News on the use of animals, and their alternatives, in biomedical research. Covers animal models, primate studies, tissue chips, research ethics, and disease modeling.
The researchers created soft robots equipped with electronic skins and artificial muscles to sense their surroundings and adapt in real-time. These robots can perform various tasks, such as monitoring internal conditions, providing treatments, and delivering drugs over an extended period.
A new study reveals that depression and antidepressant use are associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality in postmenopausal women. Epigenetic age acceleration, measured by GrimAge DNA methylation age acceleration, partially mediates the relationship between antidepressant use and increased mortality risk.
A new study finds that juvenile male dolphins with strong social bonds practice adult-like reproductive behaviors when playing together, and those who spend more time practicing will father more offspring as adults. The research provides rare evidence for a link between juvenile social play and reproductive success in a wild animal.
Researchers developed DiFC, a two-color diffuse flow cytometry system that detects rare cancer cells in the bloodstream without invasive methods. The technology provides insights into cancer progression and response to treatments by studying different subpopulations of cancer cells simultaneously.
A study by Kyoto University found that snow leopards consume the plant genus Myricaria in their feces when hungry. This suggests a link between prey and plant intake in these large alpine cat carnivores. The research provides insight into improved captive environments and suitable conservation plans for snow leopards.
Researchers found that domestic horses were produced in large numbers around 4200 years ago, marking the start of a new era in human history. This led to unprecedented exchanges and interactions among diverse cultures across Eurasia.
A study found that low doses of filtered kretek cigarette smoke altered rat lung histometric measurements, increasing the size of respiratory bronchioles. P53 gene overexpression was also observed in response to exposure. The findings suggest potential health risks from even low levels of kretek cigarette smoke.
A collaborative research study found that frequent, low-severity fires support Mexican spotted owl habitat, while high-severity fire is detrimental. This finding suggests that restoring historic fire regimes could benefit both owl conservation and forest resilience.
Researchers have developed a highly sensitive diamond quantum magnetometer that can achieve practical ambient condition magnetoencephalography. The novel magnetometer uses a single crystalline diamond to detect magnetic fields, achieving record sensitivities of up to 9.4 pT Hz-1/2 in the frequency range of 5 to 100 Hz.
A team of researchers led by Virginia Tech's Shuhai Xiao discovered a 550 million-year-old sea sponge that challenges previous theories about its evolution. The fossil, found in China, suggests that early sponges may have had soft-bodied skeletons and only later developed mineralized structures.
A global research team identified 863,498 promising antimicrobial peptides in marine and soil environments, as well as human and animal guts, to combat antimicrobial resistance. The findings come with a renewed focus on combatting the growing number of superbugs resistant to current drugs.
Researchers found a universal equation that approximates the frequency of wingbeats and fin strokes across different animal groups. The equation shows a proportional relationship between body mass, wing area, and wingbeat frequency, revealing a relatively constant pattern across diverse species.
Researchers found a significant reduction in serine racemase protein levels in the medial prefrontal cortex and hippocampal subfields of aged rats compared to young rats, suggesting a role in age-associated decline of NMDA receptor function. No sex differences were observed in serine racemase expression.
Researchers have solved the mystery of shipworms' ability to digest lignin, a tough wood substance. A population of symbiotic microbes in the typhlosole sub-organ produces enzymes that break down lignin, with potential practical applications in biotech and significant impacts on climate change and human health.
Researchers identified protein JUN as a potential therapeutic option to slow tumor growth in prostate cancer, contradicting previous findings that linked high JUN levels to increased tumor growth. The study showed that JUN slows tumor progression and improves immune response, providing a new starting point for therapy development.
A study by researchers at the University of Arizona found that veterans paired with service dogs for three months had significantly lower self-reported PTSD symptom severity, anxiety, depression, and feelings of isolation. They also experienced a 66% lower odds of receiving a PTSD diagnosis.
Research found that maternal obesity leads to increased levels of microRNA miR-505-5p in the hypothalamus, resulting in altered fatty acid sensing and increased intake of high-fat foods in mouse offspring. Exercise during pregnancy mitigates this effect.
A Penn State-led study found that female giraffes have proportionally longer necks than males, suggesting high nutritional needs drove the evolution of this trait. Giraffes adapt to reach leaves in trees by using their long necks, allowing females to access food with increasing demands as they mature.
A new scientific model provides a global look at the activities of clams, worms and other invertebrate animals that burrow at the bottom of the ocean. The study found that environmental factors such as seawater depth, nutrient levels and sediment composition shape bioturbation patterns and marine ecosystems worldwide.
A study led by Washington State University scientists found that inhibiting CDK7 could help prevent heart damage associated with doxorubicin, a commonly used cancer chemotherapy medication. The researchers also discovered that CDK7 inhibition enhances the medication's cancer-killing capability.
Researchers found that sharks adapted by elongating their pectoral fins in response to warmer ocean temperatures, making movements more efficient. This evolution allowed them to thrive in the open ocean despite extreme heat.
Researchers from Tel Aviv University discovered 400,000-year-old stone tools, Quina scrapers, used to butcher and process smaller game like fallow deer. The unique tools were made of non-local flint, likely sourced from the Mountains of Samaria, a calving area for the deer.
Researchers at Pohang University of Science & Technology have developed a method to boost bispecific antibody therapies in treating solid tumors. Using rhIL-7-hyFc, they found that bystander T cells can be activated by bispecific antibodies to destroy tumor cells, overcoming limitations of existing treatments.
Researchers at Texas A&M University developed vessel-chip technology to create a platform for preclinical drug discovery, reducing the need for animal testing. The system mimics human circulatory systems using tissue-engineered microfluidic devices.
Researchers at the University of Toronto discovered a new RNA virus, Apocryptovirus odysseus, associated with severe inflammation in humans infected with Toxoplasma gondii. The virus is found in two hypervirulent strains of the parasite, exacerbating toxoplasmosis disease and triggering an immune response.
Ancient rodent middens offer critical archives of the last 50,000 years, preserving plants, insects, bones and other specimens. Researchers are calling for improved preservation, new research and field studies to understand how populations responded to past climate change.
Researchers have discovered a new species of snake, Rhynchocalamus hejazicus, in the Hejaz region of Saudi Arabia. The species is widespread and has a distinctive black collar and reddish coloration, filling a previously existing distribution gap.
Researchers found evidence of coevolution driving speciation in cuckoo species. Cuckoo chicks evolved to mimic host chicks to evade detection and exploit more hosts.
Researchers found that increasing astrocytic mGluR3 levels enhanced memory in older females, while reducing these levels impaired memory in young females. In males, reducing mGluR3 enhanced memory, and increasing the receptor had no effects.
Researchers optimized triticale germination conditions using nonlinear programming to maximize fat content, a crucial parameter in animal feed production. The study identified optimal temperature and moisture levels, resulting in a fat content of 2.83%, improving the nutritional value of triticale grain.
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.
Researchers found isolated refuges in cities where species like wrentits, mourning doves, and gopher snakes thrive. Urban planning initiatives can support more biodiversity by creating habitat for species that avoid cities.
Researchers discovered that hummingbirds create a 3D map of their body when neurons in the forebrain fire as gusts of air touch their wings and skin, allowing them to sip nectar from flowers with precision. This unique ability is also shared by zebra finches, but with slightly less sensitivity.
A new review emphasizes the importance of vaccination in preventing avian influenza spread among humans. The study suggests that a diverse range of vaccine platforms, including inactivated and live attenuated vaccines, as well as emerging alternatives like mRNA vaccines, will be crucial for enhancing pandemic preparedness.
Researchers investigate gene preservation after loss of male traits in stick insects and find that genes involved in multiple biological processes are more likely to be maintained. This suggests that the molecular ground plan for the lost male reproductive process may persist due to pleiotropic effects on other traits.
A Texas A&M-led team has created the first global map of seafloor biodiversity activity, uncovering key environmental factors that drive burrowing animals' activities and ecosystem health. The research highlights the critical role these animals play in regulating carbon, nutrient, and biogeochemical cycles.
A new Cornell University study suggests that smaller bird skeletons evolve more freely due to reduced stress on their bones. This allows for greater variability in wing proportions among small bird species.
A new AI tool called SUBTLE has been developed for advanced animal behavior analysis. It classifies and analyzes behavior through AI learning based on 3D movement information, reducing time-series data into two dimensions for embedding.
A rare Florida fossil has helped scientists reconcile the long-standing debate over North America's sole porcupine species. The porcupine's unique adaptations, such as its insulating fur and modified jaw structure, demonstrate the evolutionary pressures it faced in transitioning from tropical forests to colder environments.
A new study found that removing hedgerows and field margins decreases the diversity and abundance of arthropods, which can lead to reduced natural pest control. The research suggests that using flowering plants in field margins and implementing agri-environmental measures can be effective ways to increase farmland biodiversity.
A study in the Panamanian rainforest found that larger-brained primates did not outperform smaller-brained mammals in finding fruit. The research suggests that intelligence may not be directly linked to foraging efficiency, but could be related to other factors such as episodic memory or social complexity.
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.
A new study reveals that heart failure leaves a 'stress memory' in hematopoietic stem cells, which can lead to recurrent heart failure and other health issues. The researchers propose improving TGF-β levels as a new avenue for treating recurrent heart failure.
A deadly epidemic discovered last year in the Red Sea has spread to the Indian Ocean, annihilating most sea urchin populations and threatening coral reef stability. The researchers identified a scuticociliate parasite as the cause of the mass mortality.
A two-year study on nesting behaviors of Chimango Caracaras reveals that pairs share most parental responsibilities, including incubation, brooding, and food deliveries. This collaborative approach allows the birds to adapt to unpredictable food sources, which is unique among raptor species.
Researchers developed AI software to analyze animal behavior, enabling precise linking of brain circuits and neurons. The program reconciles differing results by providing transparent explanations for machine-learning predictions, facilitating cross-lab comparisons and reproducibility in behavioral research.
Harbor porpoises spend up to 60% of their day hunting small fish to stay warm in cold waters. New research shows that this strategy makes them more vulnerable to noise from motor boats and disturbances from humans.
A recent study documented the most extensive migration ever recorded for a silky shark, revealing critical insights into its behavior and emphasizing the need for international management measures. The adult female shark, nicknamed 'Genie', was tracked for over 1.5 years, covering over 27,666 kilometers and highlighting the urgent need...
Researchers have identified collagen features as valuable biomarkers for evaluating melanoma immunotherapy response. Single-fiber characteristics were found to be more sensitive to treatment-induced changes than bulk collagen features, offering insights into collagen remodeling over time.
A study by LMU researchers reveals that crab diversity is more complex than species numbers alone. The team found greater variety in shield shapes among 'false' crabs, which are related to their ecological roles.
Early hunter-gatherers in central Chile regularly visited Tagua Tagua Lake between 12,440-12,550 years old to hunt ancient elephants and process other local resources. The discovery of the fossil remains of a gomphothere at the site provides insights into the subsistence strategies of early humans during the Late Pleistocene.
Weo electrolyzed water (WEW) has been shown to attenuate cellular senescence in both normal fibroblasts and breast cancer cells. The study found that WEW modulated markers of cellular senescence, inflammation, and stress response genes in a cell type-dependent manner.
A new study reveals that cows who are cuddled as therapy animals showed a strong preference for interactions with women when compared to men. Women also reported greater attachment behaviors towards the steers, suggesting a unique bond between humans and farm animals.
Researchers investigated the biological repercussions of UV-C radiation exposure from readily available domestic lamps and found that even brief exposure can lead to irreversible alterations in skin cells and retinal cells. The study highlights the need to prioritize safe utilization of these lamps to prevent potential harm.
A study of over 900 dogs found that self-control, turning to humans, and good impulse control are valuable traits for pet dogs, while impulsiveness can lead to challenges. The research aims to improve the welfare of both owner and dog by identifying key traits.
A national research effort found that eight weeks of endurance exercise training affected multiple bodily tissues and sparked widespread molecular responses in both male and female young adult rats. The study also revealed pronounced sex differences in some organs, such as the kidney.
New study reveals two novel mechanisms that contribute to antibiotic resistance in bacteria, accelerating the growth of resistant bacteria during treatment. These mechanisms can occur independently and are linked to increased gene copy number variation and heteroresistance, complicating treatment for patients.
A new study reveals how the Ukraine war affected migratory eagles' behavior, with altered routes, reduced refuelling sites usage, and longer migration times. Researchers found that the conflict events exposed the birds to artillery fire, soldiers, and displaced civilians.
Climate change has led to decreased pollen production from plants, resulting in less diversity among pollinators, which could significantly impact food production. The study, conducted in the Great Basin region, examines how shifts in flowering times and extreme weather events affect pollinator availability.
A comprehensive review article examines plant responses to electromagnetic field exposure, predicting thermal effects and outlining protective measures. The study emphasizes the need for further research to refine predictive models and establish robust protection strategies.