Economics trump environment to save big cats, say ecologists
Rapid economic growth has pushed rare species of big carnivores to the brink of extinction, but ecologists have suggested our appetite to once again live alongside big cats is increasing. Read more
Cat locomotion could unlock better human spinal cord injury treatment
Cats always land on their feet, but what makes them so agile? Their unique sense of balance has more in common with humans than it may appear. Researchers are studying cat locomotion to better understand how the spinal cord works to help humans with partial spinal cord damage walk and maintain balan Read more
A deep red, cranberry-tinted lipstick that's also antimicrobial
Lipstick can be a confidence booster, enhance a costume and keep lips from chapping. But sharing a tube with a friend or family member can also spread infections. To develop a version with antimicrobial properties, researchers have added cranberry extract to the formulation. Their deep red cream qui Read more
Smilodon's sabre teeth
Researchers have tested the biting efficiency of Smilodon, an extinct species of carnivore close to the extant felines. Using high-precision 3D scans and simulation methods, the team has just revealed how these animals managed to bite despite the impressive length of their teeth. Read more
Parasite may create risk-taking wolves in Yellowstone
New research suggests that a common parasite associated with cats turns Yellowstone National Park wolves into risk takers, who when infected are much more likely to disperse across the landscape and become pack leaders. Read more
Feline genetics help pinpoint first-ever domestication of cats
Nearly 10,000 years ago, humans settling in the Fertile Crescent, the areas of the Middle East surrounding the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, made the first switch from hunter-gatherers to farmers. They developed close bonds with the rodent-eating cats that conveniently served as ancient pest-control Read more
Cheetah marking trees are hotspots for communication also for other species
Marking trees are important hotspots of communication for cheetahs: Here they exchange information with and about other cheetahs via scent marks, urine and scats. A team has now shown that several mammalian species on farmland in Namibia maintain a network for intra- and interspecific communication Read more
Keep your cats inside for the sake of their health and the surrounding environment
New research concludes that by letting their cats outdoors, humans in Washington D.C. are placing cats at high risk for catching and transmitting disease, and are driving a reduction in native animal populations and overall ecosystem health. Read more
Smartphones are reservoirs of allergens according to new research
A new study showed elevated levels of cat and dog allergens, as well as BDG and endotoxin on simulated phone models. Read more
Fearful cats also express other problematic behavior: Socialization important already at early stages of life
Researchers have discovered a number of mutual connections between feline fearfulness, aggression and excessive grooming. Identifying such connections can provide means for preventing problematic behavior. Read more
Identity theft the secret of the cat parasite's success
The parasite Toxoplasma is carried by a large portion of the global human population. Now a study shows how this microscopic parasite so successfully spreads in the body, for example to the brain. The parasite infects immune cells and hijacks their identity. Read more
Ancient viral DNA in human genome guards against infections
Viral DNA in human genomes, embedded there from ancient infections, serve as antivirals that protect human cells against certain present-day viruses, according to new research. Read more
Cats distinguish between speech directed at them and humans, study finds
A small study has found that cats may change their behavior when they hear their owner's voice talking in a tone directed to them, the cats, but not when hearing the voice of a stranger or their owner's voice directed at another person. Read more
After 2018 'Woolsey wildfire,' Los Angeles' mountain lions are taking more risks
Los Angeles is known for its movie stars and beaches. It's also known for being one of only two megacities in the world that supports a population of big cats. Despite being surrounded by a vast network of busy freeways and over ten million people, mountain lions have somehow managed to eke out Read more
Infection research: Antibodies prevent cell infection
Using bacteria of the Bartonella henselae species, researchers have demonstrated that antibodies can prevent certain surface proteins of bacterial pathogens from entering host cells. The findings are important for the development of new drugs against highly resistant infectious agents. Read more
Scientists illuminate how virus attacks cat kidney, could jump to humans
Virologists have reverse-engineered an elusive virus linked to chronic kidney disease in cats and described its mechanism of infection, outlining the zoonotic potential of RNA viruses in the post-measles era. Read more
Can cats and coyote co-exist?
As urban environments continue to encroach on natural habitats, instances of human-wildlife conflict tend to increase. While some animals avoid human contact at all costs, other species thrive in urban habitats. Read more
