Articles tagged with Animal Research
A new animal movement model reveals seabirds orient themselves over an ocean and compensate for wind drift without landmarks, hinting at a 'map sense'. This breakthrough paves the way for analyzing animal decision-making using GPS tracking data.
A recent study reveals that peatland bird populations have decreased by a third in Finland and Sweden over the past three decades. The Finnish ruff is among the most threatened species, with its population falling to just 3% of its original size. In contrast, the crane species has tripled its population during this time period.
The new model predicts how glucose-responsive insulin (GRI) will affect patients' blood sugar levels based on chemical traits. The MIT team identified several strong GRI candidates and plans to test them in animals.
Researchers from Kiel University discovered that small molecules secreted by nerve cells influence the composition and colonization of specific types of beneficial bacteria in Hydra. The study found that these neuropeptides have antibacterial activity, which affects the balance of the microbiome.
Scientists discovered that antibodies taken from dengue patients are effective in treating zika infection in rodents and even protect unborn pups. The discovery could lead to a single therapy to protect against both viral threats if replicated in humans.
Researchers at the University of Georgia's Regenerative Bioscience Center have developed a new US pig model for stroke treatments, which will provide essential preclinical data and speed up the drug discovery process. The model uses induced neural stem cells to replace stroke-damaged brain tissue and stimulate neuroplasticity.
Researchers have found that jellyfish, like humans, enter a state of reduced activity at night and exhibit an increased sleep drive when deprived of sleep. This discovery suggests that sleep is an ancient behavior, largely untouched by evolution.
Changes to wetlands alter animal populations, with reduced survival and reproduction in human-altered habitats. The study highlights the complex role of wetlands in human-altered ecosystems, which can provide important habitat but also pose risks to animals.
Scientists have developed a 3D all-human reproducible and reliable model of the blood brain barrier, which could pave the way for better, more efficient and reliable tests of drugs to treat brain diseases. The model was created using human cells to simulate the human blood-brain barrier.
Researchers at the University of Sheffield found that animals spin silk by pulling, not pushing, which could lead to more environmentally-friendly synthetic materials. The new process, known as pultrusion, has the potential to improve how synthetic textiles are processed and reduce environmental damage.
A team of researchers at NTNU successfully conducted artificial selection on wild birds, altering their size and genetic composition. The study found that the birds' size changed as expected, with those on Vega becoming smaller and those on Leka becoming larger, before reverting back to original sizes once natural selection resumed.
A global analysis of 27,000 vertebrate animal species found that those in the Goldilocks zone face a lower risk of extinction than larger or smaller species. The largest and smallest species are disproportionately threatened by human activities such as harvesting and habitat loss.
Researchers at the University of Toronto discovered two genes in ants that regulate foraging behavior and impact protection provided to plants. Activating these genes increases ant aggression against herbivores, reducing damage to trees.
Researchers created mice lacking ankyrin-G protein, displaying hyperactivity and reduced anxiety. Lithium treatment reversed these behaviors, mirroring human bipolar disorder symptoms.
Vanderbilt researcher Ken Catania measured the shock from interacting with a small electric eel to solve an equation for calculating power released by bigger eels. The study revealed that eels are efficient at delivering electricity, generating hundreds of volts while maintaining high efficiency.
Scientists identified Painted Rocksnail as a distinct species despite mistaken identity for over 100 years. New study confirms its restricted range and implications for conservation efforts are significant.
Researchers have found a subgroup of neurons in mice that drive the critical instinct of thirst, which decreases with increased water consumption. These neurons are connected to other brain regions and play a direct role in regulating thirst drive through goal-directed actions.
Fox squirrels separate each cache into quasi subfolders for different types of nuts, suggesting they use flexible strategies to store food depending on how they acquire it. This cognitive strategy allows them to maximize their ability to remember where they've stored their most prized treats.
A study found that a significant portion of ants spend most of their time idle, serving as a reserve labor force. When the top workers are lost, these inactive ants increase their activity levels to replace them, ensuring colony survival.
Researchers found that individual characteristics, such as speed and exploratory tendency, significantly impact the cohesion, movement dynamics, and foraging performance of schooling fish. The study provides insights into how inter-individual differences drive collective behavior and group functioning.
Researchers found that disrupting geckos' tail movements limits pelvis rotation, decreasing step length. Tail undulations play a crucial role in increasing step length and speed in geckos, applicable to many terrestrial animals with tails.
Researchers discovered a bacterium that stimulates single-cell saltwater dwellers to form colonies and mate, providing insight into eukaryote-bacterium interactions. The study also revealed the production of chondroitin in primitive organisms, challenging evolutionary timelines.
Research suggests that mangos and their components have anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties, which may help reduce risk for chronic disease. Mangos are also associated with better nutrient intake, glycemic control, and improved gut health.
The California Academy of Sciences has assembled the first-ever animal genome of the northern spotted owl, a threatened species. The completed genome will help researchers track interbreeding between hybrid owls and inform conservation priorities in the West.
A new research study used a 'sniff-test' to evaluate dogs' ability to recognize themselves, confirming the hypothesis of self-cognition proposed by Dr. Cazzolla Gatti. The experiment found that dogs investigate their own odours longer when modified in an olfactory mirror test.
A ketogenic diet improved memory in aging mice and increased their chances of surviving to old age. The study suggests that the health benefits of BHB may go beyond memory and could affect tissues and organ systems.
Researchers have developed a new, ultra lightweight system for recording neural activity in mice, enabling the study of brain disorders like schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease. The TaiNi device offers significant animal welfare benefits and high signal bandwidth, increasing information gathered from each mouse.
A recent study published in Nature Communications suggests that reindeer grazing can help protect tundra plant diversity in a warming climate. By allowing more plant species to co-exist and benefit from warmer conditions, reindeer can increase light availability and preserve small and slowly-growing plant species.
Golden-collared manakin males use cleanliness to attract mates and exhibit complex courtship displays. In contrast, females show no motivation to clean their male counterparts' displays, suggesting hormonal influence is specific to males.
Researchers discovered a bacterial protein, EroS, that induces mating behavior in single-celled organisms called choanoflagellates. Swarming among these unicellular organisms precedes sexual reproduction, and the protein's enzymatic function is responsible for this change.
A team of researchers at Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences has created a simple device that mimics the complex songs of birds, including Zebra and Bengalese finches. The study suggests that birds may have exploited the physical properties of soft materials to produce their distinctive vocalizations.
Researchers discovered that ciliated tissues in mammals selectively recruit beneficial microbes called symbionts and clear out toxic molecules. This mechanism provides insight into the basic function of cilia surfaces and may aid development of ways to foster beneficial bacterial partners.
Researchers found that vibrato-like frequency modulation improves the detection of formants, key acoustic components encoding animal size and identity. This mechanism has independently evolved in six mammalian orders, suggesting its importance for transmitting information about an individual's size and identity through calls.
A recent position paper reveals that animals and humans exhibit similar symptoms after consuming certain foods, highlighting the need for research on molecular allergy diagnostics. An elimination diet is recommended to diagnose food intolerance in both species, which may lead to improved prevention and treatment strategies.
Researchers report that indole reduces age-related infirmities and alters AHR-regulated gene expression. Indole exposure is linked to increased healthspan in animals with functional AHR.
A collaborative project is underway to develop non-animal test methods to replace the Rabbit Vaginal Irritation test for personal lubricants. Human in vitro tissue models may be used as a replacement, reducing animal testing and promoting more accurate assessments of product safety.
A QUT study found that writing about a destination as if it were human can boost its appeal as a travel destination. Participants who saw a personified advertisement for Paris or Rome reported higher levels of positive emotions and had a more favorable view of the city.
Restoring links between large adjoining habitat fragments can reduce species extinctions and provide a large potential return on investment in biodiversity. By targeting these areas, researchers found that habitat restoration could decrease the duration between habitat loss and extinction of tropical bird species.
Migratory Eurasian reed warblers rely on changes in magnetic declination to guide them along the east-west axis, solving a challenging navigational problem. The birds learn to recognize large-scale spatial patterns of declination gradients during their annual movements.
A study found that preschoolers shared more after listening to books with human characters, while those who read about human-like animal characters shared less. Children's altruistic giving was assessed before and after the reading, showing a significant difference in sharing behavior.
A new study reveals significant differences in the genes expressed by human and mouse microglia, with unique human genes playing a crucial role in immune response. The findings provide valuable insights for studying neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
Researchers from Australian National University discovered ancient sedimentary rocks revealing molecular fossils that indicate the emergence of algae, a pivotal moment in ecosystems. This event led to the evolution of complex life, including humans.
Research by James Cook University found that tree cover helps both tree-dwelling and ground-dwelling reptiles thrive on grazed land. Conservative stocking rates and retaining standing trees can increase native animal populations.
A University of Oklahoma biology professor has been awarded a $1.2 million National Science Foundation grant to investigate the impact of climate on terrestrial arthropod communities. The project aims to generate standardized field data on ground-dwelling arthropods, which are abundant and diverse animal groups.
Researchers found that seasnakes living in polluted areas have darker skin, which helps them bind and rid their bodies of contaminants. This is an example of industrial melanism, where dark-colored varieties thrive in industrial environments.
Researchers found that bullying can cause significant changes in sleep patterns, including increased bouts of paradoxical sleep and flattened body temperature fluctuations. These effects persisted even after the mice were removed from the threatening environment, suggesting a long-term impact on mental health.
A new review examines the evolution of animal experimentation ethics, providing strategies for teaching and alternatives like tissue cultures and computer modeling. Practical approaches are offered to improve ethical practices in animal research.
Researchers predict potential for rapid colonization of UK by Asian hornet, threatening honey bee and beneficial insect populations. Beekeepers and public advised to be vigilant in identifying nests and reporting sightings to halt destruction of bee populations.
Researchers studied lizard venom to discover novel compounds with potential in treating stroke and deep-vein thrombosis. The study identified selective action on fibrinogen chains, a targeted approach successful for snake venom treatments.
A new royalty system for wildlife imagery could generate significant revenue for conservation efforts, particularly for carnivorous species like lions. The idea proposes that a portion of income from products featuring wildlife images be allocated to support conservation initiatives.
Recent technological advances enable researchers to study animal coloration more comprehensively. The authors of a review article highlight recent progress and set out key questions for the future, shedding light on evolutionary processes and the intricacies of function.
Animals use color in diverse ways, including for reproduction and predator-prey interactions, with species-specific purposes in mind. Mantis shrimp have four times as many colour receptors as humans, allowing them to perceive ultraviolet light.
A review of over 170 studies reveals that insect analysis is only useful in a few forensic cases. The method's success relies on species distribution, temporality, behavior, and genetic analysis, which should be applied case-by-case.
A new study published in Cell Metabolism found that artificial sweeteners paired with a low-carb diet significantly boost calorie intake. Flies offered these diets showed immediate increases in food consumption, which varied by the amount of sweetener used.
Researchers found that Pennsylvania snowshoe hares have shorter, less-dense winter coats than their northern counterparts, producing lower coat temperatures. They also exhibit altered movement rates and resting-spot selection in response to variable winter temperatures. These adaptations may enable the hares to survive warming winters.
Researchers at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute used carrion flies to survey tropical forest mammals, detecting 20 species that were not found by traditional methods. The method was more effective than camera traps and transect counts, but had limitations, such as failing to detect certain species that produce small droppings.
A big data approach can predict the toxicity of chemicals without animal tests, saving time, money, and lives. PETA India will present this method at a national conference, suggesting its adoption by governments and regulatory agencies.
Researchers identified the specific region of the brain affected by anoxic brain injury (ABI) in children who survived drowning. The study found that networks controlling perception and cognition remain intact, while motor pathways are damaged.
A recent study by Exeter and Cambridge universities found that individual wild birds adjust their nest choices based on their specific markings. These adjustments enhance the birds' camouflage in relation to their predators, highlighting the link between behavior and appearance.
Researchers studying aardvarks in South Africa's Kalahari Desert found that the animals are highly susceptible to warmer and drier climates, leading to severe droughts and high mortality rates. The decline of aardvarks could have indirect consequences for other animals relying on their burrows.