European Animal Research Association

09/01/2026

We are pleased to welcome the University of Alberta to EARA!
Check out the full list of EARA members on our website: http://eara.eu/our-members

09/01/2026

Why are used in research?
Although dogs are not commonly used in research, they are important for toxicity testing as well as for basic and translational studies.

This week we shared about the role of and in research. Take a look at our previous posts to learn why these animals are fundamental for and health and to discover some of their recent contributions.

08/01/2026

Dogs are not commonly used in research, yet their role is fundamental for both veterinary and human health.

At Queen's University, Canada, researchers work with a unique colony of dogs with a clear purpose: to find cures for haemophilia for dogs, people and other animals. Their work resulted in two gene therapies for this bleeding disorder.

Read more on their website: https://www.queensu.ca/animals-in-science/hemophilia-research

08/01/2026

Could stress have positive effects?
Researchers from Radboud University have found that short-term periods of stress can lead to activation of the immune system in zebrafish.

Read more: https://www.eara.eu/post/short-term-stress-in-zebrafish-shows-positive-immune-response

Researchers in the Netherlands have found that short-term periods of stress can lead to activation of the immune system in zebrafish.

07/01/2026

Why are used in ?
Although cats are not commonly used in research, they are important for toxicity testing as well as for basic and translational studies.

06/01/2026

Although cats are not commonly used in research, their susceptibility to similar diseases as humans makes them valuable models for both veterinary and human health research.

Last year, US researchers have successfully treated cats with a severe coronavirus infection using a combination of stem cells and antiviral drugs, offering insights on long COVID in humans. Read more about this research: https://www.eara.eu/post/coronavirus-infection-treatment-for-cats-gives-insights-on-long-covid

06/01/2026

Scientists at ETH Zürich and Nagoya University have captured, in real time and high resolution, the exact moment a flu virus enters a living human cell. The researchers developed a new method, called virus-view dual confocal and AFM, which allowed them to discover that cells actively assist the virus during several steps of entry.

Read more: https://www.eara.eu/post/new-method-captures-flu-virus-surfing-human-cells-in-real-time

Scientists in Switzerland and Japan have captured, in real time and high resolution, the exact moment a flu virus enters a living human cell.

05/01/2026

🧠 Could light-based brain therapy help tackle the opioid crisis?
Researchers at Washington State University have identified a specific brain circuit in rats that drives relapse following opioid use, with light-based stimulation mimicking this pathway, significantly reducing addictive behaviour.

Read more: https://www.eara.eu/post/light-based-brain-therapy-reduces-opioid-relapse-in-rats

Researchers in the US have identified a specific brain circuit in rats that drives relapse following opioid use, with light-based stimulation mimicking this pathway, significantly reducing addictive behaviour.

02/01/2026

Most breast cancers are responsive to the hormones progesterone and oestrogen, and women receive hormone therapy to block cancer growth and suppress the disease. However, cancer can become resistant to therapy, requiring more intensive treatments such as chemotherapy.

Researchers from the EARA member Netherlands Cancer Institute (NKI) have discovered that corticosteroids, widely used anti-inflammatory drugs, may prolong the effect of hormone therapy for breast cancer in mice.

Learn more: https://www.eara.eu/post/anti-inflammatory-drugs-prolong-breast-cancer-therapy-in-mice

A study in the Netherlands has discovered that corticosteroids, widely used anti-inflammatory drugs, may prolong the effect of hormone therapy for breast cancer in mice.

01/01/2026

Researchers from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) created a detailed atlas showing how astrocytes, star-shaped support cells in the brain, differ across brain regions, animal species and life stages.
The atlas will help to understand how these cells influence brain development, function and disease.

Learn more: https://www.eara.eu/post/atlas-reveals-brain-cell-diversity-in-mice-and-marmoset-brains

Researchers in the US created a detailed atlas showing how astrocytes, star-shaped support cells in the brain, differ across brain regions, animal species and life stages. The atlas will help to understand how these cells influence brain development, function and disease.

31/12/2025

As the end of the year approaches, we reflect on the remarkable scientific discoveries made in 2025 across various fields, ensuring that all methodologies, including the use of animals, are integrated into the most contemporary biomedical research.

Read more: https://www.eara.eu/post/the-top-stories-of-2025-from-eara

#2025

As the end of the year approaches, we reflect on the remarkable scientific discoveries made in 2025 across various fields, ensuring that all methodologies, including the use of animals, are integrated into the most contemporary biomedical research.

30/12/2025

On the to the new year, we asked the EARA team to share their favourite science stories from 2025. Helena Pinheiro, EARA Communications & Social Media Officer, chose a study in which UC Davis researchers successfully treated with a severe infection using a combination of stem cells and antiviral drugs, offering insights that could benefit both veterinary and human medicine.
#2025