Articles tagged with Animal Research
Research by University of Exeter found that providing early life perches to young pheasants can improve their survival rates and fitness. This is because raised perches help develop essential survival characteristics such as stronger legs, better spatial awareness, and memory. As a result, more pheasants are likely to thrive in the wild.
Researchers found that pottery was used mainly for cooking marine and freshwater animal species, with little evidence of plant processing or deer cooking. This suggests cultural influences played a bigger role than expected in the widespread adoption of pottery.
Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology researchers compute larval dispersal to understand and protect vent species, such as crabs and shrimp. They estimate larvae can travel long distances using ocean models and deep-ocean profiling floats.
A new study by University of Florida researchers found that victorious ant colonies recruit members of losing colonies to help defend their territory. After analyzing DNA from nearly 800 ants, the team discovered that fighting changes the genetic makeup of victorious colonies, allowing them to form lasting truces with former foes.
Researchers observed striped hyenas joining grey wolf packs in the Negev desert, suggesting a mutually beneficial relationship. The unlikely alliance may have arisen from necessity, with hyenas utilizing their keen sense of smell and wolves leveraging their agility to tackle prey.
A new database provides critical information on the distribution of banded sea kraits, seven species that feed almost exclusively on eels. The venomous snakes' powerful toxin holds potential for developing treatments for cancer, neurological disorders, and heart disease.
In high-density populations, slow-exploring great tits have a higher chance of survival compared to fast-exploring individuals. However, the birds are unable to adapt their exploratory behavior to changing density, which may explain why selection favors a mix of personality types.
Vanderbilt researchers have identified a new antibody treatment for H7 avian flu with remarkable neutralizing potency, potentially offering short-term protection to people exposed or infected by the virus. The antibodies were isolated from human monoclonal antibodies generated in response to an experimental bird flu vaccine.
Researchers uncovered a group of retroviruses called ERV-Fc that affected 28 out of 50 modern mammal ancestors, spreading across every continent except Antarctica and Australia. The study also reveals patterns of evolutionary change and gene exchange between these viruses and other pathogens.
New research highlights the lack of study on threatened, non-charismatic Australian mammals such as fruit bats and tree rats. These species are crucial to ecosystem function but receive little recognition and funding.
Research reveals that male beetles demonstrating same-sex sexual behaviour establish a pecking order and display lower aggression levels compared to those who don't participate. Males receiving submissive roles show reduced courtship attempts and mating success.
A new study by the University of York investigates how commonly-prescribed pharmaceuticals like Prozac affect starlings when ingested through their natural prey. The research developed an in-vitro model to simulate a bird's digestive system, revealing that the drug behaves similarly in both birds and humans.
Scientists at Rutgers University-Newark discovered a small dragonfly species that migrates across vast distances, breeding with each other and creating a global gene pool. The dragonfly, Pantala flavescens, is estimated to have traveled over 4,400 miles, surpassing previously thought records of monarch butterflies.
Researchers have mapped whale calls to reveal species-specific feeding centers along Georges Bank, where humpback whales congregate in two main clusters and minke, fin, and blue whales set up territories in between. The team's results suggest predator and prey interactions are influenced by territorialism or foraging mechanisms.
Researchers found that dominant animals cannot stop subordinate breeding, leading to violent eviction events. Mass evictions result from high reproductive competition, often involving multiple females and males being kicked out of their family groups.
A study from the University of Otago suggests that low levels of chlorpyrifos in bees can lead to severe learning and memory deficits. Researchers found that even 'safe' doses of the pesticide affect odour-learning abilities and recall, potentially threatening bee survival.
Researchers found that black widow spiders' red hourglass markings are more visible to birds than to insects, helping them avoid detection by predators while still warning off potential prey. This study highlights the complex communication strategies used by animals to adapt to their environments and evade threats.
Researchers compared human male- and female-line genealogies with those of our closest animal relatives. Human 'Adam' is about 200,000 years old, while chimpanzee 'Adam' is over 1 million years old.
Researchers detect cryptochrome 1 in photoreceptors of dog-like carnivores and primates, hinting at a magnetic sense linked to the visual system. The molecule's presence suggests that these animals may use it to perceive the Earth's magnetic field.
Researchers discovered a gene in snails that determines shell twist direction, which may offer insights into human body asymmetry. The study found that the same gene affects left-right symmetry in other animals, including frogs.
Research finds that lymphatic vessels play a critical role in obesity development, with chyle leakage triggering weight gain and insulin resistance. Restoring lymphatic function reverses obesity in Prox1-haploinsufficient mice.
A new study found that differences in gene expression patterns in youth can predict longevity. Genes involved in energy production are less active, leading to longer lifespan. Researchers also discovered a potential link between mitochondrial function and longevity.
Scientists at the University of Michigan have developed a novel method to observe insulin production in the pancreas of living animals. The technique allows researchers to see how much insulin is present and respond to sugar levels in real-time, revealing surprising insights into pancreatic function.
A team of researchers from the University of York conducted a first-of-its-kind study on Zanzibar's formation and fauna extinction. The study, which analyzed mangrove sediments and animal remains, found that large mammals like zebras and buffalo disappeared after sea levels rose and coastal cultures inhabited the island.
Researchers tracked over 300 individual Sand Tiger sharks and found complex social networks with fission-fusion behavior, similar to mammals. The study sheds light on shark interactions in the open ocean and has implications for conservation efforts.
A new non-destructive technique using EPR oximetry measures oxygen levels in smaller 3D cell cultures, reducing oxygen concentration loss and enabling comparable results to native tissues.
A new study by the University of Florida found that shelter staff frequently misidentify dog breeds based on appearance, which can lead to negative outcomes for the dogs. The study evaluated DNA profiles and visual identification, finding limited agreement among staff members.
Researchers assembled largest mammalian phylogenomic dataset to test models of molecular evolution and confirm findings that Atlantogenata is the sister group to all other placentals. The study resolves the controversy over placental mammal family tree, revealing that Afrotheria and Xenarthra diverged from each other around 90 million ...
A team of researchers from China and CU Boulder confirms the existence of a massive, flightless bird called Gastornis that roamed the Arctic 53 million years ago. The fossil evidence includes a single toe bone found on Ellesmere Island, which was previously discussed but never closely examined.
Scientists at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health have developed tiny 'mini-brains' made up of human brain cells, which can be replicated on a large scale. These mini-brains can help study neurological diseases like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and autism, reducing the need for animal testing.
Researchers have developed a searchable database of 10,000 chemicals with available safety data, predicting the toxicity of similar untested substances. The 'chemical landscape' map allows for safer product development and reduces animal testing.
Researchers reconstructed what wasps see during learning flights, revealing how they monitor changing views and rely on familiar sights. The study sheds light on the insects' remarkable navigation abilities, which may inspire new approaches to robotics and ecological neuroscience.
New research documents high levels of algal toxins in Alaskan marine mammals, including whales, walruses, and sea otters. The study finds a major northward expansion of toxin-exposed areas along the Pacific Coast, with implications for human consumption.
Researchers found ichnites of temnospondyls, seymouriamorphs, captorhinids, and synapsids in the Manyanet Valley, providing insights into ancient tetrapod diversity. The study suggests climate changes influenced faunal distribution during the Permian Period.
Researchers found that more fossil bones have been lost in regions like the continental US and South America compared to Alaska and areas near the Bering Strait. This variation complicates population size estimates of extinct species across the Americas.
A recent research project by Bryan L. Stuart and colleagues found three distinct evolutionary lineages of Asian common toads, each with narrower geographical ranges and ecological niches, in mainland Southeast Asia, coastal Myanmar, and the Sundaic islands.
Biologists from Queen Mary University of London have discovered 40 new neuropeptide genes in the common European starfish, providing new insights into neural function evolution. The discovery includes a neuropeptide similar to kisspeptin, which triggers human puberty.
A recent study found that corn plants may prioritize defense against caterpillars over aphids, potentially making them more susceptible to aphid attacks. This metabolic trade-off could lead to the development of new corn varieties with naturally increased resistance to certain insects.
Researchers found that hormone AVP increases willingness to cooperate in humans, mimicking pair bonding in rodents. The study used a game to test the effect of AVP on cooperative behavior, with participants who received the hormone more likely to cooperate than those who did not.
Research published in The FASEB Journal found that prunetin, a plant-derived compound, prolongs lifespan and enhances overall health in male fruit flies by increasing glucose balance and fitness levels. The effect was not observed in female fruit flies.
Researchers designed a new compound HB36.6 to target the HA stem region of influenza viruses, offering broad-spectrum protection against different strains. The study found that HB36.6 provided better protection than Oseltamivir and showed synergy when combined with low-dose post-infection treatment.
Researchers in Madagascar found high levels of insecticide resistance in the flea vector for plague, with only one out of 12 insecticides effective across all populations. The study suggests that different geographical regions require different treatment approaches to effectively combat the spread of the disease.
Researchers discovered a unique trumpet-like nasal passage in ancient wildebeest-like animals (Rusingoryx atopocranion), similar to that of hadrosaur dinosaurs. The finding suggests that the animals may have used vocalizations to communicate over large distances, potentially making their calls safer from predators.
Researchers found that larger-bodied birds tend to stay longer at stopover sites during fall migration, but smaller-bodied birds migrate faster in autumn. The study suggests that physical characteristics such as body size and wing size play a significant role in determining migration performance.
A new study found that New Zealand's little penguin species is a recently introduced Australian invader, replacing the native species that was hunted by early human settlers and introduced predators. The Australian penguins arrived in Otago between 1500 and 1900 AD.
A new study by University of Michigan anthropologist Andrew Marshall highlights major gaps in research effort, with a disproportionate focus on charismatic great apes. This bias leads to crucial knowledge gaps in tropical protected areas and unrealistic assessments of threatened taxa.
New research suggests that ravens share human-like ability to think abstractly about other minds, attributed to mental states including vision. Ravens guarded food caches in response to auditory cues from unseen competitors, demonstrating a level of Theory of Mind previously unknown in non-human animals.
Research finds traditional agroforestry systems enhance endangered and vulnerable species diversity in Southeast Asian forests. Fruit gardens introduce native trees with fleshy fruits, increasing food resources for frugivorous animals.
A new study suggests that the American pika may survive and even thrive in some western US National Park Service areas due to cold boulder fields and connectivity among habitats. However, other parks face increased risk of extinction due to warming temperatures and loss of suitable habitat.
Millions of dollars have been spent on insecticides to kill bedbugs, but a new study shows that overuse has led to increased resistance. Researchers found that bedbugs in Michigan and Cincinnati were up to 33,333 times more resistant to certain chemicals than susceptible strains.
A new smartphone app has enabled vets to vaccinate 70% of the dog population in Ranchi, India, minimizing the risk of rabies transmission. The app tracks vaccinated and unvaccinated dogs, allowing for targeted vaccination efforts.
Adverse Outcome Pathways (AOPs) are a framework for improving chemical hazard assessment by prioritizing modern test methods that reduce animal use. Scientists can identify specific Key Events that lead to adverse outcomes, allowing them to choose the most needed tests.
New research on ancient rodent Paramys reveals its brain was larger than expected but smaller in the neocortex region. This suggests that brain evolution occurred differently in early rodents compared to primates, highlighting the limitations of using brain size as a measure of intelligence.
Researchers successfully reconstructed the internal structure of a compound eye from a predatory crustacean dating back 160 million years. This groundbreaking discovery reveals that soft tissue was preserved and provides new insights into the evolution of visual systems, challenging previous assumptions about fossil preservation.
Research shows Aegean wall lizards select rocks with colors matching their backs to reduce visibility to birds, boosting camouflage effectiveness. This behavioral defense is more evident on islands with higher bird species and in female lizards.
Researchers from University of California Riverside and San Diego State University discover a new daddy longlegs species, Cryptomaster behemoth, in the mountains of southwest Oregon. The discovery highlights the importance of short-range endemic arachnids for understanding biodiversity.
A new study found that over-hunting large mammals in Amazonian forests could lead to significant loss of above-ground carbon stock, potentially disrupting seed dispersal and long-term forest dynamics. The research suggests that protecting large vertebrate populations is crucial for maintaining ecosystem services.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge found that reed warblers employ a 'neighbourhood watch' system to detect and eject cuckoo eggs, taking into account both personal and social cues. By combining information from close surveillance and neighbourly mobbing, warblers can assess levels of risk and protect their nests.
Female gelada monkeys are more attracted to male vocal sequences containing acoustically elaborate calls, such as moans, wobbles, and yawns. These complex calls lead to females lingering longer and spending more time near the speaker.
A recent study reveals the discovery of five extinct rail species in Madeira and Azores, highlighting the fragile nature of island ecosystems. The species evolved flightlessness due to habitat changes caused by human arrival, leading to their extinction.