Articles tagged with Animal Research
Researchers at MIT have developed a new generation of tiny, agile drones that can operate in cramped spaces and withstand collisions. The drones use soft actuators to mimic insect flight, allowing them to flap their wings nearly 500 times per second and navigate complex environments with high agility.
A new Harvard-led study challenges the classic lateral-to-sagittal shift in mammal spine evolution, suggesting a completely different type of backbone function. The research found that nonmammalian synapsids had unique spinal characteristics not seen in modern reptiles or mammals.
Zebra finches select familiar nest materials when successful breeding, while less experienced birds experiment with new materials. This study challenges long-held assumptions about bird nesting behavior, showing that animals learn and modify their nests based on past experiences.
Researchers found that pheasants in different habitats prefer to use either allocentric or egocentric navigation strategies. The study suggests individual variation in these biases may influence habitat selection and resource relocation.
A new study led by the University of Maryland Baltimore County estimates the Bahama Oriole population at 1300-2800 individuals, suggesting a much larger number than previously believed. The research reveals that pine forest is an important habitat for the birds, contrary to earlier findings.
The study reveals that the propensity to molecular aggregation is the main control parameter of the sorting process, with an optimal value ensuring maximum speed. This finding has implications for understanding the origin of pathologies like cancer and developing targeted therapies.
Researchers at Yale University have devised a strategy to study the intricate choreography of brain development in a living animal, the worm Caenorhabditis elegans. They used high-resolution light sheet microscopy and network algorithms to track single cells and understand how they organize into functional circuits.
Researchers from Aalto University designed a video player that saki monkeys can activate on demand, promoting animal welfare and reducing stress. The study found that the animals spent more time watching certain types of videos, such as underwater scenes and worms, and exhibited less scratching behavior when presented with video content.
Researchers have identified a two-metre-long kangaroo painting in Western Australia's Kimberley region as Australia's oldest known in-situ painting, dated to 17,500-17,100 years ago. The discovery provides insight into the lives of ancient artists and the environment during the Last Ice Age.
New research reveals urban gardens produce an overwhelming amount of nectar, equivalent to thousands of flying bees, and account for 85% of food sources for pollinating insects. The study highlights the pivotal role gardens play in promoting biodiversity in urban areas.
Research reveals that worker bees can detect varroa-related compounds in brood cells, triggering a strong behavioral response to defend against the parasite. This finding has implications for breeding programs aimed at developing stronger resistance to Varroa destructor in honey bee colonies.
Aarthi Narayanan and Lance Liotta are conducting three studies to assess the therapeutic efficacy of candidate interventions for COVID-19. The researchers are using mouse models to determine the survival advantage conferred by various treatments.
Researchers developed a new framework to analyze massive data from thousands of individual neurons, outperforming previous models. The method captures complex dynamics and fluctuations, offering insights into animal processing information and adapting to environmental changes.
Researchers found that Eastern bluebirds and tree swallows nesting in noisy boxes spent less time incubating eggs, had fewer eggs hatch, and produced fewer young than their neighbors. This suggests that compressor noise negatively impacted fitness through reduced hatching and fledging success.
Researchers observed two new species of kukri snakes exhibiting the unique behavior of gutting frogs and toads. The snakes tear off organs and swallow them alive for up to a few hours, suggesting an alternative feeding strategy has evolved in their species group.
Researchers have developed an ultraviolet 'television' display to test animal vision, allowing them to study colour perception, motion detection, and social behaviour. The technology enables scientists to uncover new insights into the visual abilities of various species, including fish, birds, insects, and even clownfish.
A recent study published by Mariana Muñoz-Romo found that odor-producing glands are present in male bats, attracting reproductive females. The research also highlights the importance of timing and chemistry in bat mating systems.
Researchers found that the black and white tegu lizard's baroreflex mechanism is more efficient at lower temperatures, relying on vascular adjustments rather than heart rate alterations. This discovery provides new insights into the physiology of ectothermic animals and paves the way for further research on novel applications.
A team of researchers from Flinders University and the South Australian Museum discovered a new species of skink, Proegernia mikebulli, in the Namba Formation deposits. The fossil, named after Professor Mike Bull, is Australia's oldest known lizard, dating back to 25 million years ago.
A study examines nearly 1,000 Instagram posts and finds that most gorilla trekking tourists were close to the animals without face masks on, risking disease transmission. Strengthening tour regulations is crucial to protect these already imperiled great apes from further threats.
The invasive spotted wing drosophila prefers to lay its eggs in places that no other flies have visited, raising questions about how it detects virgin territory. This finding could inform the development of new pest-control techniques and mitigate significant crop losses.
Researchers studied Himalayan songbirds and found that those living at higher elevations have more fluffy down feathers than lower-elevation birds. Smaller-bodied birds with longer feathers in proportion to their body size also tend to have thicker insulation.
A new study has revealed that alligator hearts are able to maintain a normal rhythm despite extreme temperature changes, unlike mammals which can fibrillate under stress. This unique adaptation comes at the cost of reduced maximum heart rate and increased vulnerability to cardiac arrhythmia.
A recent study in Frontiers in Marine Science reveals the existence of stationary animals attached to a boulder on the sea floor beneath Antarctica's ice shelves. The discovery raises more questions than answers, such as how they got there and what they're eating.
The Mabee Foundation award will aid in the expansion of research and testing at Texas Biomedical Research Institute. The new facility will accommodate a growing need for animal models to test safety and efficacy of new treatments, including those for COVID-19.
Researchers at Bangor University discovered that birds displaced beyond their normal migratory route can still use the Earth's magnetic signature to find their way back, a feat known as true navigation. The Eurasian reed warbler was found to be able to extrapolate its position from magnetic signals even when far beyond familiar territory.
Researchers found that four pigs demonstrated conceptual understanding by playing a joystick-enabled video game, moving a cursor toward target walls on the screen. The pigs' ability to grasp cause-and-effect relationships is 'remarkable', with implications for their cognitive abilities and interactions with humans.
Researchers use fin whale songs to probe Earth's crust at seafloor, producing lower-resolution results than traditional air-gun signals. The method complements conventional techniques and avoids harming ocean life caused by powerful blasts.
Researchers tracked bats using mini GPS loggers and linked flight data to weather patterns, revealing a roller-coaster flight behavior where bats ascend and descend rapidly. The study found that bats can reach speeds of up to 135 km/h and use topography and nocturnal updrafts to fly high and fast.
The BioRescue project, a northern white rhino conservation program, faced significant challenges due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Despite international travel restrictions and revenue losses, the consortium successfully continued research and made progress in embryo creation and stem-cell techniques.
A recent study by Monterey Bay Aquarium reveals that juvenile white sharks are being forced to migrate northward due to a loss of suitable thermal habitat caused by climate change. The researchers analyzed electronic data records from tags deployed on the sharks and compared them to ocean temperatures to map the cold edge of their ther...
Researchers found that dragonflies frequently perform upside-down backflips to regain their balance. They also observed a similar response in unconscious dragonsflies, suggesting a component of passive stability.
A study by the University of York found that animal owners in the UK reported increased appreciation for their pets during the pandemic, with many perceiving them as a reliable source of emotional and physical support. However, concerns about caring for animals, accessing veterinary care, and financial uncertainty were also expressed.
A study led by Anglia Ruskin University found that farmers in the Brazilian Amazon can develop strong connections with nature, regardless of their knowledge of local bird species. The research involved 227 farmers and showed a complex relationship between ecological knowledge and nature connection.
Researchers found that some coronaviruses can incorporate host genes, such as CD200, to prevent excessive inflammation and prolong infection duration. This evolutionary strategy allows viruses to multiply and spread more effectively.
Scientists have developed a biological lung-on-chip that replicates the human lung's structure and function, enabling researchers to model lung diseases such as IPF and COPD. The device has broad clinical applications, including drug screening and precision medicine.
Researchers use innovative 3D imaging technology to analyze joint mobility in living animals and apply patterns to reconstruct extinct dinosaurs' walking and running cycles. The study provides new perspectives on understanding animal biomechanics and its applications in evolutionary transitions.
UMass Amherst researchers discovered that the actin networks of a deadly fungus, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), play crucial roles in its pathogenicity. The study provides insights into the evolution of actin cytoskeleton and sheds light on the disease chytridiomycosis affecting amphibian populations.
Climate change is altering habitats, forcing animals to migrate across national borders, which are fortified with walls and fences. The study highlights the potential ecological damage of 32,000km of borders, including the USA-Mexico border wall, China-Russia border fence, and India-Myanmar border fencing.
A review published in the Journal Birds suggests that studying birds in their natural habitats can improve zoo management and conservation efforts. By analyzing the ecological role of bird species, zoos can design enclosures that support reproduction and develop conservation actions.
The study reveals that both parents contribute to the body orientation of their offspring, with maternal input setting the back-belly axis and paternal input setting the head-tail axis. The findings provide new insights into developmental biology and may offer clues as to why developmental processes sometimes go wrong.
Researchers found higher levels of glucocorticoid stress hormones in animals from smaller forest patches, indicating chronic stress. The study highlights the impact of habitat destruction on wildlife, particularly in fragmented landscapes.
Researchers have found that a horse discovered in Utah was actually domesticated by Native peoples around 300 years ago. The study provides valuable insights into the relationships between Indigenous groups and horses in the Americas.
A new study finds that small mammals in the Mojave Desert are more resilient to climate change than birds, due to their ability to escape the sun in underground burrows. This difference is likely due to their lower cooling costs and tendency to be active at night.
Researchers found that European free-tailed bats rely on orographic uplift and wind conditions to fly high and fast during nighttime forays. The bats' flight patterns show a predictable relationship with the landscape, using the same types of areas where winds sweep up a slope to carry them to high altitudes.
Captive marmosets recognized and evaluated conversations between monkeys, displaying stronger emotional responses to negative interactions. The study suggests that marmosets tend to prefer cooperative individuals, but their behavioral expression is context-dependent.
Researchers used synthetic biology to develop a genetic design that reproduces key processes in natural systems, such as symmetry breakage observed in embryos. The new platform can generate spatial patterns seen in more complex animals like Drosophila melanogaster and humans.
A recent study found that viral-caused cancer in California sea lions is significantly increased by exposure to toxins in the environment. The disease has claimed 18-23% of adult sea lion deaths, highlighting the need for improved efforts to prevent ecosystem contamination with pollutants.
A UNSW study in rats shows that social interaction can reverse food and cigarette cravings triggered by social isolation. The study found that socially isolated rats relapsed to nicotine seeking but showed no interest once returned to group housing, highlighting the importance of social interaction in treating substance abuse disorders.
Researchers at Lund University discovered distinct strategies among fungi species, including the 'soldier' that grows forcefully, the 'marathon runner' that sends out lone fighters, and the 'snake' that weaves around obstacles. The study provides new insights into fungal behavior and its potential applications in agriculture.
Researchers tested the 'Field of Dreams' hypothesis, finding plant diversity has limited effects on animal biodiversity. Management strategies, such as controlled burns and bison reintroduction, had stronger impacts on animal communities.
Researchers discovered a unique microstructure on the bellies of sidewinding snakes, which improves performance when using lateral undulation for movement. The findings shed light on the functionality of these structures and their role in convergent evolution.
Researchers have developed a new type of model using synthetic biology to replicate symmetry breakage observed in embryos, enabling the creation of complex structures. The study identified essential parameters that modulate spatial pattern emergence in E. coli, paving the way for understanding embryonic development.
A team of researchers discovered that Tiktaalik roseae, a transitional fossil between fish and tetrapods, exhibited sliding joints in its skull that allowed for cranial kinesis, enabling the animal to expand its mouth and create suction. This adaptation is thought to have evolved in aquatic species before being adapted for use on land.
Researchers found no evidence to support the claim that rare birds draw more birders, leading to additional discoveries. The study examined eBird data and mega-rarity sightings over 10 years, concluding little support for the Patagonia Picnic Table Effect.
Researchers will use a combination of data from scientific monitoring, citizen scientists, and high-tech sensors to assess UK insect abundance and diversity. The project aims to provide definitive evidence on whether insects are declining overall and inform environmental policies to protect them.
Researchers found that naked mole-rats use distinct dialects within each colony, which strengthens social bonding. The animals can recognize their own dialect and respond selectively to it, demonstrating a unique form of communication.
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati studied monk parakeets' behaviors, distinguishing between 'displacements' and 'crowding'. Their computational analysis supported pooling these behaviors, providing a framework for informed decisions in animal behavior research.
A study by Durham University and RSPB investigated how human activities shape bird species' geographical distributions. The research found that 42% of breeding bird species would be more widely distributed if humans didn't impact the landscape, while 28% are rarer today than in a human-free world.
Research in tallgrass prairies reveals that management techniques like prescribed fire and bison reintroduction are more effective at restoring animal communities than increasing plant diversity. This suggests that a single focus on plant biodiversity may not be enough to ensure successful ecosystem restoration.