Articles tagged with Ethology
A study by Pruitt and Goodnight found that group-level adaptations, such as a critical ratio of two types of females, are potent evolutionary forces in nature. In spider colonies, docile and aggressive females adapt to specific locations, with the ratio shifting between survival-friendly and threat-prone conditions.
In unpredictable situations, rats abandon past experience for random choices, controlled by the anterior cingulate cortex. This finding may have implications for human disorders like depression, where ordinary decision-making is ineffective.
Researchers at Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Janelia Research Campus found that the brain can temporarily disconnect past experiences from decision-making circuits, triggering random behavior. The team manipulated a stress hormone called norepinephrine to switch between random and strategic modes.
Research by Queen's University biologist Paul Martin found that smaller bird species can overcome size disadvantages when interacting with distantly related species. The study examined 23,362 aggressive interactions among 246 bird species pairs and identified specific traits that enhance small species' abilities in conflicts.
Researchers found that coral trout can choose the best moray partner for hunting, and even learn which one is more helpful. They use intentional communication to manipulate the behavior of suitable species to achieve a common goal.
A new Oxford University study reveals differences between individual primate brains linked to their social status, with larger brain regions associated with dominance and subordination. The research also found that brain activity patterns vary with position in the social hierarchy.
Researchers found baby birds can right themselves in midair by pumping their wings asymmetrically, a talent that could have helped early birds develop flying skills. This innate ability, present in 25% of day-old chicks, suggests that dinosaurs took flight from trees before developing flapping flight.
Research reveals that female rats exposed to a common fungicide through their ancestral line are more prone to stress and anxiety. The study suggests that environmental toxins can affect gene expression, leading to adverse effects on offspring.
A new study from the University of Exeter challenges traditional views on magpie behavior, finding that these birds are not attracted to shiny objects. Instead, they exhibit neophobia, or fear of new things, when encountering novel and unfamiliar items.
Researchers have discovered that interfering with a basic metabolic pathway in insect brains can increase aggression in fruit flies and honey bees. The team found that suppressing key genes involved in energy generation leads to increased aggression, but this effect is lost in chronically stressed individuals.
A new study suggests that using animal metaphors to describe violent crimes can lead to increased punishment for perpetrators due to heightened perceptions of risk. This study found that such descriptions result in significantly harsher punishments compared to non-animalistic descriptions.
A new study finds that human skulls changed in ways indicating a lowering of testosterone levels during the time culture was blossoming. The research team argues that human society advanced when people started being nicer to each other, leading to more cultural exchange and cooperation.
Researchers discovered that hidden differences in neural circuits can account for varying responses to brain injury. The study used sea slugs and found that artificially rewiring the neural circuit made some animals susceptible or invulnerable to injury.
A study by Georgia State University researchers found that subtle variations in neural connections can impact behavior and susceptibility to brain injury. The findings have significant implications for predicting patient outcomes and tailoring treatments.
A team of researchers at Brown University developed a wireless virtual reality system to study how pedestrians interact with each other and how their individual behaviors generate patterns of crowd movement. The system, which allows for the creation of virtual crowds, has shown that people tend to match the speed and direction of their...
Researchers found that chimpanzees in a social group learned to stick grass in their ears after observing Julie, who first introduced the behavior. The trait was passed down through generations even after Julie's death, highlighting the cultural potential of chimpanzees.
A study found that exposure to BPS causes hyperactive behavior and alters brain development in zebrafish, similar effects observed with BPA. The research suggests that BPS may lead to altered brain connections and explain the hyperactivity seen in another experiment.
A recent ant study discovered three new copies of egg yolk protein Vitellogenin, which play distinct roles in regulating ant societies. The findings suggest that patterns underlying caste differences are not easily generalized across social insects.
Researchers from CSIC have developed idTracker, a software that uses algorithms to identify and track individual animals in videos. This allows for the study of rules of social interaction in groups, previously impossible due to identification errors. The software is easy to use and has been tested with various species.
Researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital confirmed for the first time that stimulation of the ventral tegmental area can change behavior in primates. The study found that activation of the brain's reward system, mediated by dopamine, can induce changes in visual preference and motivation.
A study from North Carolina State University found that increases in dopamine levels trigger dramatic physical changes in Indian jumping ant workers, transforming them into warrior queens with elevated life expectancy. This discovery has implications for understanding social insect behavior and epigenetics.
Researchers investigated four trained therapy dogs and found no stress during group therapy. The study established that freedom relaxes the dogs, reducing cortisol levels, and symptoms of stressed dogs include hair loss and anxiety-like behaviors. Regular supervision is recommended for therapy dogs to ensure their well-being.
A team of scientists at The Scripps Research Institute has deciphered the pheromone code used by mice to trigger countermarking behavior, which involves distinguishing territory from others.
Scientists at RIKEN-MIT Center for Neural Circuit Genetics identified gamma oscillations as the key brain signal underlying memory transfer and corrective action. They found that mice made mistakes and then corrected them, triggering a burst of gamma waves that enabled working memory recall.
Researchers found that boosting runaway neuronal activity triggers a compensatory self-stabilizing response, restoring balance and reversing depression-like behaviors. This 'homeostatic resilience' mechanism may lead to new antidepressant strategies, targeting the brain's reward circuit.
A team of researchers led by Jane Wang from Cornell University has discovered a proportional control law in the tiger beetle's chasing behavior. The study reveals that the beetle uses a sideways force proportional to its prey's angular position to turn towards it.
Research confirms that fish living on coral reefs with high levels of carbon dioxide are less able to detect predator odors. The study found that these fish were also bolder and more likely to engage in risky behavior, but had fewer differences in species richness or composition.
Researchers from the University of Edinburgh found that newborn male deer with high testosterone levels are less likely to survive their first year compared to peers. The study also showed that testosterone levels in offspring are linked to their mother's condition, suggesting a potential survival advantage for younger calves.
A recent study by University of Toronto researchers found that kids' books with anthropomorphized animals lead to less factual learning and misattribution of human behaviors in children. Using realistic animal portrayals can promote more accurate biological understanding.
Researchers have created the first maps of neural activity in behaving zebrafish, recording activity from single cells to entire brains. The study reveals stereotyped patterns of activity between individuals, enabling a functional atlas of the brain to be built.
A comprehensive framework identifies crucial elements supporting evolution of social behaviour in structured populations. Helping neighbours reproduce more or live longer does not have same indirect consequences on own fitness.
A team of researchers used computer simulations to study the aerodynamics of flying snakes, discovering that whirls of wind surrounding the snake's body provide an extra boost of lift. This unique shape helps the snake glide efficiently through the air, making it a fascinating example of nature's efficient design.
A collaborative effort has created a standardized nomenclature for the architecture of insect brains, tripling the number of identified structures. This will enable future research on brain function and disease to be more efficient and accurate.
An animal study suggests that activating acid-sensing ion channels called ASIC1a in the brain's emotional control center can reduce anxiety-like behavior. The findings highlight a potential new mechanism for controlling fear and anxiety, paving the way for novel therapies.
Researchers found that male chipping sparrows form 'dear enemy' alliances with weaker neighbors to prevent stronger rivals from moving in. In a surprise discovery, these coalitions were shown to be rare and often based on specific vocal relationships.
Researchers have observed Guam mantas gathering around fish spawn, which is a previously unknown behavior. The mantas react to the presence of surgeonfish by trying to evade them. This study highlights the importance of understanding manta behavior for conservation efforts in Micronesia.
Researchers developed a new paradigm to analyze collective animal behavior using machine learning without tracking individual animals, mirroring human observation. The technique successfully distinguished between species and changes in behavior in response to stimuli.
Researchers from Haverford College discovered that falcons head off their prey by flying so the target appears stationary in the falcon's visual field, reducing energy expenditure and increasing hunting success. This strategy is also employed by bats and humans when chasing prey or evading threats.
A recent study estimated human-directed aggression in UK dogs, revealing that nearly 7% exhibit aggressive behaviour when meeting people. The majority of these incidents occur in one specific situation, contradicting the common 'safe' or 'vicious' dog stereotype.
Many clinical studies on vitamins have poor methodology, leading to inaccurate conclusions and defying existing evidence. New methodologies are needed to provide scientifically valid information to consumers with inadequate diets or deficiencies.
In a study, researchers found that dogs can perceive faces in images and differentiate between familiar and strange faces. Dogs preferred viewing conspecific faces over human faces, gazing more at the eye area of familiar faces.
Researchers found that gut bacteria changes are associated with autism-like behaviors in mice, which improved when treated with beneficial bacteria. The study suggests a potential therapeutic role for probiotics in treating gastrointestinal and behavioral symptoms of autism.
Scientists create a virtual reality environment to study how rats navigate and anticipate rewards. The results show that rats prefer to use visual cues for navigation, while their legs work in harmony with their anticipation of food. In contrast, auditory cues alone lead to confusion and random movement.
Researchers at NYU-Poly used underwater robots to examine how golden shiner fish interact with a robot's coloration, size, and movement. The results show that the fish are drawn to a robot mimicking their natural colors and movement patterns, influencing their swimming behavior.
Researchers at Caltech developed a new stimulus to study mouse visual behavior, finding that mice respond with immediate reflex-like responses to a looming black disk, freezing or fleeing depending on the environment. The study validates the mouse model for studying visual processing and has implications for understanding animal behavior.
Researchers at Newcastle University developed a technology that tracks dog behavior to detect potential health issues in owners. The system uses movement sensors and machine learning algorithms to identify changes in canine behavior that may indicate declining health or boredom.
Researchers selectively bred silver foxes for friendly behavior, resulting in faster maturation, more attractive features, and changes in hormone levels that affect physical development. These findings suggest that human preference for beautiful faces may be linked to an individual's approachability and sociability.
A study found that dogs react sociably to robots that behave socially towards them, even if the devices look nothing like a human. The research suggests that designers of social robots should consider how their designs interact with users and animals.
Researchers at the University of California, Davis, are studying complex networked systems, from nanomachines to nation-states, to find ways to intervene in networks to better control them or prevent catastrophic cascading breakdowns.
A USCB study reveals that diet experience can alter taste preferences in fruit flies, with changes occurring through a mechanism involving the degradation of TRPL protein and reduction in synaptic connections. Long-term camphor exposure causes a decline in TRPL levels and subsequent increase in taste acceptance.
A new study reveals an unexpected role for a protein in the integration of opposing attractive and aversive gustatory stimuli in fruit flies. The findings demonstrate that the protein inhibits the activity of sugar-activated receptors when bitter compounds are present, reducing attraction to sugars.
A new study by Ohio State University researchers found that people assume strangers are different from them when competing online, leading to more aggressive bidding. This bias changes how people act on websites like eBay, where competition alters assumptions about strangers.
Gene Robinson, a renowned expert in social behavior and genetics, has received the Animal Behavior Society's Distinguished Animal Behaviorist award. His groundbreaking work on the mechanisms and evolution of social behavior in Western honey bees has significantly advanced the field.
Research found that aging elicits changes in taste preferences, with older animals preferring less sweet and umami tastes and more bitter tastes. Despite no differences in neural activity, these age-related changes were observed in behavioral studies.
A recent study published in Current Biology found that lunar cycles affect human sleep quality. The research revealed a significant drop in brain activity related to deep sleep around full moon, with participants also reporting poorer sleep quality and lower melatonin levels.
Researchers have identified a risk factor for autism in children, linking prenatal exposure to maternal antibodies to changes in brain development that affect behavior. The study found altered patterns of neurodevelopment and social behavior in offspring exposed to specific antibodies.
In a study, cockatoos solved a 5-lock problem by first removing a pin, then a screw, and so on. They adapted their approach when faced with altered sequences, suggesting they understood the structure of the problem. The birds' performance was characterized by flexible and sensitive reactions to changes in the sequence.
Researchers found that cockatoos employ a 'cognitive ratchet' process to solve the problem, suggesting they have a representation of the goal. After mastering the sequence, birds reacted with immediate sensitivity to changes in the puzzle box.
A study at Duke University found that lemurs in larger social groups exhibit more 'social intelligence' and are more likely to steal food behind a human's back. The research supports the 'social intelligence hypothesis,' suggesting that living in large social networks drove the evolution of complex social cognition in primates.
Researchers have developed a novel trophallaxis network control method for formation flight of multiple UAVs, which enables efficient information transfer and coordination. The new strategy has the potential to improve the stability and performance of UAV formations in various applications.