Articles tagged with Animals
Research found that most people are poor at recognizing pain in horses, but those with more experience are better equipped to identify subtle cues. Higher levels of social anxiety also influenced pain recognition, particularly in humans, highlighting the need for education and training on equine welfare.
A recent study in a semi-captive facility in Lao PDR showed that male Asian elephants can coexist peacefully if introduced slowly. The research with 8 unrelated males demonstrated successful socialization without significant stress, providing new insights into elephant behavior and social interaction.
A study published in iScience has decoded the vampire squid genome, revealing that modern octopuses evolved from squid-like ancestors with a conserved chromosomal architecture. The researchers found that the vampire squid retains key genomic features with squids and cuttlefish, occupying an intermediate position between these lineages.
A new study reveals that four wild cat species in Guatemala's Maya Biosphere Reserve coexist without competitive exclusion by hunting in different vertical zones. Pumas primarily consume tree-dwelling prey, while jaguars and ocelots focus on ground-dwelling prey.
A study by University of California, Riverside scientists found that alternative RNA processing, or
Researchers identify two distinct types of lion roars, including a previously unclassified 'intermediary roar', using artificial intelligence for the first time. This discovery promises more accurate and less subjective monitoring for conservationists working to protect dwindling lion populations.
Researchers found that dogs with stronger ADHD-like traits were slower to learn new information, but improved with repetition and sufficient sleep. The studies also revealed a link between ADHD-like traits and self-control in dogs, suggesting that cognitive training and sleep can mitigate these impairments.
A new study reveals a severe decline in recruitment of the American pika on Niwot Ridge, Colorado, with fewer juvenile pikas being born or migrating to take their place. Climate change is predicted to threaten pikas in the American West, with warmer summers affecting their habitats and ability to survive.
Researchers discover a new parasitic strategy where an invading ant queen uses a chemical spray to manipulate host workers into killing their own mother. The study details two species of parasitic ants that use formic acid as a chemical camouflage to get past the colony's defenses.
A study by UCLA's Brian Wood and University of Michigan's John Mitani found a link between lethal aggression, territorial expansion, and improved reproductive success in wild chimpanzees. The Ngogo group's territory grew after coordinated attacks, leading to increased fertility and survival rates among females.
Seven new species of a distinctive frog-like insect belonging to the genus Batracomorphus have been discovered in Uganda's Kibale National Park. The findings are significant as they mark the first new species recorded in Africa since 1981 and add to the existing 375 known worldwide.
A 47-year-old man from New Jersey died after consuming beef due to a tick-borne meat allergy caused by the Lone Star tick's alpha-gal sugar. Researchers identified the allergy and its link to fatal anaphylaxis, urging physicians to investigate severe abdominal pain after eating red meat in areas with high Lone Star tick populations.
In a study by Michelle Miner at UC Riverside, bumble bees were found to avoid foraging near ant colonies due to the risk of being bitten. However, aggressive bees who fought back were victorious in individual fights but may ultimately harm their colony by wasting energy.
A new study introduces a high-resolution melting PCR-based technique to track leishmaniasis, identifying sand fly species and detecting Leishmania parasites from a single sample. The approach reveals complex transmission patterns and ecological zones, enabling earlier intervention and targeted control strategies.
The Art of Science competition celebrates creativity through photography and video, highlighting FAU's rise as a hub for innovation. Chelsea Bennice wins with her captivating underwater octopus image, while Gabriella Carvajal's 'Sea Turtle Beginning' showcases embryonic development, shedding light on climate change impacts.
A University of Houston biologist has received a $2.16 million federal grant to study how some coastal frogs survive in salty environments. The research could reveal how cells cope with salt stress and have implications for understanding the health risks of high-salt diets in humans.
Research detects three species of Rickettsia bacteria in dog ticks in Malawi, highlighting a significant knowledge gap and potential public health risk. The study suggests that dogs can serve as sentinel animals for detecting pathogens, emphasizing the importance of integrated surveillance approaches to understanding zoonotic diseases.
Scientists suggest that managing pond conditions can tip the balance in favor of native species. Research found that longer hydroperiods, typically over 110 days, lead to larger and more stable populations.
Researchers discovered a common parasite of modern oysters has been infecting bivalves for hundreds of millions of years. The parasite, belonging to the spionid group, has remained largely unchanged despite multiple mass extinction events.
Researchers Prof Axel Cleeremans, Prof Anil Seth, and Prof Liad Mudrik warn that advances in AI and neurotechnology are outpacing our understanding of consciousness. They emphasize the need for theory-driven research and innovative methods to advance consciousness science.
Researchers warn that advances in AI and neurotechnology are outpacing our understanding of consciousness, with potential serious ethical consequences. A better understanding of consciousness could have major implications for AI, prenatal policy, animal welfare, medicine, mental health, law, and emerging neurotechnologies.
A study of nine large mammal species in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem found that their behavioral responses to summer heat were influenced more by environmental structure than biological traits. Populations living in homogeneous environments altered their behavior more dramatically, seeking shade and cooler conditions.
Researchers found that stabilimenta, 'decorations' on spider webs, can boost a spider's ability to pinpoint the location of prey caught in its web. Numerical simulations suggest that stabilimenta enhance vibration propagation at specific angles, increasing potential detection points.
A new study reveals that polar bears act as crucial providers for Arctic species, leaving behind millions of kilograms of prey annually. This carrion provides a vital energy source for a wide network of arctic scavenger species, including Arctic foxes and ravens.
A new study by Cornell University researchers found that tadpoles that lose their lungs through evolution never regain them, even when environmental change would favor it. This challenges the assumption that lost traits can easily reemerge.
Scientists studied the crystalline waste of over 20 reptile species and found spheres of uric acid in all of them. This unique packaging method may inform treatments for human conditions like kidney stones and gout.
Researchers at University of Würzburg discover carpenter ants perform prophylactic amputations on injured workers, halving infection spread and doubling survival rate. This unique approach is reminiscent of human medical logic, highlighting the importance of timely treatment in densely populated colonies.
At least eight bat species frequent pig farms in Northern Italy due to lack of physical barriers, increasing risk of coronavirus transmission. Researchers used a multi-disciplinary approach to study the interfaces between bats and pigs.
Researchers tracked oceanic manta rays and found they dive to depths over 1,200 meters to gather information about their environment and navigate across the open ocean. These dives are linked with increased horizontal travel afterwards, suggesting a mental mapping function.
Researchers analyzed feces samples from 11 herbivore species in Namibia's Etosha National Park to understand how environmental factors shape their gut microbiomes. The study found five types of bacteria serving as environmental indicators, which could help monitor ecosystem changes and animal adaptation.
New research from the Stowers Institute for Medical Research reveals planarian stem cells ignore their nearest neighbors and respond to signals further away in the body. This discovery may help explain the flatworm's extraordinary ability to regenerate and offer clues for developing new ways to replace or repair tissues in humans.
A community-managed forest in Guatemala's Maya Biosphere Reserve supports a rich variety of medium-to-large mammals and birds comparable to those in protected national parks. However, some vulnerable species avoid areas with high human access, revealing subtle, cryptic disturbances that ripple through the forest.
A study of 105 dogs found that 33 exhibited compulsive engagement with toys despite negative consequences. Dogs showed excessive fixation on their toy, lack of interest in alternatives, and inability to calm down after toy removal.
Low to moderate-severity fires boost bird populations with effects lasting up to 35 years, contrary to traditional fire suppression practices. Forest managers can use controlled burns and pyrodiversity to benefit majority of birds in the forest.
Researchers from Eötvös Loránd University review the biological and technological possibilities behind enhancing canine communication. They find that while dogs may not need words to be great communicators, understanding each other requires 'listening' in the right way.
Researchers assessed the impact of reactivity in red brocket deer on training efficiency, finding that calm individuals can learn commands like 'Come'. In contrast, more restless individuals had difficulty learning and following instructions.
A study by PLOS reveals significant differences in gut microbiomes between captive and wild bears and pandas, particularly among giant pandas which have less diverse microbiomes than their wild counterparts.
A global study found that introduced animal species have a greater impact on seed dispersal than native animal extinctions. Non-native mammals, such as pigs and rats, often replace native frugivorous birds, bats, and tortoises, affecting seed size and dispersal.
A new study found that snow leopards have very low genetic diversity, making them vulnerable to extinction. The research suggests that the snow leopard's low genetic diversity is due to its persistently small population size over time.
Researchers developed ECODATA, an open-source tool for exploring animal movements in the wild by creating animations that help ecologists study animal movement, climate change and conservation efforts. The software combines direct wildlife location observations with complex remote sensing data to create customizable maps.
Researchers found that seabirds use different strategies to find food, with scent-tracking birds benefiting visually hunting birds. This study provides insights into complex systems and crowd behavior, informing conservation strategies for procellariiform seabirds.
Researchers found over 20 bird species across four continents produce nearly identical whining calls when spotting parasites, suggesting a shared learned response.
A new species of the genus Leucothoe was identified on Sugashima Island, Japan. The discovery was associated with a specific type of limid bivalve, highlighting the unique biodiversity found in this region.
A new study by Florida Atlantic University researchers found that heat does not significantly affect the cognitive ability of sea turtle hatchlings. However, higher incubation temperatures negatively impact their physical traits, including shorter incubation durations, lower hatching success, and more frequent scute anomalies. The stud...
Researchers found that Eastern coyote populations stabilize faster than they can be reduced due to their unique reproductive ability. The study suggests a need for alternatives in habitat management and biodiversity.
A Cornell University study detected disease-causing microbes like Salmonella, Cronobacter, and E. coli in raw cat foods sold frozen, refrigerated, and freeze-dried. These pathogens can transfer from pets to humans, especially young children, the elderly, pregnant individuals, and those with weakened immune systems.
A serological survey found antibodies against the virus in over 2% of cattle and wildlife samples in southern continental France. The detection highlights the risk of zoonotic transmission and underscores the need for further investigation into explanatory factors.
A new species of Diploderma lizard, Diploderma bifluviale, has been described from the upper Dadu River Valley in the Hengduan mountains of Sichuan Province. The species exhibits unique characteristics, such as a wheat-colored tongue and distinct coloration, and is found in semi-arid shrublands at elevations of 2,100 to 2,500 m.
Researchers used ultraflexible probes to track neurons in the visual cortex of mice for 15 consecutive days, revealing that millisecond rhythms explain how the brain maintains a stable picture of the world. The findings provide new insights for brain-computer interfaces, sensory prostheses and therapies for neurological disease.
A study by UAB and UdL found that horses can adapt their diet according to breed, environment, and use, reducing fuel loads and maintaining open landscapes. The research suggests that horses could be a valuable resource for fire prevention strategies in Mediterranean landscapes.
A new study reveals that puppy ownership can bring joy to parents and children, but also presents mental health challenges, including child-puppy interactions and caregiver responsibilities. To mitigate these risks, researchers recommend discussing dog-care responsibilities with children and attending safety training classes.
A study by Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology researchers found that 79% of endemic ant species in Fiji are declining over the past few hundred years, coinciding with European contact and modern agricultural techniques. In contrast, non-native ant species are exploding in population.
A survey of nearly 50,000 dog owners found that dogs became harder to train during the pandemic, with improvements noted once restrictions were lifted. Factors like age, breed, and size also influenced behavior, with mixed-breed dogs showing more fear, aggression, and need for attention.
Research reveals that even thermally tolerant coral species like Stylophora pistillata can experience reduced growth and increased metabolic demand under chronic elevated baseline temperatures. However, some corals can recover when waters cool in the winter, suggesting a potential for resilience.
A study found that most rodents have thumbnails instead of claws, which helps explain how they thrived in various environments. This discovery suggests that thumbnails provide more manual dexterity than long, sharp claws, enabling rodents to exploit high-energy resources like nuts.
A UK study found that plant-based dog foods did not meet nutritional guidelines for iodine and B-vitamins, but experts say supplements or formulation changes can address these gaps. The research analyzed 31 dry dog foods, including meat-based and veterinary options, and found none met European Pet Food Industry Federation standards.
A new study links the size of male proboscis monkeys' noses to their unique vocal characteristics, suggesting a significant impact on individual identity. The findings shed light on the complex interplay between anatomy, acoustics, and social behavior in animals, with potential implications for human communication.
Researchers at OIST identified biological processes that support young clownfish adaptation to climate change and warming seas. Exposing juvenile fish to raised water temperatures showed significant changes in liver and pancreas, reducing insulin secretion and increasing oxidative phosphorylation.
A genetic test developed by Dr Lauren Lansdowne can reliably determine the species of individual gibbons, helping to preserve vulnerable populations. The test uses DNA sequencing and has been validated using large-scale samples from over 200 gibbons in European zoos.
A new species of hypercarnivorous crocodyliform, Kostensuchus atrox, has been discovered in prehistoric Patagonia with a length of 11.5ft and weight of 250kg. This predator was likely one of the top predators in its ecosystem.