Articles tagged with Dogs
A cross-disciplinary study combines canine olfaction with other detection methods to improve prostate cancer diagnosis. Dogs showed 71% sensitivity in detecting aggressive prostate cancer from urine samples, and an artificial neural network replicated their performance using spectroscopy data analysis.
Children in a social skills program with therapy dogs improved their moods and engagement levels, with many crediting the dogs for emotional well-being benefits. The study found that canine-assisted interventions can provide unique advantages in building social skills.
Scientists at MIT develop system that detects chemical and microbial content of air samples with greater sensitivity than a dog's nose. The miniaturized detection system, coupled with machine-learning process, can identify distinctive characteristics of disease-bearing samples, matching success rates of dogs in detecting prostate cancer.
A systematic review identified approaches to tackle loneliness and social isolation during the pandemic, including robotic dogs, mindfulness, and Tai Chi. The studies showed that these interventions could be effective even with social distancing measures in place.
A study by the University of New South Wales found that dingoes have more variable coat colours than previously thought, with no single colour distinguishing them from hybrids. Researchers analyzed 1325 wild canids and found that domestic dog ancestry is rare in the wild, representing less than 1.5% of the population.
Trained medical scent dogs have been shown to effectively screen individuals for COVID-19 with high accuracy and speed. The dogs' keen sense of smell allows them to detect the virus's volatile organic compounds in tiny concentrations.
Researchers found that trained scent detection dogs can accurately screen for COVID-19 with sensitivity and specificity comparable to standard testing procedures. The dogs' ability to detect volatile organic compounds associated with the virus has encouraging results.
A new, more complete dog reference genome has been built using DNA sequencing and annotation techniques. The improved genome will aid in understanding the link between DNA and disease in dogs and their human counterparts.
A study by the University of York found that animal owners in the UK reported increased appreciation for their pets during the pandemic, with many perceiving them as a reliable source of emotional and physical support. However, concerns about caring for animals, accessing veterinary care, and financial uncertainty were also expressed.
Researchers from Osaka Prefecture University have successfully isolated canine induced pluripotent stem cells, paving the way for regenerative therapies in dogs. The development of these cells could also have implications for human medicine, as they share similar environmental and genetic factors with humans.
A new University of Illinois study shows human-grade dog food is more digestible and produces less waste. Dogs fed human-grade diets had significantly less poop than those on traditional kibble, with some producing as little as 1.5 times less poop.
Researchers found that gifted dogs can rapidly learn novel words in social contexts but not in exclusion-based tasks. The study tested two exceptional dogs, Whisky and Vicky Nina, who learned new words after hearing them just four times.
Dogs were likely domesticated from Eurasian wolves around 23,000 years ago, and later accompanied humans to the Americas. Genetic analysis suggests all ancient dogs belonged to a single haplogroup lineage, A2b, which is no longer found in the continent.
A new study suggests that the first people to settle in the Americas were accompanied by their dogs, implying a earlier dog domestication in Siberia. This discovery sheds light on the origins of dogs and their relationship with humans.
Researchers found that women's involvement with dogs strengthened the human-dog bond, leading to increased personhood and utility. Hunting cultures also showed a stronger connection between humans and dogs.
A survey of 858 US dog owners reveals that lack of trust and cost are primary barriers to seeking veterinary care, affecting all demographics equally. Despite demographic differences in relationship with dogs and previous experiences, education is key to overcoming these barriers.
Researchers analyzed dog-owner pairs to identify key factors influencing treatment outcomes. They found a negative relationship between introverted owners and fearful dogs, suggesting proactive follow-up is crucial for optimal results. The study aims to improve behavioral guidance for veterinarians and inform potential follow-up research.
A recent redesign of a dog vaccination campaign in Blantyre city, Malawi, reduced the cost and time associated with rabies prevention by leveraging real-time data collection. The campaign vaccinated over 70% of local dogs using a combination of fixed locations and door-to-door vaccinations.
Researchers sequenced ancient DNA from dire wolf sub-fossils, showing they diverged from grey wolves over 5 million years ago. Dire wolves remained isolated in North America for millions of years, becoming genetically distinct from other canids.
A study suggests that sharing excess protein-rich meat from hunted prey species could have contributed to the early domestication of dogs. Humans feeding lean meat to wolves during severe ice age winters enabled companionship and potentially paved the way for full dog domestication.
Researchers discovered that some English bulldogs diagnosed with a common cancer may actually have polyclonal B-cell lymphocytosis, a non-cancerous syndrome. This condition can save dogs from being misdiagnosed or euthanized unnecessarily.
A new study from North Carolina State University has established a baseline for understanding sleep patterns in healthy adult dogs, shedding light on the effects of age, sex, and weight on their activity cycles. The research aims to improve detection and treatment of chronic pain and cognitive dysfunction in dogs.
A study published by the University of Helsinki found that living environments significantly impact the microbiota and health of both dogs and their owners. In rural areas, dogs and owners share skin microbes, while gut microbes differ between species.
Dogs trained with aversive methods showed increased cortisol levels and stress-related behaviors compared to those trained with reward-based methods. The study suggests that aversive training techniques may have a negative impact on dog welfare, especially when used at high frequency.
A proof-of-concept study found that trained dogs can detect COVID-19 infected individuals by smelling their axillary sweat samples. The researchers used a total of six detection dog teams to identify positive participants with high accuracy.
A new study published by the University of Portsmouth has found that robotic animals, such as the MiRo-E robot, can be just as effective as real therapy dogs in providing calming interactions for children.
A study published in The BMJ found that dog owners with diabetes are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes themselves than owners without a diabetic dog. However, no shared risk was found between cat owners and their pets.
A large cohort study found that dog owners with diabetes are 38% more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than those without. In contrast, no shared risk was detected in cat owners and their cats.
Despite excellent auditory capacities, dogs fail to attend to differences between words with single speech sound variations. This may be why dogs' learned vocabulary remains low throughout life. Brain activity studies show dogs quickly differentiate known from nonsense words but not those differing in just one sound.
The ZOWIAC project will investigate the effects of invasive carnivores on biological diversity and human health, using monitoring, metabarcoding, and spatial analysis to understand their impact. Citizens will also be involved in the research through a citizen science platform.
Researchers at NIST have created a faster and safer method to train detection dogs using polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) infused with vapors from explosives. This two-temperature method reduces the time needed to prepare training aids, allowing for quicker training of dogs to detect real substances.
Researchers found that both pigs and dogs stay close to their owners if alone, but only dogs stay near humans with a stranger present. Pigs prefer physical contact with their owners, often touching or climbing onto them.
Vaccination of endangered tiger population against canine distemper virus could reduce extinction probability from 15.8% to 5.7%
A new USC study reveals that AI models lack common sense to generate plausible sentences, despite advances in natural language processing. The research challenges the effectiveness of current benchmark tests and finds that even the strongest models can make silly mistakes.
A new study found that rising temperatures make brown dog ticks more likely to choose humans over canines, elevating the risk of Rocky Mountain spotted fever infections. As climate change expands areas with high temperatures, public health authorities must be vigilant for increased disease risks.
Researchers found that dietary intervention increased skin gene expression manifold, with raw food activating the immune defense system and increasing antioxidant production. This study suggests that a raw diet may help activate the immune defense of dogs, potentially reducing the risk of atopic dermatitis.
Researchers found that dogs' looking times were influenced by the owner's expressed preference, but not their fetching behavior. The study suggests that dogs can perceive and respond to human displays of preference, but may not fully understand the subjective nature of desire.
New research at Uppsala University reveals Swedish, Finnish and Russian wolves share a common genetic constitution, indicating a virtually pure origin from Finland and Russia. Genetic analysis of over 200 wolf samples found no evidence of hybridization with dogs in the Fennoscandian wolf population.
Researchers at North Carolina State University have discovered a new Rickettsia species in dogs that is part of the spotted-fever group. This new species has been found in multiple dogs across the US and shares genetic similarities with human Rickettsia pathogens.
Researchers used ancient DNA samples to reconstruct the population history of prehistoric dogs, finding they diverged into at least five distinct lineages by 11,000 years ago. The study also suggests human-dog migration patterns didn't always align, with some populations showing little genetic influence from wolves.
A global study of ancient dog DNA found at least five different types of dogs more than 11,000 years ago in Europe, the Near East, and Siberia. The research team sequenced DNA from 27 dogs, showing that canine diversity originated when humans were still hunters and gatherers.
A team of researchers found five different types of dogs with distinct genetic ancestries dating back to before animal domestication. The study sheds light on the origins of modern-day dogs and their relationship with humans.
Newly sequenced ancient dog genomes show a long shared history with humans, with dogs diverging from wolves around 11,000 years ago. The study reveals multiple dog lineages worldwide by this time, and genetic links to human migration patterns.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University used positive reinforcement to train a robot named Spot to perform several tasks in days, compared to months. The team devised a reward system that works for robots like treats do for dogs, earning numeric points for correct behaviors.
Researchers used digital endocranial cast models to compare canine brain shapes, finding that the shortening of the facial skeleton affects brain regions, primarily the olfactory bulb and frontal lobe. This could have profound implications for dog behavior and cognition.
Researchers found that dog personality has a 'stable' component, but individual dogs change at different rates, and some exhibit age-related impairments. Longitudinal studies showed that specific traits, like Problem orientation and Novelty seeking, change significantly during early life.
Researchers found that adult wolves form individualized social bonds with their human handlers and display attachment-like behaviors when separated. These findings suggest that the evolution of dog-human attachment may be linked to the common ancestor's social system.
A new study published in Scientific Reports found that lubricin, a protein that lubricates joints, increases in dogs with ACL injuries before signs of arthritis appear. The discovery has implications for human ACL and other orthopedic injuries, suggesting increased lubricin may be a biomarker for predicting future osteoarthritis.
The rehoming process involved months of basic pet dog skills training and outdoor acclimation. Some dogs experienced separation anxiety, highlighting the need for improved facility design and socialisation strategies.
Researchers used fMRI to compare brain activity in humans and dogs while watching videos of other animals. Dog brains showed no face-specific activation, unlike humans, but did display species preference for viewing a dog over a human.
A recent study published in The Journal of Neuroscience has revealed striking similarities and differences in how dog and human brains process visual information about others. Researchers used fMRI to compare brain activity patterns between twenty dogs and thirty humans, finding both analogous and divergent patterns of species- and fac...
Research on ancestral wolf species reveals evidence of food-sharing and family care, as evidenced by healed injuries. Fossil specimens from China and California show similar dental infections and leg fractures to modern wolves.
A study of search and rescue dogs found that dogs at the disaster site lived a similar length of time as those in a control group, with no discernable difference in cause of death. The most common cause of death was age-related conditions such as arthritis and cancer.
Researchers at Clemson University have identified two genetic variations associated with small body size and lance canine, a dental anomaly common in Shetland Sheepdogs. The study found that dogs with these variations are on average one inch shorter and six pounds lighter than unaffected breeds.
A study found genetic variants associated with a dental anomaly and smaller body size in dogs, particularly in toy breeds. These variants affect the processing of growth hormone and RNA enzymes, leading to reduced height and weight.
A new study found that aged pet dogs experience declines in four out of six behavioral factors, including problem-solving, sociability, and boldness. The research suggests that further studies are needed to determine the potential links between aging, nutrition, and training on canine cognition.
Researchers at Colorado State University found a genetic mutation associated with dogs having hypothyroidism being less likely to develop T-zone lymphoma. The study suggests that a region of chromosome 8 linked to thyroid hormone regulation may play a crucial role in the development of the disease.
The Australian labradoodle breed is primarily composed of poodle genetics, with smaller contributions from Labrador retrievers and spaniels. This study's findings suggest that selective breeding for a poodle-like coat has led to the development of hypoallergenic traits in the breed.
Scientists analyzed six dog foods and found that certain aroma compounds, including (E)-2-hexenal, 2-furfurylthiol, and 4-methyl-5-thiazoleethanol, were correlated with increased canine intake. These findings could help dog food manufacturers create more appealing kibble.
A study comparing young hand-raised wolves and dogs found that dogs are more tractable than wolves, especially in contexts involving access to resources. Dogs were more prepared to follow human initiation of action, but this difference diminished with age.