Articles tagged with Animal Research
A new study has found that inbreeding is not the primary cause of Colorado's declining bighorn sheep population. Genetic analysis suggests that high ram migration and gene flow between herds have maintained healthy levels of genetic variation, rescuing the population from a genetic bottleneck. However, other factors such as nutritional...
A multi-institutional research team discovered that early animals took their first breaths with only a slight increase in oxygen levels, contradicting the long-held theory of dramatic oxygen changes. This finding provides new insights into the evolution of complex life forms like whales and sharks.
Researchers found that stressed juvenile finches learn foraging skills exclusively from unrelated adult birds, ignoring their parents. This change may help avoid negative feedback loops and potentially more adaptive behaviors.
Researchers found that genetically distinct cells in pregnant mothers, known as microchimeric cells, promote reproductive health and prevent pregnancy complications like prematurity and stillbirth. These cells help the immune system recognize and accept non-inherited maternal antigens, suppressing an immune system attack on the fetus.
A team of researchers has discovered that abrupt warming events played a key role in the mass extinction of megafauna during the last ice age. The study found that rapid warming, not sudden cold snaps, was the cause of extinctions among species such as mammoths and giant sloths.
A study led by the Zoological Society of London found that harbour porpoises in European waters are struggling with reproductive failures, with almost 20% of females experiencing stillbirth or foetal death. PCB concentrations in UK porpoises were moderate despite being banned over 30 years ago.
Researchers used dynamical systems theory to understand the origins of plant and animal domestication. They found that changes in resource density, mobility, and population size brought societies closer to or further away from adopting food production. This insight may help explain why farming emerged in some places at different times.
Marine species with wide-latitude ranges and high adult mobility are extending their territories fastest in response to climate change. This study provides new insights into how different traits impact marine animals' ability to adapt to warmer oceans.
Researchers found that just ten diseases account for around 50% of all published knowledge on diseases at the wildlife-livestock interface. The study emphasizes the need for sustained investments in research to evaluate risks and improve responses to disease epidemics in animals and humans.
A new study found that marine species with wide-ranging habitats and high adult mobility are best able to adapt to warmer waters, with fish exhibiting the largest range shifts. Meanwhile, small-ranged species are in increased jeopardy as oceans continue to warm.
A new study reveals that marine species in Eastern Australia are responding quickly to climate warming, with swimming ability and large range sizes emerging as crucial factors. The findings have important implications for predicting how different species will respond to climate change and identifying those most at risk.
Researchers at Australian National University trained fairy wrens to recognize unfamiliar alarm calls and flee when threatened, demonstrating birds' ability to eavesdrop on other species. This breakthrough could aid in training captive animals to detect danger signals before release.
A new study finds polar bears experience limited energy savings in summer due to the ongoing loss of sea ice. Despite initial hopes that they could compensate for food deprivation through modified activity and metabolic rates, researchers found no evidence of such adaptations.
Mammals underwent rapid 'burst' of evolutionary change in the mid-Jurassic, producing characteristic body shapes that remained recognisable for tens of millions of years. This period of radical change produced up to 8 significant changes per million years, compared to 1-2 at the end of the Jurassic.
A UC Berkeley study found that mice who received cognitive training showed reduced preference for cocaine chambers, implying a protective effect on the brain's reward system. The results suggest that brief cognitive interventions may promote long-term resilience against drug-seeking behaviors.
Researchers tracked individual bees to study the effect of a low-dose gut parasite, nosema, on their behavior. Infected bees were found to be less efficient foragers, carrying less pollen and dying younger.
Researchers in Malaysia have discovered a method to identify black leopards by manipulating automatic cameras, allowing for population estimates and conservation efforts. The technique uses infrared flash to reveal complex patterns of spotting on the animals' coats.
Scientists have identified promising compounds that could treat depression in less than 24 hours while minimizing side effects. The compounds, called GABA-NAMs, target the brain's excitatory and inhibitory communication, restoring balance and relieving symptoms.
Researchers developed a clustering-based image segmentation approach for accurate elephant recognition in infrared images, achieving a 95% recognition rate. The algorithm could serve as the basis for detecting and preventing wild elephants from crossing forest borders and entering villages.
Researchers at Duke University have successfully established brain-to-brain networks in primates and rodents, allowing them to work together to complete simple tasks. The brain networks, or Brainets, enable animals to exchange sensory and motor information in real-time, controlling movement and even predicting weather patterns.
A new study reveals that giant pandas have evolved underactive thyroid glands and other energy-saving traits to afford a bamboo diet, with daily energy expenditure 38% of average for terrestrial mammals. This allows them to thrive on low-nutrient plants despite not having stomachs designed for such food.
A new study reveals that climate change is forcing North American and European bumblebee species to shrink their geographic ranges, with losses of up to 300 kilometers. The findings suggest that these pollinators may experience more rapid decline than other species due to warming temperatures.
Researchers at Ruhr-University Bochum have developed a method to quickly and reliably identify organisms in flowing waters using DNA barcodes. This approach sheds light on the quality of habitats and can be used to assess water quality, even when species abundance is uncertain.
Researchers have mapped dolphin brain circuitry for the first time, revealing multiple areas associated with auditory information. The study used diffusion tensor imaging on preserved dolphin brains and found neural pathways similar to those of bats.
Researchers have measured the immense airflows generated by breathing dolphins, finding they can inhale up to 33.4 l/s but exhale up to 137.6 l/s, surpassing terrestrial champion horses. The study reveals the dolphins' lungs are compressible and highly efficient.
A new study reveals that a mother's fat-rich diet during pregnancy increases her offspring's risk of combined alcohol and nicotine abuse in adolescence. The research found that rats exposed to a high-fat diet in utero were more likely to develop a greater vulnerability to excessive drug-seeking behavior.
A blood-borne molecule called beta-2 microglobulin increases with age and blocks brain cell regeneration, leading to cognitive decline. Administering the molecule to young mice reverses this effect, suggesting a potential therapeutic target for age-related cognitive diseases.
New research reconstructs beetle family tree, showing diversification over nearly 300 million years. The success of beetles attributed to low extinction rates and interactions with plants, fungi, and microorganisms.
A new DNA sequencing method allows for efficient tracking of wild bee populations, enabling conservationists to detect decline trends and test remedies. The 'bee soup' technique can quickly identify species diversity and abundance in a single sample, saving time and money compared to traditional methods.
A new Pew Research analysis finds that public attitudes on climate change and energy policy are strongly intertwined with political party affiliation and ideology. However, politics play a more modest role on views about biomedical science, food safety, and space.
A $1.35 million grant will fund research on predicting deadly avian flu outbreaks by understanding the influenza virus's transmission from birds to humans. The team, led by Lukas Tamm of the University of Virginia School of Medicine, aims to develop a new tool for predicting outbreak risk based on viral envelope changes.
Saber-toothed cat canines took years to grow and fully emerged later in life compared to living relatives. Researchers used a novel technique to calculate the eruption rates of their teeth.
New research on Smilodon fatalis reveals that the saber-toothed cat's permanent upper canines didn't fully develop until about three years of age. The growth rate was double that of an African lion's teeth, at 6 millimeters per month.
A single-celled marine plankton has evolved a tiny eye-like structure that resembles the complex eyes of humans and other animals. The ocellloid contains sub-cellular organelles similar to those found in multicellular eyes, potentially aiding prey detection through light shift detection.
A new study by NYU Langone Medical Center researchers found that multiple courses of commonly used antibiotics in children can have significant effects on their development. The study showed that antibiotic-exposed mice gained more weight and developed larger bones than untreated mice, while also disrupting the gut microbiome.
A new study from Indiana University found that female mice exposed to male pheromones gave birth to infants with greater mental ability. The research suggests that male pheromones may influence the nutritional environment following birth, resulting in changes to the brain that could extend to future generations.
Researchers found that male and female mice process pain using different cells, with female mice relying on T cells to sound the pain alarm. This discovery has far-reaching implications for developing targeted pain medications and highlights the need for more inclusive preclinical research.
Scientists at UC San Diego discovered that freshwater planarians are comparably sensitive to tested chemicals as zebrafish larvae and nematodes, but offer unique advantages such as studying genetically identical adult and developing animals. This could reduce the use of laboratory mammals in toxicology tests.
A study led by Duke University researchers found that parrots have distinct brain regions, called 'shells,' that are involved in vocal learning and may contribute to their ability to imitate human speech. The study also suggests that the shells may be responsible for the species' exceptional vocal mimicry abilities.
A group of eight passengers who experienced a terrifying plane scare in 2001 had their brains scanned while recalling the event to study trauma memories. The study found that the passengers showed a remarkably similar pattern of heightened brain activity when recalling both the Air Transat incident and the 9/11 terrorist attacks, sugge...
Scientists at Johns Hopkins Medicine report a breakthrough in treating atherosclerosis by loading nanoparticles with a chemical that restores normal fat metabolism in rodents. The nanoparticle 'wrapper' improves the drug's potency and ability to stop fatty buildup, offering new hope for treating cardiovascular disease.
A study at Oregon State University found that high-fat and high-sugar diets cause changes in gut bacteria related to cognitive function decline. The research suggests a link between the Western diet and alteration of the microbiome, affecting mental and physical function.
Scientists used genetic analysis of otter droppings, known as spraint, to estimate the size of the population. They found around 20 otters living in a 35-square-kilometer area, with numbers fluctuating depending on pond yields.
A new study reveals that captive black rhinos are at high risk for inflammation and insulin resistance, conditions commonly seen in humans. The finding suggests that the animals' diets, which often consist of high-quality food, may be too rich, contributing to these health problems.
Researchers at Penn Vet used blood plasma and serum in glucometers for more accurate measurements than whole blood, finding results closely aligned with a gold standard machine. This simpler method may soon be adopted for human patients relying on glucometers.
Scientists at UC Riverside identified a safe and affordable repellent, butyl anthranilate (BA), to protect fruits from the spotted wing Drosophila insect. Lab experiments showed BA effectively warded off the insect from blueberries, reducing fruit damage during ripening.
Researchers have demonstrated a new technique to non-invasively survey tigers using their scent sprays, which can be detected more frequently than traditional scat. This method shows promise for genetic monitoring of tiger populations and could increase the power of conservation surveys.
A team of researchers used GPS technology to track the movements of wild olive baboons, finding that certain individuals act as initiators and pull followers in a particular direction. The study suggests that shared, democratic decision-making is widespread even among species with highly stratified social hierarchies.
Wild kangaroos show a consistent preference for using their left hands for actions like grooming and picking leaves. The finding expands our understanding of handedness in animals and may offer insights into neuropsychiatric conditions such as schizophrenia and autism.
Researchers find striking similarities between snake fungal disease and white-nose syndrome in bats, both persisting across habitats and infecting multiple species. The snake fungus, Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola, is highly virulent and can spread through pet trade and animal release.
Researchers at UB investigated how humans and birds process overlapping sounds, discovering that timing and complexity play crucial roles in sound segregation. Their studies used both humans and budgerigars, showing similarities between species in processing auditory objects.
Advances in acoustic and satellite technologies are allowing researchers to track animals large and small across great distances. The paper highlights breakthroughs and discoveries brought about by hi-tech telemetry, enabling the day-to-day management of living marine resources.
A recent study by University of Warwick researchers found that animals capable of mentally simulating environments require a primitive sense of self. This suggests that self-awareness is likely common among animals and not exclusive to humans.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have developed a new type of gripper that mimics the gecko's ability to grip and release surfaces. The gripper uses a composite structure with a hard plastic core and softer silicone rubber shell, allowing for tunable adhesion.
A new study reveals that the Arctic Ocean is rapidly becoming more corrosive to marine species, with surface waters of the Chukchi and Beaufort seas reaching levels of acidity that threaten shell-building animals by 2030. The Bering Sea is expected to reach this level of acidity by 2044.
A new era in animal tracking is underway, with advancements in GPS tags and satellite technology allowing scientists to track animals in real-time. Researchers can now analyze health data, energy use, and brain waves, providing insights into complex interactions among animals.
Researchers apply insect vision principles to develop an 'active vision' system, which locks onto the background and lets the target move against it. This bio-inspired algorithm performs robustly, running up to 20 times faster than state-of-the-art engineering algorithms.
Research from Inserm found a significant association between increased urinary levels of pyrethroid metabolites and decreased verbal comprehension and working memory in six-year-old children. The study suggests potential neurotoxic effects of pyrethroids on child development.
A comprehensive biological study refutes a long-standing geological fact, showing plants and animals migrated between North and South America nearly 30 million years ago. This new information changes our understanding of biodiversity and climate, both at regional and global levels.
Researchers found that hierarchical social structures, where individuals follow a single leader with rapid information passing down the 'chain of command', enable pigeon flocks to navigate accurately. This allows for better decision-making even when individual birds make navigation errors.