Articles tagged with Animal Science
Climate change is expected to surpass ectotherms' capacity for acclimation, leading to catastrophic consequences for biodiversity. The rapid fluctuations in temperature will require animals to function across a broader range of conditions.
A new wireless brain sensor enables researchers to study neural circuit activity in animal models without cables or wires. The device transmits rich neuroscientifically meaningful signals from the brain during sleep, wake, and exercise.
The genome of Strigamia maritima, a blind Scottish centipede, has been sequenced, providing insights into the genetic basis of centipede biology and the diversification of arthropods. The study reveals that these animals have lost genes encoding light receptors and circadian rhythm, suggesting alternative detection mechanisms.
A GPS-collar study found that leopards stay surprisingly close to homes and can thrive in human-dominated areas, depending on resources. The study's findings suggest that leopards are not always 'stray' or 'conflict' animals but residents, requiring policy makers to rethink conservation strategies.
Researchers uncover fossils of Cambaytherium thewissi, a 54.5-million-year-old animal that provides a window into the common ancestor of horses, rhinos, and tapirs. The discovery supports the idea that Perissodactyla evolved in India while it was an island.
Researchers analyzed hermit thrush songs and found notes related by simple integer proportions, similar to human musical scales. The study suggests that hermit thrushes actively select pitches following the harmonic series, possibly due to easier memory or evaluation by females.
Researchers at The Scripps Research Institute have created a synthetic molecule that mimics 'good' cholesterol, reducing plaque buildup in animal models. After two weeks, the molecule improved cholesterol levels, pointing toward a new method for treating atherosclerosis.
A new genetic operating system enabled the emergence of bilateral animal body plans by facilitating the formation of a mesoderm layer, which is absent in radial organisms. This 'operating system' was linked to an ancient protein called TRF2, found in bilateral animals but not non-bilaterian animals.
A recent study published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B analyzed the vocal sequences of seven different species and found that they appear to be generated by complex statistical processes more akin to human language. The findings suggest an intermediate step on the evolutionary path between animal communication and human language.
Researchers found that dolphins and beluga whales exhibit a delay between reward anticipation and squealing, suggesting they experience pleasure. This behavior is comparable to the timing of dopamine release in humans.
Scientists from the Salk Institute discovered a protein that promotes nerve regeneration by disrupting a pair of proteins that inhibit growth. The finding could lead to therapies for thousands of Americans with severe spinal cord injuries and paralysis.
Researchers analyzed failed shark attacks on 120 Atlantic spotted dolphins off Bimini, Bahamas, and found that 14 dolphins exhibited signs of attack. The study provides insight into the predation pressure these dolphins face from sharks in the area.
Researchers at the University of East Anglia have found that cells in plants, yeast, and animals continue to perform reactions thought to be responsible for life's origin four billion years ago. These reactions involve iron, sulfur, and electro-chemistry, essential for functions like respiration and photosynthesis.
Scientists have found a mechanism that allows fruit fly cells to maintain coordinated biological processes despite temperature extremes. The discovery centers on a protein called Klar, which slows down raw material delivery to match the rate of protein building.
In a new study, researchers found that baboons groom each other early in the day to gain access to food and mating opportunities. The study suggests that social strategies of baboons can vary across short periods of time, optimizing certain elements for maximum fitness.
Researchers from Yale University analyzed the eye structure of an extinct sea scorpion, finding that it had a basic visual acuity level but worsened with size. The study suggests the creature was not a top predator but may have been a scavenger hunting at night.
A new species of spider wasp, the Bone-house Wasp, uses dead ants as a unique nest-protection strategy, resulting in lower parasitism rates. The study found that this behavior is likely linked to chemical cues emanating from the dead ants.
Scientists propose using eDNA sampling to monitor invasive species, save endangered ones and inform policy. The technique has the potential to overcome traditional sampling methods' limitations, including expense and focus on single species.
Tiny aquatic creatures called Cloudina built reefs in ancient seas using natural cement composed of calcium carbonate. Their fossilized remains are the oldest reefs of their type in the world, dating back to the Ediacaran Period.
Researchers at the University of Southampton are using fruit flies to study the internal circadian rhythms that control sleep, blood pressure, and metabolic rate. The findings could provide valuable insights into medical conditions and even help understand jet lag and temperature response mechanisms.
A group of over 100 biologists argue that collecting plant and animal specimens is essential for scientific research and conservation. They claim that alternative methods such as photography and DNA analysis cannot reliably identify or describe species. The authors emphasize the importance of preserved specimens in understanding evolut...
Scientists at Harvard University have identified a newly discovered compound that can slow the degradation of insulin in animals, potentially leading to a new treatment for diabetes. The compound inhibits insulin-degrading enzyme (IDE), elevating insulin levels and promoting insulin signaling in mice.
Researchers found that elephant seals have 10% carboxyhemoglobin, similar to someone smoking 40 cigarettes a day, and more than healthy humans. The study suggests carbon monoxide may be beneficial at low levels, preventing inflammatory responses and inhibiting cell death.
Researchers discovered that elephant seals have high levels of carboxyhemoglobin, similar to those found in heavy human smokers. The team suggests that this may provide protective effects against oxidative damage, potentially benefiting the animals' health. Further study is needed to fully understand the significance of these findings.
Researchers found that the amounts of certain neuropeptides in bees' brains vary by time and location, mirroring their changing roles. The study suggests that these peptides have functions related to age-related division of labor in honeybees.
Scientists have discovered a new species of long-snouted tyrannosaur, Qianzhousaurus sinensis, which lived alongside deep-snouted tyrannosaurs but hunted different prey. The discovery confirms the existence of tyrannosaur species with long snouts and provides insights into the diversity of these fearsome carnivores.
Researchers have identified a key gene in energy metabolism, revealing its crucial role in regulating fat storage. The Sirt7 gene plays a central role in the process, enabling mice to maintain normal weight despite high-fat diets, suggesting new therapeutic approaches for obesity and metabolic disorders.
Johns Hopkins researchers pinpoint the protein essential to the formation of the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), which coordinates sleep-wake cycles and other circadian rhythms. Disabling this protein in test animals led to disrupted SCN function, resulting in irregular sleep patterns and poor communication with the body's master clock.
The PETA science consortium will present a tiered-testing strategy for assessing nanomaterial hazards at the 7th International Nanotoxicology Congress. The proposed strategy involves multiple in silico and in vitro model systems, data sharing through web-based tools, and is cost-effective while reducing animal use.
Researchers discovered that female cave insects, Neotrogla, have evolved elaborate penis-like organs, reversing traditional sex roles during copulation. This unique adaptation may be linked to the resource-poor environment and advantageous mating strategies.
Biologists at ASU and Plymouth University suggest non-lethal techniques like high-resolution photography, audio recordings, and DNA sampling can identify species without harming small populations. The researchers aim to minimize the impact of scientific research on endangered animals.
Researchers found that red panda skulls are better at distributing mechanical stress during chewing, while giant panda skulls can withstand greater forces. These differences reflect distinct bamboo feeding preferences, with the giant panda eating harder and larger pieces of bamboo.
Research reveals that wood-boring clams serve as 'ecosystem engineers,' making organic matter available to other colonizing animals. Larger logs support more diverse communities, while smaller ones have fewer inhabitants.
Fencing can disrupt predator-prey dynamics and limit access for migratory herbivores. The Zoological Society of London argues that fencing should be reconsidered as a conservation tool, prioritizing connected environments over physical barriers.
Scientists at the Max Planck Institute found that inhibiting insulin/IGF signalling improves sleep quality in fruit flies and reverses age-related sleep deterioration. The study suggests a potential link between aging humans' sleep problems and the insulin/IGF pathway.
New Caledonian crows demonstrate an understanding of water displacement similar to that of 5-7 year-old children, completing 4 out of 6 water displacement tasks. They were able to displace water to receive a reward and showed preferences for certain objects over others.
A recent study by University of Toronto researchers found that kids' books with anthropomorphized animals lead to less factual learning and misattribution of human behaviors in children. Using realistic animal portrayals can promote more accurate biological understanding.
Wild salamanders in North America are getting smaller as their surroundings warm and dry, forcing them to burn more energy. The changes were most marked at low elevations, where detailed weather records show a warming and drying climate.
Scientists are working on a device that can diagnose and monitor diabetes using volatile organic compounds (VOCs) found in human breath. The technology was inspired by the need to suppress body odor for deer hunters, who have a keen sense of smell, five times more acute than humans.
Researchers mapped RNA activity in 29 tissue types, cell lines, and environmental conditions to understand gene expression in the nervous system and response to stress. The study identified new genes and rare RNAs involved in stress response and complex brain function.
A new species of ancient porpoise has been identified with an unprecedentedly long symphysis, a structure analogous to the human chin, measuring 85 cm. This unique feature suggests that the animal used its chin to probe the seabed for food, contradicting modern porpoises' feeding habits.
A study on wild green anole lizards reveals that the link between muscle function and movement is more complicated than previously thought. The researchers found that changes in motion do not always correspond to changes in muscle activity, leading to new questions about animal ecology, evolution, and adaptation.
The University of Plymouth is developing a new technique using 'virtual fish' cells to study the toxicity and concentration of man-made chemicals. This method has the potential to significantly reduce the number of live animals required for scientific research, with promising results already shown in previous studies.
Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory demonstrate a way to observe the activity of inhibitory neurons linking sense of smell with memory and cognition in awake mice. These granule cells provide feedback to alter sensory interpretation based on past experiences.
Scientists have observed intact protein interactions directly in a live animal's brain for the first time, using a novel imaging technique. The study reveals that proteins interact within neurons during brain development, forming complex networks.
Scientists studying jellyfish robots found common bending rules for wings, fins, and other propulsors across various animal species. These rules improve propulsion efficiency by increasing thrust.
An interdisciplinary team proposes a thought-provoking answer to how plants and animals evolved different forms in response to the same mathematical and physical principles. By applying a famous mathematical formula, the team explains decades worth of real-world observations, revealing why plants and animals have similar energy efficie...
A study of a sea sponge reveals that complex life can survive with extremely low oxygen levels, challenging the long-held theory that high oxygen levels were necessary for animal evolution. This finding suggests alternative ecological and evolutionary mechanisms may have played a role in the origin of animals.
The largest sequencing study to date reveals most higher animal genes are present in all sponge groups, challenging previous thought of complex structures being absent. The study provides a framework for posing new hypotheses on determining gene function in sponges and the evolution of animal complexity.
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.
Scientists at Queen's University Belfast and the Irish Equine Centre are developing a new animal doping test that detects known biological effects of banned substances. The test has the potential to revolutionize animal drug testing by enabling quick and efficient screening of large numbers of animals.
The discovery of well-preserved pelves and partial pelvic fin material in Tiktaalik roseae reveals that the evolution of hind legs began as enhanced fins. This challenges the existing theory that large, mobile hind appendages developed after vertebrates transitioned to land.
A recent study by a MU researcher found that human occupation of an area may not contribute to population decline of endangered species. The study discovered a resident population of African forest elephants in an unprotected region, highlighting the importance of this habitat for conservation efforts.
The Global Invertebrate Genomic Alliance (GIGA) aims to promote comparative genomics and bioinformatics research on non-insect/non-nematode invertebrates. The consortium will facilitate comparisons of genomic studies across multiple labs, improving understanding of animal diversity and the tree of life.
Scientists at the University of Liverpool have developed a cheaper and more reliable alternative to animal testing, involving miniscule protozoa. The test showed significant variations in population growth according to mascara brand, with some killing the protozoa and others not harming them at all.
A new study found that agoutis in areas with limited food are more active at twilight and have a higher risk of being killed by ocelots. This increased predation risk affects seed dispersal by agoutis, who bury seeds as food reserves that may germinate into new trees.
Research suggests that killer whales eavesdrop on sounds generated by their marine mammal prey to locate and hunt them in dark waters. A two-year study in Alaska using acoustic recording tags found evidence of nighttime hunting, debunking previous assumptions about the animals' reliance on echolocation.
Researchers have created robotic devices that mimic the movement of clams and snails, enabling them to burrow into sand with reduced friction. These devices could find use in applications such as automatic tethers, anchoring systems, and underwater mining.
A team of scientists collaborated with local volunteers to measure dung decomposition across Finland. Large tunnelling Dor beetles were found to remove dung twice as fast as smaller dung-dwelling beetles and earthworms. Climate also played a significant role in dung disappearance.
The research aims to identify and classify microscopic eukaryote species using new genome sequencing technology, providing a more comprehensive understanding of the vital environmental functions they play. The network will bring together researchers from different fields to study global patterns of biodiversity and ecosystem function.