A study in the US has found that the brain circuits that regulate parental care also control how mice care for other adults, providing a better understanding of social connections and how they can be disrupted. Researchers from the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) found that mice that spent more time caring for their pups also spent more time comforting other adult mice previously submitted to stressful situations. By measuring the mice’s brain activity, they fo

A study in the US and Japan has uncovered how certain gut bacteria can activate calorie-burning fat in mice, shedding light on obesity, diabetes and related diseases. Most body fat in adults is white fat, which stores excess calories. In contrast, beige and brown fat burn energy to produce heat and help regulate metabolism. Scientists have long sought safe ways to convert white fat into beige fat as a potential treatment for metabolic diseases . Researchers from City of Hop

A study from Belgium has identified a new molecular switch that enables immune cells, called macrophages, to fully develop and protect organ health. Macrophages are found in nearly every tissue of the body, where they remove pathogens and dead cells, and maintain the normal function of organs. If macrophages do not mature properly, tissues lose an important defence and maintenance system, allowing damage and inflammation to build up. To reach full functional maturity, macroph

TGR, a state-owned Italian news broadcaster, visited the animal facilities housing mice and zebrafish at the University of Milan, an EARA member.

A study in the US has advanced understanding of how smoking damages the eye and may contribute to blindness.

Research from the US reports that a new nasal vaccine protected mice against a wide range of respiratory threats. 

Researchers in Belgium have discovered, in mice, a biological mechanism that regulates itching, providing a basis for potential new treatments for skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis.

A study in the UK and the Netherlands has uncovered how early nerve damage can sometimes lead to self-repair. It used zebrafish, mice and brain tissue from people with multiple sclerosis (MS).

UK newspaper The Times recently reported renewed efforts to introduce a genetically modified purple tomato into British supermarkets, following prior testing in mice. The purple tomato was developed by researchers at the John Innes Centre by introducing two genes, through gene editing. They introduced genes from the snapdragon (Antirrhinum) into tomatoes, enabling the accumulation of antioxidants called anthocyanins. These compounds are also found in blueberries and blackbe

Researchers in Spain have eliminated pancreatic cancer in mice using a combination of three drugs that target genes involved in tumour growth. Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest cancers, with around 87% of patients expected to die within five years of diagnosis. This disease often develops silently deep within the abdomen, and by the time it is detected, it has usually spread to other organs, making surgery difficult or impossible. While chemotherapy can kill cancer c

A study in Canada showed that exercise and stimulating environments protect the brain’s defensive barrier in mice exposed to chronic stress, preventing depression-like symptoms. Depression is one of the most prevalent mental disorders, affecting more than 300 million people worldwide, and chronic stress is a significant risk factor. Scientists at EARA member Université Laval demonstrated that when mice were exposed to chronic social stress, induced by encounters with a d

A UK study has identified two genes that regulate the response of cancer to immunotherapy and could be used as biomarkers to predict patients’ response to therapy.

A study in Germany using mice has revealed that a protein linked to cancer also affects the heart.

Research from the US suggests primate gut microbes influence brain-related gene activity in mice, indicating a potential role in the evolution of large brains.

Researchers in the US created a detailed atlas showing how astrocytes, star-shaped support cells in the brain, differ across brain regions, animal species and life stages. The atlas will help to understand how these cells influence brain development, function and disease.

A study in the Netherlands has discovered that corticosteroids, widely used anti-inflammatory drugs, may prolong the effect of hormone therapy for breast cancer in mice.

Researchers in France have developed a vaccine that protects mice against anaphylaxis, a severe and life-threatening allergic reaction. This work could inform the development of new treatments for people with severe allergies.

A UK study has shown that bird flu viruses continue to multiply in mice at high temperatures that would normally stop infection, explaining why some flu viruses are more dangerous to humans.

Researchers in Sweden have mapped the brain circuits responsible for repetitive and compulsive behaviours in mice, which can inform on disorders such as obsessive-compulsive disorder and addiction.

Scientists in Israel have found that sounds experienced by mice early in life shape male and female auditory preferences, suggesting that the same experiences affect brain development differently according to sex.