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News: Ants can perform life-saving... (The Washington Post) - Behind the headlines

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Media coverage of health and science topics

The Washington Post July 3, 2024

Ants can perform life-saving amputations on their wounded, study says

by Leo Sands

Scientists say the study on Florida Carpenter ants is the first recorded example of a nonhuman animal amputating a fellow member of its species to save its life.

Read more at The Washington Post

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Research findings and data from the National Library of Medicine

PubMed articles

Curr Biol JUNE 25, 2024

Wound-dependent leg amputations to combat infections in an ant society

ET Frank et al

Open wounds pose major infection and mortality risks in animals.1,2 To reduce these risks, many animal species apply antimicrobial compou …

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The Los Angeles Times FEB. 17, 2018

Medic! Ants injured while hunting for termites get help from paramedic-style triage system

Move over, ant farms — ant hospitals are where the real action is. Scientists studying the behavior of African Matabele ants in Ivory Coast have found that the insects act like paramedics in a crisis, triaging and treating the wounds of their injured peers.

The Washington Post MAY 6, 2024

Ultrasound technology is used in many ways. Addiction is the next frontier.

The use of the high-frequency sound waves is also being adapted to treat Alzheimer’s disease, tumors and psychiatric disorders.

The Washington Post MAY 16, 2024

Some mice have a cheating heart. It’s a hormonal thing, scientists find.

Oldfield mice are monogamous. The deer mouse prefers the swinging lifestyle when it comes to sexual partners.

The Washington Post JUNE 27, 2024

Neanderthal community cared for child with Down syndrome, fossil suggests

The bone of a 6-year-old found in Spain’s Valencia region provides evidence of communal care by Neanderthals, researchers say, and maybe even compassion.

The Washington Post JUNE 11, 2024

Elephants call each other by name, study suggests

Analysis of hundreds of calls — or “rumbles” — found a component that individual elephants recognized and responded to, according to a study in a Nature journal.