Articles tagged with Rodents
A study published in Molecular Ecology found that woodrats have genetic detoxification genes that enable them to consume creosote bushes, which are coated with a toxic resin. The researchers also discovered that these animals adapt their diets in response to climate change, and the findings may provide insights into how humans can modi...
Researchers at the University of Rochester have found a previously unknown anti-cancer mechanism in small-bodied rodents with long lifespans. These cells are hypersensitive to surrounding tissue cues and can slow down cell division, potentially preventing tumor growth.
In a bid to control an extensive plague outbreak in South Dakota, biologists are vaccinating endangered black-footed ferrets with a vaccine given by the U.S. Geological Survey. The vaccine has been used during a major plague epizootic for the first time and is administered to prairie dogs and ferrets through initial shots and boosters.
A new study reveals that closely related species tend to avoid living together due to intense competition for food and shelter. This separation is crucial for the survival of individual species.
Researchers found a distinctive, arboreal rodent in Peru's Manu National Park with long dense fur and a blackish crest. The discovery sheds light on the evolution of Neotropical arboreal rodents.
The complexity of tooth surfaces reveals a species' diet, with carnivores and rodents having similar complexity despite differing diets. The MorphoBrowser database provides publicly available information on phenotypes, enabling scientists to study extinct animals' diets.
A study by Purdue University researchers has identified unusual genetic traits in voles that challenge current scientific understanding. The vole's unique genetic makeup, including its ability to insert DNA into the nucleus, could have important implications for human genetics and gene therapy.
Infected pet rodents can transmit lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) to humans through organ transplants. The virus, a member of the Arenaviridae family, has been linked to severe disease in immuno-suppressed patients.
A new rodent species, Kha-Nyou, has been discovered in Central Laos with distinct characteristics. The species is estimated to have diverged from other rodents millions of years ago and is found to be a nocturnal vegetarian, giving birth to one offspring at a time.
Researchers found that African mole-rat eyes have anatomically well-developed retinas and a surprisingly high proportion of cones, which is unusual for blind animals. The density of rods, used for night vision, is also lower than expected in subterranean mammals.
The giant rodent, Phoberomys pattersoni, weighed about 1,545 pounds and was a semi-aquatic species that foraged along riverbanks. It is believed to have gone extinct due to its slow speed, which made it vulnerable to predators.
Biologist Patrick Jansen found that acouchy rodents, large guinea-pig-like animals, disperse larger nuts further away from trees. This leads to more successful germination and increase in nut-producing trees over time. Protecting animals in managed forests is crucial for tree regeneration.
Researchers investigate church records to reconstruct the virulence, spacial diffusion and temporal dynamics of the Black Death. They argue that the disease was transmitted through person-to-person contact, contrary to traditional theories linking it to bubonic plague.
Researchers suggest that South American caviomorph rodents colonized by African ancestors via oceanic currents, challenging paleontological ideas. Genetic analysis reveals a shared ancestry between African and South American rodent groups, diverging around 45 million years ago.
A new database of over 360,000 mouse gene fragments will help scientists study mammalian development and compare genome sequences with humans. The catalog, developed by a team of researchers led by Marco Marra, provides quick access to genes and aids in mapping genes onto chromosomes.
Researchers at The Wistar Institute have identified multiple regions on five different chromosomes responsible for wound healing and regeneration in mammals. The study, led by Ellen Heber-Katz, reveals the genetic basis of tissue regeneration in mice, with potential applications in human medicine.
PhD scientist Ellen Heber-Katz presents groundbreaking findings on regenerative biology, using a mouse model to study epimorphic regeneration in humans. Her research may lead to treatments for organ replacement, chronic wounds, and spinal cord injuries.