A new species of mammal, Maotherium asiaticus, has been discovered in China, providing insight into the evolution of the mammalian middle ear. The fossil's ear structure shows a unique connection to the lower jaw, similar to embryonic mammals and pre-mammalian ancestors.
Scientists have recorded the first observations of albatrosses feeding alongside marine mammals at sea. The miniature digital camera attached to four black-browed albatrosses shows them foraging in groups while collecting food for their chicks, and provides the first observation of an albatross feeding with a killer whale.
Researchers use insects like fruit flies and moths to test new drugs, reducing animal testing by up to 90% and speeding up results. The study finds that insect immune cells are structurally and functionally similar to those in mammals, offering a promising alternative for drug development.
Researchers found molecular decay of the enamelin gene in toothless mammals, correlating with enamel loss in the fossil record and supporting evolutionary change. The study provides fresh evidence for Charles Darwin's theory of evolution, linking morphological degeneration to molecular decay.
A study published in PNAS reveals that a period of global warming from 53-47 million years ago led to a biodiversity boom in western North America, with many new species of mammals appearing. However, as temperatures declined, diversity decreased and many mammalian groups went extinct.
A study reveals that the lesser short-tailed bat's walking ability evolved in an ancient Australian lineage, contradicting previous assumptions. The bat's unique adaptations, such as adhesive grooves and extra talons, have advantages only in specific circumstances, not due to competition from other mammals.
A new study by UCLA scientists reveals that mammals and many bird species have exceptional rates of success, while crocodiles and the tuatara have much lower species richness. The research analyzed DNA sequences and fossils from 47 major vertebrate groups to calculate which animal lineages have exceptional rates of success.
A recent study found that only one group of mammals - humans, mice, and their close relatives - have seen their genomes decrease in size since the dinosaurs went extinct. This trend continues today, with human genomes undergoing a contraction, although noticeable changes won't be observed for several million years.
Researchers at North Carolina State University have found a link between imprinted genes and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) in cloned swine. IUGR results in low birth weight and long-term health effects, and the study may hold future implications for human studies.
A study by Penn State scientists found that the Y chromosome has evolved rapidly, losing genes at a rate that could lead to its complete disappearance. The research revealed that this rapid evolution is due to the Y-specific DNA evolving independently from the non-sex chromosomes.
Researchers studied 30 million-year-old fossil 'mega-dung' from extinct giant mammals, finding evidence of ecological interactions and theft by other animals. The study reveals a dung-based ecosystem going on under the noses of giant herbivores.
Over 40% of mangrove-restricted vertebrates are globally threatened, including birds, reptiles, mammals, and amphibians. The study urges research on predicting the impact of mangrove forest changes on these species.
Researchers found marine mammals have higher myoglobin solubility due to increased net positive charge, and stronger divers have more histidine, aiding lactic acid management. This adaptation helps marine mammals cope with aquatic life demands.
Researchers have identified a fruit fly tumor suppressor gene, PP2A, that can prevent brain tumors from forming. The study suggests that the protein's counterpart in mammals may also play a crucial role in regulating neural stem cell divisions and controlling tumor development.
The first study of a rare egg-laying mammal, the long-beaked echidna, reveals elusive habits and provides new data on nocturnal foraging behaviors and home-range sizes. The research, published in Journal of Mammalogy, informs conservation strategies for the species threatened by hunting and habitat loss.
The woolly mammoth genome contains the largest proportion of interspersed repeats in mammals, with a single class accounting for nearly 12% of its genome. The findings support the hypothesis that these elements were acquired horizontally from another organism.
Researchers found that interglacial warming resulted in dramatic changes to the diets of animal groups, with some becoming mixed feeders that grazed on grasses. The study highlights the importance of the fossil record in understanding long-term ecological responses to climate change.
Researchers analyzed fossil teeth from two sites in Florida representing different climates and found dramatic changes in mammalian diets during interglacial periods. The study suggests that climate-driven environmental changes can lead to shifts in animal groups' dietary niches, complicating future modeling of mammal distributions.
A CU-Boulder study reveals that prehistoric mammals in the high Arctic lived year-round in a warm and humid climate with lush forests. The findings contradict traditional migration theories, suggesting that these animals adapted to the harsh winter conditions by altering their diet.
Researchers Finarelli and Flynn challenge the Social Brain Hypothesis, finding that increased brain size is not routinely associated with sociality in carnivores. They document at least six separate changes in brain sizes across different lineages of mammals.
A study found high concentrations of pollutants in marine mammals' brains, including pesticides like DDTs and PCBs, as well as brominated flame retardants. The results have significant implications for the health of marine mammals, particularly their hearing and cognitive development.
Research reveals genomic imprinting in goldfish shares similarities with mammalian Imprinting, challenging the idea of unique evolutionary event for mammals. The study found parental differential methylation regions in goldfish, indicating a primitive form of genomic imprinting in early vertebrate evolution.
A new study reveals that Michigan mammal species are rapidly expanding their ranges northward in response to climate change. This shift is replacing historically northern species with southern equivalents, which could have significant ecological implications.
Scientists at the University of California, San Diego, have developed a new class of infrared-fluorescent proteins (IFPs) that can be expressed in mammalian cells. These proteins are suitable for whole-body imaging in small animals and may provide a prototype for future studies in animal models.
The bovine genome consists of at least 22,000 protein-coding genes, with significant rearrangements compared to human and mouse genomes. The sequence provides new insights into ruminant evolution, unique traits making cattle useful to humans, and the mechanisms behind genetic changes.
A major international study by the FANTOM consortium has found that genes are not controlled by 'master regulators' as previously thought. Instead, a more subtle and coordinated approach is needed for cellular differentiation and cancer development.
Researchers found that nocturnal mammals have an inverted chromatin arrangement in their rod nuclei, which acts as micro-lenses to focus light. This unique organization enhances night vision and provides new insights into the evolution of mammalian retinas.
Researchers have discovered that nocturnal mammals' rod cell nuclei are inverted, allowing for reduced light scatter and enhanced low-light vision. This unusual organization enables these animals to perceive light as much as a millionth of daylight's intensity.
Research suggests that female mammals use olfactory cues to select genetically dissimilar mates for healthier offspring. Mammals may prefer males with unique scents over those with parasites or dominant traits. This line of research reveals the importance of mammalian mate choice, challenging traditional assumptions.
Scientists propose that rapid sea level rises over the past 5 million years led to habitat compression, causing species extinction locally. A study of 325 mammal species mapped their ranges across the peninsula, revealing a 600-kilometer gap with 30% fewer species than expected.
Researchers at San Francisco State University are using non-invasive techniques to study hormones in wild mammals, revealing surprising results about behavior, social systems, and hormone function. These findings challenge previous research models and suggest species-specific adaptations for reproduction and survival.
The discovery of new mammalian species since 1993 reveals a significant reduction in biodiversity, with many species having small populations or limited geographic ranges. This loss can have severe consequences, including increased disease risk and reduced ecosystem services that support human life.
A team of scientists has successfully sequenced the genes of the Tasmanian Tiger from its hair, revealing insights into mammal extinction and potential ways to prevent it. The study also opens up new possibilities for analyzing museum specimens and could potentially lead to the revival of extinct species.
Researchers at the University of Washington have reported that mammals can be stimulated to regrow inner nerve cells in their damaged retinas. The study used a specific type of cell called Müller glia and found that it could be encouraged to regenerate in living mice by injecting growth factors.
Genetic research reveals black rats carried a pathogenic protozoan that exterminated two endemic species on Christmas Island. The study is the first to demonstrate extinction in a mammal due to disease, contradicting most scientists' view of pathogens' effect on species.
A study by University of California, Berkeley biologists found that small mammal populations in Yosemite National Park have shifted to higher elevations in response to warmer temperatures. The study, which compared data from 1914 and 2014, also revealed changes in community composition due to climate change.
A comprehensive assessment of the world's 5,487 wild mammal species reveals that one in four is threatened with extinction. The study, led by the IUCN, utilizes the Field Museum's extensive collection to track population trends and habitat destruction.
The Global Mammal Assessment project has identified seven Texas mammal species as threatened, including the Mexican long-tongued bat and desert pocket gopher. The IUCN Red List reveals that one in four mammalian species are currently at risk of extinction.
A comprehensive assessment of the world's mammals reveals that 25-36% of species are threatened with extinction, with habitat loss and overexploitation being major drivers. The study highlights the urgent need for conservation efforts to prevent further species losses and protect biodiversity.
A long-term study of mammal fossils in northern Pakistan reveals a significant decline in diversity after climate change precipitated a shift in vegetation. The research, spanning 5 million years, shows that mammals that relied on fruit and browse disappeared early, while those that ate grass adapted or went extinct.
Researchers at Yale University identified a key regulatory link in the evolution of pregnancy involving the altered function of HoxA-11 protein. This finding revolutionizes our understanding of how pregnancy evolved in mammals, highlighting a crucial genetic switch that tempered the immune system and allowed for internal development.
Researchers studied the Prestin gene in echolocating bats and fruit bats, finding similarities in distantly related species. This suggests that echolocation has evolved more than once in bats, defying conventional wisdom on evolutionary relationships.
Researchers discover complex events initiated by individual spikes in the human cerebral cortex, triggered by specific chandelier cells. The study suggests that humans possess different types of cells contributing to higher cognition.
A study published in PLOS Biology found that magpies exhibit self-recognition in a mirror test, recognizing their own image as themselves. This discovery indicates that non-mammalian species can engage in self-recognition behavior, challenging the assumption that advanced cognition is exclusive to mammals.
A new study using ecological niche modeling found that small mammals on mountaintops in the Great Basin are not as isolated as previously believed. The research used climate data to 'backcast' species distributions at the height of the last ice age, finding most species lived at lower elevations and had larger ranges.
Researchers at UCSC have identified a novel type of gene regulation in mammals involving hammerhead ribozymes, which control the activity of important immune response and bone metabolism genes. The discovery challenges previous views on gene expression and suggests a more versatile role for RNA molecules.
Researchers from the University of Bristol found that mammals have two decision-making systems: a fast-but-inaccurate sub-cortical brain and a slow-but-accurate outer cortex. The study suggests that the older system may still be beneficial in modern situations, potentially preventing atrophy and smaller brains in future humans.
A new study reports finding persistent organic pollutants in deep-sea cephalopods, including octopods and squids. The presence of these chemicals suggests contamination of the deep-ocean food web is occurring, with significant implications for marine life.
A new study investigates the evolution of genomic imprinting in mammals, finding that different regions became imprinted at different times during mammalian evolution. This suggests that changes were in response to selection pressures and are adaptive.
A study by California Polytechnic State University researchers has linked Toxoplasma gondii, a parasite typically associated with cats, to marine mammal deaths worldwide. The team discovered that northern anchovies may be spreading the parasite through the ocean's filter-feeding mechanism, posing a potential transmission risk to mammals.
Researchers use feces found by trained dogs to learn about the habits of rare and endangered mammals, revealing that farms with less than 30% natural vegetation have fewer endangered species. The study highlights the importance of preserving open grasslands for threatened species like maned wolf and giant anteater.
A consortium of scientists including CSHL's Gregory J. Hannon report findings about mammalian evolution gleaned from comparative study of small-RNA function in platypus, revealing unique characteristics such as egg-laying and venom delivery. The platypus genome also shows conserved small-RNA roles across species.
The platypus genome provides a comprehensive understanding of the animal's mix of features, including duck-billed snout, venomous spur, and electroreceptors. The analysis compares the platypus genome with other mammals and birds, revealing conserved genes and traits, as well as unique characteristics such as odor receptor expansion.
The platypus genome sequence published by UK researchers reveals a mix of mammalian, bird-like and reptilian features in the species' genetic blueprint. The analysis found that platypus venom is a cocktail of proteins originally with different functions, similar to those in reptile venom.
The first duck-billed platypus genome analysis reveals clues about early mammalian genome organization and the evolution of unique characteristics. The study found that the platypus shares more than 80% of its genes with other mammals, but also has distinct genetic features associated with reptilian and avian traits.
A study at Vanderbilt University establishes a direct link between cochlea curvature and low-frequency hearing limit, providing new insights into the evolution of hearing. The research found that spiral-shaped cochleae are exclusive to mammals and have a significant effect on hearing ranges.
Researchers at New York Medical College discovered a link between bird lack of brown fat and dinosaur extinction. The study found that birds' inability to generate heat may have contributed to the demise of dinosaurs.
The loss of sea ice due to climate change poses a significant threat to Arctic marine mammals, including polar bears, hooded seals, and narwhals. Conservation measures may help mitigate the effects, but reductions in greenhouse gas emissions are crucial for long-term conservation.
Biologists at UC San Diego have found that mouse skin responds to low oxygen levels by regulating EPO production, a hormone that stimulates red blood cell creation. This discovery could revolutionize treatment for anemia and improve endurance athlete performance.
A newly discovered biological clock controls many metabolic functions and determines life span, operating on shorter time intervals for small mammals like rats and longer ones for larger animals like chimpanzees. The discovery was made by NYU dental professor Dr. Timothy Bromage while observing incremental growth lines in tooth enamel.