Articles tagged with Animal Science
A new study challenges the long-held assumption that children adopt an anthropocentric perspective on human-animal relationships from birth. Instead, research suggests that human-centered reasoning emerges around age 3 in urban children, reflecting their community's perspectives.
A study by Northwestern University researchers reveals that children's experience and cultural beliefs significantly influence their reasoning about the natural world. The findings challenge the long-held assumption of a universal human-centered pattern in young children's development.
Researchers at the University of Illinois discovered that starting early-weaned cattle on corn and finishing them on a diet high in co-products can achieve high-quality beef while reducing feed costs. Cattle fed these diets showed significant marbling and higher profits compared to traditional finishing methods.
Ferrets, introduced for rabbit hunting, are spreading across La Palma, with a growing population affecting the island's native fauna. The researchers found that the ferret population is directly related to prey availability and shelter in rural areas, highlighting concerns over their impact on bird species and endemic lizards.
Researchers measured dolphin and rodeo bull head movements to study balance systems. Contrary to a leading theory, the findings show that dolphins have similar head motions as the cattle, defying expectations of smaller organs due to overwhelming senses.
Researchers found that humans and insects have an ancient system for detecting toxic compounds through a protein receptor called TRPA1. This detection mechanism has been conserved across 500 million years of evolution, linking animals back to their common ancestor.
Researchers found that female moths outgrow their male counterparts by initiating a developmental change later in life, resulting in larger adult moths. This study provides insight into the evolution of sexual size dimorphism in moths, highlighting the importance of early developmental stages in determining adult body size.
A team of scientists has discovered that the drastic decline in Arctic musk ox populations began due to a warming climate rather than human hunting. The researchers used ancient DNA to test for human impacts on musk ox populations and found that humans were not responsible for their decline.
A new University of Illinois study shows that soluble fiber can strengthen the immune system and reduce inflammation. The research found that mice fed soluble fiber were less sick and recovered faster from illness compared to those fed insoluble fiber.
Researchers propose limiting longline fishing in summer months and areas over 35 nautical miles from land to drastically reduce accidental loggerhead turtle captures. Using fish as bait may also help, but could affect swordfish catches.
A study by the University of Exeter and Liverpool found that polyandry, where females have multiple mates, reduces the risk of populations becoming extinct. This is because all-female broods are less likely to occur due to the suppression of the SR chromosome, which can lead to population decline.
Researchers at the University of Edinburgh found that the hormone vasopressin plays a crucial role in helping animals recognize others through scent. This ability is essential for establishing strong bonds with other animals, and its failure may contribute to conditions like autism and social phobia.
Researchers identify progesterone in leaves of Common Walnut tree using advanced laboratory techniques, challenging conventional wisdom that only animals can produce the hormone. The discovery may change scientific understanding of progesterone's evolution and function in living things.
Researchers from the University of Idaho are exploring biotechnology and synthetic biology to address the world's growing population needs. The goal is to provide healthy, nutritious, and adequate food supplies using technological interventions in agriculture.
Ron O'Dor will talk about the international Ocean Tracking Network's ambitious plans and how new tracking technologies can help manage sustainable fisheries. The Canadian initiative has committed $45 million to this global project.
Scientists found conserved microRNAs in animals as diverse as sea anemones, worms, and humans, suggesting an early origin of these tissues in animal evolution. The discovery opens new avenues for studying the current functions of specific microRNAs.
The production Heuschrecken by Rimini Protokoll explores the marriage of theatre and science, challenging traditional skepticism. By embedding artists in a science department, new approaches to storytelling emerge.
Researchers developed an autonomous walking robot that flexibly switches between multiple gait patterns by utilizing chaos control. The robot can adapt its movement in response to environmental changes, such as obstacles or slopes, using a single central pattern generator.
Researchers at Harvard University developed an all-optical technique to measure how neurons excite or inhibit each other. The study successfully mapped the interplay of four neurons, revealing that multiple neurons can influence their neighbors' activity.
Scientists at Queen Mary University of London found that insect brains are capable of intelligent behaviors like counting and categorizing, challenging the idea that larger brains are more intelligent. Research suggests that many size differences in brain size only exist in specific regions and may not lead to increased complexity.
Scientists develop a new method to study living cells by exploding them with laser pulses, then analyzing the vaporized contents for chemical profiles. This technique reveals crucial details about cell health and differences between diseased and healthy cells.
Researchers found that male sabertoothed cats were indistinguishable in size from females, suggesting a possible lack of aggression. This contrasts with the American lion, where males are significantly larger and more aggressive than females.
The Genome 10K Project aims to sequence the genomes of 10,000 vertebrate species to understand evolutionary changes and inform conservation efforts. The project will analyze genomic data to reveal evolutionary changes and annotate experimental findings related to specific sites of change.
Scientists at Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics create tiny laser-scanning microscope images brain cells in awake and moving animals, eliminating the need for electrodes. This breakthrough allows researchers to study how the brain generates an internal representation of the outside world.
A study on Stegodyphus tentoriicola spiders reveals that relatedness fosters better group dynamics and more efficient food foraging. This cooperative behavior helps maintain harmony in larger groups, countering the 'tragedy of the commons' phenomenon.
A research team has found the first evolutionary branching for bilateral animals, resolving a long-standing debate about a group of ancient flatworms called Acoelomorpha. The study reveals that Acoelomorpha is a sister clade to other bilateral animals, providing key insights into the most recent common ancestor.
Researchers have named a new species of chimaera, an ancient group of fishes distantly related to sharks, from the coast of Southern California and Baja California. The Eastern Pacific black ghostshark (Hydrolagus melanophasma) is known from nine preserved museum specimens and video footage taken of it alive in deep water.
Researchers found geckos' severed tails exhibit complex movement patterns to distract predators, potentially leading to new insights into spinal injury recovery. The study's findings suggest central pattern generators can function without a brain or nervous system.
Dr. Paul Flecknell, a renowned expert in laboratory animal pain management, has been recognized with the 2009 Charles River Laboratories' Excellence in Refinement Award. His work focuses on developing methods of pain assessment and alleviation for various species.
The US National Academy of Sciences received the 2009 CAAT Recognition Award for its visionary publication on toxicology testing. The report advocates a new approach that relies less on animal studies and focuses on in vitro methods to evaluate chemicals' effects.
A team of researchers, led by University of Alberta biologist David Coltman, have been studying the personalities of bighorn mountain sheep. They found that bold individuals tend to have shorter lifespans, while those with more submissive personalities are more likely to produce multiple offspring.
New research reveals that young muskoxen are not thermally stressed more than adults in extreme cold. The study found that calves and adults sacrifice only a small percentage of their daily energy intake to heat loss during foraging bouts.
Researchers discovered seven new species of swimming worms in the deep sea, including 'green bombers' that release bioluminescent displays for defense. The discovery sheds light on evolutionary adaptations and challenges faced by these unique organisms.
A team of researchers will survey Kasatochi Island to monitor its recovery from the 2008 volcanic eruption. The interdisciplinary research focuses on the island's ecosystem development, with an emphasis on insect and bird species.
Researchers studied orangutan movement to understand how they adapt to challenging environments. Orangutans move with an irregular rhythm, allowing them to cope with tree vibrations and forage safely.
Scientists have developed computer models explaining polymorphism in animal populations, where individuals can display multiple distinct forms. The research suggests that a modest level of predator dietary wariness is sufficient to maintain large numbers of prey forms within a single species.
Researchers discovered that neon blue-tailed tree lizards can glide through the air with ease, thanks to their lightweight bodies. The team found that the lizard's low weight allowed it to generate lift and stay airborne for longer periods, similar to gliding geckos.
Researchers analyze dental wear of herbivorous animals hunted by Homo heidelbergensis to determine vegetation and way of life. The study confirms differing mobility patterns among hominid groups, with some sites showing high and low occupation periods.
Research by Dr Teresa Valencak reveals that Brown hares regulate energy expenditure to maintain reproductive success, preventing excessive investment in offspring. This active control allows females to balance growth and body repairs with energy demands for reproduction.
A new study by George Mason University researchers challenges the long-held notion that dinosaurs were massive creatures. They found that using a flawed statistical model led to overestimations of dinosaur weight, revealing some species may have been smaller than initially thought.
Researchers found distinct brain structure differences between queens and workers of eight New World social wasp species, linked to their respective social roles. Brain regions responded to specific challenges, such as vision and chemical communication, revealing the importance of environment in shaping brain architecture.
A Cornell University study found that dairy farming has decreased its environmental impact over the past 60 years, with a 41% reduction in total carbon footprint. This is due to improved efficiency and management practices.
A UBC paleontologist has solved the enigma of a massive bonebed in southern California by proposing that it formed over a 700,000 year time-span approximately 15 million years ago. The team found only five shark bite specimens out of over 3,000 bones and teeth analyzed, supporting the deposit-over-time theory.
New research shows bees extend hind legs for stability in windy conditions, increasing drag and aerodynamic power by 30%. This behavior is likely seen across Hymenoptera, affecting many flying insects.
A study published in Northwest Science has verified the origins of a California wolverine through genetic analysis. The animal, photographed in 2008, is most closely related to Rocky Mountain populations and shares unique genetic characteristics with other North American wolverines.
Researchers at Duke University unify biological and geophysical principles of nature's design using the constructal law, which predicts flow systems' evolution to balance imperfections. This new perspective offers a powerful tool for understanding variation in both animate and inanimate nature.
Scientists created a mathematical model to study cooperative groups of animals, known as superorganisms, which evolve through two scenarios: closely related individuals or policing-based control. This finding suggests that some animal groups can behave like united organisms.
The USA-NPN is launching a new national program to track the effects of climate change on seasonal changes in plant and animal behavior. Scientists will use volunteer observations to monitor life cycles of nearly 200 species of plants, predicting wildfires, pollen production, droughts and assessing ecosystem vulnerability.
Researchers discovered that the locust brain encodes turbulent plumes of odor molecules using surprisingly little neural machinery. The findings suggest a new theory on how animals smell, proposing that individual neurons preserve almost full information about precise temporal dynamics of odors.
Researchers found that males' mating organs with barbs cause severe injuries to females, but also increase fertilization success rates, outcompeting males with shorter barbs
A database detailing life history traits of over 4,000 animal species has been developed for studying ageing, evolution, and conservation. The AnAge resource provides insights into the mechanisms of ageing and how environmental adaptations influence lifespan, with potential applications in conservation efforts.
New DNA and hormone sampling techniques have provided unprecedented information about baboons' social behavior, revealing grief, paternal care, and complex kin relationships. Researchers found that male baboons provide parental care, while females form friendships with both maternal and paternal siblings.
Researchers found that tree-dwelling lizards have a unique escape mechanism: dropping their tails to distract predators. Without their tails, the lizards tumble backwards uncontrollably, suggesting a significant ecological cost for this life-saving adaptation.
Researchers found that monkeys devised a near-optimal strategy by balancing sensory information and prior expectations regarding rewards. The monkeys' harvesting efficiency fell within 1-2% of the theoretical maximum, revealing impressive decision-making ability.
The 2009 AAAS/Subaru Science Books & Film competition honored 10 authors, one illustrator, and seven books that explore sibling relationships, global climate change, and neuroscience. The prizes aim to foster scientific literacy in children and young adults by recognizing good science writing and illustration.
A Yale University study found that the biological costs of changing sexes are rarely sufficient to disfavor sex change, suggesting a possible explanation for its rarity among animals. Researchers built theoretical models and tested them using game theory, showing that only huge costs can disfavor sex change.
A comprehensive analysis confirms that Placozoans are the most primitive non-bilateral animals, with a genome that shares key tools for nervous system development. This challenges traditional views of animal evolution, placing Placozoans as the closest living surrogate to the ancestor of all animals.
A study published in BMC Evolutionary Biology found that animal species sleeping for longer periods have reduced parasite infestation and increased immune cells. This suggests that sleep plays an important role in protecting animals from parasitic infections.
Researchers at McGill University discovered that clioquinol reverses Alzheimer's disease progression and may slow down the aging process by inhibiting CLK-1. The study suggests a potential new answer to the mechanisms behind three unrelated neurodegenerative disorders.
Marine biologists propose that animals learn the unique magnetic signature of their home area early in life and retain it to navigate back to their birthplace for reproduction. The theory suggests that magnetic imprinting helps animals distinguish their home location from others, allowing them to return years later.