A study found that hormone therapy slows atherosclerosis progression in monkeys with healthy blood vessels. Estrogen was most effective when given at an early stage, suggesting it may be less beneficial for women with advanced arterial disease.
Researchers at Stanford University used biomechanics to estimate T. rex's running speed, concluding it was unlikely to reach high speeds. The team found that large animals face limitations when trying to support their weight with muscle, making fast running impossible.
Scientists discovered a receptor tyrosine kinase in single-celled choanoflagellates, a group of protists with characteristics similar to those of multicellular animals. The finding provides strong support for the hypothesis that choanoflagellates are closely related to metazoans and may represent modern examples of animal ancestors.
Researchers at NIAID have successfully produced a malaria vaccine using transgenic mice that secrete the vaccine protein in their milk. The vaccine has shown promising results, with only one out of five immunized monkeys contracting the disease.
Researchers have discovered a key cell communication gene in modern choanoflagellates, revealing that the genetic tools needed for multicellular animals were already present in single-celled microbes. This finding supports the idea that genes came before their exploitation by organisms.
Researchers propose that early animal life evolved to thrive in unique Cambrian environments with microbial mats. This new perspective suggests alternative evolutionary explanations for the development of strange morphologies, such as those seen in helicoplacoids, the earliest known echinoderms.
A team of scientists from Texas A&M University has developed a mathematical model to better understand wildlife habitats and interactions. The model uses equations to describe how animals and plants live, grow, and interact with each other in different environments.
A recent study by Imperial College London has provided insights into the Foot and Mouth epidemic in Great Britain, revealing that large farms with many animals are more infectious and susceptible to disease. The analysis also highlights fragmented farms as a significant risk factor for transmission.
New fossils found in Pakistan have revealed a close kinship between whales and hippos, with the discovery of artiodactyl ankles suggesting that hippos may be a side line of artiodactyls. The findings, published in Science, use immunological, molecular, and genetic techniques to explore relationships among groups of animals.
Biologists at the University of Pennsylvania have discovered a biochemical pathway in animals responsible for detoxification of heavy metals. The discovery establishes a firm basis for determining its ubiquity in other animals and clarifies how animals eliminate, sequester and metabolize heavy metals.
Brittlestars, also known as serpent stars, possess a unique 'visual' system that enables them to detect shadows and escape from predators. Their skeletal elements feature crystal lenses that transmit light to their nervous system, allowing them to respond to light changes.
A new study published in the Journal of Animal Science reveals that early weaning and high-energy diets can produce higher-quality beef with increased marbling and reduced waste fat. This approach may help cattle producers achieve consumer demand for leaner beef while reducing feed costs.
A study found that genetically engineering adult neurons to produce more integrin protein dramatically increases nerve fiber growth. The approach has the potential to lead to new therapies for treating brain and spinal cord injuries. Researchers plan to further investigate this finding in animal models.
The Office of Naval Research has funded a study to develop new plasmid DNA vaccines for marine mammals, aiming to prevent epidemic disease. The studies may soon allow for better protection against infection using vaccination of individual animals within a population.
A French BSE epidemic is believed to have infected at least 1,200 cattle since 1987, with around 100 animals slaughtered for human consumption in 2000. The risk of BSE entering the food chain from British beef has been reduced, but late-stage infected animals are likely to have been slaughtered for meat.
A study published in Nature found that plant-eating insects have diets so poor in nutrients they impair growth, unlike aquatic animals which thrive on nutrient-rich foods. The researchers analyzed the chemical composition of plants and animals to determine how different environments affect food webs.
Researchers at MGH/Harvard discovered a tiny RNA gene controlling developmental timing in animals, including fish, sea urchins, and humans. The gene is conserved across bilaterally symmetric animals but not in more primitive or plant species.
Researchers at the National Institute on Drug Abuse found that squirrel monkeys will self-administer intravenous injections of THC, a psychoactive compound in marijuana, in doses comparable to those used by humans. This study suggests that marijuana has similar abuse potential as other addictive substances like cocaine and heroin.
A Yale University study suggests that individuals who quickly escalate their cocaine intake are more likely to become addicted. The research identified a key behavioral feature: excessive craving responses, which correlated with dramatic increases in cocaine intake before abstinence.
A new report highlights the significant threat of emerging infectious diseases in wildlife to both human health and global biodiversity. The study reveals that many diseases have spread from domestic animals to wildlife populations through various means, including globalization, animal trade, and environmental changes.
A team of paleontologists has discovered jaws from two of the oldest dinosaurs ever found, along with eight other prehistoric animals, in a rich bed of fossils in Madagascar. The discovery provides a unique glimpse into the mid-late Triassic Period and illuminates scientific understanding of this era.
Researchers at Yale University have found that healthy bullfrog tadpoles can distinguish the odors given off by infected animals and keep their distance. This ability may be widespread among animals, enabling them to avoid diseases and reducing the spread of infection.
A new research study found that animals fed a blueberry extract diet showed fewer age-related motor changes and outperformed their counterparts on memory tests. The antioxidants in blueberries may help protect the body against oxidative stress, a process implicated in aging and neurodegenerative diseases.
Recent dinosaur fossil finds suggest dinosaurs developed new abilities through opportunistic approach, rather than gradual adaptation. The breakup of supercontinent Pangaea led to regional extinctions and replacements by other species, shaping the evolution of new species.
A new study reveals a common genetic theme in three distinct animal species, supporting a simplified three-limbed tree of life for nearly all animals. The findings provide powerful evidence to place mollusks to humans on the same evolutionary tree.
Biologists have discovered three new hotspots of high biological diversity in New Zealand, Southeast Australia, and Tasmania. The study found that the terrestrial flatworm, a humble but diverse species with over 822 varieties, can act as a model for understanding the distribution of lower invertebrates.
A recent study by University of Illinois researchers has identified a key gene that controls Salmonella's ability to live dormantly or cause disease in pigs. The finding, led by Richard E. Isaacson, could lead to the development of methods to prevent Salmonella from causing illness in farm animals.
Researchers found genes encoding for glutamate receptors in plants, indicating a common cell-to-cell communication system between plants and animals. This discovery may explain why certain plants produce neuroactive compounds that activate human brain receptors.
Notter's research helps farmers worldwide develop breeds suited to their environments, reducing pressure on the environment through gradual introduction of new breeds. His work also informs global strategies for livestock management.
Researchers suggest Tyrannosaurus rex lacked lips and Triceratops didn't have cheeks, contradicting long-held beliefs. The study's findings have implications for scientists studying these dinosaurs and those recreating them in art and media.
Researchers have found evidence of ancient worm-like animals in rocks dating back 1.1 billion years, challenging the traditional timeline for multicellular life. The discovery suggests that animal body plans changed little before the Cambrian period, and that soft-bodied animals may have existed even earlier.
Researchers find that native animals are more common in areas with native vegetation than in areas with exotic vegetation or grazing. They also discover that DDT may still be affecting reproduction of double-crested cormorants, while tree swallows can serve as sentinels for PCB contamination in aquatic environments.
Researchers uncover evidence of complex behaviors, symbolic thinking, and problem-solving among early humans in southern China. Large mammal remains show signs of human intervention, such as burning and cutting marks, suggesting a deliberate process of collection and use.
A recent survey found that over half of the island's wolves have died, likely due to a sharp drop in food supply after a major moose die-off in 1996. The remaining wolves are now less than five years old, with reproductive performance being a key area of interest.
Researchers developed a mini respirator for mutant mice, increasing survival rate by over 50 percent. The machine uses oscillated pressure to inflate and deflate the lungs, addressing limitations of conventional respirators in small animals.
The studies found that moving and lifestyle issues were the main reasons for surrendering pets, with 64% being euthanized instead of adopted. The majority of pet owners who surrendered their animals were under 30 years old, and more dogs than cats were taken to shelters.
Researchers have discovered powerful evidence that an ancient common ancestor invented a set of body-building genetic machinery that has survived to this day. This discovery revolutionizes our understanding of the origin of animal life, as it reveals that the development of appendages was solved just once in the distant past.
The study confirms the Bornean rhino's genetic distinctness from other Sumatran rhinos, with a 1% difference in genetic code, making interbreeding unlikely. Only 50-100 animals remain, and conservation efforts are needed to protect them.
The Central Park Wildlife Center will introduce a state-of-the-art electric-based water system using ozone to purify its aquatic exhibits. The ozone system destroys parasites, viruses, and bacteria, leaving cleaner water for the animals and better visibility for visitors.
The Duke Primate Center aims to capture three diademed sifakas for breeding in captivity, addressing the animals' critically endangered status due to habitat destruction and poaching. The expedition, set for October 2-18, will help build a captive breeding stock to replenish wild populations.