Articles tagged with Animal Science
Researchers found a universal equation that approximates the frequency of wingbeats and fin strokes across different animal groups. The equation shows a proportional relationship between body mass, wing area, and wingbeat frequency, revealing a relatively constant pattern across diverse species.
A team of researchers led by Virginia Tech's Shuhai Xiao discovered a 550 million-year-old sea sponge that challenges previous theories about its evolution. The fossil, found in China, suggests that early sponges may have had soft-bodied skeletons and only later developed mineralized structures.
Ancient rodent middens offer critical archives of the last 50,000 years, preserving plants, insects, bones and other specimens. Researchers are calling for improved preservation, new research and field studies to understand how populations responded to past climate change.
A slow-growth diet for female pigs before breeding improved their long-range health, leading to increased litter sizes and healthier piglets. The study showed that sows fed a low-nutrient diet during development lost less weight during lactation and had better body condition.
A study using crowd-sourced data from iNaturalist found that slugs and snails are more common in urban areas than other native species. In contrast, butterflies and moths were the least tolerant of urban environments. The analysis provides valuable insights for city planners to increase urban biodiversity.
A study in the Panamanian rainforest found that larger-brained primates did not outperform smaller-brained mammals in finding fruit. The research suggests that intelligence may not be directly linked to foraging efficiency, but could be related to other factors such as episodic memory or social complexity.
A new deep learning AI model, Dev-ResNet, identifies embryonic developmental events in pond snails using video analysis. This breakthrough enables the detection of key features, such as heart function and hatching, with unprecedented sensitivity.
Researchers have solved the mock viper's evolutionary history by analyzing DNA sequences and micro-computed tomographic scans. The discovery of a new family-level lineage within Elapoidea superfamily highlights the importance of snake venom fang origin and evolution, with long branches indicating high evolutionary distinctiveness.
Australian researchers have identified a new species of ancient 'echidnapus', which exhibits platypus-like anatomy alongside echidna-like features. The discovery sheds light on the evolutionary history of monotremes, revealing six different egg-laying mammals living together in the same area over 100 million years ago.
Studies led by the University of Texas at Austin researchers found that bird song and human voice share a common genetic link, with the syrinx and larynx having similar developmental programming. This discovery highlights the shared ancestry between birds and humans in terms of vocal organ structure.
Researchers from the University of Konstanz and Max Planck Institute of Animal Behaviour found that meerkats use two different types of vocal interactions to communicate within their groups. Close calls are call-and-response exchanges between animals, while short notes announce 'I am here' but don't necessarily get a direct reply.
A UMaine graduate student's research found that small mammal personalities determine the effectiveness of pilferage in mice and voles. Deer mice were the most accomplished thieves, while individuals with lower body condition and female voles were more likely to pilfer.
Desert isopods rigorously regulate their intake of macronutrients and calcium, preferring biological soil crust over plant litter. The research highlights the crucial role of ingested microorganisms in facilitating digestion and growth.
Researchers observed a rare instance of lemur predation by a fosa in the Betampona Strict Nature Reserve. The impact of this predation, combined with low reproductive rates and genetic isolation, poses significant threats to the survival of critically endangered lemurs.
A team of Australian scientists has developed a step-by-step guide to ageing octopus, using growth rings on beaks and stylets to validate age. This tool helps estimate growth rates, reproduction, and maturity, ensuring sustainable fisheries and conservation.
Researchers found that synbiotics, a combination of prebiotics and paraprobiotics, improved the gut microbiome of Magellanic penguins, reducing inflammation and enhancing overall health. The study also revealed that parasynbiotics can modulate inflammatory responses in penguins.
A study predicts that climate change will lead to a major species turnover in North American cities by the end of the century. Cities with cooler and wetter climates are expected to gain new species, while warmer cities may lose many species.
A team of scientists from Pohang University of Science & Technology developed an artificial vitreous body based on alginate to treat retinal detachment. The hydrogel maintains vision post-surgery and regulates fluid dynamics within the eye, preventing recurrence and air bubble formation.
Researchers simultaneously tagged many humpback whales from the same pod to analyze their vocalization and compare individual calls. This study provides new information about whale behavior and communication, crucial for informing future conservation efforts.
Researchers used isotope analysis to identify the origins of elite horses in medieval London, finding half had diverse international origins. The horses, used in jousting tournaments and status symbols, were sourced from Europe specifically for their height and strength.
Researchers from Stockholm University and University of Neuchâtel discover social bonds in group-living animals develop over time through mutual aid and shared activities. Existing members actively initiate new friendships with recruits, expanding the social network.
Researchers develop novel system to study coral skeletons, enabling climate-resilient coral polyp development. A gene from the stony coral Stylophora pistillata is used to induce calcium concentration and skeleton formation in a sea anemone.
New research combines images with computer-enabled analysis to tackle biological questions globally. Imageomics aims to improve image classification and analysis using machine learning and computer vision, enabling faster scientific discoveries.
Biologist Elizabeth Carlen's investigation into iNaturalist data revealed biased species distribution in St. Louis, with northern parts of the city underrepresented. The framework developed by Carlen and her co-authors identifies four filters contributing to this bias: participation, detectability, sampling, and preference.
A recent study found that semi-aquatic anole lizards can experience a 6°C drop in body temperature while diving, with males conserving heat to minimize muscle recovery time. Females prioritize safety over physiological costs, taking longer dives to avoid predators.
A new study by George Washington University researchers found that people make instant judgments about unknown dogs based on their facial appearance. The study's lead author, Courtney Sexton, suggests that better understanding canine and human communication is crucial as these animals play increasingly important roles in society.
Researchers are using machine learning tools to understand biological traits from images, enabling new discoveries about life on Earth. Imageomics is analyzing the relationship between observable phenotypes and genome, leading to a better understanding of direct connections.
The tawny owl's pale grey plumage is linked to crucial functions aiding survival in cold environments, including energy homeostasis and fat deposition. Genetic analysis reveals a 70-100% accuracy in predicting grey coloration through specific genetic variants.
Detailed CT scans reveal the worm-lizard's skull anatomy, including sutured bones and a singular central tooth. Researchers also discovered sexual dimorphism in one species, confirming their findings through powerful jaw muscles.
A new study published in the Journal of Dairy Science explores the use of spent hemp biomass as a feed ingredient for lactating dairy cows. The research shows that hemp biomass is safe and does not negatively affect milk production or animal health, despite being less palatable due to its characteristic smell. The study suggests potent...
A new camera system records natural animal-view videos with high accuracy, enabling scientists to study animal behavior and navigation. The system uses four color channels, including UV light, to produce accurate video of how animals perceive colors.
Researchers have found that a 14,000-year-old woolly mammoth named Élmayųujey'eh traveled through Alaska and northwestern Canada, providing insights into the relationship between humans and mammoths. The study suggests that early Alaskans structured their settlements to overlap with areas where mammoths congregated.
A study of 379 animal studies found no consistent impact of aging on ejaculate traits, contradicting the human trend. In some species, age even improved reproductive traits, such as larger ejaculates and increased sperm viability.
Researchers have sequenced the first genome of myxini, a large group of vertebrates without a reference genome, revealing insights into evolutionary history and genomic duplications. The study provides new perspectives on the origins of complex vertebrate structures.
A new study published in Science Advances suggests that protected areas for elephants are most effective when connected to allow populations to stabilize naturally. This approach, known as 'connecting parks,' enables herds to move freely and absorb immigrants, reducing the need for human intervention.
Scientists at Osaka Metropolitan University have developed a non-invasive, pain-free method to reprogram canine stem cells from urine samples, creating induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) without feeder cells. This breakthrough aims to advance veterinary regenerative treatment and genetic disease research.
The American Institute of Biological Sciences has selected three winners in its 2023 Faces of Biology Photo Contest. The competition aims to communicate the process of scientific research through photography and showcase biological research in various forms and settings.
Recent studies in JDS Communications have found that paired housing can build behavior skills, shape calf personalities, and set up animals for success in the herd. Early socialization has been shown to boost competitive skills, increase time drinking from a bottle, and make calves bolder towards novel objects and unfamiliar calves.
Researchers found that great apes and chimpanzees can recognize groupmates they haven't seen in over two decades, suggesting a shared common ancestor and potentially the longest-lasting nonhuman memory. The study uses infrared eye-tracking cameras to record participants' gazes at images of familiar and stranger bonobos or chimps.
Researchers discovered that reindeer's vision evolved to spot Cladonia rangiferina, a type of lichen, during winter. This adaptation allows them to conserve energy by finding food from a distance, making it easier to survive in cold environments. The study provides new insights into the extraordinary visual system of reindeer.
Researchers found that Eurasian jays settle for less preferred food options when rivals are present, while New Caledonian crows consistently choose the better, delayed reward. The study suggests that species' social tolerance and competition levels influence self-control in animals.
Scientists developed an AI method to track neurons in moving and deforming animals using convolutional neural networks with targeted augmentation. This breakthrough reduces manual annotation efforts by three times, enabling faster analysis of brain activity in model organisms like Caenorhabditis elegans.
Research from Michigan State University reveals that spotted hyenas form mobs based on strong social relationships and can cooperate even when there's no obvious benefit. The study found that female hyenas were more likely to join mobs when there were no male lions present.
Researchers found that specific algae from the genus Breviolum help Caribbean octocorals withstand heat waves and bleaching events. The study provides clues for the future of coral reefs and highlights the need for further research to better understand the ecosystem.
The study found that England's only resident population of bottlenose dolphins has declined to just 48 individuals due to various human impacts. The researchers call for urgent measures to protect the population and its habitats.
A collaborative effort between scientists from the Natural History Museum of Utah and cavers led to the discovery of fossils spanning over 3,000 years in Boomerang Cave. The findings revealed a faithful reflection of mammal diversity in the area, including species unknown to the region.
A new study examines how a carnivorous fungus senses, traps, and consumes a worm. The research reveals key biological processes involved in the predation process, including increased DNA replication and secretion of proteins that aid in trap development.
A recent study by the Complexity Science Hub found that at least two-thirds of animal COVID-19 deaths were not reported to official sources. The researchers compiled a comprehensive list of 35 animal species susceptible to SARS-CoV-2, highlighting the need for improved data exchange and reporting.
Researchers compared sea stars to other deuterostomes to learn about their unique body plan, finding that genes controlling development of the ectoderm were correlated with arm patterning in echinoderms. This suggests echinoderms may have evolved by losing trunk region of bilateral ancestors.
Researchers have described two new species of pygmy squids, Idiosepius kijimuna and Kodama jujutsu, found in Okinawa's coral reefs. These tiny creatures are threatened by human activities such as climate change, overfishing, and land reclamation.
Researchers used behavioral and live brain imaging studies to understand why food-sated fruit flies avoid cooler temperatures. They found that insulin signaling modulators play a key role in regulating thermosensation under different feeding states.
A study by Hokkaido University researchers has discovered a wide diversity of symbiotic, photosynthetic microalgae associated with small, worm-like animals called acoels. Acoels form relationships with single-celled microalgae, storing them below their outer surface and creating energy using sunlight.
A new study published in Exp. Mol. Med. has identified Thrap3 as a key player in exacerbating non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) by inhibiting AMPK, a crucial regulator of fat metabolism. Inhibiting Thrap3 expression presents a promising avenue for treating NAFLD.
A survey of 1,369 cat owners found that those on vegan diets tended to report fewer veterinary visits and less medication use compared to those on meat-based diets. While the differences were not statistically significant, these findings support the healthfulness of vegan diets for cats.
A recent study found elevated TonEBP expression in patients with lupus nephritis, correlating with inflammatory cytokines and kidney damage. Suppressing TonEBP was shown to halt lupus progression and mitigate kidney damage in animal models.
A new study shows that large herbivores can protect local nature by eating and trampling on invasive plant species. Native plants have evolved to withstand the treatment of these herbivores, while invasive plants usually cannot.
Scientists have discovered two 14ft smalltooth sand tiger sharks in Ireland's waters, a rare find suggesting the species is expanding its geographic range due to warmer sea temperatures. The discovery highlights the need for increased awareness and monitoring of these vulnerable creatures.
Researchers found a high incidence of systemic amyloidosis in Japanese squirrels, characterized by severe glomerular amyloid deposition. The study suggests that fibrinogen Aα-chain is a precursor protein and the amino acid sequence plays a crucial role in maintaining protein stability.
Researchers used radiocarbon dating and time-series modeling to study the timing and causes of megafauna extinctions at Rancho La Brea Tar Pits. The team found that a sharp decline in population occurred between 13,070 to 12,900 years ago, coinciding with warming and drying climate change and increased fires sparked by humans.
A team of international researchers have successfully conditioned red foxes to avoid native prey by associating it with nauseous chemicals. The study, published in Conservation Science and Practice, used levamisole to induce nausea and vomiting in the predators. By hiding the taste and smell of the chemical, the researchers were able t...