News on the use of animals, and their alternatives, in biomedical research. Covers animal models, primate studies, tissue chips, research ethics, and disease modeling.
Researchers developed a cumulative adversity index for yellow-bellied marmots, showing that early life stressors can have lasting effects on their survival and lifespan. The study found that moderate and acute adversity decreased pup survival rates by 30% and 40%, respectively.
Researchers found that seabirds' food-stealing behavior, known as kleptoparasitism, could be a transmission point for the deadly H5N1 avian flu virus. This behavior involves birds forcing others to regurgitate their prey, potentially spreading the disease through contaminated food items.
A massive genomic survey reveals two distinct lineages of Arctic canids that originated in the northeastern Siberian Arctic generations earlier than thought. Approximately half of all Siberian huskies bred for racing have introgression with European breeds.
The BioRescue team evaluated ethical considerations for biobanking, including animal welfare, sample ownership, and good scientific practice. It introduced a modified ETHAS tool to provide a structured approach for biobank managers, enabling them to make wise decisions on conservation and research.
New research using satellite technology tracks the movement of albatrosses and petrels, finding that they use sea ice-affected parts of the ocean for feeding and scavenging. The study suggests that Antarctica's shrinking sea ice could force seabirds to travel further or alter their food patterns, affecting ecosystems.
Researchers from Thomas Jefferson University and the University of Maryland Baltimore developed a promising new vaccine candidate that protects against Lassa fever. The study demonstrated the vaccine effectively prevents severe cases of the disease and death in preclinical animal models, paving the way for research in people.
The study sheds new light on the Permian-Triassic extinction, finding that Mega El Niño events drove the extinction, while climate warming and extreme weather events exacerbated its effects. The research highlights the problem of global warming not just being unbearably hot but also a case of conditions swinging wildly over decades.
Neuroscientists have discovered a global process across the brain that coordinates sensory input with motor action through learning. In trained mice, neurons link sensory evidence to action initiation, integrating information across multiple brain regions.
A new study from Cornell University and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation reveals bald eagles are most vulnerable to lead poisoning from bullet fragments, with many species at risk due to scavenging deer carcasses. The researchers used bald eagles as a bioindicator for ongoing monitoring of lead hazards.
Researchers at NTU Singapore and Oxford have identified a new process called nucleophagy that helps cells remove harmful DNA-protein lesions, promoting genetic material stability and cell survival. This discovery may improve cancer treatment outcomes for patients with colorectal cancer.
A study published in PNAS estimates that over 3,000 species are at risk of extinction due to earthquakes, hurricanes, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions. The researchers found that 42% of these species live in regions where one or more of the four natural hazards have occurred in the past 50 years.
Researchers at Boston University discovered a new method to harness self-amplifying RNA to create more effective vaccines. The modified saRNA vaccine protected mice from severe COVID-19 disease with a lower dose than current mRNA vaccines. Longer duration of protein expression and reduced inflammation were also observed.
Researchers at Osaka Metropolitan University found that bluestreak cleaner wrasse use mirrors to evaluate their body size against other fish before attacking. This study suggests that these animals possess mental states similar to private self-awareness, shedding light on the evolution of self-awareness in non-human species.
Researchers at WVU are working on a project to inhibit the myeloperoxidase enzyme, which feeds pancreatic cancer growth. By targeting this enzyme, they hope to boost the body's immune system to fight cancer, showing promise in mouse models and potential for future clinical trials.
Researchers validated infrared thermal imaging as a non-invasive tool to assess reindeer stress during human interactions. Thermal imaging cameras detected temperature changes in the eye corner, indicating stress, without causing physical harm to the animals.
A researcher has developed a novel drug delivery system that transports medications to the inner ear to prevent cisplatin-induced hearing loss. The system uses hydrogels and nanoparticles to deliver drugs that block calcium damage or protect hair cells, showing promising results in early-stage studies.
Researchers developed a non-invasive diagnostic tool using fecal microbiota composition to detect inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) in horses. The AI-based model accurately predicted IBD in test samples with 100% accuracy.
A University of Queensland study found that koalas are at high risk of euthanasia due to diseases like chlamydia and threats from habitat loss, with only 25% rescued and released into suitable habitat. The research analyzed over 50,000 koala sightings and hospital admissions between 1997 and 2019.
Researchers found three new Thylacine species in Australian fossils, including a large species weighing up to 11kg and a highly carnivorous one with elongated cutting blades. These discoveries reveal the diversity of marsupial carnivores during the late Oligocene and challenge previous ideas about Australia's ecosystem.
A new study published in Cell found that TGF-beta and RAS signaling pathways are both required for lung cancer metastasis. Inhibiting RREB1, a transcription factor controlled by RAS, disabled the metastatic process in mouse models, suggesting it could be a potential new drug target.
Conservation efforts focused on 25 EDGE Zones could protect one-third of threatened and unique tetrapod species. The study identifies areas with high levels of evolutionary distinctiveness and global endangerment as key to saving these species.
A new Conservation Letter reviews the impact of built environments on raptors, identifying vehicles, wind turbines, and windows as consistently problematic obstacles. Proposed solutions include flight diverters, bird-friendly products, and habitat management to reduce collision fatalities and support conservation efforts.
Researchers argue that studying group sleep can reveal insights into animal social structures and behaviors. By analyzing sleep patterns in groups, scientists can better understand the impact of sleep on individual and group fitness.
Researchers at the University of Kansas are analyzing noninfectious mosquito saliva to understand how it affects the immune system and changes at a molecular level. The goal is to identify specific proteins that can serve as candidates for vaccine development.
Researchers at Cornell University have discovered an easy-to-reach location on the back of a reptile's head to take their pulse rate, corresponding to heart rate in healthy animals. This technique allows for a more complete cardiovascular examination and can be used to treat animals under anesthesia or when they're feeling defensive.
Researchers identified Nagaland, Northeast India, as a critical stopover site for Amur Falcons, where the birds consume two billion termites in just over fifteen days. The findings highlight the importance of insect-rich environments in supporting the falcons' migration.
Researchers discovered that high cholesterol levels at a young age can be a significant risk factor for atherosclerosis. Fluctuating levels of cholesterol were found to cause the most damage and may increase the risk of heart attack even in those taking statin medication.
A genetic variant in the Syntaxin 17 gene determines the speed of hair greying and susceptibility to skin melanoma in horses. The study found three gene variants at the Grey locus, with the G3 variant associated with a higher risk of melanoma.
Researchers at Osaka Metropolitan University have successfully generated high-quality feline induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) without a genetic footprint. These cells exhibit properties similar to human iPSCs and can differentiate into various cell types, making them a promising tool for veterinary regenerative medicine research.
A recent study found that actively managed habitats can slow or reverse population declines in at-risk butterflies. Habitat management, such as prescribed burns and planting nectar plants, appeared to dampen the effect of climate change on butterfly timing.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that 4 in 10 cat owners report their feline companions playing fetch, while 78% of dog owners say their canine friends engage in the behavior. The research also highlights differences in fetching behavior between breeds and demographic factors.
The University of Alabama at Birmingham will develop a credentialed curriculum for research administration and grants management through a three-year, $2.8 million NSF grant. The program aims to provide a professional career path for future research administrators and managers.
Researchers created a mouse model to study relative energy deficiency in sport (REDs), revealing the syndrome impacts the entire body and affects males and females differently. REDs leads to hormonal and reproductive issues, insomnia and fatigue, bone weakness and injury, and anxiety and depression.
The peach blossom jellyfish, an invasive species from China, has been spotted in 34 locations in B.C., with predictions suggesting sightings and locations will increase by the end of the decade. The jellyfish clones are effectively identical, having originated from the same polyp or cluster of polyps.
A new study by Colorado State University researchers found that horse speed was negatively impacted by concentrations of PM2.5 far below the EPA's current safe limit, highlighting a relationship between air quality and athletic performance in horses. The study's findings could also have implications for better understanding the impact ...
A new study suggests that psychedelics like psilocybin can suppress learned fear responses in individuals with PTSD by altering activity in the amygdala, a key brain region involved in processing fear and anxiety. The findings propose that psychedelic drugs enhance inhibitory signaling from GABAergic interneurons onto excitatory neurons.
A recent study published in The Journal of Raptor Research found that Ferruginous Hawk populations are increasing in California, contrary to declining trends in other grassland bird species. Citizen science data analysis revealed a significant decrease in habitat quality yet an increase in hawk abundance across California.
Vultures, like young humans, explore new sites and socialize frequently when they're young. However, as they age from around 10 years old, they scale back on socializing and prefer to stay at the same roosting site, similar to humans who tend to stay home.
As griffon vultures age, they tend to establish fewer but stronger social bonds with a core group of friends, while their movement routines become more routine. This shift in behavior is linked to the birds' increasing loyalty to familiar food sources and roosting sites.
Researchers find that heatwaves significantly impair bumblebees' ability to detect floral scents, leading to up to 80% deterioration in female workers. The study highlights the importance of considering climate change's impact on insect-plant interactions for future species conservation initiatives.
A team of experts discovered a dugongine sea cow attacked by an ancient crocodile and tiger shark, shedding light on prehistoric food chains. The fossils showed signs of both active predation and scavenging, providing new insights into the region's food chain networks during the Miocene epoch.
Researchers at the University of Calgary are conducting a clinical trial using probenecid, an anti-gout medication, to treat debilitating opioid withdrawal symptoms. The study's lead authors aim to develop a potential treatment for the disabling symptoms of opioid withdrawal, which can be crippling.
A previously unstudied ancient gene called 'waist-less' is required for the development of a spider's narrow waist, according to researchers. The discovery sheds light on the formation of the distinctive body plan in spiders and highlights the function of new genes in ancient groups of animals.
The study used spatial transcriptomics and machine learning to analyze gene expression and cell distribution in PanINs, identifying key features of pancreatic cancer progression. Key findings include increased cell proliferation and decreased inflammatory signaling in high-grade PanIN lesions.
Researchers investigated the connection between androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer and Alzheimer's disease. They found that ADT can exacerbate cognitive decline by increasing brain immune cell infiltration, but a combination with Natalizumab improved integrity of the blood-brain barrier and reduced inflammation.
Little Penguins can hear sounds across a broad range between 200 and 6,000 Hz underwater, similar to other diving birds. Continuous exposure to high noise levels may increase stress and interfere with feeding behaviors.
A study published in PLOS ONE reveals that aoudad can catch and spread the same respiratory illnesses as bighorn sheep, which could exacerbate existing diseases and impact both species' populations. The research aims to promote better management of both species.
Researchers found that moth species with overlapping ranges in the southeastern US have distinct clock genes, including the 'disco' gene. The study reveals how vision evolves when a species switches its pattern of activity, and provides insights into the mechanisms behind species speciation.
Researchers at Uppsala University studied Northern krill and found extensive genetic variation critical for adaptation to different climates. The study identified hundreds of genes associated with heat and cold sensitivity, nutrient uptake, and reproduction.
A new study reveals that primate ornamentation plays a crucial role in communication between groups, reducing intergroup aggression. The research found that species with overlapping home ranges display more vibrant colors, which enable quick assessments of potential rivals.
A recent study reveals tarantulas have mutually beneficial relationships with various species, including amphibians and army ants. The spiders' dense hair may serve as a defense mechanism against these predators. Tarantulas also employ unique escape strategies and potentially utilize chemical defenses to deter attacks.
A new study by the University of Bristol reveals that animals feigning death to avoid predators will seek safety in a suitable environment. The study found that the movement dynamics of antlion larvae after feigning death depend on the available escape strategies.
A study sequenced the genomes of nearly 300 rabbits to understand their colonization success. Researchers found that domestication-linked genes are often eliminated in feral populations due to natural selection, leading to a mix of domestic and wild origin. This helps explain how domestic animals can thrive in the wild.
Over a 22-year period, researchers found significant cultural changes in the dialects of yellow-naped amazon parrots, including shifting dialect boundaries and new call variants. The findings suggest that the species' vocal learning ability may serve an adaptive role in responding to changing social dynamics.
The WVU team, led by Yu Gu, is testing Loopy's ability to 'co-design' itself and learn to mark contaminated areas. Inspired by natural phenomena like ant swarms and tree roots, Loopy changes form in response to its environment.
A new study demonstrates a cost-effective method for producing cultivated meat, addressing scalability and cost challenges. The continuous manufacturing process enables daily biomass harvests and reduces costs by up to $6.20 per pound, aligning with organic chicken prices.
A preclinical study found that enhancing PGK1 activity can restore neuronal energy supply in low-fuel conditions, preventing axon dysfunction and degeneration. The researchers also discovered the unexpected role of DJ-1 as an energy-supplying partner of PGK1.
Researchers at McGill University found that zebra finches deprived of early social experiences can still form strong bonds with a partner later in life. Female finches developed a preference for their partner's song only when they lived together, suggesting quality time is essential for forming strong bonds.
The WPI team will develop an inexpensive test kit that can quickly identify vulnerable species and track illegal wildlife trade on social networks. The project aims to disrupt the multi-billion-dollar industry by providing law enforcement with real-time results and long-term trends.
Researchers discovered that sponges in the Gulf of Eilat employ a unique tactic to deter predators by storing high concentrations of toxic molybdenum. The symbiotic relationship between the sponge and a bacterium enables this process, allowing the sponge to accumulate metals and neutralize their toxicity.