Articles tagged with Rodents
Researchers found 13 mummified leaf-eared mouse cadavers atop 4-mile-high volcanoes, with DNA analysis revealing a distinct population from lower-altitude mice. The discovery suggests the rodents ascended without human assistance and have adapted to extreme conditions.
A recent study on Roosmalens' dwarf porcupine has revealed new information about its distribution in the Madeira biogeographical province of the Amazon Forest. The research found that the species is likely endemic to this region and has a wider distribution in southern Amazonia than previously thought.
Researchers at Imperial College London found that specific brain cells in the prefrontal cortex trigger mice to prepare for bed when tired, a behavior likely shared with humans. This hard-wired survival feature suggests that humans should prioritize sleep hygiene to maintain good health.
A new study in mice shows that consuming emulsifiers during pregnancy or lactation is associated with mild health risks for offspring. The researchers found that the offspring of mice that consumed emulsifiers had a greater risk of certain health issues, including metabolic, cognitive, and psychological impairments.
Researchers discovered that adult and aged mice demonstrated improved performance in behavioral tasks after environmental enrichment, with MSK1 playing a vital role. The study highlights the importance of MSK1 in converting positive experiences into cognitive benefits across the lifespan.
Researchers at the University of Montana discovered genetic differences that protect fetal growth in highland mice, similar to humans with Tibetan or Andean ancestry. These findings may lead to new treatments for pregnancy disorders in humans.
A multidisciplinary team led by Hong Chen successfully induced a torpor-like state in mice using ultrasound, which also worked on rats. The researchers found that stimulating the hypothalamus preoptic area with ultrasound activated neurons and induced changes in body temperature and metabolism, allowing for the preservation of energy.
African spiny mice have been found to produce bone plates similar to those of armadillos, a discovery that challenges previous understanding of mammalian armor. The plates, known as osteoderms, provide protection and are distinct from scales found in other animals.
Researchers have found that spiny mice possess bony plates called osteoderms in their tails, a feature previously thought to be exclusive to armadillos. The discovery reveals that osteoderms can emerge and disappear multiple times in vertebrates throughout evolution.
Researchers have found that reduced oxygen intake is associated with a 50% increase in lifespan and delayed onset of aging-associated neurological deficits in fast-aging mice. The study's findings suggest that oxygen restriction may hold anti-aging potential for mammals, including humans.
A study published in Cell Reports found that rodents exposed to microgravity had altered gut microbiomes, which may contribute to bone loss. The researchers also discovered that certain bacterial species in the gut produced molecules that influenced bone remodeling.
Researchers found that rats, like humans, tend to overestimate the likelihood of two events occurring together. This study suggests a shared cognitive mechanism between humans and animals, which could have implications for understanding psychopathological conditions.
A new species of ancient beaver, Anchitheriomys buceei, has been discovered in Texas and named after Buc-ee's. The beaver lived about 15 million years ago and was about 30% larger than modern beavers.
Researchers at Cornell University have discovered that female giant African pouched rats can undergo 'unusual' reproductive organ transformations. The study, published in Current Biology, explores how traits once considered fixed in adult animals may become variable under specific pressures.
A new study reveals naked mole-rats produce eggs throughout their lives, contrary to the dogma that female mammals have a finite ovarian reserve. The research found that these rodents have exceptionally large numbers of egg cells and lower cell death rates compared to mice.
A new study suggests that rodents on Hispaniola went extinct due to human activity, particularly European colonization. The research analyzed carbon-dating results for six hutia species, finding that seven species vanished within the last 2,000 years.
A study found that the decline of black-tailed prairie dogs due to sylvatic plague, combined with abnormally high precipitation, led to dramatic ecosystem changes. The loss of prairie dog habitat caused declines in associated species such as birds, swift foxes, and coyotes.
A study by Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers suggests that the brain's ability to focus on individual sounds amidst ambient noise declines with age, leading to a 'fuzzy' sound stage. The team trained old mice to filter out background sound, showing promise for treating age-related hearing loss.
Researchers found that fleas with early-phase infection are insufficient to drive epizootic outbreaks but can promote a low level of enzootic plague. Early-phase transmission may help maintain the enzootic state by reducing susceptible individuals in the population.
A University of California Riverside study found that Salton Sea dust triggers lung neutrophil inflammation in mice, with potential implications for asthma sufferers and other terminal lake regions. The research highlights the need for further funding to understand dust-triggered inflammation and its effects on human health.
A new review paper discusses the role of CDK4 in regulating the cell cycle and its involvement in cancer. The study highlights the importance of CDK4/6 inhibitors as treatments for ER+ breast cancer and their potential utility in multiple tumor types.
Researchers at Hokkaido University discovered a novel sex-determination mechanism in the Amami spiny rat, a species lacking the Y chromosome and Sry gene. The mechanism involves the upregulation of Sox9 gene on chromosome 3, induced by a new regulatory element similar to Enh14.
Researchers have detected five emerging tick-borne pathogens in Central Canada, including those causing Lyme disease and babesiosis. Climate change and habitat fragmentation contribute to the spread of these pathogens, highlighting the need for increased awareness and protection measures.
Scientists at Heidelberg University have identified a second stem cell population in the mouse brain, which is primarily involved in producing new neurons in the olfactory bulb. This discovery refutes the single stem cell type theory and suggests that both apical and basal stem cells are responsible for adult neurogenesis.
A new study found that small mammals can serve as reservoirs for fungi that cause lung infections in humans. The researchers detected fungal pathogens in the lung tissues of rodents from areas with high rates of disease.
Invasive house mice on Southeast Farallon Island consume and compete with native species for food, leading to significant impacts on the island ecosystem. The study found that mice are highly opportunistic eaters whose diets vary throughout the year in response to changes in food availability.
A research group from Nagoya University found that large-scale flowering and seeding of dwarf bamboo boosts Japanese field mouse populations, especially in mast years. The team's study showed an increase in both large and small mouse populations two years after the event, indicating good breeding conditions.
Native Australian rodents have been mapped using DNA analysis, providing a clearer picture of their evolutionary history and spread across the Pacific. The study reveals that mountain formation in New Guinea five million years ago triggered the spread of native rodents across the region.
A team of researchers from Kyoto University and Cameroon used camera trap surveys to predict the total biomass of large rodents and duikers in southeast Cameroon. They developed six candidate indicators, including the ratio of red duikers to blue duikers, which showed positive linear correlations with total bushmeat biomass.
Researchers have found a 30-million-year-old beaver fossil that challenges previous theories on the evolution of semi-aquatic beavers in North America. The discovery, published in Royal Society Open Science, suggests that these animals may have evolved to swim earlier than previously thought and were likely adapted for aquatic life.
Researchers develop new method to preserve organs by freezing them partially, allowing for longer storage duration and improved organ matching. This breakthrough could lead to more successful transplants and increased organ availability.
Researchers discovered that pocket gophers cultivate and harvest roots for food, constituting a rudimentary form of farming. This behavior allows them to generate enough energy to maintain their extensive tunnel networks.
A major new study is investigating the effects of beavers on the Arctic landscape, other animals, and local Indigenous communities. The project aims to understand the complex interlinkages between ecological and sociological changes as beaver numbers increase.
Researchers found that frozen testicular tissue from rats can be reimplanted and produce viable sperm after over 20 years, but with reduced fertility. The study has important implications for treatment of boys with cancer and may provide a method to recover lost fertility.
New research reveals that black rats colonised Europe twice, once with the Roman expansion and again in the Medieval period. The study matches archaeological evidence for a decline or disappearance of rats after the fall of the Roman Empire.
Brazilian researchers have discovered two novel enzyme families in the capybara's gut, which can accelerate the utilization of agroindustrial waste. The enzymes have biotechnological potential and can be used to produce biofuels, biochemicals, and biomaterials.
Researchers at the University of Ottawa developed a spray-on technology using customized nanogold and peptides that can restore heart function and electrical conductivity in damaged hearts. The therapy showed promising results in lab mice, with no off-target organ infiltration by tiny gold particles.
Seed dispersal rates by Central American agoutis are lower in ocelot habitats with high scent presence. This change allows bruchid beetles to attack seeds for longer periods, promoting forest diversification. The study's findings have implications for understanding the ecology of fear and its effects on ecosystems.
Researchers discovered that California mice consume monarch butterflies, which could disrupt ecosystems due to declining western monarch populations. The study highlights the interconnectedness of species and the importance of conservation efforts to protect native animals.
A new study estimates that burrowing animals like badgers and porcupines can weaken levees to the point of collapse, causing localized flooding. Dens at higher elevations in a levee are more dangerous than those near the bottom, with potential for catastrophic failure.
Researchers discovered that naked mole-rats rapidly decrease uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) in brown adipose tissue to conserve energy in hypoxia. This mechanism may hold secrets for humans to survive and thrive in low-oxygen environments, particularly in relation to diseases like stroke and chronic pulmonary disorders.
A study published in PLOS Computational Biology found that rodents have a greater diversity and accelerated rate of evolution in the ACE2 receptors used by SARS viruses. This suggests that some rodent species may be asymptomatic carriers of SARS-like coronaviruses, potentially leading to new pathogen transmission to humans.
A University of Utah team analyzed woodrat gut bacteria and found that evolutionary history plays the greatest role in shaping microbiome structure. Diet and geography also influenced microbiome composition, but host relatedness was the strongest predictor in both wild and captive populations.
African mammals suffered huge losses around the Eocene-Oligocene boundary, similar to those experienced by European and Asian species. The study used fossil data from multiple sites in Africa to build evolutionary trees for five mammal groups, revealing a drastic extinction event followed by recovery with new adaptations.
Researchers found that predators play a crucial role in regulating small mammal populations, contradicting previous assumptions about the importance of herbivore-plant interactions. The study's unique Arctic vole ecosystem provided a simple model to test predator-prey dynamics, shedding light on population cycles and climate variability.
The discovery of Caribeomys merzeraudi, a Caribbean rodent with North American roots, challenges the long-held idea that land-dwelling mammals colonized the islands from South America. The tiny rodent's unique tooth characteristics suggest it may have evolved in isolation over millions of years.
A study of extinct Australian rodents reveals that European colonization drastically impacted native species diversity. Genetic data shows that reduced genetic diversity did not guarantee protection from extinction in the face of rapid population decline.
Bank voles produce mating plugs that promote the transport of their own sperm while partially obstructing rival males' ejaculates. Large plugs facilitate the transport of each male's own sperm, increasing the chances of fertilization.
A study on mice and hamsters reveals that high temperatures during lactation lead to decreased pup growth and increased mortality in hamsters. Temperature extremes have a critical effect on rodent parenting success, particularly during late lactation.
A new study by Flinders University and The University of Queensland reveals that rodents' skull shapes are similar across habitats, contradicting expectations. This conservation of shape may be due to the specialization of rodent jaws, allowing for a versatile arrangement that discourages evolutionary change.
A study in Côte d'Ivoire found that preferences for bushmeat vary widely among hunters, traders, and consumers, driven by factors such as nutritional needs, cultural practices, and economic incentives. The researchers urge policymakers to prioritize targeted conservation strategies that account for individual motivations and user groups.
A study in rats demonstrates the bystander effect exists in non-human species. Rats were less likely to rescue a rodent in need when surrounded by incompetent helpers, but more likely to take action when fellow bystanders were willing helpers.
Researchers discovered hundreds of fossilized rodent pellets at La Brea Tar Pits, dating back ~50,000 years. The find provides a unique glimpse into the past climate and ecosystems of Ice Age Los Angeles.
Researchers have found that behavioral interventions, such as imposing strict meal restrictions, can be as effective as anorectic drugs in reducing food intake in rodents. The study suggests that changes to diet, particularly those that slow gut emptying, might be a strong strategy for weight loss.
Researchers discovered that providing native foods to captive rodents preserves their gut microbiome diversity, whereas artificial diets lead to significant changes. The study found that feeding woodrats with prickly pear cactus maintained around 90% of their original microbiome diversity.
Researchers at U of M Medical School have discovered a new mechanism that could help treat obesity. The team found critical mutations in molecules implicated in obesity and diabetes, suggesting a possible therapeutic approach to human disease.
Researchers have discovered a new type of neuron that acts as the brain's metronome, keeping time regularly and improving rodents' ability to detect faint sensations. This finding is significant as it supports the long-hypothesized role of gamma rhythms in synchronizing brain signals.
Historical records show that lions are injured by porcupine quills when they attempt to hunt them. Young male lions are more likely to be injured or killed, and their injuries can impair their hunting abilities and even lead to man-eating.
Researchers have discovered that Lake Pebas, a massive wetland in western Amazonia, existed until 8.5 million years ago, contrary to previous assumptions. The lake's presence was confirmed through geochronology of mineral zircon specimens from two paleontological sites, providing new insights into the region's geological history.
A new study published in Psychological Review reveals that forming good habits depends more on repetition than satisfaction. The research suggests that our brains tend to stick with repeated actions, even if they're no longer rewarding, and opens up a better understanding of conditions like Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.