Articles tagged with Dogs
Research published in Veterinary Record found that one in four UK show dogs competing at Crufts was overweight, despite breed standards emphasizing ideal condition. The study suggests that widespread online exposure of show dog images may be normalizing canine obesity.
Researchers at the University of Liverpool found that up to 26% of show dogs, particularly pugs, Basset hounds, and Labradors, are overweight due to their breeding history for physical activity. The team graded body condition and found significant health issues such as arthritis, diabetes, and respiratory diseases in obese dogs.
Children learn general facts about broad categories effortlessly and may struggle to recognize when they learn something new. This 'knew-it-all-along' illusion suggests that kids' minds absorb information about categories more readily than specifics.
Saber-toothed cat canines took years to grow and fully emerged later in life compared to living relatives. Researchers used a novel technique to calculate the eruption rates of their teeth.
New research on Smilodon fatalis reveals that the saber-toothed cat's permanent upper canines didn't fully develop until about three years of age. The growth rate was double that of an African lion's teeth, at 6 millimeters per month.
Recent changes to EU regulations have led to an increase in imported pets from Eastern Europe, where rabies is endemic, raising concerns about the effectiveness of current checks. The study found that many stray and rescue dogs had low antibody levels against rabies, suggesting potential risks for these animals.
Researchers found that when people perceive more variety in a product's usage situations, they like the product less. Lower variety situations led to customers feeling they were getting value from their sneakers, while higher variety situations made them feel they used the sneakers less often.
Researchers are using pet dogs with naturally occurring tumors to test new cancer drugs, which could lead to innovative therapies for both humans and animals. The dogs' physiological similarities to humans and conserved genetics between some dog and human cancers make them an ideal model for studying new treatments.
Researchers have discovered that starfish can remove deeply embedded foreign objects from their bodies by squeezing them out through the skin at the arm tips. This unique ability allows for quick healing and has implications for understanding animal physiology.
Researchers investigated how training affects dogs' ability to follow human gaze. They found that formal training and short-term training decrease dogs' gaze following performance. In contrast, aging does not significantly affect this ability.
Researchers found a 35,000-year-old wolf bone in Siberia that reveals the most recent common ancestor of modern wolves and dogs. The discovery sheds light on the early origins of dog domestication, with implications for our understanding of human-wolf relationships.
A study published in Journal of Pediatric Surgery highlights the risks of dog bites, particularly from family dogs. The research found that over 50% of dog bite injuries treated at a children's hospital came from immediate family members.
A new study by University of Georgia researchers shows that CEOs have a substantial influence on company performance, accounting for around 25% of profits. This increased impact is attributed to advancements in technology and changes in compensation packages, which provide strong incentives for CEOs to make strategic decisions.
A new analysis of archived calls from North Atlantic right whales reveals distinctive traits that might be used to identify and track individuals. The researchers found that a combination of variables, including call duration and fundamental frequency change, could distinguish between upcalls of individual whales.
As the global population is projected to reach 10 billion by 2050, robotic pets are becoming increasingly popular, offering alternatives for those who cannot have live pets. However, concerns arise about the ethics of relying on robots for companionship and potential impacts on human relationships with real animals.
A multi-year contraceptive injection is being developed to extend surgical TNR efforts, offering a potential solution to reach more feral cats. The project aims to provide safe, effective, and affordable non-surgical fertility control for cats worldwide.
The Calchlorin neuter shot has been shown to be safe and effective in both dogs and cats, providing an affordable solution to pet overpopulation. The injection eliminates the need for surgical sterilization, reducing health and welfare concerns globally.
Researchers focus on olfactory and cognitive optimization to improve canines' scent recognition and memory. The goal is to expand their recognition of odors within diverse elements and in what ratios, as well as determine how long they retain scent memory.
Researchers challenge previous convention that males were much larger than females in the early hominid species Australopithecus afarensis. The study uses Lucy and Kadanuumuu as templates to determine size variation and finds moderate levels of sexual dimorphism within human-like species
A new library of authenticated canine cancer cell lines, FACC-29, has been established to aid in research and drug development. The panel includes 29 cell lines from various cancers, allowing researchers to test new treatments and predict responses.
A global study on canine rabies found that 160 people die daily from the disease, with annual economic losses totaling $8.6 billion. Collaboration between human and animal health sectors is essential to eliminate rabies, with vaccination of dogs being the most cost-effective way to prevent the disease.
A breakthrough study discovered a novel neurodegenerative disease in Lagotto Romagnolo dogs caused by an ATG4D gene mutation. The research sheds light on the function of neurons and may aid in developing treatments for neurodegenerative disorders, as similar mutations have been linked to human diseases.
A study found that some dogs can mount an immune response to human norovirus, suggesting they may be infected. However, the risk of canine infection and transmission to humans is unclear.
At least 30 dogs in England have died from a mysterious kidney disease, with evidence found in 15 breeds including English springer spaniel, Labrador retriever and cocker spaniel. The disease is believed to be Alabama rot, which causes skin lesions and kidney failure.
Breeding dogs solely based on DNA tests can increase inbreeding and reduce genetic diversity, experts warn. A combined approach of DNA analysis, health screening, and pedigree information is necessary to minimize inherited diseases and improve the health of pedigree lines.
A new cancer drug called PAC-1, which targets cancer cells by restoring an enzyme's activity, is now entering phase I clinical trials in humans. The drug was first tested in pet dogs with spontaneously occurring cancers and showed promising results.
A study published in Veterinary and Comparative Oncology reveals an association between frizzled-6 protein expression and more aggressive behavior in canine bone cancer. The findings may provide a new pathway for tumor formation and improve outcomes for dogs with the disease.
A global survey has found that most countries where rabies is common lack effective reporting systems, making it difficult to control the disease. Accurate data is crucial for implementing vaccination programs and preventing further outbreaks.
Researchers found that dogs could distinguish between emotional expressions in humans, even with unfamiliar faces. The dogs' discriminatory abilities were tested in four types of trials, including novel faces and previously trained faces.
Researchers found that dogs can discriminate between happy and angry human faces, even when only showing the eye region. Dogs trained to choose happy faces mastered the task faster than those trained to choose angry faces, suggesting they use stored memories to recognize emotions.
The University of Melbourne-led study cracks the genetic code of T. canis, revealing its molecular biology and providing valuable insights into combating deadly outbreaks. The findings will aid future research on other related parasites, improving global health outcomes.
A new human study confirms that oral BPA exposure does not lead to high levels in the blood, contradicting earlier assumptions made by a dog study. The study found that the body inactivates most BPA molecules and eliminates them within 24 hours, with no evidence of accumulation.
A study found that canine distemper in lions is no longer primarily spread by domestic dogs but rather by multiple wild carnivore species. The virus can jump between species in natural ecosystems, threatening vulnerable populations.
Researchers have made breakthrough discoveries in understanding Pelizaeus Merzbacher disease (PMD), a devastating neurological condition. The study found that myelin-producing cells are still active and can be stimulated to produce more myelin, potentially leading to new treatments for PMD and multiple sclerosis patients.
Researchers propose the 'Canine Cooperation Hypothesis', suggesting wolves' natural social behavior provided the foundation for human-dog relationships. Studies show wolves exhibit similar social skills to dogs, including tolerance and cooperation with humans.
A new study from UC Berkeley found that neurotic and anxious attachment are positively correlated with better pet care, suggesting that the qualities of 'helicopter parenting' may be beneficial for pets. This is a surprising finding, as it contradicts the traditional approach to raising independent children.
A new vaccine technology aims to provide a nonsurgical method for spaying and neutering dogs and cats, potentially reducing the number of animals in shelters and preventing euthanizations. The vaccine targets gonadotropin-releasing hormone, crucial for reproduction in mammals.
A clinical trial found that animal-assisted therapy significantly improved the emotional well-being and quality of life of adult cancer patients. The study, published in Journal of Community and Supportive Oncology, involved 37 patients who received daily visits from certified therapy dogs during their treatment.
A new study on ancient dogs in the Americas found that dogs may have first successfully migrated to the continent around 10,000 years ago. Genetic analysis revealed four previously unseen genetic signatures and low genetic diversity in some populations, suggesting dog breeding by humans.
Human bites can transmit over 600 bacterial species through oral flora, posing a significant risk of infection. Prompt treatment within 24 hours of an animal or human bite is crucial to prevent serious injury or infection, with antibiotic treatment recommended for hand bites to reduce the risk of infection and disability.
Research by University of Missouri-Columbia reveals that children with autism living with pets display improved social skills, particularly in initiating interactions and responding to others. The presence of a pet serves as a catalyst for social interaction, facilitating greater assertiveness among these individuals.
Researchers found that newer generation of deep neural networks can identify visual objects as accurately as the primate brain. The success suggests neuroscientists have a fairly accurate grasp of how object recognition works, which could lead to better artificial intelligence and new ways to repair visual dysfunction.
Researchers found that wolves can discriminate between different food quantities, but dogs struggled with this task, suggesting a loss of numerical competence through domestication. The study's findings have implications for our understanding of canine cognition and the effects of domestication on animal behavior.
A new genetic therapy has restored light response to the retinas of blind mice and dogs, offering hope for future clinical trials in humans. The therapy uses a virus to insert a gene into normally blind cells, followed by photoswitches that activate the cells when exposed to light.
Researchers found dogs process human speech in left- and right-hemisphere biases, similar to humans. Dogs respond differently to familiar commands and intonation cues, suggesting they pay attention to both who and how we communicate.
Researchers at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis found that bomb-sniffing dogs trained on pseudo-explosives could not reliably detect real explosives and vice versa. The study suggests that the exceptional sensitivity of a dog's nose and its temperament cannot be replicated with pseudo-explosive training.
A new vaccine is being developed to prevent canine gum disease, a common condition that affects most dogs by three years of age. The vaccine targets the most common types of bacteria causing periodontal disease in dogs.
Researchers analyzed the cat genome to understand domestication, finding changes in genes related to memory, fear, and reward-seeking. They also discovered genetic signatures associated with desirable traits such as docility and unique hair patterns.
A new natural supplement based on medicinal plants and dietary supplements has been developed to relieve canine arthritis. The study found that dogs receiving the treatment showed significant improvements in strength and daily physical activity, with none experiencing a decline in health.
Researchers developed a platform that enables humans to communicate with dogs through body language and physical signals. The technology can detect a dog's emotional state, stress levels, and even hazards like gas leaks.
A study published in the Journal of Creativity in Mental Health found that animal-assisted therapy significantly reduced anxiety and loneliness symptoms among college students. The program, led by Dr. Leslie Stewart, involved interacting with a registered therapy dog named Sophie, resulting in a 60% decrease in self-reported symptoms.
Researchers have identified a mutation in the ADAMTS20 gene as being associated with cleft lip and cleft palate in both humans and dogs. This discovery has potential implications for understanding and treating these birth defects, which can affect varying degrees of severity in affected individuals.
Astronomers discovered a black hole named P13 that is consuming gas from a nearby star 10 times faster than previously thought possible. The black hole is ingesting a weight equivalent to 100 billion billion hot dogs every minute.
A study by Professor Phaedra Royle and Postdoctoral fellow Alexandra Marquis found that children's ability to use verb tense in spoken language predicts their future writing difficulties. The research contradicts the popular belief that bilingualism at an early age is detrimental to oral and written language learning.
A Massachusetts General Hospital study used fMRI to investigate the neural basis of the human-pet relationship, finding that important brain structures are activated when women view images of their children and dogs. The study revealed both similarities and differences in brain activity, with some regions showing increased response to ...
Researchers have characterized the dog's epigenome and transferred the results to human breast cancer, revealing significant alterations in gene modulation and common epigenetic mechanisms. The findings suggest that targeting these epigenetic alterations may help slow disease progression.
A new genetic test developed by scientists can detect canine fecal contamination in water, providing insights into the scale of the problem. The test identified 11 genetic markers common to most dog samples but absent from human ones, revealing the significant role dogs play in contaminating US waterways.
A mass dog vaccination program can stop agonizing rabies deaths worldwide by targeting the virus's primary source: dogs. By vaccinating 70% of dogs in high-risk areas, transmission from dogs to humans can be broken, leading to a significant decline in human cases.
Researchers at the University of Leicester have developed a novel electronic system for diagnosing canine lymphoma in its early stages and monitoring remission after chemotherapy. The cLBT test detects biomarkers associated with the disease, offering improved diagnostic capabilities for veterinarians and pet owners.
Research from the University of Sydney measures positive and negative emotional states in dogs objectively, revealing that while most dogs are optimistic, some display pessimistic tendencies. Pessimistic dogs tend to be more stressed by failures and less willing to take risks.