Most of us know we likely spend too much time on our phones. From Facebook to games to email and texts, they’re a never-ending source of information, entertainment and frustration. A 2017 analysis of multiple studies found that people spend more than hours a day on their smartphones – the equivalent of a part-time job! The folks at grammerly share five signs of excessive … [Read more...]
Heavy tech use threatens connections
Michael K. Spencer asks the question, “What if all of this technology . . . is leading us into a state where we might be at risk (as a species) to die one day of loneliness? Technological loneliness is set to increase. . . Loneliness is now agreed to be considered more dangerous than obesity, smoking, a sedentary lifestyle or working too much. Source: The Medium, January … [Read more...]
These tips will help you protect against data breaches
Fighting the temptation to abandon our attempts at securing our data is not realistic. We need to adopt a defensive attitude for the inevitable breach of our data. Whether it is your personal or business account, the main change needed in our thinking is to assume that we are targets. The first step is to use a different username and password on each crucial site or … [Read more...]
Opinion – Livestock producers still facing nuisance laws
As the noise increases about non-traditional-sourced 'meat' proteins, increasing pressure on source and production practices, the livestock industry remains under fire. Urban sprawl and the conversion of farm property to acreages encroach on buffer areas next to livestock production facilities. Iowa attorney Eldon McAfee says agricultural nuisance lawsuits in Iowa are … [Read more...]
Study: We’re finding new feline viruses faster than we can figure them out
The authors of a recent review in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery < link > say, “the rate at which novel [or previously unknown] viruses are being discovered now exceeds our understanding of their clinical relevance.” (The researchers) also raised important questions because the potential pathogenic role of novel viruses can be difficult to … [Read more...]
Mind tricks keep us addicted to our phones (includes video)
Zip, whoosh, boink, Ta-dah, ding! Add red dots, alert boxes and brightly colored notices and our cell phones tinker with the habit-forming parts of our brains to keep us coming back to them. Nicole Bayes-Fleming explains how those trigger-action-reward systems are integrated in persuasive design to be habit-forming. The average person spends a combined total of one … [Read more...]
Test tube horses becoming more common
We found this article on intracytoplasmic sperm injection informative and the science discussed educational. It is remarkable how modern science is extending blood lines using both mares and stallions despite some medical impediments. Source: Ranch Horse Journal, January 2019. Link. The benefits to this are that you are able to breed a mare that has always been an … [Read more...]
Focus on what you can control
Clint Schwab* reminds swine producers to remember to let technology take a backseat to good old-fashioned execution. Regardless of individual species focus, any animal health pro will capture something useful in his article about human and animal resources and maximizing production. He discusses training, feed quality, biosecurity, breeding and stress reduction. . . . … [Read more...]
Best productivity hacks for 2019
Whether at work, in relationships or at home Mike Schultz’s productivity tips make sense. See which ones will improve progress to your key objectives and goals. Source: Marketing Profs, January 21, 2019. Link. There are thousands of time-management and productivity tips and systems out there, but with so much information available, it's hard to know what works and what … [Read more...]
What to expect from Gen Z (includes infographic)
The oldest Gen Zers are now entering the workforce. Here are five tips on engaging them through learning and development programs: Go mobile or go homeFeed their bite-sized learning appetiteFocus on soft-skills developmentEncourage collaborationUse mixed-media formats Source: HR Technologist, December 28, 2018. Link. By designing learning experiences tailored to the … [Read more...]
Worm bacteria may help control mosquitoes
The chemical DEET has been our first and best line of defense against mosquitoes since the 1940s. Now a strain of bacteria that lives inside a common parasitic worm could play an important role in the fight against mosquitos. A study published in Science Advances < link > has found that a compound derived from these bacteria is three times more potent than DEET in repelling … [Read more...]
Video calls becoming as popular as voice calls
Live video calling has reached near-universal adoption for social use. It's quickly growing as the preferred method for consumers to connect with businesses, according to the results of the Vonage Video Chatterbox Nation Study. The study notes that video calling is on track to become the main form of consumer to business communication. Source: BusinessWire, January 17, … [Read more...]
Tracking migratory ungulates
Scientists are mapping more herd migration routes than ever before in the western U.S. While the efforts are aimed at conservation of primary migratory routes, animal health pros will readily see the benefits for managing and predicting CWD and other potential disease risks. Source: Smithsonian, January 8, 2019. Link. There are some similar things for bird migration,” … [Read more...]
Stop keeping your phone in these 10 places
Cell phones can put our health in danger if they are placed somewhere specific or be damaged completely, writes Alan Gleason. He shares 10 places to avoid keeping your phone: Back pocketFront pocketBrassiereOn the hipAgainst skinOn the chargerCold placesHot placesStrollerUnder pillows Source: Eyes in Tech, October 25, 2018. Link. Your phone may hold a lot of secrets and … [Read more...]
The Bridge Club gets 2019 started
Here’s the upcoming schedule of virtual or live Bridge Club gatherings that kick off 2019. Register for individual events on the website in the source link below. January 9, 7:30 pm CT: The Bridge Club’s Guide to VMXJanuary 19, 4:00 pm CT: LIVE EVENT: The Bridge Club’s Industry ICON Event at VMXJanuary 29, 7:30 pm CT: The Veterinary Nurse Initiative – Pro’s and ConsFebruary … [Read more...]
Sponsored Content from AAHA NEWStat
We’ve captured several helpful posts that recently appeared in the AAHA NEWStat blog as it is easy to miss things during the holiday period. Source: AAHA NEWStat. Link. Five pet insurance strategies to aid clients and grow your practice, AAHA NEWStat, January 1, 2019. Link. Sponsored content provided by Petplan Canine noise aversion and motion sickness: … [Read more...]
Why you need to change your passwords in 2019
Experts from the NSA and Darktrace discuss AI, invisible security and changing passwords. Despite the best efforts of the security community, users often resist doing the work required to implement even basic security Source: Fast Company, January 7, 2019. Link. If 2018 is any indication, threats are becoming more sophisticated, harder to detect, and potentially more … [Read more...]
Researchers summarize 50 years of pathogen research
Two University of Minnesota researchers have combed through 57,000 publications to share a 10-year retrospective of disease, pathogen research and how it is prioritized. Salmonella, E. coli, influenza, pseudorabies and FMD were the top 5 most researched pathogens. Source: National Hog Farmer, December 2018, page 6. Link. We generally find a shift in the last 40 years, … [Read more...]
Ways 3D printing helped animals in 2018
From animal prosthetics to implants to even robotic assistance for bees, 3D printing has helped animals as much as it has helped people. Read standout stories from 2018 about how 3D printing has helped our animal friends to live their best lives. Source: 3D Print.com, December 24, 2018. Link. As 2019 progresses, there will undoubtedly be many more instances of 3D printing … [Read more...]
Welcoming 2019 and adjusting to changes
For some animal health pros, early 2019 will bring a period of adjustment to some of the fast-paced onslaught of changes that started last year. Whether in practice ownership, cannabis laws or almost everything else, the past year brought upheaval to the profession, making it a microcosm of the world at large. Edie Lau Source: VIN News Service, December 31, 2018. Link. … [Read more...]
New tracker technology for cows resembles fitness trackers
A new type of fitness tracker may help farmers keep track of their livestock. The new technology, in the form of a smart ear tag, produces similar data to those delivered by consumer smart watches. GPS enabled, the high-tech ear tag allows farmers to track the location of individual animals remotely via internet capabilities. Source: BEEF, December 7, 2018. … [Read more...]
CRM is not dead
Succeeding today means developing and nurturing relationships more than it references efficiency, writes Denis Pombriant. He shares perspectives on why CRM is still important. If you haven't rethought your CRM deployment in a while, or if you thought you had everything done; think again. Source: CRM Buyer, December 1, 2018. Link. INSIGHTS: There’s little doubt large … [Read more...]
Replicating the cleaning power of cats’ tongues
What scientists study is amazing. Add technology and a 3D printer and the cleaning power of a cat’s tongue becomes a viable product development opportunity. A cleaning brush inspired by new research on the unique structure of a cat’s tongue is on the way. Source: AAHANEWStat, November 29, 2018. Link. Cats’ scratchy tongues enable them to keep themselves so clean. … [Read more...]
Music that helps you be more productive
Jared Lindzon writes about music in the workplace and its influence on productivity. The choices must address human and animal needs in animal health facilities. We’ve added sources for your consideration that address productivity, personnel and animals. ¯ . . . music is preferred over any other background noise in the workplace. . . A continually changing music stream is … [Read more...]
Opinion – Healthcare disruption trends may impact animal health
The article referenced sheds insight on how human medicine development might play out in animal health. . . . technology and cost pressures are causing a“shift left” in health care... Technology is transforming how we do business at a remarkable pace and breadth of innovation, from vertical integration to virtual reality. A POLITICO working group brought together a group … [Read more...]
Tufts, the future of feline health
More than 90 percent of cats seen in clinics are the result of random breeding. Jerold S. Bell, DVM, reviews common feline diseases and notes that many of them are the result of genetic predispositions and will most likely appear in other cats unless we take long-term measures. Pressure needs to be put on the cat breeding community so that it recognizes that the consumer is … [Read more...]
Virtual work skills we all need
It is routine that some interactions are virtual for all animal health pros. Examples include: Field sales phoning to manage an order with an inside sales personInside sales contacting a customer to verify a size, quantity or promotional offer before shipping an orderClinic personnel contacting animal owners to verify appointmentsTelemedicine tools Training via … [Read more...]
Texas landowners get feral hog reporting tool
Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute has released a new online tool <link> to help in the growing effort to control the feral hog population in the state. The wild pig website offers Texas landowners and homeowners an easy-to-use tool to report sightings of feral hogs and the damage they may have caused. Source: National Hog Farmer, November 29, 2018. … [Read more...]
The silky, Milky, totally strange saga of the spider goat
This is not click bait! It’s a transgenic story of something that seems to be going right and a potential source of natural fibers that are stronger than Kevlar. The only outward difference between spider goats and your garden-variety ruminants is in their milk: It contains elements of golden orb spider silk. Source: Modern Farmer, September 2013. Link. This special silk is … [Read more...]
Pheromones effective at decreasing feline aggression
Hiss, yowl, sphftt, thump, pow, schzip! In multi-cat households the sounds often remind owners of superhero TV. Owners now have a stress-reducing options. A recent study in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery looked at the effectiveness of using pheromone diffusers for aggression in multi-cat households. They discovered that cats exposed to feline-appeasing pheromones … [Read more...]