Articles tagged with Ethology
Researchers at UGA discovered a neural pathway in fly larvae that triggers impulsive eating behavior when exposed to appetizing odors. This finding suggests that humans and flies share similar mechanisms for responding to rewarding cues, which can lead to compulsive eating.
Research published in PLOS ONE found that children with autism spectrum disorders display more social behaviors like talking and physical contact when interacting with animals than with toys. The presence of animals also increases instances of smiling and laughing, and reduces negative behaviors.
Researchers observed wild meerkat groups in the Kalahari Desert, where dominant females yield to lower-ranked individuals to cross roads, revealing a complex adaptation mechanism. This phenomenon may be an innate response, allowing animals to cope with novel threats and minimizing group risk.
Researchers discovered a hierarchical warning scheme used by song sparrows to ward off trespassing rivals, including matching the intruder's song, soft songs, and wing waves. The study found that birds who matched the intruder's song were most likely to attack, adding nuance to their complex communication system.
A small robot was driven by a male silkmoth to track down its sex pheromone, demonstrating the potential for insect-inspired odor tracking. The researchers hope to apply this technology to autonomous robots that can detect environmental spills and leaks.
Scientists have developed a new technology to see thoughts 'swim' through the brain of a living fish, allowing real-time visualization of neuronal activity during perception. This breakthrough has the potential to unlock complex behaviors, including learning, memory, and emotions, by interpreting specific combinations of neurons.
Socially isolated rats are more susceptible to addiction to amphetamine and alcohol due to enhanced reward sensitivity. They exhibit quicker preference formation for environmental cues associated with the rewarding substance, making extinction harder to achieve.
A study by evolutionary biologist Kathryn Lord found that wolf pups and dogs develop their senses at the same time but enter critical periods of socialization at different ages. Wolf pups begin walking and exploring without fear, relying on smell, while dog pups only start to explore after all three senses are functioning.
EPFL researchers find correlation between childhood psychological trauma and neurological changes similar to those found in violent humans. The study demonstrates that traumatic experiences in pre-adolescent rats lead to altered brain function, including reduced orbitofrontal cortex activation and increased aggression.
A study by Michigan State University found captive hyenas excel at solving novel problems, suggesting limitations in applying captive animal results to the wild. The researchers, led by Sarah Benson-Amram, discovered that captive hyenas were more willing to tackle challenges and explored solutions.
Researchers found that the Nopili rock-climbing goby uses the same set of muscles for both climbing and eating, filming jaw muscle movement during both activities. The study suggests that these fish have learned to use similar movements to meet two different needs, potentially coopted through evolution.
In a study published in Nature Neuroscience, researchers discovered that three distinct brain areas work together to weigh the benefits of giving to oneself versus another monkey. The team found that neurons in the anterior cingulate gyrus (ACCg) encode both giving and receiving rewards in a remarkably similar way.
A University of Utah study suggests human hands evolved not only for manual dexterity but also for making fists and fighting. The research found that human fists provide a performance advantage in punching, with increased force delivery and protection for delicate hand bones during combat. This evolution may have been driven by selecti...
Researchers used optogenetics to control brain activity in mice, tracing stress resilience to neurons in the reward circuit. Instantly triggering or reversing depression-like states was possible with flashes of an LED light.
Researchers at Durham University found that some grey seal mothers adopt a flexible parenting style, adjusting their behavior to local conditions. This approach allows them to give their pups a better chance of survival, but also carries risks if they misjudge the environment.
Research shows socially isolated animals produce less myelin in the prefrontal cortex, a region responsible for emotional and cognitive behavior. The study also found that social isolation disrupts oligodendrocyte cell development, leading to changes in gene transcription.
A new study suggests that social contact can lower pain responses and inflammation in mice with nerve damage. The study found that paired mice showed reduced signs of inflammation and allodynia behavior compared to isolated mice.
A new life sciences study using 14 years of data on gray wolves in Yellowstone National Park found that cooperative group behavior and a mother's weight are crucial for raising successful offspring. Larger packs tend to get larger and win the 'arms race' of holding territories against competing packs.
A study published in Animal Behaviour found that a hormone similar to oxytocin increases responsiveness to social information and promotes cohesion in fish. The discovery sheds light on the evolution of complex social behaviors in some species.
A study of children in Massachusetts found that low-level prenatal mercury exposure is associated with a higher risk of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)-related behaviors. Conversely, fish consumption during pregnancy appears to be protective, particularly for impulsive/hyperactive behaviors.
Researchers found that newborn mice depend on the specific blend of scents emitted by their mothers, which is distinct from earlier studies in rabbits. This discovery suggests that innate behaviors like suckling may involve learning rather than hardwired instincts.
A new article explores the link between chronic laminitis and inflammation, identifying an anti-inflammatory protein APOA-IV as a key factor. The psychology of equine performance also plays a crucial role in enhancing horse's mood, emotion, and temperament to improve performance.
Researchers at Harvard University have successfully controlled the behavior of worms by manipulating their neurons with precise laser beams. By hijacking key neurons, they can instruct the worm to perform specific actions, such as turning in a desired direction or responding to fake sensory inputs.
Researchers found that Western scrub jays gather around a dead bird's body and call loudly, attracting other birds to join in. The purpose of this behavior is unclear, but it may serve as a warning system or teach young jays about dangers.
A new study shows that crows react to threats in a human-like way, with brain regions activated similarly to those in mammals. The research used a novel approach to study bird behavior, involving awake crows wearing masks, and has implications for reducing stress in captive animals.
Researchers identified brain regions involved in affective aggression in mice, which may be similar to those affected in humans. The study's findings could lead to the development of novel approaches to treat chronic affective aggression.
Researchers have identified a neural signature of affiliative experience in the human brain, using functional MRI to differentiate between positive and negative emotional experiences. The study's findings have implications for understanding emotions and neuropsychiatric conditions such as post-partum depression, psychopathy, and attach...
The NCAN gene plays a major part in how manias manifest, being closely correlated with manic symptoms but not depressive episodes. Researchers found that knockout mice lacking the NCAN gene exhibited increased hyperactivity and reward-seeking behavior, responding well to lithium therapy.
Researchers found that rats with brain lesions developed schizophrenia-like symptoms if not trained, but those who received early cognitive training as adolescents showed no signs of the disorder. The study suggests that experience and learning can overcome neural disabilities, paving the way for new treatments for mental disorders.
A study by Ben-Gurion University researchers found that sleep deprivation immediately after exposure to trauma reduces the development of post-traumatic behavioral responses. This suggests that sleep deprivation in the first hours after stress exposure might represent an effective intervention for PTSD.
Research in rats and humans found that multiple pieces of food elicit greater satiation than a single piece, with increased portion sizes leading to increased intake. Cutting food into smaller pieces can make it more satiating, benefiting dieters seeking portion control.
A Wayne State University researcher is studying the impact of training animal shelter dogs on social skills and quality of life in incarcerated teens. The study aims to measure effects on depression, empathy, and attachment to both humans and animals.
Researchers at UC Berkeley discovered cockroaches can fling themselves under a ledge to vanish from sight. By leveraging their grappling hook-like claws and swinging like a pendulum, they retain most of their running energy.
Researchers have identified and characterized a new behavior in geckos and cockroaches, allowing them to run off ledges and execute a pendulum-like motion to swing underneath. This discovery has inspired the development of robots that can also perform this acrobatic move, with potential applications in search-and-rescue missions.
Researchers have developed a new technique to measure brain activity during behavior in zebrafish with unprecedented resolution. The technique allows for the simultaneous measurement of up to 2,000 neurons, providing insights into how brain regions work together to control behavior.
Scientists from Queen Mary University of London found that zebrafish housed individually spent less time on the bottom of their tank, indicating lower stress levels. Individually housed fish also responded to ethanol and had lower cortisol levels compared to group-housed fish.
Brown University researchers found that RNA editing enzyme activity varies with temperature, affecting fly behavior in mating and daily routines. High or low self-editing levels can create different personalities, such as wallflowers or pick-up artists, highlighting the significance of this process in animal behavior.
Researchers found that humans and chimpanzees tend to copy majority behaviour, while children consider both frequency and number of demonstrators. Orangutans, however, showed no such bias, possibly due to their solitary group structure. The study suggests a key difference in social learning mechanisms between humans, chimpanzees, and o...
Researchers found that ants' social contact with sick ants promotes disease protection in their group members through low-level micro-infections. This social mechanism enables colonies to recover more rapidly from infections.
A new study found that dogs who have 'run out' of self-control make more impulsive decisions, increasing their risk of physical harm. In the experiment, dogs with depleted self-control spent more time near an aggressive dog than those without depleted self-control.
Researchers discovered that Hydra's stinging cells are linked to primitive light-responsive cells via a nervous system, enabling the animals to react to light. This finding reveals how Hydra can hunt during the day despite lacking eyes, and hints at a common ancestor with humans.
By mimicking the tail propulsion of a swimming fish, researchers created a biomimetic robotic fish that attracted and led golden shiners. The robot's movement patterns induced slower tail movements in followers, allowing them to benefit from the leader's energy savings.
Research on elephants in South Africa reveals chronic stress leads to 'refuge behavior,' changing space use and preferences. Higher physiological stress levels result in 20-43% lower land usage, highlighting the need for wildlife management projects to consider these effects.
A protein linked to learning and memory plays a crucial role in driving desert locusts from harmless grasshoppers to destructive swarms. Researchers discovered that this protein acts as a molecular switch in social feedback loops, triggering the locusts' gregarious behavior.
Researchers found that uninformed individuals can bring about a majority decision, even if the minority is more determined than the majority. The number of undecided individuals must not be excessive, or decisions become unpredictable and follow a random pattern.
A study on free-living female Alpine marmots found that prenatal testosterone exposure gives females an edge in a population, allowing them to become more aggressive and dominant. This is contrary to previous findings in other species, where being exposed to males can make females less reproductively successful.
A recent study of young chimpanzees reveals that they engage in playful behavior during infancy and develop complex social play patterns, similar to those of human children. The research also found that both humans and chimps prefer peer play partners and use facial expressions to communicate and build social networks.
Research reveals that people's diets are influenced by conflicting norms and environmental cues, rather than just knowledge of healthy eating. According to study findings, having strong beliefs about good eating habits is not enough to change behavior; individuals must also possess the willpower to follow their rules.
Washington State University researchers have developed a new animal model to study depression by stimulating a brain region associated with primary emotions in rats. The model reveals behaviors linked to depression, including reduced positive affect and increased agitation.
Motherhood is associated with changes in brain function, particularly in the auditory cortex, enabling mothers to recognize and respond to pup distress calls. The study shows a rapid appearance of olfactory-auditory integration in lactating mothers.
Researchers found that meerkats can distinguish between individual calls in their species, contrary to previous assumptions. Meerkat colonies are highly organized and divide work into three roles, with this vocal recognition ability linked to auditory cues.
Researchers from the University of Exeter found that male insects are not aggressive towards their mates but instead protective and willing to risk their lives to ensure female safety. This challenges previous assumptions about insect relationships, suggesting a more nuanced understanding of natural selection in the wild.
Researchers found that ritualistic behavior is not only human but also animal behavior, developed to induce calm and manage stress. In both humans and animals, repetitive behavior serves as a way to feel in control of unpredictable situations.
A new study from Case Western Reserve University found that aquarium fishes are more aggressive in reduced environments, with 182.9 million ornamental fishes at risk. Increasing tank size and complexity can reduce harmful aggressive behaviors, leading to healthier fish.
Researchers at Yerkes National Primate Research Center have shown that chimpanzees exhibit a significant bias for prosocial behavior, particularly towards partners who are patient. The study's findings confirm the altruistic nature of chimpanzees, suggesting human altruism may not be as rare as previously thought.
A new system tracks cattle's feeding patterns and behavior using RFID technology, enabling early detection of illnesses and improving treatment outcomes. The system has shown promising results in detecting subtle changes in animal behavior indicative of health challenges.
Scientists use optogenetics to induce social-behavior deficits in mice resembling those seen in people with autism and schizophrenia. The findings lend credence to a hypothesis that an altered balance between excitatory and inhibitory nerve cells may contribute to the development of these disorders.
Researchers found that domestic chickens have a significant preference for consonant sounds, which may be an innate auditory preference. This finding challenges the notion that aesthetic tastes are solely learned behaviors and highlights the importance of distinguishing among sounds in the natural environment.
A new owl study uncovers the advantage of stereopsis, revealing its ability to discriminate between objects and background. The findings debunk the long-held consensus that the evolutionary advantage of seeing in stereo must be depth vision, suggesting a more nuanced role for binocular disparity.
Researchers analyzed the heads of pachycephalosaur dinosaurs and compared them to modern animals that engage in head butting. They found that the bony anatomy of pachycephalosaur domes is better at protecting the brain than in any modern head-butting animal.