Light-dependent magnetoreception: orientation behaviour of migratory birds under dim red light

Magnetic compass orientation in migratory birds has been shown to be based on radical pair processes and to require light from the short wavelength part of the spectrum up to 565 nm Green. Under dim red light of 645 nm wavelength and 1 mW m(-2) intensit

The magnetic compass of domestic chickens, Gallus gallus

By directional training, young domestic chickens have been shown to use a magnetic compass; the same method has now been used to analyse the functional characteristics and the physical principles underlying the chickens magnetic compass. Tests in magnet

Pedometer use and self-determined motivation for walking in a cardiac telerehabilitation program: a qualitative study

BACKGROUND: Exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation reduces morbidity and mortality. Walking is a convenient activity suitable for people with cardiac disease. Pedometers count steps, measure walking activity and motivate people to increase physical activity. In this study, patients participating in cardiac telerehabilitation were provided with a pedometer to support motivation for physical activity with the purpose of exploring pedometer use and self-determined motivation for walking experienced by patients and health professionals during a cardiac telerehabilitation program. METHODS: A qualitative research design consisting of observations, individual interviews and patient documents made the basis for a content analysis. Data was analysed deductively using Self Determination Theory as a frame for analysis and discussion, focusing on the psychological needs of autonomy, competence and relatedness. Twelve cardiac patients, 11 health professionals, 6 physiotherapists and 5 registered nurses were included. RESULTS: The pedometer offered independence from standardised rehabilitation since the pedometer supported tailoring, individualised walking activity based on the patient’s choice. This led to an increased autonomy. The patients felt consciously aware of health benefits of walking, and the pedometer provided feedback on walking activity leading to an increased competence to achieve goals for steps. Finally, the pedometer supported relatedness with others. The health professionals’ surveillance of patients’ steps, made the patients feel observed, yet supported, furthermore, their next of kin appeared to be supportive as walking partners. CONCLUSION: Cardiac patients’ motivation for walking was evident due to pedometer use. Even though not all aspects of motivation were autonomous and self determined, the patients felt motivated for walking. The visible steps and continuous monitoring of own walking activity made it possible for each individual patient to choose their desired kind of activity and perform ongoing adjustments of walking activity. The immediate feedback on step activity and the expectations of health benefits resulted in motivation for walking. Finally, pedometer supported walking made surveillance possible, giving the patients a feeling of being looked after and supported. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Current study is a part of The Teledi@log project

New genetic loci link adipose and insulin biology to body fat distribution.

Body fat distribution is a heritable trait and a well-established predictor of adverse metabolic outcomes, independent of overall adiposity. To increase our understanding of the genetic basis of body fat distribution and its molecular links to cardiometabolic traits, here we conduct genome-wide association meta-analyses of traits related to waist and hip circumferences in up to 224,459 individuals. We identify 49 loci (33 new) associated with waist-to-hip ratio adjusted for body mass index (BMI), and an additional 19 loci newly associated with related waist and hip circumference measures (P < 5 × 10(-8)). In total, 20 of the 49 waist-to-hip ratio adjusted for BMI loci show significant sexual dimorphism, 19 of which display a stronger effect in women. The identified loci were enriched for genes expressed in adipose tissue and for putative regulatory elements in adipocytes. Pathway analyses implicated adipogenesis, angiogenesis, transcriptional regulation and insulin resistance as processes affecting fat distribution, providing insight into potential pathophysiological mechanisms

Evidence for the use of magnetic cues in mound construction by the termite Amitermes meridionalis (Isoptera: Terminae)

The termite Amitermes meridionalis builds meridionally elongated mounds. We removed the tops of such mounds and then allowed the termites to repair their mounds in the natural geomagnetic field and in artificial magnetic fields with different magnetic declinations. Cross-sections of repaired mounds were taken and the arrangement of the small, elongated cells that form the basis of mound architecture was assessed. The results suggest that the termites align mound cells along the existing axis of the mound and the cardinal axes of the horizontal component of the applied magnetic field

Clutch size and fledgling success of thr Australian white ibis Threskionis molucca in an urban environment

The Australian White Ibis Threskionis molucca is very successful in adapting to and surviving in urban environments. Overaundant and/or large, permanent populations have established in many urban areas of coastal eastern Australia. In urban areas, the Australian White Ibis is currently regarded as a major pest and many agencies aim to reduce it numbers, however,the lask of knowledge on this species has made management difficult.Inthis study clutch size and fledgling success of Australian White Ibis breeding in Centennial Park, a large urban park in Sydney, were measured. Mean clutch size was 2.70 with a modal clutch size of three. Mean number of fledglings per successful (nestlings hatched) nest was 2.64. While clutch sizes were similar to those reported for ibis in natural and non-urban environments, fledgling success was considerably higher in Centennial Park. This is most likely due to high food availability in urban areas. management of artificial food sources 9eg. landfills) might be necessary for successfully managing ibis in urban environments

Food consumption, body mass and fat deposition in captive regent honeyeaters, Xanthomyza phrygia (Meliphagidae), during the non-breeding season

The regent honeyeater (Xanthomyza phrygia) is a large endangered honeyeater from eastern and south-eastern Australia. Little is known about the ecology of this bird during the autumn-winter period, when it is absent from its breeding areas. In this stud

Daytime behaviour of the grey-headed flying fox Pteropus poliocephalus Temminck (Pteropodidae: Megashirptera) at an Autumn/Winter roost

The grey-headed flying fox (Pteropus policephalus Temminck) is a threatened large fruit bat endemic to Australia. It roosts in large colonies in rainforest patches, mangroves, open forest, riparian woodland and, as native habitat is reduced, increasingly in vegetation within urban environments. The general biology, ecology and behaviour of this bat remains largely unknown, which makes it difficult to effectively monitor, protect and manage this species. The current study provides baseline informationn o the daytime behaviour of P. poliocephalus in an autumn.winter roost in urban Sydney, Australia, between April and August 2003