Rats use ultrasound to boost their sense of smell, suggests new study

You might not hear it, but rodents are known to speak to each other in voices so high-pitched that human ears can’t pick them up. Now scientists have found that these vocalizations might have a second purpose – they help them smell better.Continue Read… Continue reading Rats use ultrasound to boost their sense of smell, suggests new study

Fasting’s effects on stem cells linked to increased cancer risk

A new study from MIT has revealed the exact mechanism by which fasting causes intestinal stem cells to regenerate, which is one of the practice’s benefits. However, the study also showed a downside that needs to be considered when breaking a fast.Conti… Continue reading Fasting’s effects on stem cells linked to increased cancer risk

‘Super-humanized’ mice with 100% human immune systems are a big deal

For the first time, scientists have successfully created a type of mouse with a 100% functional human immune system and human-like gut microbiome. This ‘humanized’ mouse takes the guesswork out of medical research and has the potential to revolutionize… Continue reading ‘Super-humanized’ mice with 100% human immune systems are a big deal

ZeroMouse blocks home access to carcass-carrying kitties

RFID cat flaps are great for keeping unwelcome animals from wandering into your house, but they don’t stop your cat from bringing dead animals into said dwelling. The ZeroMouse was designed to address that shortcoming, by blocking access to cats that a… Continue reading ZeroMouse blocks home access to carcass-carrying kitties

Mice sleep 6 hours less via brain cell tweak, feel alert next day

Normally, staying awake for extended time periods leads to the need for extra sleep. But researchers have just found that activating astrocyte cells in mice caused the rodents to stay awake for six hours longer than usual, with no noticeable sleep debt… Continue reading Mice sleep 6 hours less via brain cell tweak, feel alert next day

Anti-aging benefits for old mice that surgically share blood with young

In a glimpse of what could become a future Black Mirror episode, scientists have hooked the circulatory systems of old mice to young mice, and found that it slows the aging process in the older animals and increases their lifespan by up to 10%.Continue… Continue reading Anti-aging benefits for old mice that surgically share blood with young

Ultrasound to the brain induces hibernation in mice – and maybe humans

There are times when hibernating would be useful, like surgery or space travel, and we’re getting closer to being able to do so on demand in humans. Scientists have now demonstrated a way to induce a hibernation-like state in mice and rats using non-in… Continue reading Ultrasound to the brain induces hibernation in mice – and maybe humans

To stop mice from eating seeds … make everything smell like seeds?

By digging up and eating sown wheat seeds, mice can have a huge impact on farmers’ crops. In an eco-friendly effort to stop the rodents from doing so, scientists are now using wheat germ oil to make entire fields smell appetizing.Continue ReadingCatego… Continue reading To stop mice from eating seeds … make everything smell like seeds?