Articles tagged with Animals
Researchers found that elephants' bone-conduction hearing is significantly improved due to their larger middle ear structures and ability to voluntarily close their ear canals. This allows them to transmit lower frequency sounds to the cochlea, enhancing low-frequency hearing by up to 30 times
The study found that dolphins visit two coastal communities along the Sea of Japan, with detection rates occurring once every ten days. The researchers recorded unique whistle characteristics in each bay, suggesting differences in sound environments or animal behavior.
A recent study found that protecting primates in China's Yunnan province can also protect other animals and plants, highlighting the importance of umbrella species conservation. The research showed that large-bodied vertebrates need vast areas to support populations, which are habitats for many other species.
In California's human-dominated landscape, gray wolves predominantly feed on cattle, followed by mule deer and small mammals. This dietary composition suggests that coexisting with humans may be complex for wolf populations.
Researchers analyzed DNA samples from foraging honeybees, hive workers, and their honey to understand plant-microbe interactions in honeybee ecology. The study found that these complementary sources provide distinct insights into the complex relationships between plants, microbes, and honeybees.
Researchers found that beavers are widespread in tidal wetlands and create deep pools of water at low tide, providing habitat for threatened species like Chinook salmon. The study expands the known habitat distribution of beavers and highlights their potential role as ecosystem engineers in estuaries.
A recent study found that over half of NYC's free-roaming cats are infected with zoonotic parasites. Young male cats, in particular, act as 'super-shedders' of roundworm (Toxocara) eggs, posing public health risks.
Researchers found that wood frogs' adaptation to salty water increases their vulnerability to ranavirus, a common and fatal disease. The study highlights the hidden costs of survival in wildlife under environmental stress.
A study on coyote attacks in Stanley Park revealed that habituation and food conditioning contribute to aggressive behavior. To coexist with coyotes, people should not feed them, avoid approaching them, and be aware of their presence during certain times and locations.
The study highlights the significant demand for brachyuran land crabs, with species being sold on e-commerce platforms like eBay, and often without welfare advice. The research aims to inform conservation and policymaking efforts by understanding the extent of the trade.
Research reveals that worker ants transitioning between tasks are more likely to care for injured companions due to prior social interactions. This spatial and social affinity drives wound care in ant colonies, resulting in improved survival rates.
A study by researchers from the University of Ottawa found that Calling and Non-calling western toads are genetically distinct, behaviourally different, and have ecological variations. This discovery has important implications for conservation and wildlife management in Canada.
Researchers analyzed over 3,500 incidents to find that low-impact activities and species like elk, grizzly bears, and mule deer are more likely to lead to aggressive encounters. Visitors can take simple precautions such as announcing themselves, keeping leashes short, and checking park information to minimize risks.
New analysis supports the brain lag hypothesis, suggesting that some primate lineages' brain sizes overshot expectations after catching up with body size. This finding implies that large-brained primates may have evolved to form complex social groups for protection.
A new study confirms the existence of Manis aurita, a previously unrecognized Asian pangolin species, expanding biologists' understanding of pangolin diversity. The discovery provides crucial scientific basis for combating illegal poaching and protecting critically endangered animals.
A Thai study found that shelter dogs in more crowded conditions tend to have disrupted gut microbiomes compared to those with more space. The research analyzed stress, metabolism, and fecal microbiota in dogs, providing insights into the impact of shelter conditions on animal health.
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.
Researchers tracked Arabian Sea humpback whales' movements, revealing the first direct evidence of a whale crossing the Arabian Sea. The study found that these whales have adapted to their habitat in a unique way, deviating from traditional migration patterns.
A global study of over 5,100 species reveals that climate change is transforming ecosystems and threatening species across the globe. Temperate species are experiencing more local extinctions than tropical species due to faster warming rates, with temperate regions losing up to 49% of their species.
Researchers at the University of Zurich have developed epigenetic drugs that can reprogram perivascular fat cells to reduce inflammation and improve blood vessel health. By targeting specific gene-expression regulators, these drugs aim to prevent vascular damage in people with obesity and metabolic disease.
Researchers discovered that insect-eating bats can help control pest populations affecting crops like grapevines and orchard fruits. By studying six horseshoe bat colonies in northern Spain, the study found these bats to be a valuable natural consumer of pests.
A pair of grants aims to simplify wildlife management by integrating multiple species into a single plan, reducing redundancies and expanding effectiveness. The research focuses on managing entire ecosystems rather than individual species, using technologies like monitoring tools and multi-objective optimization.
A new study reveals that threatened amphibian species are being inadvertently sold under incorrect names in digital marketplaces. Genetic barcoding analysis identified four frogs advertised as Chinese edible frogs as actually being Chinese spiny frogs, classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN.
Wild female chickadees prefer males with strong spatial cognition to increase the likelihood of successful reproduction and good parental care. Males with better spatial learning and memory abilities sired more extra-pair young and raised heavier chicks, which are more likely to survive.
Researchers found that interacting with pets during stressful moments does not reduce negative emotions and can even intensify them in cat owners. On the other hand, dog owners experienced improved emotional well-being when interacting with their dogs.
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 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.
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...
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.
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.
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 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
A study published in Insect Systematics and Diversity documented over 100 species of Platydracus beetles, with more than half being new discoveries. The findings highlight the vast gaps in known biodiversity, even among well-studied groups like rove beetles.
The discovery of Nagatitan chaiyaphumensis, a 100-120 million-year-old sauropod, is the largest ever found in Southeast Asia. The dinosaur weighed around 27 tonnes and measured 27m long, making it 'the last titan' of Thailand.
A study has mapped changes in the distributions of two phytoplankton groups, Pseudo-nitzschia and Dinophysis, which produce toxins that can harm human health and marine ecosystems. The research reveals significant shifts over six decades, with changes aligned more closely with climate-driven ocean physical shifts.
Researchers analyzed hormones stored in Rice's whale baleen to understand its life story. The study found evidence of stress and reproductive patterns, shedding light on the species' critically endangered status.
Researchers discovered that water fleas use chemoreceptors to detect predator signals, involving ionotropic receptors IR25a and IR93a. Without these co-receptors, Daphnia lose their defense mechanisms against predators.
Researchers used data from over 4,000 Pugs, Bulldogs, and French Bulldogs to identify heritable traits that contribute to breathing disorders. The study suggests that improving respiratory health through selective breeding may help reduce the prevalence of brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) in these breeds.
Researchers analyzed over 7,000 salmon stomachs to understand their diet in different regions of the Salish Sea. The study found that year-round, herring are the most important food for adult Chinook salmon, while seasonal changes affect the diversity of prey.
A new study by researchers at Oregon State University suggests that restoring landscapes shaped by frequent low-intensity fire does not conflict with spotted owl conservation. The study identified areas suitable for spotted owl nesting and roosting that are more likely to persist through fire, providing insights for land managers to pl...