Landing force reveals new form of motion-induced sound camouflage in a wild predator.

Predator-prey arms races have led to the evolution of finely tuned disguise strategies. While the theoretical benefits of predator camouflage are well established, no study has yet been able to quantify its consequences for hunting success in natural conditions. We used high-resolution movement data to quantify how barn owls () conceal their approach when using a sit-and-wait strategy.

Impact of two endotracheal tube fixation on the incidence of peri-oral lesions: Elastic adhesive strips versus cord in a protective sheath. Study protocol for a cluster cross-over randomized trial.

Background: Endotracheal tube fixation in ventilated patients must be appropriate to ensure security during mechanical ventilation and prevent skin lesions. The incidence of endotracheal tube-caused pressure ulcers ranges from 7% to 45%. Various endotracheal tube fixations are used in intensive care units (ICUs) worldwide.

Low achromatic contrast sensitivity in birds: a common attribute shared by many phylogenetic orders.

Vision is an important sensory modality in birds, which can outperform other vertebrates in some visual abilities. However, sensitivity to achromatic contrasts - the ability to discern luminance difference between two objects or an object and its background - has been shown to be lower in birds compared with other vertebrates. We conducted a comparative study to evaluate the achromatic contrast sensitivity of 32 bird species from 12 orders using the optocollic reflex technique.

Anomalous binocular vision in African Harrier-Hawks.

An animal's visual field is the three-dimensional space around its head from which it can extract visual information at any instant. Bird visual fields vary markedly between species, and this variation is likely to be driven primarily by foraging ecology. The binocular visual field is the region in which the visual fields of the two eyes overlap; thus, objects in the binocular field are imaged by both eyes simultaneously.

Binocular field configuration in owls: the role of foraging ecology.

The binocular field of vision differs widely in birds depending on ecological traits such as foraging. Owls (Strigiformes) have been considered to have a unique binocular field, but whether it is related to foraging has remained unknown. While taking into account allometry and phylogeny, we hypothesized that both daily activity cycle and diet determine the size and shape of the binocular field in owls.