Articles tagged with Animal Research
New research reveals that climate change has led to the local extinctions of hundreds of plant and animal species worldwide. The study found that these extinctions have occurred in over 450 species, despite global warming being less than 1 degree Celsius so far.
Researchers discovered a 255-million-year-old tumor in a gorgonopsian mammalian ancestor, revealing an ancient condition that resembles compound odontoma. This finding challenges the current understanding of vertebrate evolution, suggesting that this condition may have evolved much earlier than previously thought.
Researchers found hummingbirds' ability to accelerate and turn is hindered by low air density at high altitudes, affecting their performance. The study suggests climate change may impact species seeking cooler regions, including higher elevations.
A significant decline in trapdoor spider populations has been reported across southern Australia, with some areas showing almost complete absence of the species. The decline is linked to intensive land clearing and soil disturbance around their burrows.
Researchers reconstructed ocean chemistry records from quahog clam shells to analyze past 1000 years of North Atlantic Ocean changes. They found that prior to industrial period, solar variability and volcanic eruptions drove climate and weather patterns.
A Stanford study used laser light to track parrotlets flying through aerosol particles, revealing that bird-generated vortices break up suddenly and violently close to the bird. The results challenge commonly used models of lift in flight research, highlighting the need for new designs.
Researchers found that only 20% of applications and publications reported use of bias-reducing methods, but 86% of participants claimed to assign animals randomly to treatment groups. The study recommends more education and training for those involved in animal research to ensure scientific rigor.
A study published in Nature found that mated pairs of wild shorebirds have diverse schedules for parental care of the nest. The researchers used geolocators to track the birds' movements and timing, revealing a range of incubation bouts from every other hour to two days.
Researchers use zebrafish to investigate spinal cord repair after injury, exploring mechanisms to trigger in other animals and human cells. They hope to identify new therapies for neurodegenerative conditions like motor neuron disease and multiple sclerosis.
Researchers have estimated that elkhorn coral genotypes in Florida and the Caribbean are up to 5,000 years old, making them potentially the longest-lived animals. This study uses a genetic approach to estimate coral ages, which may provide hope for their survival under climate change.
Researchers have developed a new passive acoustic monitoring method using autonomous underwater vehicles, gliders, and floats to capture sounds of marine life. The method, which was tested in the US Pacific, has the potential to provide more accurate data on marine mammal density and abundance.
A Northwestern University research team developed a mathematical model that predicts the evolution of two distinct subspecies in ornamented animals, one with flashy ornaments for attracting mates and one with subdued ornaments. The study found evidence from nature agrees with the model, showing many species split into these subgroups.
The US feral horse population is projected to reach 116,300 by 2025, posing a unique challenge for management solutions that consider ethics and perception,
Researchers found that closely bonded mongooses are more likely to help attack snakes, improving survival chances for friends. Strong social bonds provide key anti-predator benefits, increasing the likelihood of being helped in the future.
Scientists found that captive Komodo dragons share microbes with their environment, similar to humans and pets, and this constant exchange affects their immune systems. This study aims to improve animal husbandry practices by understanding the relationship between captivity and microbial diversity.
Researchers at the University of Maryland have created a mutated version of the Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus that is less deadly and could lead to the development of a vaccine. The discovery was made by exploiting a weakness in the virus' genetic code, which could also help combat other RNA viruses such as HIV and Zika.
A new study reveals that social status affects immune cell gene expression and response to infection in rhesus monkeys. The research found that improving social standing can reverse health disparities caused by low social status.
Researchers found extreme variation in shorebird parents' nesting attendance patterns, often defying the 24-hour day-night cycle. The key underlying this variation is not starvation but rather the risk of predation.
The coconut crab's claws possess the strongest pinching force of any crustacean, with a maximum recorded force of 3,300 newtons, surpassing that of other crustaceans and most terrestrial animals except alligators.
Researchers found that dogs can recall a person's complex actions, even when they don't expect to be tested. The study used the 'Do as I Do' training method to demonstrate this ability.
Research reveals broad public preference for habitat protection, rejecting lethal control and no government action. The study surveyed over 1,000 participants on the most effective approach to conserve endangered species.
A new approach to analyzing animal teeth reveals dietary patterns of extinct species, providing insights into past environments. The technique's precision will help researchers predict how animals adapt to environmental changes, informing conservation efforts.
A new study reveals that the illegal snake trade in Australia poses a serious threat to human lives and the environment. The research found that 5 out of 28 alien species were likely to succeed in becoming established, while 10 out of 28 were venomous snakes.
Researchers at Salk Institute discover a holy grail of gene editing, allowing precise DNA insertion into adult organs and tissues. This breakthrough enables partial restoration of visual responses in blind rodents and holds promise for treating retinal, heart, and neurological diseases.
Researchers have discovered evidence of Deepwater Horizon oil in land-based birds, highlighting a link between the ocean spill and a terrestrial ecosystem. The study used carbon dating methods to analyze feathers and gut contents of sea sparrows from affected areas.
Researchers found that Goffin's cockatoos can make elongated tools of appropriate shape and length out of various materials, including larch wood, leafy beech twigs, and cardboard. The birds demonstrated problem-solving skills by anticipating tool requirements and adapting their techniques to produce functional instruments.
A new study published in PLOS Biology suggests that animal study registries could enhance the value and reduce waste in animal research by improving reporting and reproducibility. The study's findings also highlight potential benefits and drawbacks, including concerns about intellectual property theft and increased administrative burdens.
Researchers have discovered a new lagerpetid and saurischian dinosaur together, providing insights into the evolution of dinosaurs. The findings suggest that dinosaurs and their precursors coexisted during the earliest stages of dinosaurs' rise, contradicting previous theories.
A Nagoya University research team used a new image processing tool to confirm that humans have evolved specifically to detect snakes. Humans were able to identify snakes in much blurrier images than other harmless animals, suggesting heightened visual awareness of snakes.
A study by University of Nottingham researchers found that giant hissing cockroach species adapt to either 'lover' or 'fighter' strategies for winning females, with Flat-horned cockroaches being non-aggressive and focusing on sneaky mating, while Wide-horned cockroaches are aggressive combatants.
A Michigan State University study found that hyenas gain an advantage by cooperating during fights with lions, emerging victorious more often. The research team analyzed 27 years of data to fully describe this cooperative behavior, revealing that the number of participating hyenas increases their chances of success.
Studies have shown that most mammals live longer in zoos compared to their wild counterparts, with smaller species exhibiting the greatest increase in longevity. This is likely due to reduced mortality rates from predation and intraspecific competition, which are prevalent in the wild.
A recent study analyzing seized African elephant tusks confirms that nearly all come from animals killed less than three years prior to seizure. The findings support evidence of widespread poaching and undermine the idea that many tusks are illegally recycled from older stockpiles.
Researchers found that older bonobos have a decline in refractive power, leading to increased grooming distance and potential social challenges. Long-sightedness may hinder their social lives and daily activities, similar to humans.
A unique study by Midwestern University and partners identified genetic markers associated with CWD resistance in elk, enabling the development of more sensitive tests. This breakthrough allows deer and elk farmers to take ownership of CWD management through selective breeding, potentially stopping the disease in its tracks.
Researchers found that observers on aerial surveys miss some large animals, like elephants, due to factors such as herd size and habitat type. Their study suggests population estimates from aerial surveys are biased low by 13 percent, highlighting the importance of accurate counting for conservation efforts.
Researchers at Lund University found that common swifts spend 10 months in the air, migrating and hibernating without landing. The birds' physiology is still not fully understood, but the discovery provides new insights into animal behavior.
Researchers attached data loggers to common swifts to track their flight activity, confirming they spend over 99% of their non-breeding period in the air. The birds likely save energy during the day by soaring on upward currents and ascend at dawn and dusk.
A new technology, developed by University of Calgary researchers, enables recording brain cell activity for weeks with higher resolution than conventional methods. This allows researchers to investigate neurological diseases and cognitive functions like learning and memory in animal models.
Research reveals that prior social associations during food search carry over into shaping breeding locations and future environmental conditions for wild great tits. Spatial structure during breeding is underpinned by these social connections, which can have population-level effects.
Research on dogs' cognition reveals their ability to comprehend human communicative cues and recognize individual faces, but also limited spatial memory and numerical discrimination. The field is still in its infancy, with more studies needed to examine individual variability and complex behaviors.
Research found man-made noise can disrupt animal responses to predator faeces, affecting information gathering and vigilance. This study highlights the negative impact of noise pollution on animal survival in mammals.
A new study has found that features in animal teeth can detect unfavourable weather conditions, such as long dry periods or heavy rains. This method, known as reverse engineering, allows researchers to infer annual rainfall and average temperatures from fossil records, providing valuable information about past environmental conditions.
A new mouse study has identified nearly one-third of all genes in the mammalian genome as essential for life, shedding light on mammalian development and human disease. The research provides a comprehensive catalog of these genes and their functions.
A Kent State biologist has received a $450,000 grant to investigate how the body allocates energy and burns fat. Her research aims to understand how thermogenesis, the biological phenomenon of burning caloric energy, can be used to induce weight loss in humans.
Research on sand lizards found that populations at the edge of their range exhibit lower genetic diversity compared to those in the center, making them more susceptible to climate change, parasites, and other challenges. This study highlights the importance of conservation efforts for species living on the periphery of their habitats.
Researchers found a genetic mutation responsible for the loss of limb formation instructions in snakes, which are unable to form limbs. By restoring the missing DNA sequence in mice, scientists demonstrated that snakes' inability to form limbs is due to a critical stretch of DNA involved in limb growth.
University of Florida researchers found a trio of mutations in a genetic switch that controls limb development, leading to the loss of legs in snakes. The study reveals that pythons and boa constrictors retain rudimentary leg structures, while completely limbless snakes show more extensive decay of the Sonic hedgehog enhancer.
The study reveals that overhunting of mammals is concentrated in countries with poorer populations, threatening their livelihoods. The researchers suggest five broad steps to address the issue, including changing laws and providing property rights to communities benefiting from wildlife presence.
A team of researchers has identified northeast Mindanao as a major hotspot for biodiversity in amphibians and reptiles. The region is home to 126 species, including frogs, lizards, snakes, turtles, and crocodiles.
A recent expedition to Mindanao, Philippines, revealed 126 species of amphibians and reptiles, including 40 frogs, making up 36% of known Philippine species. The research team used genetic and morphological analysis, international collaboration, and rigorous fieldwork to uncover the island's biodiversity hotspot.
Researchers studied a single-celled amoeba called Capsaspora owczarzaki and found it uses the same protein-regulating tools as multicellular animals to control cell differentiation over time. This suggests that the single-celled ancestor of all animals likely possessed these systems and was more complex than previously thought.
Research by University of Toronto scientists found that adult ruby-throated hummingbirds choose to balloon up in weight before flying south for the winter. They discovered that individual hummingbirds make decisions based on experience, with some fatten up to gain an advantage over rivals and establish territories quickly.
Researchers documented the killing of millions of animals in Brazil's Amazon Basin for their hides following the collapse of the Rubber Boom. Despite this, most land-based species appear to have survived the carnage, while aquatic species were more severely impacted.
Researchers found that a single white-browed coucal parent can successfully raise its brood, unlike black coucals which form pairs and share parental duties. The study suggests that females only form pairs due to lack of opportunities to find additional male partners.
Researchers have identified a unique insect with characteristics from various insects but no known relatives. The 100-million-year-old wingless wasp, named Aptenoperissus burmanicus, belongs to the newly created family Aptenoperissidae within the order Hymenoptera.
Researchers discovered that naked mole-rats' unique TrkA receptors alter protein building blocks, reducing signal-relaying action and making them insensitive to thermal hyperalgesia. This finding may lead to new pain therapies by blocking NGF and TrkA interactions.
Scientists have discovered a new species of fossil crocodile that had complex, mammal-like teeth, which allowed it to crunch through the exoskeletons of insects. The tiny 'crocodile' was less than 2 feet in length and lived in the Kem Kem Beds in Morocco during the Cretaceous period.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine identified a protein that enables toxic alpha-synuclein aggregates to spread in the brain. A treatment strategy blocking this protein's action may slow Parkinson's disease progression, as antibodies already in clinical trials for cancer therapy show protective effects.
Researchers develop novel technique that combines fluorescent dyes and human skin cells to analyze toxic chemicals. The method provides high accuracy and could reduce the use of laboratory animals in biomedical research.