Articles tagged with Animal Research
Research reveals that female birds-of-paradise evaluate not only physical attractiveness but also singing and dancing abilities when choosing a mate. The study found correlations between behaviors, such as increased colors and sounds in more elaborate displays.
A new study categorizes Australian land mammals by their susceptibility to predation by feral cats and red foxes, revealing 63 of the 100 surviving mammal species are highly susceptible. The most vulnerable species include potoroos, bandicoots, bettongs, native rodents, and several marsupial species.
Researchers found that dogs search for additional information significantly more often when they have not seen where the reward is hidden. However, their searching flexibility was limited compared to primates and humans.
Researchers found that Ant-Man and the Wasp's bug-sized state would lead to serious oxygen deprivation issues due to reduced atmospheric density. Microfluidic technologies could help alleviate these issues by providing controlled flow rates and directions of air, similar to insect respiratory systems.
Harvard researchers create highly-detailed musculoskeletal model of an echidna forelimb to gain insight into its biomechanics and optimize limb leverage for certain movements. The study also reveals the importance of muscle configuration in supporting limb rotation, a key feature of the echidna's sprawling gait.
Researchers found that chlorpyrifos had a clear effect on brain development in laboratory animals, even at low doses, which was not reported by the industry-funded study. The study highlights the need for independent academic research to be given a higher status in evaluating chemical safety.
Researchers have developed a comprehensive catalog of the Aedes aegypti genome, which could lead to novel strategies for reducing mosquito-borne illnesses. The new tool has revealed genes coding for ionotropic receptors that detect odors, and enzymes neutralizing toxic effects of insecticides.
Researchers warn that current research models and regulation are blocking human-focused approaches to drug discovery. The UK has world-leading research in this area, but significant investment is taking place in the US and Europe.
A recent study using computer vision technology reveals how diverse fish species make decisions when fleeing from predators. The researchers found that neural circuits previously identified in lab animals are also present in wild fish shoals, governing escape decision-making.
For the first time, researchers have found plastic microfibers in the stool of wild South American fur seals on Guafo Island. The discovery suggests that scat analysis could be an efficient way to monitor environmental levels of microfibers and microplastics.
A study by the University of Sheffield reveals that high levels of nitrogen dioxide pollution damage plant defenses, leading to poor growth in herbivorous insects. The research suggests that urban green spaces play a modest role in removing pollutants from the air.
Researchers at Lund University have made a groundbreaking discovery about bat flight techniques, revealing that they turn on the upstroke of their wings to navigate. This new understanding has significant implications for the development of next-generation drones.
A new study by UMBC researchers highlights the importance of taking a long-term approach to reforestation efforts. Secondary forest patches are often quickly re-cleared, but their full benefits don't kick in until they're decades old. The study found that large patches and those alongside rivers were less likely to be re-cleared.
Researchers found that rats possess the capacity for selective amnesia, using a similar brain mechanism as humans. By actively recalling memories, rats can selectively forget distracting experiences, improving memory efficiency but potentially leading to problems like witness forgetting in police interviews.
Dr. María Laura Gutiérrez, a young researcher from Argentina, has won the PETA International Science Consortium Award for her work on developing non-animal test methods. The award sends her to an annual workshop at the Institute for In Vitro Sciences, where she will learn hands-on laboratory experience using human cells or tissue models.
Researchers at New Mexico State University have developed an optimal protocol for shipping and handling mosquitoes for population control methods. Tightly packing mosquitoes at a rate of about 240 per cubic centimeter resulted in the highest survival rates.
Rat models reveal factors contributing to relapse, withdrawal, and addiction vulnerability, highlighting the need for new preventions and treatments. Sensation-seeking behavior is linked to severe opioid withdrawal and addiction risk.
A new gene therapy can reprogram brain glial cells into functioning neurons, potentially treating stroke and neurodegenerative diseases. Researchers hope the innovative technology may one day help patients with severe neurological disorders.
Researchers have developed a system that uses microfluidic-based systems and electric fields to understand vesicles. This technique can differentiate between infectious and non-infectious vesicles, such as HIV, and has potential applications in improving drug delivery techniques.
Researchers have found that wild monkeys in the Americas are transmitting the Zika virus to humans via mosquitoes, changing our understanding of the ecology and transmission of Zika virus in the region. This natural transmission cycle involving local mosquitoes and wild primates makes complete eradication of the virus highly unlikely.
A new study by Lund University researchers has found that the Inaccessible Island rail, also known as Atlantisia, flew to its island habitat from South America around 1.5 million years ago. This discovery contradicts a previous theory suggesting the bird's inability to fly was an ancient trait.
Researchers found that older dormice delay hibernation and emerge earlier, investing more energy in reproduction. This study confirms life history theory and demonstrates the flexibility of winter dormancy in ensuring a long life with many offspring.
Research by Suzana Herculano-Houzel reveals that brain neurons play a crucial role in determining human lifespan and sexual maturity. The study found that the number of neurons in the cerebral cortex predicts around 75% of longevity variation across species, contradicting previous assumptions about human uniqueness.
Morris Animal Foundation-funded researchers successfully protected Ridgway's hawk nestlings from botfly infestations by applying an insecticide product, resulting in a 170% increase in survival rates. This treatment could be used to help save other island bird species declining due to aggressive botflies.
Research led by the University of Texas at Austin found that giant flightless birds had tiny brains processing vision, indicating a nocturnal lifestyle. The findings also revealed differences in olfactory bulbs between species, suggesting distinct habitats.
Researchers have developed a 3D 'organ on a chip' that enables real-time continuous monitoring of cells, which could lead to the development of new treatments for diseases. The device allows scientists to study cells and tissues in new ways, mimicking the body's native three-dimensional environments.
Mule deer migration routes in Wyoming reveal a strong link between fitness and nutritional condition. The research identifies landscape features that facilitate movement and access to forage, while also highlighting the importance of avoiding human disturbance.
Researchers at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute studied Peters' tent-making bats and found that mothers prod their young with forearms, possibly encouraging them to fledge and wean. Bat pups' arms grew faster than the rest of their bodies, allowing them to learn to fly in just a few nights with help from their mothers.
A new model of working memory proposes that the brain uses coordinating ensembles of cells with timely bursts of activity at specific brain wave frequencies to hold information in mind. This model challenges traditional beliefs about brainwaves having functional meaning and working memory being maintained by persistent neural firing.
New Caledonian crows demonstrate the ability to combine short components into novel functional tools, solving complex problems without assistance. This remarkable cognitive feat parallels human and ape behavior, highlighting the importance of planning and creative mental modeling.
Researchers found that New Caledonian crows can combine short parts to create novel functional tools, similar to early human tool manufacture. The birds' ability to anticipate object properties and solve complex problems is remarkable and sheds light on cognitive processes necessary for physical problem-solving.
A Cornell University study reveals glyphosate in various dog and cat foods, with amounts considered safe for humans. The herbicide's origin is linked to plant-based ingredients, and its presence even in GMO-free products poses a challenge.
Researchers analyzed 250,000 cells from six mammalian species to chart the evolution of antiviral and antibacterial immunity. They found that genes involved in the immune response have highly variable activity in different cells within an individual's tissue.
A new study provides the first survival estimates for small migratory birds crossing the Gulf of Mexico, revealing that fatter birds and stronger tailwinds significantly increase their chances of survival. By understanding these factors, conservation efforts can be implemented to improve birds' ability to cross the Gulf.
A new songbird species, the Rote Leaf-Warbler, has been discovered on an Indonesian island through genomic analysis. The discovery highlights the island's conservation value due to its unique characteristics and threatened habitats.
Researchers discovered that bonobos have shorter vocal folds compared to chimpanzees, resulting in lower-pitched voices. This unexpected finding suggests that bonobos use their voice pitch to signal tolerance and non-aggressive interactions with other bonobos.
A new study found 'timing cells' in the brain that turn on when an animal waits, allowing it to measure a time interval. The research could lead to early-detection tests for Alzheimer's disease by asking people to judge how much time has elapsed.
Researchers found that Asian elephants possess numerical skills comparable to those in humans, unaffected by distance, magnitude, or ratios. The study used a touch-panel task to train an Asian elephant named Authai to judge relative quantities, with a success rate of 66.8%.
Researchers measured the ground effect of flying animals and found that it saves twice as much energy as previously believed. The study supports the 'ground up' theory on how birds began to fly by suggesting that proto-wings evolved from running and jumping abilities.
A new study reveals that Placozoans use a peptidergic signalling system to coordinate complex behaviors, including feeding. The discovery sheds light on the evolution of nervous systems and how they became the body's control system.
A new study published in PLOS Biology introduces a tool to assess mouse distress through voluntary wheel running, showing strong correlation with experimental colitis severity. The findings may simplify statistical analysis in future trials and provide a better way to implement the 3R principles into biomedical research.
Researchers discovered a unique bioceramic saddle structure in the mantis shrimp's limbs that stores elastic energy without breaking. The structure consists of two layers with different materials, allowing it to withstand large forces and enable rapid raptorial strikes.
Researchers discovered that young male zebra finches activate connections between their social brain and song cortex when near a singing tutor, indicating the ideal teacher. The study found that this connection is essential for juvenile birds to copy and learn songs from suitable tutors.
A new engineered enzyme, NicA2-J1, eliminates nicotine addiction in rats by breaking down nicotine in the bloodstream before it reaches the brain. This approach reduces withdrawal symptoms and prevents relapse, offering a promising smoking cessation treatment.
The study examines four decades of research on large mammals in Yellowstone National Park, revealing the influence of wolves on elk calf survival, bear relationships with hunters, and vegetation recovery
Researchers at MU have successfully produced a litter of pigs genetically resistant to a deadly porcine virus by means of gene editing. The pigs lack the enzyme ANPEP, which is necessary for an infection, and were not infected when exposed to the TGEV virus.
A new study reveals that mammals cannot evolve fast enough to escape the current extinction crisis, threatening the loss of unique ecological functions and evolutionary history. Conservation efforts must be improved to prevent further extinctions, with some species facing high risks of disappearing within 50 years.
Researchers at UCR discovered the oldest clue yet of animal life, found in molecular fossils of sponges that lived on ancient ocean floors. The discovery pushes back the known history of animal life by 100 million years.
Researchers have successfully produced healthy mice with two mothers, who go on to have normal offspring of their own. In contrast, mice with two fathers only survived for a couple of days. The breakthrough uses haploid embryonic stem cells and targeted gene editing to overcome genomic imprinting barriers.
Researchers confirm lizards enter two distinct sleep states similar to slow-wave and REM sleep in humans and other animals. However, the study reveals differences in brain activity between species, including slower eye movements and unique cerebral patterns in lizard brains.
Researchers found that cetaceans preserve genetic diversity in their immune response genes, allowing them to adapt to changing pathogen communities. The study provides a roadmap for improving predictions of population health for these marine mammals.
Rice University researchers are working to develop cell implants that can sense blood glucose levels and produce insulin on demand for Type 1 diabetes patients. The project aims to eliminate the need for patients to monitor their blood glucose and administer insulin shots, potentially leading to a cure for this autoimmune disease.
Researchers applied job search theoretical models to study hunters' decision-making, identifying optimal stopping points and dietary trait thresholds to manage hunting pressure. The model could be used to infer changes in harvested prey communities and evaluate the efficacy of hunting regulations.
For the first time, researchers have shown that young wild sparrows can learn to sing a new tune by listening to experimental vocal tutors. The birds then pass on these new songs to subsequent generations, confirming the ability of wild birds to learn and adapt their songs through exposure to adult birds.
Researchers sequenced RNA in 20,000 cardiac cells, uncovering a broad variety of cell types in healthy and diseased hearts. The study found great diversity among each cell type, as well as indications of functional changes during normal and diseased conditions.
Researchers found that songbird couples sing more and perform elaborate dances when an audience is present, suggesting loyalty and bonding are crucial for maintaining long-term relationships. This study provides insights into complex communication signals in animals, including humans, that establish coupling relationships.
Comparing nocturnal and diurnal rodents helps scientists understand a human eye disease. Researchers found that cone-dominant animals have low levels of omega-3 fatty acids, which may explain why rod cells are not affected by mutation to PUFA synthesis genes.
Scientists successfully inserted human DNA into transgenic laboratory mice, allowing them to study the biology of preterm birth. They discovered a stress hormone called corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH) and its interaction with a transcription factor called DLX3 in the placenta.
A study found that city-dwelling blue tits lay larger eggs than forest-dwelling birds, likely due to the urban environment's higher calcium availability. The researchers also observed a trade-off between egg size and clutch number, with urban birds producing fewer but larger eggs.
A neuroscientist is studying the neural mechanisms behind attachment and bereavement using prairie voles. The findings could help inform treatment for people who have trouble forming emotional connections, such as those with autism or depression.