Articles tagged with Animal Physiology
Scientists have estimated that sauropod body temperature was around 28 degrees Celsius, contradicting the idea that their size was limited by overheating. The research also explores the reproductive biology of sauropods and the potential for convergent evolution in their bone structure.
A study found that tourist-fed iguanas suffer from physiological problems due to being fed sugary fruits like grapes and lacking essential nutrients. The researchers recommend a balanced diet through specially-formulated food pellets and education campaigns to mitigate the impact of tourism practices.
Researchers suggest annexin A5 may have therapeutic potential for treating sepsis, improving cardiac function and survival rates in mice. The study's findings could apply to multiple organs affected by sepsis.
Researchers found that bats and toothed whales produce similar sounds for echolocation in the frequency range of 10-200 kHz. This convergent evolution helps them navigate and catch prey in their respective environments. The study reveals surprising similarities between these species, challenging traditional notions of adaptation.
Researchers from Brown University traveled to Calaveras County to study the Guinness Book of World Records' top frog jumper, Rosie the Ribeter. They found that bullfrogs at the Jubilee surpassed the old research-grade mark of 1.3 meters a striking 58 percent of the time, with jumps reaching up to 2.2 meters.
A study published in the journal Physiology & Behavior found that cats from multi-cat households do not exhibit higher stress levels than those from single-cat households. The researchers discovered that a cat's personality, as classified by its owner, plays a significant role in determining its stress response to stroking.
Researchers found that coastal animals, like the speckled sea louse Eurydice pulchra, have a 12.4 hour swimming cycle matching incoming tides and a 24 hour circadian rhythm in pigmented cells. This independent tidal clock is separate from the 24-hour body clock.
Researchers found that Siberian hamsters' seasonal timekeeping is influenced by DNA methylation, which regulates reproductive competency. Exposure to short daylight periods decreases DNA methylation in the hypothalamus, stimulating a gene that shuts down reproduction.
A study found that socially dominant red deer individuals have faster heart rates and higher body temperatures during winter, leading to greater body mass loss when food is scarce. In contrast, subordinate individuals are better adapted to survive harsh conditions by reducing their metabolism and conserving energy.
Researchers have discovered a protein called KLF15 that regulates the heart's electrical activity and is linked to circadian rhythms. Lower levels of KLF15 are associated with an increased risk of sudden cardiac death in the morning hours.
A new study reveals that cheetahs do not just rely on speed when hunting, but also anticipate and mirror the escape tactics of their prey. The research found that cheetahs use two primary phases in their chases: a rapid acceleration to catch up with prey, followed by a slowing period to match prey-specific escape maneuvers.
A team of researchers from the University of Michigan discovered that the loss of motor ability associated with aging begins in neurons and spreads to muscles. By stimulating neurons, they were able to reverse the decline in motor ability in roundworms and potentially develop a new treatment for human muscle decline.
Researchers discovered that some species of polychaete worms can modify their metabolic rates to thrive in high-CO2 waters, while others are impaired by acidic conditions. The study sheds light on the resilience of marine biodiversity and potential mechanisms for adaptation.
A study conducted at CU-Boulder and Cornell University found that artificially darkening the breast feathers of female barn swallows decreases levels of oxidative damage to DNA, proteins, and fats. This suggests that the outward appearance of these birds has an influence on their physiological health.
The Wyss Institute will use its Organs-on-Chips technology to test human physiological responses to radiation and evaluate drugs designed to counter those effects. The project aims to improve the national ability to respond to nuclear radiation incidents and reduce animal testing.
A recent study published in The Journal of Physiology found that high doses of the antioxidant compound resveratrol, commonly found in red wine and supplements, can block cardiovascular benefits of exercise in older men. This counterintuitive result highlights the complex relationship between antioxidants and exercise.
Researchers at the University of Adelaide have discovered that dinosaurs required more muscular power to prey on other animals and dominate over mammals than previously thought. The study challenges the long-held notion that dinosaurs were cold-blooded, like reptiles.
Researchers developed a new method using radioactive carbon-14 from nuclear bomb tests to determine the age of ivory, helping to combat illegal poaching. The method has immediate applications in enforcing international trade bans and reducing demand for ivory.
Researchers found that a type of predatory sea slug, Pleurobranchaea californica, has complex cognitive abilities allowing it to learn the warning cues of dangerous prey. The sea slug selectively avoids certain prey, such as Flabellina iodinea, and can remember this avoidance behavior even after several days.
A new species of ichthyosaur from Iraq, named Malawania anachronus, has been discovered, contradicting previous theories on the evolution and extinction of these ancient marine reptiles. The discovery reveals that ichthyosaurs remained diverse during the early part of the Cretaceous period.
A recent study led by Joseph Ferraro, Ph.D., sheds light on the diet and food acquisition strategies of early human ancestors in Africa. The research team found that hominins at Kanjera South, Kenya, relied on a combination of hunting and scavenging behaviors to acquire nutritious animal remains.
Dr. Lawrence Witmer's Visible Interactive Dinosaur (VID) project aims to digitally recreate the tissues stripped away by time, creating the most realistic dinosaur renderings. The project has dual purpose of helping paleontologists and educating the public about physiology and anatomy.
Researchers at UMMS found that small amounts of junk foods can trigger significant changes in gene expression and physiology, potentially impacting human health. The study used C. elegans as a model organism and identified a genetic regulatory network facilitating rapid responses to internal and external cues.
Researchers used brain mapping to study decision-making in rats and found that the hippocampus plays a crucial role in linking memories to future choices. The study suggests that considering possibilities is essential for making better decisions and could lead to interventions to improve cognitive function.
A University at Buffalo study suggests that high-carbohydrate diets in infancy may lead to increased weight gain and obesity in later life. Researchers found that even moderate caloric restriction could not reverse the programming effect.
An international team led by UCSC biologist Barry Sinervo is investigating how climate change affects plant communities and animal populations globally. The study will evaluate the effects of changing temperatures on local populations of lizards, frogs, fish, and other vertebrates.
Researchers found that prolonged exposure to the stress hormone corticosterone enabled tadpoles to increase the size of their tails, improving their ability to avoid lethal predator attacks. The study provides new insights into the mechanisms of phenotypic plasticity and its role in animal survival.
A new study reveals that bite force is influenced by the size of both the eater and the eatee, peaking at an optimal level of muscle stretch. The research found that too much or too little stretch leads to reduced bite force, with some fish able to crush stronger tubes when their muscles are optimally stretched.
A study published in Physiological and Biochemical Zoology found that birds with pheomelanin-based plumage coloration had higher survival rates than those without it. The researchers suggest that the production of this pigment may help sequester excess amino acids, providing a beneficial effect under certain conditions.
Researchers from Weill Cornell Medicine and others have successfully reprogrammed scar tissue in rats' hearts using a cocktail of three genes. The addition of a VEGF gene enhances this effect, improving heart function and reducing scar tissue.
Researchers have mapped the domestic pig's genome, uncovering genetic traits that could improve animal health and share similarities with human physiology. The sequenced genome includes genes associated with disease resistance, immune mechanisms, and protein abnormalities linked to various human diseases.
A recent study found that larger female Atlantic cod are healthier and less stressed than their male counterparts, with longer telomeres and higher antioxidant capacity. This discovery highlights the importance of conserving older females to maintain healthy fish populations and prevent overfishing.
Researchers at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center used an electronic prosthetic system to tap into existing brain circuitry and record neural pulses. The device restored and improved decision-making ability in monkeys, even when exposed to a drug that disrupts cognitive activity.
A new study reveals that certain gut microbes increase dietary fat absorption, allowing the host to extract more calories. The research found that one type of bacteria, Firmicutes, plays a key role in this process.
A new study challenges the long-held view that conserving energy maximizes sprinter performance. Instead, researchers found that maximizing the force of each foot hit on the ground allows sprinters to achieve top speed.
A recent study has found that hyperflexion of horses' necks, when done without force or aggression, does not elicit a pronounced stress response. The study monitored hormone levels, heart rate, and body temperature in horses lunged with either hyperflexion or an extended head and neck position.
Researchers at the University of Alberta discovered a link between sodium and calcium regulation in the body. Excessive sodium intake can lead to calcium depletion, causing thin bones and osteoporosis, while high urine calcium levels increase the risk of kidney stones.
Research found that wild boars with more reddish hair have higher levels of oxidative stress due to the consumption of glutathione by pheomelanin production. However, surprisingly, gray-haired boars showed signs of good condition and lower oxidative damage. This study suggests that different levels of melanin may have physiological con...
Research reveals that American water shrews heat their bodies immediately before diving into cold water, increasing foraging efficiency and potentially allowing them to survive longer underwater. This unexpected behavior challenges prevailing dogma on the physiology of divers.
A new study in Nature finds that the presence of lines of arrested growth (LAG) in dinosaur bones does not indicate ectothermy. Instead, LAGs provide insight into how animals adjust their metabolism in response to seasonal changes.
Researchers from Jena University used Einstein's equation to calculate the optimal value of hematocrit, finding that it is around 40% in humans and many other vertebrates. This value may explain why similar levels of hemoglobin are found across species.
Researchers found that high doses of nicotinamide riboside (NR) in mice fed a fatty diet led to significant weight loss, improved energy expenditure, and enhanced muscle performance. NR also prevented diabetes development and improved insulin sensitivity, all without toxicity.
Research suggests that high anxiety can make male California mice poor fathers, while stress hormone vasopressin may influence paternal behavior. The study found that anxious males were less likely to approach a pup and had higher levels of vasopressin in their brains.
A new study reveals that southern resident killer whales in the Pacific Northwest are more stressed when there is a scarcity of Chinook salmon to eat. Hormone levels show that the whales thrive when they arrive in the Salish Sea in late spring and have access to Fraser River Chinook, which helps them build up their fat reserves.
Researchers found that long-lived species maintain higher levels of NRG-1 in their brains, with the naked mole rat having the highest levels. This discovery highlights the importance of protective mechanisms in determining species life span and has implications for aging research.
UCSF researchers identified brain activity patterns in rats that play a role in memory formation and decision-making. These patterns, known as sharp-wave ripples, are critical for recalling past experiences and making informed decisions.
A study of monitor lizards found that midsize lizards are the fastest, suggesting that larger size can create biomechanical constraints. The researchers discovered that above a certain size, lizards change their running style, making them slower.
Karl Deisseroth, Edward Boyden, and Feng Zhang received the $10,000 award for developing optogenetics to control neural circuits. This technique has revolutionized neuroscience by allowing selective stimulation of neurons associated with behaviors.
A study found that stressed lizard mothers gave birth to smaller, but healthier, offspring with larger fat reserves, which may enhance their survival in a post-natal stressful world. Stressed mothers themselves were also more physically fit after giving birth, prioritizing self-preservation.
A new study by Stanford researcher Joseph Garner found that providing laboratory mice with nesting material allows them to naturally regulate their temperatures and builds cozy nests. This results in mice being physiologically comparable to humans, potentially leading to more meaningful research outcomes.
A new study suggests that climate change could impact Antarctic fur seals in their first few months of life by altering energy budgets. The research found that as pups get older, less energy is available for growth and development.
Researchers found that wild orangutans in north Borneo exhibit an immediate stress response to eco-tourist interactions, but levels return to baseline after the encounter. The study suggests that low levels of predictable disturbance may have a minimal impact on these endangered species.
Researchers found that male house mice produce distinct song patterns, allowing females to distinguish between unrelated males. The complexity of their songs may play a role in attracting females.
A new study reveals that a simple circuit in the sea slug's brain links hunger and pursuit, allowing it to make decisions based on how information makes it feel. The researchers found that hungry animals turn towards stimuli that smell like food, while satiated animals turn away or do nothing.
Neuroscientist Jaak Panksepp argues that animals, including rats and mice, have emotional experiences and share core emotional functions with humans. This research could lead to a better understanding of human emotions and develop more effective treatments for psychiatric disorders.
A study found that amino acid supplements can significantly reduce protein degradation in horse muscles after intense exercise. This could lead to an advantageous effect on muscle mass and improved training efficiency in sport horses.
A global team has sequenced the complete genome of the naked mole rat, a long-lived rodent that lives up to 31 years in captivity. The study reveals genetic secrets behind its extraordinary longevity, cancer resistance, and ability to survive in low-oxygen environments.
Scientists found Asian elephants store thermal reserve by lowering body temperature at night, allowing them to regulate body temperature in hot environments. This mechanism, known as heterothermy, may be more common in mammals than previously thought.
A University of Illinois study found that smaller largemouth bass recover from exertion faster than larger fish. The researchers simulated angling situations and measured the physiological responses of small and large fish.
A new study reveals that plant miRNAs acquired through food intake can regulate human physiology by targeting specific genes. This discovery expands the functions of microRNAs and has significant implications for human health, metabolism, and disease treatment.