Articles tagged with Animal Physiology
Scientists at The Scripps Research Institute found that neurons can form networks independently of synaptic activity, suggesting genetic programs control neural circuit assembly. These findings were confirmed by a complementary study at the Max Planck Institute for Experimental Medicine.
A new study by researchers at the University of California, Davis and the University of New Hampshire found hundreds of differences in gene activity between male and female rock doves. The findings aim to promote sex and gender inclusion in experimental science and shed light on physiological differences between sexes.
Scientists have discovered a 430 million-year-old crustacean fossil, named Cascolus ravitis, in recognition of Sir David Attenborough's contributions to natural history. The exceptionally well-preserved fossil reveals details about the animal's body plan, limbs, and respiratory-circulatory physiology.
Researchers have identified a new way to distinguish between schizophrenia and depression using proteins in nerve cells. The method measures the level of hormone arginine-vasopressin (AVP) released in response to salt solution, which can indicate NMDA receptor signalling. This test may lead to earlier and more accurate diagnoses, as we...
Researchers discovered that melatonin regulates VEGF production in the pituitary gland, controlling blood vessel growth and hormone release for seasonal fertility. This mechanism enables animals to adapt to changing environments and has implications for farming and human medicine.
Harbor porpoise newborns exhibit the earliest hearing development in any mammal studied, with full capabilities achieved within a day of birth. This finding contradicts other studies on newborn mammals, which show limited or absent hearing at birth.
Research suggests that physical activity can have improved effects on muscle and blood vessel function in women in early postmenopause. The study found that high-intensity cycling training improved physiological parameters in this age group, providing a potential benefit against negative estrogen loss and aging effects.
A study published in Experimental Physiology found that body size, not sex, determines how people lose heat during exercise in warm conditions. The research involved 36 men and 24 women who underwent light and moderate exercise trials at controlled temperatures.
Research published in Experimental Physiology suggests that unsaturated fatty acids can reverse some of the effects of obesity on the immune system. Obesity was found to cause changes similar to those observed with aging, but supplementing the diet with unsaturated fatty acids reversed these effects.
Research suggests that supplementing mice with quercetin improves biomedical outcomes, providing anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. The study also found that quercetin-fed mice were more active than control groups, which could be beneficial for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy patients.
A new study finds that small bird species in the US desert Southwest are at higher risk of lethal dehydration during heat waves, with some regions becoming uninhabitable for many species. Conservation efforts may focus on thermal refugia and water sources to mitigate this threat.
Small species of birds are particularly susceptible to lethal dehydration in extreme heat, with the risk increasing four-fold by the end of this century. Conservation strategies are needed to conserve diverse plant and animal communities that supply shelter and water to desert birds amid future climate warming.
A novel microfluidic device models human kidney function, exhibiting more natural cell behaviors than traditional culturing methods. The device's glomerular filtration system is crucial for healthy cell function and accurately predicting renal drug toxicity in humans.
Endurance training increases expression of genes repairing damaged DNA, potentially protecting the heart. Researchers hope this discovery leads to improved cardiovascular health and increased life expectancy.
A recent review in Frontiers in Nutrition highlights the need for a more inclusive approach to obesity research, as traditional male rat models are found to be insufficient in predicting long-term obesity in females. The study also sheds light on the phenomenon of weight regain after weight loss and its impact on females.
A new study published in Experimental Physiology found that sprint interval training is a powerful stimulus to elicit cellular remodelling in both men and women. The research, conducted at McMaster University, showed that changes in gene expression over a short time-scale are similar between the sexes.
Researchers found that a high-sugar diet programmed flies' genes for longevity, causing long-term effects even after a healthy diet. The study suggests that dietary history has a lasting impact on health and may have implications for human lifespan.
Researchers at NYU Dentistry are studying calcium control in dental enamel to develop improved strategies for preventing and treating dental caries. The goal is to understand how changes in calcium levels affect enamel mineralization and develop clinical techniques to replicate these processes.
The University of California, Davis, is part of a six-year, $170 million NIH project exploring the molecular changes caused by physical activity and their impact on health. Researchers will use rat models to study exercise physiology and analyze tissue samples from humans and animals.
A team of researchers has identified the genetic mechanisms driving the metamorphosis that transforms flounders from symmetrical larvae to asymmetrical adults. The discovery sheds new light on an evolutionary puzzle, but also has practical implications for the fishing industry, which faces significant losses in flounder aquaculture.
Scientists have identified two sensory channels that transmit information to the brain about movement using fundamentally different approaches. The discovery suggests a legacy of the differences between navigating in water and air, with one channel sending smooth signals resembling sound waves and another rapid signals like drumbeats.
A study by Christine Cooper, Phil Withers, and Christofer Clemente found that individual echidnas aerate 200m3 of soil annually, playing a crucial role in maintaining Australia's environmental health. The team also discovered that echidna digging activities can mix organic material into the soil, which is essential for ecosystem balance.
A research team has discovered that male animals trigger female reproduction through their chemical signals, which also hasten females' aging process. The study found two distinct signals produced by males that affect female physiology, with one causing earlier puberty and the other slowing down aging.
A study using animal model reveals that cocaine leaves a long-lasting imprint on dopamine system, contributing to relapse episodes in addicts. Re-exposure to the drug after a short abstinence period fully reinstates tolerance and binge-like behavior.
Researchers found that SIRT3's level of mRNA decreases, but its location remains the same after endurance exercise and fasting. This suggests that the activity of this enzyme may not be directly regulated by changes in its abundance within mitochondria in human skeletal muscle cells.
Research reveals three common burrow features: a horizontal platform for monitoring and warming up, spiral bends to deter predators, and an enlarged terminal chamber for refuge and feeding. Burrow architecture may change in response to soil composition, hardness, and moisture.
A large-scale proteomic study using SWATH-MS technique reveals specific proteins responsible for fat and energy metabolism in mice. The researchers found that COX7A2L protein plays a crucial role in mitochondrial function and its deficiency can lead to metabolic disorders.
A new study found that 24 hours of fasting induces a miRNA-149-3p-mediated subcutaneous to visceral fat switch via suppression of PRDM16 in mice. This switch may play a crucial role in maintaining energy balance and could have implications for obesity and metabolic disease prevention.
A study by the University of Helsinki reveals three novel canine genes associated with human rare disorders, including Caffey disease and van den Ende-Gupta syndrome. The discovery highlights the potential of comparative research for developing diagnostics and treatments.
Alan R. Palmer has received the William and Christine Hartmann Prize in Auditory Neuroscience from the Acoustical Society of America, recognizing his work on understanding the mechanisms behind sound perception and brain activity.
Researchers found that male Barbary macaques' metabolic rate increases dramatically during mating season, allowing them to allocate more energy for reproduction and competition. The study suggests that this adaptation may be an echo of a vital physiological mechanism in humans.
The Journal of Dairy Science has expanded its article collections to include six new subject areas, including Tail Docking, Listeria monocytogenes and Dairy Products, and Casein. ADSA members can access full content through individual membership or institutional subscription.
Researchers have found that transient bladder contractions play a crucial role in sensing pressure and conveying information to sensory nerves. The frequency and rate of rise of these contractions may be fine-tuned by other cell types, offering potential targets for therapeutic intervention in urinary bladder dysfunction.
A groundbreaking study led by Dr. Dagmar Krüger has revealed that the human gut's secretory capacity does not decline with age, contradicting long-held assumptions. The research team examined over 2200 specimens from 450 patients with bowel disease and found no correlation between intestinal secretion and age or gender.
Scientists have gained insights into breathing signals during sleep, leading to potential new treatments for central sleep apnoea. Researchers used genetically modified mice to show that AMPK enzyme helps breathe faster in low oxygen environments.
New UCLA research demonstrates that BPS, a common replacement for BPA, speeds up embryonic development and disrupts the reproductive system. Exposure to low levels of BPA and BPS alters physiology in as quickly as 25 hours, leading to premature birth and disruption of reproductive endocrine brain cells.
Researchers found that Hippo signaling pathway activates immune response to combat gram-positive bacteria, linked to organ growth control
Research found that prairie voles living in close quarters were less stressed out and had lower levels of the stress hormone corticosterone. This is surprising as most studies link increased crowding with higher stress.
A new paper proposes a revised framework to understand how temperature affects the activity of cold-blooded animals, revealing that behaviors like eating and mating are extremely sensitive to thermal changes. The research suggests that this complexity is often overlooked in previous studies.
Researchers have published the results of their scientific findings on a juvenile Chasmosaurus, one of the rarest dinosaur discoveries. The study provides new insights into the evolution and life history of horned dinosaurs.
Researchers propose a mathematical theory explaining grid cell activity, enabling precise representation of spatial position and direction. The framework combines population-vector decoding with grid scale progression to maximize spatial resolution.
A University of Queensland study finds that climate warming causes saltwater crocodiles to spend less time submerged, compromising their ability to avoid predators and forage underwater. The research suggests that elevated water temperatures pose a significant threat to the species' survival.
Research suggests that mitochondrial function affects hormonal, metabolic, and behavioral systems in response to mild stress. This discovery has implications for understanding the genetic basis of neuropsychiatric diseases and the role of stress in human health.
Researchers found that gut bacteria produce proteins that stimulate the release of satiety hormones and activate neurons that reduce appetite. This discovery suggests that gut microbiota play a role in controlling appetite and satiety.
A new study reveals that climate change is driving bird declines in the Western Cape, with factors such as changing fire and rainfall patterns playing a significant role. The research found striking similarities between bird population declines and increases in average temperature, highlighting the need for urgent conservation action.
The study found that mercury affects the bright yellow hues on the great tit's breast, making males less attractive to females. Copper increases the size of the bird's 'black tie', while chrome reduces its area, impacting dominance and aggression.
Researchers identify a neural circuit that regulates REM sleep and show that it controls the physiology of non-REM (NREM) sleep. They also found that REM sleep plays a crucial role in the generation of slow waves during NREM sleep.
A new SISSA study uncovers a critical cofactor in prion protein transformation from 'good' to 'bad', revealing the role of copper in triggering the process. The study suggests a new potential target for treating prion diseases, including Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and mad cow disease.
Researchers at California Institute of Technology have developed a proof-of-concept study on an injection that stops egg and sperm production in mice, using packaged DNA to produce neutralizing antibodies. This method could be a cheap alternative to spaying or neutering feral animals.
A new study using competing mice reveals genetic mutations can impair reproduction and territory control, contrary to previous assumptions of redundant gene functions. The mouse barn test provides a sensitive tool for assessing fitness consequences of gene changes in natural environments.
Researchers developed a novel data-logging tag called ITAG to study small invertebrates' behaviors and physiology. The tag measures ocean conditions and animal responses at high resolution, providing valuable insights into their natural behaviors and adaptations.
A study published in Current Biology identified a species-specific genetic marker called MUP used by female house mice to select closely related females as nest partners. The researchers also found that the vertebrate-wide MHC is not involved in kin recognition, contrary to previous assumptions.
European minks face significant reproductive challenges due to habitat destruction and competition with American minks. Scientists have successfully developed a non-invasive method to analyze faecal samples, revealing that mating can occur more frequently than previously thought.
Researchers Terrie Williams and her team have studied exercise physiology in wild animals and human athletes for over 30 years. Key findings include the high prolonged heart-rate levels of professional big-wave surfers, with one recorded at 200 beats per minute, and how this differs from dogs and cats.
Female guppies that experience high levels of male harassment in the wild learn to swim more efficiently, reducing energy costs and improving escape abilities. This physiological change is comparable to human athletes' adaptations to their sports.
A new study reveals that lizard embryos can die at 110 degrees Fahrenheit, even for short periods, due to the heat trap effect of nests. This bias in previous studies has led to overly optimistic forecasts about lizards' fate during climate change.
A study by Dr. Ivan Tuf's team found that Common rough woodlice exhibit individual patterns of defensive behavior, suggesting the presence of personality traits. The researchers observed repeatability in reactions to external impacts, identifying some woodlices as 'bold' and others as 'shy'.
A new study has found that rising ocean temperatures and acidification have a significant impact on the survival and development of Antarctic dragonfish. The research reveals that warmer waters can accelerate embryonic development, but also lead to increased mortality rates.
Researchers at the University of Missouri have identified a link between Type 2 diabetes and damaged lymphatic vessels, which can lead to impaired immune function. The study found that an amino acid commonly found in red meat and poultry may help improve lymphatic function in individuals with Type 2 diabetes.
Researchers at the University of Liverpool found that up to 26% of show dogs, particularly pugs, Basset hounds, and Labradors, are overweight due to their breeding history for physical activity. The team graded body condition and found significant health issues such as arthritis, diabetes, and respiratory diseases in obese dogs.