Articles tagged with Animal Physiology
Male giraffes test female sexual receptivity by nudging them to urinate, then inhaling their scent with flehmen. This behavior is crucial for mating and understanding giraffe anatomy supports it.
A recent study published in PLOS ONE reveals the discovery of 92 fossilized egg nests belonging to titanosaurs, some of India's largest dinosaurs. The finds provide insights into the reproductive habits and nesting behaviors of these prehistoric creatures, shedding light on their lives shortly before they went extinct.
Research reveals that monarch butterflies storing plant toxins experience reduced warning signal conspicuousness due to oxidative stress. The study found a positive correlation between toxin levels and oxidative damage in the butterflies' bodies.
A study found that climate change threatens reproductive success of songbirds in California's Central Valley due to increasing rainfall and extreme heat. The researchers analyzed data from the Nestbox Highway project, which showed a decline in bird fitness amidst extreme precipitation or temperatures.
Researchers have discovered that ancient crocodilian hemoglobin required 21 interconnected mutations to develop its hyper-efficient oxygen-binding properties. This complexity, not found in other vertebrates, enabled crocodilians to exploit their onboard oxygen stores for extended periods underwater.
Researchers found a close correspondence between bat species' wing shapes and their echolocation vocalizations, with both linked to foraging ecology. The study reveals distinct 'foraging syndromes' that have evolved repeatedly in each family, matching optimal evolutionary solutions for different habitats.
Researchers discovered a unique anatomical design in octopus nerve cords that connects arms symmetrically, providing new insights into alternative nervous system structures. This discovery may aid in the development of new engineered technologies, such as robots and autonomous underwater devices.
A new study reveals that standard goose harassment efforts are ineffective, especially in winter when birds should be most susceptible to scare tactics. Canada geese return to their territories despite harassment, prioritizing access to resources over energy conservation. The research team found that geese adapt to urban environments, ...
Researchers at Tohoku University used fiber photometry to analyze astrocytes' activity and found an acid response linked to intensified epileptic seizures. This breakthrough may lead to new therapeutic strategies for epilepsy, stroke, trauma-induced brain injury, and memory enhancement in dementia treatment.
Scientists from the Australian National University have discovered that the world's oldest large organisms, Ediacara biota, ate bacteria and algae sourced from the ocean floor. The findings provide new insights into the physiology of our earliest animal ancestors.
Researchers found drastic differences in microglia marker Iba1 and factors influencing Sirt1 levels and activity between elder groups. Preserving microglia and Sirt1 functional efficiency is crucial for longevity.
Researchers found that female tiger sharks that frequently visit Tiger Beach in the Bahamas are larger and have higher hormone levels than other individuals. The study suggests possible effects of mass tourism on these sharks, with females having better nutritional states and more omega-3 in their blood.
A study published in The EMBO Journal reveals that the anterior cingulate cortex is activated in female mice acquiring maternal behavior through repeated experience with pups. This discovery provides a potential basis for developing therapeutic options for postpartum depression and other conditions disrupting mother-child bonding.
The HUSH complex is involved in normal brain development, neuronal individuality, and connectivity. The complex also regulates repetitive-like gene clusters, including protocadherin gene clusters, which are essential for neuron-to-neuron interactions.
New research reveals that shark fishing can cause rapid temperature spikes in caught and released sharks, with one blue shark experiencing a 2.7°C increase in just minutes. The study found that it took up to 40 minutes for the sharks to cool down after release.
Researchers suggest special blood vessels called 'retia mirabilia' reduce brain pressure pulses, preventing damage. Computer modeling supports theory, which could be applied to other animals and humans.
A recent study found that sperm clustering in viscoelastic fluid offers three biological benefits: reduced direction changes, improved alignment, and increased safety from strong flows. This research may inform studies on infertility and provide better selection of sperm for assisted-reproduction technologies.
Researchers have discovered that L-cryptochrome, a molecule in marine animals, can interpret moonlight to entrain the monthly clock for sexual maturation and reproduction. This ability helps organisms adjust their behavior and physiology by light.
Researchers found that mice from western sides of mountains in Patagonia were bigger due to increased food availability caused by higher rainfall. This discovery supports the rain shadow effect hypothesis, which suggests that precipitation patterns can impact mammal size.
A study by Nagoya University found that the quality of a thoroughbred's sire, not its broodmare's age, determines its racing success. The researchers analyzed data from over 15,000 horses and discovered that breeding older females with high-performing males resulted in lower win rates.
Researchers from the University of Copenhagen and Aarhus University have discovered new insights into the coelacanth's unique physiology, including its ability to swim upside down. The study used CT and MRI scanners to model the fish's body, revealing a special skeleton and precise distribution of fatty tissue.
A new University of Illinois study shows that fathead minnows can handle simulated heatwaves with few nasty side effects. Most minnows rapidly returned to normal physiological functioning after cooling down, but some became more susceptible to oxidative stress.
Researchers found that woodpeckers have regained the ability to sense sugar by repurposing their savory receptor. In contrast, wrynecks selectively lost this ability due to a single amino acid change in their receptor, highlighting a novel mechanism of sensory reversion.
A study by Florida Atlantic University researchers compared the walking and swimming behaviors of neonate and juvenile epaulette sharks. Contrary to expectations, results showed that differences in body shape did not alter kinematics between early life stages, suggesting a consistent locomotor performance.
Researchers at the University of Tokyo have made a groundbreaking discovery about the development of the visual system in mice. By studying the neural networks in cortical and thalamic regions, they found that parallel pathways from the retinas form earlier than connections within cortical areas, challenging current understanding of co...
Researchers found that Weddell seal moms limit their own diving and underwater foraging capabilities to provide iron to their pups during lactation. This sacrificial behavior may make the seals more vulnerable to climate regime shifts that could decouple the seasonal pulse of productivity in the Antarctic environment.
Researchers found that Gursky's spectral tarsier duets exhibit acoustic trade-offs in note rate and bandwidth, suggesting a relationship between physical fitness and vocal complexity. The study suggests that only physically fit individuals can easily produce broadband notes fast.
Researchers analyzed physiological parameters to understand metabolic and nutritional characteristics linked to enteric methane emissions in Japanese Black cattle. Cattle with high methane emissions were found to have a higher butyrate-to-propionate ratio, decreased amino acid levels, and increased insulin concentrations.
Researchers discovered that pocket gophers cultivate and harvest roots for food, constituting a rudimentary form of farming. This behavior allows them to generate enough energy to maintain their extensive tunnel networks.
Scientists found that narwhals experience a large increase in the energetic cost of diving while their heart rate is paradoxically reduced, leading to a significant physiological challenge. The study reveals that prolonged exposure to seismic noise disrupts the normal physiological response of narwhals.
A fossilized wrist bone from a 6-7 million-year-old giant panda ancestor reveals the earliest evidence of a bamboo diet and the evolution of its unique 'thumb' structure. The discovery sheds light on how this adaptation allowed ancient pandas to thrive on a low-nutrient bamboo diet.
A study from Tel Aviv University found that invasive marine species can survive in extreme conditions, including changing temperatures and salinity. The researchers' experiment demonstrated the importance of regulating trade routes to prevent the spread of invasive species, which can harm local environments and resident species.
A new study in the Journal of Dairy Science finds that dairy cows exposed to wildfire smoke experience reduced milk production and altered immune function. The researchers observed a decrease in milk yield for seven consecutive days during the smoke exposure period, which persisted for another seven days post-exposure.
Researchers found that zinc ion serves as a master-regulator of various processes in sperm to facilitate fertilization. Zinc helps maintain sperm in the non-capacitated state, preventing premature capacitation during artificial insemination.
Researchers found that increasing serotonin levels in mosquito blood reduces their flight speed and motivation to seek second blood meals, making them less efficient vectors of malaria parasites. This discovery provides a promising new avenue for insect-targeted interventions to prevent malaria transmission.
Researchers discovered how electric fish evolved electric organs by modifying a sodium channel gene. The finding highlights the potential for this genetic mechanism to contribute to human diseases. By studying electric fish, scientists can gain a better understanding of evolutionary processes and their applications in human health.
Research reveals antibiotics can knock out essential gut bacteria, leading to reduced motivation and endurance in athletes. The study found that high-performance mice were more affected by antibiotic treatment, highlighting the microbiome's impact on exercise behaviors.
Research at Lund University found that ostriches are sensitive to fluctuating temperatures and lay up to 40% fewer eggs if the temperatures rise or fall by 5 degrees. The study also revealed a genetic trade-off between heat and cold tolerance, meaning that increased heat tolerance comes at the cost of decreased cold tolerance.
Researchers found that lab zebrafish have lost physiological plasticity, a characteristic that allows organisms to adjust to different environments, over time. This loss affects their ability to perform consistently across a wide range of temperatures, highlighting the costs of domestication.
Researchers found that hummingbirds experience a 37% drop in metabolic rate and become torpid for longer periods at high elevations, making it unlikely they can relocate to higher altitudes. The birds' physiological response suggests lower oxygen availability and low air pressure may be difficult challenges to overcome.
Researchers found that Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins rub against corals to agitate tiny polyps, releasing mucus with antibacterial and antioxidative properties. This discovery suggests the mucus regulates the dolphin's skin microbiome and treats infections.
Researchers develop system to measure power distribution between sexes in animals, finding females rule in some species, with reproductive control as common thread. The study proposes a new framework to quantify intersexual power relationships across mammalian societies.
A study led by Washington University in St. Louis found that nonlethal parasitic infections reduce herbivory rates and trigger trophic cascades impacting plant communities. The research used a mathematical model and global meta-analysis to highlight the ecological consequences of common parasitic infections in wild animals.
Researchers developed a new test method to detect tuberculosis (TB) progression from latent infection in elephants using IgG antibodies against Antigen 85B. High levels of IgG against ESAT6/CFP10 remained constant, while IgG against Ag85B increased before disease onset and declined with treatment.
Human activity on Hainan Island is causing changes in the body shapes and diets of tropical birds, resulting in biotic homogenisation. Despite efforts to protect biodiversity, the island's unique ecosystem is being affected by large-scale economic and land-use changes.
Naked mole-rats of higher social rank have a larger spleen, which may enable them to fight infections better and deal with inflammation more easily. The researchers also suspect that the spleen influences an animal's longevity, as successful naked mole-rats live longer.
A new study supports the idea that humans inherited our love of alcohol from primate ancestors, who consumed fermented fruit with high alcohol content. Monkeys eat and digest alcohol-rich fruits, using it as a source of calories, shedding light on human affinity for booze.
Researchers investigated physiological changes in Japanese Black cattle during feeding, uncovering metabolic and nutritional conditions. They found increased blood triglycerides, insulin levels, and fat metabolism during fattening phases.
Researchers discovered that boa constrictors adjust which section of the rib cage they use to inhale depending on whether they are resting, throttling an animal or digesting. The sinuous reptiles use different sections of the rib cage to breathe when their ribs are constricted.
A study found that Asian elephant males experience increased stress when alone or in male-dominated groups, while females show lower stress when accompanied by babies. The researchers also discovered that social bonds play a crucial role in regulating stress hormone levels in these animals.
Researchers found that female Faeder variants produce fewer offspring, but this disadvantage helps their males, who benefit from their rarity and obtain more matings. The contrasting effect of the variant contributes to its persistence over time.
Research at Simon Fraser University found that sharks produce a lower metabolic rate and recumbent body posture when inactive for longer periods, supporting the idea that they sleep to conserve energy. This is the first physiological evidence of sleep among elasmobranchs, a fish group including sharks, rays, and skates.
The Dog Aging Project is a groundbreaking study that has enrolled over 32,000 dogs to understand the aging process. Researchers are using this dataset to identify biomarkers of canine aging and potential genetic factors contributing to exceptional longevity, which they hope will translate to human health.
A team of scientists from Germany, Spain, Australia and Japan discovered a new species of branching marine worm, Ramisyllis kingghidorahi, in Japan. The worm has a unique body shape with one head and multiple posterior ends, living inside the internal canals of sea sponges.
Researchers at West Virginia University are investigating the link between chronic stress and Alzheimer's disease using animal models. They aim to understand how xanthine oxidase may sabotage brain blood vessels in Alzheimer's patients, and explore whether a medication can block this pathway to keep the brain healthy.
Researchers found that increasing energy intake by feeding more milk replacer supports greater growth during summer. However, feeding frequency had no effect on growth during summer but improved growth during winter. The study suggests optimizing feeding strategies to maximize calf growth and welfare in hot environments.
Research from the Marine Biological Laboratory reveals that sea anemones are severely impacted by pollutants in their native habitats. The study found that exposure to common pollutants like phthalates and potassium nitrate led to decreased body size, fewer tentacles, and reduced stinging cells.
Researchers at University of Washington documented a mass mortality event among Magellanic penguins in Punta Tombo, Argentina, due to extreme heat. The January 2019 heat wave killed at least 354 adult penguins and 90 chicks, with nearly three-quarters of the deceased being adults primarily due to dehydration.
A recent study published in Canine Medicine and Genetics found that French Bulldogs have a significantly higher risk of being diagnosed with 20 common health disorders compared to other breeds. The authors propose breeding towards more moderate characteristics to reduce these risks.
A group of Croatian students used photographs from iNaturalist to describe a new species of pygmy grasshopper, challenging traditional methods. The study highlights the potential of citizen science and encourages people to engage with nature to raise awareness about conservation.