Articles tagged with Animal Physiology
A new study analyzes biological drivers of multiple paternity in sharks and rays, finding no conclusive evidence that male behavior drives the phenomenon. The researchers suggest that female advantages, such as thicker skin and larger size, may play a role in shaping multiple paternity.
A study by researchers at the University of Bologna found that sea turtles have high levels of plastic debris in their faeces, which can alter their gut microbiota and compromise their health. The Adriatic Sea is a major hotspot for marine pollution, with over 10 million tons of plastic entering the oceans every year.
A new study found that dominant male wide-horned hissing cockroaches have larger respiratory systems, allowing them to dominate physical mating battles. This adaptation may enhance their fighting ability and play a crucial role in sexual selection.
Researchers found that the black and white tegu lizard's baroreflex mechanism is more efficient at lower temperatures, relying on vascular adjustments rather than heart rate alterations. This discovery provides new insights into the physiology of ectothermic animals and paves the way for further research on novel applications.
Research from the University of Copenhagen finds that prolonged exercise increases GDF15 production, suggesting a physiological stress signal. This natural release of GDF15 may induce satiety and reduce appetite, making it a promising area of study for anti-obesity drugs.
A study by Carlos Duarte and colleagues reveals that human-generated noise pollution is negatively affecting marine animals, altering their behavior, physiology, and survivability. The authors argue that mitigating these impacts through regulation of sources can rapidly decline harmful effects.
A new study reveals that despite living in the same Mojave Desert location, mammal and bird communities experience different exposures to climate warming. Small mammals have remained relatively stable, while bird occupancy and species richness have declined dramatically due to their limited ability to mitigate rising temperatures.
Researchers find that hanging black rhinoceroses upside down improves ventilation to a small degree, enhancing the safety of these animals during capture and anesthesia. The study's findings have significant implications for conservation efforts in remote areas where helicopter-assisted aerial transport is often used.
Researchers found that naked mole-rats use distinct dialects within each colony, which strengthens social bonding. The animals can recognize their own dialect and respond selectively to it, demonstrating a unique form of communication.
Scientists have created a mathematical framework to understand how termites construct intricate mounds without a plan. By analyzing the spacing and arrangement of floors and ramps, researchers have made predictions for the spontaneous formation of linear and helical ramps, shedding light on swarm intelligence.
A new study by Washington State University researchers found that chronic cannabis use significantly dampens stress reactivity in female rats, but not males. The study suggests there may be significant differences in how chronic cannabis use affects males and females.
A new study from Oregon State University uses fecal samples from Eastern North Pacific gray whales to assess endocrine levels and establish hormone baselines for stress and reproduction. The findings provide valuable context for understanding how human activities impact whales.
The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded to researchers who discovered the hepatitis C virus (HCV). The discovery was made possible by the perseverance and determination of thousands of scientists worldwide. Their work has paved the way for future research into HCV and potential cures.
The study suggests most animals remain stressed for longer than optimal after a stress-inducing incident, likely due to physiological limits. The researchers propose that environmental predictability and baseline stress levels play key roles in shaping stress responses.
A new study reveals that dolphins adjust their heart rate to suit the length of their planned dive, conserving oxygen and avoiding decompression sickness. This conscious adjustment allows them to safely dive for long periods, providing insights into marine mammal physiology.
A recent study found that maternal body condition and stress hormone levels can affect the traits of jacky dragon offspring, including gender and growth rate. The research suggests that thermal opportunity may play a role in conveying environmental information from mother to offspring.
Scientists have identified two paralogous androgen receptor genes that control social status in African cichlid fish, shedding light on the molecular basis of social hierarchy. These findings suggest independent mechanisms for regulating coloration and behavior, providing a framework for studying human social dominance.
Researchers have discovered a family of plant immune proteins with striking resemblance to vertebrate MLKLs, triggering cell death in response to pathogens. These findings provide new insights into how plants protect themselves from microbial invaders and highlight the shared machinery involved in cell death across kingdoms.
The study investigated the long-term effects of sirolimus on three different cell in vitro models, cultured in physiological conditions mimicking sirolimus-eluted stent. Sirolimus showed a cytostatic effect but had varying effects on clonogenic potential among different cell types.
Researchers found that all species of lizards in Miami can tolerate temperatures as low as 42°F, despite previous individual tolerances. This unexpected finding provides evidence that tropical creatures can sometimes endure conditions beyond their established limits.
A recent review from LSU Health New Orleans found an association between heat-not-burn tobacco products and increased risk of heart problems, cell death, and circulatory dysfunction. The study highlights the need for further research into the health effects of these products.
Researchers at University of South Florida have discovered a key molecule involved in regulating flexibility in animal stress responses. The study provides a novel perspective on how vertebrates cope with environmental stressors and highlights the importance of understanding stress response flexibility for both human and animal health.
Researchers developed a behavioural test to measure rats' individual emotional experiences and found that vocalisations during 'tickling' accurately reflect their emotional states. The study suggests using call patterns to understand and improve rat welfare.
A UCLA-led team of scientists found that sleep changes its purpose at around 2-and-a-half years old, shifting from brain-building during REM sleep to brain-maintenance and repair afterwards. This transition is crucial for clearing damaged genes and proteins from neurons, preventing serious illness.
Research suggests that climate change is causing ectothermic animals like fish, amphibians, and reptiles to age faster due to increased growth rates and heat stress. This can lead to reduced life expectancy and compromised ability to produce offspring.
New research reveals that marine animals generally inhabit the maximum range of breathable ocean zones determined by their physiology and oxygen needs. The study warns that climate change will restrict these ranges as warmer waters harbor less oxygen, potentially leading to habitat shifts or oxygen shortages.
Critical Illness Myopathy can be prevented by stretching patient peripheral muscles during ventilation phase, study suggests. Researchers discovered titin protein's role in muscle power and found defective spring leads to muscle tissue shrinkage.
Researchers from OHSU have identified astrocytes in zebrafish, a key cell type for brain development and function. This discovery will enable studies on neurodegenerative diseases like autism spectrum disorder and schizophrenia.
A team of researchers has discovered the crucial role of two proteins, Anakonda and M6, in maintaining a functional barrier at tricellular junctions. The study found that the M6 protein anchors the Anakonda protein to the cell membrane, preventing it from being destabilized and allowing for the formation of a stable epithelial barrier.
A team of researchers found that two specific gut bacteria establish a metabolic cross-feeding mechanism, enabling them to grow in diets lacking essential nutrients. This interaction also affects the fly's feeding behavior, reproduction, and brain function, making the microbiome more resilient to dietary changes.
Researchers develop a new concept to understand how precipitation affects tropical animals, including feeding behavior, predation, and physiological responses. The hygric niche framework has implications for conservation and climate change mitigation in the tropics.
The new ARRIVE 2.0 guidelines aim to simplify and streamline reporting of animal studies, promoting better study design and transparency. The guidelines prioritize two sets: Essential 10 for basic minimum reporting and a recommended set for context.
Research reveals that aardvarks feeding in daylight during droughts may be starving due to lack of food. A long-term study showed that drought caused a shift from nighttime to daytime activity, which was not enough to save the aardvarks from starvation.
Research shows that plant proteins like soy and wheat can help maintain skeletal muscle mass with age, but a larger dose is required to achieve the same effect as animal protein. A balanced diet that includes both animal and plant-based proteins is recommended for optimal muscle health.
A new study reveals that fish spawning and embryos are more susceptible to temperature changes than other life stages, with up to 60% of species at risk within a century. The findings highlight the critical importance of considering thermal bottlenecks across an organism's lifecycle in climate risk assessments.
A team of researchers discovered that distinct neural circuits in the forebrain send signals to the brain's control center to regulate sighing in response to stress, anxiety, or relief. Sighing rate increased when mice were confined, indicating a complex interplay between physiological and emotional inputs.
Researchers have discovered that a nodosaur, an armoured dinosaur, primarily ate fern leaves, with 88% of its stomach contents composed of chewed leaf material. The team found evidence of specific fern species, including those that grow in fire-scarred landscapes, suggesting the dinosaur adapted to exploit post-fire vegetation.
Researchers at Marshall University discover a sequence in Na/K-ATPase essential for stem cell differentiation and organogenesis. The study provides the first genetic evidence of this functionality, revealing a previously unrecognized common mechanism underlying animal embryonic development.
Scientists at University of Zurich create custom X-ray contrast agent 'XlinCA' for improved vascular imaging. This breakthrough allows for complete and uninterrupted visualization of blood vessels in humans and animals, reducing the need for animal experiments.
Giorgio Ascoli is working to enhance the NeuroMorpho.org repository by doubling its reconstructions and adding search functionality. He aims to link morphological, physiological, and molecular properties to create a spiking neural network model.
Researchers at McGill University have discovered a protein called TACAN that plays a crucial role in sensing mechanical pain. The study provides hope for the development of powerful new analgesic drugs to treat chronic pain conditions.
Researchers at University of California - San Francisco discovered how the brain generates imagined future scenarios, providing new insights into neurobiology of decision-making. Place cells in the hippocampus rapidly switch between present and possible paths, generating a 'menu' for other parts of the brain to make decisions.
Researchers propose combining fever resistance with temporary tolerance promoted by controlled hypothermia for studying and treating severe conditions like sepsis. This innovative concept aims to understand human physiology's integrated defense strategies against infection.
A team of researchers has identified a specific brain circuit linked to food impulsivity, which could lead to the development of therapeutics for overeating. The study found that activating this circuit, involving melanin-concentrating hormone, increases impulsive behavior around food without affecting motivation or enjoyment.
Researchers discovered a pattern of mechanisms improving retinal oxygen supply that evolved with enhanced vision in all bony vertebrates. The findings add to our understanding of the evolution of the eye, highlighting its dynamic morphology and relationship with retinal oxygen supply.
Biologists at Texas A&M University have found a genetic link between circadian clock genes and the vitamin A pathway in the brain of Monarch butterflies, enabling them to sense day length changes and trigger seasonal responses.
During diving, blue whales exhibit extreme bradycardia, with heart rates as low as 2 beats per minute. This contrasts with their normal resting heart rate of 15 beats per minute, highlighting the circulatory system's adaptability to accommodate deep dives.
Researchers have identified a genetic program controlling aging, which accumulates over time through stochastic physiological damage. This new understanding opens up possibilities for developing remedies to combat aging.
TARA Biosystems' human heart-on-a-chip technology shows promise in predicting preclinical systolic and diastolic in vivo observations for novel cardiac drug MYK-491. The platform uses human induced pluripotent stem cells to create physiologically relevant cardiac tissues.
Researchers discovered a genetic variant in the Epas1 gene that enables high-altitude deer mice to survive by increasing their heart rate in response to low oxygen levels. This adaptation is also found in Tibetans living at high altitudes, suggesting potential benefits for long-term survival.
Zebrafish larvae's ability to coordinate movement and maintain balance improves as they age, mirroring human brain function. The study suggests that the developing fish rely on their vestibular organs to oversee improvements in coordination needed to remain horizontal.
The study found measurable adverse biologic effects on lung health and cells in humans, animals, and tissue samples. Vaping has been linked to increased respiratory symptoms, including bronchitis-like symptoms and asthma, as well as possible lung damage and immunosuppression.
A new study framework improves and expands current practice in fossil color reconstruction by incorporating chemical signatures of different pigments. This framework provides a reliable and repeatable approach to test fundamental hypotheses related to animal physiology, ecology, and behavior.
Ancient rauisuchian fossils found in southern Africa reveal that these croc-like predators fed on vegetarian dinosaurs during the Triassic period. The discovery sheds light on how these carnivores thrived in a region close to the Antarctic Circle, challenging previous assumptions about their physiology.
A recent study suggests that osteocalcin, a hormone released by the skeleton, is necessary for the fight or flight response to be triggered in bony vertebrates. This finding challenges the long-held assumption that adrenaline drives this response.
Researchers at Clemson University discovered that salamanders use temperature rather than humidity to anticipate changes in their environment, and harness limb regeneration to minimize the impact of hot temperatures. This adaptation may have implications for other animals and plants, and could provide insights into regenerative medicine.
Researchers discovered GABA neurons play a crucial role in refining circadian output rhythms in mice, ensuring noiseless communication with neurons outside the suprachiasmatic nucleus. This finding could aid the development of new clinical approaches for diseases related to the circadian clock.
Researchers have discovered that bar-headed geese are able to fly high for long periods of time by reducing their metabolism in low-oxygen conditions. The study found that six out of seven birds could fly in moderately low-oxygen levels and three were willing to fly in severely low-oxygen conditions.
Researchers found that bar-headed geese can fly at altitudes of up to 8500m by reducing their metabolism, increasing oxygen transport per heartbeat and heart rate, and lowering blood temperature. This adaptation allows them to conserve energy and fly efficiently in low-oxygen conditions.
A clinical trial of alternate-day fasting found health benefits, including reduced inflammation and improved cholesterol levels. Participants experienced a mean calorie restriction of about 35% and lost an average of 3.5 kg during four weeks.