Articles tagged with Ethology
Desert locusts that swarm together have larger brains with altered proportions compared to solitary locusts. Their bigger brains are thought to help them cope with the challenges of living in large groups and finding varied food sources.
Researchers identified two genes, leucokinin neuropeptide and receptor, that regulate meal sizes and frequency in fruit flies. In normal flies, the stretch receptors signal to the brain when the gut is full, but in mutants or brain center destruction, this signal is not relayed, leading to excessive eating.
Researchers found that male African cichlid fish exhibit a fear response when fighting their own reflections, characterized by increased activity in the amygdala region of the brain. This discovery suggests that fish may have more complex cognitive abilities than previously thought.
Researchers identified a specific chemical compound emitted by predators that triggers fearful behavior in mice. The study reveals the importance of the vomeronasal organ in detecting chemical cues and highlights the complexity of brain response to sensory information.
Female zebra finches often outsource parental care to neighbors, with 1 in 20 eggs being a 'cuckoo egg'. Most cuckoo eggs are laid shortly before the host parents start breeding.
Scientists have discovered a hidden neuronal circuit in the worm Caenorhabditis elegans that modulates sensory perception under stress. This work suggests that mechanisms coupling hypoxia, serotonin, and neuropeptide signaling also modify behavior in mammals.
UT Southwestern researchers discovered that new brain nerve cells play a crucial role in stress resilience. Mice susceptible to stress exhibited enhanced neurogenesis, with surviving cells surviving longer than those produced by resilient mice.
A study by US Department of Agriculture researchers found that a tryptophan-enriched diet reduces aggression in young female pigs, making them calmer and easier to manage. The supplement raised blood concentrations of serotonin, a calming neurotransmitter, leading to reduced behavioral activity and aggression.
Researchers at Caltech have recorded brain-cell activity in actively flying fruit flies, revealing that the visual system becomes more sensitive during flight. The study suggests that this increased sensitivity is linked to a neurochemical release that sets the animal's brain in a different state.
Researchers found that mice create 'knots' – preferred places with high path tortuosity – during exploration, which enhance their visual scene interpretation, memory of the place, and provide multiple views. This study contributes to understanding how animals map environments and accomplish goals.
Researchers discovered that removing the PKCI/HINT1 gene from mice results in anti-depressant and anxiolytic-like behaviors, suggesting its potential role in mood regulation. The study's findings could lead to the development of new diagnostic or therapeutic agents for depression, bipolar disorders, and schizophrenia.
Scientists successfully recreated chemicals that trigger aggressive behavior in Argentine ants, revealing insights into the insects' social behavior and potential methods for controlling their populations. The findings have implications for understanding the invasive species' success in non-native regions.
A Case Western Reserve University engineering professor is developing a miniaturized low-power device to detect how electrical signals and neurotransmitters in the brain work. The device will record 16 channels of chemical and electrical neural activity, measuring neurotransmitters and action potentials in real time.
Researchers found that macaque monkeys react with revulsion when viewing nearly human-like images, supporting theories of an evolutionary basis for the uncanny valley. The study indicates that the brain mechanisms underlying this phenomenon are likely biological adaptations.
Researchers used light-activated proteins to pinpoint the neural cell responsible for a specific behavior in zebrafish, a breakthrough that could lead to new insights into biological systems and synthetic biology applications. This technique may also aid in optimizing biofuels and disease-fighting therapies.
Female reptiles lay eggs in communal nests, defying their solitary nature. The behavior is common among 255 lizard species and many snake and alligator species, with potential advantages including reduced nesting costs.
Researchers at MIT's Picower Institute for Learning and Memory found that brain cells only change their responses after a successful behavior, but not after a failure. This study sheds light on the neural mechanisms underlying learning and memory, with implications for understanding how we learn and treating learning disorders.
Research found that gun dogs and sheep dogs excel in following a pointing finger, while hunting hounds and mongrels struggle. Breed characteristics with short noses and central eyes also improve comprehension. The study cautions against making generalizations about the effects of domestication on dog behavior.
Research finds fish kept alone or with one companion show increased aggression, while larger groups exhibit natural behaviors like shoaling. The study aims to establish welfare guidelines for home aquaria by examining healthy stocking densities and novel object use.
Subordinate mosquitofish are significantly faster than dominant ones in responding to attacks. Researchers found that fin damage from frequent fights leads to declining aggression.
Researchers found that an opioid peptide, DADLE, protected against experimental stroke in rats, preventing cell death and behavioral abnormalities. The study suggests a new pharmacological target for stroke therapy.
A study published in BMC Biology has identified 59 genetic mutations in 57 genes that impact the behavior of fruit flies. Researchers found that certain mutations increase aggression, while others make the flies more placid.
A recent study by Georgia State University researchers found that chimpanzees are cognitively able to understand trade but lack the ability to spontaneously barter without human enforcement. Humans, on the other hand, have a reputation system that fosters confidence in trade, which may be unique among primates.
Researchers found that bats can distinguish between each other's vocalizations, which may aid in social behavior and recognition. This discovery has significant implications for our understanding of bat behavior and social interactions.
Researchers found that inexperienced reed warblers learn to defend themselves by observing the mobbing behavior of other members of their species. This social learning enables them to fine-tune their defenses against cuckoo parasites, a mechanism that responds rapidly to changes in parasitism.
Researchers found goldfish exhibit reflexive and cognitive pain responses, displaying fear and anxiety after painful stimuli. The study suggests that fish consciously perceive pain and change behavior afterward.
A new study challenges the idea that individuals with certain genotypes are predestined to negative life outcomes. Infants raised in small social groups were more likely to be aggressive and anxious, particularly those with a low activity MAOA genotype. However, no genotype effects were evident in monkeys reared in larger social cages.
Researchers found that nicotine alters brain areas involved in inhibiting negative emotions like anger, leading to reduced retaliation and increased cravings. The study supports the idea that individuals with an angry disposition are more susceptible to nicotine's effects.
A recent study published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B found that sexual harassment from males prevents female fish from forming social bonds with each other. The researchers discovered that male harassment not only breaks down female social structures but also affects females' ability to recognize one another.
A new study examines the impact of social isolation on rats' response to cocaine, revealing that isolated male rats are more susceptible to the drug's effects. The research suggests that early isolation can alter brain sensitivity to cocaine, leading to increased sensitivity in adolescence.
Scientists created a mathematical model to study cooperative groups of animals, known as superorganisms, which evolve through two scenarios: closely related individuals or policing-based control. This finding suggests that some animal groups can behave like united organisms.
Researchers found that seagulls watch and mimic their neighbors' behavior during rest periods, indicating a life-saving trend. This study suggests animals don't act independently but cue on reactions from other members of their group.
A new University of Pennsylvania survey found that most dogs will continue to be aggressive unless training techniques are modified. Non-aversive training methods, such as exercise and rewards, elicited few aggressive responses. The study highlights the risk of dominance-based training, which can lead to owner-directed aggression.
Studies find that access to nature reduces aggression, crime rates, and improves cognitive function in children with ADHD. Living near trees also positively influences mood, life satisfaction, and social interactions, particularly among elderly adults.
A new study on stickleback fish found that followers play a crucial role in good leadership and that individuals adopt roles based on social feedback. The researchers showed that each member of a pair influences the other's behavior, leading to dynamic leadership emergence.
Tel Aviv University researchers have developed a program that analyzes animal behavior to understand and treat OCD. By comparing human behavior to animal rituals, the model identifies abnormal patterns and provides a tool for mental health practitioners. This innovative approach may motivate patients to correct their compulsive actions.
Research suggests that schizophrenia patients' reduced non-verbal expressivity is linked to poor social skills and an inability to accurately imagine others' thoughts and feelings. This impairment contributes to difficulties in conversation and social interactions, making it challenging for people with schizophrenia to engage with others.
Researchers found that rats exposed to alcohol during pregnancy are more attracted to the smell of liquor during puberty, and this effect persists into adolescence. Fetal ethanol exposure also changes how the odor and flavor of ethanol are perceived, making it more attractive to others.
The Panamanian termite has recorded the fastest mandible strike ever, with footage showing a soldier termite's jaws striking an invader at speeds of up to 70 meters per second. This rapid strike is thought to be due to the termites' need to store energy in their mandibles to generate force.
Researchers found that cockroaches choose between four primary escape routes at fixed angles from threats, avoiding predictability and allowing them to stay one step ahead of predators. This study challenges the idea that 'unpredictable' behavior is random, suggesting instead that animals may be choosing between multiple strategies.
Dr. Mariano Belluscio, a graduate research scientist at Rutgers University, has been awarded the Pew Latin American Fellows Program in Biomedical Sciences. He explores neural activity patterns in memory and planning, shedding light on fundamental mechanisms of brain function.
Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory demonstrate that spike timing in cortical neurons can influence behavior even at minuscule time intervals. The study suggests an alternative theory of information processing in the cortex, where information is encoded within the precise pattern of spiking rather than just the rate of spiking.
A study by Baylor College of Medicine researchers reveals a critical function of the MeCP2 protein in regulating neuronal behavior, particularly in relation to stress, aggression, and obesity. The findings demonstrate that MeCP2 is essential for tempering neural responses, enabling appropriate behavior in novel social situations.
Researchers report that male and female rufous-and-white wren partners sing duets to keep track of each other when apart. The duets also serve as a form of aggressive territory defense, with birds responding aggressively to rival individuals.
Researchers have found that cocaine-induced synaptic plasticity plays a crucial role in addiction development. By selectively switching off specific protein components, scientists have been able to induce persistent addictive behavior in mice.
A new study identifies 39 genes differentially expressed between workers with varying Gp-9 genotypes, including those regulating chemical signaling and response. The study also found 91 genes indirectly influenced by social environment, highlighting the genetic complexities of social behavior.
Recent research reveals that spotted hyenas often hunt alone to avoid feeding competition within their social group and instead opt for solo hunts to ensure individual survival. By doing so, they tap into a previously unknown strategy for increasing their chances of capturing prey.
A recent study published in Neuron reveals that the brain's decision-making region encodes information associated with the magnitude and delay of rewards. This finding sheds light on why humans and animals prefer immediate over delayed rewards, known as temporal discounting.
Researchers found that Nazca booby chicks have high levels of testosterone and other male hormones, increasing aggression and leading to lethal fights with siblings. This early-life behavior prepares the birds for future bullying behaviors.
A new study reveals that fruitflies have four large heat-responsive neurons in their brain, which help them detect and avoid temperatures just above their preferred level. This discovery sheds light on the mechanisms of neural circuits that drive animals to select a preferred temperature.
New research explores the evolutionary origins of the brain, shedding light on how complex synapse structures drove brain evolution. The study finds that sophisticated molecular processing of nerve impulses was key to developing animals with more complex behaviors.
Researchers found socially subordinate females consume calorie-rich foods at a higher level, leading to accelerated weight gain and increased fat-derived hormones. Dr. Wilson believes this may be linked to changes in metabolism and cortisol levels.
A study by Ashley J. W. Ward and colleagues found that groups of fish only follow leaders when a threshold number of fellow group members perform a particular behaviour, reducing the risk of non-adaptive following. This quorum response is also relevant to human decision-making.
Researchers have discovered a timing mechanism in the brain of fruit fly larvae that controls their avoidance of food and could lead to new pain relief methods. This mechanism has counterparts in mammalian models involved in psychological processes such as food response, anxiety suppression, and pain perception.
A new study published in PLOS ONE found that female fruit flies often choose males who win fights, contradicting the assumption that aggression is key to successful mating. The researchers suggest that unexpected interactions between individuals, known as 'chemistry,' play a crucial role in mate selection.
Researchers have identified neurons that form different spiral-shaped axons on the left and right sides of the brain, suggesting a possible explanation for brain asymmetry. The findings provide new insights into how the brain processes information and could lead to a better understanding of cognitive performance and social behavior.
In experiments, chimpanzees showed an ability to recognize and generalize behavioral traits in strangers, forming reputation judgments based on observation. This finding suggests that chimps may possess a system for attributing reputation, a crucial feature of cooperative exchanges.
Gro Amdam investigates biochemical factors influencing aging and longevity in honeybees, focusing on vitellogenin protein and social life history properties. Her work may reveal mechanisms governing lifespan in social species.
Researchers have created a new mouse model of mania, allowing them to study the complex interactions between genetic and environmental factors contributing to bipolar disorder. The study found that mice missing the GluR6 gene exhibited symptoms of mania, including increased activity, reduced anxiety, and aggressive behavior.
Research reveals that specific males with strong catalytic effects initiate hunts, diluting prey defenses and increasing hunting likelihood. These 'impact hunters' are more likely to be successful and have a high success rate when hunting alone.