Category: Animals
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This Gene Mutation Seems to Make Mice Smarter
Mice with a genetic mutation in the gene called KCND2 showed improved cognitive flexibility. They were able to adapt faster to changing situations than mice without the mutation. The discovery was made by researchers at the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD). The findings were published in the journal Nature Communications. The…
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Smell of Hunger Prompts Rats to Give Food More Generously
Hungry rats can emit smells that prompt other rats to provide them with food assistance quicker. Researcher from the Universities of Bern in Switzerland and Potsdam in Germany made these findings. They showed that rats can use odor cues alone to determine how urgently to provide food assistance to other rats in need. The findings…
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Light Pollution and Traffic Noise Can Impact Wildlife
Experts in ecology and physiology are collaborating to understanding how light and noise pollution affects wildlife. These researchers from around the world, including Utah State University, University of Glasgow and VU Amsterdam University are defining “sensory danger zones,” or areas where sensory pollutants influences animal activity. Their work was published in the journal Nature Ecology…
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Keep Your Cats Indoors More, Else They May Destroy the Local Wildlife
House cats kill more prey, in a given area, than similar-sized wild predators, says a new study. In fact, house cats can adversely affect the local wildlife population, especially birds and small animals. The study was done by researchers from NC State University and the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences in collaboration with scientists…
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Unwanted Dog Behaviors Can Vary Greatly Between Breeds
All dogs can exhibit unwanted behaviors, as all dog owners know. However, the differences in frequency of these behaviors can vary greatly between breeds. Also, some of these unwanted behaviors can occur simultaneously. These were the findings from researchers at the University of Helsinki. The researchers analyzed the data in one of the world’s biggest…
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Whales Migrate Long Distances to Shed Their Skin, Say Scientists
Whales make some of the longest migrations in the world, often swimming thousands of miles, for many months to breed in tropical regions. Scientist really do not understand what drives their migration. It’s been suggested that killer whales migrate long distances to molt their skin. Is this true of all whales? In a paper published…
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‘Cat-Specific’ Music Can Soothe and Calm Cats
If you’re a cat owner, you understand how stressful it may be for your cat and yourself when visiting the vet. However, researchers have found that playing “cat-specific” music can help calm and relax your cat. The results were published in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery (JFMS). Music has been shown to have…