Some nomadic birds look for social cues to stop migrating
Peer-Reviewed Publication
A study of nomadic pine siskins, a type of finch often seen on backyard feeders, found that when male migratory siskins were paired with a settled male bird in captivity, they started exhibiting signs of ending migration too. They stopped restless flying and lost body mass, fat stores and muscle size, compared to a control group placed in solo enclosures. The apparent reliance on social cues for the end of migration has implications for other nomadic animals as well.
Scientists and other experts are calling on governments to start including animal welfare in sustainable development governance now in order to work towards a healthier, more resilient, and more sustainable world for all.
The world’s only nocturnal hawk – Australia’s Letter-winged kite - may not be any better at seeing in the dark than its closest, day-hunting relatives. An international study, led by Flinders University’s Weisbecker Lab, has revealed that the rarely observed kite’s visual system is no different to that of its close relatives that are active during the day, challenging many decades of speculation that the Letter-winged Kite might be becoming more like an owl than a hawk.
Researchers at the University of Chicago’s Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering (PME) have discovered that the type of macrophages present in a person’s body might determine how likely they are to develop severe inflammation in response to COVID-19. Their study has been published in Nature Communications.
Atherosclerosis, a buildup of plaque, can lead to heart disease, artery disease, and chronic kidney disease and is traditionally treated by inserting and inflating a balloon to expand the artery. During the 182nd ASA Meeting, Rohit Singh, of the University of Kansas, will present a method that combines a low-power laser with ultrasound to remove arterial plaque safely and efficiently.
The National Guard Bureau has taken a bold step toward securing and enhancing Warfighter brain health, and ensuring cognitive combat readiness with the launch of a new initiative to measure, track and improve cognitive performance and psychological well-being. The Warfighter Brain Fitness program is a research protocol with almost 1,000 participants across the United States. In partnership with Applied Research Associates, Inc., the Center for BrainHealth® at The University of Texas at Dallas, Posit Science, and Cortical Metrics, the Warfighter Brain Fitness program will collect data to optimize the online delivery of scientifically validated cognitive training approaches to reserve and active-duty populations.
Researchers from McGill University have identified a form of chemical signaling in mice to defend their offspring. The researchers found that proximity to pregnant and lactating female mice increased stress hormones in males and even decreased their sensitivity to pain.