Articles tagged with Animal Research
Dr. Michael Gordon's research focuses on understanding neural circuits that drive taste responses and feeding preferences in fruit flies. His studies have shown that food preference can be viewed as a changing metric based on initial taste, experience, and physiological condition.
Recent studies show that bird populations are declining in Fukushima, with dramatic decreases in species and numbers, despite a decrease in background radiation levels. The research suggests that exposure to radiation is causing toxic effects, leading to impaired DNA repair capabilities in migratory birds.
Researchers have created a comprehensive family tree of living and extinct baleen whales stretching back nearly 40 million years. The study estimates that there were over 70 species, with many lineages branching out into unique body shapes and feeding strategies before extinction occurred between 30-23 million years ago.
Researchers found that papain breaks down skin cell connections, leading to increased skin permeability and inflammation. The enzyme can still trigger allergic reactions even when its enzymatic function is blocked.
A new study has discovered that mighty mosasaurs, which could grow up to 50 feet long, likely gave birth to their young in the open ocean, not on or near shore. This groundbreaking finding answers a long-held question about the initial environment of this iconic predator.
A new study by ETH Zurich researchers has identified a critical link between oxidative stress and the immune system's ability to fight off viruses. Vitamin E was shown to be effective in protecting T cells from cell death caused by oxidative stress, a breakthrough that could have implications for treating chronic infections.
Scientists at the University of Granada have confirmed Bergmann's rule for ectotherms, revealing that long-tailed lizards are larger and retain heat longer in high-altitude habitats. This study resolves decades-long debates on the mechanism behind the Bergmann clines, showing that larger animals indeed have slower cooling rates.
Researchers at TSRI have identified a molecule, lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), that triggers schizophrenia-like symptoms in animal models, including hyperactivity, anxiety, and altered brain structure. The study provides new tools for preventing or treating psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and autism.
Researchers attach microstimulator and geomagnetic compass to blind rat brains, allowing them to learn new navigation skills. The findings suggest that humans could also expand their senses through artificial sensors, restoring allocentric sense in blind individuals.
Research found oxygen-depleted conditions and hydrogen sulfide poisoning in the Panthalassic Ocean during the end-Triassic mass extinction. The study provides direct evidence of anoxic and euxinic conditions affecting food chains, highlighting the potential consequences of rising CO2 levels on marine ecosystems.
Researchers from PETA and PCRM review 50+ technologically advanced tobacco toxicology studies, finding non-animal methods to be quantitatively unreliable. They call for guidance from the FDA on in vitro test methods to reduce animal testing in support of tobacco product applications.
Researchers analyzed mouse songs using a new statistical tool, finding that males sing more complex songs when they smell a female's urine but don't see her. The songs' dynamics are influenced by social contexts and can be used to study vocal communication and disorders, including autism spectrum disorder.
Research found that 14 out of 17 popular pet food brands contained unspecified animal species, including cow, pig, and chicken DNA. The study highlights weaknesses in product labeling that could affect pets and their owners.
Researchers tracked tiny birds with tracking backpacks and found they flew directly over the Atlantic Ocean to reach their wintering grounds in South America. The birds took 2-3 days to complete the journey, storing up fat reserves to fuel their flight.
Researchers tracked 5 pandas for months using rare GPS collars, finding that they sometimes hang together and have complex social interactions. The data also revealed a panda's feeding strategy, showing that they return to core areas after being away for long periods of time.
The Tasmanian swift parrot is facing a severe population collapse, with its numbers projected to halve every four years. The research emphasizes the need for urgent protection measures to preserve the bird's forest habitat and prevent its potential extinction within 16 years.
A Louisiana State University chemistry professor has secured a grant to study the habits of the elusive three-toed amphiuma. The research aims to document the animal's life cycle and determine if they are territorial using radio transmitters, underwater cameras, and video recordings.
A new study mapped the spread of rabies in the Middle East, showing regular movement between countries and emphasizing the need for global collaboration to control the disease. International cooperation is crucial to increase awareness and implement effective control policies among key decision makers.
The Vanderbilt-Pittsburgh Resource for Predictive Toxicology aims to develop alternative approaches for toxicity testing, focusing on 3-D human cell cultures. The center will expose these cultures to a range of previously studied toxic chemicals to predict their effects on humans.
Researchers at Stanford University have created a robotic wing that can recover from mid-air collisions using a passive morphing mechanism inspired by bird wings. The mechanism allows the wing to fold and unfold without actuation, making it lighter and more reliable.
A novel sensor technology developed by Saarland University's experimental physicists can detect vibrations caused by intruders or drones approaching a fence. The system consists of a thin cable with magnetic field sensors that provide accurate location data and automatically identify false alarms.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University developed a modular robot that can replicate the sharp turns of real sidewinder rattlesnakes. By analyzing the snakes' complex motion, they discovered how to change the phase and amplitude of two wave motions to achieve exceptional maneuverability.
A newly discovered frog species, Pristimantis mutabilis, has the ability to change its skin texture in minutes to blend into its surroundings. The frogs were found in Ecuador's cloud forest and their shape-shifting capability challenges traditional methods of species identification.
A 10-year study on tiger DNA has provided new insights into the genetics of tigers, allowing for more effective conservation strategies. The research found that extinct subspecies are nearly identical to surviving ones, providing powerful tools for forensic identification and management.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University have discovered the first direct evidence of prehistoric humans using stone tools to butcher animal carcasses. The analysis of 500,000-year-old flint tools found at a site in Israel revealed signs of animal residue and use-wear patterns consistent with butchering activities.
Insects' wings may provide a gyroscopic function, helping them perform aerial acrobatics and maintain stability. Researchers developed a computational model of a flapping wing and discovered that the wing's twisting motion could stimulate sensors, similar to those in halteres.
A new study reveals that extinct South American ungulates are closely related to groups that also gave rise to horses and rhinos. The research uses fossil protein sequences to show that these animals are part of the Laurasiatheria group, which includes perissodactyls.
Scientists at Scripps Research Institute have developed a synthetic compound that prevents type 1 diabetes in animal models by suppressing immune cells. The study suggests Th17 cells play a key role in the disease and that using ROR-specific compounds may be an effective preventative therapy.
Researchers have developed spherical nucleic acids that can selectively trigger the immune response, potentially treating a range of diseases including psoriasis, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, lymphoma, bladder cancer, and prostate cancer. SNAs are nontoxic, potent, and efficiently deliver nucleic acids into cells via the endosome.
New research from the University of Warwick found that zoos and aquariums can increase respondents' understanding of biodiversity and conservation after a visit. The study involved 5,661 respondents at 26 zoos and aquariums worldwide, showing an increase in positive evidence of biodiversity understanding from pre-visit to post-visit.
A 360-million-year-old tetrapod's skull has been reconstructed using high-resolution X-ray CT scanning, revealing a more crocodile-like structure than previously thought. The study sheds new light on the anatomy and ecology of early tetrapods, including their feeding habits and adaptations for life on land.
Researchers developed PolySTAT, an injectable polymer that strengthens blood clots, reducing bleeding in battlefield injuries and traumatic accidents. The synthetic polymer outperforms natural clotting factors and has the potential to treat hemophilia and improve hemorrhaging treatments.
Researchers found Antarctic octopods have high levels of haemocyanin, a blue oxygen transport protein, in their blood. This adaptation helps them supply oxygen to tissues at sub-zero temperatures.
A UCSB ecologist examines how human disturbance affects landscape and wildlife, revealing links between conservation and human health. She finds that land-use change increases plague transmission by moving rodents closer to human habitats, while environmental conditions affect flea infestations.
A long-term study on house sparrows found that offspring of older parents produced fewer young. This transgenerational age effect was confirmed by researchers for the first time in free-living animals.
Researchers found that young tropical forests experienced significant declines in manakin survival during dry weather associated with El Niño events. In contrast, mature forests showed stable survival rates regardless of climatic shifts, suggesting a constant abundance of fruit resources.
Researchers discovered baby mantises deliberately create spin and harness it in mid-air to rotate their bodies for precise target landing. By controlling angular momentum, they achieve remarkable accuracy in a fraction of a second.
A recent study has found that mutations in the APC2 gene cause Sotos-like symptoms, including nervous system-related issues and abnormal brain structure. The research team also discovered that APC2 is a crucial downstream gene of the NSD1 gene, which is responsible for Sotos syndrome.
Researchers observed young praying mantises jumping to a target with precision and accuracy, rotating their bodies at 2.5 times per second. The insects' unique ability to maintain stability and control during flight has implications for the development of tiny robots.
A University of Adelaide research team has discovered that cadmium causes toxicity by disrupting the transport of essential metals like manganese and zinc into and out of cells. The study also sheds light on how disease-causing bacteria scavenge metals during infection, paving the way for new strategies to prevent cadmium poisoning.
A study found that below 43% forest cover, species loss becomes more rapid and widespread in the Amazon. Researchers recommend focusing on maintaining 50% forest cover over entire landscapes to prevent biodiversity loss.
A study by Stanford researchers reveals that animal functional diversity evolved at a slower pace than taxonomic diversity, with most new species emerging from variations on existing body plans. The research found that the current biodiversity crisis can be reversed, but recovery will take millions of years.
Scientists at USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology discovered a new hormone, MOTS-c, that restores insulin sensitivity and counteracts diet-induced and age-dependent insulin resistance. The hormone targets muscle tissue and suppresses weight gain and insulin resistance in mice fed a high-fat diet.
Researchers have developed an antibody called FcDART that provides 100% protection against the H5N1 influenza virus in ferrets and mice. This breakthrough could lead to the development of vaccines to match each flu virus and protect vulnerable populations.
A novel study published in Nature Genetics shows that mammals use more of the DNA inherited from their dads to develop and express genes. This discovery has significant implications for understanding complex diseases like type-2 diabetes, heart disease, and schizophrenia.
A team of scientists used barn owls and green anoles to study otoacoustic emissions (OAEs) and their biomechanical principles. They found that the emissions originate from similar principles despite anatomical differences, offering new insights into hearing loss in humans.
A new study finds that Republicans generally defer to science on most issues, with only four exceptions: global warming, evolution, gay adoption, and mandatory health insurance. The study reveals that Republicans are more likely to trust science than independents and Democrats across a range of policy areas.
The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America outlines guidelines for animal-assisted activities, service animals, and personal pet visitation in healthcare facilities. The recommendations aim to protect patients and healthcare providers from animal-to-human transmission and promote evidence-based practices.
Researchers at Yale University have discovered a protein found in ticks that can prevent frostbite in mice. The antifreeze protein, when introduced into mouse cells or whole live mice, showed significant protection against frostbite, with 60% of treated mice showing no visible signs of damage.
The study found a sharp rise in the use of mice and unregulated species in US laboratory research, contradicting industry claims and government efforts. The data highlights the need for greater transparency and efforts to curb animal use in scientific research.
Researchers found that a blend of phytochemicals, including resveratrol, genistein, and quercetin, may protect the liver against inflammation caused by fat accumulation. This could be a potential treatment for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, which affects many people, especially those who are overweight or obese.
A new study by PETA found a staggering 73% increase in the number of animals used in US laboratories between 1997 and 2012, despite industry claims of reduced animal use. Mice usage accounted for a 72.7% increase due to genetic modification experiments.
Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology found that animals and humans have similar lash lengths, which control airflow around the eye. The ideal ratio is one-third the eye width, reducing dust and increasing moisture retention.
The Georgetown Consensus Group recommends policies to increase female animal models and balance male/female cell use in preclinical studies. The NIH is urged to correct the over-reliance on male cells and animals, which obscures key sex differences.
A study by University of Oxford researchers exposes shortcomings in the 'index-calibration' method used in tiger and rare wildlife surveys. The team found that this approach can produce inaccurate results, especially with high uncertainty in detection rates. They suggest alternative methods to improve conservation efforts.
Researchers found that maize production creates a perfect storm for plague transmission, with rodents and fleas increasing the risk of human infection. The study highlights the need for caution in expanding agriculture across Africa to prevent similar risks.
A comprehensive study of marine animal body size evolution found that the mean size of animals increased 150-fold over the past 542 million years. The research suggests that larger body sizes are advantageous, leading to increased diversity and survival.
To make bovine TB vaccination viable, researchers recommend diagnostic tests must achieve high specificity to avoid increasing restrictions and financial burden. Achieving a specificity of greater than 99.85% is necessary to see benefits of vaccination.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge and Animal & Plant Health Agency highlight the importance of specificity in new diagnostic tests for bovine tuberculosis (bovine TB) vaccination. For vaccination to be economically viable, the number of false positives must be below 15 out of every 10,000 cattle tested.
Researchers discovered that C. difficile bacteria can wreak havoc on the gut within 24 hours of exposure, causing severe diarrhea and life-threatening disease. The study found that bile acids 'wake up' dormant spores, allowing them to grow into toxin-producing cells in the large intestine.