Wild state secrets: ultra-sensitive measurement of micro-movement can reveal internal processes in animals

Assessment of animal internal "state" - which includes hormonal, disease, nutritional, and emotional states - is normally considered the province of laboratory work, since its determination in animals in the wild is considered more difficult. However, we show that accelerometers attached externally to animals as diverse as elephants, cockroaches, and humans display consistent signal differences in micro-movement that are indicative of internal state. Originally used to elucidate the behavior of wild animals, accelerometers also have great potential for highlighting animal actions, which are considered as responses stemming from the interplay between internal state and external environment. Advances in accelerometry may help wildlife managers understand how internal state is linked to behavior and movement, and thus clarify issues ranging from how animals cope with the presence of newly constructed roads to how diseased animals might change movement patterns and therefore modulate disease spread

Finishing the euchromatic sequence of the human genome

The sequence of the human genome encodes the genetic instructions for human physiology, as well as rich information about human evolution. In 2001, the International Human Genome Sequencing Consortium reported a draft sequence of the euchromatic portion of the human genome. Since then, the international collaboration has worked to convert this draft into a genome sequence with high accuracy and nearly complete coverage. Here, we report the result of this finishing process. The current genome sequence (Build 35) contains 2.85 billion nucleotides interrupted by only 341 gaps. It covers ∼99% of the euchromatic genome and is accurate to an error rate of ∼1 event per 100,000 bases. Many of the remaining euchromatic gaps are associated with segmental duplications and will require focused work with new methods. The near-complete sequence, the first for a vertebrate, greatly improves the precision of biological analyses of the human genome including studies of gene number, birth and death. Notably, the human enome seems to encode only 20,000-25,000 protein-coding genes. The genome sequence reported here should serve as a firm foundation for biomedical research in the decades ahead

Summary of the statistics for the regression between the metrics (VeDBA, ODBA, Peak Frequency and Amplitude) and speed, with data for all substrates/inclines collated.

<p>Summary of the statistics for the regression between the metrics (VeDBA, ODBA, Peak Frequency and Amplitude) and speed, with data for all substrates/inclines collated.</p

Linear regression between each metric and speed for each substrate/incline.

<p>(i) VeDBA, (ii) Amplitude, (iii) Peak Frequency and (iv) ODBA.</p

Summary of GLM statistics for each metric comparing the relationship with speed under each substrate/incline condition.

<p>Summary of GLM statistics for each metric comparing the relationship with speed under each substrate/incline condition.</p

The Use of Acceleration to Code for Animal Behaviours; A Case Study in Free-Ranging Eurasian Beavers <i>Castor fiber</i>

<div><p>Recent technological innovations have led to the development of miniature, accelerometer-containing electronic loggers which can be attached to free-living animals. Accelerometers provide information on both body posture and dynamism which can be used as descriptors to define behaviour. We deployed tri-axial accelerometer loggers on 12 free-ranging Eurasian beavers <i>Castor fiber</i> in the county of Telemark, Norway, and on four captive beavers (two Eurasian beavers and two North American beavers <i>C</i>. <i>canadensis</i>) to corroborate acceleration signals with observed behaviours. By using random forests for classifying behavioural patterns of beavers from accelerometry data, we were able to distinguish seven behaviours; standing, walking, swimming, feeding, grooming, diving and sleeping. We show how to apply the use of acceleration to determine behaviour, and emphasise the ease with which this non-invasive method can be implemented. Furthermore, we discuss the strengths and weaknesses of this, and the implementation of accelerometry on animals, illustrating limitations, suggestions and solutions. Ultimately, this approach may also serve as a template facilitating studies on other animals with similar locomotor modes and deliver new insights into hitherto unknown aspects of behavioural ecology.</p></div

Total Hg levels distribution in fish and fish products and their relationships with fish types, weights, and protein and lipid contents: A multivariate analysis

This study investigates the mercury (Hg) levels distribution in fish and fish products and their relationships with fish types, weights, protein, and lipid contents in Qatar. Principal component analysis (PCA) was employed to analyze the influence of lipids and protein content on Hg accumulation in the fish tissues. Additionally, the impact of Hg concentration and fish consumption on the estimated weekly intake (EWI). The PCA results showed that Hg contamination levels are primarily affected by protein-lipid content in predatory species. The results showed that high lipid content reflected lower Hg levels and that high Hg levels in fish with high lipid content indicated a polluted environment. The finding of the PCA of EWI, consumption, and Mercury concentration indicate that EWI is highly correlated to Mercury concentration except in the case of low Mercury concentration. 2023 Elsevier LtdThis publication was made possible by Qatar University grant # [QUST-1-CAS-2022-312]. The findings achieved herein are solely the responsibility of the author[s]. Special thanks to the Central Food Laboratories, Public Health Department, Qatar.Scopu

Statistics of the static surge, sway and heave acceleration signal and overall dynamic body acceleration for the seven identified Eurasian beaver behaviours.

<p>^aSimilar-shaped, comparable dive types were only found in 8 individuals.</p><p>^bSleeping consists of a series of different postures (e.g. lying on the belly, on the sides, or on the back), thereby impeding the specification of mean values.</p><p>Statistics of the static surge, sway and heave acceleration signal and overall dynamic body acceleration for the seven identified Eurasian beaver behaviours.</p