Many of us have taken the first aid classes in school-a vital skill in any emergency as the unconscious individuals need immediate help. This training includes an evaluation of the position, verification of vital signs, calling for help, and even CPR (pulmonary resuscitation) if necessary.
While the technical aspects of first aid needs to be educated and practiced, the instinct to help others in a deep ordeal is deeply in human nature. We are not alone: different types of animals have also been observed in the unbalanced situations that tend to their non -respondents by touching, grooming, paying, or even hitting them. However, this anecdotal evidence was not enough to confirm whether animals were naturally involved in this behavior in emergency situations.
After accidentally witnessed behavior that resembles first aid in mice, scientists from the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Cake at South California University conducted a Ticket In light of the conditions under control, its results were published sciences. Their results indicate that mice may increase the chances of survival and enhance social ties by helping their peers in distress.
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Mice respond to emergency situations
Wenjian Sun, the first author of the study and a researcher at KECK School, noticed this unexpected behavior during an unrelated experience.
“The behavior was particularly unique because of its similarity to how humans responded to emergency situations; I mentioned Sun in a press release.
The follow -up study explored this feature in detail, indicating that the mice tend to help their subconscious peers. The responses from rodent rescuers ranged from the help of anesthesia peers from gentle inhalation and grooming to more powerful actions such as biting a mouth or tongue, eventually to pull the tongue from the unconscious mouse to clean the airway. (See the video.)
The “assistant mice” showed a sense of urgency when approaching their unconscious partner. By controlling the mouth and tongue, it helped recover faster. It is worth noting that the behavior of bad tongue was not an act of aggression, as it was rarely observed when the partner was awake or just as sleeping. This enhances the idea that the behavior is intended and specifically occurs in visual emergency situations.
Read more: How does stress affect listening? For mice, they do not hear as well
Motivating sympathy
The researchers noted that rescue -like efforts were more frequent among familiar mice instead of strangers. To investigate the nervous mechanisms behind this social behavior, they studied the nucleus of ventricular mice – an area in the underdog, which is part of the brain involved in the response of stress and the production of oxytocin, a neurotransmitter linked to interconnection and sympathy.
Use opticsIt is a technique that enables scientists to treat nervous activity with light -sensitive proteins. Researchers have found that stimulating neurons responded to oxytocin encouraged rescue behavior even among unfamiliar mice. On the contrary, the prohibition of these neurons reduced the first aid procedures between familiar mice pairs.
These results indicate that oxytocin signals are necessary for revival -like behavior, which represents the first study to prove its role in social bonding in mice.
Social behavior promotes survival
According to Lee Zhang, the main researcher in the study and professor of physiology and neuroscience at the Cake School, many factors affect the sympathetic behavior and social interconnection in mammals. The results of the study indicate that mutual support in high pressure parking may enhance survival and enhance social ties in animals, as in humans.
Besides our understanding of animal behavior, the results highlight the decisive role of the oxytocin system in promoting social behaviors. This research offers new views on social interactions through the types of vertebrates and can contribute to improving treatment and animal appreciation by revealing similarities between their behaviors and themselves.
Read more: Are animals fall in love?
condition sources
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After working as a vital physician assistant in laboratories in three countries, Jenny excels in translating complex scientific concepts – starting with medical breakthroughs and pharmaceutical discoveries to the latest in nutrition – to attractive and accessible content. Her interests extend to topics such as human development, psychology and strange animal stories. When you are not immersed in a famous scientific book, you will find it picking waves or wandering around the Vancouver island on its long board.