Commentary It is NOT time to panic. Experts are studying the potential for H5N1 to mutate and reassort with seasonal influenza. They indicate humans and pigs could both serve as mixing vessels for a bird flu–seasonal flu hybrid. The article by Tanya Lewis provides a situation analysis, food for thought and reinforces the importance of: seasonal flu vaccination for … [Read more...]
Update on CWD and potential spillover risks
Chronic wasting disease is currently known to infect only members of the cervid family, such as elk, deer, reindeer, caribou and moose. Scientists are increasing research on CWD and say we are ill-prepared should a mutation allow a spillover into other species. CWD is a neurological disease caused by misfolded proteins called prions. Prions behave very differently than viruses … [Read more...]
Physics of how cats almost always land on their feet
Felines exploit the physical laws of classical mechanics: by placing their front paws close to their body, they reduce their moment of inertia, writes Manon Bischoff. He also shares the physics scientists used to explain acceleration and velocity as the falling distances change for cats who are built to contort and land on their feet. Source: Scientific American, July 24, … [Read more...]
Some sugar substitutes affect blood glucose and gut bacteria
In a new study, human participants who consumed sugar substitutes showed an altered microbiome and spikes in blood glucose. However, the effects of the sweeteners on blood glucose are likely highly personalized, Eran Elinav says. But the results suggest these compounds don’t just pass through the body, as some originally thought. Source: Scientific American as seen in AAHA … [Read more...]
More research needed on honesty
The title was enough to catch my attention, especially considering the confusion of the last several months. As citizens of the world, we’re obsessed with lying and lies right now. What’s real, what’s fake, and what’s deliberate and deceitful manipulation?” Author Judi Ketteler proclaims everybody wants the truth, but nobody wants to be honest. She says we know about lying … [Read more...]
Getting to the bottom of goosebumps
Scientists have found the same cell types that cause goosebumps are also important for regulating stem cells that regenerate the hair follicle and hair. In this study, we identified an interesting dual-component niche that not only regulates the stem cells under steady state, but also modulates stem cell behaviors according to temperature changes outside.” - Ya-Chieh … [Read more...]
Vaccinating mice may slow Lyme disease
Former veterinarian turned immunologist Mario Gomes-Solecki focused beyond animals susceptible to Lyme. She studied the large population of Borrelia burgdorferi infected white-footed mice and on reducing the number of ticks that become carrier after biting a mouse. Roughly half of ticks carrying Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacteria that cause Lyme disease, pick it up by … [Read more...]
Why we need to take pet loss seriously
Guy Winch, psychologist, speaker and author, addresses pet loss and the grief it can cause animal owners. Animal health pros will recognize the context and may find comfort knowing that human issues are being recognized. Source: Scientific American, May 22, 2018. Link. While grief over the loss of a cherished pet may be as intense and even as lengthy as when a significant … [Read more...]
Elephant footprints create microhabitats
Just for fun! A recent study of footprint impressions of the African elephant revealed the water-filled imprints can host mayflies, leeches, tadpoles and more. Source: Scientific American, November 2016. Researchers at Germany's University of Koblenz-Landau and other institutions analyzed the contents of 30 footprint pools in Uganda. They found that at least 61 different … [Read more...]
Research results, nothing to spit at
You just have to love our industry! Researchers recently shared the results of a meta-analysis to establish a reference range for dog salivary cortisol and to explore the relationship between cortisol and a variety of dog, experimental and environmental parameters. Source: Scientific American, July 27, 2016. (via AVMA Animal Health SmartBrief, July 29, 2016) This … [Read more...]
Breed-standard surgeries influence how humans see dogs, study finds
Cosmetic ear cropping and tail docking "are not medically indicated nor of benefit to the patient," according to the AVMA. Plus, these practices may hinder dogs' ability to communicate. Such modifications also affect human perception, according to research published in PLOS One. It found people see surgically altered dogs of certain breeds as more aggressive and in many cases … [Read more...]