Animal behavior research and observation
Observing animal behavior is done in a wide variety of research areas, from fundamental neurosciences to wildlife behavior studies or farm animal welfare studies. Explore a range of diverse topics in animal behavior research. From social interactions to genetic influences, gain a comprehensive understanding of animal behavior in various contexts and in various species.
The bat - moth aerial battle in 3D
Moths arrived first on the evolutionary stage; when much later on bats appeared with their sophisticated apparatus for echolocating prey, moths were forced to change or die.
Assessing motor deficits in mice following traumatic brain injury
Today Marcelle Cline and Donna Cross are so kind to share their insights on testing TBI mice with the CatWalk XT system.
4 Cool cow facts
The investigation of movement, activity, and behavior of animals in stables gives great insight. Read this blog to learn more about that, but also about cow behavior in paddocks.
How sleep heals the brain
We sleep a large portion of our lives. And now researchers have proven that it can heal the brain.
Does pesticide resistance make malaria mosquitoes “smarter”?
In one of my previous blog posts, I wrote about the success of insecticide treated bed nets in preventing malaria. In the past five years, mortality from malaria has dropped with 60%.
A new fish on the block: Japanese medaka in toxicology studies
We are all very familiar with zebrafish as a model species in neuroscience research. Today, let's talk about another fish, the Japanese medaka.
Bigger is not always better: hypothesis testing in sexual evolution
Sexual selection can lead to fascinating phenomena. We are all familiar with the fabulous color display of male peacocks to attract females. Less well known, but definitely not less interesting, are stalk-eyed flies.
A new approach in the battle against malaria
Bed nets treated with insecticide (ITNs) greatly decrease malaria illness and mortality. ITNs can decrease infant mortality from all causes by more than 20%.
How you can efficiently screen for plant resistance to aphids
Aphids are small insects that pierce plant leaves and suck out their contents. Although they inflict limited physical destruction to the plant, aphids commonly infect plants with viruses, which can destroy complete harvests.
Prof. Berry Spruijt says goodbye (but not really)
Prof. Dr. Berry M. Spruijt recently retired from his position at Utrecht University. I had the honor of attending the symposium that was organized to reflect on and celebrate his career.