Articles tagged with Dogs
Overweight dogs that lose weight experience significant improvements in vitality and emotional disturbance, according to a recent study published in The Veterinary Journal. The research, conducted by the University of Liverpool, suggests that weight loss can play a crucial role in maintaining a dog's overall quality of life.
A collaborative team of researchers found that obese dogs who successfully lost weight showed improved health-related quality of life, as measured by increased vitality scores and decreased emotional disturbance and pain. The improvements were more pronounced in dogs with greater body fat loss.
A study of over 11,000 pregnant women found that dog ownership was associated with regular brisk walking and improved physical activity levels. While dog walking alone cannot reduce obesity rates, it may be part of a broader strategy to encourage exercise and healthy eating during pregnancy.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that dogs excel at interpreting pointing gestures, while chimps fail to identify objects of interest. This result suggests that dogs may possess a unique form of communication that challenges the long-held assumption that humans have a monopoly on this ability.
A new immunotherapy for companion dogs with advanced-stage non-Hodgkin lymphoma improves survival by nearly four-fold, increasing median tumor-free survival by nine months. The treatment combination prolongs survival while maintaining quality of life.
Researchers have discovered an ancient dog skull in Siberia dating back 33,000 years, indicating multiple lines of dog domestication and suggesting modern dogs may have descended from multiple ancestors. The discovery uses radiocarbon dating to determine the age of the skull, which predates a period known as the Last Glacial Maximum.
Researchers at Penn Vet & Scheie Eye Inst. successfully treated dogs with X-linked Retinitis Pigmentosa using gene therapy, correcting defects in the RPGR gene and restoring vision. The treatment targets both rod and cone cells, showing promise for treating other photoreceptor degenerations.
A CWRU study reveals that pet ownership helps women manage their HIV/AIDS through social roles such as advocate, pet owner, and faith believer. The research highlights the importance of these lesser-known roles in self-management behavior.
Specialty canines showcased their explosive-detecting abilities, keeping Marines alive and focused on missions. The dogs' improved physiology, nutrition, and olfaction enabled them to detect IEDs even at full speed.
Researchers found that smokers' cravings can be trained to non-smoking related stimuli, and their brains show enhanced activity when exposed to smoking-related cues. This suggests a link between smoking and associative learning, which may contribute to nicotine addiction.
Researchers used eye-tracking technology to find that dogs are receptive to human communication in a manner similar to young children, responding more to verbal cues and intentions than just words. Dogs' brains show sensitivity to communicative intent through verbal addressing and eye contact.
The study found that long, thin teeth and delicate dentition were associated with thicker forelimbs, suggesting an evolutionary trade-off between the two traits. This convergence of traits suggests that these prehistoric predators may have relied on their forelimbs to catch and kill prey without fracturing their fangs.
A new study found that prehistoric predators with large canines had beefier arm bones, a combination seen in sabertooth cats and other extinct mammals. The researchers discovered this pattern through the analysis of fossilized arm bones and teeth, finding convergence across multiple species.
Researchers found that young children do not use category labels in the same way adults do, relying instead on the most distinctive feature of an object. This challenges long-held theories about how children mentally organize their world and has implications for teaching and communication with young children.
Researchers identified that sausages made with olive oil-in-water emulsion stabilized with casein are slightly tougher due to weak lipid-protein interactions. Adding microbial transglutaminase to the emulsion system can lead to physical entrapment of the oil within the meat matrix, making the sausage even tougher.
Researchers at MU College of Veterinary Medicine have identified a biomarker that can indicate infection in dogs, which may also be applicable to humans. This breakthrough could lead to the development of a portable bedside test for quick diagnosis and targeted treatment, reducing antibiotic use and promoting better health outcomes.
A recent genetic study confirms that the wolf ancestors of modern dogs came from southern East Asia, contradicting theories placing their origins in the Middle East. The research, led by Dr. Peter Savolainen, analyzed Y-chromosomal DNA and found strong evidence supporting an Asian origin for dog domestication.
Researchers found an inverse correlation between mercury exposure and antioxidant status in Alaskan huskies, suggesting potential health risks for indigenous communities. The study highlights the need for monitoring and reducing mercury generation, particularly from coal-generated power plants.
A University of Iowa researcher is using a canine model to study the genetic basis of glaucoma. The goal is to identify potential genetic markers that could be used to diagnose and treat humans with the disease.
Researchers at NC State University found evolutionary breakpoints in canine chromosomes associated with canine cancer. Mapping these 'fragile' regions could provide new tools for human cancer detection and treatment.
The study, 'Pedigree Chums: Science, Medicine and the Remaking of the Dog in the Twentieth Century', investigates the transformation of dogs through human selection and treatment, as well as their interactions with humans.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have developed a new cell-based vaccine that shows promise in treating canine non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The vaccine, which uses B-cells instead of dendritic cells, has been shown to increase overall survival time for dogs with the disease.
A nationwide study of over 17,000 dogs and 6,000 cats found that including commercial dry food in their diet improved oral health compared to home-prepared alternatives. Daily tooth brushing or dental chews also showed significant benefits.
A recent study developed a system to continuously monitor blood glucose levels in diabetic dogs, revealing that none were receiving ideal treatment. The system provided valuable insights for improving treatment plans, including adjusting insulin doses and diets.
University of Pennsylvania researchers have identified a gene responsible for early retinal degeneration, a disease causing blindness in dogs. The study suggests that this gene may be involved in the control of photoreceptor cell division, potentially leading to the development of therapies to regenerate retinal cells and restore vision.
A new study has found that retired racing greyhounds' blood pressure increases significantly when taken to a veterinary clinic, but returns to normal at home. The 'white-coat effect' was observed in 22 greyhounds, with systolic pressures averaging 30 points higher in the hospital than at home.
A new CU-Boulder study has found that dog feces may be a significant source of airborne bacteria in urban areas, particularly during the winter months. The research suggests that the dominant source of airborne bacteria in Cleveland and Detroit's wintertime air is actually from dog fecal material.
Researchers have found that sniffer dogs can reliably detect lung cancer by identifying volatile organic compounds in patients' breath. The study, published in the European Respiratory Journal, used trained dogs to detect lung cancer with an accuracy rate of 71%, surpassing current detection methods.
New research provides key clues to looping morphogenesis, helping diagnose conditions like gastric torsion in large breeds and malrotation in babies. The study's findings could also aid in understanding the formation of other organs, such as hearts and vascular systems.
Researchers at UBC are presenting significant advancements in computer animation and simulation technology. They have developed a tool that generates readable text-art using vector images and text, as well as a physics-based simulation of canine motions for games and film.
Kansas State University researcher Michele Borgarelli has made significant strides in understanding chronic mitral valve disease in dogs, a condition similar to the same disease affecting humans. He aims to identify dogs at higher risk for progression of the disease to develop early interventions.
Researchers at University of Minnesota discovered a gene pattern in dogs that distinguishes between aggressive and less aggressive forms of bone cancer. The finding may lead to the development of laboratory tests to predict tumor behavior in humans, allowing for tailored therapy and potentially reducing side effects.
Researchers have identified a new gene, LGI2, linked to human benign childhood epilepsies characterized by seizure remission. The discovery provides new insights into the development of a child's brain and the mechanisms of childhood epilepsy.
Researchers are studying the health of West Highland White Terriers (Westies) for insights into inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and Legg-Calve Perthes Disease (LCPD). They have identified biomarkers for diagnosing canine IBD and found similarities between dog intestinal populations and human IBD.
Researchers at Penn Vet found a cancer drug that shrinks dog tumors and may lead to human treatment. The study discovered the same aberrant activation of a critical pathway in dogs with lymphoma as humans.
Researchers at the University of California, Davis have identified a protein that may play a key role in the development of lymphoma by inhibiting a tumor-suppressing gene. The study found that this protein, known as RNPC1, is frequently overactive in dog lymphomas and may contribute to the formation of cancerous cells.
In a study published in Psychological Science, researchers found that goalies are more likely to dive right when their team is behind and under time pressure. This bias may be due to biological factors, such as the brain's tendency to go towards the right side.
Researchers analyzed dust samples from 173 homes with a dog to evaluate hypoallergenic breeds. They found no significant differences in allergen levels between hypoallergenic and non-hypoallergenic dogs.
A new study found that preventive use of tocotrienol, a form of natural vitamin E, reduced brain tissue damage and preserved neural connections in dogs after they suffered strokes. The research suggests that this natural supplement may be beneficial for people at high risk of stroke, such as those who have had a previous ministroke.
Researchers from Ruhr-University Bochum discover that mutations in the CCDC66 gene are responsible for retinitis pigmentosa, a leading cause of inherited blindness. They also develop a genetic test for diagnosis and predictively breeding in dogs, with potential implications for human patients.
A new study published in Clinical & Experimental Allergy reveals that early exposure to pets does not increase the risk of allergies in children. In fact, research found that being exposed to dogs and cats in the first year of life may actually reduce the likelihood of becoming allergic to these animals later in life.
Researchers investigated how dogs respond to human attention, finding that both domestic dogs and wolves can beg for food based on a human's attentiveness. Dogs' ability to follow human actions stems from their willingness to accept humans as social companions and conditioning to follow human movements.
Researchers have identified a novel hepatitis C-like virus in dogs, providing new insights into the origins of the human disease. The discovery offers renewed hope for developing a model system to study HCV's mechanisms and may lead to the development of drugs and vaccines.
A University of Washington psychologist argues that humans need exposure to the natural world for physical and psychological well-being. Studies show that technological substitutes for nature are better than none but not as good as real outdoors.
A study suggests that animal-assisted therapy can decrease patient anxiety in the pre-MRI setting, potentially reducing the need for anti-anxiety medications. The research, conducted at Monmouth Medical Center, involved 28 patients who interacted with a certified therapy dog before undergoing MRI scans.
Researchers at Indiana University found significant levels of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in the blood of pet dogs, with average concentrations about five to ten times higher than those found in humans. The study suggests that dogs may serve as 'biosentinels' for monitoring human exposure to flame retardants.
A University of Georgia study analyzed nearly 75,000 dog deaths over 20 years, identifying breed-specific risks and patterns. The research highlights the importance of anticipating potential health issues to manage wellness, particularly for rare breeds like the Bouvier des Flandres.
Researchers at MU discovered the same gene mutation found in Tibetian Terrier dogs also causes a fatal human neurological disorder related to Parkinson's disease. DNA tests can now identify affected dogs and potentially develop therapies.
Researchers at North Carolina State University used a genetic model of dogs to identify genes involved in human non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The study found that only a few genes were shared between dogs and humans, suggesting that the genetic changes associated with the cancer are much less complex in canines.
A three-month-old female French bulldog was found to have cryptorchid testicles and a large clitoris, revealing the first ever genetic alteration in this breed. The puppy underwent surgical sterilisation to prevent medical complications.
Hot dogs and deli meats have low levels of carcinogenic compounds, while bacon and rotisserie chicken contain higher amounts. Chicken skin is particularly high in HCA levels due to its lower moisture content.
Researchers found a genetic link between Shar-Pei dogs' characteristic wrinkled skin and periodic fever disorder. The mutation is caused by an over-activation of the hyaluronan synthase 2 (HAS2) gene, leading to excessive hyaluronan production.
A Michigan State University researcher shows people who own and walk their dogs were 34% more likely to meet federal physical activity benchmarks. Dog walkers also had higher overall levels of moderate and vigorous physical activities.
Mental health responders to the Continental Flight 3407 disaster share key successes and areas for improvement in disaster response planning. Clear relationships among responders, long-lasting mental health referrals, and efficient communication are highlighted as critical components of effective emergency preparedness.
A team of investigators has identified a new candidate gene for primary open angle glaucoma (POAG), the most common form of eye disorder. The gene, ADAMTS10, is involved in processing extracellular matrix and may play a role in regulating aqueous humor outflow.
The BTER Foundation has awarded six individuals for their contributions to biotherapy, a field that uses living organisms to aid healthcare. The award recipients include researchers, educators, and advocates who have promoted maggot therapy and other biotherapeutic disciplines.
Anthropologists at University of Toronto discover earliest cemetery in the Middle East, with graves containing human remains and those of a red fox. The discovery suggests that humans may have kept foxes as pets or had early attempts to tame them, but no successful domestication.
Research reveals dogs can detect specific odors in breath and stool samples with 95% accuracy for breath test and 98% accuracy for stool test. This method could lead to developing non-invasive tests for early stage bowel cancer detection.
A UC Davis study found that detection dog teams were more likely to alert to scents in rooms indicated by human cues, such as construction paper. The researchers suggest that subtle handler cues may be influencing the dogs' behavior, similar to the 'Clever Hans' effect seen in horses.
A contagious cancer found in dogs, wolves, and coyotes can repair its genetic mutations by adopting genes from its host animal. The cancer steals tiny DNA-containing powerhouses called mitochondria from infected cells to incorporate as its own.