What fat cats on a diet may tell us about obesity in humans
Pet cats may be excellent animal models for the study of obesity origins and treatment in humans, a new study of feline gut microbes suggests -- and both species would likely get healthier in the research process, scientists say. Read more
A new addition to the CRISPR toolbox: Teaching the gene scissors to detect RNA
CRISPR-Cas systems, defense systems in bacteria, have become a plentiful source of technologies for molecular diagnostics. Researchers have now expanded this extensive toolbox further. Their novel method, called PUMA, enables the detection of RNA with Cas12 nucleases, which naturally target DNA. PUM Read more
Urban seagulls still prefer seafood
Seagull chicks raised on an 'urban' diet still prefer seafood. Read more
Lion with nine lives breaks record with longest swim in predator-infested waters
A record-breaking swim by two lion brothers across a predator-infested African river has been documented in a new study. The researchers say the 1km swim is another example of iconic wildlife species having to make tough decisions to find homes and mates in a human-dominated world. Read more
Researchers discover 'trojan horse' virus hiding in human parasite
An international team has found a new RNA virus that they believe is hitching a ride with a common human parasite. The virus is associated with severe inflammation in humans infected with the parasite Toxoplasma gondii, leading the team to hypothesize that it exacerbates toxoplasmosis disease. Read more
'Ugly' fossil places extinct saber-toothed cat on Texas coast
This fossil looks like a lumpy, rounded rock with a couple of exposed teeth that are a little worse for wear, having been submerged and tumbled along the floor of the Gulf of Mexico for thousands of years before washing up on a beach. But when it was X-rayed a doctoral student saw there was more to Read more
Genes provide hope for the survival of Arabia's last big cat
The release of captive bred animals carefully selected for their genes can make a significant contribution to the successful recovery of the dwindling wild population and avert the prospect of extinction. Despite revealing extremely low levels of genetic diversity in the wild leopard population in O Read more
How did sabre-toothed tigers acquire their long upper canine teeth?
In a groundbreaking study an international team of scientists has investigated the evolutionary patterns behind the development of sabre teeth, with some unexpected results along the way. Read more
Cats purrfectly demonstrate what it takes to trust robots
Would you trust a robot to look after your cat? New research suggests it takes more than a carefully designed robot to care for your cat, the environment in which they operate is also vital, as well as human interaction. Read more
The double-fanged adolescence of saber-toothed cats
How did North America's saber-toothed cats hunt without breaking their unwieldy saber-like canines, which are vulnerable to sideways bending stresses? A paleontologist provides mechanical evidence that during adolescence, when young cats were learning to hunt, their baby teeth remained in place Read more
Dog attacks on mountain tapirs highlight a growing threat to endangered wildlife
Researchers who captured footage of dog attacks on endangered mountain tapirs in Colombia are calling for action to protect threatened wildlife. Read more
Canada lynx historic range in US likely wider than previously thought
A broader past could mean a brighter future for Canada lynx in the U.S., according to recent research. The study indicates that lynx might do well in the future in parts of Utah, central Idaho and the Yellowstone National Park region, even considering climate change and the lack of lynx in those are Read more
Meow or rooaaar: Exotic cats' ability to recognize familiar caregivers' voices
Biologists present compelling evidence that exotic cats possess the remarkable ability to discriminate between familiar and unfamiliar human voices. Read more
A tiny tattoo for a tabby
Researchers have developed an alternative labeling method called 'bio-tagging', which is a microneedle array system that can safely deliver ink in the form of unique number or letter sequences for the identification of animals, which can be used for pets or livestock. This method may be us Read more
Strong connections found between vaccine hesitancy and support for vaccinating pets
Study findings raise the stakes for public health efforts to improve attitudes about vaccination rates across the board. Read more
Scientist discovers potential brain link between stress, emotional eating
Scientists describe how they identified a molecule that may trigger over-consumption of comfort foods after a threatening event. Read more
More than meows: How bacteria help cats communicate
Many mammals, from domestic cats and dogs to giant pandas, use scent to communicate with each other. A new study shows how domestic cats send signals to each other using odors derived from families of bacteria living in their anal glands. Read more
