Articles tagged with Mammals
A fossil therapsid was found in Mallorca with a skull hole for the jaw muscle and structures that evolved into mammals' middle ear bones. The discovery changes scientists' understanding of when therapsids evolved and tells us about where we come from.
A study by Tulane University researchers found that tumors in female fruit flies grew 2.5 times larger than those in male fruit flies due to sex-based differences in immune response. The stronger innate immune response in females accelerated tumor growth.
Researchers at Osaka Metropolitan University found that suppression of Pcdh8 is essential for proper notochord elongation in zebrafish embryos. This study may lead to novel tumor therapies in humans due to the gene's role in controlling cell proliferation.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University demonstrated that bats can navigate great distances in open areas with their eyes closed, using only echolocation. The study found that bats create an acoustic map of their environment, relying on distinct echoes to guide their flight paths.
The Yixian Formation fossils in China are preserved due to rapid sedimentation and oxygen-free pockets, rather than volcanic events. The study's findings suggest that multiple periods of intense rainfall led to the burial of deceased creatures, preserving soft tissues.
The exhibit featured a live laboratory where paleontologists and volunteers cleaned and prepared specimens from the Montbrook site. Participants were excited to interact with scientists and answer questions about fossils.
A genetics study suggests that bonobos have three distinct populations, each with unique genetic patterns. The research highlights the need for conservation efforts to protect these groups and ensure the species' survival.
A team of scientists studied the Kashmir skull and found it to be a distinct species from other known Eurasian Palaeoloxodon. The research suggests that Palaeoloxodon turkmenicus represents a poorly-known missing link in the evolution of these prehistoric megaherbivores.
Researchers have found that variability in when and how cells divide during embryo development leads to more optimal arrangements of cells, promoting robust tissue formation. This study challenges traditional views on the role of cell division variability in embryonic development.
Researchers at Hokkaido University have identified a key gene, glutathione peroxidase 4 (Gpx4), that enables Syrian hamsters to survive extreme cold by limiting cellular damage. The discovery could lead to new treatments for human health, such as improving organ preservation and using hypothermia as a therapeutic tool.
Researchers found that low Wnt signaling levels regulate NPC self-renewal, while higher levels initiate differentiation into mature kidney cell types. The studies also reveal the role of beta-catenin in aggregating NPCs to form early kidney structures.
A new study using a mammal model suggests that fitness loss through spontaneous mutations will not significantly affect human populations. The research indicates that even without natural selection, the rate of fitness decline is not a cause for concern, providing reassurance about human viability in the near future.
Researchers analyzed DNA in fecal samples to determine the diet of Alaska and southern resident killer whales. They found that both populations prefer salmon, but differ in when they switch to hunting other fish species. The study provides key insights into the delicate balance between regional abundance of different fish species.
Researchers have found evidence for place cells in zebrafish brains, allowing them to create internal maps of their environment. The brain region, telencephalon, is also thought to be analogous to the mammalian hippocampus and plays a key role in spatial orientation, social networks, and memory.
A new study from the Cusack group sheds light on how avian influenza virus can mutate to replicate in mammalian cells. The key enzyme polymerase must adapt to overcome two main barriers: entering and replicating within host cells, as well as acquiring human transmission capabilities.
A University of Arizona study has found a consistent pattern: Animals with higher body temperatures are more likely to evolve into herbivores. This relationship holds true across major land vertebrate groups, and is linked to the unique digestive challenges posed by plant-based diets.
Researchers have discovered a new type of brain cell in the medial entorhinal cortex that accurately predicts future locations as an animal travels. This discovery helps explain how planned spatial navigation is possible and has important implications for understanding mechanisms of spatial navigation and episodic memory formation.
Guan's lab will apply accumulated experience and methods to study SLC6A14, a sodium-coupled epithelial amino acid co-transporter involved in cancer and several chronic diseases. CryoEM will be used to determine the structure of SLC6A14, providing insight into its substrate specificity and inhibitory mechanisms.
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...
Researchers found that adults prioritize cognitive cues over vocal signals when evaluating a child's intelligence or negative emotions, while vocal cues dominate for assessing happiness or helplessness. This study provides insights into the complex dynamics of caregiver-child interactions and their evolutionary roots.
Researchers found 16 native species of mammals using timber plantations as corridors and refuges in Central Panama. However, teak monocultures showed the lowest records of species, highlighting the importance of restoring natural habitats for comprehensive wildlife conservation.
A new study by North Carolina State University researchers found that climate was the most important factor in determining where mammals can thrive. Climate change will affect wildlife populations, and understanding these factors is crucial for making sustainable decisions about mammal population management.
A recent study published in Nature Communications found that mammals with more developed brains tend to exhibit smaller sexual size dimorphism (SSD), meaning there is less difference in size between males and females. This suggests that complex brain development may be linked to other traits such as social behavior and mate selection.
A Cornell University study reveals efficient and sustained mammalian-to-mammalian transmission of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 between cows and from cows to cats and a raccoon. The virus shows high tropism for the mammary gland and infectious viral loads in milk.
A study published in PLOS ONE found cut marks on fossils of a glyptodont, a giant relative of armadillos, that are consistent with known marks made by stone tools. The placement of these marks indicates a butchering sequence targeting areas of dense flesh.
A new study from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln examines fossil records going back 66 million years, tracking changes in mammalian ecosystems and species diversity. The research reveals that following the mass extinction of non-avian dinosaurs, mammalian communities experienced a surge in functional diversity for 10 million years.
Scientists at the University of Malaga have uncovered a natural quicksand trap in the 'elephant graveyard' of Orce, dated to over 1.4 million years ago. The discovery provides insights into human presence in Western Europe and competition with large carrion hyenas for meat resources.
Researchers at UCSF have discovered a way to turn ordinary white fat cells into beige fat cells that burn calories, opening the door to developing new weight-loss drugs. The approach uses a protein called KLF-15 and may avoid side effects associated with current treatments.
Researchers from Aarhus University conclude that human hunting was responsible for the extinction of at least 161 species of large mammals over the past 50,000 years. The analysis of various research fields, including climate history and genetic estimates, suggests that human hunting was widespread and consistent across the world.
A new study reveals that what was once known as the nine-banded armadillo is actually four distinct species, including one new species found in northeastern South America. The classification change affects armadillos in Mexico and the US states, with some now being called the Mexican long-nosed armadillo.
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 from Stockholm University reveals that marsupials possess a not fully evolved form of brown fat, a crucial finding for understanding the origin and regulation of this heat-producing organ. The study suggests that the gene networks required to enable thermogenesis existed before the divergence of marsupials and placental mammals.
Intensive wire snare removal efforts reduced snaring by almost 40% in protected areas of Viet Nam, according to an 11-year study. The effectiveness of snare removal was mainly achieved within the first 6 years, but its impact alone is unlikely to protect wildlife due to ongoing snaring threats.
A study using crowd-sourced data from iNaturalist found that slugs and snails are more common in urban areas than other native species. In contrast, butterflies and moths were the least tolerant of urban environments. The analysis provides valuable insights for city planners to increase urban biodiversity.
Australian researchers have identified a new species of ancient 'echidnapus', which exhibits platypus-like anatomy alongside echidna-like features. The discovery sheds light on the evolutionary history of monotremes, revealing six different egg-laying mammals living together in the same area over 100 million years ago.
Researchers Polina A. Loseva and Vadim N. Gladyshev challenge the existing definition of human life, suggesting a new meaning for the 14-day stage in organismal life grounded in recent mechanistic advances and insights from aging studies. This stage defines the separation of soma from the germline and marks the boundary between rejuven...
Researchers found that the loss of large herbivores like tapirs and deer reduces leaf damage caused by pathogens, leading to increased plant species richness. In contrast, insect damage remains unaffected, suggesting a more complex relationship between plants and their natural enemies.
Researchers discovered lemurs possess an additional pair of vocal folds, which they believe is responsible for enriching their vocal repertoire and allowing them to exaggerate their size. This adaptation may have provided a selective advantage in competition for territory or mates.
Researchers observed a rare instance of lemur predation by a fosa in the Betampona Strict Nature Reserve. The impact of this predation, combined with low reproductive rates and genetic isolation, poses significant threats to the survival of critically endangered lemurs.
A new study reveals that three island bat species feed on over 40% of agricultural pests, including banana moths and turnip moths. This finding highlights the importance of bats in maintaining ecosystem balance and suggests that encouraging these mammals can be a win-win for conservation and local farmers.
A team of researchers developed an AI-powered computer vision model to detect Brazilian wild animals on roads and warn drivers in real-time. The system uses roadside cameras and portable computers to identify species such as anteaters, wolves, and tapirs, with the potential to save lives and reduce roadkill.
The study provides key information about the evolutionary shift from jaw joint bones to those of the middle ear in early mammals. The fossils show noticeable physical characteristics suggesting a gradual change in the jaw joint's function towards specialising in hearing.
A study found that early Mesozoic animals, including dinosaurs, grew quickly around 230 million years ago. This feature is not unique to dinosaurs but was shared by several non-dinosaur reptiles as well.
Researchers have discovered that shuotheriids, ancient mammal-like animals from the Jurassic Period, had unique dental characteristics that suggest a closer relationship to docodontans. The study reveals that shuotheriids do not have a genuine trigonid in their bottom teeth, indicating a new perspective on the evolutionary past of thes...
The discovery of two newly described fossils from the Jurassic period has provided fresh insights into the early evolution of mammals. The fossils, which include well-preserved skeletal remains of shuotheriids, have allowed scientists to solve a longstanding problem in understanding mammalian tooth shape.
Researchers describe two Jurassic mammaliaforms from China, revealing dental diversification and the emergence of middle ear ossicles. The findings support a classic example of vertebrate evolution and provide new insights into early mammalian phylogeny.
Scientists from the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research observed spotted hyenas chasing and devouring flying birds at a waterhole in Namibia. They found that a single hyena can catch one bird every three minutes, adding to the known variety of their diet and hunting tactics.
A study led by Leopold Eckhart found that the genetic programme controlling keratinized claws originated in a common ancestor of humans and frogs. The research team used the tropical clawed frog as an experimental model and discovered that important hair components, including keratins, share similarities with human hair.
Researchers developed a custom-built, low-cost mesoscope that can adapt to different neuroimaging experiments in live mice and rats. The system offers excellent spatial and temporal resolutions, achieved through its reversible tandem lens configuration, which enables flexible experimentation.
A study published in Nature Communications found that the fastest animals are medium-sized, like cheetahs, due to a physical limit imposed by muscle contraction speed and shortening. This sweet spot size of around 50kg enables animals to reach speeds of up to 65 miles per hour
Researchers studied cicadas' jet-like urination to challenge insect pee paradigms. They found that larger animals like cicadas can emit jets due to gravity and inertial forces, unlike smaller ones that typically produce droplets. This discovery has far-reaching implications for bio-inspired engineering and monitoring applications.
Researchers have created 3D images of over half of the world's animal groups using CT scans, making them accessible to scientists, researchers, students, teachers, and artists. The open-source repository MorphoSource allows users to share findings and improve access to material critical for scientific discovery.
Scientists have scanned over 13,000 vertebrate specimens using CT technology, making them available for free online. The scans provide a detailed view of internal structures, allowing researchers to study specimens in ways previously impossible.
A new discovery in Panama has uncovered the oldest known leaf-nosed bat fossils, preserved 20-million years ago. The findings suggest that these mammals may have originated in North America, contradicting previous theories that they came from South America.
Researchers at Texas A&M discovered that immune genes are frequently exchanged between Myotis bat species during seasonal mating swarms, potentially helping humans fight emerging diseases. The study's findings have opened new questions about the importance of hybridization in evolution and its impact on genomicists' knowledge.
Scientists at the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology have produced a comprehensive map of England's hedgerows, revealing over 390,000 km of field boundaries marked by these critical habitats. The new data will guide future habitat restoration efforts and support biodiversity conservation.
Researchers found that intrinsically-photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs) use both microvillous and ciliary signaling mechanisms simultaneously. This discovery reveals a new pathway for transmitting light signals to the brain, which may have ancient origins on the evolutionary scale.
Research reveals that the midbrain of midshipman fish initiates and patterns sounds used in vocal communication. The findings suggest a functional comparable periaqueductal gray node between fish and mammals, which can influence acoustic structure of social context-specific vocal signals.
A study published in Ecology Letters reveals that human population growth and land-use changes led to significant dietary shifts in large herbivores in eastern China. The researchers found that these herbivores adapted by altering their diets, with increased interspecific differences and expanded intraspecific dietary ranges.
Researchers discovered that reindeer's vision evolved to spot Cladonia rangiferina, a type of lichen, during winter. This adaptation allows them to conserve energy by finding food from a distance, making it easier to survive in cold environments. The study provides new insights into the extraordinary visual system of reindeer.