Articles tagged with Animal Science
Flying squirrels in China's southern rainforests use a unique storage method, chewing grooves into nuts and wedging them between branches, to keep them safe from decomposition. This behavior demonstrates their cognitive and engineering skills, potentially contributing to the dispersal of nut-producing trees throughout the forest.
A recent study found significant differences in the gut microbiome of female southern white rhinos that reproduced successfully versus those that did not. The researchers identified a particular genus of microbes that may be limiting reproductive success in captive breeding programs.
Researchers updated their protein localization prediction model, MULocDeep, to provide more targeted predictions for biological discoveries. The tool helps researchers design more effective experiments and advance scientific discoveries related to drug development and treating diseases like epilepsy.
Researchers successfully demonstrate AAV vector efficacy in aged animal models, showing robust hearing rescue in mice with a mutation equivalent to a defective human gene. The study suggests that virally mediated gene therapy could potentially treat genetic hearing loss, especially for patients diagnosed at advanced age.
A new method for sexing chicken eggs by scent has been developed by researchers at UC Davis, allowing for early identification of male embryos. The technology relies on detecting volatile organic compounds emitted by the developing embryo, which can be analyzed using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry.
Researchers discovered a specific form of ubiquitin protein selectively involved in forming fear memories in female brains, providing a potential target for therapeutic treatments. The finding could lead to more effective treatment options for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in females.
Research from Aarhus University reveals that right whales in the Southern Ocean have become thinner over the past 30 years due to declining krill populations. The whales' food source is shrinking as warmer waters reduce phytoplankton growth, leading to less krill and ultimately affecting their ability to fatten up before winter.
Researchers discovered that scalloped hammerhead sharks close their gill slits during deep dives to prevent heat loss and keep warm. This unique behavior allows them to hunt effectively in cold water depths.
A gene-edited calf, named Ginger, has been born with reduced susceptibility to a major viral pathogen, bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV). If confirmed by follow-up research, this approach could offer long-term potential to reduce antimicrobial and antibiotic use in the cattle industry.
A study found that the coqui frog's calls have changed over a 23-year period due to rising temperatures, with higher-pitched calls at higher elevations. This shift may indicate a mini-migration of frogs up the mountain as temperatures increase, posing a threat to their survival.
A groundbreaking study published in Nature Neuroscience shows that monkeys can think deeply about problems, consider multiple factors, and find optimal outcomes. This discovery challenges traditional views on animal intelligence and highlights the complexity of monkey cognition.
Researchers reconstructing neurons from ctenophore nerve net discover a continuous neural network, challenging the neuron doctrine. The finding has potential to provide key information on the evolutionary origin of nervous systems.
The concept of nature's chefs offers a new perspective on species interactions, highlighting the diversity of food-making and preparing species across the tree of life. This interdisciplinary approach aims to inform how people think about food across various disciplines.
A new study suggests that large animals are disadvantaged due to their limited traveling speeds, which can be attributed to their inability to effectively dissipate excess heat generated by their muscles. This limitation leads to slower travel speeds compared to medium-sized animals.
Researchers analyzed octopus and squid sensory receptors to discover new families of chemotactile receptors that drive distinct behaviors in the environment. These findings provide insights into the molecular basis of novelty across levels of biological organization.
Researchers found that black and turkey vultures ingest more plastic in landscapes with more developed landcover and higher densities of commercial food providers. They may eat plastic thinking it's nutritious bone fragments or intentionally to collect bulk for vomiting up indigestible parts of carrion.
A team of citizen scientists discovered a new species of semislugs in the hot lowland forests of Ulu Temburong National Park in Brunei. The 'snug' was named after a retiring field centre supervisor, Mr. Md Salleh Abdullah Bat, as a farewell gift.
Researchers at Salk Institute discover that mechanical and chemical itch sensations are encoded by different brain pathways, which act together to drive chronic itch. The study reveals key molecules regulating these pathways and opens avenues for new therapies.
A research team from Germany, Austria, Canada, and the USA analyzed Troodon eggshells using a new method, revealing that they were produced at temperatures of 42°C and 30°C. The findings suggest that Troodon females laid eggs in communal nests, similar to modern ostriches.
Researchers found that bats lose their hearing in old age due to exposure to high noise levels in their colonies. The study suggests that bats may have evolved adaptations to cope with these noisy environments, which could provide insights into human age-related hearing loss.
Scientists have developed a new microscopy method that allows for non-invasive observation of mechanical properties in developing embryos. The line-scanning Brillouin microscopy (LSBM) technique provides faster imaging, reduced light-induced damage, and simultaneous visualization of biomolecules.
A new subspecies of rainbow trout, O. mykiss calisulat, has been identified after genetic analysis revealed its distinctiveness. This discovery is significant as it marks the first newly identified Pacific trout subspecies since 2008 and the youngest rainbow trout subspecies by more than 100 years.
A recent study published in Communications Biology used thermal imaging to capture the social dynamics of 'pee-shy' mice, revealing that males adjust their urine marking behavior based on their past interactions. The research provides insight into how animals manage their social signaling, a crucial aspect of their survival and evolution.
A research group led by Yali Zhang has discovered the molecular basis for the sense of alkaline taste in fruit flies. They identified a previously unknown chloride ion channel, named Alka, which plays a critical role in detecting and avoiding high-pH food.
Researchers found that hummingbirds can enter into deep or shallow torpor, and their ability to do so is tied to their evolutionary conquest of mountain habitats. Torpor duration varies depending on ambient temperature and physical condition.
Scientists uncover evidence of median eyes in trilobites, which were previously unknown due to fossilization process. The discovery sheds light on the evolutionary history of arthropods and provides a new tool for classifying species.
Researchers have developed a high-speed, 3D gigapixel microscope that stitches together dozens of cameras to capture life in unprecedented detail. The device enables the recording of differences in pitch and depth, allowing scientists to study zebrafish behavior and developmental biology without harming the animals.
New research directly measures human muscle contractile properties, revealing that extrapolating animal data to humans based on size is inaccurate. The study finds that human muscle fiber-specific tension is 24% smaller than traditionally used in small mammals.
Researchers found that bumblebee colonies adopt and prefer specific solution methods to a puzzle box problem, demonstrating the importance of social learning. The study suggests that bees with prior experience can teach others, leading to the spread of behavioral approaches within the colony.
A study found that urbanization favors winged insects over web-builders, with flies and spiders increasing in urban areas while web-building spiders decrease. This suggests an advantage of winged arthropods in cities due to their ability to move between isolated green spaces.
A new snake family, Micrelapidae, was identified through an international study led by Tel Aviv University researcher Prof. Shai Meiri. The family includes only three species, two in Africa and one in Israel, and diverged from the rest of the evolutionary tree about 50 million years ago.
Scientists have discovered a previously unknown lineage of elephant bird that roamed the wet, forested landscapes of northeastern Madagascar, using ancient eggshell DNA. This breakthrough reveals new insights into the diversity of birds that once inhabited Earth and provides clues about their extinction.
A new spider genus, Abba transversa, has been discovered in Australia, featuring distinctive dark spots and thick macrosetae on the legs. The genus was named after the Swedish pop group ABBA and is the result of a comprehensive study of orb-weaving spiders.
Researchers have long observed that animals respond to magnetic fields, but the exact nature of this 'magnetic sense' remains unclear. A new review provides an overview of the field, including methods used to study magnetoreception, such as GPS tracking and tissue manipulation.
Researchers successfully recorded brain activity from freely moving octopuses, using implantable data loggers and electrodes. The study provides key findings on the neural mechanisms controlling octopus behavior, including patterns of brain activity similar to those in mammals.
A team of researchers led by Wes Osburn, Ph.D., has made a breakthrough in developing an amino acid-based alternative curing method for meat and poultry products without adding sodium nitrite. This new technique uses L-arginine to activate the nitric oxide synthase system, generating nitric oxide and residual nitrite naturally.
A new study found that human contact, including neck scratches, can reduce stress and improve well-being in weaning dairy calves. The research showed that calves housed alone benefited most from the extra human interaction, leading to decreased sucking behaviors and increased rest after meals.
A team of researchers at Kyoto University found that the brown lemur is responsible for regenerating large fruit trees in Madagascar's Ankarafantsika National Park. The study shows that lemur seed dispersal can lead to a 1.5% survival rate of seeds, contributing significantly to forest diversity.
Researchers found that nectar-feeding bats rely on extra-long whiskers to navigate flowers while feeding, providing enhanced spatial information. Clipping whiskers reduced agility but didn't impact feeding ability.
Male giraffes test female sexual receptivity by nudging them to urinate, then inhaling their scent with flehmen. This behavior is crucial for mating and understanding giraffe anatomy supports it.
Scientists at Nagoya University developed an index to estimate a bird's wing use based on coracoid bone strength and body mass. This new tool sheds light on how ancient birds evolved to fly, including the flapping abilities of extinct species.
A 319-million-year-old fossilized fish has provided the oldest example of a well-preserved vertebrate brain, shedding new light on the neural anatomy and early evolution of ray-finned fishes. The discovery reveals that brain evolution in these animals unfolded more complexly than previously thought.
Researchers discovered a single protein called Gr8a that plays an inhibitory role in mating decision-making, helping flies avoid inter-breeding with the wrong partner. The findings provide insight into how signal production and perception are tied together, shedding light on pheromone communication.
A study analyzed 105 cat interactions to categorize them into playful, aggressive, or intermediate groups. The majority (56.2%) were classified as playful, while 28.6% were agonistic. Intermediate behavior was observed in 15.2% of cats, exhibiting characteristics of both play and aggression.
Researchers developed bioprinted artificial skin that mimics human skin, reducing animal testing in cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries. The model achieved similar results as traditionally produced models, passing international validation tests, including barrier function and irritant response assessment.
Researchers at Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology discovered a novel amyloid protein, α-S1 casein, which can cause disease in humans. The study found that overexpression and N-terminal truncation of α-S1-casein led to its formation as an amyloid protein.
Researchers discovered that baboons employ an efficient strategy to transition from quadrupedal to bipedal walking by 'crouching' their hindlimbs and 'sprinting' them forward under their torso. This process enables the animals to maintain a natural gait while standing upright, requiring minimal energy expenditure.
A new study estimates that Madagascar's unique modern mammal species could take 23 million years to evolve if the endangered ones go extinct, highlighting the urgent need for conservation action. The island's biodiversity is threatened by habitat loss and human activities.
Researchers added 146 new animal, plant, and fungi species to the tree of life, including 44 lizards, 30 ants, and 14 sea slugs. This discovery highlights the importance of protecting island ecosystems and advancing biodiversity science for conservation action.
The report highlights that European taxonomic expertise is declining, with nearly half of insect orders not covered by sufficient scientists. The lack of expertise correlates with GDP and is more pronounced in biodiverse countries, posing significant problems for species conservation.
A study by McGill University researchers found that Northern Tree Shrews' body size increased with warmer climates, contradicting Bergmann's rule. The team analyzed museum specimens and historical climate data, revealing a reversal of the Island rule as well, highlighting the complex interaction between ecological factors.
In a surprising twist, researchers found that starving Argentine ants exercise caution when foraging in high-risk environments, unlike expectations. This counterintuitive strategy may contribute to their success as an invasive species and agricultural pest.
A new study found that different populations of the same marine species have varying thermal limits, and connecting them could ensure survival in a warming world. This approach offers a window of hope for adaptation and conservation practices.
A new study found that when there are more females than males in colonies of orb-weaving spiders, males fight less with each other and females exhibit less aggression. The researchers also observed cooperation among spiders in constructing their webs and wrapping prey in silk.
A study by Rice University researchers found that tropical mammal communities divide their days similarly, with feeding routines and body sizes influencing activity patterns. The study confirms consistent patterns across Africa, Asia, and the Americas.
Steaming hay kills harmful microorganisms, but damages proteins making them less digestible for horses. This can lead to impaired muscle development and nutrient deficiencies, affecting growth and coat health. Horses can be enriched with protein-rich feedstuffs to mitigate this risk.
A team of scientists found that bats have multiple copies of the PKR gene, allowing them to develop an antiviral repertoire. This adaptation enables bats to defend themselves against a wide range of viruses.
A large-scale analysis of over 2,700 species of anurans reveals that the vertebral stripe evolves repeatedly and is adaptive to the animal's habitat. The study identifies a key gene linked to the stripe pattern, which may allow species to adapt to environmental changes.
Researchers found that high oleic soybean oil improved growth performance and carcass characteristics in pigs, with minimal impact on fat thickness and lean percentage. The studies also showed that HOSO-fed pigs had thicker, firmer bellies and similar loin quality compared to DDGS-fed pigs.
Researchers have discovered that the flight patterns of birds can be used to estimate fine-scale environmental conditions and turbulence levels. The team measured bird altitude and motion using GPS and data loggers attached to pigeons, finding a correlation between the birds' behavior and turbulence strength.