Articles tagged with Fur
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Researchers at the University of Surrey have discovered a unique mix of lipids in polar bear fur that drastically reduces ice adhesion, paving the way for safer and more sustainable anti-freezing solutions. The study found that specific lipids, such as cholesterol and diacylglycerols, exhibit low adsorption energies on ice.
A team of scientists discovered polar bear sebum's anti-icing properties, making it harder for ice to stick. The study sheds light on polar bear ecology and may lead to sustainable anti-ice surface coatings.
Archaeologists have discovered that early North Americans made needles from the bones of fur-bearers, including foxes, hares, and cats, which were likely used to create garments for warmth. The findings provide strong evidence for tailored garment production using bone needles and fur-bearing animal pelts.
Researchers at Northwestern University have finally uncovered the mechanics of static electricity generated by rubbing objects together, explaining how forces on different parts of an object create electrical charges and a current. This breakthrough could lead to new solutions for industrial fires, pharmaceutical dosing, and other issu...
Research reveals that crude oil pollution dramatically reduces sea otter fur buoyancy, placing newborn pups at risk due to their larger surface area relative to body mass. After cleaning, the buoyancy of the fur improves but not fully recovers, highlighting the need for thorough detergent rinsing.
A Dartmouth study suggests that social rank determines whether animals prioritize short-term energy consumption over long-term health, with dominant monkeys consuming food quickly to maintain dominance, while lower-ranked monkeys invest time in washing their food to prevent tooth damage. The findings shed light on the disposable soma h...
A world-first study by University of Otago researchers found the genetic basis for brushtail possum fur colour, revealing grey and black variations. The discovery sheds light on evolution of fur colour in marsupials, with implications for understanding adaptation to environments.
A new tracking technology that adheres to a polar bear's fur has shown promise in studying the behavior and movements of subadult and adult male bears. The technology, known as Burr on Fur, allows researchers to track these groups without the need for satellite collars, providing valuable insights into their habits.
A team of researchers uncovered the geographical origins of farmed foxes and understood the role of genetic diversity in their domestication. The study found that every captive population originated from wild North American foxes, with greater genetic diversity observed in Eurasian populations.
A recent outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) in Finnish fur farms resulted in severe disease and widespread inflammation in infected animals. The virus caused significant adaptations to mammalian hosts, increasing the risk of potential human infection.
Research using thermal imaging found that numbats are prone to overheating during hot weather, with body temperatures exceeding 40°C. Their unique fur mechanism allows for heat exchange, but is limited by temperature and shade availability.
A new study reveals a progressive spread of invasive American mink across most European countries over the past decade. The species is now widespread in Northern and Western Europe, but data are lacking for Eastern and South-Eastern Europe.
Researchers found that zebra fur's thinly striped and sharply outlined pattern deters horseflies. The team theorized that small dark patches are less appealing to flies compared to large monochrome patches.
Researchers compared genetic codes from 62 animals to uncover the story of human body hair loss. The study found that a set of genes and regulatory regions are essential for making hair, and suggests new ways to recover hair after balding or chemotherapy.
Researchers are using ancient DNA samples to study the relationship between humans and furbearers like beavers, mink, and muskrats. By analyzing genetic diversity lost due to the fur trade, scientists can inform current conservation efforts and guide future management schemes.
A UBC Okanagan researcher suggests changing fur trapping practices to prevent accidental grizzly bear toe amputations. By delaying the start of the trapping season from November 1 to early December, trappers can avoid catching bears during their hibernation period.
Researchers analyzed ancient proteins in high-status Viking graves to identify beaver fur, supporting the idea that it was a luxury item. The discovery suggests that wearing exotic fur was an obvious visual statement of affluence and social status during the Viking Age.
A study of 118 conservation units in Brazil found that 60% use unsuitable methods to detect deer presence. Visual analysis of droppings, fur, and footprints is a reliable method for most species, but others require DNA testing or camera traps.
The climate crisis affects Antarctic fur seals by limiting krill availability, decreasing their reproductive success, and increasing predation on pups. Satellite tracking reveals that males adapt to the cold environment by diving deeper in search of food.
Researchers found 62 bone tools at Contrebandiers Cave, Morocco, with shaping and use marks indicating they were used for scraping hides to make leather and furs. The discovery highlights the pan-African emergence of complex culture and provides evidence for the earliest clothing in the archaeological record.
Researchers discovered a large resting colony of Guadalupe fur seals on El Farallón de San Ignacio Island in the Gulf of California, bringing the total number of sites to four. The population is believed to reach 41,000 individuals and is growing at an annual rate of 10-11%.
Researchers found higher levels of glucocorticoid stress hormones in animals from smaller forest patches, indicating chronic stress. The study highlights the impact of habitat destruction on wildlife, particularly in fragmented landscapes.
A three-year international project is investigating how political issues are framed to influence public opinion. The study will analyze the emergence of frames in various areas of political debate, including trade, immigration, and global health.
A newly discovered 220-million-year-old cynodont, Kataigidodon venetus, has been found in Arizona's Petrified Forest National Park. The discovery provides insight into the early evolution of mammals and their closest relatives.
The platypus fur exhibits biofluorescence under UV light, similar to other mammals like opossums and flying squirrels. Researchers discovered this phenomenon using museum specimens and propose it could aid these nocturnal animals in spotting each other.
A marmoset monkey study found a link between friendly behavior and physical domestication traits, such as a white fur patch on their forehead. The research shows that increased parental vocal responses can accelerate the development of both vocalizations and facial fur coloration in infants.
Researchers discovered that volcanic eruptions in Greenland and Iceland could have caused cooling episodes during the Eocene Epoch, solving a long-standing mystery about glendonites. This finding suggests that abrupt climate change is possible even in otherwise warmer climates.
Researchers found that natural-origin sorbent materials, including peat moss, dog fur, and human hair products, can be effective in cleaning up oil spills on land. Sustainable options like dog fur and human hair show promise as cheaper and biodegradable alternatives to synthetic fabrics.
Researchers found that Rhesus monkeys avoid lifeless monkey faces but show social facial expressions towards a natural-looking avatar with fur and details. The study suggests using this type of avatar in social cognition studies for standardization and replicability.
A stranded seal was found with multiple facial wounds inflicted by fish, which researchers attribute to the animal's attempt to defend itself. The study suggests that similar injuries may be more common than previously thought, highlighting the dangers faced by marine mammals in their quest for food.
Researchers develop a new health tracking sensor that can monitor vital signs like heart and breathing rates through fur or up to four layers of clothing. The sensor could help owners track their pets' health and improve the work of sniffer dogs used to detect bombs and missing persons.
A new study published in BMC Evolutionary Biology reveals that grey squirrels turned black due to interbreeding with fox squirrels. The faulty pigment gene was identified as identical to one found in the closely related fox squirrel species native to North America.
Researchers have detected chemical traces of red pigment in a 3 million-year-old fossilized mouse, which was dressed in brown to reddish fur on its back and sides. This breakthrough study uses X-ray spectroscopy and multiple imaging techniques to reveal the delicate chemical signature of pigments in ancient organisms.
Research reveals that pups with high hookworm infection rates spend more time in the water, whereas those with lower rates rest or avoid it. Climate change is thought to be a contributing factor, as warmer ocean temperatures lead to scarce fish supplies, forcing mothers to dedicate more time to searching for food.
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati have created a lifelike robotic dog that can provide care in addition to companionship for older adults. The new prototype offers features such as fall detection, connectedness to caregivers and loved ones, vital sign monitoring, and helpful reminders.
Researchers found high levels of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in the fur of 15 animals, including musk deer and leopard cats. The study highlights increasing global environmental contamination by POPs compounds, which pose risks to human and animal health.
A study reveals that cats' tongues use fine structures called papillae to aid grooming. The papillae wick saliva from the mouth and deposit it onto fur, regulating body temperature.
A study found that warmer ocean temperatures reduce maternal care and immune response in fur seal pups, leading to increased hookworm infections and deaths. In colder years, pups receive more care and have a stronger immune system.
Researchers found that moth fur provides acoustic stealth by reducing echoes of body parts from bat calls. The thorax fur acts as a lightweight porous sound absorber, offering a significant survival advantage against bats.
Researchers found that hookworms feed at a constant rate in their hosts, leading to high levels of anemia and mortality. The worms' short lifespans have evolved to synchronize with the fur seals' reproductive cycles, allowing them to maximize egg production before dying.
A long-term monitoring program for Australian fur seals has tracked a decline in pup populations, with the first reduction since species-wide protection was implemented in 1975. The study highlights the importance of regularly assessing monitoring programs and provides valuable information on how to improve them.
A study published in Scientific Reports refutes the long-held hypothesis that zebra stripes aid cooling, instead revealing no significant temperature difference between black and white stripes.
Researchers have found that fur seals spend most of their lives in the water and go without REM sleep for days or weeks, suggesting a functional connection between REM sleep and brain cooling. The study provides insight into the mysterious function of REM sleep and its potential role in regulating brain temperature.
Research reveals that wild mice living near humans in a Swiss barn underwent changes in behavior and physical appearance, including the development of white fur patches and shorter snouts. The study, led by Anna Lindholm, found that these changes occurred without human selection or breeding, highlighting the process of self-domestication.
A study found that mites, pneumonia, and changing sea temperatures contributed to the die-off of South American fur seal pups. The research highlights the urgent need to study the connection between environmental factors and wildlife diseases.
Researchers at UC San Diego and UC Berkeley developed a method that dramatically improves the simulation of fur in computers, using subsurface scattering to mimic how light interacts with fur fibers. The new algorithm is 10 times faster than existing models and produces more realistic simulations.
New research confirms maritime winds displace seal pups by hundreds of kilometers during their first winter migration. The study found that strong winds can increase pup displacement, but the impact on survival is unclear.
Mice subjected to a calorie-restricted diet experienced improved skin and hair health, including increased fur production and reduced body fat. Skin vascularization also changed, with more blood vessels and increased blood flow to skin cells.
A new study found a strain of leprosy in a pre-Norman skull from Suffolk, suggesting it was endemic in East Anglia earlier than thought. Squirrel fur trade with Scandinavia may have played a role in the disease's spread.
Researchers found that calorie-restricted mice develop thicker, longer fur coats and increased blood vessels to insulate against cold temperatures. This adaptation helps them conserve energy and survive in limited food conditions.
Researchers found that vibrato-like frequency modulation improves the detection of formants, key acoustic components encoding animal size and identity. This mechanism has independently evolved in six mammalian orders, suggesting its importance for transmitting information about an individual's size and identity through calls.
Researchers fabricate fur-like, rubbery pelts to trap warm pockets of air in dense layers of fur. The findings provide a detailed mechanical understanding of how mammals insulate themselves while diving underwater.
Researchers used dentistry techniques to analyze fossil and modern teeth, finding similarities between ancient walruses and modern pinnipeds. The findings suggest that the ancient walrus was unlikely to feed on large prey, contradicting previous claims of a 'killer walrus' diet.
A study by Aarhus University reveals that breeding confident mink can improve fur quality. The research found a strong correlation between confidence and pelt quality, suggesting that selecting for confident mink can lead to better welfare and fewer stress issues during handling.
A team of researchers found a fossilized mammal from the Cretaceous period that may have suffered from a fungal infection affecting its fur. The Spinolestes had fused hairs resembling hedgehog spines and reinforced spine structures, indicating a unique adaptation to its environment.
Antarctic fur seal pups identify their mothers by detecting the mother's vocal pitch at longer distances and using other components of the vocal signature at closer range. The study found that frequency modulations propagate reliably up to 64 meters, while amplitude modulations are degraded for distances over 8 meters.
Researchers at Bielefeld University discovered that Antarctic fur seals have a unique 'scent profile' that enables them to identify their offspring and family members. This finding suggests that scent plays a crucial role in the animals' social behavior, particularly in recognizing kin and selecting mates.
A study by New York University and the University of Pennsylvania found that humans have difficulty ignoring visual dimensions even when it harms performance. This ability to combine multiple components of an item while underscoring the challenge faced by medical practitioners and airport screeners is a result of our automatic multi-ta...
Researchers have identified a new genus and species of fur seal, Eotaria crypta, from a 15-17 million-year-old rock formation in Southern California. The discovery provides a missing link in the evolutionary history of fur seals and sea lions, resolving a 5-million-year gap in their fossil record.
A genetic study reveals that climate change has significantly impacted Antarctic fur seals, leading to a decline in the population due to changes in food availability. The seals' ability to adapt is hindered by the lack of heritability of 'fitness genes', resulting in a decrease in survival and breeding success.