Neuroscience
image courtesy of AJ Gazman
Using animal examples is a great way to explain biology and other scientific principles to children. Elephants seem to be especially captivating to children, perhaps due to their gigantic size or unique anatomy.
A little series published by the University of Washington “Neuroscience for Kids” uses findings from a recent study that suggest elephants are able to distinguish between different ethnic groups in Kenya as a way to introduce neuroscience and includes some other interesting facts.
The total surface area of the African elephant cerebral cortex is 6,300 square cm. The surface area of the human cerebral cortex is 2,500 square cm
Cerebral cortex is the outer layer of the cerebral hemispheres in the brain that controls conscious experience and is responsible for perception, emotion, thought, and planning.
Filed under Animal Facts, New Research | Comment (0)DNA sequencing for eels
It should come as no surprise to anyone that research using animals has generated a wealth of knowledge used to better understand human biology and behavior and improve medical treatments. It may be shocking to learn that biologists are hoping electric eels will provide insight into the human nervous system.
This article on the journal Nature’s Web site explains why researchers are asking for the DNA of eels to be thoroughly sequenced by sequencers who have already completed similar studies on mice and chimps.
One of the things that sequencing the E. electricus genome could lead to, is advances in treatments for spinal injuries, the researchers say. The fish have developed an amazing ability to regenerate, possibly as a result of often having their tails bitten off by electro-sensing predatory catfish, says Albert.
“You can cut off the back third of the body and they will regenerate everything, including the spinal cord,” says Albert.
It will be interesting to see what is learned from this type of research using animals as models.
Filed under New Research | Comment (0)Narwhal Info
One of the most interesting animals known as the “Unicorn of the Sea,” is a narwhal. They dolphin-like animals that have only two teeth. In the male narwhal, one of the teeth grows out through the lip and extends about 8 feet. Experts are unclear as to the purpose of the the tooth, but one theory is that it is used in fighting between male narwhals.
The National Geographic website has some interesting multimedia about narwhals.
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