Research from Stockholm University reveals that marsupials possess a not fully evolved form of brown fat, a crucial finding for understanding the origin and regulation of this heat-producing organ. The study suggests that the gene networks required to enable thermogenesis existed before the divergence of marsupials and placental mammals.
A new study reveals that mammalian adipose tissue thermogenesis evolved in eutherian mammals after their divergence from marsupials. The discovery could inform future therapies related to metabolism and obesity, highlighting the crucial role of thermogenic proteins like UCP1.
A study in the Panamanian rainforest found that larger-brained primates did not outperform smaller-brained mammals in finding fruit. The research suggests that intelligence may not be directly linked to foraging efficiency, but could be related to other factors such as episodic memory or social complexity.
Researchers found that horns and antlers share fundamental aspects and likely originated from a single ancestral structure. The study supports the idea that headgear evolved as elaborations on this shared bony structure inherited from a common ancestor.
Scientists found that a specific strain of the H5N1 virus, which caused a 2022 mink outbreak, can transmit through the air to ferrets with limited effectiveness. The study suggests these viruses may be evolving to infect mammals and potentially pose increased risk to humans.
A new study reveals that three island bat species feed on over 40% of agricultural pests, including banana moths and turnip moths. This finding highlights the importance of bats in maintaining ecosystem balance and suggests that encouraging these mammals can be a win-win for conservation and local farmers.
The discovery of two newly described fossils from the Jurassic period has provided fresh insights into the early evolution of mammals. The fossils, which include well-preserved skeletal remains of shuotheriids, have allowed scientists to solve a longstanding problem in understanding mammalian tooth shape.
A new study reveals how deep-seated geographic isolation drove divergent evolutionary paths among mammals, resulting in unique biodiversity patterns. The research highlights the crucial role of isolation in shaping modern ecosystems, with implications for conservation efforts and understanding the delicate balance of ecosystems.
Researchers studied a subpopulation of transient killer whales that prey on marine mammals in the open ocean. They found two distinct foraging behaviors: independent diving and coordinated groups hunting along submarine canyons.
A study found that the avian influenza virus H5N1 has adapted to spread between birds and marine mammals, with nearly identical genome sequences detected in four sea lions, one fur seal, and a tern. The virus's ability to infect birds remains unchanged, while its transmission among marine mammals is concerning.
The study reveals changes in motor protein structure and energy consumption during hibernation, highlighting key differences between large and small hibernators. Myosin plays a crucial role in non-shivering thermogenesis, with smaller mammals experiencing increased ATP consumption at lower temperatures.
A study found that crop diversification in the Cerrado biome leads to increased numbers of native mammals and a decrease in invasive species such as wild boars. Diversified crops helped control invasive species that cause damage to farmers.
A new study from Aarhus University confirms that human activity, not climate change, caused the dramatic decline of giant mammals over the past 50,000 years. By analyzing DNA data from 139 large living mammal species, researchers found that populations fell dramatically around 50,000 years ago, coinciding with the spread of modern humans.
Researchers found that most cell types in the retina are ancient and conserved across species, indicating a complex retina in the last common ancestor of all mammals. The study suggests that some cell types have been remodeled or repurposed over time to adapt to different visual needs.
Researchers found that large mammals often have longer faces compared to smaller closely related species due to adaptations for feeding. This pattern, known as Craniofacial Evolutionary Allometry (CREA), is seen across many different mammal groups.
A study by the University of California, Davis, found that North American mammals consistently depend on forests and avoid cities, farms, and other human-dominated areas in hotter climes. This suggests that preserving forest cover will be increasingly important for wildlife conservation as the climate warms.
A research team from Heidelberg and London decoded the genetic programmes underlying sex-specific organ characteristics in mammals, tracing their evolution across species. Key findings include sex-specific differences in gene expression at puberty triggered by hormones.
A new study identifies Magel2, a novel imprinted gene, as crucial for regulating nesting behavior and parental care in mice. The study found that mice lacking active Magel2 are inattentive parents with poor nests.
A new study provides comprehensive genomic resources for pangolins, helping protect these threatened mammals from extinction due to habitat loss and trafficking. The data will aid in conservation priorities and management plans, as well as tracing the pangolin trade.
A new study found that mammals and their relatives that survived challenging times made it because they had newer, more novel characteristics. These findings challenge the conventional wisdom of mammal evolution, suggesting that having new traits can be key to succeeding in the aftermath of a catastrophe.
A new study reveals alarming findings on climate change effects on Amazon's carnivorous mammals and protected areas effectiveness
Research suggests that a merged supercontinent will lead to extreme temperatures, making most of the world uninhabitable for mammals. The team used supercomputer climate models to simulate temperature trends, leading to predictions of widespread heat stress and mortality in humans and other species.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that 72% of US-managed cetacean and pinniped stocks are highly or very highly vulnerable to climate change. The researchers used a trait-based climate vulnerability assessment framework to evaluate the impacts on marine mammals.
A new study has found that bats' extraordinary ability to host and survive infections may be linked to their low cancer rates. Researchers sequenced the genomes of two bat species and compared them to other mammals, discovering genetic adaptations that allow bats to tolerate viral infections.
A global consortium of researchers has developed a large-scale, cross-species database and universal 'clock' to estimate age in all mammalian tissues. The study found that changes in DNA methylation levels are closely associated with life span and numerous other traits across mammals.
A global study found that wildlife, including goats and coyotes, roamed freely in cities during the COVID-19 pandemic, while human activity decreased. The study tracked GPS data from 2,300 land mammals across 43 species, showing significant changes in animal behavior in response to human lockdowns.
UK schoolchildren aged 7-11 drew mammals and birds most commonly, with reptiles and amphibians appearing less frequently. The study suggests children's perceptions of local wildlife are skewed towards mammals and birds, hinting at a wider problem of nature disconnect.
A new study reveals humans' ancestors co-existed with dinosaurs for a brief period before the K-Pg mass extinction. The research used fossil data to estimate placental mammal evolution and diversification rates after the asteroid impact.
Researchers found that mammals' stiff lower jawbones provide a unique advantage in terms of stiffness, but restrict options for evolution. Despite this limitation, mammals have adapted to eat various foods, rivaling the dietary diversity of vertebrates with multiple bones in their jaws.
A new study from the University of Wisconsin-Madison tracks immune cell movement in zebrafish, documenting a strikingly organized network of T cells. The findings shed light on how adaptive immune systems function in non-mammals and present exciting questions to pursue.
During severe COVID-19 lockdowns, wild mammals in 43 species traveled up to 73% longer distances in a 10-day period compared to the previous year. This shift was likely due to reduced human presence allowing animals to explore new areas.
A recent study by UC Davis researchers found that humans exhibit reproductive inequality similar to other mammals, challenging the notion of human exceptionalism. The study also revealed greater reproductive egalitarianism in societies allowing polygynous marriages, where women have equal access to resources and parenting help.
Current measures to protect grasslands in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau are damaging the ecosystem and should be stopped. Small burrowing mammals, like the plateau pika and zokor, play crucial ecological roles in maintaining ecosystem health and biodiversity.
Scientists discovered that smaller brontotheres faced high extinction risk in crowded ecological niches, driving biased diversification towards larger sizes. This complex macroevolutionary pattern shows increased survival of larger species due to reduced competition.
The study reveals that mammals diversified before the K-Pg extinction, driven by continental drifting and stability following the mass extinction. This led to the rich diversity of mammal lineages, including carnivores, primates, and hoofed animals.
A large-scale genomic study of 240 mammal species reveals previously uncharacterized regulatory elements in the human genome, linked to disease risks and distinctive traits. The research provides insights into the evolutionary development of mammalian genomes and their potential applications in medical research.
Early mammals reduced skull bones to redirect stresses during feeding, allowing brain size increase. The combination of miniaturization, reduced skull bones and insect-based diet enabled ancestors to thrive before dinosaurs' extinction.
A study of bird poop reveals a unique relationship between birds and their microbiomes, which differ from those found in mammals. The researchers found that the types of bacteria present in the birds' gut microbiomes change over short time periods, rather than being tied to specific host species.
A new study reveals oxytocin is essential for social fear contagion in zebrafish, a form of empathy that shares similarities with mammalian behaviors. The hormone's neural activity matches those found in mammals, indicating a conserved role in emotional contagion.
Alpha-gal syndrome is an allergy caused by lone star tick bites, leading to symptoms like stomach pain, diarrhea, and nausea. Patients with suspected alpha-gal should undergo a blood test to check for immunoglobulin E antibodies, and the main treatment is avoiding foods containing alpha-gal.
A recent study reveals the combined weight of cattle, pigs, sheep, and other domesticated mammals surpasses that of wild terrestrial mammals, dwarfing their biomass by 30 times. Human impact on the environment is also strongly affecting the relatively limited remaining mammalian presence in nature.
A new study reveals naked mole-rats produce eggs throughout their lives, contrary to the dogma that female mammals have a finite ovarian reserve. The research found that these rodents have exceptionally large numbers of egg cells and lower cell death rates compared to mice.
A study by the University of California, Davis, finds that most Amazon land mammals are threatened by climate change and projected savannization. Camera trap surveys revealed that only a few species preferred savanna habitat, while most species, including those using both habitats, chose forest habitats.
A study by Chinese Academy of Sciences researchers found that group-living mammals live longer than solitary ones, with a 100-fold variation in longevity among species. The team identified 31 genes and pathways linked to both social organization and lifespan.
A new study estimates that Madagascar's unique modern mammal species could take 23 million years to evolve if the endangered ones go extinct, highlighting the urgent need for conservation action. The island's biodiversity is threatened by habitat loss and human activities.
A recent study reveals that recovering Madagascar's mammal species would take over 20 million years if currently threatened species go extinct, much longer than other islands.
Researchers compared genetic codes from 62 animals to uncover the story of human body hair loss. The study found that a set of genes and regulatory regions are essential for making hair, and suggests new ways to recover hair after balding or chemotherapy.
A study by Nagoya University researchers has identified EP3 neurons as crucial in maintaining a stable body temperature of 37°C in mammals. The discovery could lead to the development of technologies that artificially adjust body temperature to treat heat stroke, hypothermia, and obesity.
Heidelberg researchers decoded genetic regulation of sperm formation across various mammal species, including humans. The study revealed a time-related pattern of gene expression differences, highlighting the rapid evolution of spermatogenesis.
Australian scientists confirm that Theria (placental and marsupial mammals) evolved in Gondwana 50 million years ago before migrating to Asia. The discovery challenges long-held theories of mammal evolution.
Research reveals therian mammals (placental and marsupials) evolved in Gondwana 50 million years ago, diversifying before migrating to Asia. Advanced imaging techniques helped identify key fossil findings, rewriting the theory of mammal evolution.
A landmark study provides the strongest evidence yet that dinosaurs were in their prime when a deadly asteroid hit, leading to their mass extinction. The research shows that mammals diversified their diets and adapted to environments, creating advantages that helped them survive the disaster.
A new study published in Drones found that drones emit more noise than visual impact, causing behavioral changes in large terrestrial mammals. The Asian elephant was particularly sensitive to low-frequency sounds, highlighting the need for drone safety regulations.
A new study compiled data on over 3,000 species to show how climate and geologic changes across Asia influenced the evolution of mammals. The research found clear links between changes in Earth's climate and the distribution of mammals in different regions.
Researchers at Hokkaido University discovered a novel sex-determination mechanism in the Amami spiny rat, a species lacking the Y chromosome and Sry gene. The mechanism involves the upregulation of Sox9 gene on chromosome 3, induced by a new regulatory element similar to Enh14.
A new study reveals that mammal diversity declined over time, with faster evolutionary rates among social, aquatic, and herbivorous species. Using skull shapes of 322 living and extinct mammals, researchers found that the rate of change tapered off after a peak around the Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction.
New research proposes that intense Andean volcanism around seven million years ago may have contributed to the Late Miocene Cooling Event, leading to the extinctions of ancient marine mammals. The study suggests that ash from ongoing volcanism could have poisoned the air or led to toxic algae blooms.
Researchers reconstructed the genome organization of the earliest common ancestor of all mammals using high-quality genome sequences from 32 living species. The study reveals that the mammal ancestor had 19 autosomal chromosomes and conserved gene blocks across modern mammalian genomes.
Researchers have reconstructed the genome of the common ancestor of all mammals, revealing key features such as 19 autosomal chromosomes and 38 sex chromosomes. The study provides insights into the evolutionary stability of gene order and orientation on chromosomes over millions of years.
A new study found that small mammals can serve as reservoirs for fungi that cause lung infections in humans. The researchers detected fungal pathogens in the lung tissues of rodents from areas with high rates of disease.