Articles tagged with Animal Research
Researchers call for a shift from animal experiments to human-focused research on Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. Population studies suggest that dietary changes and other modifiable lifestyle factors can reduce the risk of developing dementia.
Researchers have found that drone noise does not travel far into the water, posing little threat to marine mammals. The study suggests that UAVs can be used safely in marine environments with proper permits and guidelines.
Male banded mongooses that faced poor conditions in their first year lived longer than those with an easier start, while variable conditions seemed to be beneficial for longevity and reproduction. The researchers used 14 years of data on wild banded mongooses in Uganda.
A recent study published in Applied and Environmental Microbiology reveals that lecithin synergistically increases the antimicrobial properties of eugenol, a natural essential oil. This finding has significant implications for food preservation and suggests potential biomedical applications.
A new study by CSIC researchers reveals that environmental factors were the primary driver of horse diversification over 20 million years. The team found that newly evolved species were ecologically similar, with external factors such as ecosystem fragmentation and energy availability playing a key role.
Researchers at Lund University discovered that malaria mosquitos are sensitive to horseradish, similar to the effects of heat on vertebrates. This finding suggests a shared molecular mechanism underlying temperature sensing in insects and animals.
A new study reveals gills originated earlier than thought, suggesting a link between active lifestyle and evolutionary history. Gills develop from the same embryonic tissue in jawed and jawless vertebrates, supporting a single origin of these respiratory organs.
A Yale University review of animal studies found that therapies successful in animals fail in humans due to early intervention timing and narrow study designs. The researchers highlight the need for more accurate translation from animal models to human trials.
Adults with higher intakes of dietary protein see greater benefits in muscle mass and strength, regardless of food source. Greater protein intake improves muscle health and strength in both men and women.
Researchers develop a scavenger scale to categorize animal traits, highlighting surprising adaptations in species like vultures, albatrosses, and cheetahs. The scale helps understand why some animals excel as scavengers while others struggle.
Researchers have developed a new technique using DNA 'barcodes' to rapidly screen nanoparticles for therapeutic delivery. The method allows hundreds of different types of nanoparticles to be tested simultaneously in just a handful of animals.
A study led by Leonida Fusani demonstrates that the hormone ghrelin regulates migratory behavior in birds, controlling when to rest and replenish energy stores. The research team also found that an inactive form of ghrelin is a more influential factor than previously thought.
The Gerontological Society of America (GSA) is offering a $50,000 grant to support research into the effects of companion animals on healthy aging in humans. The grant aims to advance the study of human-animal interaction's impact on older adults and their caregivers.
A rapid genotypic resistance test for colistin has been developed to detect the mobile resistance gene mcr-1, which threatens emergency antibiotics. The test demonstrated 100% sensitivity and specificity in detecting mcr-1 on plasmids.
The USDA-NIFA has awarded $3 million in grants for plant and animal phenomics research. The projects focus on developing high-throughput technologies to analyze microbiomes and their interactions with plants and animals, with potential applications in improving human health and food production.
The study found a significant decline in gull populations on the Scottish island of Canna due to reduced fish landings in nearby harbour Mallaig. The population declined from an estimated 1,525 breeding pairs in 1988 to just 130 pairs in recent years.
Research reveals that red-footed tortoises remember visual cues associated with different reward values, including quantity and quality of food, for a significant period. This long-term memory enables them to make informed foraging decisions, improving fitness by reducing the need to re-evaluate food sources.
Researchers at Hiroshima University have developed a technique to assess anti-inflammatory properties of fortified health foods and medications using bioluminescence imaging. This method reduces the number of lab mice sacrificed and could revolutionize medicinal drug testing, particularly for obesity-related metabolic disorders.
A recent review in Frontiers in Nutrition highlights the need for a more inclusive approach to obesity research, as traditional male rat models are found to be insufficient in predicting long-term obesity in females. The study also sheds light on the phenomenon of weight regain after weight loss and its impact on females.
Research by University of Bristol scientists found that traffic noise hinders animals' response to warning signals, making them more vulnerable to predators. The study suggests that man-made noise can have a broader impact on information transfer between and within species.
A team of researchers has identified the earliest-acting protein needed for cell division, which is critical for organizing cell division in animals. The discovery, made using roundworms, revealed a key advance in understanding centriole duplication, a process vital to cell division and cilia function.
The study reveals that veterinarian movements significantly contribute to the spread of diseases, with animal exchanges playing a synergistic role. This research can help develop more accurate tools for predicting disease outbreaks and implement effective biosecurity measures.
Researchers at Oregon State University have discovered a new order of insect, Aethiocarenodea, featuring a 100-million-year-old specimen with a triangular head and alien-like features. The species has been named Aethiocarenus burmanicus and is believed to be an omnivore with special adaptations to survive in ancient forests.
Researchers found that cooperatively breeding mammals better cope with droughts and food scarcity due to helping behavior. These species are more likely to occupy human-modified habitats and colonize new environments.
A new species of crab has been discovered in coral rubble off the coast of Guam, with a genus name inspired by 'Harry Potter' character Harry Conley. The species features reduced eyes and well-developed antennae to survive in dark depths.
A £12,000 grant from the NC3Rs CRACK IT Solutions scheme will support a partnership with contract research organisation Envigo to assess whether moth larvae can reduce mammal use for toxic chemical testing. The larvae have already helped scientists reduce their mammal usage by up to 80%, according to Dr Olivia Champion.
A study published in eLife reveals that a single nerve cell named ALA coordinates an organism-wide response to sickness, causing sleepiness by releasing FLP-13 and other neuropeptides. Researchers found that FLP-13 triggers sleep by turning down activity in nervous system cells that help keep organisms awake.
Researchers at Wayne State University have developed a novel diagnostic tool to identify tinnitus in animals, providing a significant breakthrough in understanding the underlying mechanisms of this condition. The new method, which uses a conditioned licking suppression behavioral test, enables researchers to assess tinnitus onset, seve...
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have identified a molecular signal that maintains adult neuron structure in the hippocampus, a region crucial for learning and memory. The study found that reintroducing this protein restored nerve cell structures to some extent, suggesting potential avenues for studying neurodegenerative diseases.
The Orthopaedic Research Society aims to improve animal research ethics through new tools and training for researchers. Researchers will receive guidance on alternatives to animal use and optimized study design techniques.
Researchers identified a molecular signaling pathway that promotes sensory neuron growth and prevents or reverses peripheral neuropathy in cell and rodent models of type 1 and 2 diabetes, chemotherapy-induced neuropathy, and HIV. Anti-muscarinic drugs already approved for other conditions may offer new treatment options.
Research reveals that intestinal inflammation accumulation leads to vascular leakage and decreased blood vessel function in animals. The study proposes a novel mechanism for inflammation-induced aging and offers potential avenues for developing anti-aging therapies.
The release of the Arabica coffee genome sequence by UC Davis holds promise for developing disease-resistant varieties and understanding flavor profiles. The sequencing was conducted through a collaboration between researchers and farmer Jay Ruskey, who is growing commercial coffee plants in California's Central Coast region.
Scientists have created male pigs that can produce sperm with the genetic blueprint of sought-after pigs by transplanting stem cells into surrogate animals. This breakthrough could dramatically improve pig farming efficiency and quality, as well as enhance desirable traits like disease resilience.
A team of researchers from NYU Tandon School of Engineering has developed a 3D platform to simulate zebrafish behavior, which can potentially replace animal testing in certain types of research. The model was calibrated on real-life data and allows for rapid simulations that reduce the need for animal subjects.
A new study published in Scientific Reports found that brumation, the winter dormancy of cold-blooded animals, does not affect memory retention in salamanders. Researchers trained salamanders to navigate a maze and tested their ability to recall the path after a period of brumation.
Researchers identified a specific region in the prefrontal brain essential for metamemory decision making in macaques. Inactivation of this region impaired metamemory but not memory itself, offering insights into the neuronal underpinnings of metacognition.
A new framework called SEARCH encourages scientists to share experimental animal resources, reducing the need for new animals in research. The framework aims to foster collaboration and promote reduction, replacement, and refinement of animal use in biomedical research.
A global map of alien bird species shows that human activities are the main determinants of their presence, but also highlights areas with rich native bird species as hotspots for alien species. The study found a significant increase in bird introductions since World War II and suggests that economic factors contribute to the spread of...
A new $100,000 grant will support research training and educational outreach in vertebrate paleontology at the University of Kansas. Students will participate in fieldwork in Wyoming and Turkey to study early mammal evolution and migration.
New research reveals that retroviruses, including HIV, have been present on Earth for at least 450 million years, originating together with vertebrate hosts in the early Paleozoic era. This finding sheds light on the evolutionary history of these medically important viruses and their ongoing interactions with host immunity.
An international expert workshop has outlined a strategy for reducing and replacing animal use in acute systemic toxicity testing. The report, published in Toxicology In Vitro, presents recommendations including gathering high-quality reference data and global harmonization.
University of Utah researchers explore the connection between gut microbes and birds' unique breathing patterns. The team found that diverse gut microbes play a critical role in allowing herbivorous woodrats to process naturally occurring toxins, with promising implications for human health and animal husbandry.
Researchers from the University of Cincinnati and others received monetary awards from PETA for contributing to the development of Adverse Outcome Pathways. These pathways help scientists design animal-free testing approaches to predict adverse effects and protect human health.
Research finds that urbanization is hindering the ability of certain songbird species to reproduce successfully, even after relocating. The study, published in PLOS ONE, found that forced dispersal due to suburban development can cause birds to abandon their territories and struggle to find new mates.
Scientists found that resistant ash trees have low levels of chemicals defending against insects, highlighting a potential trade-off in tree resilience. Researchers warn against selecting trees for fungal resistance at the expense of insect protection.
A new study reveals that temperature is the primary driver of biodiversity, with warmer climates hosting more diverse ecosystems. The research, conducted at Mount Kilimanjaro, examined eight plant groups and 17 animal groups, finding a strong correlation between temperature and species diversity.
Researchers at the University of California San Diego have discovered neurons in the subiculum area of the brain that encode an animal's current axis of travel. These 'axis-tuned' cells fire when the animal travels in either direction along a single line, allowing it to mentally group different locations and navigate complex routes.
A team of scientists led by Mark Herr found that cottonmouths with high baseline levels of corticosterone were more likely to strike during encounters. The study suggests that protecting snake habitats may reduce the incidence of snakebites and that a snake's striking behavior is related to its baseline level of stress.
A recent study by Brown University researchers has found that the RNA pathway operates in a non-reproductive body tissue, called the fat body, in flies and helps sustain life. The study also shows that blocking components of the pathway leads to increased DNA damage, shorter lifespan and poor health.
A new study reveals that salamanders travel an average of six miles and as far as nine miles to reach breeding sites, likely due to the physiological costs of not having sex. This long-distance migration may be crucial for their survival and genetic health.
Researchers at the University of Lincoln have secured £300,000 funding to develop an automated social network analysis tool for monitoring zebrafish and rainbow trout welfare.
Researchers have developed a new test to improve understanding of inclusion body disease in snakes, revealing subclinical cases in apparently healthy boa constrictors. The study found that 19% of captive snake populations had IBD, with 87% being clinically healthy.
Researchers used internet data to track public interest in conservation over time, finding sudden spikes linked to media coverage and seasonal events. The study suggests harnessing these peaks to aid protection efforts, using methods that are relatively cheap and produce huge sample sizes.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine used optogenetics to show that inducing synchronized activity in a specific nerve tract within the thalamus is sufficient to cause seizures, while disrupting it can terminate them. This finding may lead to improved ways of reducing or preventing absence seizures in susceptible child...
The DFG is establishing seven new Research Units to tackle pressing issues in various fields, including predicting human behavioral patterns and studying the matter inside planets. The first funding period will receive approximately €17 million.
Researchers found that invasive species on Hawaii Island are successful invaders due to their scavenging abilities, which create a nutrient resource for other invasive scavengers. Invertebrates and vertebrates consumed 55% and 10% more carcasses than invertebrates alone, respectively.
Researchers at Oxford University create new method for counting lions, using spatially explicit approach with high-resolution photographs and powerful computers. The study estimates 16.85 lions per 100 square kilometers in the Maasai Mara, with a posterior standard deviation of just 1.3.
A new study by researchers from the U.S. and France finds that multiple anomalies in gene expression, including failure to implant and placenta development, contribute to the high rate of pregnancy failure for cloned embryos. The study reveals critical developmental genes and hormonal signaling issues that lead to these failures.
The study found that human ALOX15 has a higher capacity for producing anti-inflammatory lipid mediators than its lower primate counterparts. This suggests an evolution to better control inflammation and speed up the healing process.