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Monkey see, monkey do: observing macaques to better understand movement synchronization

Researchers observe 'social motor entrainment' in macaques, where movements synchronize with others, and find it varies by animal pairs, social hierarchy, and stimulus type. This study provides insights into the neural underpinnings of social cohesion and has implications for understanding human conditions like autism spectrum disorder.

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 30, 2023

Mixing theory, observation to envision warmer world

Researchers combine theory and observation to understand damselfly responses to warming temperatures, discovering a more realistic predator-prey simulation model. This work provides groundwork for understanding how other species will adapt to a warmer world, particularly species like mosquitoes.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·DateApr 25, 2023

Scientists create powerful, most-accurate tools to research deadliest blood cancer, study says

Researchers at The Mount Sinai Hospital have created versatile disease models of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), allowing for accurate study of the cancer's progression and response to drugs. These models, derived from induced pluripotent stem cells, can mimic different stages of AML and are nearly identical to those found in patients.

Research Brief: Genetic background, social rank identified as factors in aging and lifespan in animals

Researchers at the University of Minnesota Medical School found that genetic background and social rank are critical contextual modifiers of aging and lifespan in animal models. They discovered that low social status corresponds to a shorter lifespan, but with varying effects depending on the individual's genetic predisposition.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota Medical School·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateApr 13, 2023

Time-restricted fasting could cause fertility problems

A new study published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B found that time-restricted fasting affects reproduction differently in male and female zebrafish. After returning to normal food consumption levels, females increased offspring production at the cost of reduced egg quality, while male sperm quality also decreased.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 11, 2023

Survival is a disgusting matter

A recent study published in Journal of Animal Ecology has identified disease avoidance strategies in various animal species, including humans. The research provides insights into how emotions like disgust help protect against diseases and has implications for human health and conservation efforts.

SourceKyoto University·JournalJournal of Animal Ecology·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 5, 2023

Potential relief for osteoarthritis moves to clinical trial after animal studies

Researchers have found a potential treatment for osteoarthritis by targeting the GP130 immune receptor, which causes hyper-inflammation in joints. The new compound R805/CX-011 showed promising results in animal studies, reducing joint pain and stiffness, and may lead to Phase 1 and 2A clinical trials.

SourceKeck School of Medicine of USC·JournalScience Translational Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 22, 2023

Connecting the dots

A team of researchers at Kyoto University has established a method to identify individual inbred medaka killifish by analyzing the characteristic patterns of dark spots on their heads. This identification method may contribute to biometrics for medical and drug discovery research.

SourceKyoto University·JournalScientific Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 16, 2023

Characterizing abnormal neural networks in dogs with anxiety

Researchers found that dogs with anxiety have altered brain connectivity, particularly between the amygdala and hippocampus. The study used fMRI to characterize abnormal neural networks in anxious dogs, providing insight into anxiety disorders in both animals and humans.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeObservational study·DateMar 15, 2023

Neural puppeteer

Researchers from University of Konstanz develop 'neural puppeteer' AI model to predict animal poses and appearances, enabling analysis of intermediate motions. The system uses 3D key points to calculate statistically likely steps, crucial for studying collective behavior in wildlife.

SourceUniversity of Konstanz·JournalComputer Science·DateMar 8, 2023

How the Mongolian gerbil may help speed recovery of a rare inner ear problem

Researchers developed a testing model to understand cognitive challenges of superior semicircular canal dehiscence (SSCD), a rare condition causing sound-induced dizziness and hearing abnormalities. The Mongolian gerbil model shows promise for accelerating recovery with reversible diagnostic findings characteristic of patients with SSCD.

SourceRutgers University·JournalFrontiers in Neurology·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 17, 2023

New technique helps ID genes related to aging

Researchers from North Carolina State University have developed a new method for identifying genes relevant to the aging process in the C. elegans roundworm model. By exposing thousands of worms to random genetic mutations, they can pinpoint which genes are associated with protein aggregation and reduced lifespan.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournaliScience·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 1, 2022

3D flora and fauna at your fingertips

Researchers at Kyushu University developed a new method to create highly detailed 3D models of plants and animals. Over 1,400 models are now publicly available for use in education, research, and virtual exploration.

SourceKyushu University·JournalResearch Ideas and Outcomes·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 25, 2022

OCD on TV

A new study published in GigaScience has made available an enormous amount of behavioral data from an animal model of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), comprising over 2 years of continuous recording. The data set, which is the culmination of a 15-year study, provides insights into the mechanisms of OCD and potential treatments.

SourceGigaScience·JournalGigaScience·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 19, 2022

Reliably estimating proportion of vaccinated populations in wildlife

Researchers developed a groundbreaking model to estimate bait vaccination effectiveness in wild animals by analyzing the proportion of immunized animals and vaccine applications. The study successfully tested the model using real data from Japan's CSF outbreak, demonstrating a measurable increase in immunized wild boars.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 18, 2022

Scientists at IRB Barcelona and the PCCB develop a study model for Ewing sarcoma in the Drosophila fly

Scientists at IRB Barcelona and the PCCB have created a genetically tractable model of Ewing sarcoma using Drosophila flies expressing a mutant version of the human oncogene EWS-FLI. This model allows for the identification of critical proteins required for EWS-FLI's oncogenic function and potential therapeutic targets.

SourceInstitute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona)·JournalPNAS Nexus·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 7, 2022

EIP Pharma publishes translational data of preclinical and phase 2a results for Neflamapimod in dementia with Lewy bodies: Nature Communications

Neflamapimod, a p38α kinase inhibitor, demonstrates reversible neurodegeneration in animal models and improves clinical endpoints associated with cholinergic neuronal function in patients with dementia with Lewy bodies. The findings support the initiation of a confirmatory Phase 2b clinical trial for neflamapimod.

SourceLaVoieHealthScience·JournalNature Communications·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateSep 21, 2022

Study: Novel drug promotes nervous system repair in animal models of stroke

Researchers at University of Cincinnati and Case Western Reserve University found a novel drug enables nervous system repair and functional recovery in animal models of severe ischemic stroke. The study demonstrated significant improvement in motor function, sensory function, spatial learning, and memory. NVG-291-R repairs damage throu...

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalCell Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 28, 2022

A methodological leap in the exploration of memory

Researchers have developed a groundbreaking 'toolbox' to study receptor mobility in the brain, revealing its critical role in certain types of memory. The study used high-resolution imaging and manipulation techniques to observe receptor dynamics in intact brain tissue, providing new insights into the mechanisms controlling memory.

SourceCNRS·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 27, 2022

Collaborative effort led by UMass Chan Medical School spotlights worms as model for personalized medicine

A team of researchers developed a model system to study individual differences in metabolism using C. elegans worms. They identified a novel metabolic condition linked to variation in the hphd-1 gene, which has implications for personalized medicine and tailoring dietary advice and disease treatment to an individual's genome sequence.

SourceUMass Chan Medical School·JournalNature·DateJul 11, 2022