Through an animal's eye: the implications of diverse sensory systems in scientific experimentation.

'Accounting for the sensory abilities of animals is critical in experimental design.' No researcher would disagree with this statement, yet it is often the case that we inadvertently fall for anthropocentric biases and use ourselves as the reference point. This paper discusses the risks of adopting an anthropocentric view when working with non-human animals, and the unintended consequences this has on our experimental designs and results.

Animal Cognition: The Self-Image of a Bumblebee.

Knowing one's body dimensions is a core aspect of individual experience and self-awareness. A recent study illustrates how bees take into account their own body size both in preparation for and while traversing small gaps.

A generalized equation for the calculation of receptor noise limited colour distances in -chromatic visual systems.

Researchers must assess similarities and differences in colour from an animal's eye view when investigating hypotheses in ecology, evolution and behaviour. Nervous systems generate colour perceptions by comparing the responses of different spectral classes of photoreceptor through colour opponent mechanisms, and the performance of these mechanisms is limited by photoreceptor noise. Accordingly, the receptor noise limited (RNL) colour distance model of Vorobyev and Osorio (Vorobyev & Osorio 1998 , 351-358 (doi:10.

The self-reference effect on memory in early childhood.

The self-reference effect in memory is the advantage for information encoded about self, relative to other people. The early development of this effect was explored here using a concrete encoding paradigm. Trials comprised presentation of a self- or other-image paired with a concrete object.

Recent advances in α-1-antitrypsin deficiency-related lung disease.

α-1-antitrypsin deficiency (A1ATD) is an under-recognized hereditary disorder associated with the premature onset of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. There is considerable heterogeneity in the phenotypic expression of lung disease in A1ATD and the pathophysiology is complex, involving the interaction of multiple pathways. Other genetic factors that may contribute to emphysema risk in A1AT-deficient individuals are beginning to be identified.