Articles tagged with Animal Research
Researchers at New York University have developed a new fast-acting form of deltamethrin, a widely used insecticide, that is up to 12 times more effective against mosquitoes than the existing form. The new crystal form remains stable and kills mosquitoes for at least three months.
A study has found fungal disease in snakes on military bases in 19 states and Puerto Rico, infecting 17% of the sampled snakes. The disease, known as ophidiomycosis, can cause a range of clinical signs, including skin lesions and death, and may threaten biodiversity across several habitats.
Researchers have verified the closest cousins of a semi-aquatic mouse thought to be extinct, including two new species discovered through DNA analysis and physical trait comparisons. The findings reveal that these mice are long-legged, use their whiskers to hunt aquatic insects, and have unusually large brains.
The NIH-funded Center for Precision Animal Modeling (C-PAM) at UAB enables precise diagnoses and treatments by creating patient-specific disease models. C-PAM's cutting-edge capabilities will help predict possible treatments that can be tested in the models, aiding in the search for unique therapies.
Researchers have identified two new relatives of the rubella virus, ruhugu and rustrela, found in bats and mice in Uganda and Germany. These viruses are similar to rubella but differ in key regions, raising concerns about potential zoonotic transmission.
A new study finds that infectious diseases in livestock can lead to increased methane emissions, exacerbating climate change. Ruminant animals infected with intestinal worms or suffering from mastitis release up to 33% and 8% more methane per kilogram of feed or milk produced.
A newly discovered species of toothless, two-fingered dinosaur has provided evidence of digit loss in the oviraptor family, enabling them to adapt and diversify during the Late Cretaceous Period. The discovery also revealed that young dinosaurs roamed together in groups, suggesting a social behavior.
According to a study published in Nature Communications, interactions with outsiders may drive the evolution of intelligence in animals. Big-brained animals have adapted to contend with rival outsiders, requiring considerable brain power to defend territories, find mates and compete for resources.
A meta-analysis of over 100 animal species found that hunger during development increases risk-taking behavior in later life. The study suggests a correlation between poor nutrition and increased willingness to take risks, which may also apply to humans.
Researchers found 26 mammals that could be susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection due to variations in the ACE2 protein. These include domestic cats, dogs, mink, and great apes, which could potentially act as reservoirs for the virus.
A team of researchers has identified networks of genes that regulate neuron regeneration in certain animals, such as zebrafish. This discovery may lead to the development of new treatments for neurodegenerative disorders, including blindness and Parkinson's disease.
Researchers analyzed ocean water samples from around the world using gene similarity networks, revealing over 2,000 unique sequences that are likely to represent unknown/uncharacterized unicellular Holozoans. The discovery provides new insights into the evolution of multicellularity and the origin of animals.
Research on insects addresses sustainability science goals such as promoting peace and improving health by providing innovative solutions to pressing problems. Insects are identified as unsung heroes in tackling multifaceted sustainability challenges.
Researchers at Stanford University have identified patterns in blue whale songs that indicate migration from feeding grounds to breeding grounds. The study uses advanced recording technologies to analyze whale song wavelengths, revealing a distinct change over several months.
Researchers at University of Reading and Newcastle University found planaria can be used as a reliable alternative for testing topical skin products without harming animals. The use of fluorescent dye mixed with potential skin products shows accurate interaction with living tissue.
A study by Penn State researchers found that suburban areas support the highest number of cricket and katydid species due to intermediate levels of urbanization. The use of aural point count surveys offers a simple and efficient method for monitoring and mapping insect populations, providing vital insights for conservation efforts.
Researchers discovered venom glands in the mouth of caecilians, a type of limbless amphibian, which release a secretion into prey during biting. This is the first time such glands have been found in amphibians, and it suggests that caecilians can be venomous.
A US survey of 430 Americans found 82% supportive of at least some parts of human-animal chimeric embryo research. Support varied by organ type, with highest for heart and liver, while concerns about animal welfare and human dignity were cited.
Birds with larger eyes are better adapted to dark environments, while those in agricultural settings often have smaller eyes. The study found that eye size is linked to habitat and foraging technique, suggesting it could help inform research on birds' sensitivity to bright environments.
A new study by SISSA and the University of Trieste shows that carbon nanotube implants can restore motor functions in animals with spinal injuries. The research reveals nerve fibre regrowth and promotes recovery through mechanical and electric properties of regenerative scaffolds.
Researchers use innovative microscopy method to analyze bird brain structure, finding similarities with mammalian neocortex. The study reveals horizontal and vertical layers, refuting long-held assumptions about avian brain organization.
As temperatures rise, tree swallow populations are shifting their egg-laying dates forward by up to 13 days. This shift is linked to increased risk of mass chick mortality due to reduced aerial insect availability during cold snaps, highlighting the complex impacts of climate change on animal life cycles.
Research at University of Melbourne found that low doses of Imidacloprid trigger neurodegeneration, disrupting energy production, vision, movement, and immune function in vinegar flies. Even small exposure can lead to blindness and movement problems.
A research team has cleared up 150 years of false assumptions about bird brains. The study found that avian brains are organized similarly to mammalian brains, with fibers arranged horizontally and vertically in columns.
A research team from the German Primate Center found that lemurs' average cognitive performance in tests was not fundamentally different from other primate species. Despite smaller brains, lemurs showed domain-specific cognitive skills similar to those of monkeys and great apes.
Researchers have found two human skulls and a goat skeleton with unique features in Cueva de la Dehesilla, Spain. The site reveals new insights into the funerary rituals of Neolithic Iberian populations, challenging previous understanding of burials in the region.
A team of scientists found that rats in groups outperform solo individuals by following simple behavioral rules, such as exploring uncharted paths but following others. The study reveals the optimal balance between individual and collective search performances, with extremes resulting in lower performance for the group and its members.
A UTEP-led research team will investigate the adaptive consequences of hybridization between wild and domesticated animal populations using the mallard duck as a model organism. The project aims to understand the genetic and adaptive implications of interbreeding, which can lead to non-adaptive traits in the wild.
A long-term study found that common noctule bat migration patterns change over successive generations, with younger males leading the way in colonizing new hibernacula. This flexibility may enable the species to stay within ideal conditions for reproduction and rearing of young or hibernation.
A team of researchers has created a patient-specific approach to customizing muscular and neural implants for restoring motor and autonomic functions. The NeuroPrint hybrid 3D printing technology allows for rapid production in just 24 hours, making it faster and cheaper than traditional methods.
Researchers deployed 23 tags to track Cuvier's beaked whale dives, recording over 3600 foraging dives with some lasting up to 2 hours and 13 minutes. The whales' ability to exceed predicted diving limits suggests an exceptional low metabolism and larger oxygen stores.
A Northwestern University research team developed a new theory that can predict the movement of an animal's sensory organs while searching for vital information. The theory, called energy-constrained proportional betting, provides insight into how animals gamble on energy expenditure to get useful information.
Researchers developed a behavioural test to measure rats' individual emotional experiences and found that vocalisations during 'tickling' accurately reflect their emotional states. The study suggests using call patterns to understand and improve rat welfare.
A new model explains why sleep times decrease as brains get bigger, identifying a sharp transition at around 2.4 years of age in humans where primary purpose of sleep shifts from reorganization to repair. The research ties phylogeny and ontogeny into a unified framework.
The Morris Animal Foundation has awarded nearly $1 million in grants to support 14 large animal health research projects focused on improving the well-being of horses. These studies will investigate genetic tests for heart arrhythmias, guidelines for air-transported horses, and the impact of gut microbiome variation on horse health.
Researchers examine whether animals can be deceived by magic effects, offering a window into their cognitive parallels and variances with humans.
New research from Queen Mary University of London reveals that tortoise hatchlings are attracted to face-like shapes from birth. The study suggests this early behavior may have evolved for reasons other than parental care, as tortoises do not form social groups and typically ignore members of the same species in early life.
A new species of spider, Ocrepeira klamt, has been discovered by a University of Bayreuth researcher in the highlands of Colombia. The spider differs from related species in its reproductive organs and is native to an altitude of over 3,500 meters above sea-level.
The study reveals a unique chain migration pattern in common swifts, where populations from southern Europe arrive in Africa before those from northern Europe, driven by food availability. This adaptation allows the species to ensure continuous access to energy-rich insects, enabling them to survive for over 20 years.
Researchers found that immune cells surrounding the brain produce a molecule called IL-17, which is then absorbed by neurons and appears to be necessary for normal behavior. The findings suggest that elements of the immune system affect both mind and body.
Researchers propose a hypothesis that animals use magnetotactic bacteria in a symbiotic relationship to gain a magnetic sense, which could improve human navigation and inform ecological research. The study found evidence of magnetotactic bacteria associated with various animal species, including sea turtles, birds, and mammals.
A new study by UCL researchers reveals that animals in tropical and Mediterranean areas are the most sensitive to climate change and land use pressures. The findings suggest that large declines in tropical biodiversity are likely to occur imminently due to agriculture expansions and temperature extremes.
A groundbreaking LSU Health study reveals that nonharmful stress can protect against disease in offspring, reprogramming heritability to promote resilience. The research used mild systemic hypoxia to trigger adaptive changes in adult mice, which were then passed on to their offspring.
A new study finds that human impact is responsible for 96% of all mammal extinctions over the last 126,000 years. The research suggests that mammals were resilient to extreme fluctuations in climate and that current climate change poses a significant threat to species
Professor Teja Tscharntke, a renowned agroecologist at the University of Göttingen, has received the prestigious Marsh Award for his groundbreaking research on biodiversity and ecosystem services. His work focuses on understanding how landscape structure affects local biodiversity and pollination processes.
Researchers at Kyoto University found that gene regulatory networks for pluripotent stem cells are highly conserved across mammals, but also exhibit unique variations. These differences may explain why certain features of mammalian pluripotent stem cells have evolved differently in various species.
Researchers found that herring gulls pay attention to human gaze direction, reacting faster and more aggressively when watched than when ignored. The study also confirms the bolder nature of urban gulls compared to rural ones.
A recent study found that 72% of Gen Z are not ready to accept lab-grown meat, citing concerns over taste, health, and environmental impact. Despite this, 41% believe it could be a viable nutritional source for transitioning to more sustainable food options.
A study comparing young hand-raised wolves and dogs found that dogs are more tractable than wolves, especially in contexts involving access to resources. Dogs were more prepared to follow human initiation of action, but this difference diminished with age.
Research suggests that older bull elephants hold leading positions in male elephant societies, helping younger followers find food and water. The study's findings raise concerns over the removal of old bulls in both legal and illegal hunting practices.
The widespread use of neonicotinoid insecticides poses a risk to the environment and biodiversity due to their ability to spread through the food chain. By transmitting toxins through honeydew and other organic matter, these insecticides can harm pollinators, predators, and other organisms beyond their intended targets.
Researchers found that introduced species have increased mutualistic relationships seven-fold over the past 75 years, reducing ecosystem stability. As geographic isolation breaks down, regions with distinct species combinations are linked, leading to the loss of unique co-evolutionary trajectories.
A new study published in Biological Reviews reviewed dinosaur body mass estimation techniques, finding that most estimates agree despite different approaches. The researchers recommend better-integrating scaling and reconstruction methods to estimate the sizes of Mesozoic dinosaurs more accurately.
American mastodons moved north from southern ranges in response to warming climate conditions and melting ice sheets. Genetic analysis suggests that these massive increases in territory made northern populations more vulnerable to extinction.
Mechanical engineering researchers studied fruit flies' eye movements to improve robotic flight control. The study found that flies use eye movements to quickly coordinate their wings in response to visual cues, with reactions up to four times faster than the body or wings.
Researchers found two neighboring bonobo groups in the Democratic Republic of Congo to have distinct hunting preferences for different types of prey. The study suggests that these differences are likely a result of learned social behavior, challenging the idea that cultural traits only exist in human societies.
New research by the British Trust for Ornithology finds that drones can scare wintering waterbirds into flight, causing them to waste energy and reduce their feeding time. The study reveals that larger flocks are more likely to respond to drone disturbance, with habitats like arable farmland being particularly sensitive.
A new project aims to explore insect-based feeds for poultry and aquaculture industries, which could help the UK meet its net-zero emissions target. The team will work on efficient insect production methods to lower costs and environmental impact.
Researchers at Stellenbosch University and the University of Plymouth have successfully used unique signature whistles of individual bottlenose dolphins off Namibia's coast to estimate population size and track movement. The method, which marks a first for acoustic monitoring, yielded promising results and has potential applications fo...
Researchers mapped responses of biodiversity to abrupt climate changes in the past to better understand how species and ecosystems will cope with future climate shifts. The study found that some species migrated northward while others became extinct, but many ecosystems can adapt to sudden climate change.