying rates and times, with some animals adapting to their new diet before grasslands spread rapidly.
Researchers found that 55 white-lipped peccaries tested positive for Leptospirosis, with older animals showing higher serovar diversity. The study highlights the need for further research on disease transmission between livestock and wildlife.
A new DNA study by University of Gothenburg researchers has uncovered over 120 previously unknown bryozoan species in Swedish waters, including a completely new species. The findings shed light on the evolution and relationships of these nearly invisible animals, which are found in marine and freshwater environments.
Researchers discovered that slime mold cells organize into an epithelial layer with a structure and function similar to those in some animals. The layer secretes proteins, coating the fruiting body stalk with rigidity.
A miniature, portable PET scanner has been developed to study brain function and behavior in rats while they are awake and moving freely. This breakthrough technology, dubbed RatCAP, uses a wearable design that counterbalances with springs and motion stabilizers, allowing animals significant freedom of movement.
Joslin Diabetes Center researchers discovered that plasma kallikrein interferes with brain clotting, leading to increased bleeding during strokes. Normalizing blood glucose levels may block this effect and reduce brain hemorrhage.
Researchers found that long-distance migrations can reduce the spread of infectious diseases in some species by allowing them to escape parasite-laden habitats. This process also helps eliminate virulent disease strains from populations.
Research finds that dominant animals in primate societies have higher parasite loads due to suppressed immune systems. Frequent aggression and contact with other animals may contribute to the risk of infection.
A recent study found that most deep-sea animals at Monterey Bay whale falls are not unique to these sites, but rather common in other deep-sea environments. However, certain species, such as Osedax worms and snails, play a crucial role in controlling community development.
Research reveals that exposure to fine-particulate air pollution in early life increases abdominal fat and insulin resistance in mice, regardless of diet. The study suggests a potential mechanism for pollution's effects on health, highlighting the need for therapeutic options targeting specific genes.
A new study reveals that elephant-shrews consume the nectar of Pagoda lily flowers and pollinate them. The animals' long noses and tongues allow them to access the nectar without damaging the flowers. This discovery sheds light on the unusual group of non-flying mammals known for their pollination abilities.
A study by Oregon State University researchers found that low birth weight can cause lifelong problems processing medications. The kidneys of underweight animals had significantly less ability to process and transport drugs due to a protein called a 'drug transporter'.
Ancient ocean sediments revealed phosphorus played a crucial role in establishing the first animals on Earth. Oxygen levels surged due to phosphorus, allowing complex life forms to emerge.
A new PLoS collection highlights ways scientists use a large tracking network to trace marine mammal movement. The system detects animals as they cross detection lines, providing data on their behavior and survival.
A study by David Blouin found that people who think of animals as children tend to have a city background, while those in rural areas may view pets as just another animal. Having children often changes owners' thoughts on their pets.
Researchers sequenced the sponge genome to connect the dots between Amphimedon and other animals, revealing a striking conservation of gene structure and genome organization. The study aims to understand how patterns that have been around for a billion years have evolved or persisted.
A team of researchers has sequenced the genome of an ancient sponge, revealing insights into the evolution of the first animals and cancer. The study found that sponges share many genes with humans, but also have significant differences, including missing components involved in cell division and development.