For autonomous navigation in indoor environments, aerial robots mostly take cameras, LiDAR, ultrasonic ranging sensors, and other devices for collision avoidance, rarely using tactile sensors. However, cameras are susceptible to lighting conditions, LiDAR requires high computational resources, and ultrasonic sensors have blind zones when measuring at short distances. In contrast, insects and rodents can perceive their surroundings via tactile sensing even in complete darkness. Inspired by the escape strategy of mosquitoes that navigate along boundaries using tactile sensing in confined spaces, this paper proposes an indoor navigation and escape method based on active tactile perception for a blimp robot. The robot comprises a rigid multi-rotor structure and a soft balloon body, with bio-inspired whisker sensors mounted on the soft body surface to enable safe contact with walls. First, we studied mosquito escape behavior experimentally. Then, we designed the robot's mechanical structure and tactile perception system. Subsequently, an interaction model between the robot and the wall was established, and a flight controller was developed. We classified the typical indoor wall scenarios and proposed a "Sense-Plan-Act" framework for wall-following navigation and escape. Next, the designed controller and strategy were validated through simulations. Finally, we conducted experiments using a robot prototype to verify the proposed method. Results showed that the robot successfully achieved indoor wall-following navigation during flight and ultimately escaped. The proposed active tactile perception method is straightforward and practical for the indoor navigation and escape tasks of blimp robots.

Artificial light at night (ALAN) is a pervasive anthropogenic pollutant, increasing in intensity and scope. While its impacts on biological and ecological processes are well documented among terrestrial taxa, marine organisms have received less attention, though a quarter of the world's coastlines are affected by artificial light at night. Furthermore, the intergenerational effects of artificial light at night have never been documented in the wild. We conducted a field manipulation experiment in the lagoon of Mo'orea, French Polynesia, using LED (Light-Emitting Diode) lights to test artificial light at night's effects on adult life-history and offspring fitness of the coral reef anemonefish Amphiprion chrysopterus. Exposing adults and embryos to LEDs, we found artificial light at night enhanced adult growth but did not alter measured reproductive traits, including fecundity. We observed reduced parental reproductive hormone levels with downstream consequences for offspring. Hatching success was unchanged, but offspring showed reduced embryonic heart rate and yolk sac size, and drastically diminished larval escape responses and swimming performance. This comprehensive study is the first in a wild organism to demonstrate combined intergenerational and direct negative effects of artificial light at night, highlighting limited compensatory capacity. These impacts could impair larval recruitment and hinder population replenishment in reef fish. This research underscores urgent need for conservation and management to address artificial lighting impacts.

There is a connection between neuroinflammation and panic attacks (PA), as microglia-driven pro-inflammatory responses help detect homeostatic disturbances like CO₂ inhalation. This model has become widely used in research since CO₂ exposure can trigger PA in humans and panic-related behavior in mice. Minocycline inhibits microglia activation, serving as a promising tool to attenuate CO2-induced PA. The locus coeruleus (LC) is a CO₂/pH-sensitive region, and disruptions in its activity are linked to psychiatric conditions such as panic disorder (PD). We investigated the involvement of microglia in the respiratory and behavioral responses induced by CO2 in mice and the effect of minocycline and clonazepam treatment. We also assessed in mice whether LC microglia are activated after hypercapnia using IBA-1 immunohistochemistry. Translationally, PD patients were treated with minocycline and clonazepam and examined for their CO2-responsiveness. LC microglia were activated 6 h after exposure to 20% CO2 in mice. This panicogenic stimulus also induced hyperventilation as well as active panic-related escape responses, characterized by jumps and running episodes. Minocycline and clonazepam decreased escape expression during the CO2 challenge, but only the former drug reduced hyperventilatory responses. None of the drugs changed IL levels in LC. In humans, minocycline reduced the severity of CO2-induced panic attacks and also modulated the immune response by lowering IL-2sRα and increasing IL-10 levels. Exposure to hypercapnia activates microglia in the LC of mice. Treatment with minocycline, similar to the clinically effective panicolytic clonazepam, attenuates CO2-induced panic-like responses in both mice and humans. These results support the potential of minocycline as a therapeutic strategy for PD.

Norepinephrine acts through radial astrocytes in the developing optic tectum to enhance threat detection and escape behavior.

Live trapping is a common method in wildlife research and management, yet it poses inherent risks to animal welfare. This study systematically evaluated injury incidence and severity in coypus ( Myocastor coypus ) and raccoons ( Procyon lotor ) captured using three commercially available live trap types: a standard wooden box trap (WBT), a metallic, sheet metal trap (SMT), and a wire grid trap (WGT). A total of 55 coypus and 45 raccoons were examined following a trap confinement duration of a maximum of six hours. Injuries were assessed using standardized necropsy protocols and categorized by anatomical location, severity, and presumed cause. Results showed species-specific injury patterns, with raccoons exhibiting more frequent and severe injuries than coypus. Raccoons primarily sustained skin lesions and dental trauma, consistent with their manipulative, escape-oriented behavior, while coypu injuries were predominantly localized to the snout and incisors. Although not statistically significant, trap design influenced injury profiles: the WBT was associated with severe injuries in raccoons, particularly to the forelimbs and dentition, while the WGT prompted intense escape behaviors without a proportional increase in trauma. The SMT resulted in fewer external injuries but did present species-specific risks, such as claw-abrasion and tail entrapment. Approximately 93% of raccoons and 55% of coypus exhibited external injuries, including 14 severe cases and 5 confirmed fractures. These findings underscore the importance of species-specific trap assessment and design optimization to mitigate animal suffering. Given the limitations of traditional injury scoring systems and behavioral indicators when applied to wild animals, this study highlights the need for integrated, evidence-based welfare assessments in field settings. Future research should prioritize refinement of trapping methods and standardized welfare evaluation frameworks to support ethical and effective wildlife management.

Various grasshopper species exhibit two modes of locomotion—flying and jumping—when escaping approaching predators. A field experiment on the Japanese rice grasshopper Oxya yezoensis was conducted to identify factors related to the decision of locomotion mode during escape attempt. A human investigator, acting as a predator model, approached each grasshopper three times consecutively. The relationship between locomotion mode and the following factors was examined: grass height, air temperature, and relative humidity as environmental factors; sex, body length, body weight, and wing length as prey traits; persistence in approaches as a predator trait; and flight initiation distance (the distance between predator and prey when the escape behavior is triggered) and distance fled (the distance moved by the prey during escape) as additional escape strategies. The results showed that females escaped by jumping more frequently than males. Moreover, the distances fled by grasshoppers escaping by flying were greater than those of grasshoppers escaping by jumping. Flight initiation distances of grasshoppers that jumped were either shorter than or comparable to those that flew. In the first escape attempt, escape by flying increased with wing length in females, increased with air temperature, and decreased with relative humidity in both sexes. In repeated escape attempts, grasshoppers consistently used the same locomotion mode more frequently than expected if decisions of locomotion modes were made independently. These results indicate that O. yezoensis uses two modes of locomotion depending on various ecological and biological factors in the field.

EEFSEC deficiency underlies a human selenopathy with primary neurodevelopmental origins via midbrain-hindbrain hypoplasia

Alpha 1- noradrenergic receptor signalling in the dorsal raphe nucleus is critical for panic -like behaviour and defensive antinociception elicited by GABAergic disinhibition in dorsomedial, lateral and dorsal premammillary hypothalamic nuclei.

The coevolutionary arms race between echolocating bats and tympanate moths has driven the evolution of ultrasound-mediated escape behaviors in moths. Bat-emitted ultrasonic pulses vary in sound intensity and temporal structure, with pulse repetition rate (PRR) which intrinsically encode critical information about predation risk, i.e., physical distance between bats and moths. However, species-specific PRR sensitivity remains underexplored, particularly in Plusiinae. This study investigates how variations in PRR modulate evasive flight and reproductive behaviors in Autographa nigrisigna (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Tethered flying moths were exposed to ultrasonic stimuli (6 ms pulse duration) across 1, 5, 10, 20, 40, 80, and 160 pulses per second (= PRR). Autographa nigrisigna exhibited PRR-dependent evasive behaviors, shifting from directional turns to erratic flight and flight cessation in response to increasing ultrasonic pulse PRRs. Reproductive status modified anti-bat behavior response: unmated females showed equivalent escape responses to low predation risk (PRR10; ultrasonic pulses of echolocating bats in prey-searching mode) and high predation risk (PRR20; ultrasonic pulses in prey-chasing mode), whereas host-searching flight of gravid females were more frequently suppressed by PRR20 than PRR10. This behavioral difference may reflect adaptive trade-offs between survival and reproduction. Mated females of A. nigrisigna selectively avoid ultrasonic pulse repetition rates reflecting a high predation risk that are emitted by predatory bats while tracking a prey. This adaptive response highlights the evolutionary balance between predator evasion and reproductive investment in nocturnal Lepidoptera. © 2025 Society of Chemical Industry.

In nature, many animals and skilled humans perform rapid, high-force maneuvers such as strikes, leaps, or escape responses, through instantaneous energy release. Replicating this synergy of speed, power, and precision in soft robots has remained an unsolved challenge. Here we introduce a combustion-driven soft actuator with an embedded backbone that, using a transient driving method, delivers millisecond-scale response, force outputs up to 70 times its self-weight, and control precision within 5%. This capability supports both static tasks (e.g., precision throwing), and dynamic actions (e.g., intercepting moving targets). Leveraging this actuator, we developed a feline-inspired robot that accelerates to eight body lengths per second and transitions to flight within 0.1s, creating a multi-modal "Jump-and-Fly Catbot" (JFC) capable of jumping, flying, and hovering. JFC navigates unstructured terrains and demonstrates robust escape capabilities, including freeing itself from bed entrapment, avoiding obstructing branches, and evading net capture, with response within 0.5s, that surpass current soft robotic systems. These results establish a new paradigm for soft robots, integrating high-force interaction, precision control, and versatile locomotion for robust operation in complex environments.

Objective. To analyze pain sensitivity in hot-plate test in male and female rats undergoing social isolation for a year. Material and methods. The study was performed on 69 Wistar rats and approved by local ethics committee. Rats were separated into four groups after being weaned from their mothers on the 29th postnatal day: socially isolated females (n=17) and males (n=18) who were housed separately throughout the entire experiment; control females (n=17) and males (n=17) who were housed in cages with four to five animals each. Pain thresholds were assessed in hot-plate test at 55±0.3°C by measuring the latency period of escape reactions of licking the forepaw, hind paw, and jumping. Half of the rats were tested at the age of 10.5 months, all rats — at the age of 12.5 months. Statistical analysis was performed using Factorial and Repeated Measures ANOVA. Results. Rats kept in social isolation had higher pain thresholds than rats kept in groups as seen by increased latency of licking the forepaw (F(1.62)=11.517, p=0.001) and hind paw (F(1.60)=5.005, p=0.029). Pain thresholds for licking the hind paw were higher in males of the control group and socially isolated females than in females of the control group. In rats of both sexes, pain thresholds for jumping and hind paw licking dropped with age independent of housing conditions. Conclusion. Higher pain thresholds in rats at late terms of social isolation indicate hypoalgesia possibly associated with processes of adaptation to long-term psychosocial stress. Compared to males, females showed more noticeable decrease in thermal pain sensitivity.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition arising from a complex interplay of genetic and environmental factors, reflected through diverse psychobiological markers involving neurophysiology, neurochemistry, neuroimaging, and molecular profiles. Various biomarkers, including electrophysiological changes, alterations in functional connectivity, neurotransmitter variations, and miRNA expression, have been associated with ADHD, although none have yet demonstrated consistent diagnostic sensitivity. Individuals with ADHD frequently display maladaptive coping strategies such as avoidance and escape behaviors, contributing to emotional dysregulation and reduced quality of life. These difficulties extend to the family environment, where caregivers often experience heightened stress, strained interactions, disrupted daily routines, and increased psychological burden. Studies indicate that family functioning, parenting quality, and stress levels are closely linked to ADHD symptom severity, affecting both the individual and their caregivers. However, the use of adaptive coping strategies, such as problem solving, cognitive restructuring, and social support, can strengthen resilience, reduce psychological strain, and improve overall family well-being. Integrating knowledge of psychobiological markers with patterns of coping and family dynamics provides a more comprehensive understanding of ADHD and highlights the importance of supporting adaptive coping mechanisms to improve outcomes for individuals with ADHD and their families.

BackgroundAmyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is characterised by degeneration of motor neurons, leading to muscle weakness and progressive paralysis. Currently, no treatment is available to halt or reverse the progression of the disease. Oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, accumulation of unfolded proteins and inflammation are interconnected key actors involved in ALS. A potent therapeutic strategy would be to find molecules that break this vicious circle leading to neuronal dysfunction and death. Targeting sigma-1 receptor (S1R) could meet this objective, as this chaperone protein modulates many cell survival mechanisms. So far, the impact of S1R activation in ALS has been studied using specific agonists and mostly on the SOD1 mutation that represents only 2% of patients. In the present study, the impact of two different S1R activators, the reference agonist PRE-084 and the positive modulator OZP002, was compared on two key ALS genes: TDP43 and C9orf72.MethodsThe dissociation of S1R from Binding immunoglobulin Protein (BiP) was determined using ELISA. OZP002 toxicity was compared to PRE-084 on zebrafish larvae with increasing concentrations. The efficacy of OZP002 and PRE-084 was evaluated on the locomotor escape response of zebrafish expressing mutant TDP43 or one C9orf72 toxic dipeptide. Their effects on NRF2 target gene expression were studied by qPCR. The beneficial effect was further examined on the locomotor performances of TDP43A315T mice using rotarod and beam walking tests. We also performed analysis on motor neuron loss and glial reactivity.ResultsOZP002 is a positive modulator of S1R, that increases the dissociation of the S1R-BiP complex induced by orthosteric agonists. S1R activation by both OZP002 and PRE-084 restored the locomotor response of ALS zebrafish expressing either TDP43 or one C9orf72 toxic dipeptide. The neuroprotection was due at least in part to the NRF2 cascade stimulation but not with a direct interaction. More importantly, OZP002 and PRE-084 prevented locomotor defects and degeneration of spinal motor neurons in TDP43A315T transgenic mice. Astroglial and microglial reactivities were also reduced by both activators.ConclusionsWe here emphasize the therapeutic value of S1R activation in mitigating ALS pathology. Additionally, we show that the positive modulators pave the way for the development of new S1R-activating compounds for ALS treatment.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40035-025-00527-z.

Floodplains worldwide face an increasing risk of inundation due to climate change, underscoring the need to identify plant species capable of withstanding flooding. Paspalum denticulatum Trin. is a wetland stoloniferous grass emerging as suitable for cultivation in humid recreational areas or for water erosion control. This study evaluated the morphological responses to varying flooding intensities (waterlogging, partial submergence, and complete submergence) in two P. denticulatum accessions with contrasting growth habits, focusing on plant architecture. The upright accession from Paraguay, with a tall growth habit, showed greater internode length, longer second-order stolons, longer leaf sheath length, and prolonged stolon growth under flooding than at field capacity. Remarkably, the creeping accession from Argentina with a dwarf, prostrate habit, instead of deploying a quiescent state under partial or complete submergence, exhibited escape responses that mainly consisted of steeper stolon growth angles than in drained plants. Unexpectedly, creeping aerial relative growth rate (RGR) declined sharply during water drawdown, indicating an impaired recovery capacity. In conclusion, the upright accession demonstrated a superior capacity to adjust to fluctuating water levels and recover post-flooding, traits that are particularly advantageous for use in flood-prone recreational environments.

Locusts exhibit remarkable phenotypic plasticity, changing their appearance and behavior from solitary to gregarious when population density increases. These changes include morphological differences in the size and shape of brain regions, but little is known about plasticity within individual neurons and alterations in behavior not directly related to aggregation or swarming. We investigated looming escape behavior and the properties of a well-studied collision-detection neuron in gregarious and solitarious animals of three closely related species, the desert locust (Schistocerca gregaria), the Central American locust (S. piceifrons), and the American bird grasshopper (S. americana). For this neuron, the lobula giant movement detector (LGMD), we examined dendritic morphology, membrane properties, gene expression, and looming responses. This is the first study done on three different species of grasshoppers to observe the effects of phenotypic plasticity on the jump escape behavior, physiology, and transcriptomics of these animals. Unexpectedly, there were few differences in these properties between the two phases, except for behavior. For the three species, gregarious animals jumped more than solitarious animals, but no significant differences were found between the two phases of animals in the electrophysiological and transcriptomic studies of the LGMD. Our results suggest that phase change impacts mainly the motor system and that the physiological properties of motor neurons need to be characterized to fully understand the variation in jump escape behavior across phases.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Some grasshopper species swarm, called locusts. We compared jump escape behavior between gregarious and solitarious grasshoppers and locusts, as well as LGMD responses to looming stimuli, and analyzed potential physiological differences in this sensory neuron. This study provides insights into the effects of phase change on the visual system of locusts and grasshoppers as it relates to looming-evoked jump escape behavior. In this context, our results suggest that phenotypic plasticity mainly impacts the motor system.

As well-known nanocarriers for systemically injectable drug delivery systems, lipid-based polymeric micelles show potency for improving cancer treatment. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is commonly used as a component of polymeric micelles owing to its biocompatibility but can cause immunogenic side reactions, which highlights the need for non-PEG-based systems for the delivery of therapeutic agents. To address this need, we herein synthesized a poly(N-{N'-[N″-(2-carboxyethyl)-2-aminoethyl]-2-aminoethyl}glutamide) [PGlu(DET-Car)]-lipid conjugate, prepared polymeric micelles with PGlu(DET-Car) surfaces, and investigated their physicochemical characteristics and in vivo performance. The micelles showed acidic pH-induced cellular uptake and endosomal escape behaviors superior to those of their PEG-based counterparts and elicited negligible immune responses, as revealed by antibody and cytokine production measurements. Thus, PGlu(DET-Car) presents itself as a viable alternative to PEG-based micelles a as smart drug carrier with specific sensitivity toward a narrow tumorous pH window and minimized immune reactions.

Resurgence of negatively reinforced behavior in rats.

Sub-lethal effects of natural cyanobacterial blooms on fish: Enzymatic activity and swimming performance in Gasterosteus aculeatus.

Escape behaviors of the Eurasian Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus) across China: Northern populations are bolder than southern populations

How a nervous system with two giant axons, a diffuse nerve network and FMRFamide-immunoreactive nerve tracts, coordinates Nanomia 's multiple swimming bells to provide the colony with foraging and escape behaviours.