Articles tagged with Animal Models
Researchers have developed a new open-source tool, SuperAnimal, that can automatically recognize keypoints in various animal species without human supervision. This enables standardized labeling efforts and training large-scale datasets for behavioral phenotyping.
A Cornell University study suggests that a strong relationship between mother and child is key to understanding human longevity. In models, the team found that species with longer-term maternal presence tend to evolve longer lives and slower life paces.
Researchers have established Holothuria tubulosa as a new experimental model organism for studying evolutionary development in echinoderms. The study has developed a protocol to efficiently produce embryonic cultures of the sea cucumber, allowing for the use of genetic manipulations to dissect development.
In animal models, increasing mTOR activity just slightly accelerates aging and shortens lifetime by up to 20%. This research provides clues on why obesity-related diseases worsen with age. A new model allows researchers to study the relationship between nutrient increase and organ aging.
A new method developed by researchers at Florida Atlantic University and the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center improves the accuracy of acoustic tracking in marine animals. The method uses a movement model to reconstruct animal tracks, even in regions with uneven receiver coverage.
Researchers discovered that command-like DNs in fruit flies recruit additional networks of neurons to orchestrate complex behaviors. The study shows that these networks work together to produce coordinated actions, transforming the way we understand brain signals and behavior.
Research found that maternal obesity leads to increased levels of microRNA miR-505-5p in the hypothalamus, resulting in altered fatty acid sensing and increased intake of high-fat foods in mouse offspring. Exercise during pregnancy mitigates this effect.
A study led by Washington State University scientists found that inhibiting CDK7 could help prevent heart damage associated with doxorubicin, a commonly used cancer chemotherapy medication. The researchers also discovered that CDK7 inhibition enhances the medication's cancer-killing capability.
Researchers established a novel mouse model of inherited arrhythmia that spontaneously causes lethal arrhythmias, shedding light on the pathogenesis and potential drug efficacy. The study identifies a critical mutation in ryanodine receptor 2 (RyR2) as a key regulator of cardiomyocyte contraction.
A new deep learning AI model, Dev-ResNet, identifies embryonic developmental events in pond snails using video analysis. This breakthrough enables the detection of key features, such as heart function and hatching, with unprecedented sensitivity.
A study published in Royal Society Open Science reveals that corals use multiple environmental inputs to synchronize their spawning timing. Water temperature is identified as the primary trigger for determining the annual window of opportunity, with rainfall and solar radiation also playing a role.
A new animal model has been developed to study periodontitis, allowing researchers to analyze tissue components simultaneously. The study found that the expression of the Il1rl1 gene was higher in peri-root tissue five days after ligation, highlighting its role in inflammation and osteoclast differentiation.
Researchers used supercomputers to study how fruit fly embryo cells develop into wings, offering a window into human development and possible treatments for birth defects. The team found that actomyosin drives much of the development process, particularly in the lower wing disc flattening.
A new study shows that gene therapy delivered by nanocarriers can repair damaged discs and reduce signs of back pain in mice. The treatment, which uses naturally derived nanocarriers to deliver genetic material for a protein key to tissue development, restored structural integrity and function to degenerated discs.
A new study reveals that jellyfish in the Arctic Ocean are expected to expand their habitats poleward, with some species potentially tripling in size. This could have significant cascading impacts on the entire food web and affect fish populations already under pressure.
Researchers found that cells adapt by packing into unusual geometrical shapes, known as scutoids, in response to pressure changes. This discovery sheds light on how cells cope with physical environment changes and has potential implications for understanding healthy cell adaptation.
A University of California - Riverside study finds that medium-sized dogs have a higher risk of developing cancer than larger or smaller breeds. The multistage model of cancer acquisition supports this finding, suggesting that size is a major risk factor for cancer.
Researchers at University of Cologne discover Cnicin, a plant-based compound that significantly accelerates axon growth in animal models and human cells. This breakthrough has the potential to treat paralysis and neuropathy by enabling nerves to regenerate more quickly.
Synthetic platelets made of hydrogel nanoparticles mimic the size and shape of human platelets, promoting clotting and healing. The innovative device has shown promising results in animal models and is being developed for clinical use to treat various medical conditions.
A team of researchers developed an AI-powered computer vision model to detect Brazilian wild animals on roads and warn drivers in real-time. The system uses roadside cameras and portable computers to identify species such as anteaters, wolves, and tapirs, with the potential to save lives and reduce roadkill.
Researchers at UTEP used prairie voles to study depression, finding they exhibit changes in behavior similar to humans, including weight loss and anhedonia. The study suggests that social defeat stress can activate the voles' stress response and lead to symptoms of depression.
Dogs have an implicit understanding of object words, activating a matching mental representation when hearing their name. Research found that brain activity patterns differ between matching and mismatched objects, supporting the notion that dogs comprehend object words.
The sequencing of the blue whale and Etruscan shrew genomes has provided significant insights into developmental biology, with the largest mammal showing a surprisingly slow developmental clock. The study also sheds light on metabolism, with the tiny shrew serving as a model for understanding high-energy demands.
A Kyoto University research group developed RENGE, a computational model to estimate gene regulatory networks in multicellular organisms. The method measures time-series gene expression and uses the proprietary model to infer regulatory dynamics.
A minimal metadata set (MNMS) is established to enable in vivo data reuse and improve the sharing and reproducibility of research data. The MNMS is designed to contribute to making data from living animals compliant with the FAIR data concept, which emphasizes Easy-to-Find, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable data.
A novel path choice model elucidates the influence of different attributes on pedestrians' local and global path choices. The study reveals that pedestrians locally perceive and react to environmental attributes like green views, guiding urban planning decisions.
A new animal model has been developed to examine the initial phases of Parkinson's disease, allowing researchers to investigate non-motor symptoms and molecular processes preceding neuronal degeneration. The study suggests that lipid metabolism plays a crucial role in the disease's progression.
A research team developed a model of the blood-brain barrier using modularized tissue derived from human cells. The 'Tissue-in-a-CUBE' system accurately mimics the real blood-brain barrier in terms of structure and function, allowing for the testing of drugs without animal testing.
Researchers developed an oxidative stress-based prognostic model for bladder cancer, identifying distinct molecular subtypes and predicting patient outcomes. The model shows promise in tailoring personalized treatment approaches, particularly for patients with low-risk profiles.
Climate change threatens the survival of African elephants due to habitat loss and water resource depletion. Policies protecting vital habitats can mitigate these impacts, with increased forest and savanna areas benefiting all age groups.
Researchers discovered that the vitamin D/vitamin D receptor pathway protects enterocytes during aging, reducing ISC proliferation and centrosome amplification. This study provides insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying healthy aging in Drosophila.
A new study suggests that fish are shifting their focus from less abundant prey to more abundant prey as waters become warmer, leading to a mismatch between their energetic needs and actual food intake. This flexible foraging behaviour may make communities more vulnerable to climate change, increasing the risk of extinctions.
PandaOmics uses advanced AI algorithms to process vast quantities of diverse data, performing gene and pathway analysis and target predictions. The platform has been extensively validated in multiple therapeutic areas, including oncology, inflammation, and immunology.
Researchers have created the DEBBIES dataset to enhance understanding of cold-blooded animals' responses to novel environmental shifts. The dataset contains estimates of eight life history traits for 185 ectotherm species, allowing users to develop general predictions on animal responses using a few key characteristics.
Researchers identified blood proteomic markers associated with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with cirrhosis. The study found a set of biomarkers, including TGF-β driven mechanistic biomarkers and Myostatin and Pyruvate Kinase M2, which may stratify risk for HCC.
The Komodo Dragon's teeth develop and replace rapidly, with up to five replacement teeth per position in its jaws. This allows it to quickly respond to prey capture or injury, making it an ideal model for studying theropod dinosaur life history and feeding strategies.
Researchers develop epigenetic clocks based on regional disorder of DNA methylation patterns, identifying common responses and critical differences from canonical clocks. These findings suggest a fundamental decoupling of epigenetic aging processes.
A new study by UMass Amherst and the Wildlife Conservation Society finds that climate change disproportionately affects older African elephants, who will have decreased chances of survival. This can lead to a ripple effect on their ecosystems and cultures, highlighting the need for coordinated management strategies at all levels.
A study by Konstanz biologists reveals that the moths use visual feedback to move and correct the movement of their proboscis, similar to humans grasping objects. The animals' efficient way of working is also great models for applied research in robotics and understanding the visual control of appendages.
A study in PLOS ONE suggests that Galápagos penguins may accumulate microplastics at a high rate within their food web, with the excretion rate playing a key role. The research uses modeling to simulate microplastic movement through the Galápagos penguin ecosystem and highlights the potential for biomagnification across trophic levels.
Researchers found rapid microplastic accumulation and contamination across prey organisms, with Galápagos penguins showing the highest level. The study highlights the urgent need to reduce plastic waste and protect vulnerable ecosystems.
Researchers studied the effects of resveratrol on circadian clock gene expression in young and older human adipose-derived progenitor cells. They found increased levels of some components in older-APCs compared to young-APCs, but also observed gained rhythmicity of some components after resveratrol treatment.
A UC Riverside research project will focus on changes in the gene network that specify early intestinal precursor cells in nematodes like Pristionchus pacificus. Gene networks describe how genes turn each other on and off, and changes in these networks can lead to diseases such as cancer.
Researchers discovered a previously unreported neuron type with vulnerability in Parkinson's disease, shedding light on the complexity of the disease and potential therapeutic targets. The study identified distinct transcriptomic signatures of this neuron type and found reduced RIT2 expression in Parkinson's disease patients.
Researchers successfully created a rat-derived lung in mouse model using reverse-blastocyst complementation and tetraploid-based organ complementation. The study identified crucial factors required for functional lung formation, including fibroblast growth factor 10 (Fgf10) and its interaction with Fgfr2b.
Scientists have deciphered the assemblage of apical extracellular matrices in roundworms at the nanoscale using advanced microscopy. Defects in struts result in unnatural layer swelling, and the researchers found that collagens play a crucial role in maintaining matrix structure.
This study found that SIRT6 activation improves DNA damage repair efficiency and reduces baseline DNA damage in chondrocytes from older donors. MDL-800 treatment also lowered p16 promoter activity and decreased DNA damage in murine cartilage explants, supporting the concept of SIRT6 as a critical regulator of DNA repair.
A new genetic atlas details the gene expression programs that drive zebrafish development, revealing insights into human embryonic growth and the origins of diseases such as gastrointestinal disorders. The atlas provides a comprehensive resource for studying cell development and differentiation in vertebrates.
The study found that solely the omicron variant influences cell cycle genes, leading to increased p21 expression and a senescence-associated secretory phenotype. This results in premature cellular senescence, potentially contributing to the reported cytokine storm and development of long-COVID.
Researchers at West Virginia University are using artificial intelligence to analyze habanero peppers and develop new methods for predicting genetic traits. The goal is to improve crop yields and prevent genetic diseases, with potential applications in human health.
A new study by University of Arkansas researchers suggests that male-biased pathology makes male canaries more likely to transmit the avian bacterial pathogen Mycoplasma gallisepticum. The study found that male birds have shorter incubation periods, longer recovery periods, and higher pathogen loads than females.
Researchers found a significant increase in extracellular vesicles released by aged keratinocytes, which were also enriched with specific microRNAs. These EVs impaired young keratinocyte proliferation and organogenesis, mimicking aged skin defects.
Researchers have developed a new mixture, organ agar, that enables them to screen bacteria more efficiently than traditional methods. This innovation allows for the testing of over 1,700 mutants of the UTI-causing bacteria Proteus mirabilis using only a quarter of the mice typically required.
Researchers at Nagoya University have discovered a unique healing mechanism in newts that could aid humans in recovering faster from tendon injuries. By understanding how newts regenerate damaged tendons without scar tissue, scientists hope to develop more effective treatments for human athletes.
Researchers analyzed bones from 52 sacrificed animals at the well-preserved site of Casas del Turuñuelo, revealing a pattern of repeated mass animal sacrifice in Iron Age Spain. The study sheds light on ritual protocols and intentional selection of adult horses over young animals.
Researchers found that treating C. elegans with mitochondrial inhibitors extended their lifespan, improved pharyngeal muscle contraction, reduced lipofuscin content, and decreased energy consumption. The study suggests that these drugs could abrogate aging and extend human lifespan, offering a potential therapeutic approach.
A new study found that the progeny of successive generations of old parents had significantly shorter lifespans than those from young parents in both Drosophila melanogaster and Caenorhabditis elegans. The researchers also discovered that switching to only one generation of younger parents improved the healthspan of the offspring.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center discovered iron storage 'spheres' inside C. diff bacteria, which are crucial for infection and offer new targets for antibacterial drugs. The study, published in Nature, also reveals that bacteria may compartmentalize biochemical processes in a way similar to eukaryotic cells.
Researchers found that higher alcohol consumption is associated with biological age acceleration and hypertension in middle-aged and older adults, but not in young adults. The study suggests that alcohol consumption may mediate the association between alcohol intake and quantitative traits like hypertension.
Researchers found that older fish deviate from a youthful fasting and refeeding cycle, entering a permanent fasting state despite eating. Genetic activation of AMP kinase's γ1 subunit restored benefits of refeeding in old killifish, improving health and longevity.