Insect glands produce secretions that help sperm survive and guide fertilization in fruit flies, potentially providing clues to similar human reproductive glands. Mutant fruit flies with absent glands are infertile, but expression of a mouse gene can partially restore gland formation.
Researchers used rare earth element analysis to determine that human remains found at Vero Beach dated back to the late Pleistocene epoch around 13,000 years ago. This discovery sheds light on the lives of early North Americans, who likely co-existed with extinct giant mammals like mammoths and mastodons.
A study published in Nature shows that relatively few amino acid mutations enable avian H5N1 influenza virus to transmit in mammals. This breakthrough has significant public health benefits and contributes to understanding the pathogen's transmission dynamics.
A recent study found that mammalian families in North America maintained similar niches throughout the past 56 million years, despite significant climate changes. The research suggests that family diversity played a crucial role in their ability to adapt and maintain larger ranges.
A new method developed by the University of Copenhagen allows researchers to track mammal species in Southeast Asian rainforests using DNA-analysis from collected leeches. The technique has been successfully tested on local Vietnamese mammals, including rare species, and could revolutionize the monitoring of threatened wildlife.
Researchers traced the evolution of mammalian diets across all species, including omnivores, and found that while some groups maintained steady diets, others changed their feeding strategies over time. Today's omnivores originated from ancestors primarily eating plants or animals but not both.
Dinosaurs laid eggs, which limited their size and competitiveness compared to viviparous mammals. This led to a gap in body sizes, allowing smaller species to occupy niches, ultimately contributing to the dinosaurs' extinction.
A new study has traced the evolutionary history of mammal diets, revealing that omnivores, including primates, bears, and dogs, came from ancestors that primarily ate plants. The study found that diet is linked to species diversification, with plant-eaters proliferating faster than meat-eaters.
A study by ecologists in New Zealand found that a 1170 km2 marine sanctuary significantly improved survival of Hector's dolphins, one of the rarest dolphin species. The research revealed a 5.4% increase in survival rates since the Marine Protected Area was designated in 1988.
Multituberculates, rodent-like creatures, developed complex back teeth for crushing plant material, allowing them to thrive after dinosaur extinction, while sharper front teeth became less prominent.
Smithsonian researchers found fossil evidence of three to four species of seacows living together in different time periods, suggesting unique food sources and habitat structures. The discovery sheds light on the evolution of seacow habitats and raises questions about competition for resources.
Researchers discovered that a precise 24-hour rhythm, known as circadian rhythm, controls nitrogen balance in mammals. Disruptions can lead to life-altering diseases, including diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Researchers have discovered two new extinct camel species in the Panama Canal excavation, extending the distribution of mammals to their southernmost point in Central America. The discovery provides insights into the history of the tropics and the evolution of camels.
Massachusetts General Hospital researchers isolated egg-producing stem cells from adult human ovaries, demonstrating that these cells can produce normal egg cells. The findings support the idea that female mammals continue producing eggs into adulthood.
Researchers discovered a correlation between temperature and body size in mammals by studying the evolution of early horses. As temperatures increased, their body size decreased, with some species shrinking up to 50% in just 130,000 years.
Researchers warn that Ireland's indigenous small mammals, such as the wood mouse and pygmy shrew, will die out in up to 80% of their available habitat due to the introduction of foreign species. The study found that invasive species have already led to a significant decline in native species populations.
A recent study by UBC researchers has identified the increasing presence of terrestrial pathogens in marine mammals along the Pacific coast. The team calls for improved surveillance and collaboration to monitor public health implications and reduce land-sea transfer of pollutants.
Researchers found that goat kids modify their calls according to social surroundings, developing similar 'accents' as they grow older. The study reveals a possible early pathway in the evolution of vocal communication and highlights cognitive abilities in domestic animals.
Scientists have developed a new procedure to rapidly induce nerve regeneration, restoring partial function within days and full function within two to four weeks. The approach mimics the cellular mechanism used by invertebrates to repair damaged nerve axons.
Research reveals mammals reached maximum size after dinosaurs extinction, with sea mammals doubling time compared to land mammals, while extreme dwarfism occurred in just 100,000 generations.
A recent study published in PLoS One suggests that preserving habitat near national parks is crucial for the conservation of large mammals in the Cerrado region. By leaving a significant portion of land adjacent to the park as natural habitat, animals can roam and find suitable habitats outside the protected area.
Research reveals that rates of size decrease are much faster than growth rates, with dwarfism occurring in just 100,000 generations. It takes at least 24 million generations for large-scale changes in body size to occur.
Researchers combined scientific observations with Canadian Inuit traditional knowledge to determine Arctic killer whale behaviour and diet. Arctic killer whales primarily eat marine mammals, such as seals and bowhead whales, but little is known about their prey preference.
A new global study found that humans have consumed at least 87 different marine mammal species since 1990, with many being caught accidentally as bycatch in fishing nets. The study highlights the urgent need for better monitoring and conservation efforts to protect these iconic species.
Researchers have identified a crucial role for FGF20 in the development of the mouse inner ear, revealing a potential target for regenerating outer hair cells and treating human deafness.
Researchers discovered the African naked mole-rat's ion channel is altered, making it insensitive to acid-induced pain. The mutation allows for profound impairment of signal transduction, providing a survival advantage in high CO2 habitats.
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.
The review found consistent patterns of reproductive dysfunction in animals exposed to atrazine, with effects observed in amphibians, fish, reptiles, and mammals. Atrazine has been shown to disrupt hormone function and sexual development, leading to feminization of male gonads in many species.
Researchers used magnetic resonance imaging data from 406 adult human twins to confirm the long-standing idea that human cortical regionalization is similar to and consistent with patterns found in other mammals. The study found genetic influences on brain development progress along an anterior-to-posterior scale, with differences base...
A new study published in Nature reveals that neither climate change nor humans alone can account for the Ice Age mass extinctions. The research team found that different species responded differently to climate change and human impact, with some being extinct due to a combination of factors.
A new study using genetic, archeological, and climatic data found that humans and climate fluctuations contributed to the extinction of six large Ice-Age mammals. The research suggests that as the Earth warmed after the last ice age, these species were unable to find alternative habitats, leading to their demise.
A recent study published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B found that live stranded dolphins form gas bubbles in their tissues, but can often manage them and resume normal lives. The researchers suggest that marine mammals may be able to regulate bubble formation through routine management.
Researchers identified 3 million previously undetectable elements in non-coding regions of mammalian genomes that have been preserved across millions of years, associated with human disease. This catalog makes it easier to decipher the function of disease-related variation in the human genome.
A genomic map of constrained elements in 29 mammals reveals new insights into the development of species and the importance of genetic conservation. The study identified 3,788 candidate new exons and found possible functions for about 60 percent of DNA bases.
Scientists found Asian elephants store thermal reserve by lowering body temperature at night, allowing them to regulate body temperature in hot environments. This mechanism, known as heterothermy, may be more common in mammals than previously thought.
A study published in Nature Genetics reveals that genetic parasites invaded the mammalian genome over 100 million years ago and transformed reproductive biology. This led to the development of the placenta, which nurtures young within the womb.
A large and robust DNA matrix represents all mammalian families, covering their earliest history and deepest divergences. The dataset enables biologists to take the next leap in understanding mammalian evolution and biodiversity.
Researchers have created a large DNA matrix representing 99% of mammalian families, providing a robust framework for understanding evolutionary history and classification. The study reveals key diversification events in response to environmental changes, including the Cretaceous-Tertiary Mass extinction.
The green anole lizard's genome has been fully sequenced, offering clues about vertebrate evolution and the origins of human genes. The study also provides insights into how lizards adapted to different islands and evolved diverse communities.
A recent study by Stanford University researchers found that preserving just 9 key sites could protect habitat for 84% of all marine mammal species on Earth. The study identified critical conservation locations off the coasts of Mexico, Canada, Peru, and other countries as areas with high species richness.
A well-preserved fossil of a shrew-like mammal discovered in northeast China provides new information about the earliest ancestors of placental mammals. The discovery, dated to 160 million years ago, fills an important gap in the fossil record and helps to calibrate modern DNA-based methods of dating evolution.
The discovery of Juramaia sinensis, a 160-million-year-old fossil, fills an important gap in the fossil record and helps to calibrate modern DNA-based methods of dating. The fossil provides evidence of the date when eutherian mammals diverged from other mammals.
Research suggests that venom-targeted proteins evolve rapidly in mammals that eat snakes, implying a defensive role for venom. This finding contradicts the traditional view that venom evolves as a feeding adaptation.
Researchers used a new technique to determine dinosaur body temperatures, finding that sauropod dinosaurs had temperatures similar to those of modern mammals. The study provides insights into dinosaur physiology and suggests alternative explanations for their metabolism and behavior.
Researchers discovered a key difference in how fish and mammals chew their food. Fish primarily use their tongue muscles to transport food into the mouth, whereas mammals use them to position food for optimal chewing by teeth.
Researchers from Caltech have developed a new approach to measure dinosaur body temperatures, providing new insights into their physiology. They found that sauropod dinosaurs had body temperatures similar to those of most modern mammals, ranging from 35.7°C to 38.2°C.
A UBC study found that over 75% of tree holes used by birds and mammals worldwide are created by damage and decay, emphasizing the importance of preserving older, larger trees. This contrasts with North American forests where woodpeckers dominate hole creation.
A new study suggests that unhappy consumers are more likely to crave tactile experiences, such as hugging a teddy bear, to alleviate negative emotions. This is because their brain systems mimic those of mammals, which prioritize comfort and security in times of stress.
A new study on Northumberland's Chillingham cattle reveals climate change is altering the timing of their breeding schedules, leading to more winter births and lower calf survival rates. The long-term dataset, dating back to 1860, provides valuable insights into how mammals respond to global warming.
A study of 161 marine mammal tissue samples reveals an association between severe illness and co-infection with two parasites, Sarcocystis neurona and Toxoplasma gondii. The infections caused more severe disease symptoms in animals infected with both parasites.
A team of paleontologists discovered that early mammals, including Morganucodon and Hadrocodium, had larger brains than expected for their time. The researchers found that the olfactory part of the brain and the area linked to tactile sensation through fur were enlarged in these early mammals.
The study suggests that an enhanced sense of smell was a key driver of brain evolution in mammals. Early Jurassic Period fossils reveal three stages of brain development, from improved olfaction to increased tactile sensitivity and neuromuscular coordination. These findings provide new insights into the evolution of mammalian brains.
Researchers discovered that early mammals developed larger-than-expected brains to enhance their sense of smell. The study used CT technology to reconstruct the brains of two ancient species and found that they had more developed olfactory centers than expected.
A team of scientists found that reptiles and mammals lived in separate areas due to differences in water availability, with reptiles thriving in drier temperate zones and mammals in water-rich tropical regions. This study helps predict the impact of climate change on mammal species distribution.
A Penn State study reveals that obesity impairs skeletal muscle function in rats, leading to impaired muscle strength and locomotion. The research suggests that the muscles of obese mammals are not properly 'tuned' to their body weight.
Research published in BioMed Central's EvoDevo journal reveals that sloths and manatees have evolved unusual neck structures without apparent problems. The study suggests that slow lifestyles and low metabolic rates allowed these animals to alter their neck length without side effects, unlike other mammals.
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.
The discovery of Liaoconodon hui, a complete fossil mammal from China, provides clear evidence of the transitional middle ear evolution in mammals. The specimen shows cartilage supporting the detached middle ear bones, shedding light on the evolutionary shift from reptiles to mammals.
The study found that TRPV3 channels in western clawed frogs have opposite temperature sensitivities compared to mammals, indicating dynamic adaptation to thermal environments. The researchers identified a gene and examined its function, revealing structural differences between frog and mammal channels.
Researchers found evidence that lice began to diversify before the mass extinction of dinosaurs, supporting the idea that major groups of birds and mammals were around before their extinction. The discovery opens up new possibilities for understanding the evolutionary history of these animals.