Articles tagged with Dogs
Ring-tailed lemurs can match scents with sounds from the same female, indicating a stronger response when both cues are present. This ability may aid lemurs in detecting nearby individuals, as scents can linger after the animal has left the area.
Research found that dog ownership provides numerous benefits to families of children with autism, including reduced stress levels, improved social skills development, and increased responsibilities. Parents should consider their child's sensitivities when choosing a pet to ensure a suitable match.
A study published in the Journal of Heredity has found recent wolf-dog hybridization in the Caucasus region. The research team analyzed DNA samples from wolf and dog fur, scat, and blood, and discovered that about ten percent of dogs and wolves sampled had hybrid ancestry.
UC Davis researchers have identified a genetic mutation responsible for cleft palate in Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers, providing a new model for studying the craniofacial defect. This discovery may lead to a better understanding of cleft palate in humans and its associated complications.
A survey of Scottish working dogs found that undocked breeds are at greatest risk of tail injuries. The authors suggest that docking these breeds by one-third could significantly decrease the risk of injury.
Researchers found that dogs' attentiveness peaks in mid-adulthood and decreases with age, with adolescent dogs exhibiting the steepest learning curve. This study provides insights into canine cognitive development and its potential applications in understanding human psychological diseases such as ADHD and Alzheimer's.
A study published in Springer's journal Animal Cognition found that hungry dogs often choose the lesser option when given two choices, suggesting a 'less is more' effect. The researchers believe this may be due to mental shortcuts that prioritize average quality over quantity.
A proof-of-concept study led by TGen used genomic analysis of canine tumors to identify potential new therapies for human cancers. The study successfully analyzed dog tumor samples in under 5 days, fitting within a clinical window for human medical advancements.
A recent study using brain imaging found that dogs have a stronger response to the scents of familiar humans than other humans or even familiar dogs. The research suggests that dogs' brains have mental representations of their human companions that persist even when they're not present.
Scientists are working on a device that can diagnose and monitor diabetes using volatile organic compounds (VOCs) found in human breath. The technology was inspired by the need to suppress body odor for deer hunters, who have a keen sense of smell, five times more acute than humans.
A University of Iowa-led study found that adding healthy foods to concession stands can increase sales and profits while maintaining customer satisfaction. The study, which involved a school booster club in Muscatine, Iowa, showed that introducing healthier options led to stable sales and revenue increases.
Researchers have identified a fovea-like region in dogs' retina with high cone density, similar to that of humans, and found it susceptible to genetic blinding diseases. This discovery has promising implications for translational research into human foveal and macular degenerative diseases.
A new study investigates whether a hangover can delay or hasten subsequent drinking, finding minimal effect on the timing of drinks. Researchers suggest alternative hypotheses linking hangovers and alcoholism, such as increased risk factors for losing control over drinking.
A recent IUPUI study found that dogs react best to actual explosives and not mimic compounds, challenging the use of products designed to replicate C-4's odor. The research team recommends training dogs with real explosives instead.
A recent study has revealed that human and dog brains share dedicated 'voice areas', suggesting a long evolutionary history of this neural mechanism. The research used fMRI scans to compare brain activity between humans and dogs in response to voice and emotional sounds.
A new study from the University of Surrey has identified specific effects of Chiari malformation on toy dog breeds' skulls and brains. The condition causes changes in brain shape and can lead to severe symptoms like paralysis and headaches.
A study published in Molecular Biology and Evolution found that Tibetan Mastiffs have undergone genetic adaptations to survive at high altitudes. The research identified 16 genes involved in energy production critical for high-altitude survival, suggesting convergent evolution between dogs and humans.
A study found a link between a mutation in the RAB24 gene and canine hereditary ataxia, a neurodegenerative disease affecting dogs. The findings may help understand neurodegenerative diseases and identify new treatments for both canine and human sufferers.
Researchers found that wolves can open a box using a method they observed a dog demonstrate, while dogs relied on random selection. The study suggests that wolves' superior problem-solving ability may stem from their reliance on cooperation with conspecifics.
Researchers will analyze genomes of three breeds to identify genes responsible for OCD-like behaviors. The study aims to provide insights for earlier diagnoses and innovative therapeutics, potentially benefiting children with autism.
Researchers tracked six dogs and their owner on group walks to measure social behavior and determine personalities. Dogs that consistently took the lead were more responsive to training, older, and more aggressive than those that followed.
Researchers tracked six dogs and their owner during group walks to determine social rankings and personality traits. Consistently leading the pack was linked to trainability, controllability, aggression, and dominance.
The genome of the world's oldest continuously surviving cancer, a transmissible genital cancer in dogs, has been sequenced. The cancer carries about two million mutations and is believed to have arisen 11,000 years ago. Analysis reveals that the cancer still harbors genetic variants from its ancient host.
Researchers have developed a gene therapy that improves muscle strength, corrects muscle structure, and prolongs life in animal models of X-linked myotubular myopathy. This devastating disease affects approximately 1 in 50,000 male births, causing severe respiratory difficulties and requiring intensive support.
The study sheds light on the genetic overlap between modern dogs and wolves, suggesting interbreeding after dog domestication. Dogs are more closely related to each other than wolves, regardless of geographic origin, indicating a shared ancestry that diverged in recent past.
A new study by University of Warwick scientists recommends targeting 'superspreader' dogs responsible for the majority of leishmaniasis transmission to humans. By testing parasite loads in infected dogs, this approach could be more cost-effective and result in fewer unnecessary dog killings.
A recent study estimated human-directed aggression in UK dogs, revealing that nearly 7% exhibit aggressive behaviour when meeting people. The majority of these incidents occur in one specific situation, contradicting the common 'safe' or 'vicious' dog stereotype.
A recent study found that guide dogs experience the most tension on their chest when wearing a harness, with pressure equivalent to up to 10% of their weight. Flexible harnesses are recommended to minimize stress and promote healthy exercise for guide dogs.
In a study, researchers found that dogs can perceive faces in images and differentiate between familiar and strange faces. Dogs preferred viewing conspecific faces over human faces, gazing more at the eye area of familiar faces.
A study led by University of Manchester researcher Charlotte Brassey found that the leg bones of the tallest moa birds were similar to those of modern flightless birds that can run fast. The researchers used Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to estimate the weight and robustness of the moa, finding that different species had unique solutio...
Researchers found that exposure to dog dust reduces asthma risk in children and protects against respiratory infections by targeting a specific bacterial species. The study suggests that manipulating the gut microbiome with Lactobacillus johnsonii may prevent or treat asthma and allergies.
A recent study suggests that exposure to dust from homes with dogs can alter the immune response to allergens, reducing allergic inflammation. The researchers found that mice fed dog-associated dust were protected against airway inflammation triggered by cockroach allergen and respiratory syncytial virus.
Researchers at Emory University have confirmed their methods and results by replicating a previous study involving 13 dogs. The experiment showed that most dogs exhibited a positive response in the caudate region when given a hand signal indicating a treat, suggesting similarities with human brain function.
A recent study found that wolves and dogs can learn where to find food by observing a human or dog demonstrator. This suggests that the ability to learn from others was already present in wolf ancestors, which prehistoric humans could then build on. The researchers' findings provide new insights into the domestication of dogs.
Research shows that livestock guarding dogs can protect farm animals from predators, resulting in a 91% reduction in livestock losses. This leads to increased tolerance of predators among farmers, allowing for greater coexistence with threatened species like cheetahs.
Scientists trained desert locusts using Pavlov's dog method, finding that they can re-associate toxic odors with food rewards when in a swarm. Locusts retain memories of previously acquired associations but cannot form new aversive memories.
Ancient European wolves are genetically linked to modern dogs, contradicting earlier research suggesting a Middle Eastern origin. Dogs derived from wolves that inhabited Europe and are now extinct.
Dogs exhibit asymmetric brain organization, with left-brain activation linked to right-tail wagging and right-brain activation tied to left-tail wagging. This difference affects emotional responses in dogs, who display anxious behavior when seeing a dog with a left-tail wag and relaxed responses when seeing a dog with a right-tail wag.
Visceral Leishmaniasis is a severe disease causing spleen, liver, and bone marrow damage if untreated. In Brazil's largest cities, like Belo Horizonte, VL cases are on the rise, with high fatality rates despite available diagnosis and treatment.
A study by MU researchers discovered that older siblings' cells can be passed from a female dog to her puppies while they are still in the womb. This finding will help further investigate the health effects of microchimerism in dogs and humans.
Researchers have identified a new way to relieve pain in dogs with bone cancer, using a single spinal injection of neurotoxin. The treatment showed promise in reducing pain levels, offering an alternative to more aggressive approaches like amputation and chemotherapy.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have made an encouraging breakthrough in developing a gene therapy to treat macular dystrophy. They successfully delivered a healthy copy of the BEST1 gene to dogs using viral vectors, showing promise for preventing or restoring vision in individuals with these conditions.
Researchers at Newcastle University developed a technology that tracks dog behavior to detect potential health issues in owners. The system uses movement sensors and machine learning algorithms to identify changes in canine behavior that may indicate declining health or boredom.
Canine bloat is a leading cause of death in dogs, with Great Danes being the most prone. Researchers are investigating the relationship between motility and bloat risk, as well as genetic factors, to develop diagnostic tools and potentially prevent the disease. SmartPill, a non-invasive diagnostic tool, will be used to measure acidity ...
Researchers at the WALTHAM Centre for Pet Nutrition found that overweight dogs in middle age have a shorter life expectancy, with some breeds facing significant reductions. The study examined data from over 5,000 dogs and found that being overweight can have long-term consequences for a dog's lifespan.
Researchers have developed a new blood test that can detect cancer metastasis in dogs by analyzing cell-free DNA in blood plasma. The test has shown promising results in detecting minimal residual disease and tracking tumor progression, with potential implications for human cancer treatment.
A new mutation in the ITGA10 gene has been identified as a cause of dwarfism in two dog breeds, Norwegian Elkhounds and Karelian Bear Dogs. The study reveals that the mutation affects bone growth and can lead to skeletal abnormalities.
Scientists at NIST have developed novel odor-releasing materials to train bomb-sniffing dogs, reducing the need for hazardous samples and ensuring uniformity in training. The system can precisely control the release rate of scents over extended periods, making it ideal for large-scale training.
A study found that dogs react sociably to robots that behave socially towards them, even if the devices look nothing like a human. The research suggests that designers of social robots should consider how their designs interact with users and animals.
A new PRA gene has been identified in the Phalene and Papillon dog breeds, causing progressive blindness in dogs. The CNGB1 mutation is linked to human retinitis pigmentosa, highlighting the shared genetic etiology of canine and human diseases. Genetic testing can help breeders avoid affected puppies and provide a diagnostic tool.
A study found that CDV infected at least 1% of Amur tigers since 2009, causing fatal neurological disease. The virus is spread through contact with domestic dogs or other wild carnivores, posing a significant threat to the critically endangered species.
A new study found that people exhibit more empathy towards battered puppies and full-grown dogs than adults, but not children. The research, which considered the opinions of 240 college students, revealed that age is a key factor in eliciting empathy.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that dogs yawn contagiously and respond more frequently to their owner's yawns than a stranger's. The researchers suggest that this may be an emotionally connected behavior similar to humans.
Scientists at the University of Lincoln aim to develop generic training approaches for explosive detection dogs, enabling them to recognize specific group odors and learn from experience. The study's goal is to create a proof-of-principle method for teaching dogs to detect explosives more efficiently.
A team from Vienna has discovered that measuring cortisol in dog hair may be a simple and painless way to diagnose Cushing's disease. The study found significantly higher levels of cortisol, corticosterone, and cortisone in the hair of dogs with hyperadrenocorticism compared to healthy controls.
Researchers identified a gene mutation in dogs that is associated with neural tube defects in humans. The study found six cases of the mutation in human patients with spina bifida, suggesting a potential link between the dog gene and human neural tube defects.
A new research project led by Dr. Colin E. Bishop is developing a one-shot, non-surgical method for sterilizing companion animals, with the goal of reducing pet overpopulation in shelters. The treatment involves destroying GnRH cells in the hypothalamus to induce permanent sterility.
Researchers found dogs can reproduce familiar and novel actions after different delays, even when distracted. The ability to imitate human actions suggests the presence of a specific type of long-term memory in dogs.
Researchers at the University of Missouri have found microchimerism in dogs, allowing them to track potential health effects over a shorter lifespan. The study suggests that microchimerism may increase risk of thyroid disease and lower risk of breast cancer in women.
A study has found that human and canine B-cell lymphoma expression profiles are similar, providing a new model for understanding the disease. This discovery may facilitate faster development of new therapies for both humans and dogs with lymphoma.