Articles tagged with Animal Research
Scientists have made significant breakthroughs with pluripotent stem cell therapy in monkeys, producing new bone tissue and minimizing the risk of tumors. The study uses autologous iPSCs derived from individual monkeys' skin cells, eliminating the need for immune suppression drugs.
Researchers tested the hearing of seven Bristol Bay beluga whales, finding surprisingly little variation in their abilities. The study provides a baseline for the population's health and may inform conservation efforts and validate studies of hearing in captivity.
A recent study assembled a large dataset using ancient moa DNA and found convincing evidence that tinamous are closely related to extinct moas, leading to independent loss of flight. Morphological characters of ratites were mostly convergent, evolving independently as adaptations to a cursorial lifestyle.
Researchers at the Mount Sinai Hospital identified subtle changes in inhibitory signaling in the reward pathway, affecting how animals respond to drugs like cocaine. The study highlights sorting nexin 27 as a promising target for treating addiction and may lead to new therapeutic options.
Researchers at Northwestern University developed a new metric to measure energy consumption efficiency in animals of different sizes. Contrary to expectations, the study found that the gray whale and skipjack tuna are almost equally efficient, with the whale's higher fuel consumption being an unavoidable consequence of physics.
Researchers discovered that squid with increased vigilance after injury outlive their less vigilant counterparts due to enhanced predator avoidance. This finding challenges conventional views on pain and sensitization mechanisms.
Researchers have developed an implantable device that successfully reduced blood pressure in rats by 40% without major side effects. The device targets the vagal nerve to stimulate baroreceptors, controlling short-term blood pressure fluctuations.
A genomic investigation by University of British Columbia researchers has revealed that a lethal parasite infecting a wide range of insects originated from pond scum. The parasite, Helicosporidium, has shed its green past on its evolutionary journey, losing almost all its genes except those required for photosynthesis.
Researchers have identified a new order of marine creatures among sea anemones, revealing a giant species that is actually an imposter. The study, published in PLOS ONE, presents the first tree of life for sea anemones and reshapes scientists' understanding of these poorly understood animals.
A sunken shipping container off the California coast is home to unique and diverse deep-sea animal communities. Researchers discovered differences in animal populations compared to surrounding areas, including increased abundance of certain species like Neptunea snails and rockfish.
A study published in mBio found an unusual avian influenza virus in Adçie penguins from Antarctica, which is distinct from other circulating flu viruses. The virus was detected in adult and chick samples, and its genetic material showed high similarity to North American avian lineage viruses from the 1960s-80s.
A simple bird scaring line, costing $200, can significantly reduce seabird mortality rates, particularly for albatrosses. The study found a 95% reduction in albatross deaths and a 73-95% lower mortality rate with the introduction of bird scaring lines.
Scientists at Harvard's Wyss Institute have created a bone marrow-on-a-chip device that replicates the complex structure and function of living bone marrow. The device has passed initial tests, including a drug-testing capability that protected the engineered marrow from radiation.
Researchers uncover the growing concern of animal hoarding in Europe, characterized by poor animal care and neglect, with implications for mental health and public well-being. The study highlights the need for standardized intervention protocols and collaboration between sectors to address this issue.
The study found that older mice infused with young mouse plasma demonstrated improved learning and memory abilities, as well as increased production of substances essential for hippocampal function. This suggests that the brain may be able to recover from age-related impairments through the infusion of youth-given blood.
Scientists have discovered several new species of Sub-Saharan African Ensign wasps that exhibit transverse fore wing folding, a unique mechanism previously seen only in earwigs, cockroaches, and beetles. This discovery has potential applications in aerospace and bio-inspired technologies.
A team of researchers found a strong correlation between the number of insect species and the types of damage they cause to leaves in modern tropical forests. The study also compared these findings with fossil data from ancient settings, showing consistency in how insects have divided up their leaf resources over time.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University pinpoint a genetic regulator, p53 and MicroRNA34, as the cause of phocomelia syndrome in mice. The study provides new insights into the mechanisms of teratogens and may lead to better understanding of toxin-induced birth defects.
The EU seal product ban is supported by scientific evidence showing poor welfare outcomes for seals. The ban's implementation has been pending a WTO decision on whether it violates trade rules.
UC Riverside researchers created a method to classify different species of insects with up to 99% accuracy using inexpensive wireless bug sensors. The sensors track multiple insect flight behavior patterns and generate large amounts of data for classification algorithms.
Researchers at the University of Exeter found that burying beetle size depends on a combination of early life experiences and adult competition. Beetles with good nutrition as larvae had an advantage over those with poor nutrition, especially in high-competition contests.
Research reveals that urban river pollutants are suppressing the health and development of wild birds, with chicks from contaminated rivers showing signs of underweight and hormonal imbalance. The study highlights the importance of monitoring bird populations as indicators of environmental well-being and food-web contamination.
Researchers have found a complete, live infectious sample of MERS coronavirus in camels, suggesting the animals are a likely source of the outbreak. The study provides new evidence for camel-to-human transmission and highlights the need for further investigation into potential routes of exposure.
An international team of pain researchers found that male experimenters' scent, caused by pheromones secreted from armpits, can produce a stress response in mice and rats, making them less sensitive to pain. This discovery may contribute to the reliability of rodent research studies.
A recent study using nearly 600 animals across three dozen species found that those with bigger brains and more diverse diets outperformed others in self-control tests. The researchers suggest that brain wiring and dietary diversity may be key factors in explaining differences in animal intelligence.
Johns Hopkins researchers pinpoint the protein essential to the formation of the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), which coordinates sleep-wake cycles and other circadian rhythms. Disabling this protein in test animals led to disrupted SCN function, resulting in irregular sleep patterns and poor communication with the body's master clock.
Researchers found the bio-duck sound is made by Antarctic minke whales, which stay in ice-covered waters year-round or migrate to lower latitudes. The discovery helps improve understanding of the species' distribution, abundance, and behavior.
A study by Johns Hopkins Medicine found that rats exposed to high-energy particles simulating space radiation show lapses in attention and slower reaction times. The cognitive impairments are linked to protein changes in the brain and may be predicted by developing a biological marker for sensitivity to radiation's effects.
Researchers have identified two independent sex-determining genes, SRY and AMHY, that emerged around 180 million years ago in the common ancestor of mammals. These genes are responsible for testicular development and determine an individual's sex.
A new study of 36 species found that brain volume – not body size – is the key to self-restraint. Animals with varied diets showed superior cognitive powers, while those with larger brains were more likely to inhibit counter-productive behavior.
Scientists at Johns Hopkins Medicine have found a way to block abnormal cholesterol production, transport and breakdown, preventing the development of atherosclerosis in mice and rabbits. The treatment, using an existing compound called D-PDMP, successfully prevented the formation of fatty plaque and calcium deposits inside blood vessels.
Researchers found that morning and evening oscillators in fruit flies rely on neural cooperation to follow the sun. Without this cooperation, circadian clocks are useless or even harmful. The study's findings suggest a more complex role for light detection in regulating circadian behavior.
Researchers will study diverse structures from plants and animals like mantis shrimp, toucan, and bamboo to develop strong, lightweight materials.
Ring-tailed lemurs can match scents with sounds from the same female, indicating a stronger response when both cues are present. This ability may aid lemurs in detecting nearby individuals, as scents can linger after the animal has left the area.
Researchers used advanced dating techniques to analyze remains from three caves in Spain, Girona, Gipuzkoa, and Asturias. The findings suggest that Neanderthals and Cro-magnons did not coexist on the Iberian Peninsula, contradicting previous theories.
The study identifies the world's top 50 most evolutionarily distinct bird species, including the South American oilbird and the Christmas Island frigatebird. These species have unique genetic characteristics that make them crucial for preserving the tree of life.
A worldwide review of studies on animal interventions in healthcare settings for children found a major gap in scientific knowledge. Despite theories emerging since the 1960s, research has been limited, leaving many questions unanswered.
A new approach to estimate seabird populations uses sound recordings to monitor colony size. Researchers set up recorders on remote islands in the North Atlantic and developed an algorithm to automatically count seabird calls, resulting in a more accurate population estimate.
Research found that security barriers restrict native species' territory but do not necessarily limit human migration in affected areas. Camera trap data showed increased detection of puma and coati in areas without barriers.
Research reveals that introducing new information during sleep weakens memory accuracy, making it harder to distinguish between familiar and novel odors. The study highlights the brain's repair mechanisms during sleep, which can impact memory strength and accuracy.
A new analysis finds that research on diseases of the poor is disproportionately underfunded, exacerbating global health disparities. The study suggests that boosting scientific research within poorer countries could help close this gap and increase studies on underserved diseases.
The oldest European zoological journal, Zoosystematics and Evolution, has combined tradition with innovation by joining Pensoft Publishers. The new platform offers a novel, semantically enriched format while maintaining traditional PDF and print versions.
Researchers have developed a simple, 3D laboratory method to test asthma and allergy medications that mimics what happens in the human body. This new approach has the potential to reduce animal testing and improve the development of respiratory drugs.
A study found that Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees (IACUCs) at leading US institutions are dominated by animal researchers, with only 10% of members being non-scientist public representatives. This bias may contribute to deficiencies in the IACUC oversight system and marginalize input from public members.
Using lead ammunition in shooting sports poses a significant environmental risk, with thousands of tonnes of lead released annually. Replacing it with steel-based ammunition could mitigate this issue and reduce the impact on wildlife.
The Jamaican iguana population has grown to over 200 individuals due to conservation efforts. However, a recent proposal to develop the Hellshire Hills area poses a significant threat to the species' survival.
Research by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory finds that early-life chronic stress can cause anxiety, depression, and decreased social interaction in adulthood. In contrast, young mice subjected to social defeat stress showed resilience, but still experienced increased aggression as adults.
Researchers found that giant pandas possess functional sweet taste receptors and show a strong preference for natural sweeteners. The study used behavioral and molecular genetic studies to investigate the giant panda's taste preferences and diet selection.
Researchers discovered that alligators use air-filled channels in their ear canal to amplify pressure differences, allowing them to pinpoint the source of sounds. This mechanism is similar to birds' interaural canals and may be an evolutionary adaptation from dinosaur ancestors.
Scientists have developed a liver organ construct that responds to toxins like real human livers, paving the way for more accurate drug screening. The project aims to create interconnected human organ constructs using a miniaturized platform, potentially reducing costs and increasing efficiency in toxicology testing.
A recent study by University of Toronto researchers found that kids' books with anthropomorphized animals lead to less factual learning and misattribution of human behaviors in children. Using realistic animal portrayals can promote more accurate biological understanding.
A new non-animal skin sensitization method using a human-derived skin model has been validated to correctly identify chemicals causing allergic responses in humans. The method, SenCeeTox, uses a three-dimensional model that accurately replicates normal human skin, reducing the need for animal testing.
A team of researchers from the University of Akron has made a groundbreaking discovery by identifying the missing hormone leptin in birds. Leptin plays a crucial role in regulating body fat storage, metabolism, and appetite, but its presence was unknown in avian species until now.
Professor Thomas Korff's work reduces experimental animals and promotes human umbilical cord cells to mimic vessel walls. His methods decrease animal distress and costs, while improving research results.
Researchers discovered horn-like structures on milkweed pollinia sacs, believed to prevent entanglement with rival plant pollinia. These findings suggest that physical contact can influence mating success and promote the evolution of defensive and attack weaponry in plants.
Scientists have developed 'chemosynthetic livers' that can mimic human metabolism, allowing researchers to test drug safety and interactions without animal testing. The technology has already demonstrated accurate results with over 50 pharmaceutical compounds.
Researchers have developed a new method to produce biodiesel from animal fats, including those from alligators, with minimal waste. The process uses supercritical methanol and eliminates the need for catalysts or solid waste byproducts.
Researchers at UNSW Australia propose that very low nutrient diets may extend lifespan in laboratory animals by increasing cellular recycling and repair mechanisms. This effect could potentially lead to longer, healthier lives for humans through a better understanding of these cellular recycling mechanisms.
The University of Plymouth is developing a new technique using 'virtual fish' cells to study the toxicity and concentration of man-made chemicals. This method has the potential to significantly reduce the number of live animals required for scientific research, with promising results already shown in previous studies.
Researchers Matthew Campbell and Frans de Waal found chimpanzees display contagious yawning to familiar and unfamiliar humans, but not to unfamiliar chimpanzees or gelada baboons. This flexibility in empathy may help explain how humans choose to engage with others and offer flexibility.