Articles tagged with Animal Science
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
Scientists developed a software tool called halSynteny to quickly find similar parts in the genomes of different animals. The program uses an alignment method and is more efficient than other tools, allowing for accurate comparisons and understanding of species' evolutionary relationships.
Researchers found that thorns in citrus plants arise from stem cells, which undergo a programmed arrest to create the sharp pointy end. This discovery may lead to safer fruit harvesting and more fruitful orchards.
A new study reveals that global forest loss is amplifying both gains and losses in species diversity, leading to changes in ecosystems. The research found that some tropical areas experience significant declines in animal species due to forest loss.
New international research reveals that forest cover loss amplifies both gains and losses in global biodiversity. The study, spanning 150 years and over 6,000 locations, finds that forests support around 80% of all land species, with some species declining rapidly after forest loss.
A giant, soft-shell egg from about 66 million years ago has been discovered in Antarctica, challenging prevailing thought that such creatures did not lay eggs. The egg is the largest soft-shell egg ever found and may have belonged to an extinct sea lizard or mosasaur.
Two new tanaid species were discovered by NUS researchers in the eastern Pacific Ocean, providing insights into biodiversity in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone. The discovery is significant for environmental management, as it sheds light on the ecosystems and potential resource areas of this understudied region.
Monk parakeets seem to understand where they fit in a dominance hierarchy and pick their fights accordingly, improving or maintaining their status. This ability helps animals make aggression decisions by processing different types of information.
Palaeontologists from St Petersburg University have created the most detailed virtual 3D-model of the endocranial cast and blood vessels of the head of an ankylosaurian. They found that ankylosaurs had a unique cooling system, an extremely developed sense of smell, and could hear low-frequency sounds.
An international team recommends integrating biological variability into experimental design to produce more generally valid results. This approach, called systematic heterogenisation, aims to reduce the number of experiments needed while increasing their reproducibility.
Researchers from St Petersburg University have deciphered the Intoshia variabili gene, revealing a genome size of 15.3 million base pairs and 5,120 genes, including orphan genes unique to orthonectids. The study provides genetic evidence that orthonectids belong to Annelida, a type of animal with no real intraorganism parasites.
A new study from the University of Sheffield reveals that bird species' development time is influenced by their lifestyle, environment, and evolutionary history. The research found that 'live fast die young' strategies allow birds to maximize offspring production in short periods.
Scientists analyzed extinct and living lions' genomes to determine when species diverged, finding modern Indian lions lack genetic diversity due to inbreeding. This reduction threatens the species' survival, making conservation efforts crucial.
A novel neural circuit has been discovered in rats that responds to the sound of silence, triggering defense responses. The study found that a specific combination of brain regions, including those involved in sound processing and emotional responses, are necessary for rats to freeze in response to silent danger.
Scientists found a correlation between pack hunting and dietary diversity, which is rare in animals that hunt in groups. The study suggests raptors likely only hunted solo or with limited cooperation.
A new wireless biologging network enables high-resolution tracking of small animals, even in closed habitats. The system allows for fully automated tracking and proximity-sensing at high spatial and temporal resolution.
Researchers found that copper hydroxychloride improves pigs' ability to utilize fat after absorption, leading to increased energy utilization. The element enhances lipid metabolism in the liver, adipose tissue, and muscle, enabling better feed conversion rates and economic savings.
Researchers found that rats prioritize providing food assistance to those in need, as indicated by the 'smell of hunger'. Seven volatile organic chemicals differed significantly between hungry and satiated rats, serving as a reliable cue for reciprocal cooperation.
The PETA International Science Consortium Ltd. has contributed to the development of EpiAlveolar, a human cell-based alveolar model that can simulate the effects of inhaling different substances on the human lung. This breakthrough technology allows for the testing of chemicals and other respirable materials without animal testing.
The team discovered a tiny, wormlike creature named Ikaria wariootia, the earliest bilaterian ancestor of modern animals, including humans. The creature lived over 555 million years ago and had a distinct head and tail, with rudimentary sensory organs.
Researchers have found that squid edit their genetic instructions outside the nucleus, in the axon, allowing for localized protein function adjustments. This discovery has implications for understanding neurological disorders and potentially harnessing natural RNA editing processes for therapeutic benefits.
A recent study found that rates of climatic-niche evolution are similarly slow in both plants and animals, with only slight variations across different clades. This research highlights the importance of understanding climate change impacts on species distribution and evolution.
Researchers studied vampire bat social dynamics in captivity and found that trust builds over time through grooming and smaller mutual investments. Almost 15% of unfamiliar female adult bats formed food-sharing relationships after 15 months together, suggesting that even strangers can develop strong bonds.
Researchers have developed a mini movie theater to measure the color spectrum visible to fiddler crabs, revealing their ability to discriminate between different wavelengths of light. The device uses blue and green light-emitting diodes and tilted screens to stimulate the crabs' reaction.