Articles tagged with Animal Science
Researchers identified a single personality component related to Confidence/Aggressiveness in red deer, which is also linked to dominance behavior. The study's findings suggest that understanding individual differences in animal behavior can improve welfare management decisions.
A new approach to genetic comparisons resolves a debate on the most distant animal relative. Sponges are identified as our closest relatives due to improved analyses and reduced errors in previous studies.
Researchers measured grizzly bears' metabolic rates on flat and uphill gradients, finding they use less energy walking downhill. The study reveals why grizzlies often appear on human hiking trails, and provides insights for hiker safety.
An interdisciplinary team at Monash University discovered a new universal rule of biological growth that explains surprising similarities in the shapes of sharp structures across the tree of life. The 'power cascade' rule applies to various animals, including teeth, horns, claws, and even plant thorns, following a power law pattern.
Medieval and early modern lawyers chose sheepskin over goatskin due to its high fat content, making it difficult to erase text without leaving visible marks. This study reveals the use of sheepskin parchment as an anti-fraud device in legal documents from the 13th to 20th century.
Researchers discovered that hummingbird hawkmoths divide their visual field into two areas: one for flight control in the lower half and another for orientation in the upper half. Optic flow in the lower half provides information on movement and flight speed, while patterns in the upper half are used for orientation.
Researchers found that stegosaurs ate tough food, likely plant-based, and had complex jaw movements, including a longitudinal phase. They also discovered that their teeth formed quickly, suggesting they may not have suffered from caries.
Marine animals including green sea turtles, sharks, and penguins exhibit similar circling movements at constant speeds, defying efficiency. This behavior may aid navigation or detection of magnetic fields.
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.
In a groundbreaking study, cuttlefish are found to exhibit self-control by delaying gratification, similar to humans and primates. The creatures can wait for up to 50-130 seconds before accepting a better reward, showcasing their ability to exert control over their desires.
A recent study found that wolves in Mongolia primarily feed on wild ungulates like Siberian roe deer, contrary to previous research suggesting a diet of mainly grazing livestock. The researchers believe this shift may be due to the availability of easier and less dangerous prey in near-natural regions.
A study by the University of New South Wales found that dingoes have more variable coat colours than previously thought, with no single colour distinguishing them from hybrids. Researchers analyzed 1325 wild canids and found that domestic dog ancestry is rare in the wild, representing less than 1.5% of the population.
Research by the University of Bristol team found that tropical paper wasps provide crucial support to extended family members, including helping neighboring nests. By observing twenty thousand baby wasps and their carers, the team discovered that workers become less useful as colony sizes rise due to a surplus of help.
Researchers observed a rare event in vampire bats, where a female bat adopted an unrelated orphan after her mate's death. The adoption demonstrated the importance of social relationships in these animals.
A tiny amphipod has been found to snap its claw shut 10,000 times faster than the blink of an eye, thanks to its small size and aquatic environment. This unique movement is repeatable, making it a significant challenge for engineering.
A new University of Illinois study shows human-grade dog food is more digestible and produces less waste. Dogs fed human-grade diets had significantly less poop than those on traditional kibble, with some producing as little as 1.5 times less poop.
In a recent study, scientists from Okayama University found that male G. cornutus beetles adopt different survival strategies depending on the size of their mandibles. Males with larger mandibles were more prone to exhibit tonic immobility when stimulated, while smaller mandibles were associated with escape behavior.
A flexible underwater robot developed by University of Southampton and University of Edinburgh can swim as quickly and efficiently as squid and jellyfish, thanks to resonance technology. The robot's soft exterior and lightweight design make it ideal for operating near sensitive environments.
Researchers found that omega-3 fatty acids in flaxseed and fish oil helped Arctic ground squirrels regulate their body temperature during hibernation, increasing brown adipose tissue. This discovery sheds light on how animals prepare for extreme cold temperatures.
Well-preserved fossils from 547 million-year-old remains have enabled researchers to trace the ancestry of some of the world's earliest animals further back than ever before. The study has uncovered a link between Cambrian Explosion animals and one of their early ancestors.
Researchers discovered that free-living non-photosynthetic bacteria, such as Bacillus subtilis, possess circadian rhythms that adjust to light and temperature cycles. This finding has implications for biotechnology and could lead to optimized drug delivery and crop protection strategies.
Despite panda conservation efforts, some species suffer from habitat loss and degradation under 'umbrella' policies. Research found that Asiatic black bears, forest musk deer, and Chinese serows are negatively impacted by panda-centric management.
Researchers found that haemoglobins in diverse species, including humans, molluscs and crustaceans, originate from a single ancestral gene. This discovery suggests that the appearance of haemoglobin in these species was not an independent invention but rather a result of evolutionary inheritance.
A study published in Biology Letters reveals that ancient synapsids, such as gorgonopsians and Dimetrodon, shared serrated tooth structures with theropod dinosaurs. These findings suggest that convergent evolution led to similar adaptations in these distinct groups of predators.
DeepLabCut-Live! is a real-time marker-less motion capture system for animals, allowing researchers to study posture and movement in real-time. This technology enables low-latency feedback and interfaces with hardware for optimal experimental control.
The FDA's ISTAND program aims to qualify human biology-based drug testing methods, reducing the need for animal testing. Pharmaceutical companies can now use these approaches with confidence, as they will be reviewed and accepted by the FDA.
A study published in Science Advances found that complex animal colorations can evolve through a simple mechanism: pattern blending by hybridization. This hypothesis is supported by an analysis of over 18,000 fish species, revealing strong associations between intricate maze-like patterns and simple spot patterns.
Scientists at UC San Diego have identified a biological switch, or receptor, that sounds an alarm in plants when herbivores attack, enabling plant recognition of danger. The discovery offers new strategies for improving plant health and resistance to crop pest damage.
Researchers at MBL found that small marine animals with multiple propulsers create negative pressure behind them to propel forward. This phenomenon, dubbed 'suction thrust,' is common among animals with metachronal kinematics.
Researchers find molecular fossils extracted from 635-million-year-old rocks are not the earliest evidence of animals, but rather common algae. The discovery sheds light on the origin of animal ancestors and their abundance in ancient oceans.
Researchers at Stanford University have developed a DNA-based approach to forecast ecosystem changes, identifying complex networks of species interactions in terrestrial systems. The technique analyzes DNA left behind in animal feces, allowing scientists to quantify indirect links among species and predict impacts on biodiversity.
Researchers have discovered embryo-like microfossils in Greenland, dating back 570 million years, which could provide new insights into the origin of animals. The finds are significant as they reveal that these organisms were dispersed throughout the world, challenging previous assumptions about their distribution.
A study published in Scientific Reports reveals that prepubertal male and female rats exhibit distinct immune responses to infection, with males exhibiting a more severe inflammatory reaction. The researchers suggest that the X chromosome may play a key role in determining this difference.
The Chengjiang fauna provides critical evidence for the theory of evolution, with well-preserved soft-bodied animal fossils dating back to the Cambrian period. These discoveries shed light on the emergence of basic human organs, including the mouth, brain, heart, and vertebrae.
The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture has received a $6 million grant to enhance the success of regional dairy businesses in Tennessee, Kentucky, and North Carolina. The project aims to provide educational opportunities for producers to manage financial risk and develop value-added products.
Scientists used a new method to show that pterosaurs gradually improved their flight performance over millions of years, adapting their body shape and size to use 50% less energy. The study also revealed that one group of pterosaurs, azhdarchoids, did not improve their flying abilities despite growing in size.
Researchers found that extruding grains like corn, wheat, and sorghum improves amino acid digestibility and increases energy digestibility in pigs. This technology could lead to economic benefits by justifying the cost of adding extrusion equipment to feed mills.
Researchers from the University of Minnesota and Wildlife Institute of India found that large male lion coalitions consist mainly of brothers and cousins, while pairs of unrelated males also team up for better territory and mate acquisition. This study provides new insights into male cooperation among lions.
A USC study found that the hunger hormone ghrelin affects animals' eating frequency and memory. Rats with disrupted ghrelin signaling to the vagus nerve ate more frequently and gained weight, indicating impaired episodic memory.
A meta-analysis of over 100 animal species found that hunger during development increases risk-taking behavior in later life. The study suggests a correlation between poor nutrition and increased willingness to take risks, which may also apply to humans.
A study published in Science Advances found that removing a single gene from the poxvirus genome renders it harmless, triggering a potent immune response. The researchers used the ectromelia virus and discovered that disabling this gene made the infection detectable to the immune system.
A study published in PNAS explains how Lévy walks, a type of chaotic movement, allow animals to balance exploration and exploitation. The model used by the author shows that these movements emerge near critical points, enabling animals to respond strongly to environmental stimuli.
A robotic fish helped researchers understand how individual speed affects collective behavior in animal groups. The study found that faster individuals have a stronger influence on group-level behavior.
A study found that reef manta rays live and travel long-term between two UNESCO World Heritage areas in Australia, visiting protected sites for over a decade. The research uses satellite tags and photographs to fill gaps in migratory patterns for this large species of rays.
Scientists discovered a hibernation-like state in 250-million-year-old Antarctic animal, Lystrosaurus. The fossils showed signs of stress and strain, similar to those found in modern animals experiencing torpor, suggesting a possible adaptation to cope with the extreme winter conditions.
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.
A team of archeologists reconstructed a ancient mammoth ivory carving technology used to create ornaments and sculptures around 24 thousand years ago. The team analyzed microscopic images and chemical composition to identify the tools and techniques used, revealing new insights into Siberian tribes' relationships.
Scientists have engineered a tiny therapeutic delivery system using lipid-based nanoparticles that safely solve genetic problems in mice. The treatment successfully produced a protein to treat hemophilia and reduced gene activity to lower cholesterol levels, offering hope for targeted therapies.
Researchers propose a new understanding of how animals decide when to create new mental maps in response to changing environments. By mathematically modeling the process as probabilistic reasoning, scientists can better interpret experiments that rely on measuring remapping for learning and memory research.
Researchers found that venomous rattlesnakes are slightly more vulnerable to threats in colder temperatures, but not significantly so. The snakes were able to strike quickly even at low temperatures, suggesting they may be using a mechanism beyond muscle contraction.
Researchers at Penn State determined the optimum dosage of 3-Nitrooxypropanol (3-NOP) to reduce enteric methane emissions in dairy cows by 16-36%, with no effect on milk production or quality. The study's findings suggest that widespread use of 3-NOP could be an affordable strategy to mitigate climate change.
A study published in Journal of Cereal Science found that buckwheat enhances the production of SIRT1, a protein linked to increased life expectancy. The experiment involved adding 30% buckwheat to rats' diets, resulting in higher SIRT1 levels without weight loss.
Scientists have found that brown-throated three-toed sloths adapt to a primarily diurnal schedule in highly disturbed environments where predators are extinct and food is more accessible. The study suggests that the animals developed a more synchronous pattern of activity to thrive in the challenging environment.
St Petersburg University scientists analyzed microgastropods in the eastern sector of the Arctic, discovering at least 66 species. The study helps understand biological diversity, ecosystem responses to climate change and environmental pollution.
Researchers at the University of New Hampshire have identified a quicker and less expensive way to count sperm in lobsters using DNA technology. This new method could help scientists better understand mating and population sustainability in various species.
Researchers found a unique arrangement of pigment-packed granules in the skin of certain deep-sea fish, enabling them to absorb nearly all light. This discovery may lead to the development of more efficient ultra-black materials for optical technology and camouflage.
The PETA International Science Consortium Ltd. has co-launched a six-part webinar series focusing on the applications and benefits of animal-free recombinant antibodies for COVID-19 treatment and research. Experts from industry, government, and academia will share their work on human-relevant, non-animal testing strategies.
Researchers found that addressing habitat loss, snowpack variation, and other factors are crucial to saving the endangered species. The study suggests that a renewed emphasis on securing habitat is necessary to protect mountain caribou from extinction.
Neurobiologists at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München found the brain requires disproportionate amounts of oxygen for energy consumption. The study directly correlates oxygen consumption with nerve cell activity, showing that only about 50% of oxygen is used for nerve cell function.
Scientists at WFIRM have successfully engineered uterine tissue that supports fertilization, fetal development, and live birth. The study's findings suggest a regenerative medicine solution to treat uterine defects, avoiding organ rejection and the need for antirejection drugs.