"Wet Dog Shake Mechanism Revealed"

This is a news story, published by MSN, that relates primarily to Harvard Medical School news.

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wet dog shake response

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wet dog shake

Study Finds

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Why do dogs shake when wet? Scientists solve the mystery — thanks to mice

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Researchers at Harvard Medical School have mapped out the specific sensory neurons and brain pathways responsible for initiating these rapid oscillations that help animals shed water and other irritants from their fur.

The researchers used a variety of sophisticated techniques to identify the specific nerve cells that detect water or oil droplets on the skin and trigger the characteristic shaking response.

The wet dog shake is an evolutionarily conserved behavior observed widely across hairy mammalian species.

The study found that specialized touch-sensing neurons called C-LTMRs are crucial for initiating the wet dog shake response.

When these neurons were activated artificially using light, it triggered the shaking behavior.

The researchers also mapped out the complete neural pathway from these sensory neurons through the spinal cord to a specific region of the brain.

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English

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