Articles tagged with Animal Research
The Tapanuli Orangutan, one of the rarest animals on the planet, is under threat from a planned U.S.$1.6 billion mega-dam project that could flood its habitat and destroy its remaining area. The species survives only in areas with no roads, making it vulnerable to illegal logging, clearing, and poaching.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have detected CWD prions in soil and water samples from sites where deer congregate. The study suggests that environmental reservoirs of prions could serve as an additional transmission route for CWD, highlighting the need for further research on the disease's spread and persistence.
The Sahara-Sahel region is experiencing a dramatic population decline of species such as African elephants and dorcas gazelles due to armed conflicts. The research highlights the need for greater emphasis on environmental factors in peace process initiatives to protect local wildlife.
Researchers have developed Tumorcode, an open-source software that assembles multiple models to simulate tumor growth. The software allows for the study of topological and functional aspects of tumors, relevant for therapeutic treatments.
Researchers found that marmosets infected with the Zika virus during pregnancy experienced spontaneous abortion and neurological abnormalities in their fetuses. This study suggests that marmosets may be a relevant model for understanding the effects of Zika on fetal health.
A study on genetically diverse worms reveals that a small protein called FLP-18 controls the length of their backward movement, which increases the likelihood of changing direction to navigate towards food. This mechanism may help the worm explore a larger area during periods of extreme hunger.
The Australian Mountain Ash ecosystem experienced significant declines in tree populations and animal biodiversity following logging and fire events. Prolonged periods of decline and slow recovery were also observed after disturbance events.
A new study published in PNAS found that children raised in rural environments with animals have more stress-resilient immune systems and lower risk of mental illness than pet-free city dwellers. The research supports the 'hygiene hypothesis,' which posits that overly sterile environments can breed health problems.
Researchers tracked Egyptian vultures along the Red Sea Flyway, revealing key migratory bird corridors and bottlenecks. The study highlights a major research gap in conservation efforts for this endangered species.
A new project led by Clemson University's Ethan Kung aims to reduce human and animal testing for cardiovascular devices and surgeries. Kung's hybrid model combines numerical models with experimental ones, enabling more accurate predictions and faster development times.
A study by the Universities of Sussex and Portsmouth reveals that horses can read human facial expressions and remember specific individuals' emotional states. The research found that horses perceive people more negatively if they had previously seen them looking angry in a photograph, adapting their behavior accordingly.
Researchers found that brain regions break down communication when trying to retain too much information in working memory. The study suggests that the 'coupling' of brain waves among three key regions breaks down when visual working memory load becomes too much.
The Morris Animal Foundation is awarding $750,000 to eight research projects aimed at improving horse health by preventing and treating foal pneumonia, laminitis, and septicemia. The studies will also investigate health problems in grey alpacas, including the development of a genetic screening test.
A team of biologists and immunologists from Penn State will study bear ecology, movement, and immune response to understand the spread of sarcoptic mange in Pennsylvania bears. The research aims to identify genes associated with resistance to the disease and develop effective management strategies.
A new study reveals that marine mammals' unusual lung architecture allows them to avoid the bends by creating a ventilation-perfusion mismatch. This adaptation helps to minimize nitrogen uptake and reduce the risk of decompression sickness. However, excessive stress caused by human-made sound can disrupt this system.
A new study implicates a role for light-induced electrical activity in controlling chemical codes in the brain, potentially leading to chemical imbalances underlying mental illness. The researchers found that manipulating brain electrical activity prevented neurotransmitter switching associated with anxious and depressed behavior.
Researchers used GPS tracking data to visualize and sonify elephant seal group dynamics, creating a 45-minute symphony that showcases remarkable coordination in their ocean exploration. The study successfully compressed 10 years of data into a condensed musical composition, providing new cutting-edge research opportunities at KAUST.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have developed a new compound that could offer pain-relieving properties without the risk of addiction. The compound interacts with two types of opioid receptors, one responsible for pain relief and another that can reduce addiction liability.
Scientists found that warmer springs cause a mismatch between birds' hatching and caterpillar abundance, making it harder for chicks to feed. This affects three bird species: blue tits, great tits, and pied flycatchers, with the biggest mismatch seen among pied flycatchers.
Daniel Sheldon's NSF grant aims to develop efficient algorithms for complex models, enabling scientists to make predictions and test hypotheses from large datasets. He plans to address challenges in modeling animal populations, causal reasoning about citizen scientist data, and optimizing decision-making with multiple objectives.
Researchers discovered that dopamine drives animals to avoid unpleasant situations, including electric shocks. This finding expands the role of dopamine in aversively motivated behaviors and sheds light on brain disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. The study also highlights the potential benefits of i...
A team of researchers at LSTM has developed a new approach to treating snakebite using antivenom produced from a different species than the one that caused the bite. The study, published in Communications Biology, shows that this approach can be effective in neutralizing certain pathologies caused by venomous snakes.
Researchers from the San Diego Natural History Museum have rediscovered the San Quintin kangaroo rat in Baja California, partnering with a conservation plan to protect the endangered species. The discovery was made using traditional field techniques and live traps, and the rat has been found to persist in the Valle Tranquilo Nature Res...
A team of researchers has discovered compounds that can regulate the circadian rhythm in human cells, including a well-known anti-aging supplement. The supplement was found to reduce jet lag symptoms in mice, providing hope for the treatment of circadian clock disorders arising from jet lag and shift work.
A vaccine combining a cancer molecule with Listeria bacteria aims to improve longevity and quality of life for dogs with osteosarcoma. Researchers will conduct clinical trials to evaluate the vaccine's effectiveness in 80 dogs.
A new bird-of-paradise species, Vogelkop Superb Bird-of-Paradise, has been confirmed due to its distinct dance movements and vocalizations. The species was found only in the far-western region of New Guinea.
Researchers analyzed 729 reports of abnormal animal behavior related to 160 earthquakes, but found that most evidence consists of single observations and anecdotes. The team suggests a series of questions to analyze the data, including whether animal behavior is linked to specific rules or environmental changes.
A 1.5-foot-long fossil slab, misidentified twice, has been reinterpreted as a large cartilaginous fish with characteristics similar to sharks and rays. The study suggests the fish lived between 70-85 million years ago and expands the diversity of the Niobrara fauna.
University of Bath scientists have identified a non-coding RNA, Paupar, that influences healthy brain development in young mice. The study shows how Paupar acts as a switch to regulate proteins involved in neurodevelopment.
A new study by the University of Colorado Boulder found that post-surgical opioids can lead to chronic pain in rats for more than three weeks. The researchers discovered that opioids stimulate specialized immune cells in the spinal cord, making them more reactive to pain, and that gradual tapering has no effect on the prolonged pain.
Researchers at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia have identified a brain pathway that, when stimulated, leads to 'antidepressive' behavior in animals. The study suggests that targeting this circuit could lead to a novel treatment for depression.
A multi-university study is mapping the repeated evolution of similar head shapes among animals using their heads to dig into the ground. The researchers aim to understand how anatomy, development, relationships, and ancestry influence body shape, examining over 400 million years of evolution.
Research by the University of Exeter and the British Trust for Ornithology found that people in crowded urban areas see fewer songbirds but more nuisance birds. In contrast, green and leafy suburbs have up to three and a half times more songbirds and woodpeckers, associated with positive human wellbeing.
A study reveals that charismatic species are often misperceived as having healthy populations, leading to complacency and reduced conservation efforts. The researchers propose that companies contributing to the creation of these representations should support conservation initiatives.
A new study by Rothamsted Research reveals that well-designed grazing practices can improve animal growth and wellbeing, linked to soil health and pasture value. The study developed a method to measure individual fields' contribution to animal performance, providing insights into sustainable production.
Researchers found that metformin reduces anxiety and cognitive deficits in mice during nicotine withdrawal. The study suggests activating AMPK in the brain could be a therapeutic target for smoking cessation.
Researchers at Colorado State University's Veterinary Teaching Hospital found that taller casts distribute pressure evenly over the leg, reducing pressure sores and soft tissue complications. The study suggests that veterinarians should fit dogs with longer casts to minimize secondary injuries and improve healing outcomes.
A new study re-examines a 17th-century Scottish natural history book, revealing insights into the country's pre-industrial environmental change. The research, published in the Royal Society Journal of the History of Science, highlights Scotland's lost wildlife species and its ecosystem's preservation of ancient species.
Researchers have discovered three new species of chameleons in Madagascar, showcasing the island's extraordinary biodiversity. The newly found Calumma uetzi features vibrant display colors when males interact with females, while a second species, Calumma juliae, is found only in a protected forest fragment under threat from deforestation.
Researchers at UC Davis found that doubling cage sizes and providing double-compartment cages can significantly reduce upper respiratory disease in shelter cats. This simple change improves feline well-being, lowers staff stress, and increases adoptions, ultimately saving more lives.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University developed a way to study the brain of a bat as it flies, recording brain activity for the first time in naturally behaving animals. The team observed bursts of activity in midbrain cells as the bat shifted attention, providing insights into how brains process information in real-world situations.
Engineers at the University of California San Diego developed a miniature biosensor that can be implanted under the skin to track alcohol levels continuously. The chip consumes ultra-low power and is powered wirelessly by a wearable device, making it suitable for long-term monitoring in substance abuse treatment programs.
Carolina Motter Catarino received the £10,000 prize for her innovative 3-D bioprinting technology that enhances skin model complexity and reduces dependence on animals in research. Her project has the potential to develop human-relevant models for efficacy testing and regenerative medicine.
Researchers at IRB Barcelona found that removing the single mitochondrial protein Opa1 from mouse muscle causes severe inflammation throughout the body, leading to premature death. This study supports the notion that mitochondrial defects underlie diseases of unknown origin involving chronic muscle inflammation.
Researchers have trained rats to sniff out tuberculosis in children, detecting cases 68% more accurately than traditional smear tests. The new method has the potential to save up to 70% of untreated patients in low-income countries.
Researchers found that chickens raised in diverse and stimulating environments retained optimism after being exposed to stress, whereas those in simpler environments lost their optimistic attitude. The study suggests that repeated stress can reduce optimism in animals.
The US Navy is looking to accelerate innovation and deliver new capabilities quickly to warfighters. The Office of Naval Research (ONR) and leadership from the Naval Research Enterprise will discuss this at Sea-Air-Space.
A recent study found that less than one-fifth of investigator brochures referenced peer-reviewed animal studies, highlighting the need for rigorous preclinical research. The study also revealed a concerning lack of negative efficacy studies, suggesting publication bias.
Breeding king penguins form large, dense colonies that resemble particles in liquids, providing protection against predators and maintaining social cohesion. The unique structure of these colonies enables them to adapt to internal and external changes, making it crucial for predicting the species' resilience to climate change.
Research predicts that climate change will disrupt the fueling-up stage of migratory birds in late summer, threatening their survival. The study used bird observations from eBird to identify locations and times when populations may be at risk under future climate change.
A new study reveals that many viruses infecting humans today have ancient evolutionary histories dating back to the first vertebrates, with discoveries made in fish and reptiles. The research, a collaboration between several institutions, found 214 novel RNA viruses in healthy animals, including relatives of Ebola and influenza viruses.
Researchers developed a new approach to deliver a drug directly to damaged nerves and cells in the inner ear, offering promising results for repairing hair cells and neurons. The study provides strong preliminary evidence for a potential remedy that could restore hearing for millions of elderly people.
Researchers found that sulfur amino acid restriction can lead to enhanced lifespan, weight loss, and reduced oxidative stress in animals. While more research is needed in humans, the study suggests that a restricted diet may help protect against cardiovascular disease and cancer.
A study published in the International Journal of Epidemiology found that consuming large amounts of meat protein increases cardiovascular disease risk by 60%, while nuts and seeds reduce CVD risk by 40%. The research suggests that proteins from these sources have distinct effects on heart health.
A fossilized monitor lizard from the Cretaceous period was found to have a fourth eye-like structure, consisting of both pineal and parapineal organs. This discovery confirms that the third eye in lizards evolved independently of other vertebrate groups.
Researchers found that monkeys' brains synchronize during social tasks, predicting location, velocity, and proximity to each other. The study also shows that social rank influences brain synchronization, which may have implications for conditions like autism.
Researchers have discovered that rat tear proteins can be detected in mice, triggering a defensive response in the rodents' brains. The proteins, produced by male rats, activate receptors in the mouse vomeronasal organ, prompting the animals to stop moving and drop their body temperature.
Researchers developed more accurate models to predict methane emissions from dairy cattle, utilizing individual data from over 5,200 lactating cows from 15 countries. The new models can be used to create region-specific inventories, improving the accuracy of carbon footprint assessments and mitigation strategies.
Researchers used geometric morphometrics to analyze shell shape in eastern box turtles, finding a gradient of variation that carries through to modern box turtles. The study suggests some fossils represent lost subspecies or extinct species, while others show a closer relationship to modern species.
Three Asian water snake species use varying approaches to capture soft-shelled crabs, including Gerarda, which rips them into bite-sized pieces, and Fordonia, which targets tiny hard-shelled crabs. These adaptations enable the snakes to overcome prey size limitations.