Articles tagged with Dogs
A unique Stone Age burial site in Finland uncovered a child between 3-10 years old, accompanied by bird feathers from a waterfowl or falcon, as well as dog or wolf hairs. The discovery provides valuable insights into ancient burial habits and the use of soil analysis to trace plant and animal remains.
A new study reveals that people with strong emotions are more interested in interacting with cats, contrary to the common perception that cat interactions are less appealing. The research found that universities can benefit from including both dogs and cats in their animal-assisted interventions to reach a broader audience.
A study by Oregon State University found that dogs with owners who have high expectations and respond well to their behavior are more social, secure, and persistent problem solvers. The research suggests that understanding a dog's needs is crucial for raising secure and resilient dogs.
Researchers found that petting real dogs activates the prefrontal cortex more than stuffed animals, with increased brain activity each time interaction occurs. This effect persists after the dog is gone, suggesting a long-lasting impact of social bonding.
Researchers identified 7 core categories of behaviors important for human-dog bonds, including attunement, communication, and physical affection. These behaviors may be incorporated into robotic systems to provide mental health benefits for humans.
The study explored how humans react to DAVE, a Virtual Labrador, in virtual reality. Researchers found that humans exhibited varying behaviors when interacting with the digital dog, shedding light on canine-human interactions.
A new study by Queen's University Belfast researchers found that dogs can detect human stress through scent alone, without visual or audio cues. The study involved four dogs and 36 people, who underwent a difficult maths problem to induce stress. The dogs correctly identified the stressed samples in every test session.
A new study found that dogs can differentiate between breath and sweat samples from people before and after a stress-inducing task with an accuracy of 93.75%. The researchers believe that dogs are able to detect changes in volatile organic compounds produced by humans in response to stress.
Researchers at Stockholm University found wolves can show attachment towards humans, discriminating between familiar and stranger individuals. The study suggests ancestral variation for human-dog attachment bonds, potentially explaining similarities in canine behavior.
A recent genomic analysis reveals that all South American canid species descended from a single ancestral population that arrived on the continent between 3.5 million and 4 million years ago. The study found that genetic mutations leading to extreme variations in height, size, and diet were introduced artificially through selective bre...
Researchers at Emory University used machine learning and fMRI to analyze a dog's brain activity while watching videos. The results show that dogs are more attuned to actions in their environment than to who or what is performing the action. This study offers proof of concept for decoding canine visual perception.
A recent study found a significant decline in pet neuter surgeries nationwide due to the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to increased shelter overcrowding and euthanasia. The study, which analyzed data from 212 clinics, showed a shortage of veterinarians and staffing issues exacerbated the problem.
Researchers found that lifespan estimates could inform veterinarians whether to screen for CCD in older dogs. Dogs' cognitive function declines as they age, and signs of CCD include memory deficits, loss of spatial awareness, and sleep disruption.
A new international study suggests that dog owners who spend more time exercising themselves tend to exercise their dogs more, leading to a perceived ideal body weight. The study found that feeding practices play a main role in owner perception of their dog being overweight, while exercise practices are crucial for an ideal weight.
Computer simulations reveal that animals rearing up to smell the air is part of an efficient strategy for locating scent sources. Animals use physics to navigate turbulent environments, pausing and standing on hind legs to catch distant scents in the air.
A study published in Current Biology found that dogs shed tears associated with positive emotions, such as reuniting with their owners, suggesting a stronger bond between humans and dogs. Oxytocin may play a role in this emotional response, with researchers also noting that people tend to respond more positively to teary-eyed dog faces.
A recent study found that US animal shelters experienced a surge in dog and cat intake following climate-linked disasters. The influx of animals lasted for up to a year, highlighting the need for preparedness and resources for affected facilities.
A study by Hoi-Lam Jim and colleagues found that neither dogs nor wolves formed reputations of humans as generous or selfish after indirect or direct interactions. However, some animals showed preference for the generous human after combined experiences.
A new study found a correlation between colder temperatures and northern regions in the US and an increased risk of diabetes diagnoses in dogs. Diabetes diagnoses were more common in winter and in the North compared to other seasons and regions.
Researchers found that gifted word learners, a rare breed of dogs capable of learning multiple toy names, exhibit even higher levels of playfulness than typical border collies. The study suggests a correlation between playfulness and giftedness in learning object verbal labels.
A multi-institutional team assessed the diagnostic criteria for canine glioma using the Comparative Brain Tumor Consortium's guidelines. The study found that consensus was achieved for 71 out of 85 cases (84%), with a moderate level of inter-pathologist agreement.
A new study from North Carolina State University explores the connection between hearing loss and dementia in geriatric dogs. The study found that as hearing deteriorated, dogs' ability to perform tasks declined significantly. Cognitive scores related to vitality and companionship were also negatively impacted.
A new study from the University of Illinois found that dog gut bacteria can change rapidly after introducing a new diet, with microbial turnover occurring in under a week. The research also confirmed previous findings on the health benefits of high-fiber diets over high-fat and high-protein diets.
A new study successfully introduces healthy photoreceptor cells derived from stem cells into the retinas of dogs, marking significant progress toward a cell-based therapy for blindness. The treatment enables cells to survive and form connections with existing retinal cells, paving the way for a regenerative medicine approach.
A new analysis of service dog-veteran pairs found that lower dog excitability and closer relationships between veterans and their dogs are associated with reduced PTSD symptoms. Better mental health outcomes were also linked to perceptions of easy care for the dog and more frequent interactions initiated by the veteran.
Two studies found that dogs fed on a diet of raw meat were more likely to excrete antibiotic-resistant E. coli in their faeces. The research suggests that not feeding raw meat to dogs may help reduce the circulation of critically important antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Researchers at Cornell University found connections between the brain's olfactory pathway and visual cortex in dogs, showing that olfaction is integrated with vision in terms of learning about the environment. This study corroborates clinical experiences with blind dogs who function remarkably well despite their condition.
Researchers measured wolf sleep using non-invasive EEG, finding similarities with dog sleep but less REM time. The study offers a unique opportunity to understand the effects of domestication and cohabitation on wolf sleep phenotypes.
A study by Ohio State University found that neighborhoods with high levels of trust and more dogs had lower rates of homicide, robbery, and aggravated assaults compared to areas with fewer dogs. The presence of dog walkers serves as a form of neighborhood surveillance, discouraging crime and deterring potential threats.
A new study by University of Cambridge researchers found that male dogs are four to five times more likely than female dogs to be infected with the oro-nasal form of Canine Transmissible Venereal Tumour. This unusual cancer is infectious and can spread between dogs through contact, commonly affecting genitals but also the nose and mouth.
Researchers found that dogs derive ancestry from at least two separate wolf populations, an eastern source and a more westerly source. The study, published in Nature, analyzed 72 ancient wolf genomes spanning the last 100,000 years and suggests that domestication occurred in multiple places.
Researchers sampled fecal microbiomes from dogs across diverse populations in South Africa, India, and Laos, revealing similar metabolic functions. The study suggests that industrialization may affect the human microbiome diversity in non-industrialized settings.
A new analysis of ancient and contemporary genomes shows that more than half of historical groups experienced founder events, leading to reduced genetic diversity. This research has significant implications for scientists studying human genetic variation and the discovery of disease-causing mutations.
A new study reveals that over half of human populations worldwide have experienced sharp dips in population size due to founder events, associated with geographic isolation, hunter-gatherer lifestyle, or cultural practices. This analysis technique, ASCEND, will help identify groups at high risk of genetic diseases.
A study found that older men, especially dog owners, coped better during the COVID-19 pandemic than those who experienced the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Pet companionship reduced feelings of loneliness and provided a sense of purpose.
A new study published in PLOS ONE found that dog-assisted interventions can significantly reduce stress levels in elementary school children, both with and without special needs. The research used salivary cortisol levels to track the effects of dog interactions on stress levels, revealing a decrease in cortisol levels after dog sessions.
A new study finds that the quality of dog-owner relationships is similar between Canadian-born dogs and internationally sourced dogs. Owners reported equal satisfaction, attachment, and problematic behaviors, suggesting owner attitudes play a greater role than dog characteristics.
The latest publication from the Golden Retriever Lifetime Study reviews current demographics and health parameters, including cancer diagnoses and deaths. The study has obtained 223 of its desired primary endpoints, with hemangiosarcoma being the most common cancer.
A study published in Canine Medicine and Genetics found English Bulldogs are at increased risk of breathing, eye, and skin conditions due to their extreme physical features. The authors advocate for redefining the breed standard towards more moderate characteristics to improve health.
A new study reveals that dogs think about their toys by imagining different sensory features, such as the way they look or smell. Gifted Word Learner dogs were able to recall the name of a toy even in the dark, using a multisensory mental image.
Dogs with metastatic lung disease were treated with protein interleukin-15 (IL-15) via inhalation, demonstrating immune system stimulation and cancer cell elimination. The study showed a 40% clinical benefit rate, outperforming previous human studies.
Two genetic mutations in the melanocortin 2 receptor gene may have enabled dogs to develop social cognitive skills for human interaction. This was found in a study of 624 domestic dogs using two tasks that tested their understanding of human gestures and communication.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that dogs can detect SARS-CoV-2 infections with high sensitivity (97%) and lower specificity (91%), even when patients are asymptomatic. The diagnostic accuracy of canine olfaction for non-invasive detection of COVID-19 was demonstrated in a clinical trial conducted in France and the UAE.
Researchers at Eötvös Loránd University found that dogs with higher attachment scores spend more time in deep sleep and relax better in new environments. The study suggests a similarity between dog-owner relationships and human-child relationships.
A new study found that exposure to dogs, particularly from ages 5 to 15, was linked to healthy gut permeability and balance in the gut microbiome. Additionally, growing up in a large family with three or more siblings may also provide protection against Crohn's disease by influencing microbiome composition.
Research reveals Patagonian sheepdogs share common traits with European herding breeds, tracing back to extinct UK shepherds. The study uses genomic characterization and DNA sequencing to identify the connection between the two populations.
Veterinarians at UC Davis have developed an AI model that can predict Leptospirosis in dogs with high accuracy, outperforming traditional testing methods. The model uses machine-learning algorithms to analyze historical data and provide timely predictions, which can be an online resource for veterinarians.
A new study suggests that growing up with dogs and in large families may lower the risk of inflammatory bowel disease. Exposure to dogs, particularly between ages 5-15, was linked to healthy gut permeability and a balanced immune response, which may help protect against Crohn's disease.
A recent study by the University of Helsinki found that scent detection dogs can accurately identify individuals with a coronavirus infection from skin swabs. The dogs' sensitivity and specificity were 92%, with only small differences in accuracy observed between individual dogs.
Researchers have trained sniffer dogs to detect SARS-CoV-2 in airport passengers with high accuracy, comparable to PCR swab tests. The dogs' performance was found to be robust across various scenarios, including low prevalence populations, suggesting their potential for widespread use in screening.
Researchers have developed a multi-dimensional approach to quantify cognitive decline in aging dogs, which may also inform human Alzheimer's disease treatment. The method combines physical exams, lab tests, and cognitive assessments to provide a more complete picture of canine cognitive function.
Researchers found that dogs process human and canine vocalizations differently in their brains, responding to emotional content and distinct neural pathways. This groundbreaking study provides new insights into the neural functions of canine auditory perception.
Despite service restrictions, veterinary practices adapted to unprecedented circumstances, offering convenient remote consultations and addressing urgent care needs. Delays and cancellations of procedures affected some dogs, but the majority of respondents found remote consultations to be a reliable option.
A new canine coronavirus variant has been identified in human patients with pneumonia, showing a shift from infecting both the intestines and respiratory system to only the respiratory system. Researchers used state-of-the-art tools to assess evolution pressures that may have influenced this shift.
A new study analyzed 30,563 records of dog deaths in the UK, finding that Jack Russell Terriers have the highest life expectancy at birth (12.72 years), while French Bulldogs have one of the lowest (4.53 years). Neutering also appears to increase life expectancy for dogs.
A study published in PLOS Genetics reveals that Patagonian sheepdogs share a common ancestor with modern UK herding breeds, dating back around 150 years. The breed's unique genetic makeup reflects the pattern of European colonization in South America.
A new virtual reality (VR) experience is educating children aged 10-12 about bushfires, helping them learn how to be safer in emergencies. The project demonstrates the effectiveness of immersive VR experiences in delivering positive learning outcomes for primary children.
A study published in Scientific Reports found that shelter dog hair cortisol levels increased by one-third after six weeks in the shelter, indicating elevated stress. After adoption, cortisol levels decreased, returning to pre-shelter values. The results suggest that even well-managed shelters can cause stress in dogs.
A survey of veterinarians in the US and Canada reveals a significant increase in cannabis poisoning cases among pets since Canada's 2018 legalization, with most cases treated successfully. The study highlights the importance of understanding the effects of cannabis on pets to inform veterinary efforts and policies.
A survey of over 2,500 dog owners found that nutritionally sound vegan diets were associated with better health outcomes for dogs compared to raw or conventional meat diets. The study controlled for various factors and suggested that a well-planned vegan diet may be the healthiest choice for canines.