A new study has found some of the clearest evidence yet that animals can judge time. By examining the brain's medial entorhinal cortex, the researchers discovered a previously unknown set of neurons that turn on like a clock when an animal is waiting.
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New research has revealed the life expectancy of chocolate Labradors is significantly lower than their black and yellow counterparts.
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Since the reintroduction of wolves to Yellowstone National Park in 1995, the park's ecosystem has become a deeply complex and heterogeneous system, aided by a strategy of minimal human intervention. The new study is a synthesis of 40 years of research on large mammals in Yellowstone National Park.
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Experimental results suggest that dogs have at least a rudimentary neural representation of meaning for words they have been taught, differentiating words they have heard before from those they have not.
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A study has found that canine parvovirus (CPV), a highly contagious and deadly disease that tragically kills puppies, is more prevalent than previously thought with 20,000 cases found in Australia each year, and nearly half of these cases result in death.
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DNA testing of more than 6,000 dogs has revealed that a duplication on canine chromosome 18 is strongly associated with blue eyes in Siberian Huskies. View the source article
A study analyzed environmental exposures, like pet and secondhand smoke, to determine if they have a role in asthma control among children whose asthma is managed per NAEPP (EPR-3) guidelines. Researchers found that once asthma guidelines are followed, environmental exposures to pets or secondhand smoke were not significant factors in overall asthma improvement over time. View the source article
After more than 50 generations of selective breeding, a new study compares gene expression of tame and aggressive silver foxes in two areas of the brain, shedding light on genes responsible for social behavior. View the source article
New research finds three alternative answers beyond errors in handler or dog training that can explain why dogs trained to identify scat for conservation purposes sometimes collect non-target scats. View the source article
A specific virus changes dietary behavior of fire ants, leading researchers to rethink control methods for the invasive species. View the source article
Nothing Cairn-related, just a silly phone-photo I took during my first visit to the Minnesota state fair.
For context one of the fair features is a live sculpting of a life-size butter head of Princess Kay of the Milky Way. Apparently each of the finalists also get their day in the refrigerated art room We were there on opening day and the artist was just beginning. I could not resist making a small joke based on the timing of the photo.
A virtual dog could soon be used as an educational tool to help prevent dog bites, thanks to an innovative project led by the University of Liverpool's Virtual Engineering Centre (VEC). View the source article
Many dog owners think of their furry companions as part of the family, and now products are available to feed them that way, too. Some owners are moving away from traditional extruded kibble products, instead choosing ultra-premium fresh and raw diets found in the refrigerated aisle. The foods may look more similar to what we'd feed a member of the family, but many of the newer diets haven't been rigorously tested for performance in dogs. View the source article
Scientists used genetic testing in over 900 shelter dogs to identify breed heritage in the largest study of its kind. The researchers found widespread genetic diversity: 125 breeds in the sample and an average of three breed matches per dog. The accuracy of shelter staff in identifying more than one breed in the dog's heritage based just on physical appearance was only 10 percent. How breed labels can impact shelter dogs is discussed. View the source article
A collagen formulation mixed with pancreatic cells is the first minimally invasive therapy to successfully reverse Type 1 diabetes within 24 hours and maintain insulin independence for at least 90 days, a pre-clinical animal study shows. View the source article
Most animals have a keen sense of smell, which assists them in everyday tasks. Now, a new study sheds light on exactly how animals follow smells. View the source article
Researchers have uncovered new details in how the olfactory epithelium develops. The new knowledge could help scientists prove that turbinates and the resulting larger surface area of the olfactory epithelium are one definitive reason dogs smell so well. View the source article
Airlines are not the only organizations grappling with the complexities surrounding emotional support animals. Colleges and courts are also questioning the need for these animals and the effects they may have on students and juries, respectively, according to new research. View the source article
A new blood test can quickly spots early signs of liver disease in dogs, a study suggests. The test means that fewer dogs will have to undergo invasive liver biopsies. View the source article