Articles tagged with Animal Research
Researchers created an equation to estimate plastic ingestion by animals, finding that the largest piece eaten is about 5% of the animal's body length. The study analyzed over 2,000 animals and found shocking examples of plastic pollution, including a sperm whale with hosepipes and flower pots inside.
Researchers at Texas Biomed launched a comprehensive multi-species study to identify the best animal model for COVID-19. The study includes four additional species and aims to pinpoint the most effective model for diagnostics, vaccines, and therapies.
Research has discovered that a unique type of algae on turtle shells influences the surrounding microbial communities. This finding may contribute to supporting turtle conservation by understanding how diverse microbiomes protect animals against infections.
Recent studies on the SARS-CoV-2 genome have been contradicted by a new study suggesting pangolins as the missing link in the virus's transmission from bats to humans. The researchers found protein sequences in sick animals' lungs that were 91% identical to the human virus' proteins, supporting the pangolin theory.
Maintaining vitamin D receptor levels in pancreatic cells may protect against diabetes development and counteract cell damage. Researchers found that sustained VDR expression preserves β-cell mass and function, reducing inflammation and hyperglycemia.
A new study suggests that snake venom did not evolve primarily as a defense mechanism, but rather to overpower and kill prey. Researchers surveyed nearly 400 people who work with snakes and found that only a minority of bites cause immediate pain, implying that the venom's composition has not been optimized for defensive purposes.
Researchers used eDNA metabarcoding to detect biodiversity in two regions of Western Australia, finding that bulk arthropods and animal droppings detected the most species. The study suggests that eDNA can be a fast and accurate tool for biomonitoring, but careful surveys are needed to avoid contamination from outside organisms.
The PETA International Science Consortium Ltd. has contributed to the development of EpiAlveolar, a human cell-based alveolar model that can simulate the effects of inhaling different substances on the human lung. This breakthrough technology allows for the testing of chemicals and other respirable materials without animal testing.
A recent study found that rates of climatic-niche evolution are similarly slow in both plants and animals, with only slight variations across different clades. This research highlights the importance of understanding climate change impacts on species distribution and evolution.
A Stanford University team has created a new device that records electrical brain signals with high resolution, offering potential breakthroughs in prosthetics, disease treatment, and brain research. The device, featuring thousands of microwires, can be used to study neural activity on a single-neuron level.
Researchers studied vampire bat behavior, finding that social grooming and food sharing can build trust among unrelated bats to form long-lasting bonds. This cooperation is crucial for survival, as vampire bats must rely on each other for blood meals or risk starvation.
Separation anxiety in dogs is caused by four key forms of distress: getting away from something, wanting to get outside, reacting to external noises, and boredom. Understanding these root causes is crucial for effective treatment.
A new Stanford study found that diversified farms in Costa Rica provide a more secure habitat for birds and shield against the impacts of climate change. Diversified farms are more stable in supporting bird populations and offer refuge to threatened species.
Researchers have proved one of Charles Darwin's evolution theories for the first time, showing that mammal subspecies are crucial to long-term evolutionary dynamics. The study, led by Laura van Holstein, found that subspecies play a pivotal role in shaping the future of species, particularly in response to habitat disruption.
Researchers at Emory University have achieved significant shrinkage of the viral reservoir in SIV-infected nonhuman primates using a combination of CTLA-4 and PD-1 inhibitors. However, this approach does not prevent or delay viral rebound when antiviral drugs are stopped. The findings have important implications for HIV cure research.
A noblewoman from the Tang Dynasty was buried with her donkeys, indicating she wanted to continue playing her favorite sport, Lvju, after death. Researchers found donkey bones in Cui Shi's tomb, providing the first physical evidence of donkey polo in Imperial China.
A new study reveals that collecting water and sediment from Scottish and English rivers can detect over 20 wild British mammals. The technique uses DNA shed by animals to identify the local mammal community, offering a cost-effective alternative to traditional survey methods.
Researchers at RIKEN found that mechanical forces sculpt the embryo, creating a precise fold despite genetic variation and environmental fluctuations. This discovery highlights the importance of mechanical self-organization in ensuring developmental consistency.
Researchers found that bulls fed distillers grains had higher sperm quality and greater body weight, but no significant difference in body fat. The study suggests that distillers grains can be safely used in bull development rations, with minimal impact on reproductive health.
Researchers observed that male macaques were more likely to interact with humans for food rewards, disrupting normal social behaviors and reducing opportunities for positive interactions such as grooming. This disruption can have detrimental effects on the monkeys' health, life span, reproductive success, and infant survival.
Researchers found that urban lizards can maintain function at temperatures 0.82 degrees C higher than forest counterparts. This heat tolerance allows them to thrive in urban environments, where temperatures often exceed 40 C.
Researchers developed a mathematical model to predict the behavior of glucose-responsive insulins in humans and rodents. The model identified optimal designs that could work well in both species, with about 13% predicted to be effective in both, and 14% in humans alone.
A new cell-based test developed by Stemina Biomarker Discovery accurately predicts the potential of drugs and chemicals to cause birth defects in humans. The devTOXqP test uses human embryonic stem cells to detect developmental toxicity with an accuracy of 82%, highlighting a promising alternative to animal testing.
A study found that heterogametic males (XY) die sooner than females in most species, supporting the unguarded X hypothesis. In contrast, the difference is smaller for female heterogametic species, suggesting other factors may be at play.
Scientists have discovered the earliest known example of an animal evolving to lose body parts it no longer needed. Facivermis, a worm-like creature from the Cambrian period, evolved to lose its lower limbs due to its tube-dwelling lifestyle anchored on the sea floor.
Researchers at the 2020 APS March Meeting in Denver are exploring the physics of the brain, including brain connectivity networks, the organization of the brain's wiring probability, and the shaping of the cerebellum. Music therapy is also being investigated for its potential benefits for patients with mild cognitive impairment.
The study reveals that species richness is largely determined by the evolution of animal niches and their subsequent dispersal across the continent. The researchers used models to calculate species richness in South America and found a clear pattern following natural habitats or vegetation biomes.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University have discovered a unique non-oxygen breathing animal, the Henneguya salminicola parasite. This tiny, anaerobic organism dwells in salmon tissue and has given up breathing oxygen to produce energy.
Researchers examine local adaptation in over 100 species, finding that interactions among species do not spur adaptation; instead, environmental pressures like temperature and drought are key drivers.
Researchers have identified a jellyfish-like animal, Henneguya salminicola, that lacks a mitochondrial genome and aerobic respiration. This finding sheds light on the evolutionary transition from aerobic to anaerobic metabolism in certain multicellular animals.
A recent animal study found that adding L-serine to the diet of vervets exposed to cyanotoxin BMAA significantly reduced signs of ALS-like pathology. The study provides a promising model for understanding ALS development and potential treatments.
A special issue of Animal Health Research Reviews examines the science behind antibiotic use in food-producing animals to prevent illness. Despite some effective interventions, the evidence base is inconsistent, and more research is urgently needed to guide decision-making on antibiotic stewardship.
A 46,000-year-old horned lark found in Siberian permafrost has provided valuable insights into the evolution of sub species and the transformation of ecosystems during the last Ice Age. The analysis suggests that the bird belonged to a population that was a joint ancestor of two sub species of horned larks living today.
Researchers found that forcing cardiomyocytes to consume glucose instead of fatty acids extended the window for heart cell regeneration, potentially treating conditions like heart failure.
Researchers use lab-grown 'mini-brains' to detect harmful side effects of paroxetine on developing brain cells, revealing reduced synapse growth and support-cell populations. The study suggests mini-brains as a promising alternative to animal testing for detecting neurodevelopmental effects of drugs.
A recent study published in Forest Ecology and Management found that forest arthropods thrive in areas closer to river courses, with social wasps being the most affected by distance. Traditional forest management practices are essential for preserving biodiversity, including the richness of understories and chestnut tree dominance.
Researchers found that bumblebees can create mental images of objects using information from multiple senses and form sophisticated mental representations of their surrounding world. Bumblebees successfully recognized objects cross-modally in both directions, sight-to-touch and touch-to-sight.
A global collaboration of over 150 scientists has released a blueprint for more complete brain wiring diagrams, aiming to improve understanding of brain disorders. The initiative seeks to share thousands of datasets and leverage technology to facilitate discoveries in neuroscience and medicine.
A new study published in the Journal of Archaeological Science found evidence consistent with dog domestication during the ice age through dental microwear analysis on 28,500-year-old fossil teeth. The research identified distinct diets for two groups of canids, one dog-like and one wolf-like.
A new study found that after a chytrid fungus outbreak in Panama, decimated frog populations, the number of snake species declined dramatically, causing the snake community to become more homogeneous. The loss of amphibians had a ripple effect on the ecosystem, leading to a drop in body condition and occurrence rates among snakes.
Research suggests that wearing a partner's favorite T-shirt can improve sleep quality, with participants sleeping over nine minutes more efficiently per night. This effect is comparable to that of melatonin supplements and may have broader health benefits.
Researchers found that mice consuming their own poop have higher microbial loads and different bile acid profiles compared to those not eating feces. This study highlights the importance of considering self-reinoculation in research involving mice, particularly in dietary, probiotic, and drug studies.
A Michigan State University-University of Maryland study found that the decline of frogs led to a significant decrease in snake diversity, with an estimated 85% probability of fewer species. The research highlights the importance of long-term data for understanding biodiversity loss and its cascading effects on ecosystems.
The study found that heat treatment can improve the nutritional properties of peas by preserving proteins and reducing anti-nutritive factors. This process does not impact gas production or alter starch molecules. The results suggest that peas could be a viable alternative to soy in animal feed.
Scientists use electrospun synthetics to mimic the extracellular matrix, standardizing research conditions. The study reveals that different types of breast cancer cells grow best in specific cellular environments.
University of Kansas researcher Jorge Sobero'n proposes a new method for calculating the correlation between geographic space and species numbers, refining the species-area relationship. The Grinnellian-niche approach accounts for factors beyond area size, such as temperature and environmental conditions.
Researchers found that a specific type of immune cell accumulates in older brains and that activating these cells improves the memory of aged mice. Activating these cells also increases the formation of new nerve cells in the hippocampus and reduces inflammation.
A new study from Harvard University and the Field Museum of Natural History sheds light on how changes in spines happened in mammal evolution. Researchers found that regions evolved long before new spinal functions, suggesting a combination of developmental changes and adaptive pressures played a significant role.
Wild grey seals can clap their flippers underwater during breeding season, using the loud high-frequency noise to warn off competitors and advertise themselves to potential mates. This unique form of communication may help protect the species from human noise pollution.
A recent study published in Biological Reviews found no conclusive link between wild birds and human illness involving E. coli, Salmonella, and Campylobacter. The researchers highlighted the need for more definitive research to determine the risks of bird populations on food safety before taking action.
Researchers at the University of Missouri have made a groundbreaking discovery by identifying the genetic mutation responsible for Chédiak-Higashi syndrome in domestic cats. This finding has significant implications for treating inherited diseases and preventing their transmission to future generations.
Researchers at Cornell University have created a soft robot muscle that can regulate its temperature through sweating, enabling untethered robots to operate for long periods without overheating. The technology is approximately three times more efficient than human sweat and can cool the actuators by 21C within 30 seconds.
Research suggests that captive-bred game birds may be unprepared for life in the wild due to unnatural early life conditions. Mimicking natural conditions in captivity could promote more natural behavior and improve survival chances. Adding perches and unpredictable food supply are proposed solutions.
Researchers have developed a targeted next-generation sequencing strategy to track bat-borne coronaviruses and monitor their spread. The approach uses enrichment with probes to increase sensitivity and reduce costs, allowing for the creation of a living probe library for frequent updates.
Researchers assess water quality, oxygen levels and microbiomes in lakes with hippo populations, finding nutrient and organic material inputs alter chemistry and oxygen. The study suggests exponential growth of the population, posing questions about human interactions and ecosystem disruption.
A team of researchers from the University of Arizona and other institutions is studying the Baja California peninsula's evolution and biodiversity over time. They aim to determine how geological activity, rainfall patterns, and climate cycles have shaped the region's biodiversity and found that multiple causations are likely.
Researchers discovered that the inferior colliculus in mice integrates sound and movement information, allowing for rapid and accurate responses to external sounds. This integration helps prevent movement-related sounds from interfering with hearing, promoting survival.
Researchers developed a method to evaluate ancient human geographic origins using lead isotopes from tooth enamel, which showed consistency with local prehistoric animals. The study suggests that at least five individuals were from southwest Arkansas, providing new insights into the Caddo Indian burial practice.
Researchers developed immunocompromised mice by disabling genes involved in autophagy, which allows them to fight off Listeria monocytogenes bacteria. The study suggests a permanently active immune system can be beneficial against certain pathogens, but also poses risks of chronic inflammation.
A new study suggests that accounting for climate change in conservation planning can effectively protect biodiversity, but may come at a higher cost. Researchers analyzed 1,460 species and found that unless climate change impacts are considered, 14% would not have a viable place to live.