Articles tagged with Animal Science
A groundbreaking technique allows researchers to study the unique venom production of a wide range of venomous animals, including scorpions, fish, and the platypus. This non-lethal approach provides new insights into how animals produce venom and opens up possibilities for discovering new drugs.
A new study examines the genetic basis of longevity in Galápagos giant tortoises and finds that these animals have extra copies of genes that may protect against aging and cancer. The creatures' cells respond to stress in ways that could help prevent disease.
A new review in the Journal of Dairy Science explores the relationship between serotonin and calcium metabolism in dairy cows, highlighting its importance in maintaining calcium balance. Research shows that mammary serotonin drives hormone production that modulates mammary calcium transport.
A recent study found that most vocal learners, such as dolphins and whales, sound higher than expected based on their body size, not lower. This challenges the idea that faking body size is linked to vocal learning and suggests a different evolutionary scenario for vocal communication in mammals.
A new genus and species of iguanodontian dinosaur, Brighstoneus simmondsi, has been discovered on the Isle of Wight. The herbivorous dinosaur is estimated to be around 8 meters in length and weigh 900kg.
Researchers from Wellesley College discovered that honey bees (Apis cerana) produce unique sounds, including 'antipredator pipes', to warn fellow bees of giant hornet threats. These signals result in increased bee activity and defense actions against the attackers.
Researchers use transgenic worms to study whole-body regeneration and identify critical genes involved. They also gain insights into muscle cell connections and communication during regeneration.
New research reveals that blue, fin and humpback whales consume an average of three times more food each year than scientists previously estimated. This increased consumption plays a crucial role in maintaining ocean health and productivity by recycling key nutrients.
Researchers found that poor health in females can lead to interrupted pregnancies and underdeveloped fetuses. High-caloric fish is essential for successful porpoise reproduction, according to Lonneke IJsseldijk's PhD study published in Scientific Reports.
Researchers tracked black-tailed deer before, during, and after the Mendocino Complex Fire, finding that all 18 deer survived. Despite burned areas with no vegetation, most deer returned home within hours, potentially due to their loyalty to habitat. However, some deer's body condition declined as they expanded their range.
A modelling study estimates nearly a quarter of a million unowned cats in UK urban areas, with higher deprivation and density linked to higher abundance. Socioeconomic factors and human population density were key predictors of unowned cat presence.
A new study reveals that tusks originated from ancient mammals before the dinosaurs, with dicynodonts being their closest living relatives. The researchers defined what makes a tusk and found that some dicynodont teeth are indeed tusks, while others have large teeth.
A study in the Journal of Dairy Science found that dairy calves use brushes for grooming and oral manipulation, with 40% of brush use being oral manipulation. Providing access to brushes can reduce abnormal behaviors and improve cattle welfare.
A new study led by a University of Maine graduate student found that 50% fewer frogs died from vehicle collisions in spring 2020 compared to previous years. This decline was part of a broader reduction in animal road fatalities during the pandemic, similar to findings in other studies worldwide.
Research from the University of Illinois found that high-oil corn has greater amino acid and energy digestibility than conventional corn, with increased phosphorus and fiber content. This could save producers money by reducing supplement needs.
A new study published in Coral Reefs confirms that soft corals Plexaura kükenthali and Plexaura homomalla are two separate species. The research found significant differences in morphology, genetics, reproduction, and symbiotic relationships between the two species.
Researchers at Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology developed a simple and rapid method to detect amyloid protein in bovine livers using fluorescence fingerprint analysis. This approach allows for quick processing and accurate detection of AA amyloidosis, potentially leading to more efficient diagnostic tools for this disease.
A new study by the University of Exeter reveals that domestic cats rely almost entirely on their owner-provided food for nutrition. Despite being prolific hunters, cats only consume a small percentage of the prey they catch.
A study published in PLOS Biology suggests that machine learning models using viral genomes can predict the likelihood of an animal-infecting virus infecting humans. The researchers identified generalizable features in viral genomes that are independent of taxonomic relationships and developed models to identify candidate zoonoses.
Scientists prove Meselson effect in ancient asexual species, showing survival without sexual reproduction is possible. The study of beetle mite Oppiella nova reveals genetic variance and adaptation through independent genome evolution.
Researchers discovered fossilized footprint tracks of straight-tusked elephants, indicating a Late Pleistocene nursery site in Huelva, Spain. The tracks suggest that young elephants, possibly up to two years old, were raised in this area, which may have provided a food source and reproductive habitat for female elephant herds.
Scientists discovered a fossil bird with elaborate tail feathers, showing how natural and sexual selection influenced bird evolution. The discovery sheds light on the balance between traits that aid survival and those used for display.
Researchers at the University of Georgia have found that pocket gophers are biofluorescent, emitting a colored glow when illuminated with ultraviolet light. The phenomenon has been documented in flying squirrels and opossums before, but this is the first time it has been observed in pocket gophers.
A new study explains how genetic islands can occur in marine molluscs by studying the limpet Nacella concinna. The researchers found that an entire generation of offspring descended from a limited number of parents and were carried by ocean currents to one location.
Researchers found that boldness, aggressiveness, activity level, and sociability are key personality traits in golden-mantled ground squirrels. These traits impact their access to food, territory, and predators, highlighting the importance of understanding animal personalities in wildlife conservation.
Researchers uncover a 500-million-year-old 'worm-like' fossil, expanding the number of worm-like species known from this time period in North America. The discovery provides new clues about prehistoric environments and ecologies, helping scientists better understand the diversity of ancient animals during the Cambrian explosion.
Researchers at the University of California - Riverside discovered that hummingbirds can avoid insects with defensive compounds, such as formic acid, which harm birds. The study shows that scent plays a crucial role in hummingbird foraging decisions and ecosystem function.
Researchers found that eastern blue-tongue and shingleback lizards develop a serum factor in their blood to prevent clotting from red-bellied black snake venom. Monitor lizards lack this resistance due to their armoured scales, which protect them from venom absorption.
Researchers analyzed skunk DNA to determine the correct number of species, revealing seven species, including the previously recognized four. The revised family tree highlights the distinct evolutionary lineages of each species, making conservation efforts more effective.
A University at Buffalo researcher proposes that humpback whale songs are not similar to bird songs but rather dynamic and freeform vocalizations. The study reveals changes in the units within whale songs over time, suggesting a vocal flexibility that demonstrates the inadequacy of using human labels for sound production.
Researchers at McGill University have developed a new way to track genetically modified animals using artificial transgenes. The discovery provides a powerful tool for locating and managing escaped or released GM animals.
Despite EU's cosmetics regulation ban on animal testing, scientists found that 15% of cosmetic ingredient dossiers in the REACH database used results of 'new' animal tests. CAAT-Europe calls for more transparency and resolution to the conflict between Cosmetics Regulation and REACH.
A new study found that early socialization of dairy calves does not negatively affect their behavior, performance, or health, and may even benefit their early-life health by reducing scours. Calves housed in pairs after birth showed greater comfort with pen-mates and a reduced risk of diarrhea.
A study on red junglefowl chicks found that early experiences can affect impulsivity, contradicting initial expectations. The researchers also discovered a link between gene expression and impulsivity, suggesting that genetic factors contribute to individual differences in impulsive behavior.
Researchers found that ageing cuttlefish can remember the details of last week's dinner, unlike humans who gradually lose episodic memory with age. The 'vertical lobe' brain region associated with learning and memory in cuttlefish does not deteriorate until the last two to three days of life.
A new study finds that male acorn woodpeckers breeding in polygamous groups with one or two other males sire significantly more chicks over their lifetimes than males breeding alone. In contrast, females in polygamous groups leave behind fewer offspring than those in monogamous pairs.
A new study finds that urbanization is causing many mammal species to grow bigger, contrary to Bergmann's Rule. The study analyzed over 140,000 measurements of body length and mass from North American mammals collected over 80 years.
A biologist is studying anole lizard diversity in Caribbean islands to identify rare species at risk of extinction. The research will inform strategies to conserve vulnerable species by examining niche characteristics such as diet, habitat, and temperature interactions.
A new model calculates maximum running speeds for animals of any size, revealing that medium-sized animals achieve top speed due to their body shape and leg structure. Larger or heavier animals are limited by the weight and stiffness of their bones, resulting in lower top speeds.
Researchers found that jumping spiders can recognize biological patterns of movement, similar to vertebrates, using point-light displays. This skill allows them to focus on potential prey or predators while ignoring inanimate objects.
A study of over 1,200 consumers found that many are unfamiliar with common dairy processing terms and perceive them as unnatural. Providing education about these terms improves understanding, leading to increased positive perception and purchases.
Researchers at UMD found that a specific combination of parents can cause epigenetic changes to last for hundreds of generations. The study used nematode worms and found that when the mother carried a gene, it was always turned on, while when the father carried the gene, the silencing signal often won.
A team of researchers has resurrected a forgotten genus of algae, Philozoon, previously discovered in the late 1800s. The study reveals that these micro-algal symbionts live inside animal tissues and create photosynthetic animals, highlighting their ecological significance.
Researchers developed a new model to predict how plants and animals will weather climate extremes by considering biomechanics and environmental factors. The 'ecomechanical models' can help understand evolutionary patterns and animal interactions with their environment.
A newly discovered fossil deposit, Haiyan Lagerstätte, contains exceptionally preserved soft-bodied organisms and rare juvenile fossils. The study provides a unique glimpse into how these ancient animals developed from larvae to adults.
A research team from the University of Alaska Fairbanks and Florida State University has found evidence that nearly all types of Arctic dinosaurs reproduced in the region and likely remained there year-round. The discovery contradicts previous hypotheses that the animals migrated to lower latitudes for the winter, suggesting they were ...
A team of researchers from Singapore and Japan have identified a new genus and species of xanthid crab with strongly asymmetrical male and female reproductive structures. The discovery reveals an evolutionary innovation that is unique among the 7,800 known crab species, allowing these crabs to mate effectively.
Researchers discovered the glasswing butterfly's unique wing structure, creating transparency through a lower density of scale cells and nanostructures. The findings also revealed an anti-glare coating made of waxy hydrocarbon nanopillars, making butterflies nearly invisible to predators.
A team of researchers from the University of New South Wales has discovered a new population of pygmy blue whales in the Indian Ocean, using data from underwater bomb detectors. The finding, published recently, confirms the existence of this smallest subspecies of blue whales, which can reach up to 24 meters long.
Researchers found that Bdelloid rotifers can persist for at least 24,000 years in the Siberian permafrost and survive. The study suggests that these tiny animals have a mechanism to shield their cells and organs from harm at extremely low temperatures.
Birds and bats avoid habitat swamped with loud whitewater river noise, with overlap between background noise and song frequency predicting bird declines. The study found that increased noise levels lead to decreased bird foraging efficiency and a shift in bat hunting behavior.
Scientists from Okayama University discovered that marine flatworms develop gravity-sensing ability within 0-7 days after hatching, with a statolith forming in the statocyst. The statocyst comprises nerve cords and is connected to the nervous system through the basal lamina and stc.
A quadruped robot platform reproduces neuromuscular dynamics of animals, discovering a reflex circuit generating steady gait in walking cats. The reciprocal excitatory reflex between hip and knee extensors is found to produce leg trajectories and a steady gait pattern.
Researchers have identified a magnetic sense in bats, located in the cornea of their eyes, allowing them to navigate during long-distance migrations. This sense is necessary for orientation and was disrupted by anaesthesia of the cornea, yet orientation still worked with one eye.
A billion-year-old microfossil found in Scotland reveals features of multicellularity nearly 400 million years earlier than previously established. The discovery sheds new light on the transition from single-celled organisms to complex, multicellular animals.
Researchers discovered a species of ascidian capable of regenerating its entire body system after being dissected into three fragments, defying expectations. The animal's ability to regenerate organs is rare among chordates, making it an exciting finding for understanding tissue renewal.
Researchers at the University of Bonn describe a new octopus species, Emperor dumbo, using high-field MRI and micro-computed tomography. The study reveals special characteristics such as long suckers on each arm and a shorter web between arms than in other species.
A study found that 70 of 134 ancient sea-dwelling invertebrates exhibited 'dead clades walking,' where groups survive an extinction event but never regain their diversity, challenging the sudden disappearance view of mass extinctions.
The new Neuropixels 2.0 probes have improved recording-site density and long-term stability, allowing scientists to track individual neurons for weeks. This enables the study of complex phenomena like learning and memory in mice.
Scientists discovered that coral structures consist of a biomineral containing organized organic mix of proteins. This process is critical to forming a rock-hard coral skeleton. The research suggests that corals will withstand climate change due to their impressive biomineralization process.