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Animals may have more than one means of surviving hypoxia

Researchers discovered that a tidepool crustacean can survive oxygen deprivation without key genes, suggesting multiple survival mechanisms. The study highlights the importance of exploring alternative pathways for coping with hypoxic environments.

SourceOregon State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

Molecular switch for 'exhaustion mode' of immune cells discovered

Researchers identified a crucial protein, Tox, that triggers dysfunctional immune responses in the body. This 'exhaustion mode' can be beneficial as it prevents excessive damage to cells and tissue but also allows tumor growth.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalNature

Wearable device reveals how seals prepare for diving

Researchers used a non-invasive device to investigate blood volume and oxygenation in freely diving harbor seals, finding that they constrict peripheral blood vessels and increase cerebral blood volume before submersion. This suggests that seals have cognitive control over their circulatory systems.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Pathogens may have facilitated the evolution of warm-blooded animals

Recent research suggests that pathogens may have driven the evolution of warm-blooded animals by providing a selective advantage. By maintaining stable body temperatures, mammals and birds can prime their immune systems to withstand virulent pathogens, making endothermy a more favorable strategy than ectothermy.

SourceSmithsonian Tropical Research Institute·JournalIdeas in Ecology and Evolution

Pain free, thanks to evolution

Researchers discovered that the highveld mole-rat is impervious to AITC due to altered ion channels, particularly the constitutively open channel NALCN. This change allows the highveld mole-rat to coexist with venomous ants.

SourceMax Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association·JournalScience
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

Songbird-body changes that allow migration may have human health implications

Researchers studying white-throated sparrows found that their bodies undergo significant changes during migration, including altered immune function and tissue-repair mechanisms. These changes allow the birds to perform well despite limited sleep, raising potential implications for human health.

SourcePenn State·JournalScientific Reports

Had enough water? Brain's thirst centers make a gut check

A new study suggests that the brain uses sensory signals from the mouth and throat to temporarily quench thirst, but also relies on gut sensors to review this decision based on a drink's hydration potential. This helps regulate fluid balance within the body and may provide insights into diseases like high blood pressure.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalNature

Untangling the brain's life-support network

A USC Dornsife-led study has provided the first global network model of the inner workings of the hypothalamus, a critical part of the brain that controls fundamental behaviors and physiology. The study reveals novel associations with several diseases, including neurodegenerative diseases and behavioral disorders.

SourceUniversity of Southern California
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

Cardiorespiratory fitness of farmed Atlantic salmon unaffected by virus

A new study published in Frontiers in Physiology found that farmed Atlantic salmon's respiratory systems function normally even when carrying large loads of the piscine orthoreovirus. The research, conducted at the University of British Columbia, suggests that infected fish do not experience significant harm to their physiology.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalFrontiers in Physiology

Hungry moose more tolerant of wolves' presence

New research from University of Wyoming scientists found that hungry moose are less likely to change their behavior to avoid wolves as winter progresses. Moose movements increased in early winter following encounters with wolves, but only when wolves were within a specific distance.

SourceUniversity of Wyoming·JournalEcology

Study reviews the potential impacts of future heat waves on humans and wildlife

A recent review paper by San Francisco State University Professor Jonathon Stillman examines the potential impacts of future heat waves on humans and wildlife. The study suggests that extreme heat events could become more frequent and intense, posing significant threats to human mortality and wildlife populations.

SourceSan Francisco State University·JournalPhysiology

Gut microbiota helps to maintain core body temperature under cold exposure

Research reveals that gut microbiota is essential for thermoregulation, particularly in animals exposed to cold. The study found that gut microbiota helps stimulate the activation of Brown Adipose Tissue and promotes white adipose tissue browning, leading to improved thermogenic capacity.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalCell Reports
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

Too hot for comfort: the physiological dangers of extreme heat

A review of over 140 studies explores climate change's impact on animal life, including humans, through increased frequency and severity of heat waves. Behavioral changes, such as altered migration patterns and increased water demands, may lead to dehydration and cellular stress.

SourceAmerican Physiological Society·JournalPhysiology

The smell of food controls cellular recycling and affects life expectancy

Researchers found that food odors impact protein degradation and cell recycling, leading to shorter lifespans. The study used Caenorhabditis elegans, a roundworm model organism, to uncover the role of olfactory neurons and microRNA molecule mir-71 in regulating digestive processes.

SourceUniversity of Cologne·JournalNature Metabolism

Study confirms beaked whales' incredible diving abilities

A new study reveals Cuvier's beaked whales dive up to 1,400 meters, lasting about an hour, with brief recovery times. The findings provide a baseline for studying their reactions to sonar and offer insights into the species' remarkable diving capability.

SourceDuke University·JournalRoyal Society Open Science
Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

Size matters -- To livebearer fish, big fins are a big deal

In a new study, researchers found that male livebearer fish evolved larger dorsal fins for fighting before using them in courtship displays to attract females. This evolution went hand-in-hand with the enlargement of the male dorsal fin, leading to rapid evolution in some species.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalEvolution

New study shows animals may get used to drones

A new study found that American black bears can habituate to repeated drone exposure, showing increased tolerance to the flights over time. The researchers suggest that other animals are less likely to adapt to such disturbances.

SourceOxford University Press USA·JournalConservation Physiology

Diabetes drug could be used to treat common heart failure syndrome, study suggests

Researchers discovered that metformin relaxes the key heart muscle protein titin, allowing the heart to properly fill with blood before pumping it around the body. This reduces blood supply to the rest of the body, leading to shortness of breath with exertion and difficulty exercising.

SourceRockefeller University Press·JournalJournal of General Physiology
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

Why deep oceans gave life to the first big, complex organisms

A new study from Stanford University suggests that the deep ocean's stable temperatures enabled the emergence of complex life forms during the Ediacaran period. The research proposes that animals needed a haven from temperature fluctuations, which were less severe in the deep ocean, allowing them to thrive with limited oxygen supplies.

SourceStanford's School of Earth, Energy & Environmental Sciences

Researchers propose guidelines for the therapeutic use of melatonin

Researchers propose guidelines for the therapeutic use of melatonin to address potential health risks, citing over 23,000 published studies. The guidelines aim to provide a systematic framework for analyzing melatonin's effects and role in human physiology and pathophysiology.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalEndocrine Reviews

Babies kicking in the womb are creating a map of their bodies

A new study suggests that womb kicks may play a role in helping babies develop a sense of their own body. The research, published in Scientific Reports, found that brainwaves produced during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep fire in the corresponding hemisphere when a baby kicks its limbs.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalScientific Reports
Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

The virus detectives

Researchers from Technical University of Munich identified a previously unknown virus causing mass mortality in brown trout. The piscine reovirus is related to the virus infecting salmon in North Atlantic and Pacific, causing significant economic damage.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalPLOS ONE

Hungry ticks work harder to find you

Researchers found that starving ticks have higher activity levels and increased questing behavior to find a meal. Their metabolism speeds up by 100% after three months without food, preparing them for an imminent meal.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalMolecular Ecology
Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

Hormone therapy for 'low T' may not be safe for all men

Long-term testosterone supplementation has been linked to increased blood pressure in obese rats, raising concerns about its safety in certain populations. The study suggests that hormone therapy may not be beneficial for men with heart disease risk factors, highlighting the need for more research on complex effects of testosterone.

SourceAmerican Physiological Society
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

High-fat, high-sugar diet may impair future fertility in females

A study found that a high-fat, high-sugar diet may accumulate fat around the uterus of female rats, potentially impairing future fertility. Researchers observed no change in glucose tolerance or insulin sensitivity compared to control animals.

SourceAmerican Physiological Society

Study finds more belly fat, less muscle after crash dieting

A new study found that extreme dieting in female rats led to a decrease in metabolic factors and functions, including body weight and blood pressure, but resulted in a higher accumulation of abdominal fat. This increase in belly fat may cause long-term health risks for people who have previously crash dieted.

SourceAmerican Physiological Society

Drug cocktail may treat postmenopausal PCOS complications

Researchers found a combination of liraglutide and enalapril effectively addresses all symptoms of postmenopausal polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), including metabolic syndrome. The treatment promotes significant weight loss, reduces insulin resistance, and normalizes blood pressure.

SourceAmerican Physiological Society

Know someone sick? Your own smell might give it away

A new study from the Monell Chemical Senses Center reveals that healthy animals' bodily odors change when they are near sick animals, potentially impacting social contacts and disease spread. The findings suggest that exposure to sickness-related odors can trigger protective responses in others.

SourceMonell Chemical Senses Center·JournalScientific Reports

The dynamics and energetics of locomotion depend on the number of propulsive legs

A study by Dr. Tom Weihmann shows that body dynamics depend strongly on the number of propulsive legs, with increasing leg numbers impeding energy recovery. This discovery could explain quadrupedal animals adopting bipedalism and potentially inform control mechanisms for fast-running robots.

SourceUniversity of Cologne·JournalScience Advances
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

Soy diets might increase women's bone strength

Researchers discovered that soy protein can counter negative effects of menopause on bone and metabolic health in postmenopausal women. Soy-based diets were found to improve bone strength and metabolic function for both rats with and without ovaries.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalBone Reports

A calmer horse is just a sniff away

Researchers at the University of Arizona found that horses experience significant stress reduction when inhaled lavender from a diffuser, as measured by heart rate variability. The data showed a significant increase in relaxation signals such as neck lowering and licking, indicating a calming effect on the horses.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalJournal of Equine Veterinary Science

Homing pigeons use local natural odors to find their way

Researchers confirm that pigeons rely on familiar smells to find their way home, not artificial odors. A study published in Journal of Comparative Physiology A found that pigeons exposed to natural environmental odorants performed significantly better at homing.

SourceSpringer·JournalJournal of Comparative Physiology A
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

UM professor receives award of excellence in fish physiology

Professor Martin Grosell received the Award of Excellence in fish physiology from the American Fisheries Society for his groundbreaking research on the effects of oil on marine fish. He is also a renowned expert in environmental physiology and toxicology, with over 200 peer-reviewed publications.

SourceUniversity of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science

Determining the bioaccumulation of 9 metals in aquatic invertebrates in mining areas

A new study has proposed the maximum bioaccumulation level of 9 metals that poses no ecological risk to aquatic organisms. The study, conducted in mining areas in Asturias, has established ecological threshold concentrations for 7 metals and two metalloids, which are considered safe levels for conservation.

SourceUniversity of the Basque Country·JournalEcological Indicators

Personality pressure

A new study by Harvard University researchers suggests that natural selection can favor different personality types in lizards, affecting their behavior and survival. In the experiment, bold lizards were found to survive longer when predators were present, but their mortality increased when predators were absent.

SourceHarvard University·JournalScience
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Stem cells restore function in primate heart-failure study

Researchers used human stem cells to restore heart function in monkeys with heart failure, finding that new muscle tissue had grown within damaged regions and restored heart function. The study suggests a potential treatment approach for people with heart failure.

SourceUniversity of Washington School of Medicine/UW Medicine·JournalNature Biotechnology

Rhesus macaque model offers route to study Zika brain pathology

Researchers have developed a rhesus macaque model to study Zika brain pathology, revealing similar brain lesions as in human infants with congenital Zika syndrome. The findings suggest that therapies can be tested using fewer animals, providing hope for the development of new treatments.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalNature Communications

Humans are causing mammals to increasingly adopt the nightlife

A new study reveals human activity is driving mammals to adopt nightlife, changing behavior and physiology; high levels of disturbance lead to increased nocturnal activity by a factor of 1.36.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience

Physiological benefits may be experienced by veterans with PTSD who use service dogs

A new study published in Psychoneuroendocrinology found that veterans with PTSD who use service dogs exhibit higher cortisol awakening response and area under the curve compared to those on the waitlist. This suggests potential physiological benefits from having a service dog, including reduced stress levels and improved sleep quality.

SourcePurdue University·JournalPsychoneuroendocrinology

How much is wildlife tourism affecting the animals it targets?

A new study found that white shark activity increases dramatically when interacting with cage-diving operators, indicating potential behavioral changes. The researchers tracked ten white sharks at South Australia's Neptune Islands, showing a 61% higher dynamic body acceleration when interacting with tourists.

SourceOxford University Press USA·JournalConservation Physiology
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

New gene therapy sparks healthy heart beats

A new gene therapy approach has shown dramatic reduction of post-infarction arrhythmias in mice by electrically coupling non-excitable cells to undamaged heart cells. The treatment involves introducing a single gene, Connexin43, which bridges the conduction block in damaged hearts.

SourceCornell University·JournalScientific Reports

New study sheds light (and some shade) on anole diversification

A new study reveals that thermal physiological differences allowed Greater Antillean anoles to occupy different microclimates, facilitating species coexistence. The research found that species diverged in thermal tolerance and sprint performance, with warmer environment species having higher maximum temperatures and optimal temperatures.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia

Mosquitoes bite when thirsty, too

Researchers at the University of Cincinnati discovered that female mosquitoes bite not only to get protein but also to quench their thirst during a drought. Dehydration prompted as many as 30 percent of female mosquitoes to seek a blood meal, increasing the risk of disease transmission.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalScientific Reports

Research debunks 'myth' that strenuous exercise suppresses the immune system

Research from the University of Bath found that exercise can increase immune cells and improve response to flu jabs, contradicting a long-held myth. The study suggests that low numbers of immune cells after exercise are not a sign of suppression, but rather a signal that cells are working in other parts of the body.

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalFrontiers in Immunology
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

How the color-changing hogfish 'sees' with its skin

Researchers at Duke University discovered that hogfish sense light with their skin, which differs from eye-based vision. The skin's unique ability allows it to detect changes in brightness or wavelength, such as moving shadows or light fluctuations, enabling the fish to adapt its color pattern accordingly.

SourceDuke University·JournalJournal of Comparative Physiology A

Virtual predator is self-aware, behaves like living counterpart

Scientists at University of Illinois create artificially intelligent ocean predator called Cyberslug, which reacts to food and responds to its own kind like the actual sea slug Pleurobranchaea californica does. The virtual creature has simple self-awareness, relating motivation and memories to external world perception.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournaleNeuro
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

Using Hawkeye from the Avengers to communicate on the eye

Hawkeye's advanced eyesight can be used to explain the physiology of the human eye and its limitations. This can lead to discussions on genetic engineering, wearable technologies, and responsible innovation in genetics. The article suggests using Hawkeye as a tool for engaging students in scientific communication and outreach.

SourceDelft University of Technology·JournalAJP Advances in Physiology Education

Coping with climate stress in Antarctica

Researchers found that Antarctic fish can adapt to warmer waters but are unable to withstand both climate stressors simultaneously. The study suggests these fish must use their existing physiology, which is limited, to cope with the challenges.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalGlobal Change Biology

Expert unlocks mechanics of how snakes move in a straight line

Researchers discovered snakes use unique skin movement to propel themselves forward in a straight line. This rectilinear locomotion gives them an advantage in confined spaces and could inform robotics for search-and-rescue operations and underwater inspections.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalJournal of Experimental Biology

The brain's GPS has a buddy system

Researchers have discovered that brain cells in the hippocampus process spatial information about both oneself and others. This 'buddy system' allows for joint location awareness, enabling rats to track each other's movements through a maze. The findings extend our understanding of the hippocampus' role as the brain's positioning system.

SourceRIKEN·JournalScience

Noise pollution causes chronic stress in birds, with health consequences for young

Researchers found that noise pollution from gas compressors causes chronic stress in birds, leading to lower stress hormone levels and increased anxiety. This stress can have long-term effects on bird fitness and survival rates, particularly among young birds.

SourceFlorida Museum of Natural History·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.