A study by Dr. Keum Sehoon's team identified key neural ensembles in the anterior cingulate cortex that encode empathic freezing, a behavioral response to witnessing distress in others. The researchers found that observing another's pain triggers activation in the ACC as if the observer were experiencing pain themselves.
A team of archaeologists and Indigenous scholars calls on museums to better care for animal remains, recognizing power imbalances and respecting Native American traditions. The approach emphasizes self-reflection, lifelong learning, and partnering with Indigenous groups to rethink catalogue, storage, and display methods.
Researchers used DNA technology to confirm feral cats as primary predators responsible for native animal deaths at two conservation sites in South Australia. DNA analysis revealed that feral cats were culprits in killing of native animals, with 96% of confirmed kills determined by DNA analysis.
Researchers used a novel approach to estimate megalodon's body length and shape, finding it closer in shape to a lemon shark or large whale. The study suggests the prehistoric predator may have reached about 80 feet in length and weighed an estimated 94 tons.
A special issue of the Journal of Dairy Science provides detailed technical recommendations for developing and implementing feed additives to reduce methane emissions from ruminants. The guidelines cover testing, trial, and modeling phases to ensure efficacy and safety.
Researchers found that birds of similar age tend to have more similar repertoires, while mixed-age neighbourhoods exhibit higher cultural diversity. The pace of song turnover is driven by individuals coming and going, with older birds serving as 'cultural repositories' of older song types.
The University of Texas at Arlington hosted the 74th Fort Worth Regional Science and Engineering Fair, attracting more students than ever. The fair featured original research projects on various topics, including using earthworms to remove toxic lead from soil and creating a robotic glove for people with Parkinson's disease.
Researchers at USC's Keck School of Medicine discovered that mice display a form of 'first aid' behavior when helping unconscious peers, with actions ranging from gentle grooming to forceful tongue-pulling. This behavior is similar to human emergency responses and may be linked to the activation of oxytocin neuropeptides.
A comprehensive analysis of butterfly data in the US found that butterfly abundance fell by 22% between 2000 and 2020. The study, led by Eliza Grames at Binghamton University, examined data from over 12.6 million butterflies across the continental US.
Researchers have discovered that the developing brain can reorganize its sensory maps in response to the absence of sensory stimuli from birth. The study found that the thalamic region adapts a genetic profile similar to that of the affected area, enabling cortical reorganization and functional changes.
A study published in Human-Animal Interactions found that US war veterans with PTSD experienced improved psychological symptoms after participating in wildlife immersion experiences. Researchers discovered that interactions with animals, such as bird watching and assisting with wildlife care, had a positive impact on anxiety levels and...
SourceCABI·JournalHuman-Animal Interactions·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 6, 2025
Superb lyrebirds are resourceful farmers, creating habitats suitable for their diet of worms, centipedes, and spiders. By arranging litter and soil, they promote more prey in areas with simulated lyrebird foraging.
Researchers develop a potential new treatment for rare genetic diseases characterized by low levels of specific proteins. By adding an artificial poly(A) tail to mRNA, they boost protein production and aim to improve symptoms in people with protein-deficient disorders.
Researchers found differences in genes and brain wiring between forest and desert flies, explaining how climate change impacts insects. Forest flies show increased avoidance of heat, while desert flies are attracted to warmer temperatures.
A POSTECH research team developed a photoacoustic computed tomography (PACT) system that non-invasively monitors cerebrovascular changes in small animals with early stages of an ischemic stroke. The technology also measures oxygen saturation in blood vessels, allowing precise tracking of vascular recovery after stroke.
Researchers developed a nanoparticle that delivers an mRNA vaccine targeting a KRAS antigen, boosting the immune response against pancreatic cancer. Experiments in mice showed inhibited and prevented tumor growth, as well as long-term protection against recurrence.
TaxaBind, a new multimodal AI tool, addresses ecological problems by combining multiple models for species classification, distribution mapping, and other tasks. The tool outperformed state-of-the-art methods in zero-shot classification and cross-modal retrieval tasks.
A recent study comparing the sexual behavior of bonobos and chimpanzees during stressful periods has provided insights into humans' own behavioral origins. Both species utilized sex to manage social tension, with bonobos engaging in 'make-up sex' after conflicts and chimpanzees using sex in various ways to ease tensions.
Researchers at Kyoto University investigated the effects of two-hit stress on mice, finding that it leads to increased microglia activity, neuronal loss, and decreased brain connectivity. Microglia replacement therapy showed promise in rescuing affected mice, with female mice exhibiting higher stress resilience.
Researchers at Kyoto University investigated the effects of two-hit stress on mouse behavior, revealing significant changes in the cerebellum. The study found increased microglia turnover, neuronal loss, and decreased brain connectivity, correlating with anxiety-like behaviors and mental disorders.
A study found that global biodiversity conservation funding is severely limited, with most threatened species receiving little to no support. The researchers call for a new approach to conservation funding, prioritizing all species equally.
Researchers capture narwhals using their tusks to investigate, manipulate and influence the behavior of Arctic char fish. The study reveals first evidence of likely play, social learning and personality differences among individual narwhal.
Scientists are studying how microplastics affect microbial communities in ponds, with potential implications for carbon cycling and the global biosphere. Microbes have adapted to plastic surfaces, which could impact aquatic environments.
A new University of Texas at Arlington study reveals high concentrations of microplastics in bird lungs, with average particles per species and gram of lung tissue measured. The study highlights the urgent need to address plastic pollution and its far-reaching impacts on ecosystem health and human health.
Researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have created a four-dimensional brain map that reveals how lesions similar to those seen in human MS form. The findings provide insight into early disease state changes and could help identify potential targets for MS treatments and brain tissue repair.
Researchers from the University of Konstanz challenged long-held hypotheses on collective motion in locust swarms, finding that sensory input and neural representations drive movement decisions. Contrary to previous assumptions, alignment with others is not responsible for coordinating collective motion.
Anemonefish provide food to bubble-tip anemones through active provisioning, which increases the host's growth rate. This symbiotic behavior is crucial for the anemonefish as it benefits them by making their hosts larger.
Researchers found that less than half of estimates for species studied agreed with diel classifications, and 74% switched phenotypes. The study's results will help conservation initiatives better conserve species by understanding when they are active.
Researchers have discovered fossilized eggs from three feathered bird-like dinosaurs, two herbivorous dinosaurs, and a previously unknown crocodile-like species in the Cedar Mountain Formation. The findings provide valuable insights into the diversity of ancient life forms and their habitats.
Researchers tracked changes in baleen whale song detection over six years, finding correlations with shifts in foraging conditions and food availability. The study's findings suggest that whale song data can provide insights into the health of marine ecosystems and inform conservation efforts.
UTA's expansion of its undergraduate research program has enabled students to present their work at major symposiums, including the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics conference. The program has strengthened students' commitment to pursuing graduate studies in various fields.
Researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine develop two strains of mycobacteria with 'kill switches' that can be triggered to stop the bacteria after they activate an immune response. The new approach aims to accelerate vaccine development and overcome safety concerns.
Researchers explore cognitive foundations of cross-species social behavior using octopus and reef fish as examples. These alliances challenge traditional views of intelligence and cooperation in the animal kingdom.
A study found that caterpillars of two species interact solely with one ant species each, secreting a sugary liquid for recognition and protection. However, switching the pairings led to aggressive attacks from ants, highlighting the specificity of these interactions.
Researchers developed a novel approach using electrospun poly(Lactic-co-Glycolic Acid) membrane with autologous cells to treat oral mucositis, a painful side effect of chemotherapy. The study showed significant results, with ulcers healed completely within six days and reduced inflammation.
Researchers analyzed protein-coding RNA transcripts from single cells and lung fluid of infected pigs, monitoring immune cell alterations triggered by PRRSV strains of varying virulence. They found that high-virulence PRRSV caused severe lung damage and immune imbalance, while less virulent strains led to delayed lung damage with fewer...
Researchers found that cytomegalovirus infection significantly worsens necrotizing enterocolitis in mouse models, triggering inflammation and disrupting energy production. The study provides insight into the underlying mechanisms of NEC and may lead to the development of new treatments for this devastating condition.
Researchers found that young salmon migrate over longer distances at night to avoid predators, while seeking refuge near riverbanks during the day. Elevated water temperatures, dams, and poor water quality also threaten their survival.
Researchers discovered that the activity of place cells in large spaces follows universal mathematical principles, challenging long-held assumptions about neural circuits and spatial cognition. The findings suggest that randomness is key to encoding information about experiences.
A new study using OCT imaging revealed that nerve fibers in the inner ear adjust sound levels and compensate for hearing loss. In healthy mice, cochlear activity remained stable, but in mice with genetic hearing loss, cochlear function increased to enhance sensitivity.
A new study reveals that Siamese fighting fish require significantly more space in pet shops than currently practiced, with a minimum tank size of 5.6 litres recommended for display and sale, and larger tanks for pets.
Researchers at the University of Copenhagen developed an AI model that can analyze thousands of vocalizations from animals to detect emotional states. The study identified key acoustic indicators, such as changes in duration and energy distribution, which are evolutionarily conserved across species.
Researchers found that Hawaiian parasitic flies have developed more sensitive hearing to locate host crickets, improving their chances of survival. The flies' adaptation allows them to detect a range of sound frequencies prominent in rapidly changing cricket calling songs.
Developed by Doshisha University researchers, vmTracking assigns virtual markers to track multiple animals without physical markers. It outperforms traditional methods in crowded environments and demonstrates high accuracy in tracking various species, including fish schools and human dancers.
Researchers found that amlodipine significantly reduced hyperactivity and impulsivity in rats and zebrafish bred to exhibit ADHD-like symptoms. The study suggests a potential target brain pathway for treatments.
A long-term study in the Spiti valley of the Himalayas found that livestock grazing leads to reduced spider populations and increased grasshoppers and disease carriers like ticks and mites. The researchers suggest rewilding native herbivores and improved surveillance to mitigate these changes.
Researchers at the University of Bristol discovered that emus and rheas can solve tricky problems to gain access to food. The study found that these large birds created one new technique in 90% of cases, showcasing their ability to innovate.
Researchers have proposed a transformative, battery-less wireless sensing system to overcome IoT network deployment and power supply challenges. The bio-inspired system combines exceptional reliability with flexibility, addressing key limitations of traditional rigid wireless systems.
Researchers studied mRNA length variations during atherosclerosis progression in mice, discovering shorter mRNAs as the disease advances. The findings suggest alternative splicing mechanisms may play a role in generating diverse mRNA sequences related to the disease.
Researchers propose a new method to assess animal consciousness using behavioral and anatomical features associated with conscious processing in humans. The 'marker method' involves identifying similar properties in nonhumans, which may yield insights into the nature of consciousness and its implications for human understanding.
Dr. Yonatan Stelzer has made significant contributions to understanding epigenetic mechanisms and embryonic development, challenging conventional knowledge with innovative approaches. His research aims to establish fully data-driven quantitative models of spatiotemporal processes in mammals.
Researchers discover that the gene HMGA1 'opens' regions of the genome to activate stem cell genes, leading to tumor development and progression. High levels of HMGA1 also allow mutant tumor cells to escape detection by immune cells.
New research found that neuroestrogens produced in the brain help suppress appetite, as confirmed by experiments where aromatase expression was restored specifically in the brain. This suggests a link between neuroestrogen levels and body weight regulation.
A new study found that artificial sweetener aspartame triggers insulin spikes leading to blood vessel inflammation in mice, which can contribute to atherosclerosis and increased risk of heart attacks and stroke. The researchers identified an immune signal called CX3CL1 that plays a key role in this process.
A new study identifies two groups of brain cells that help the mouse brain gauge the full range of possible rewards associated with a choice. The researchers used machine-learning concepts to study brain circuitry supporting reward-based decisions in mice, shedding light on how the human brain makes such choices.
A new study found a positive association between moth abundance and forest bird population, particularly in the north-boreal zone. The findings highlight the importance of preserving insect populations for bird conservation efforts.
A global synthesis identifies 603 species that shape the Earth's surface, with tiny ants shifting soil and salmon reshaping riverbeds. This study highlights the diversity and scale of animals' impact across freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems.
Scientists have released new high-quality genome sequences for two critically endangered pangolin species, revealing genetic vulnerabilities and extinction risks. The research provides essential information for rescue operations and focusing on the best ways to conserve these unique animals.
Researchers found that seamounts support vast numbers of predators, including sharks and tuna, with shark biomass being 41 times higher at shallow seamounts. The study suggests that seamounts serve as 'hubs' for predators to gather, socialize, mate, or rest, and concentrate food in predictable spots.
In a groundbreaking study, researchers observed flies displaying play-like behaviors, such as swinging and sliding, in response to a rotating carousel. The findings provide valuable insights into the genetic and neuronal factors underlying playful behavior in insects.