Animal Behavior Research blog posts

10 May
animal behavior research
Other (Animal)
Horse training methods: The importance of behavioral analysis
In equitation sciences, there are at least two training strategies: the ‘natural’ way of horsemanship that allows the horse to evaluate action and reaction and horsemanship that is based on ‘overruling’ of the animal.

03 May
animal behavior research
Gait and Locomotion
What gait can tell: 3 blogs that will help you understand
The usefulness of gait is well established in research on spinal cord injury, ataxia, and arthritis. But in fact, research on all disorders that influence gait in any way, can benefit from gait and footfall analysis.

19 Apr
animal behavior research
Other (Animal)
Brain waves and behavior: sleep to learn
To find out more about human and animal learning and memory, we might just have to go to sleep. Ahem – research on sleep, I mean.

12 Apr
animal behavior research
Social Behavior
How to find an animal model for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
We all show some form of compulsive behavior. I triple check to make sure I locked my car, knowing that it’s locked but still feeling the need. But what if compulsions, rituals, and repetition rule your everyday live?

02 Apr
animal behavior research
Autism Spectrum Disorders
Can a food preservative increase symptoms of autism?
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has a strong genetic component – a well-known fact. However, recent studies suggest that environmental factors, such as dietary ingredients, can cause exacerbation of the symptoms.

26 Mar
animal behavior research
Other (Animal)
Walking in circles - the exploratory activity of Drosophila
Like rats and mice, fruit flies avoid open spaces and stay close to physical borders. In rats and mice this is caused by fear to be out in the open and preference for close contact with borders.

21 Mar
animal behavior research
Other (Animal)
How to know if an animal is nauseated
Nausea is a prominent factor influencing the quality of life for patients undergoing chemotherapy. That is why it is useful to study the nauseating side effects of therapies or the anti-nauseating potential of drugs.

15 Mar
animal behavior research
Zebrafish Research
Zebrafish and withdrawal
Recent work done by Khor et al. (2011) looked at the effect of mitragynine on behavior in zebrafish going through withdrawal after chronic morphine exposure. The effects of Mitragynine on morphine-withdrawn zebrafish.

13 Mar
animal behavior research
Zebrafish Research
Three ways to test hallucinogens on zebrafish
Hallucinogenic drugs (psychedelics) have a growing significance in biopsychiatric research. Zebrafish are a popular animal model and seem highly sensitive to various drugs of abuse.

01 Mar
animal behavior research
Other (Animal)
Bed bug behavior - What smell can tell
Bed bugs are on the rebound in developed countries. Traditionally, bed bugs are controlled with pesticides. However, traps with attractive human body odors are a promising alternative.