Excess Weight Alters Results of Blood Tests in Kids
Even in children and teens, obesity has been linked to major health problems, such as diabetes and heart disease. But the effects of extra weight may show up in some tests before disease develops. Weight can affect results of routine blood tests in kids, new data show. And those results might highlight kids at risk of developing disease.
Read the whole story at Science News for Students: Excess Weight Alters Results of Blood Tests in Kids and Teens.
Cow Talk
According to new research, cows talk to one another, expressing their emotions, both positive and negative, through individualized voices. The researchers say the findings have implications for farmers and animal welfare.
Read more at my Animal Minds blog: How Cows Express Emotions.
Can Animals Predict Earthquakes?
There have been reports of abnormal animal behavior prior to earthquakes since ancient times. Now, new research finds evidence that animals collectively react to earthquakes before they happen.
Read my latest Animal Minds post: Can Animals Predict Earthquakes?
Birds Hiss Like Snakes to Protect Nests
Certain cavity-nesting birds emit a surprising hiss-like vocalization to deter predators and repel competitors from trying to occupy the same nesting cavity. It’s been hypothesized that that this hiss mimics a snake hiss – but is it a case of mimicry or evidence of widespread fear of hisses?
Read my latest Animal Minds post: Birds Hiss Like Snakes to Protect Nests.
Why are Some Wild Cats Black?
Black coloring is common in cats, from domestic kitties to leopards and jaguars. The persistence of this genetic trait in wild populations suggests it confers some advantage. But new research indicates it’s more of an evolutionary balancing act.
The occurrence of black coloring, also known as melanism, arises from a genetic mutation that regulates the production of the pigment melanin. These melanistic cats are the same species as their lighter-coated counterparts; it’s similar to the difference between brunettes and blondes.
Melanism has been documented in 14 out of the 40 wild species of cats. Scientists have suggested that melanism could be associated with factors such as camouflage, thermoregulation, and habitat use. Now, new research points to another factor: visual communication with other cats.
Read my latest Nat Geo news story: Is Being a Black Panther Beneficial? It Depends.