Researchers developed a portable ventilation pump for large animals, improving the safety of veterinarians treating patients in the field. The device is easy to use and inexpensive, allowing veterinarians to provide emergency first aid without relying on conventional equipment.
Researchers discovered that Baka pygmies have a low incidence of Helicobacter pylori infection, contradicting the assumption of an ancient bacterial population. The bacteria instead appear to be recent re-infections from neighboring populations.
A study found that socially dominant red deer individuals have faster heart rates and higher body temperatures during winter, leading to greater body mass loss when food is scarce. In contrast, subordinate individuals are better adapted to survive harsh conditions by reducing their metabolism and conserving energy.
Research by Susanne Waiblinger found that introducing young dairy goats into the adult herd after parturition reduces social stress. Lactating mothers and their kids appear to be a calming influence on other goats, with reduced aggressive behavior.
A recent study by Eva Maria Putz and colleagues at the University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna has found that phosphorylation of a specific serine residue (ser-727) in the STAT1 protein regulates natural killer cell cytotoxicity. This regulation is crucial for tumor surveillance and preventing cancer development.
A study found that female mice mate with multiple males when they produce similar levels of scent markings, indicating a preference for reducing the danger of infanticide. Litters sired by multiple males were larger than single-sired litters under intense competition among males.
A study found that piglets receive maternal IgA, IgG and IgM antibodies against Cystoisospora suis in the colostrum, which decline after two weeks. High levels of these antibodies are associated with reduced severity of neonatal diarrhoea.
A study by Karoline Kollmann and colleagues reveals CDK6's role in regulating tumour growth while also promoting blood vessel formation. The researchers found that a mutant form of CDK6 retains its ability to regulate expression despite losing kinase function.
A team from Vienna has discovered that measuring cortisol in dog hair may be a simple and painless way to diagnose Cushing's disease. The study found significantly higher levels of cortisol, corticosterone, and cortisone in the hair of dogs with hyperadrenocorticism compared to healthy controls.
Researchers have developed a method to identify Staphylococcus aureus capsule types using infrared light, achieving a success rate of up to 99%. The technique relies on Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and artificial neuronal networks to distinguish between different capsule forms.
A new study published in The Veterinary Journal found that high-quality microchip scanners can accurately read horse transponders, contradicting the claim that identification failure rates are too high. Researchers tested over 400 horses and found that even low-end scanners performed better than traditional branding methods.
Dogs demonstrate a 'secure base effect' when interacting with their owners, showing increased motivation for rewards when owner is present. This study reveals the importance of ownership for dog behavior and confidence.
Researchers at the University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna discovered that 17 single-nucleotide polymorphisms are associated with female abdominal pigmentation in Drosophila melanogaster. These SNPs were found to lie in or near genes involved in pigment synthesis, suggesting a complex regulation mechanism controlling pigmentation var...
The three-spined stickleback exhibits preference for joining shoals of relatives over unfamiliar individuals. Despite exposure to familiar and unfamiliar kin, the fish showed no preference for selecting group members based on familiarity.
Researchers have discovered a new approach to control parasitic nematodes by targeting key developmental processes. The study, published in PLOS ONE, identified 22 proteins involved in the transition from third-stage to fourth-stage larvae, offering potential targets for new treatments.
Researchers found that young birds have a diverse range of bacteria in their guts, while adults have a more stable community of species. As birds mature, the number of bacterial species decreases, and a stable community forms.
The camel genome has been fully sequenced for the first time, providing insights into breeding strategies and adaptations to harsh desert environments. The research reveals a close genetic relationship between the Bactrian and dromedary camels, highlighting their unique characteristics.
In a study on reed warblers, scientists found that males aggressively defend against potential infidelity but turn out to be caring fathers. The results suggest that females' perceived male weakness may reduce their investment in joint offspring.
Scientists have found that certain omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids regulate the cardiac function of hibernating animals, ensuring a regular heartbeat. Hibernators show higher levels of these fatty acids in their heart tissue compared to non-hibernating animals.
Researchers found that dog owners should be cautious of ticks throughout the year, especially from March to November. The study suggests that commercially available products may not be effective in preventing tick-borne diseases, which can infect over half of dogs in a single season.
A new study reveals that microRNAs regulate the size of bald patches on fruit fly legs, driving natural variation in morphology. The findings suggest a novel mechanism for evolutionary adaptation involving small RNA molecules.
A new study finds that sea level rise will lead to significant habitat loss and threaten the survival of endemic species in Southeast Asian and Pacific islands. The researchers predict that even a one-meter sea level rise could result in the loss of up to 14.7% of all islands in the region.
Scientists have identified six basic lines of genetic variation on the horse Y chromosome, revealing a complex history of breeding practices and movement of stallions. The study sheds light on the development of modern sport horses and highlights the influence of ancient stallions like 'Eclipse'.
A recent study found that thermography of horses' legs is highly reproducible and less sensitive to camera position changes. However, gentle drafts can significantly affect temperature readings, rendering diagnoses unreliable. To achieve accurate results, veterinarians should perform thermography in draft-free surroundings.
In a study of cichlids, researchers found that parents adopt fry from other families to protect against predators, while also delivering their own young for adoption. This strategy ensures the survival of at least some offspring in a species highly predated.
Researchers studied stress in equestrian events and found horses remain unaffected by audience presence, unlike their riders. Riders exhibited increased stress levels when performing for spectators, indicating a significant difference in emotional response between horse and rider.
A team at Vienna University of Veterinary Medicine found the same strain of Usutu virus in dead blackbirds in Italy in 1996 as in Austria's cases. This suggests the virus was present in Italy before reaching Europe, and forensic pathology can help unravel origins of emerging diseases.
Cats and humans share a similar form of epilepsy caused by an autoimmune response targeting nerve cell proteins. Researchers have discovered antibodies reacting to these proteins in the blood of affected cats, which is consistent with a similar human condition.
A workshop with 15 European colleagues identified 50 most important questions for conserving biodiversity in the Alps. These questions focus on nature, management, and people, highlighting the importance of transdisciplinary work in addressing environmental problems.
A study by Jana Beckelmann found that female horse embryos produce more insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF1) than male embryos, which may help explain the uneven sex ratio of equine births. This discovery sheds light on a previously unknown mechanism driving sexual dimorphism in horses.
A whole-genome sequence of the fruit fly Drosophila mauritiana has been completed, revealing high genetic diversity across its chromosomes. The researchers identified two large regions with conserved sequences and propose that these may be the result of intragenomic conflict, potentially acting as 'speciation genes'.
Researchers found that male toads storing sperm during the breeding season produced sperm with higher motility than those kept under natural conditions without females. Frequent mating also appeared to slow down sperm senescence, a process affecting sperm quality with age.
Researchers studied zebrafish mating behavior and found that males change color during courtship, while females do not, supporting the hypothesis that body coloration plays a role in zebrafish courtship. The study also revealed differences in color properties between wild-derived and domesticated strains of zebrafish.
Swans are found to have more common hip joint problems than previously believed, with CT scans revealing lesions in all five examined birds. The injuries likely occur during landing on hard surfaces, and the study suggests that computerized tomography is a better diagnostic tool for avian patients.
Researchers have identified the underlying mutation responsible for the Selkirk Rex cat breed's curly hair. The dominant SADRE gene is distinct from other breeds and allows for genetic diversity.
Researchers at the University of Veterinary Medicine in Vienna used fruit flies to study adaptation to changing temperatures, finding temporally heterogeneous trajectories of selected alleles. Genetic changes were widespread and rapid, with some genes adapting quickly while others showed little change.
Researchers discovered that inhibiting PDGFRB can prevent growth of this type of tumour, extending survival in mice and a human patient. The study found that imatinib treatment significantly improved the patient's prognosis.
A study published in The Veterinary Journal found that horse branding is unreliable for identification due to poor legibility and tissue damage. Researchers examined brand marks on over 250 horses and found that only a small percentage could be clearly read.
Researchers at Vienna University of Veterinary Medicine discovered UCP2's primary expression in immune cells, with increased levels during T-cell proliferation. This finding may have significant implications for the development of treatments for immune disorders.
A new 'Multi-Hit' mouse model has been developed to study interactions between gene mutations that cause cancer, revealing key findings about the role of Ras and other genes in tumour development. The research suggests that combinations of mutations can lead to cancer, making it a crucial step towards understanding treatment options.
A recent study has found that hyperflexion of horses' necks, when done without force or aggression, does not elicit a pronounced stress response. The study monitored hormone levels, heart rate, and body temperature in horses lunged with either hyperflexion or an extended head and neck position.
Wild zebrafish use social learning to assess risk by observing other individuals' behavior and adjusting their own. They become more bold after interacting with bolder domesticated fish but do not change their behavior when encountering shy ones.
Researchers found that secondary effects from sea-level rise can lead to an equal or even higher loss of habitat than primary displacement effects in populated regions. The study projects dramatic impacts on mammal distribution due to human relocation into hinterland areas.
Male Alpine chamois with heterozygous immune genes survive longer than those with identical copies, particularly in areas affected by scabies. This sex-specific fitness benefit may be due to the enhanced immunity conferred by different immune gene variants.
Researchers found that hazel dormice exhibit a complex reproductive strategy, with early and late birth peaks, due to hibernation. Early-born juveniles outpace late-born counterparts, while females with higher body mass can invest in early reproduction.
Researchers at Vetmeduni Vienna have shown that chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) and B-cell acute lymphoid leukaemia (B-ALL) arise from the same long-term haematopoietic stem cells. Understanding this finding is crucial for developing targeted therapies, as current treatments may not effectively target cancer stem cells.
The PROMISE project aims to survey germs brought in with food and investigate their potential to cause disease. The project will pool data from throughout Europe to assess the risks posed by contaminated food of animal origin, building an extensive database of bacterial isolates.
Researchers find that loss of STAT1 protein leads to increased breast cancer development in mice, as the immune system loses ability to control tumors. This discovery suggests that STAT1 may play a crucial role in preventing unwanted cell division and tumor growth.
Researchers have cataloged all transposable elements in a population of fruit flies using Pool-Seq technology. The findings reveal that most elements are purged before becoming established, but some sites show positive selection for insertion, suggesting beneficial effects on the host.
Christian Schlötterer is studying how fruit flies adapt to climate change through genetic analysis, aiming to understand the molecular mechanisms behind adaptation. His project may provide insights into natural variation and gene changes required for survival in new environments.