Articles tagged with Animal Science
A University of Adelaide study found that monitoring wildlife using drones is more accurate than traditional counting approaches. The #EpicDuckChallenge used fake bird colonies to test the technology, with citizen scientists tallying the number of birds in drone photos, resulting in a higher accuracy rate.
New research reveals that larger hummingbirds can compensate for their greater body masses by adapting their physiology. The study found that acceleration is primarily driven by muscle capacity, while wing size plays a key role in maneuverability.
Researchers identified protective structures at the end of chromosomes called telomeres that don't shorten with age in longest-lived bat species. The study found two genes ATM and SETX drive this process, potentially leading to new solutions to slow down aging and extend human lifespan.
Phoronida, Bryozoans, and Brachiopods are related despite earlier arguments. A recent study led by Elena Temereva reveals the presence of homological nerve elements in their lophophore, establishing a common protophoronid ancestor.
A global study using GPS data from over 800 animals found that terrestrial mammalian movements in areas with a high human footprint are significantly reduced. This fragmentation of habitats due to human infrastructure can have severe consequences for ecosystems, including changes in seed dispersal, food chains, and population sizes.
Researchers found that 500-million-year-old macroorganisms, such as Beltanelliformis, were actually colonies of cyanobacteria. The study used biomarkers to determine the composition of ancient organisms, shedding light on the evolution of life on Earth.
Researchers suggest a biological innovation fueled animal diversification during the Cambrian explosion, rather than atmospheric oxygen changes. Tumor biology insights reveal how stem cells maintain properties in high-oxygen environments, sparking new perspective on tissue renewal.
A novel hypothesis proposes that animal diversification resulted from a revolution within the animals' own biology, rather than in surrounding chemistry. Cells with stem cell properties are vital for multicellular life, and tumor cells have developed mechanisms to maintain these properties despite high oxygen levels.
Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry have developed secondary nanobodies that outperform traditional antibodies in key cell-biological applications. These nanobodies can be produced in large scale by bacteria, reducing the need for animals in antibody production and improving resolution in light microscopy.
Research reveals that hibernating rodents evolved adaptations to reduce cold sensation, allowing them to conserve energy during winter. This adaptation enables ground squirrels and Syrian hamsters to survive exposure to extremely low temperatures without feeling stressed.
A new study analyzes summaries from the AnimalTestInfo website to identify potential targets for reducing harm to lab animals. The research found specific areas where the '3Rs' (replacement, reduction, and refinement) can be implemented to minimize animal testing.
Researchers used video observations to reveal that deep-sea jellies are key predators and play a crucial role in forming the principal forage base for many commercially-important meso-predators and apex species. The study also found that gelatinous animals have complex food habits spanning the entire food web.
A new species of extinct marsupial lion, Wakaleo schouteni, has been discovered in Australia, weighing around 23 kilograms. This finding provides insights into the evolutionary relationships of marsupial lions and raises questions about their diversity.
A new study by researchers at LMU Munich confirms that sponges are the oldest animal group, contradicting previous findings that suggested comb jellies were the first. The team used a refined method to analyze genetic data and found that sponges' simple multicellular structure is more primitive than initially thought.
Scientists at Bielefeld University and University of Münster are studying how animals adapt to their environment through individualised ecological niches. They explore the genetic and behavioral factors influencing these adaptations.
Researchers identified a potential drug to protect brain cells after ischemic stroke by mimicking the cellular changes of hibernating ground squirrels. The compound, ebselen, boosts SUMOylation and keeps brain cells alive in the absence of oxygen and glucose.
A recent survey of neuroscience research found that the number of studies reporting lab animal sex increased by 30% over four years, but sex bias remained prevalent. Despite this progress, sex omission still affects about 20% of analyzed articles, highlighting the need for improved research design.
Scientists used remote acoustic monitoring to track bird activity on Okinawa, finding more animal sounds in less developed areas. The study also confirmed that human-caused noise can be disruptive for birds.
Researchers discovered that certain carbon nanotubes can induce mesothelioma in mice, a type of cancer linked to asbestos. The study highlights the potential carcinogenic effects of long and thin carbon nanotubes, emphasizing the need for safer alternatives.
Scientists from Moscow State University have discovered the evolutionary pathways of groups of invertebrates with specific tentacular apparatus - the lophophore. The study reveals that lophophorates are the closest relatives, with a common ancestral morphology.
Margaret C. Crofoot receives a prestigious Alexander von Humboldt Professorship worth five million euros to further Collective Behaviour research at the University of Konstanz. The professorship aims to create a cutting-edge international research facility, bringing together experts from various fields.
Researchers studied the evolution of sticky toe pads in lizards, finding that geckos took an 'adaptive stumble' approach, while anoles committed to a single type. This divergence highlights the complex nature of evolutionary processes and challenges assumptions about the predictability of evolution.
A new study found a shared respiratory microbiome in healthy humpback whales, with 25 bacterial groups present across all samples. This discovery could serve as an important framework for monitoring whale health and detecting diseases.
A team of Rutgers scientists has discovered a way to increase the nutritional value of corn by inserting a bacterial gene that produces methionine, a key amino acid. This breakthrough could benefit millions in developing countries who rely on corn as a staple food, and significantly reduce worldwide animal feed costs.
A recent analysis by Stanford University researchers found that places with high animal diversity correlate with areas that have the most carbon sequestered in soil. The team discovered that meal remnants from animals contribute to an increase in soil microbes, which convert organic material into stored carbon.
A study investigated whether raccoons understand the principles of water displacement by solving an ancient Greek fable-inspired puzzle. Raccoons were trained to drop stones into a tube to retrieve floating marshmallows, showing innovative problem-solving abilities.
A study by Dr Alastair Harry found that nearly a third of shark populations had underestimated ages, with an average underestimation of 18 years. This could lead to inefficient management and research priorities, affecting the many disciplines relying on baseline life history data.
New research suggests that residual human odour on soiled clothes acts as an elicitor of host-seeking behaviour in bed bugs. This could lead to the dispersal of bed bugs through dirty laundry, particularly when left exposed in sleeping areas.
Researchers discover two new crustacean species in deep waters off the northwest coast of Spain, both blind and measuring just a few millimeters. The species are distinct despite sharing their lack of eyes, with one belonging to the Photidae family and the other to the Corophiidae family.
Researchers observed reduced pulsing activity at night and delayed responses to stimulation in the upside-down jellyfish Cassiopea. The findings suggest that jellyfish do indeed sleep, but the study also raises more questions about the origin of sleep and its relationship with neural systems.
A team of scientists has sequenced the genome of an asexual tiny worm, Diploscapter pachys, which originated 18 million years ago. The study reveals how it maintains genetic variation and overcomes the disadvantages of asexual reproduction by skipping recombination.
Changes to wetlands alter animal populations, with reduced survival and reproduction in human-altered habitats. The study highlights the complex role of wetlands in human-altered ecosystems, which can provide important habitat but also pose risks to animals.
Researchers are learning how animals overcome environmental challenges through shared strategies, inspiring new designs for robots and flying vehicles. The study of complex physiological systems and the intersection of physics and organismal biology is a rapidly advancing field with promising applications.
Researchers at Johannes Gutenberg University in Mainz challenged a Spanish study on the ability of wax moth caterpillars to digest polyethylene. They found that essential signals for biochemical degradation were missing, raising doubts about the actual decomposition of plastic.
A Brazilian startup has developed an animal detection system that uses sensors and transmitters to warn drivers of potential wildlife crossings. The system, called Passa-Bicho, aims to reduce roadkill and collisions by providing early warnings to drivers, covering hundreds of meters ahead.
A 52-million-year-old ankle fossil reveals that early primates, such as Donrussellia provincialis, were agile and nimble, able to bound between trunks and branches. This challenges the long-held notion that these ancestors were slow and deliberate climbers.
The California Academy of Sciences has assembled the first-ever animal genome of the northern spotted owl, a threatened species. The completed genome will help researchers track interbreeding between hybrid owls and inform conservation priorities in the West.
A new study synthesizes advances in animal coloration research, including digital imaging and large-scale comparative analyses, revealing the complex biological trait's function and patterns of evolution. Key findings include understanding how animals perceive and produce color, as well as its integration with other sensory information.
A big data approach can predict the toxicity of chemicals without animal tests, saving time, money, and lives. PETA India will present this method at a national conference, suggesting its adoption by governments and regulatory agencies.
A new study reveals that neighboring deep-sea vents host drastically different animal communities, contradicting the common assumption that similar habitats share animal species. The research highlights the significance of local geology and vent fluid chemistry in shaping these communities.
Researchers at UCR discovered that infected insects emit an odor called prenol that repels nematodes looking for a new host. This finding supports the use of nematodes as a tool for controlling crop pests.
A study highlights the need to limit bat collection for scientific research due to their slow reproduction rates and dwindling populations. Modern technology can often replace killing bats, allowing for the preservation of these species.
A new study finds over 30% of vertebrate species are declining in population size and range, with tropical regions hit hardest. The research suggests that the disappearance of species tells only part of the story of human impact on Earth's animals.
Researchers found that rhodopsin accelerates visual performance in cold-water catfish at high altitudes, enabling survival. The study provides new insights into the evolution of complex biological processes and potential therapeutic targets for human disease.
A new study compares physical characteristics of two similar octopus species, assigning names years ago but never rigorously compared. Researchers analyzed 72 specimens and devised a method to quantify subtle differences in wart distribution.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University found that the Lombard effect, a phenomenon where animals raise their voices to be heard over noise, occurs in just 30 milliseconds, making it a fundamental temporal reflex. This discovery sheds light on human speech control and reveals a shared auditory process among species.
Researchers from the University of Oldenburg and Alfred Wegener Institute found that competition within the krill population drives fluctuation cycles. The study suggests a self-generating mechanism in the population is responsible for the variability.
New research from the Smithsonian reveals that whales started bulking up around 2-3 million years ago, when increasing ice sheets concentrated prey in the oceans. This shift allowed for larger body sizes to evolve, as filter-feeding became more efficient with access to dense prey patches.
Researchers Dr Adrienne Jochum and her team describe three new Carychium species found in North and Central America, including Georgia, Belize, and Panama. The discovery uses computer tomography to visualize snail shells and identify different species.
The study reveals that bioelectric patterns can override the default body shape called for by a genome, allowing researchers to edit the target morphology of an animal with a wild-type genomic sequence. This work provides clues about why certain individuals have different biological outcomes when exposed to the same treatment as others.
Scientists have discovered the remains of a previously unknown mammal, Baidabatyr, in Western Siberia. The animal is believed to be a herbivore and lived during the Early Cretaceous period, with its species going extinct around 20 million years ago.
Researchers have found a link between malignant hyperthermia susceptibility and exertional heat stroke in mice. The study suggests that intense exercise in challenging environmental conditions can trigger lethal crises in susceptible animals, which may be relevant to humans.
Giant larvaceans play a significant role in moving carbon from the upper to deep sea through their 'houses,' which filter tiny particles. Laser technology enables researchers to visualize chambers and passageways inside these structures, revealing higher filtration rates than previously estimated.
A monitor lizard species from the island of New Ireland in northern Papua New Guinea has been re-described and found to be a separate species from the common mangrove monitor. The species, Varanus douarrha, was lost in a shipwreck over 180 years ago.
Researchers found that tarantulas primarily rely on their anterior lateral eyes to measure distances and navigate. By covering these eyes, the spiders have difficulty determining distance and can become disoriented. The study highlights the crucial role of the lateral eyes in a spider's ability to return to its burrow.
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.
Researchers uncover giant sulfur-powered shipworm with unusual energy source, living in a stinky environment where it relies on bacteria for nourishment. The discovery expands biodiversity knowledge in the Indo-Pacific region and sheds light on unique transitions between organisms.
A team of evolutionary biologists from Vanderbilt University and the University of Wisconsin-Madison devised a new approach to settle contentious phylogenetic tree-of-life issues. They found that comb jellies have considerably more genes supporting their 'first to diverge' status in the animal lineage than do sponges.
Scientists analyzed plant species in China's Hengduan Mountains and found that new species evolved at a faster rate than in nearby regions. This study provides the strongest evidence yet for the uplift-driven diversification hypothesis, supporting the idea that mountains create micro-habitats allowing species to adapt and diversify.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have discovered that astroglia, or astrocytes, help set the pace of the suprachiasmatic nuclei to schedule a mouse's day. Altering astrocyte clocks slowed mice's sense of time, highlighting their influence on daily behavior and physiological processes.