Articles tagged with Animal Research
A recent study funded by the Morris Animal Foundation found nearly half of Mount Lofty Ranges koalas positive for Chlamydia DNA, while all Kangaroo Island koalas were free from the disease. The team's results suggest that Kangaroo Island may be a safeguard against further losses and even extinction due to chlamydial disease.
Researchers review 200 years of non-human primate interactions with their dead, observing behaviors like defense of deceased companions and emotional responses. The study reveals a complex cognitive understanding of death among primates, including an ability to grasp objects and distinguish between living and dead.
A team of researchers has identified a key link between pre-existing brain circuit function and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) vulnerability. The study found that rats with altered neural circuit connectivity were more prone to fearful responses to threats, shedding light on the underlying mechanisms of PTSD.
A large-scale study reveals fundamental gene activity networks controlling organ development in mammals, with original patterns dating back over 200 million years. The researchers also identified a surprising number of RNA genes involved in organ development.
Researchers propose a possible cell-based therapy to stimulate lung development in fragile premature infants with Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD). The study suggests using c-KIT-positive endothelial cells from donors or generating them with pluripotent stem cells as a potential treatment.
Logging roads are expanding dramatically in the Congo Basin, leading to catastrophic collapses in animal populations and widespread deforestation. The study found that new road construction has quadrupled since 2000, causing a significant threat to endangered species such as forest elephants and gorillas.
Researchers have unraveled key enigmas in evolutionary biology, revealing how ruminants obtained a more efficient use of plant food and developed specialized teeth to exploit bacteria's digestive capabilities. The study also provides insights into the explosive growth of deer antlers and potential cancer-like cell growth mechanisms.
Researchers recommend moving away from animal models to in vitro and in silico studies using human-mimetic tools for studying deadly mosquito-borne flaviviruses. The emerging technologies will help predict human pathogenesis and drug efficacy, and improve clinical solutions.
Research found that brain activity in pairs of mice synchronizes during social behavior, with individual cells responding to self and social partner behaviors. The level of synchronization predicted the amount of interaction between the animals.
A team of ecologists and aerospace engineers collaborated using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to minimize the impact of biologging devices on animals. They discovered that improving tag shape can reduce drag, allowing tags to be made slightly larger while maintaining performance.
A new UC Riverside-led research reveals that some of Earth's oldest animals could travel on their own to get food, settling a longstanding debate about the earliest animal communities. The team analyzed over 1,300 fossils of Dickinsonia, which moved like worms to consume microorganisms.
A team of researchers found an association between hip joint hypermobility and behavioral alterations in dogs, which may suggest a universal trait among mammals. The study suggests that joint hypermobility could be linked to anxiety disorders in animals, mirroring findings in humans.
Dwarf mongoose group members behave more co-operatively when faced with potential violence from rival factions, according to a new study published in Behavioral Ecology. The threat of conflict leads to increases in within-group behaviors, including greater grooming and sentinel duty.
A new study found that supplementing cattle feed with seaweed reduces methane emissions by 80%, but its large-scale production and potential impact on animal health are unclear. The researchers suggest cultivating seaweed in aquaculture operations to meet the demand, but more research is needed to determine its long-term effectiveness.
A study by Jean-Michel Hatt and his team reveals that the stomach's rinsing system effectively removes abrasive particles, including dust and sand, from ruminant food. This mechanism helps prevent excessive tooth wear and allows animals to thrive in dusty environments.
Researchers have identified genes that can help chickens resist Newcastle disease, a major poultry pathogen affecting small flocks in low- to middle-income countries. The study found that certain breeds of chickens have innate resistance to the disease due to evolutionary adaptations.
New research reveals migratory hoverflies pollinate billions of flowers, produce aphid-eating larvae that control crop pests. The study shows these numbers have been relatively stable over the last decade, providing essential ecosystem services.
Researchers analyzed plant, animal, and human remains to reconstruct the diets of Portus Romae inhabitants. They found a shift from rich meat-based diets to more peasant-like diets after the Vandal sack in AD 455.
Researchers at UTEP and UAlbany collaborate to study how brain circuits encode learned responses to fear in mammalian brains. They will track key biomarkers to create detailed maps of brain regions associated with fear conditioning, shedding light on the neural basis of anxiety and fear responses.
Researchers found that decreasing day length alone triggers dramatic weight loss in Siberian hamsters, regardless of food or temperature. The study reveals the cascade of signals that prepare the hamsters for winter, controlled by thyroid hormone and gene expression.
Researchers used climate and ecological modelling to show that many tropical bird groups are relatively recent arrivals in their equatorial homes. Climate change rates may be too fast for species to adapt, putting them at risk of extinction.
A study published in Scientific Reports reveals that cats with diabetes have altered gut bacteria compositions compared to healthy cats. The researchers found reduced diversity of gut bacteria in diabetic cats, which aligns with human findings and challenges previous studies.
A new study uses Genomic Allergen Rapid Detection (GARD) assays to differentiate and classify vape e-liquids, detecting allergens in ingredients. This innovative approach represents an exciting step towards assessing and classifying future e-liquids.
The Department of Defense is funding a study on a promising experimental Zika vaccine at Texas Biomedical Research Institute. Researchers are working to develop a vaccine that can protect pregnant women from the virus and its devastating birth defects.
Researchers found a compound, C10, that prevented TB bacteria from forming biofilms, making them easier to kill with antibiotics. The compound reversed drug resistance in lab-grown bacteria, potentially shortening treatment regimens for millions suffering from the deadly infection.
A new study from McGill University and the University of Antwerp has developed a PET imaging platform that allows simultaneous scanning of multiple awake animals. This breakthrough enables unprecedented experimental designs and opens up new avenues for research into brain function, neurochemistry, and behavior.
Researchers found evidence of 'tool kit' at Qesem Cave that was created by reusing discarded flint tools. The tiny, sharp objects were used with precision to process animal products, vegetal materials, and plant tubers.
A new blueprint for animal genomics research prioritizes improvements in efficiency, livestock welfare and production to meet the demands of a growing global population. The research focuses on using genomic technology to predict how environmental variation and management practices affect production.
A Duke University study shows that birds mentally sort hues on the blue-green side of the spectrum into two categories, but the line between them is fuzzier. Birds are better at distinguishing subtle differences within each color category than in recognizing distinct boundaries.
Researchers found that male broad-horned flour beetles selectively bred for shorter loser effects still didn't improve their fighting prowess. The study suggests a disconnect between the duration of the loser effect and actual fighting ability, with animals using past experience to decide whether to engage in behavior.
A new rat snake species, Elaphe urartica, has been identified in eastern Turkey and its range includes Turkey, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Iraq, Iran, and Russia. The discovery sheds light on the biogeography of the Blotched Rat Snake and fills an important piece of the Eurasian biota evolutionary puzzle.
Researchers at Osaka University developed a cable-free brain imaging method that measures brain activity associated with social behavior in mice. The LOTUS-V bioluminescent probe provides minimally invasive and long-term recording capabilities without motion artifacts.
Researchers found that West African green monkeys quickly learned the meaning of unfamiliar drone sounds and mimicked an East African vervet monkey's call to warn against eagles. This suggests that alarm call structure is deeply rooted in evolutionary history.
Researchers from computer science, psychology, mathematics and linguistics work together to develop new methods for processing and representing image information. The project aims to improve the detection of movement in video recordings and explore applications of augmented and virtual reality technologies.
The study reveals seven distinct patterns of muscle activity and demonstrates that individual muscle cells can participate in multiple patterns with different kinetics. This coordination of many cells working together enables the creation of complex behaviors not present in single cells.
A study by University of Southampton researchers forecasts a worldwide move towards smaller, fast-lived, and highly-fertile animals that can thrive in various habitats. These 'winners' include rodents and songbirds, while slower-lived species like tawny eagles and black rhinoceros are likely to face extinction.
Researchers identified four simple rules to contain Candida auris infection: double personal protective equipment (PPE), work buddy system, disinfection, and biomonitoring. These procedures can effectively limit exposure in hospitals and nursing homes.
Researchers found the alpine marmot to have low genetic diversity, lower than any other wild mammal studied. Climate-related adaptations during the last ice age led to reduced genetic mutation rates and longer generation times, making it difficult for the species to recover its diversity.
A new study found that blind adults develop rich insights into animal appearance by inferring from biological classifications and linguistic communication. Blind participants organized animals similarly to sighted ones in shape and texture groups, but disagreed on color groups.
A team of researchers from the University of Manchester has made a groundbreaking discovery in the field of paleontology, revealing colorful pigments from ancient mouse remains. The study used X-ray imaging to analyze fossils over 3 million years old, unlocking secrets about key pigments and their evolution.
Research finds that bonobo moms play an active role in helping their sons find a mate by preventing other males from mating and bringing them to ovulating females. This increases the sons' chances of becoming fathers, a finding that suggests bonobo mothers have a significant impact on male fertility.
Research reveals that insulin-producing beta cells can change their function in diabetes, producing somatostatin instead of insulin. This change may be reversible with the restoration of normal environment or chemical treatment. The study provides new insights into the effects of high blood sugar on hormone-producing cells.
Researchers argue that preserving rare species can have a direct positive impact on human life, from restoring food sources like bluefin tuna to storing airborne carbon in giant sequoias. This new understanding is crucial for conservation decisions under climate change, shifting focus to future benefits rather than current conditions.
Researchers discovered a brain circuit that helps break decisions down into smaller pieces, allowing for more confident reasoning about probable causes of failure. The circuit enables individuals to navigate hierarchical decisions and adjust their approach based on confidence levels.
Researchers tested natural and synthetic acoustic stimuli to determine their effectiveness in deterring bald eagles from flying into wind turbines. The study found that eagles were more responsive to natural calls than synthetic sounds, particularly a 'crow mobbing' signal.
A new study on 46 mammal species reveals how the pursuit of starch drove evolutionary adaptations in animals. Mammals with starchy diets tend to have more copies of the amylase gene, which carries instructions for building amylase.
A new Johns Hopkins University study found that rewards can improve learning incrementally but mask the true knowledge animals have attained. The researchers trained mice, rats, and ferrets on various tasks with and without rewards, revealing a distinction between knowledge and performance.
Scientists have developed a new test to examine a drug's embryotoxicity in cell cultures instead of animals. The test uses human liver tissue and embryoid bodies, allowing for early detection of substances harmful to embryos.
Researchers found that animals move faster through 'low quality' habitats, which could change conservation efforts. The study suggests using suburban and urban greenspace as strategic 'stepping stones' for species range shifts.
Researchers at Yale University have identified low humidity as a key factor in increasing flu virus transmission and severity. The study found that low humidity impairs the immune response, preventing cilia from removing viral particles and reducing airway cells' ability to repair damage.
Research by Zoological Society of London and University College London reveals that climate change is increasing the spread and severity of a fatal disease in UK common frogs. The disease, caused by Ranavirus, is predicted to become more widespread and frequent if carbon emissions continue at their current rate.
Researchers developed a syndromic surveillance system to detect respiratory disease outbreaks in wild chimpanzees. The system identified 14 outbreaks from 2005 to 2012, including eight previously unrecorded cases, allowing for early interventions and potential disease transmission understanding worldwide.
Scientists studying microscopic worms discovered a brain circuit that underlies repetitive behavior. The study found defects in one protein cause animals to reorient themselves over and over again, similar to human psychiatric illnesses like Tourette's syndrome and autism spectrum disorders.
A rapidly expanding invasive species, wild pigs are threatening Canada's environment and agriculture. The species has spread across the country, from British Columbia to Ontario and Quebec, causing significant risks to farming and livestock production.
Researchers discovered a previously unknown visual system allowing color vision in fish living beyond sunlight's reach. Fish such as the silver spinyfin possess multiple rod opsins, sensitive to different wavelengths, potentially used for detecting specific prey species through bioluminescent cues.
Research in southern Italy found that otters eat 12% of their prey items, including 28 species, with increased predation in Alpine regions during winter and spring. This suggests a previously underestimated threat to small amphibian populations.
Undergraduate students from DGIST won an international journal publication on their research about MAOA genetic variations and aggression. The study found that individuals with '4.5R alleles' showed a stronger reaction to aggressive-inducing stimuli, suggesting a possible bioscientific interpretation for aggression.
A new study published in Neuropsychopharmacology suggests that early life adversity can lead to negative thinking patterns and impairments in reward-related cognition. This can increase the risk of developing depression, particularly as it affects how individuals process emotional information.
Historical records show that lions are injured by porcupine quills when they attempt to hunt them. Young male lions are more likely to be injured or killed, and their injuries can impair their hunting abilities and even lead to man-eating.
Researchers found that paired jackdaws use less energy in flight, but the existence of pairs inhibits the way information passes between birds, reducing the flock's ability to react to disturbances. This challenges current models of collective behavior in nature.