Articles tagged with Animals
Researchers at the University of Tokyo discovered that two tree snail species can alter their shell colors and patterns in response to humidity, using a process called refractive index matching. This unique mechanism has potential applications for smart sensors and materials.
A new estimate of insect species globally suggests that there may be 8-14 million more species than previously thought, with many yet to be discovered. The study, using genetic information and statistical strategies, conservatively estimates the total number of insect species at around 14-20 million.
Declining plankton abundance across the North East Atlantic poses a significant threat to ocean health, impacting marine food webs and carbon cycling. The study found six pelagic habitat-region combinations rated as 'Not Good' and three as 'Uncertain', highlighting the need for climate change mitigation and reduced nutrient pollution.
A study reveals that the rhythmic structure of laughter has remained constant in all living great apes, including humans, for at least 15 million years. This finding offers unexpected clues to the evolution of human speech, suggesting that sophisticated vocal control is a fundamental building block.
A new Cornell University study examines the relationship between cranial shape and body weight in dogs, identifying a link to syringomyelia, a painful spinal condition. Breeds prone to syringomyelia exhibit distinct skull shapes, highlighting the need for breed-specific treatment strategies.
Researchers analyzed 44 years of killer whale data in Washington state, finding a decline in the presence of endangered fish-eating killer whales. In contrast, populations of Bigg's killer whales, which prey on seals and other whales, are becoming more abundant.
A new study found that horse owners' psychological characteristics, including attachment styles and personality traits, shape how frequently they ride, train, and spend quality time with their horses. Owners who spent more time with their horses tended to be more emotionally connected, while those with higher avoidant attachment styles...
A new study suggests that environmental factors can influence which bird songs are passed down through generations. Common song types, with higher frequencies and broader frequency bandwidths, traveled more effectively through the environment than rare songs. This makes it easier for young birds to hear and learn these songs, potential...
A comprehensive study reveals the Bornean ferret badger is found only in Sabah's western highlands, with a previously unknown population discovered in Nuluhon-Trusmadi Forest Reserve. The species' range and distribution are largely confined to mountain landscapes, highlighting the need for conservation efforts to protect its habitat.
Researchers have found a new species of dinosaur, Jian changmaensis, which is believed to be the missing predator that hunted early birds. The dinosaur had long feathers on its front and back limbs, giving it four 'wings' that may have been used for gliding.
Honeybee queens are created through an elaborate process involving young worker bees constructing customized wax chambers with unique physical and chemical properties. Researchers identified a previously unrecognized class of young worker bees dubbed 'queen cell builders' that appear uniquely adapted for the task.
The Pennsylvania live camera is the third installment in Project RattleCam's livestreams, allowing viewers to observe timber rattlesnakes around the clock. The camera features night-vision capabilities and captures the activities of snakes and other creatures that enter the frame after dark.
A new study found that participating in awe-inspiring natural phenomena, like a solar eclipse, increases people's identification with science and sense of belonging. The researchers also discovered that awe plays a powerful role in this process.
The new species Plumadraco bankoorum boasts the proportionally longest and best-preserved rachis-dominated feathers found to date. These feathers were likely used for displays, featuring flexible motions similar to modern bird displays.
A new fossil species, Plumadraco, has been found with the longest tail feathers ever recorded on a fossil bird. The analysis suggests that the bird's tail feathers were used for attracting mates, and the color of the feathers was probably dark brown or black.
A mobile app is being developed to identify disease-carrying insects from their wing patterns using machine learning, aiming to reduce the risk of disease transmission in low-income communities. The technology will enable rapid and accurate identification of vectors, tracing disease clusters and responding effectively to outbreaks.
Researchers discovered layered guanine platelets in deep-sea fish that scatter light in complex ways, unlike traditional mirrors. These findings offer insights into creating highly efficient biomimetic designs for biomedical devices.
A recent study led by UCL researchers found that cooperative societies of tropical paper wasps can survive fierce leadership battles due to individual wasps that pick up the slack. These compensators avoid conflict and increase their investment in essential tasks like foraging and brood care, maintaining societal function.
A newly-discovered blue octopus from the Galapagos Islands has been identified as Microeledone galapagensis, and its unique features were revealed through micro CT scans. The species is the first new octopus species led by curator emerita Janet Voight in her four-decade career.
A recent study found that social living is associated with longer lifespan in mammals, but the benefits of group-living level off after pairs. The researchers analyzed life-history traits and body mass, finding that both pair- and group-living species live longer than solitary ones.
Researchers at ISTA uncovered why keratin plays an essential part in embryonic cell movement and organization. Without keratin, the process slows dramatically, leading to tissue collapse and loss of cellular alignment. Keratin helps maintain the structural integrity and cohesion of cells during early development.
Researchers found that treating woodland trails with woodchips and insecticide significantly reduced the density of blacklegged ticks, a primary vector of Lyme disease. The study demonstrated that both deltamethrin-treated and untreated woodchip interventions can effectively reduce tick populations in recreational contexts.
A UK-based National Honey Monitoring Scheme has collected data from over 3,500 beekeepers, revealing insights into environmental changes, invasive species, and pesticide risks. The study identified over 800 plant species used by honeybees, providing a valuable resource for monitoring pollinator activity.
Researchers found that cows stared longer at unfamiliar faces and could match a known handler's voice with their image. The animals' heart rates showed no emotional response to the faces or voices.
Researchers observed a whale skeleton over 15 years and found that it supported a sulphophilic community on the seafloor. This community persisted for more than 20 years, demonstrating the long-term importance of whalefalls in deep-sea ecosystems.
Researchers have captured the behavior of scissor-tailed nightjars creating a unique sound by snapping their wrists together during courtship and copulation. The study sheds light on lesser-known bird communication methods and raises questions about the nuances of mechanical sounds.
Bats use ultrasonic voices to perceive their surroundings with remarkable precision, actively manipulating sounds to enhance important signals. By controlling echolocation calls, they create a 'silent frequency zone' that improves hunting success in noisy environments.
An observational study published in Frontiers in Marine Science revealed that Guadalupe fur seals are experiencing significant hair loss due to an alopecia syndrome. The study highlights the need for urgent action to address early mortality and human impact on these vulnerable marine mammals
Scientists describe new genus and species of parasitic wasp, Attenboroughnculus tau, found in Natural History Museum collections. The discovery highlights the scientific value of museum collections and showcases the unique characteristics of this rare subfamily.
Researchers at Washington State University and Google developed an AI system that can process hundreds of thousands to millions of camera trap images in just a few days, reducing analysis time from months to days. The results aligned with human experts' models in roughly 85-90% of cases, making it a significant breakthrough for conserv...
A new study finds that dog trainers' methods reflect their ethical stance on animals. Owners with an anthropocentric view are more likely to use punishment-based methods, while those with a focus on animal welfare opt for positive training methods. The study highlights the importance of considering ethics in dog training.
A high school teacher participated in a citizen science project to record migration data for Black Skimmers in the Eastern US. The study documents the farthest dispersal for breeding among this species, providing valuable insights into its movements.
A new study on white-faced capuchin monkeys found that larger groups consume fruit at slower rates, especially during extreme climatic conditions. The monkeys expand their home range to access more foraging options and less-depleted food patches, offsetting the costs of internal competition.
The University of Oldenburg is building a unique research facility to study animal navigation and magnetoreception. The NaviGate building will offer conditions worldwide for addressing current questions in animal navigation research, sensory biology, and neurosensorics.
Researchers found that camels have a more flexible and coordinated response to heat stress, allowing them to maintain stability even at higher temperatures. In contrast, human cells tend to respond in a more rigid way, making them less adaptable under heat stress.
Researchers used eDNA to monitor human diets and track local wildlife in NYC's East River, revealing the presence of domesticated animals and seasonal fish populations. The study found correlations between wastewater eDNA levels and human dietary patterns, providing a valuable tool for urban estuary management.
Researchers discovered that strokes cause a chain reaction within the brain, leading to neuronal cell death. They found that blocking collagen production can prevent this damage and even restore motor function in paralyzed monkeys. The new drug KDS12025 reduces hydrogen peroxide levels and prevents the entire process from being triggered.
Citizen science projects are expanding globally to study bat ecology and support conservation. Methods include acoustic surveys and observations, providing valuable insights into bat distribution and seasonal activity. Collaboration with community members is crucial for advancing understanding of bat ecology and informing habitat prote...
Researchers use tree rings and satellites to date changes beavers make to the tundra landscape as they spread northwards. The study provides evidence of beaver colonization in the region starting in 2008, with satellite analysis revealing a significant expansion of surface water between 2015 and 2019.
In a unique behavior, monkeys on Gibraltar have learned to eat dirt to help them digest the junk food consumed by tourists, which disrupts their gut microbiome. The researchers found that geophagy is socially learned and has become part of the macaques' culture, with different troops having preferences for certain types of soil.
Researchers analyzed a Virginia colony of wild gray bats, finding they modify their echolocation calls based on the size of their flying group and environmental obstacles. The study reveals how these adjustments help the bats navigate safely during flight.
A study of 113 baby barn swallows in Colorado found that temperature extremes and variability negatively impact the youngest, smallest, and most neglected nestlings. The research suggests that developmental constraints play a crucial role in determining the effects of temperature on nestling growth.
A recent study found that antibiotic-resistant bacteria are present in the gut microbiomes of American black bears in eastern North Carolina. The researchers also discovered that these pathogens can be dispersed through bear feces, making the bears a potential indicator species for environmental changes.
African elephants' genetic history shows they once moved across large distances, exchanging genes throughout the continent. However, current patchy habitats and human activities have led to genetic consequences of isolation, affecting conservation approaches.
A new study reveals that birds in Hawaiian forests engage in kleptoparasitism, stealing materials from neighboring nests. The behavior, common among the scarlet I'iwi and crimson Apapane, could threaten species already under stress due to habitat loss and climate change.
A new study suggests that many animal communication signals, including those from insects, birds, mammals, and fish, repeat at nearly the same tempo of 2 hertz. This common tempo may reflect a shared biological constraint, enabling brains to detect signals more easily and process communication more efficiently.
Entomologist Mark Moffett observes harvester ants congregating with smaller cone ants in Arizona's Chiricahua Mountains. The unusual behavior involves the cone ants licking and nibbling the harvester ants' body surfaces, possibly consuming calorie-rich dust-size morsels.
A team of Cornell researchers has discovered a massive aggregation of ground-nesting bees, estimated to be over 5.5 million individual bees, in the East Lawn Cemetery. The discovery highlights the importance of these solitary bees as agricultural pollinators and adds credence to claims that cemeteries serve as preserves of biodiversity.
Adélie penguins have been found to consume shelled pteropods as an opportunistic prey, highlighting a previously underdocumented trophic relationship in the Southern Ocean. The study provides valuable insights into the penguins' foraging behavior and its potential implications for the ecosystem.
Researchers observed tarantulas using spatial orientation to improve prey capture and retreat location, indicating possible learning and memory use. The study suggests that tarantulas' nervous systems support flexible behavior and may rely on internal body signals combined with environmental cues.
A new study from UC Riverside shows that a locally adapted population of SoCal honeybees can naturally suppress deadly mites. The hybrid bees are less susceptible to Varroa mite infestations and cross-thresholds, making them more resistant than commercial breeds.