Articles tagged with Animal Research
Researchers discovered three functional stages in the transition from fins to limbs, with early tetrapods exhibiting a unique pattern of muscle leverage. Their limbs were more adapted for propulsion than weight bearing, reflecting their aquatic origins and need to adapt to life on land.
Researchers estimate that the Ganges Brahmaputra Meghna River Basin releases 1-3 billion microplastics daily. The study found most microplastics were fibres from clothing materials like rayon and acrylic.
Researchers Yuntao Wu and Ramin Hakami are investigating COVID-19 therapies using the K18-hACE2 mouse model, which can replicate severe COVID-19 infection in humans. The study aims to test the efficacy of therapeutics developed by Dejia Harmony against COVID-19.
Research finds that flowers provide essential nectar and pollen for predatory insects, helping them survive up to 8 times longer. This can significantly reduce the need for agricultural pesticides, improving crop production while supporting biodiversity.
A study of spitting cobras shows that a combination of venom components have evolved to create an instantly painful venom, used for defense rather than hunting. The research provides a remarkable example of convergent evolution and suggests early humans may have influenced the evolution of spitting in cobras.
Researchers at Flinders University have developed a new technique to replicate sensory neurons involved in pain sensation, providing ample resources for testing potential drugs. The technique allows for the easy generation of large numbers of cells, enabling the simultaneous testing of thousands of samples or potential drug libraries.
Researchers demonstrate that defensive selection pressures can influence venom composition in snakes, resulting in enhanced pain-causing ability of the venoms. This is an exemplary case of convergent evolution in the natural world.
Research identifies three key properties that lead to gene survival on snake sex-specific chromosomes: dosage sensitivity, broad tissue expression, and strong purifying selection. These genes play critical roles in developmental processes and are also linked to human birth defects.
Researchers from the University of Cambridge have discovered a fossil of the earliest starfish-like animal, Cantabrigiaster fezouataensis, which has features in common with both sea lilies and modern-day starfish. The exceptionally preserved fossil is a missing link for scientists trying to piece together its early evolutionary history.
Researchers at McMaster University have developed a new form of cultivated meat by stacking thin sheets of muscle and fat cells grown in a lab setting. The technique allows for the creation of slabs of meat with customizable fat content and marbling, making it a promising alternative to traditional meat production.
Researchers successfully counted African elephants using satellite images and deep learning algorithms, achieving accuracy comparable to human observers. This new surveying technique offers an efficient alternative to manual counting from low-flying airplanes, enabling vast areas of land to be scanned rapidly.
Researchers developed an in vitro and computational model-based approach to identify chemicals affecting male reproductive health without animal tests. The method predicts exposure of fetuses to harmful substances, showing promising results compared to traditional animal tests.
Researchers found guppies showed higher inhibitory control when swimming towards food in a cylinder and resisted the urge to bump into it. The study revealed consistent differences between individual guppies and a population-level difference in self-control ability compared to another strain of guppies.
The Illinois RapidVent emergency ventilator was designed and tested by the University of Illinois team in under three weeks. The device is easy to produce, has few components, and can be powered from pressured air or oxygen.
A study by São Paulo State University reveals that large fruit-eating mammals like peccaries and tapirs increase soil nitrogen levels, making areas more fertile for plants. This boosts plant growth, supporting the ecosystem, particularly in tropical forests.
Researchers found that omega-3 fatty acids in flaxseed and fish oil helped Arctic ground squirrels regulate their body temperature during hibernation, increasing brown adipose tissue. This discovery sheds light on how animals prepare for extreme cold temperatures.
University of Otago researchers found that confining barking geckos in a pen for three months before releasing them to Mana Island helps establish a breeding population. The method has potential to aid conservation efforts for other species, reducing detrimental initial dispersal.
A recent study published in Journal of Pediatric Nursing found that adopting a cat can increase empathy and decrease separation anxiety in children with autism. The study monitored families with children aged 6-14 who adopted a calm and well-matched cat, reporting an instant bond between the child and their new pet.
Scientists are using AI to identify insects at supernatural speed, opening up new possibilities for discovering unknown species and tracking their life across space and time. Insects have diverse life histories and roles in ecosystems, making manual observation and counting a time-consuming process.
Researchers discovered that invasive brown tree snakes on Guam can use a novel, lasso-like locomotion to climb smooth vertical cylinders. This new mode of locomotion has important implications for understanding the snakes and conservation practices aimed at protecting birds from them.
Researchers found that Hydra exhibit characteristics at a molecular and genetic level associated with sleep in animals with central nervous systems. The four-hour cycle of active and sleep-like states in hydras indicates that sleep may have evolved independently of brain development.
The genomes of platypus and echidna have been published in Nature, providing a valuable resource for research on mammalian biology and evolution. The study sheds light on the unique biology and reproductive strategy of these animals, offering new leads for drug development and genetic management of threatened populations.
Researchers found that rising lizard temperatures and predation by snakes are changing the thermal biology of lizards, making them more active at warmer body temperatures. The study suggests that lizard body temperatures and running speeds have increased accordingly, helping them escape snakes.
Researchers mapped the platypus genome to understand its evolution, discovering that it carries genes from a common ancestor with birds and reptiles. The study found that platypuses lay eggs due to retained vitellogenin genes, produce milk through sweat, and have venomous spurs.
Scientists at the University of Tokyo have observed a direct impact of magnetic fields on biological magnetoreception in living cells. By measuring changes in flavin autofluorescence, they found that the presence of a magnetic field reduced the cell's ability to emit light.
Researchers Matt Kasson and Angie Macias are studying the association between millipedes and fungi, revealing tremendous fungal diversity among colobognathan millipedes. The team plans to document fungal diversity associated with half of the US species, potentially uncovering new undescribed fungal species.
Researchers at the Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown discovered a direct link between prolactin and the male refractory period is unlikely. They found that artificially increasing or blocking prolactin levels had no effect on the animals' sexual behavior, contradicting the long-held theory.
Researchers from UOC Faculty of Health Sciences will investigate the impact of intermittent fasting on organ ageing in postmenopausal women. The study aims to validate ageing markers and determine if fasting leads to changes in organ ageing, with potential benefits for women's quality of life.
The Waray Dwarf Burrowing Snake is a new genus and species of snake found in the Philippines. The snake was discovered through molecular analysis and CT scanning, revealing unique features such as few vertebrae and adaptations for underground life.
A new study reveals that mussels, oysters, and scallops have the highest levels of microplastic contamination among seafood. The research found an average microplastic content of 0-10.5 microplastics per gram in molluscs, highlighting the need for standardised methods to measure microplastic contamination.
A research team from the University of Helsinki has discovered a tree hyrax in Kenya's Taita Hills that may belong to an unknown species. The 'strangled thwack' calls of the animal have not been described anywhere else, suggesting a possible link to different species.
A new study by ARS and UofA scientists found that genetically engineered cotton and sterile pink bollworm moths synergistically suppressed the pest. This collaboration among farmers, scientists, and industry resulted in a 90% reduction of pink bollworm population and saved US cotton farmers $192 million from 2014 to 2019.
A new study finds that the global food system must be transformed to prevent widespread biodiversity losses and habitat destruction. By analyzing the impact of agricultural expansion on nearly 20,000 species, researchers estimate that millions of square kilometers of natural habitats could be lost by 2050.
Researchers have discovered that scorpion venom molecule VmCT1 is effective against all three stages of the parasite that causes Chagas disease. Novel analogs with arginine substitutions displayed enhanced biological activity and better selectivity, offering new prospects for treatment.
A recent study published in PNAS catalogues gene activity in skeletal muscle of mice with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) compared to healthy animals. The researchers found marked differences in gene expression, including increased activation of genes involved in cell death and degradation of muscle tissue.
A new study published in Ecology has discovered that monitor lizards are ecosystem engineers, creating complex burrow systems used by various animal communities. These systems provide critical shelter and resources, but their destruction due to invasive species like the cane toad threatens ecosystem balance.
Researchers discovered a nearly complete skeleton of Adalatherium, a giant mammal that defies explanation due to its unusual trunk vertebrae and limbs. The creature's front legs were adapted for sprinting, while its hind legs resembled those of crocodiles.
Researchers analyzed acoustic data from humpback whale songs to track population changes in the North Pacific. The study found a significant decrease in acoustic energy levels between 2014-15 and 2018-19, mirroring the declining number of whales during this period.
A blanket ban on landing thresher sharks has stopped targeted fishing, but persistent 'bycatch' continues to be a problem. The study found that bycatch is widely unrecorded due to mistrust and confusion among fishers, making it hard for authorities to enforce the ban.
A study on North American red squirrels found that keeping the same neighbors boosts survival rates and breeding success, even for solitary species. Familiarity with neighbors reduces aggression and increases territory defense efficiency, benefiting overall fitness.
A 22-year study of red squirrels in the Yukon found that living near familiar neighbors increases survival and reproductive success. The benefits were especially pronounced in older squirrels, who could offset aging by maintaining all their neighbors.
Researchers found that chestnut-crowned babbler birds adapt to rising temperatures by breeding earlier, but this reduces successful breeding due to cold temperatures. The study suggests these birds fall into an ecological trap, highlighting the need for further research on adaptable parenting.
Biodiversity collections preserve specimens and capture microorganism communities, providing genetic clues for disease origin and understanding. The number of deposited specimens has declined dramatically since the late 1990s due to lack of museum requirements and open-data model.
A recent study by California Polytechnic State University found that exposure to recorded birdsong can significantly improve humans' sense of well-being, especially in protected areas. The researchers discovered that even short periods of time spent listening to birdsong can have a positive impact on mental health.
A team of researchers led by the University of Tsukuba examined five different stonefly species' eggs to understand their evolutionary relationships. They found that differences in egg structure, such as hard outer membranes and attachment structures, provided insight into the order's ground plan and evolutionary history.
Researchers used zebrafish to study the effects of chronic stress, finding that it can lead to anxiety-like conditions and serotonin metabolism deficits. The study suggests that zebrafish can be a valuable translational model for researching complex neurobiological conditions.
After 40 years of civil war, Gorongosa National Park's animal population has rebounded, with most species returning to the park through conservation efforts. However, researchers found that large herbivores like zebra and wildebeest are rare, while baboons and waterbuck dominate the landscape.
Researchers created artificial liver organoids from zebrafish cells, allowing for chronic toxicity testing in a shorter time. This alternative method to animal testing may replace traditional zebrafish tests without ethical issues.
The newly discovered Carolina Sandhills Salamander boasts distinct genetic and physical traits, setting it apart from other two-lined salamander species. Its restricted range in the Sandhills region of North Carolina underscores the importance of preserving this unique ecosystem.
Scientists have long wondered how tropical species diversity formed and is maintained. A new study provides conclusive evidence that tropical biodiversity hotspots are linked to moderate and stable climates. Researchers found that species-rich regions in the tropics contain diversity accumulated during a protracted evolutionary period.
Researchers found that humans, ferrets, and cats are the most susceptible animals to SARS-CoV-2 infection due to their high binding affinity and codon adaptation index. Ducks, rats, mice, pigs, and chickens had lower or no susceptibility to infection.
An international team of scientists has produced the first complete, species-level phylogeny of a major group of tropical birds known as suboscine passerines. The study used genetic markers scattered across the entire genome to describe the evolutionary history and create a framework for further questions about mechanisms that drive sp...
Researchers found that microplastics can be internallyized by living cells after being exposed to natural aquatic environments, where biomolecules form an 'eco-corona' on the surface of particles. This process allows plastics to be internalized into tissue.
A study published in Science finds that cold environments like deserts and mountaintops are more likely to host new species than tropical regions like the Amazon rainforest. This discovery challenges the long-held assumption that diversity hotspots exist in warm, humid areas.
Researchers found that honeybees in Vietnam collect and apply spots of animal dung around hive entrances to deter deadly nest raids by Asian hornets. This finding is also the first to document the use of tools by honeybees.
Exposure to glyphosate creates biomarkers predicting prostate and kidney diseases, obesity, and multiple diseases in subsequent generations. In a study of 50 rats each, 90% of third- and fourth-generation rats developed health problems by middle age.
A study found that warmer springs in southern Illinois allow prothonotary warblers to start laying eggs earlier, increasing the chances of raising two broods of offspring. This adaptability may provide a reproductive advantage for the birds, but could be threatened by continued climate change.
Researchers discovered honey bees collecting and applying animal dung around nest entrances to prevent giant hornet attacks, leading to reduced landing times and chewing behavior. This unique defense mechanism is the first documented case of honey bee tool use.
A study by the University of Portsmouth discovered that giant feathery shipworms engage in competitive mating, where larger worms have an advantage due to longer siphons. The researchers observed stages of sperm transfer and sparring between rival mates, revealing a sophisticated form of reproductive behavior.
Kyoto University researchers highlight the need for targeted conservation efforts due to 90% extinction risk for Japanese bat species. The study reveals poor alignment between conservation needs and research resource allocation, with many threats understudied.