Articles tagged with Animal Research
Researchers found that tourists often mistake wild monkeys' aggressive facial expressions for friendly or neutral ones, leading to increased risk of injury and disease transmission. The study suggests educating tourists through videos or guided visits with expert guides could improve both animal welfare and tourist experience.
A new study suggests that setting aside an additional 5% of land to protect key species can triple their protected range and safeguard their functional diversity. This approach prioritizes global representation over local conservation, offering a more effective strategy for biodiversity conservation.
Researchers from Florida Atlantic University identified 11 cross-reactive terrestrial-specific antibodies for dolphins, allowing them to assess changes in immune cell populations. The study shows significant differences in the absolute number of cells expressing specific markers within lymphocyte and monocyte fractions.
A recent study found that 35 percent of the world's national animal symbols are threatened with extinction, highlighting the urgent need for conservation efforts. The analysis also revealed that populations of national animal symbols represented by North America and Australia-Oceania fare better than those in Africa.
The study found that edible dormice prefer areas with a mix of beech trees and conifers, providing a balanced food supply. The rodents adapt to the lifecycle of beech trees by making pragmatic choices about territory selection and hibernation patterns.
Research on US-Mexico border walls highlights potential biodiversity impacts, including isolated local populations and reduced species movement. Human passage, however, appears to be less affected by the barriers.
Researchers at UC Berkeley have identified conscientiousness in a range of animal species, from birds to insects. This trait, characterized by working hard, paying attention to detail, and striving to do the right thing, is linked to evolutionary benefits such as improved hunting success and mating advantages.
The study reveals that bioelectric patterns can override the default body shape called for by a genome, allowing researchers to edit the target morphology of an animal with a wild-type genomic sequence. This work provides clues about why certain individuals have different biological outcomes when exposed to the same treatment as others.
A KAIST research team developed a hybrid animal-robot interaction system that attaches to a turtle and induces its object-tracking behavior through training sessions. The parasitic robot successfully controls the direction of movement in a water tank, offering an alternative solution to conventional mobile robot limitations.
Researchers found that non-migratory birds like zebra finches utilize a built-in magnetic compass to orient themselves using the Earth's magnetic field. The study suggests that this mechanism is more general and not specific to migration.
A UC Davis study reveals that baboons position themselves strategically within their troop to optimize access to food and safety. Younger males tend to occupy central positions, while adult males take a more exposed role at the front of the group.
A new WCS-led study analyzes camera trap time stamps to better estimate tiger abundance and understand their behaviors. The research uses a spatial capture-recapture model to incorporate the timing of tiger detections into analysis, offering crucial insights for effective conservation efforts.
The researchers discovered that major biological signalling circuits can be made to resonate when driven at their resonant frequency, allowing for the control of cell signalling pathways. This method has potential relevance in the treatment of diseases and could guide the discovery of new therapeutic approaches.
Researchers from Magdeburg University and The Chinese University of Hong Kong found that electrical stimulation can preserve visual neurons from cell death after injury, but it induces a fast disconnection of dendritic tree. This may protect the neurons from toxic excitation after brain damage.
A UCR study reveals that the Ediacaran-era fossil animal Dickinsonia developed in a highly regulated way using a similar genetic toolkit to today's animals. The research helps place Dickinsonia in the early evolution of animal life, showcasing its complex growth and development.
The Osaka University research group has created a safe and easy-to-use self-donning surgical gown called 'Selfgown.' This innovative gown minimizes environmental infections from splashes when removing gloves, reducing the risk of transmission to others.
Scientists at Queen Mary University of London found that nicotine-laced nectar enhances bumblebees' learning of flower colors and creates addiction-like behavior. The study suggests plants may manipulate pollinator behavior using psychoactive substances like nicotine.
Research suggests that humans and nonhuman animals can discriminate between quantities, but this ability is grounded in biology and culture. Nunez proposes that 'quantical skills' may be more universal than previously thought, offering a new approach to education and problem-solving.
A new species of South American rabbit has been discovered by Portland State University researcher Luis Ruedas, who found the creature to be larger and shaped differently from its cousins. The discovery is significant as it will require renaming other rabbit species in the region, potentially affecting conservation efforts.
A new study by Vetmeduni Vienna found that shearing alpacas in a standing position produces the least amount of stress for the animals. The research team used clinical parameters and saliva/faeces cortisol levels to measure stress, finding that restraint without shearing had no significant impact on these values.
Researchers have discovered a 36.4-million-year-old whale fossil that suggests baleen whales' ancestors were toothy suction feeders, diverging from their hunting lifestyle to filter-feed tiny marine animals. The study also reveals that whales likely lost hind limbs more recently than previously estimated.
Researchers have found evidence that enterococci bacteria developed antimicrobial resistance around 425 million years ago, when their prehistoric animal hosts transitioned to land. This ancient adaptation enabled the bacteria to survive in a range of challenging environments, including hospital settings.
Researchers from Oregon State University found that a family dog can improve physical activity, motor skills, and quality of life for children with disabilities. The study involved an eight-week intervention program where the child and dog participated in supervised physical activities and home exercises.
Researchers identified brain cells in fruit flies responsible for regulating protein levels, promoting a single-minded focus on eating protein when starved. The study's findings may have implications for addressing the obesity epidemic by understanding how protein intake affects caloric intake.
Joseph Paton, a neuroscientist at the Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, has been awarded a $650,000 grant to further study how the brain processes time. His work aims to understand how internal signals are converted into action, enabling animals to interact with their environment in a more informed and calculated manner.
Climate change is shown to impact gut bacteria diversity in common lizards, with a 34% loss of microorganism diversity found at warmed temperatures. This finding highlights the importance of research into how climate change affects bacteria associated with plants and animals.
Researchers can now count individual birds on remote islands using high-resolution satellite images, allowing for more accurate monitoring of endangered albatross populations. This innovative method is a significant step forward in tracking these iconic birds, which breed in some of the world's most inaccessible locations.
Researchers from Oxford's Wildlife Conservation Research Unit found that less affluent countries are more committed to protecting large animals than richer ones. The Mega-Fauna Conservation Index reveals that African nations, including Botswana and Tanzania, contribute significantly to conservation efforts.
A study funded by Morris Animal Foundation has shed light on how the deadly facial tumor disease in Tasmanian devils evades the immune system. The research found that DFT cells produce a molecular shield to hide from attacks, offering potential strategies for protection.
Scientists at the University of Bonn have created a realistic 3D model of a fish's lateral line system, allowing them to simulate precise current conditions. The results show that anatomical adaptations minimize background noise, enabling fishes to navigate and identify prey with high accuracy.
Researchers found that mice lacking Bax/Bak genes failed to develop sophisticated neural circuits, leading to impaired skilled movements. The study suggests testing individuals with motor development disabilities for mutant forms of the same genes.
The Weng'an Biota fossils, once thought to be among the world's oldest evidence of animal life, may actually belong to other groups like algae. Researchers have found that characteristics previously used to define animals are not unique to them, leaving room for alternative identifications.
A study by RIKEN Brain Science Institute found that remembering goal locations in virtual reality requires the same brain parts as in real life, using a mouse model. The researchers used virtual reality to test how mice learned spatial routes, finding that mice with a protein deficiency performed poorly.
Scientists at Temple University have developed a gene editing strategy that can excise HIV DNA from the genomes of living animals, eliminating further infection. The CRISPR/Cas9 system was successfully tested in three animal models, including one with latent HIV-1 infection.
Leading scientists argue that animal testing is essential for medical breakthroughs, yet protocols can be improved to increase their credibility and usefulness. The authors propose four ways to enhance animal experiments, including intensifying studies and incorporating clinical trial rules.
A study from the University of Arizona found that reminding people of their mortality increases their willingness to kill animals. The researchers used terror management theory, which suggests that humans use self-esteem as a buffer against fear of death. When participants received a self-esteem boost, the effect of the death prime was...
A new study by Dara Orbach, PhD, uses computed tomography scans and silicone models to visualize the anatomy of dolphin copulation. The research reveals complex vaginal folds and spirals that interact with the penis during fertilization.
Scientists have identified the specific protein targeted by snake venom that causes cells to detach and induce internal bleeding. Animals resistant to snake venom, such as opossums and camels, possess a variation of this protein that may provide protective benefits.
Researchers discovered that naked mole rats can survive extreme oxygen deprivation due to their ability to metabolize fructose. This alternative energy source supplies vital organs with energy when glucose is scarce, allowing them to thrive in low-oxygen environments.
Researchers found that tarantulas primarily rely on their anterior lateral eyes to measure distances and navigate. By covering these eyes, the spiders have difficulty determining distance and can become disoriented. The study highlights the crucial role of the lateral eyes in a spider's ability to return to its burrow.
Nematodes, microscopic worms that control diseases in humans and kill insects, secrete deadly cocktails of proteins to infect hosts. Researchers developed a method to work with nematodes outside their host, identifying 472 proteins involved in parasitism.
Scientists have identified nerve cells in the skin of genetically engineered mice that sense both touch and motion, enabling active perception of the environment. This discovery advances the search for better prosthetics with natural sensory feedback for people.
Naked mole-rats can survive for at least five hours without oxygen by metabolizing fructose, reducing their movement and slowing their pulse rate. This unique adaptation may lead to new treatments for patients suffering from low oxygen conditions, such as heart attacks and strokes.
Research by Herberholz and colleagues found that isolated crayfish are less sensitive to the effects of alcohol than gregarious animals. The study suggests that social experience can impact the sensitivity to acute alcohol exposure.
A Stanford study has identified a protein called hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) that can prime mouse stem cells to quickly respond to injury. The researchers found that HGF helps activate a critical signaling pathway in the cells, stimulating the production of proteins important for alerting stem cells and promoting tissue repair.
Researchers found that barnacle geese cannot accurately anticipate climate change due to the unpredictability of polar region warming. The birds' reproductive success will be reduced if they continue to mistime their arrival at breeding grounds, despite some compensation from a longer breeding season and smarter migration strategies.
Research found that birdsong duration and frequencies are adjusted in response to traffic noise, with songs returning to natural state after road closures. Temporary road closures can help mitigate this effect, providing birds with an opportunity to sing optimally.
Researchers at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center discovered a small molecular compound, RCM-1, that blocks the transcription factor FOXM1 and its pro-inflammatory activity in asthma. The compound prevented overproduction of mucous-generating goblet cells and reduced lung inflammation.
Rice University scientists created nano-SPEARs to study synaptic behavior and degenerative diseases without harming small animals. The technique allows for high-throughput data gathering, making it possible to test multiple animals per hour.
Researchers uncover giant sulfur-powered shipworm with unusual energy source, living in a stinky environment where it relies on bacteria for nourishment. The discovery expands biodiversity knowledge in the Indo-Pacific region and sheds light on unique transitions between organisms.
A new assay allows for direct measurement of pathogen biomarkers in bovine blood, enabling discrimination between exposure and infection. This breakthrough supports the global One Health strategy and has potential applications for diagnosing diseases in cattle, elephants, and other species.
Researchers found cats with normal lactate levels had better survival rates than those with high lactate levels, with a five-day survival rate of 57% compared to 17%. The study suggests lactate can be a helpful measure in evaluating prognosis and making treatment decisions for critically ill cats.
Researchers tested Asian elephants' body awareness, finding they stepped off a mat to pass a stick to an experimenter 42 times on average, significantly more often than during a control test. This demonstrates their understanding of their bodies as obstacles, similar to young children's understanding at around two years old.
A new study at the University of Texas at Austin reveals that humans have an adaptive coordinate system that rescales its internal map according to the environment's size. This flexibility allows humans to navigate diverse places with ease. The research provides valuable insights into the human memory and spatial navigation, shedding l...
Researchers at Université de Genève discovered that a lizard's skin color pattern forms a cellular automaton, a natural process generated by biological evolution, using a computational system invented by John von Neumann. Computer simulations implemented the discretisation of Turing's equations, which linked the biology-driven mechanis...
Biologists and veterinarians across the US are working with Illinois researchers to identify, understand and treat snake fungal disease. The team has developed a nebulizer treatment that shows promise in preventing the spread of infection, but more research is needed to determine its effectiveness.
A new study by MBARI researchers Séverine Martini and Steve Haddock found that three quarters of deep-sea animals in Monterey Bay waters can produce bioluminescence. The study revealed a surprising similarity in the proportion of glowing to non-glowing animals at different depths, with various groups of animals responsible for light pr...
A new type of 'supermolecule' called calix[4] has been found to actively seek and remove certain pharmaceuticals from water. This breakthrough could lead to cleaner water supplies for everyone by allowing for on-site monitoring and selective removal of pollutants.
Researchers created digital food web capturing human interactions with environment, revealing how humans disrupted existing ecosystems when introducing corn and altering food sources. The study sheds light on future human choices and climate change impacts.
Researchers at Stanford University have created a new method for recording the shape of birds' wings during flight, enabling high-definition 3D reconstructions. The technique uses automated pattern recognition to capture wing deformations in real-time, revealing insights into aerodynamics and potential applications in drone design.