Articles tagged with Animal Research
Researchers discovered that songbirds may coordinate both vocally and visually to boost the effectiveness of their singing partners' responses. The study found that coordination of vocal and visual components of the Australian magpie-lark's audio-visual display enhances the receiver's responses.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have uncovered how ECT rapidly relieves severe depression by enhancing communication between neurons in the hippocampus. Studies using genetically engineered mice found that Narp plays a key role in this process, regulating the formation of new synapses and potentially enacting antidepressive effects.
A new study analyzes summaries from the AnimalTestInfo website to identify potential targets for reducing harm to lab animals. The research found specific areas where the '3Rs' (replacement, reduction, and refinement) can be implemented to minimize animal testing.
Researchers infect rhesus macaques with Zika virus through mosquito bites, revealing similar infection patterns to human cases. The study helps understand Zika transmission routes and may aid in prevention and severity of disease.
Researchers found that birds use multiple methods to control their speed in the air, compensating for tailwind, headwind, and sidewind. The study showed that birds increase wing stroke frequency to fly faster in headwinds and reduce strokes in tailwinds.
The oVert project provides free, high-resolution 3D images of internal vertebrate anatomy for research and education. The database contains scanned CT scans of over 20,000 specimens from around the world.
A new study found that fewer than 3,600 adult cheetahs remain in southern Africa, with most cats living within just two habitats. Conservation efforts are needed to protect the species, particularly those who live on or travel through livestock farms.
Nanotexturing creates a surface that kills bacteria while not harming mammalian cells, improving corrosion resistance. The process could be used to attack microbial contamination on implantable medical devices and food processing equipment.
A comprehensive study revealed that the common silky anteater is actually a complex of at least seven different species, including three previously revalidated and three newly described species. The discovery was made using genetic and anatomical data from 33 DNA samples and over 280 museum specimens.
Researchers found that plants react to anesthetics by losing autonomous movements and being immobilized. This study suggests that plants can serve as a suitable alternative test system for human anesthesia.
A new animal model has been developed at Texas Biomedical Research Institute to mimic key features of the Zika virus infection, including lingering presence in bodily fluids. The marmoset model is useful for testing new drugs and vaccines, and may help identify places where transmission can be blocked.
Scientists analyze NASA data to investigate solar storm impact on cetaceans' internal compasses. While space weather is not primary driver of strandings, it may be one factor among several contributing to the phenomenon.
A study found that a fusion protein composed of pentraxin and carbonic anhydrase VI affects fish swimming ability. Zebrafish embryos with silenced CA VI gene exhibited impaired swimming, highlighting the importance of this protein in aquatic animals.
Scientists have developed a machine learning approach to identify distinct dolphin click patterns in large datasets. The algorithm, presented in PLOS Computational Biology, can distinguish between species in the wild and potentially aid remote monitoring of wild dolphins.
A 530-million-year-old trilobite fossil contains the earliest known example of an eye, with a primitive form of compound eyes similar to those in modern animals. The study suggests that compound eyes have changed little over 500 million years.
East Greenland narwhals display paradoxical reactions when escaping from threats, including a downregulated heartbeat and increased swimming speed. This joint response puts extreme stress on the cardiovascular system, highlighting why deep-diving marine mammals are vulnerable to manmade disturbances.
A new study by Kansas State University found that compounded formulations of doxycycline lose potency within three weeks, with many becoming sub-therapeutic after 21 days. This loss of potency could impact veterinarians who rely on this drug to treat various infections.
Researchers at University of Maryland School of Medicine identified a type of cell in the brain's primary processing area that responds to sound, providing new insights into early sensory development. This breakthrough has implications for diagnosing autism and other cognitive deficits emerging early in development.
Researchers used video observations to reveal that deep-sea jellies are key predators and play a crucial role in forming the principal forage base for many commercially-important meso-predators and apex species. The study also found that gelatinous animals have complex food habits spanning the entire food web.
Researchers discovered the structure and functioning of a half-billion-year-old fossil trilobite's compound eye, showing similarities with modern compound eyes. The ancient eye consists of 100 subunits with eight sensory cells each, but lacks a lens, suggesting its development may have predated modern forms.
Scientists have filled in key clues on the evolution of animals transitioning to aquatic life using a newly discovered reptile fossil. The study suggests that Vadasaurus, an ancient creature with features well-suited for aquatic life, is linked to modern New Zealand species and ancient sea-dwelling vertebrates.
Researchers found that tigers are clinging to survival in low-density populations due to habitat loss and fragmentation. The study revealed that primary forests are 47% more abundant than degraded forests, and extensive clearing has disproportionately reduced tiger numbers.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania discovered that nutrients regulate the brain's hunger alarm system. By associating unfamiliar foods with low calorie content, mice can temporarily turn off the neurons responsible for hunger, providing a potential therapeutic strategy for reducing overeating and obesity.
Researchers at the University of Bergen found that young people with intestinal worms have a 4 times higher risk of developing asthma and allergies than others. Interestingly, their parents are generally unaffected by the parasite.
Researchers have identified 6,000 families of genes exclusive to mammals, which play a crucial role in defining their unique characteristics. These genes are involved in the structure of skin, mammary glands, and defense against pathogens.
A team of international researchers from Kumamoto University and RIKEN mapped 60% of all developmental chicken TSSs to the most recent chicken genome, providing valuable genetic data for understanding human development. This achievement enables the application of CRISPR-on technology to activate specific genes during development.
Recent genomic analyses have flipped between whether sponges or comb jellies are the oldest lineage of living animals. New research by Professor Davide Pisani reveals that sponges are the most ancient lineage, with models that describe the data poorly favouring comb jellies and those that better describe the data favouring sponges.
A recent study published in the journal Genetics found that genetic differences can greatly impact how individuals respond to different diets. The researchers used four groups of animal models with unique genetic traits to test the effectiveness of various diets, including American-style, Mediterranean, Japanese, and ketogenic diets.
Researchers funded by Morris Animal Foundation have made a breakthrough in treating feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), a fatal viral disease affecting cats. A clinical trial with 20 client-owned cats showed that most can be put into remission quickly, but achieving long-term remission is challenging.
A study by University of Oxford researchers found that puffin colonies traveling great distances during winter often face difficulty breeding due to environmental factors like competition and habitat quality. The study provides new insights into seabird migration behaviors, highlighting the costs associated with long-distance travel.
Female horseflies can identify dark cows among equally dark patches using polarized light reflected from their smooth coats. This allows them to detect host animals more efficiently in sunny conditions.
A new chemical imaging method allows for precise measurement of substances in human skin, providing opportunities to develop pharmaceuticals and cosmetics while minimizing animal experiments. The technology enables researchers to design products with controlled skin absorption and determine safe limits for harmful levels of substances.
The team is developing a new technique to use human actor movements to drive four-legged animal characters, making animations more realistic. The project involves collecting motion capture data from various dog breeds at the Bath Cats and Dogs Home.
A new study published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology demonstrates pain relief in humans using a Trk inhibitor. The study involved 20 participants and compared the inhibitor with pregabalin, ibuprofen, and placebo.
A new underwater acoustic localization system has been developed to estimate the trajectory of sound sources in the ocean without multiple receivers or anchor nodes. The system uses bathymetry information to discriminate the location of the source of the signal.
Researchers observed bowhead whales rubbing against rocks in Cumberland Sound, Nunavut, to remove dead skin. The warmer coastal waters may facilitate molting during summer months.
Researchers found that bearded dragons incubated in colder temperatures learned to open a sliding door faster than those from warmer temperatures. This ability is crucial for adapting to changing environments and may offer a potential buffer against human-induced environmental change.
A new method combining behavioral analyses with computer modeling revealed that individual fish pay attention to one or two neighbors when the school moves together. This finding has important implications for understanding how schooling fish coordinate their movements and could lead to advances in coordinating artificial systems.
A study by the University of Adelaide validated the latest climate change models forecasting bird impacts, showing they accurately predict range shifts over the past 40 years. The models now provide a more effective tool for targeting conservation management resources.
Researchers found that individual blue whales prefer to roll to the right most of the time, but shift to left-side rolls in shallow water to hunt small prey. This study provides the first evidence of handedness in blue whales and highlights their adaptability when it comes to feeding behaviors.
Researchers have developed a new system to study Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in the laboratory, using brain cells derived from human stem cells. The method enables scientists to infect human cells with prions and replicate the proteins in the lab, providing valuable information for potential treatments.
A study found that mirror-image Japanese land snails can overcome their physical barrier to mate in a face-to-face position. The researchers also discovered genetic similarities between the two types, suggesting they should be considered a single species.
Most blue whales exhibit a lateralization bias, being 'right-handed' or 'left-handed,' with most feeding movements involving 90-degree side rolls. However, researchers found that these whales become left-handed when swimming upward at a steep angle to approach prey near the surface.
The recovery of killer whales, sea lions, and harbor seals on the West Coast has led to a significant increase in their consumption of chinook salmon. This shift may now exceed the combined harvest by commercial and recreational fisheries, creating complex tradeoffs for conservation efforts.
Research found that large mammals are 146% more likely to use wildlife crossing structures than pass at random in surrounding habitat. White-tailed deer and mule deer were particularly frequent users of underpasses, while carnivorous species moved similarly through passages as they would naturally.
Finches learn to adjust their songs depending on the situation they are in, with two distinct brain regions involved in this process: one for generalizable rules and another that can override them. This study provides insights into how humans learn complex behaviors like language and movement disorders.
Researchers have developed a method to flag up potentially illegal wildlife trade by analyzing the growth rates of certain species. A study published in Biological Conservation has found that understanding these growth rates can help identify when an item is not yet legally available for sale, allowing authorities to act earlier.
Researchers tracked North Atlantic right whales using passive acoustic monitoring, finding they use nearly the entire eastern seaboard during winter and move around more than thought. The study revealed changes in their time spent in some areas and confirmed their presence along the East Coast year-round.
Chronic preconception exposure to genistein affected pregnancy rates in mice, resulting in prolonged labor, smaller litters, and higher pup mortality. The study found that high doses of genistein may boost fertility rates but also have adverse effects on reproductive outcomes.
Johns Hopkins researchers identified a cellular pathway responsible for rapid heart failure in Marfan syndrome and reversed the disease in mouse models by increasing stress on the animals' hearts. The findings provide a potential model for treating this aggressive form of the disorder.
Grey seal pups from Welsh colonies were more likely to dive in shallower water than males, reaching the seabed more frequently and having greater feeding opportunities. The study provides insights into the initial foraging behaviour of grey seal pups around the UK, crucial for future protection of their habitat.
A team of researchers discovered a female alligator snapping turtle in Clear Creek, Union County, Illinois, after 30 years of absence. The 22-pound, 15-inch long turtle is believed to be at least 18 years old and not one of the released turtles.
Researchers have successfully created mini biological models of human primary liver cancers, known as organoids, in the lab. These tiny laboratory models were used to identify a new drug that could potentially treat certain types of liver cancer, showing promising results for personalized medicine and reducing animal usage.
Researchers found that California birds are breeding five to 12 days earlier than a century ago, producing eggs and young at lower temperatures. This adaptation allows birds to avoid the negative effects of climate warming.
Researchers develop new mouse model that captures pathology of sporadic neurological diseases, including ALS and FTD. The study reveals TDP-43 accelerates age-dependent degeneration of interneurons, a key finding with potential for studying neurological diseases accelerated by aging.
Insect-based food sources present a significant nutritional opportunity due to their high levels of animal protein and key micronutrients. However, the nutritional quality of insects is influenced by their diet and environmental impact remains a concern.
A recent survey of neuroscience research found that the number of studies reporting lab animal sex increased by 30% over four years, but sex bias remained prevalent. Despite this progress, sex omission still affects about 20% of analyzed articles, highlighting the need for improved research design.
A Yale-led research team has discovered how a very low calorie diet rapidly reverses type 2 diabetes in animal models. The study found that the diet lowers glucose production by decreasing conversion of lactate and amino acids into glucose, liver glycogen conversion to glucose, and fat content.
Researchers found that Hawaiian birds timed their breeding and molting with the availability of specific flowers, which in turn was linked to heavier rainfall periods. This suggests that climate changes can cascade up the food chain and affect wildlife abundance.
Researchers found that people generalize knowledge from similar animals to those they encounter, leading to increased risk perception. This study highlights the importance of understanding inductive reasoning in health communication and its potential impact on public health.