A randomized controlled trial found that assistance dogs significantly improved wellbeing, mental health and independence for people with severe or profound hearing loss. Participants reported better mental well-being, fewer symptoms of anxiety and depression, and reduced social isolation.
Researchers compared genetic expression profiles of canine acanthomatous ameloblastoma and human oral tumor ameloblastoma, finding similarities in molecular mutations. The study lays groundwork for potential translational medicine, as the dog model may represent a useful clinical model of the disease.
Researchers studied 4022 dogs fed different diets as puppies to see if it affected allergy and atopy related skin symptoms in adulthood. They found that puppies fed raw tripe, organ meats, and human meal leftovers had fewer allergies and skin issues.
A study conducted at the University of São Paulo analyzed how dogs living inside the home exchange looks with their owners to obtain food or other desired objects. The researchers found that 95.7% of those living inside the home used gaze alternation at least once, while those living outside communicated less intensely.
Researchers use 103 retired sled dogs to study aging-related diseases like arthritis and cancer. The study aims to characterize canine aging mechanisms and identify biomarkers for anti-aging treatments.
Researchers found that high-frequency, intermittent noises trigger more anxiety in dogs than low-frequency, continuous noise. Dog owners often underestimate their pets' fearfulness and respond with amusement rather than concern.
A new study by Hungarian researchers finds that dogs use complex computations and brain regions similar to humans to learn word boundaries in speech. Dogs can recognize syllable patterning, such as frequent words with consistent syllables, and use this information to extract words from continuous speech.
A new canine mutant model mimics human cerebrovascular disease by exhibiting severe arteriosclerosis, thrombosis, and stroke. The ApoE knockout dogs show extensive and severe arteriosclerosis plaques and arterial stenosis, consistent with human cerebral arteries and coronary arteries.
Researchers studied head tilting in dogs that could learn toy names and found a relationship between head tilts and processing relevant stimuli. Consistent side tilts were observed for each individual dog over time.
A recent study by Washington State University researchers found that 75% of new first-year college students experience some level of pet separation anxiety, with one in four reporting moderate to severe symptoms. Students who treated their pets like people were more likely to experience high levels of anxiety.
A new vaccine has shown significant protection against Valley fever in dogs, offering hope for a potential human vaccine. The study found that two doses provided high levels of protection against the fungal disease.
A computer model developed by the University of Surrey researchers supports Bernard Williams' 40-year-old hypothesis that pressure changes cause fluid in the cavity to 'slosh', generating stress in the spinal cord tissue. The study shows that this process can lead to small cavities gradually expanding down the spinal cord.
Researchers found that jaguars are preying on guard dogs in a Mexican Caribbean village, mimicking the behavior of Indian leopards. The study highlights the threat of pet predation conflict to jaguar populations and the need for further research.
A new study reveals that some gifted dogs can learn up to 12 new toy names in just one week and remember them for at least two months. The researchers tested these talented dogs as part of the Genius Dog Challenge, a series of live broadcasted experiments.
A survey conducted by Michigan Medicine found that nearly two-thirds of respondents experienced difficulty with pet care during hospitalization or knew someone who did. This stress can impact a patient's decision about staying in the hospital. Researchers aim to develop better resources and formalized services to address this need.
Researchers found that ancient Siberian human populations interacted with outside dog populations at least 2,000 years ago, suggesting dogs were traded as goods. The study reveals that modern dog breeds like Samoyeds and Siberian Huskies maintain significant ancestry from a lineage established prior to 9,500 years ago.
Researchers find hookworms resistant to multiple drugs used to treat them, with high prevalence in racing greyhounds. The study's results highlight the importance of regular deworming and caution against dog parks as potential breeding grounds for drug-resistant parasites.
A textile-based implant containing cartilage derived from stem cells reduced pain and restored hip joint function to baseline levels in a study of dogs with moderate osteoarthritis. The implant successfully integrated into the hip joints, effectively resurfacing them and allowing the dogs to regain activity levels.
Researchers at Eötvös Loránd University discovered that dogs exhibit attachment behaviors similar to human infants, responding positively to their owner's speech. The study found that the reward center of a dog's brain is more sensitive to its owner's voice compared to a familiar person's praise.
A recent study found that Cavalier King Charles spaniels have an increased number of disease-causing mutations compared to other breeds. The breed's history of intense breeding and limited gene pool has led to the accumulation of harmful genetic variants, including those linked to myxomatous mitral valve disease, a common heart condition.
Researchers found that dogs respond differently to food rewards withheld intentionally versus unintentionally. Dogs waited longer in the 'unwilling' condition, indicating they can differentiate between purposeful and accidental actions.
Research found a strong correlation between Aβ42 peptide levels in companion dog brains and cognitive decline, supporting the use of dogs as models for Alzheimer's disease. The study's results demonstrate the potential of canine cognitive dysfunction as a tool for understanding human aging and age-related diseases.
A new study suggests that a treatment for canine glioblastoma may also be effective in humans, with some dogs experiencing significant tumor shrinkage. The treatment uses an immunotherapy drug called STING agonist, which induced a robust immune response against cancer cells.
A case study reports success in restoring hormone balance to a castrated dog, improving mobility, reducing anxiety, and alleviating various health issues. The treatment involved testosterone and GnRH agonist therapy, resulting in significant health improvements.
A new study reveals that high-grade gliomas in dogs contain more immune cells associated with suppressing immune response than low-grade gliomas. The findings suggest that these brain tumors may recruit cells to aid in immunosuppression, which could lead to improved immunotherapies for both humans and dogs.
A new study by Professor Danika Bannasch and colleagues reveals that five distinct dog coat patterns have an ancient origin, dating back over 2 million years. The research suggests that lighter coat colors would have been advantageous to an extinct canid ancestor in arctic environments during glaciation periods.
A team of researchers has cracked the code on dog coat color patterns by identifying five distinct genetic variants that cause different colors. These variants originated in an extinct species and were introduced into modern dogs through hybridization events.
In an experiment, dogs were paired with two unfamiliar humans - one helpful and one unhelpful. Despite the humans' behavior, the dogs showed no preference for the helper or did not reciprocate by acting more favorably towards them. The study suggests that dogs may not be able to understand the connection between human help and reward.
Researchers at Utrecht University found shelter dogs rest less and have higher stress hormone levels than pet dogs, indicating a need for adaptation time
A new study by Duke University finds that dogs have developed complex cognitive abilities similar to human babies after 14,000 years of domestication. The research tested dog and wolf puppies, revealing that dogs can intuitively understand human gestures and social cues.
The mcr-1 gene, providing resistance to last-resort antibiotic colistin, has been detected in humans and pets worldwide since its first report in China in 2015. Research finds that household pets may be acting as reservoirs of the gene, aiding its spread in the community.
A study found that raw dog food in European supermarkets and pet shops contains antibiotic-resistant bacteria, including 'superbugs' found in hospital patients. The researchers concluded that dog food is a source of bacteria resistant to last-resort antibiotics and could potentially spread to humans.
Researchers developed a smart collar that delivers praziquantel, a deworming drug, to dogs infected with echinococcosis. The collar reduces the risk of tapeworms in dogs by 0.182 times and 0.336 times compared to control groups.
A new study published in Scientific Reports found that a handful of dogs learn multiple toy names effortlessly, despite struggling with object labels. The research suggests that talent in a specific field may not be exclusively human, with gifted word learner dogs displaying exceptional learning capacity.
A study of 156 dogs and 154 cats found that 6% had active COVID-19 infections and 17.4% had antibodies indicating past exposure. The researchers suggest that the most likely route of transmission is from human to pet, rather than the other way around.
A study found that cats are more susceptible to COVID-19 than dogs, with 67% of owned cats testing positive for antibodies. Cats that sleep on their owner's bed are particularly at risk, and prolonged contact with owners may increase the chance of infection.
Researchers found that early British Antarctic expeditions fed their dogs inadequate amounts of Spratt's dog cakes, leading to desperation and hunger among the canine team members. The study suggests that the dogs required significantly more energy-rich food to sustain their high-energy activities.
A University of Georgia study reveals the complex web of human conflicts hindering endangered species conservation in South Africa. The oribi's fate is entwined with private landownership, political corruption, and racial tensions.
A rare parasitic infection is spreading rapidly in Alberta, with over 17 human cases diagnosed between 2013 and 2020. The disease, known as alveolar echinococcosis, causes serious health complications and can be deadly if left untreated.
Researchers found that puppies as young as 8 weeks old demonstrate social communication skills, such as following pointing gestures and engaging in eye contact. Genetics explain more than 40% of the variation in puppies' abilities, suggesting an innate capacity for human interaction.
Researchers are collaborating to evaluate detection canine technology and eDNA detection sensitivity for preventing invasive mussel invasion in Texas. Detection canines have shown great success in detecting mussels at all stages of life, but their limits for late-stage larval detection have not been studied.
Researchers found that puppies demonstrate human-like social skills from a young age, with a strong genetic component. They can reciprocate human social gaze and use information given by humans in social contexts, even before extensive experience with humans.
Researchers created high-resolution maps of the virus using cryogenic electron microscopy and custom software. The 3D image revealed that an antibody binding site on CPV significantly overlapped its receptor binding site, allowing antibodies to block virus attachment and neutralize infection.
Finnish researchers have identified the LOXHD1 gene as the cause of nonsyndromic early-onset hereditary canine hearing loss in Rottweilers. The study's findings have implications for breeding practices, allowing dogs to be tested for the defective gene and preventing deafness in puppies.
Researchers have identified a new canine-like coronavirus found in Malaysian pneumonia cases, indicating potential for animal-to-human transmission. The discovery highlights the need for better surveillance to detect novel coronaviruses and mitigate public health threats.
A new international study found that pet owners who follow gluten-free, organic or grain-free diets are likely to look for similar characteristics in their dog's food. The study also found that dog owners in Germany preferred grain-free dog food at a rate of 30%.
Researchers have developed sensors that can detect explosive materials, particles from deadly viruses, and illegal drugs at the part-per-quadrillion level. The technology has a wide range of applications, including monitoring wounds in soldiers and detecting roadside IEDs.
The Hungarian Canine Brain and Tissue Bank (CBTB) has made significant contributions to aging research by providing biological materials from pet dogs. Researchers found a positive correlation between CDKN2A expression and age in brain and muscle tissue, similar to human findings.
A genetic study has identified two regions in the canine genome associated with a high risk of developing an aggressive form of hematological cancer, known as histiocytic sarcoma. The research, which combined multiple sequencing techniques, found that these regions account for 35% of the risk of the disease in flat-coated retrievers.
Research at Washington State University found that petting therapy dogs enhanced executive functioning in stressed-out college students, particularly those at risk of mental health issues. The study, published in AERA Open, demonstrated long-lasting cognitive benefits up to six weeks after program completion.
Researchers found that hunting dog breeds show clear links between owner personality and dog-stress levels, while ancient breeds are less affected. The study suggests breeding for collaboration with humans influences stress synchronization in herding dogs.
Researchers tracked African wild dog movement and found suitable corridors within the KAZA, but country-specific differences hinder animal movements. The study's findings support conservation efforts and suggest benefits for other species like lions, elephants, and cheetahs.
A University of Helsinki study of 9,000 dogs found that fearfulness is a key factor in aggressive behavior, with fearful dogs more likely to behave aggressively. The study also identified breed differences, with certain breeds exhibiting higher levels of aggression.
A new study by Hungarian ethologists found that shorter-headed dog breeds, such as boxers and bulldogs, are more likely to form eye contact with humans due to their unique retina structure. Younger and playfully dogs also exhibited faster eye contact formation in a behavior test.
Scientists have discovered a potential new therapy target for canine cancer, specifically oral malignant melanoma in dogs. The treatment targets the PD-L1 molecule, which has shown promise in human cancer treatments, and significantly increased survival time for dogs with pulmonary metastatic OMM.
Researchers at the University of Helsinki found a link between a gene defect and severe epilepsy in Parson Russell Terrier puppies. The PITRM1 gene mutation causes mitochondrial dysfunction, leading to neurodegeneration and seizures.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that specially trained dogs can identify positive COVID-19 samples with high accuracy, recognizing the unique odor of the infection. The research suggests large-scale training with diverse samples is crucial to ensure quality and validity for future applications.
A 2019-2020 canine vomiting outbreak was identified as a variant of canine enteric coronavirus (CeCoV), affecting male dogs more than females. A national surveillance system is being developed to monitor canine health.
The discovery reveals a significant finding about the lives of ancient humans and their animals. The site contains 26 fragments of dog bones alongside human remains, dated to circa 4200-4000 BCE, indicating a long-term bond between species. The research challenges current understanding of Neolithic periods in the Middle East.
A new study published in Psychological Science found that dogs display jealous behaviors when their owners interact with a potential rival, including forcefully attempting to reach the owner. The researchers tested 18 dogs using realistic artificial dogs and fleece cylinders, demonstrating three human-like signatures of jealous behavior.