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 tested five chemicals on zebrafish embryos and found that all caused impaired migration of bone-forming cells, leading to facial malformation. The study suggests a potential general mechanism underlying teratogenic chemicals and proposes using zebrafish as an alternative method for testing cross-species teratogens.
Researchers have documented the development of bonnethead sharks, showing how their skulls widen and distort to form a hammer-like shape. The study provides insight into the formation of this unique feature, which is thought to amplify their field of vision and ability to detect prey.
A new technology using facial recognition software is being used to monitor wildlife and improve animal welfare. The software was tested on Greylag Geese in Europe with 97% accuracy and found that geese approach images of their partners more quickly, giving friendly contact calls and feeding for longer.
A Chinese research team discovered chelerythrine's dual effects in combating mobile colistin resistance by reducing MIC and eliminating bacterial colonies. The compound binds to phospholipids, increasing fluidity and impairing respiration, ultimately downregulating mcr-1 gene expression.
A Cornell University-led study found that the brain's dopamine reward system dynamically retunes in response to changing priorities, prioritizing love over thirst. By using advanced techniques developed by researchers, they were able to track the brain's dopamine reward system and find for the first time that it flexibly tunes toward t...
A new biomimetic chip has been developed to simulate the human gastric mucosa, combining organoid and organ-on-a-chip technologies. The biochip replicates mechanical stimulation and cell-to-cell interactions, mimicking key features of the human stomach's defense mechanisms.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a non-invasive gene delivery technique using ultrasound to efficiently deliver clinically used gene therapy vectors throughout the brain. The study, published in Gene Therapy, shows that opening more sites within targeted regions improves gene delivery efficiency.
A study of 77 wild Asian elephants found that individual differences in willingness and ability to problem-solve impact their success in accessing food. The most innovative elephants solved all three compartment types, demonstrating cognitive flexibility and potential implications for conservation management.
The use of an animal rescue system – Hawk Data Pro – proved vital in detecting and controlling a potentially deadly rabies outbreak in Pune city, India. The system helped document an ongoing outbreak and direct awareness materials and mass dog vaccinations.
A new EWG study reveals that humans can serve as sentinels for understanding the impact of toxic PFAS on wildlife health. The study's findings show that over 625 species, including fish, birds, and mammals, are contaminated with PFAS, highlighting the need to tackle these persistent chemicals.
A study discovered the remains of 9 different camelids in Cordoba, dating back to both the Roman and al-Andalus periods. The findings suggest that camelids were used primarily for transportation and had a significant impact on the city's fauna.
Researchers found that blueberries infected with Colletotrichum fioriniae emit odors repelling spotted-wing drosophila. By recreating this aroma, farmers can trick flies into perceiving healthy fruit as infected, reducing the need for insecticides.
A study published in iScience found that silver vine is a safe and suitable plant for olfactory enrichment in cats, with no evidence of addictive behavior or toxicity. Dried leaves are particularly effective, and the optimal drying conditions can be achieved at room temperature.
A study using engineered mice found that BA.5, a contagious omicron subvariant, replicates rapidly early during infection, causing significant weight loss and high levels of inflammatory cells and cytokines in lungs.
A new vaccine candidate has shown protection against a range of coronaviruses, including current and future variants, by targeting the critical regions of the virus that it needs to complete its life cycle. The vaccine technology, developed at the University of Cambridge, aims to provide broad-based protection against emerging viruses.
A Texas A&M research team found that a population of endangered red-crowned parrots is thriving in urban areas, with four main roosts in the Rio Grande Valley. The parrots' adaptability to human environments and lack of competition for food sources make them an unusual example of a species doing well in urban areas.
Researchers in Sweden and the Netherlands have found that migratory birds can synchronize with food resources by flying a shorter distance, resulting in better breeding success. By giving these birds a helping hand, they may be able to maintain robust populations of small birds despite earlier springs.
A study by Miles, Ricklefs, and Losos challenges traditional explanations for species diversity, suggesting a single underlying process drives morphological diversification in diverse clades. The researchers analyzed passerine bird morphology data, including island radiations like Darwin's finches and Hawaiian honeycreepers.
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 research team from USC Keck School of Medicine has developed a more rigorous system for conducting preclinical research on stroke treatments, identifying the strongest candidate for further study. The system uses a network of laboratories and animal models that resemble typical stroke patients to test new therapies.
A new study has found that bats' extraordinary ability to host and survive infections may be linked to their low cancer rates. Researchers sequenced the genomes of two bat species and compared them to other mammals, discovering genetic adaptations that allow bats to tolerate viral infections.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that 72% of US-managed cetacean and pinniped stocks are highly or very highly vulnerable to climate change. The researchers used a trait-based climate vulnerability assessment framework to evaluate the impacts on marine mammals.
Researchers at ETH Zurich have created a method to simultaneously modify multiple genes in individual cells of an animal, allowing for the study of complex diseases. By precisely analyzing these cells, scientists can identify key genes responsible for disease progression, paving the way for potential drug development.
Researchers reconstruct skin and skeletal muscle transcriptomes from extinct species, shedding light on gene regulation and de-extinction efforts. The study's findings have implications for studying pandemic RNA viruses and reviving extinct species like the Tasmanian tiger and woolly mammoth.
Researchers are creating a frailty instrument that can be used to make health decisions and personalize geriatric veterinary care for dogs. The instrument will consider physical, mental, and emotional changes associated with aging, providing a better indicator of the body's condition than age alone.
Researchers discovered that the lancet liver fluke takes over an ant's brain, causing them to cling to blades of grass against their will. The parasite controls the ant's behavior to avoid heat, a strategy also used by cattle and deer.
Research shows that lapwings can hide their eggs by using small variations in the terrain, making them invisible to ground predators. The study found that habitat geometry rather than visual acuity limits the visibility of a ground-nesting bird's clutch to terrestrial predators.
A study involving wolves and dogs found that both species can remember where people hid food if they observed the hiding process. However, wolves outperformed dogs in finding caches, suggesting differences in traits like persistency and food-related motivation.
A new study found that a deadly frog disease, Perkinsea, is more widespread in Central Florida than expected, infecting over a third of sampled frogs. The disease is linked to cooler temperatures and higher precipitation, posing a concern for threatened species like the gopher frog.
A recent UTSA study reveals that 51% of Texas owls have high levels of anticoagulant rodenticides in their systems. The research team recommends using natural methods to control rodents and increasing awareness of the effects on non-target wildlife.
Researchers at UW–Madison and Stanford University developed a new approach to increase donor and recipient biocompatibility, inducing tolerance in transplanted kidneys. Two monkeys with just one match among key protein strings maintained chimeric immune systems for over four years without rejection or graft-versus-host disease.
Researchers in Namibia analyzed prehistoric rock art engravings of animal tracks and human footprints, revealing surprising details about the diversity of species represented. The findings suggest culturally determined preferences in the depiction of animals, with a preference for adult male footprints.
A recent study found elevated TonEBP expression in patients with lupus nephritis, correlating with inflammatory cytokines and kidney damage. Suppressing TonEBP was shown to halt lupus progression and mitigate kidney damage in animal models.
Researchers found that springtail insects developed a small protein to prevent their cells from freezing more than 400 million years ago, predating other animals. This discovery challenges previous beliefs and highlights the adaptability of these tiny creatures in extreme environments.
Researchers at the University of Missouri have identified a way to improve immunological memory produced by T cells in response to influenza infection, potentially leading to more effective vaccines and treatments. The study found that manipulating a molecular signaling pathway can strengthen and prolong the immune response.
Researchers found that wild jackdaws strategically switch friends to get mealworm rewards, but stick with offspring, siblings, and mating partners. The study provides new insights into how animals manage social relationships and how societies emerge from individual decisions.
Researchers argue that considering an animal's entire 'parasitome' is crucial for understanding its place in the food chain. By analyzing stable isotopes, scientists can determine who is eating whom and how parasites affect behavior and metabolism.
A team of researchers has discovered that the worm C. elegans uses a unique system to regulate its development, with a quartet of molecules working in concert to control gene expression. This process shares similarities with human circadian clocks, and understanding how it operates could provide insights into developmental biology.
A new study published in Cancer Management and Research found that 1 in 8 older adults with a history of cancer experienced depression for the first time during the early stages of the pandemic. Those with functional limitations, family conflict, and women were particularly vulnerable to depression.
The study found a correlation between the emergence of sophisticated stone-knapping methods and a relative decrease in large prey quantities. Stone-tipped spears with Levallois technology allowed for more substantial wounds, increasing hunting success.
Researchers at UNIST developed a microfluidic system to process blood into artificial tissue scaffolds for vascular regeneration. Autologous blood-based implants demonstrated superior wound closure rates, increased epidermis thickness, and enhanced collagen deposition in rodent skin wounds.
A new report highlights Vietnam's high reptile diversity, with 484 known species, including 74 threatened with extinction. The study recommends increasing breeding populations to maintain suitable numbers for restocking, and modern zoos can play a crucial role in conservation efforts.
Researchers found that pregnant mice experiencing copy number variation (CNV) showed similarities to aging, with biomarkers and genetic effects appearing during pregnancy and reversing after delivery. This study aims to revolutionize aging treatment by investigating the mechanisms behind post-labor rejuvenation.
Researchers found that dietary energy has a more significant impact on body mass and fatty tissue reserves than egg production in laying hens. This discovery could lead to more efficient feeding practices, reducing the environmental footprint of egg production.
A new $1.9 million NIH grant will investigate the role of glycogen in supporting healthy pregnancies. The study aims to understand how glycogen storage in the uterus affects fertility and pregnancy loss, with a focus on obesity's impact on uterine glycogen metabolism.
Researchers developed a new model of hereditary Alzheimer's disease in marmosets by introducing mutations into the PSEN1 gene, which causes early-onset disease in humans. The study aims to characterize and validate genetic, molecular, functional, and cognitive features of aging and Alzheimer's disease in these animals.
A USC Stem Cell-led mouse study reveals that lowering testosterone can improve the resilience of male kidneys by reducing their vulnerability to disease. The researchers also found that three months of calorie restriction has a similar effect, suggesting new potential treatments for kidney diseases.
Researchers used drones to track Przewalski's horses and found a complex, multilevel social structure similar to human societies. The herd's movements revealed kinship-based relationships and familiarity between animals, with mare-mare bonds playing a significant role in harem formation.
Fruit fly research suggests visual system is involved in regulating social behaviors, which could have implications for understanding human psychiatric conditions such as autism and schizophrenia. Altering GABA signaling in the brain affects social inhibitions, leading to increased courtship behavior in males.
Researchers discovered a subtype of avian flu virus is undergoing mutational changes that could increase its risk of being passed on to humans. The study found the virus can cause severe animal infections and be transmitted through airborne droplets.
A new study published in BioScience documents the progress of the InvaCost endeavour, which has compiled data on the economic cost of biological invasions. The database now includes over 13,553 entries and provides a clear picture of the major threats posed by invasive species to ecosystems, biodiversity, and human well-being.
Researchers have developed SMART-BARN, a cutting-edge technology lab for complex behavioral analysis. The facility can host hundreds of animals simultaneously and track their movements in 3D, allowing for unprecedented insights into collective behavior.
A new study found that nearly half of dog owners in the US hold negative views about vaccinating their pets, citing safety and efficacy concerns. This hesitancy is linked to public mistrust in human vaccines during the pandemic, posing serious public health implications for both animals and humans.
Researchers have identified a cluster of neurons in the hypothalamus called GABRA5 that regulates energy expenditure. Astrocytes control this cluster, producing tonic GABA that inhibits it, leading to weight gain.
Researchers from the University of Illinois warn that artificial roosts can be detrimental to bat health due to overheating and inadequate insulation. The experts emphasize the need for further study on the risks associated with these structures.
The patented cooling pads designed by Purdue researchers improve feed intake and milk output in sows and increase piglet weaning weight. The technology also maintains boar semen quality and reduces heat stress abnormalities.
A new study found that antibiotics promote the growth of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the gut by providing extra nutrients, allowing these 'bad' bacteria to multiply. The research suggests that targeting beneficial bacteria can help restrict the growth of resistant bacteria, paving the way for microbiome therapeutics treatments.
Researchers at Affilogic developed nanofitins that inhibit SARS-CoV-2 by binding to its spike proteins, demonstrating quick reach and clearance of the lungs. The technology has potential for treating other infectious respiratory diseases with lower costs and higher accessibility.
A study found that male crested macaques are more likely to respond to their own offspring's screams during agonistic conflicts. The researchers observed that males were more likely to intervene if they had sired the infant or if the screaming infant and its mother were of low dominance rank.
A new MU study highlights the protective role of innate lymphoid cells and interferons in reducing neurological effects of Brucellosis. The findings could lead to improved diagnostics and therapies for neurobrucellosis, a condition that can cause long-term neurological complications.