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Clown anemonefish seem to be counting bars and laying down the law

Researchers observed that clown anemonefish colonies display the most aggressive behavior towards fish with three bars like themselves. The fish also recognize different anemonefish species based on the number of vertical white bars, leading to strict social hierarchies and upholding dominance.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalJournal of Experimental Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 1, 2024

Does spaceflight increase men’s risk of erectile dysfunction?

Research published in The FASEB Journal suggests that spaceflight can negatively affect vascular tissues, increasing the risk of erectile dysfunction. Treatment with antioxidants may help counter some effects. Functional improvements after targeted interventions suggest that erectile dysfunction may be treatable.

SourceWiley·JournalThe FASEB Journal·DateNov 22, 2023

Halting a malformation of the heart

A team of scientists has identified the molecular switches involved in halting heart malformations, which could lead to new treatments for tetralogy of Fallot. By targeting the BBLN protein, they aim to prevent defects in four critical areas of the heart.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Cardiovascular Research·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 22, 2023

New study points to new possibilities for treating lung cancer patients

Researchers discovered that the short-chain fatty acid propionate can reduce metastases in mice with experimental lung cancer. The substance also increases the effectiveness of Cisplatin, a commonly used drug for lung cancer patients. Funding is now sought to identify patients who may benefit from propionate treatment.

SourceUniversity of Southern Denmark·JournalEMBO Molecular Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 9, 2023

Nauseous territory: outfoxing predators using baits that make them barf

A team of international researchers have successfully conditioned red foxes to avoid native prey by associating it with nauseous chemicals. The study, published in Conservation Science and Practice, used levamisole to induce nausea and vomiting in the predators. By hiding the taste and smell of the chemical, the researchers were able t...

SourceUniversity of South Australia·JournalConservation Science and Practice·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 16, 2023

Nematodes joy ride across electric voltages

Researchers found that nematode worm larvae can leap through the air and attach themselves to passing insects when exposed to certain electric fields. They observed dauer larvae consistently moving towards the lid of a petri dish, some reaching it in a fraction of a second.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalCurrent Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 9, 2023

Human senescent fibroblasts cause lung fibrosis in mice

Researchers found that human senescent fibroblasts trigger progressive lung fibrosis in immunodeficient mice by inducing paracrine senescence and pro-fibrotic activities. The study also suggests that senolytic compounds like navitoclax can ameliorate lung fibrosis induced by senescent human fibroblasts.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalAging-US·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 31, 2023

Phyllodulcin could be a potential candidate for treating Alzheimer’s disease, find Sahmyook University researchers

Researchers from Sahmyook University found that phyllodulcin, a natural sweetener found in hydrangeas, can efficiently inhibit amyloid beta (Aβ) aggregation and dissociate its aggregates in an animal model study. The study suggests that phyllodulcin may be useful in delaying the onset and progression of Alzheimer's disease.

SourceSahmyook University·JournalBiomedicine & Pharmacotherapy·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 27, 2023

Orexin influences pupil size

Researchers at ETH Zurich discovered that orexin neurons directly influence emotional state through pupil size. This finding opens new avenues for medical treatment and diagnosis of sleep disorders like narcolepsy and other neurological conditions.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Neuroscience·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 11, 2023

Groundbreaking findings bring hope for faster and better recovery after stroke

Researchers have developed an effective treatment that accelerates recovery after stroke by modulating astrocyte reactivity and cortical connectivity. The treatment, which involves administering a molecule called C3a in nasal drops, has shown positive results in mice with stroke, offering new hope for faster and better recovery.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 8, 2023

Discovery of neurons that recognize others

Researchers at the Institute for Basic Science have identified specific neurons in the hippocampus that allow us to recognize individual social counterparts and update their value through interactions. The dorsal CA1 region plays a crucial role in this process, enabling long-term memories of individuals to be formed.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 1, 2023

Insights into the evolution of the sense of fairness

Researchers have found that long-tailed macaques reject inferior rewards more frequently when provided by a human than an automatic feeder, indicating social disappointment. This behavioral pattern is consistent with frustration towards the experimenter's decision, rather than a comparison of rewards with conspecifics.

SourceDeutsches Primatenzentrum (DPZ)/German Primate Center·JournalRoyal Society Open Science·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 2, 2023

β-damascone: Aroma component of rose fragrance as a novel immunomodulator

Researchers from Tokyo University of Science discovered β-damascone, a natural aroma compound found in rose fragrance, modulates dendritic cell functions and reduces inflammatory cytokine production. The study showed β-damascone inhibits antigen-dependent activation and Th1 cell development, as well as ear inflammation in mice models.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalFrontiers in Nutrition·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 10, 2023

Statistics remove bias from debate about how well mouse models mimic human disease

A team of biostatisticians created a framework to evaluate the congruence and discordance of laboratory animals with specific human diseases. The tool removes bias from scientific interpretation of animal data for human conditions, revealing that some models mimic biological mechanisms well while others poorly.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 2, 2023

Why are male mice afraid of bananas?

Male mice exhibit increased stress hormones and decreased pain sensitivity when near pregnant or lactating females, which is linked to a specific olfactory signal. This finding has significant implications for improving experiment reliability and represents a breakthrough in mammalian social signaling.

SourceMcGill University·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 24, 2022

Ubiquitous nutrients suppress appetite and promote movement

A study published in Current Biology found that consuming non-essential amino acids can curb appetite and encourage physical activity in mice. This mechanism is thought to be rooted in evolutionary history, where eating these amino acids promoted the urge to seek out more nutrient-rich food sources.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalCurrent Biology·DateApr 20, 2022

Alas, poor Yorick! I knew him...

Researchers at Kyoto University found that chimpanzees exhibit a preference for faces and skulls of their own species, similar to previous studies with African elephants. This suggests the presence of a face module in chimpanzee brains that detects and processes facial cues.

SourceKyoto University·JournalRoyal Society Open Science·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 6, 2022

Researchers from the GIST propose ultrasound stimulation as an effective therapy for Alzheimer's disease in new study

Researchers at GIST demonstrate that ultrasound pulses can reduce β-amyloid plaque concentration and tau protein levels in AD-model mice, suggesting a promising non-invasive therapeutic strategy. The treatment also improves brain connectivity without causing harm to brain tissue.

SourceGIST (Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology)·JournalTranslational Neurodegeneration·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 24, 2022