Articles tagged with Animal Research
A new study finds that a hormone produced by the fetus and a mother's sensitivity to it are the causes behind nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. Lowering GDF15 levels or pre-exposing women to the hormone may mitigate symptoms, providing potential ways to prevent extreme forms of pregnancy sickness.
Research reveals that an average of 1,000 times more birds are in the air close to fireworks on New Year's Eve, with effects strongest within the first 5 km. Larger birds like geese and ducks fly for hours at remarkable altitudes, risking accidents.
A new study reveals that female American Kestrels venture away from their nests to scout future territories, a behavior previously undocumented in the species. These movements, which cover large distances relative to home range size, suggest that females may be holding multiple summer homes and using better habitat after breeding.
Researchers at Northwestern University developed virtual reality goggles for mice, allowing them to study responses to overhead threats for the first time. The new system enabled more accurate and precise neural circuitry analysis by simulating natural environments, reducing training times compared to traditional VR systems.
A fungus-based biopesticide is less lethal to mammals than synthetic insecticides but can wipe out colonies of wasps that benefit plants by feeding on pests and performing pollination. The study found that infected wasps are not detected by nestmates, potentially threatening the survival of these species.
Researchers found SARS-CoV-2 viruses persisting in lung cells for up to 18 months post-infection, despite undetectable upper respiratory tract presence. The study suggests a link between innate immunity failure and virus persistence.
A small molecule drug compound has shown promise in treating multiple sclerosis by targeting the glutamate system, reducing MS-like symptoms and repairing damaged myelin. The results come from a CAMH-led pre-clinical study published in Science Advances.
A research paper reveals a suburban backyard is home to 1,150 unique species of animals, plants, and fungi. The study's authors discovered unexpected diversity, including 436 moth and butterfly species, 56 spiders, and eight reptiles.
Researchers found that honeyguides in Tanzania and Mozambique discriminate among human calls, responding more readily to local than foreign calls. This complex communication system benefits both species by increasing their chances of accessing calorie-dense honey and beeswax.
A recent Cornell University study found that wasps which can recognize individual faces tend to have better social interactions and exhibit stronger cognitive abilities than those who cannot recognize individuals. This suggests an evolutionary link between facial recognition and cooperation.
A study on ruff (Calidris pugnax) found a surprisingly low mutation load in the supergene controlling male mating strategies, forcing a reevaluation of supergene evolution. The researchers propose two potential scenarios to resolve this paradox: recent acquisition of recessive lethality or introgression from another species.
Scientists at ETH Zurich successfully navigate gas-filled microbubbles through the brain's blood vessels using ultrasound, offering a potential breakthrough in delivering medications to specific areas. This technology could revolutionize treatments for cancer, stroke, and neurological conditions.
In parts of Africa, humans communicate with greater honeyguides to locate bee colonies, sharing knowledge about the location of nests. The bird benefits by eating leftover honeycomb, while people gain access to honey and beeswax. Researchers found that honeyguides learn distinct vocal signals used by different honey-hunting communities.
Researchers analyzed skeletal remains of ancient Egyptian baboon mummies from the site of Gabbanat el-Qurud, finding lesions and deformations indicative of malnutrition and lack of sunlight. The findings provide insights into how baboons were kept in captivity before their eventual mummification.
Eurasian jays wait for higher-quality food when alone but choose low-quality reward with competitor birds present. Researchers studied delayed gratification in New Caledonian crows and Eurasian jays.
Scientists developed an AI method to track neurons in moving and deforming animals using convolutional neural networks with targeted augmentation. This breakthrough reduces manual annotation efforts by three times, enabling faster analysis of brain activity in model organisms like Caenorhabditis elegans.
Researchers from Nagoya University found that electric eel discharges can genetically modify small fish larvae, demonstrating the potential for electroporation in nature. The study's findings suggest that electric fields can affect gene transfer in organisms, leading to new insights into genetic modification.
Researchers found that mice require significant external sensory cues to recognize changes in their reflection and can detect visual differences, but not tactile ones. The study identified a subset of neurons involved in developing self-image, highlighting the neural mechanisms behind self-recognition in mice.
Researchers have uncovered the intricate molecular mechanism used by parasitic phytoplasma bacteria to manipulate plants. The discovery sheds light on a peculiar phenomenon in nature, where plants exhibit 'zombie-like' effects due to bacterial infection.
A new study compiled over 600,000 records from US and Canadian wildlife rehabilitation centers to investigate the threats facing more than a thousand species by region, highlighting human activities such as climate change and extreme weather events
Researchers developed a robot prototype inspired by a snail's ability to collect food particles at the water-air interface. The device uses an undulating motion to suck in microplastics from the surface of oceans and seas.
A study published in Science Advances found that abnormal cell stress in the placenta's syncytiotrophoblast layer may lead to preeclampsia. Researchers also developed a mouse model to demonstrate the effects of this stress, showing similar signs of high blood pressure and kidney damage.
Researchers found that specific algae from the genus Breviolum help Caribbean octocorals withstand heat waves and bleaching events. The study provides clues for the future of coral reefs and highlights the need for further research to better understand the ecosystem.
Researchers found a significant increase in extracellular vesicles released by aged keratinocytes, which were also enriched with specific microRNAs. These EVs impaired young keratinocyte proliferation and organogenesis, mimicking aged skin defects.
Researchers discovered bottlenose dolphins' ability to detect weak electric fields, which helps them search for fish hidden in sediment. This newfound sense also enables dolphins to navigate the globe using magnetic maps by sensing the planet's magnetic field at varying speeds.
A recent study found that flocks of birds in North America, Europe, and Asia responded equally strongly to the alarm call of an unfamiliar dusky-throated antshrike. This suggests that sentinel calls may contain a universal signal that allows birds to recognize them across different species and continents.
Researchers have developed a new mixture, organ agar, that enables them to screen bacteria more efficiently than traditional methods. This innovation allows for the testing of over 1,700 mutants of the UTI-causing bacteria Proteus mirabilis using only a quarter of the mice typically required.
Researchers have developed new tools to assess disease progression of Alzheimer's disease in animal models, providing a translational approach for studying the disease. The tools use neuroimaging and network modeling techniques to analyze metabolic changes in the brain, confirming previous clinical findings.
Researchers found that brittle stars, brainless marine creatures, can associate darkness with food and react accordingly, demonstrating classical conditioning. They retained this association even after a break from training, suggesting potential learning capabilities in these animals.
Researchers discovered ancient bird-like footprints in Southern Africa that date back over 210 million years, 60 million years before the earliest known bird fossil. The tracks were found at multiple sites and show a mix of dinosaur and bird-like characteristics.
The study found that England's only resident population of bottlenose dolphins has declined to just 48 individuals due to various human impacts. The researchers call for urgent measures to protect the population and its habitats.
Researchers have combined 14 studies on piglet gut bacteria to uncover common patterns in microbiome development over time. The analysis revealed predictable trajectories and important details at a fine time scale, with an accuracy of 70% in predicting animal age based on microbiomes.
A Victorian collector, Morton Allport, traded human and animal remains from Tasmania for scientific recognition. The research highlights the entwined costs of colonialism with practices of natural history, revealing a 'quid pro quo' arrangement to meet demand for these remains.
Four retinoids (RPalm, RP, HPR, and ROL) show anti-photoaging activities in vitro, while RPalm and RP are superior in a UVB-induced mice model. Topical application of these retinoids shows satisfactory biosafety without significant side effects.
A study of ancient elephants suggests that moving into open land grazing helped develop their coiling and grasping trunks. This adaptation enabled some groups, like Platybelodon, to survive in greater numbers in open environments.
Researchers found that 1,5-AF activated AMPK, leading to upregulation of the PGC-1α/BDNF pathway and alleviating aging-related decline in motor cognitive function. The study suggests that 1,5-AF can induce endogenous neurovascular protection, potentially preventing aging-associated brain diseases.
Researchers at the CNIC in Madrid have discovered a connection between stress kinases and the development of ventricular fibrillation. The study found that activation of these enzymes alters the electrical properties of cardiomyocytes, triggering arrhythmias.
Researchers found that honeybees' cluster behavior is a survival strategy against cold temperatures, not insulation. The study suggests that beekeepers should reconsider their hives' design and materials to reduce heat loss.
Researchers conducted extensive surveys and collected data from local communities, but found no evidence of Arabian leopards in Saudi Arabia. The study concludes that human-designed breeding programs and reintroductions are necessary for the recovery of leopard populations.
Researchers found that genetically identical Amazon mollies exhibit differences in offspring size and reproductive output, indicating varying levels of biological fitness. The study suggests that epigenetics, stochasticity, and micro-environmental factors play a role in the emergence of individuality.
Researchers at the University of Konstanz developed an AI-powered method to objectively characterize embryonic development tempo and stages. The Twin Network trained on over 3 million zebrafish embryo images accurately identified developmental stages, temperature dependence, and malformations.
Researchers from Kyoto University found that two species of land snails exhibit opposite behaviors in response to predator-like stimuli. The species K gainesi accelerates its forward movement to escape predators, while its nocturnal relative K editha retreats into its shell.
Researchers analyzed bones from 52 sacrificed animals at the well-preserved site of Casas del Turuñuelo, revealing a pattern of repeated mass animal sacrifice in Iron Age Spain. The study sheds light on ritual protocols and intentional selection of adult horses over young animals.
A new study published in PLOS ONE reveals the earliest known fossil of the modern European common hippopotamus, dating back to the Middle Pleistocene period. The analysis of a fossil skull from Italy confirms the identity of the species and provides insights into its dispersal history.
Researchers have unlocked the developmental mechanism of a unique reproductive process in Japanese green syllid worms. The stolon, a detached body part with gametes, swims autonomously and spawns after developing eyes, antennae, and swimming bristles.
Researchers transplanted gut microbes from a naturally obesity-resistant shrew to high-fat-diet-induced obese mice, improving microbiome diversity. This approach resulted in decreased weight gain in the obese mice, suggesting potential therapeutic benefits for human obesity.
A new study from McGill University and international collaborators investigates the role of temperature in determining animal species' current and potential habitats. The research reveals that temperature is less directly limiting for land animals like reptiles, amphibians, and insects than previously thought.
A new study from the University of Wisconsin-Madison suggests that reducing isoleucine intake can extend lifespan and improve health outcomes. Mice on a low-isoleucine diet lived 33% longer and showed better health markers than those on a balanced diet.
A collaborative effort between scientists from the Natural History Museum of Utah and cavers led to the discovery of fossils spanning over 3,000 years in Boomerang Cave. The findings revealed a faithful reflection of mammal diversity in the area, including species unknown to the region.
A new study found that sediment plumes from deep-sea mining can cause significant stress in midwater jellyfish, leading to excess mucus production and energetic costly responses. The researchers also discovered that the stress response is more severe than expected even for a four-degree rise in sea temperature.
Researchers discovered that cerebellar nuclei make a surprising contribution to associative learning by strengthening connections with mossy fibers. Optogenetic experiments also showed that the nuclei can support well-timed learning. The study's findings have implications for understanding cerebellum function and potential treatments f...
A recent study published in One Health found that feeding dogs raw meat significantly increases the risk of excreting antibiotic-resistant E. coli, a bacteria that can cause life-threatening infections. The researchers emphasized the importance of proper hygiene and sourcing high-quality meat to reduce this risk.
Researchers at Lund University mapped extensive colour variation in female bluetail damselflies, finding a specific genomic region drove the emergence of male-like females. This genetic variation has been maintained through balanced natural selection over long evolutionary time periods.
A new study has uncovered the molecular causes of a rare developmental brain condition in children, known as Autosomal Recessive ACBD6-related disorder. The research team identified defects in the acyl-CoA-binding domain-containing protein 6 (ACBD6) gene as the underlying cause, leading to delays in cognitive and motor skills development.
A new study from the University of Oxford found that bumblebees cannot taste pesticides in nectar, even at lethal concentrations. Bees rely on taste to avoid contaminated nectar, which poses a significant threat to their survival.
A team of researchers analyzed whole genomes of over 100 muskoxen to explore their evolutionary history. They found that the muskox lost a significant proportion of its genetic diversity in the last 20,000 years, with present-day populations having only about a third of the diversity of ancient Siberian genomes.
A genetic study found that grizzly bears' energy production follows a daily pattern even during hibernation, with a blunted amplitude and shifted peak. This suggests that the circadian rhythm helps bears conserve energy while still maintaining some metabolic function.
Researchers found that cultivating Euglena in tomato juice resulted in high cell densities and tightly packed chloroplasts, outperforming other beverages. The nutrient composition of tomato juice is suitable for Euglena growth, offering a promising solution to the shortage of animal protein and potential health benefits.
Researchers found rabies virus variants closely related to those in White-tufted marmosets in bats, highlighting potential for human transmission. Genetic sequencing revealed complex spillover dynamics between hosts, emphasizing the need for public health measures and animal conservation.
A study of house finches found that sick birds are more social than healthy ones, preferring to eat with their flock. This behavior may be driven by the benefits of group living for sick birds, but also poses a risk to healthy birds due to increased disease transmission.