Articles tagged with Animal Research
A novel malaria vaccine candidate based on the tobacco mosaic virus has shown a 10X improvement over a comparator vaccine in mouse trials. The vaccine uses the TMV coat protein as a scaffold to refocus the host immune system, offering protection against Plasmodium falciparum malaria up to 11 months.
The Wyss Institute's Human Body-on-Chip platform uses fluidically-linked systems of multiple human Organ Chips to predict drug pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. The system quantitatively predicts drug behavior across the entire linked system, offering alternatives to animal tests and improving drug development efficiency.
Researchers found that animal carcasses contribute to increased plant growth, attracting herbivorous insects and their predators. This has a positive impact on the local food chain, persisting even five months after death.
A new study by USGS and Dickinson College researchers provides valuable information on optimizing search methods and locations for detecting invasive brown treesnakes at low densities. The study revealed that snake behavior is the primary cause of low detection rates, allowing teams to target areas more precisely during survey efforts.
Researchers at Binghamton University found that wearing orange shirts resulted in more water anoles being seen per hour and a higher capture percentage. Contrary to expectations, green shirts were less effective than bright orange, highlighting the complexity of animal color perception.
A new study warns of the platypus's critically high risk of extinction, citing water resource development, land clearing, climate change, and severe drought as major threats. The researchers call for urgent national action to prevent the species from disappearing from Australian waterways.
A global study on the impacts of human land-use found that predators and small ectotherms are disproportionately affected, with abundance reductions of 25-50% compared to natural habitats. The researchers analyzed over 1 million records from 80 countries and 25,000 species.
Research found that large forest patches greater than 100 hectares can support larger populations of threatened species such as sun bears and orang-utans. However, these patches need to be much larger to sustain sufficient numbers of species, making long-term conservation a challenge.
Researchers have discovered a fossilized scorpion from the Silurian period, revealing its transition from aquatic to terrestrial life. The ancient animal's internal organs show similarities to modern-day scorpions and horseshoe crabs, indicating it was pre-adapted for life on land.
Researchers successfully tracked brain activity of zebrafish larvae to predict decisions, revealing a major role for the cerebellum in cognitive functions. The study used light field microscopy to track neuronal activity and identified specific patterns that predicted correct or incorrect turns.
Researchers have developed mosquitoes that can halt the transmission of the dengue virus, targeting four known types of the disease. The engineered mosquitoes use a human antibody to hinder virus replication and prevent transmission to humans.
Researchers studied male chimpanzees' social relationships, finding strong bonds with maternal brothers and old males, including biological fathers. This challenges the idea that pair bonds evolved first in humans, suggesting elements of fatherhood may have arisen earlier in a similar social system.
A new study from the University of Bristol found that unpatterned animals using short, fast movements are less likely to be detected by predators. The research used human participants as surrogate predators and quantified the effects of movement duration, speed, and target pattern on localization accuracy.
A new Stanford study finds that analyzing DNA in soil can identify nearly every animal present in an area, including rare species, with high accuracy. The technique also distinguishes between similar-looking animals and has potential to reveal previously unknown species diversity.
Research on red titi monkeys reveals that female pair bond maintenance is driven by relationship management, while males provide useful services like offspring care and territory defense. The study supports the 'male-services hypothesis' suggesting females prioritize proximity to maintain relationships.
Researchers propose a sampling regime inspired by geostatistics that includes regular and random intermediate points to capture fine-scale behaviors. This approach provides more accurate estimates of movement parameters than traditional regular sampling regimes.
Researchers at KU Leuven developed a new antibacterial strategy that prevents bacterial cooperation, reducing the emergence of resistance. Non-resistant bacteria outnumber resistant ones, making it harder for them to spread.
Researchers have discovered that blocking the iRhom2 protein increases energy consumption in fat depots, protecting against fat accumulation and inflammation. The study found no deleterious side effects, suggesting iRhom2 blocking may be a promising treatment for obesity.
Researchers used moths' real flight trajectories to develop decision-making programs for autonomous vehicles. The program performed better in simulations of complex forest layouts, incorporating information about object locations into navigational decisions.
Researchers have developed a superhydrophobic material that repels blood and promotes fast clotting, making it ideal for use as a bandage. The material's antibacterial effect also reduces the risk of infection when changing bandages.
Researchers have discovered that the nanotexture of rattlesnake scales allows water to be absorbed through beads that coalesce and stick to the surface. This adaptation enables the snakes to harvest rainwater, which is essential for their survival in desert environments with infrequent rainfall.
A Louisiana State University study uses pathogen biogeography to forecast disease outbreaks, outperforming traditional methods. The approach leverages data on pathogens and countries to predict outbreak potential, providing a baseline for comparison to more advanced techniques.
A recent study found that 73% of meat eaters consider veganism ethical, while 70% believe it's good for the environment. However, many respondents (60%) find veganism impractical due to taste, price, and convenience concerns. Attitudes towards vegetarianism are more positive across most counts.
A study comparing 900 vertebrate species found bats' gut microbiomes resemble birds', not other mammals, suggesting flight's evolution may directly affect gut microbiomes. This paradigm shift challenges previous assumptions about animals and their microbes.
Researchers found that dogs and wolves perform equally well in coordinating their actions to obtain rewards, indicating shared basic cooperation abilities. The study suggests that these skills were present in the dog-wolf ancestor and have not been lost during domestication.
Two Harvard Medical School studies show that bile acids promote differentiation and activity of T cells involved in regulating inflammation. Gut microbes convert bile acids into immune-signaling molecules that activate regulatory T cells and effector helper T cells. The work suggests possible therapeutic pathways for modulating intesti...
Female chimpanzees' reproductive success decreases when neighboring groups exert high pressure on their territory, leading to longer intervals between births. High neighbor pressure also negatively affects offspring survival, suggesting that stress from competition triggers physiological responses in gestating females.
Researchers discovered hair bundle development occurs in a feedback loop where form follows function and function drives form. In mice, stereocilia widen simultaneously with the onset of mechanotransduction, suggesting a critical importance of early development for reversing hearing loss.
Researchers discovered that brittle stars use whole-body colour change to enable vision and navigate complex coral reefs. They found that the colour change restricts light reaching sensitive cells during the day, allowing for coarse vision.
Research in mice reveals the motor cortex needs continuous feedback to generate dexterous movements, unlike other neural circuits that can operate with sustained input. The study found blocking incoming signals or disrupting rhythmic patterns impaired grasping skills, highlighting the importance of precise timing and signal processing.
Researchers analyzed animal bones from Navan Fort to discover that communities in Iron Age Ireland were highly mobile and engaged in large-scale feasting events. The study found evidence of pigs, cattle, and sheep being brought from across Ireland, including as far as Galway, Donegal, and Antrim.
Researchers developed a novel gene-silencing approach to deliver a treatment vector to adult ALS mice, preventing disease onset and blocking progression in animals with existing symptoms. The method uses an adeno-associated virus to deliver shRNA, effectively silencing the SOD1 gene and protecting motor neurons.
A study published in Nature Ecology & Evolution finds that rare species are organized in groups to coexist with more abundant species, avoiding competitive pressure. This organization may be a key to understanding the persistence of biodiversity in ecosystems.
Researchers found domestic animals share viruses with many species, enabling pathways for future disease emergence. Ungulates play a central role in spreading both RNA and DNA viruses.
A new Stanford study shows that mealworms can eat Styrofoam containing toxic chemicals without building up harm in their bodies. The worms' guts concentrate and remove these additives through biodegradation, making them a promising source of protein-rich feedstock for other animals.
Researchers identified a gene in mice that influences memory recall at different times of day, causing mice to be more forgetful just before waking up. The study found that the circadian clock regulates memory retrieval via dopamine and PKA-induced GluA1 phosphorylation.
Researchers recorded nearly all brain signals sent to wing muscles of hawk moths, showing precise timing within rapid sequences of neural spike is essential for controlling flight muscles. The study reveals the importance of precise spike timing in coordinating five muscles per wing.
New research from the University of Portsmouth reveals that donkeys are less likely to seek shelter from heat and light than mules. The study found that donkeys prefer arid, hot climates with higher sunlight levels, while mules are more sensitive to temperatures and sunlight.
A new study reveals that plant-eating insects significantly impact forest ecosystems, causing nutrient leaching and increased carbon dioxide emissions. The researchers found that these insects can disrupt ecosystems more than previously thought, especially in cold areas where temperatures may rise.
Researchers found that meerkat clans exhibit aggression by chasing or doing a 'war dance' in over half of interactions, often leading to physical violence. Winning groups move further away from the center of their territory, while losing groups are forced to retreat closer to the center.
A new study analyzed 2 decades of migration data and found that spring migrants were likely to pass certain stops earlier now than they would have 20 years ago. The researchers also found that temperature and migration timing were closely aligned, with the greatest changes in migration timing occurring in the regions warming most rapidly.
A new study analyzing nearly 60,000 neurons in the mouse visual system reveals that less than 10% of neurons behave as expected to perceive the outside world. The researchers found that most neurons showed more specialized responses, while a third didn't light up reliably to any stimuli.
Research reveals that current patterns of tropical and subtropical mammal diversity are shaped by both past and present climate and human impacts, with specific effects varying by region. The study found that legacies of the ancient past continue to structure patterns of life on Earth today.
A Duke University study finds that baby pandas' bones mature at the same rate as other mammals, but are developed at an accelerated pace. The researchers used micro-CT scans to create 3D digital models of each baby's bony interior and discovered that giant panda skeletons are just like those of closely related animals, but smaller.
A new study reveals that molecular chaperones play a crucial role in preventing the misfolding of alpha-synuclein protein, which is associated with diseases like Parkinson's. By inhibiting these chaperones, researchers found that alpha-synuclein aggregates can form at the amino acid level.
Researchers have developed new methods to track brain activity in living mice, using a molecule that responds directly to voltage changes in neurons. The techniques enable the study of fine details of brain activity, including how neurons process signals and decide when to spike.
Researchers discovered that Savannah monitor lizards have lung structures with a complex airflow pattern that is part bird and part mammal. The unique system distributes air into tiny chambers and exhibits unidirectional airflow during both inhalation and exhalation.
The Physicians Committee awarded Mihael H. Polymeropoulos the Trailblazer Award for his efforts to replace animal tests with human-relevant science. He challenged the FDA's utility of dog studies in drug development and advocated for modern, human-based scientific methods to advance human drug safety.
The study identifies hundreds of proteins involved in the cell division cycle of Trypanosoma brucei gambiense and rhodesiense parasites. This discovery holds promise for developing targeted drugs that can treat sleeping sickness without harming humans or animals.
Researchers developed a vaccine that targets flagellin in the gut microbiota to reduce inflammation. The vaccine showed protection against intestinal inflammation and metabolic disorders such as diabetes and obesity.
Researchers have developed a new biotechnology platform to produce safer 'hybrid' viruses for vaccines and diagnostics against mosquito-borne diseases. The Binjari virus, inert to humans, is used to create 'dangerous-looking' viruses like Zika and dengue that cannot grow in humans or animals.
A new research from a cross-organisational consortium in the Amazon found that indigenous knowledge can be as accurate as scientific transect monitoring. The study used the cultural consensus approach to develop suites of species for which their abundance could reliably be estimated.
Researchers studied the hair strength of various mammals and found that thin hair tends to be stronger than thick hair due to its hierarchical structure. The study's findings could help scientists design better synthetic materials with comparable properties.
A study by Alexandre Celma-Miralles and Juan Manuel Toro found that humans can detect isochronous beats, regardless of other irrelevant features, similar to rats. The researchers suggest that this ability has ancient evolutionary roots and may rely on timing mechanisms present in mammals.
The new species Origolestes lii, a stem therian mammal from the Early Cretaceous Jehol Biota, provides evidence for the separation of hearing and chewing modules. The discovery bridges the morphological gap between transitional and definitive mammalian middle ear evolution.
The study reveals that locomotion mode is a strong predictor of cerebellar size, shape, neuron organization, and gene expression levels, indicating a specific type of brain shared by animals with similar lifestyles. High-definition 3D models of lizard and snake brains were used to uncover these correlations.
A new study reveals that forest fragmentation has a greater impact on wildlife in tropical regions, where species are less adapted to disturbances. The research suggests that conserving habitat and minimizing edge creation is crucial for preserving biodiversity in these areas.
A study on rock hyraxes reveals sexual differences in call duration and amplitude, challenging the Law of Brevity. Female hyraxes produce more affiliative calls, while males prioritize loud self-advertisement songs. The research provides clues for human language evolution.
Researchers at Yale University unveil a new approach to reconstructing the evolutionary tree of life for mammals, revealing why some branches are weighed down with thousands of species while others hold just a few. The study provides comprehensive information about species diversity and relationships, past and present.
The Quantitative Colour Pattern Analysis (QCPA) framework uses digital image processing techniques to analyze complex visual information in animals. This enables researchers to understand how animals see the world, including color patterns and behavior, which drives their behavior.