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September 11, 2009
Statement from Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Regarding Animal Health and 2009 Pandemic H1N1 Influenza
"Swine influenza has been present in the United States for over 80 years, but the 2009 pandemic H1N1 influenza virus now circulating among humans is not the same as "swine flu." The 2009 pandemic H1N1 influenza currently circulating among humans is a "novel" flu strain, with a genetic makeup that is unique and has not been seen before in humans, birds or pigs. http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal?contentidonly=true&contentid=2009/09/0433.xmlPosted by sball at 11:33 AM | Comments (0)
Brain Scientists Misled By Squid
NPR.org - For more than 50 years, scientists who study the brain have been misled by squid. They did experiments on squid nerve cells thinking that those cells were good models for the human nervous system. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112731816Posted by sball at 07:50 AM | Comments (0)
September 10, 2009
In Tennessee, troubled elephants find an unlikely home
CNN.com - The Elephant Sanctuary takes in old, injured, abused animals. http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/09/10/elephant.sanctuary/index.html?iref=mpstoryviewPosted by sball at 03:02 PM | Comments (0)
Primate center to open at UW
BadgerHerald.com - University wins land over activist group after 4-year court battle settles dispute. http://badgerherald.com/news/2009/09/09/primate_center_to_op.phpPosted by sball at 02:02 PM | Comments (0)
Horse Slaughter Mystery Continues in South Florida
ABC News - Officials Believe Prized Horses May Have Been Killed for Meat. http://www.abcnews.go.com/US/horse-slaughter-mystery-deepens-south-florida/story?id=8527880Posted by sball at 02:00 PM | Comments (0)
Honey Bees Selected by ARS Toss Out Varroa Mites
Honey bees are now fighting back aggressively against Varroa mites, thanks to Agricultural Research Service (ARS) efforts to develop bees with a genetic trait that allows them to more easily find the mites and toss them out of the broodnest. http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2009/090910.htmPosted by sball at 01:59 PM | Comments (0)
September 09, 2009
Chimps Trained To Enable Keepers To Take DNA Samples With Cheek Swabs
MedicalNewsToday.com - As the University of Leicester approaches the 25th anniversary of the discovery of DNA fingerprinting (September 10), Leicester geneticists interested in a particular type of DNA are receiving some help from an unusual band of assistants. http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/163229.phpPosted by sball at 03:42 PM | Comments (0)
Littlest patients find distraction, comfort in live feeds from zoos
USAToday.com - A smile flashes across Raymond Clark's face as the 8-year-old watches ZooTV, a welcome distraction from needle pokes and other tests during his treatment for a heart defect here at Sanford Children's Hospital. http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2009-09-07-zootv_N.htmPosted by sball at 03:38 PM | Comments (0)
Egg hatchery owner says inquiry found problems
ChicagoTribune.com - The owner of a northwest Iowa egg hatchery has released a statement saying violations of its animal welfare policy were found during an independent investigation, but the company won't release further details. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-ia-egghatcheryinvest,0,3865773.storyPosted by sball at 11:49 AM | Comments (0)
Like Infant, Like Dog
ScienceMag.org - Over the past decade, behavioral scientists have uncovered a surprising set of social-cognitive abilities in the otherwise humble domestic dog. Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Deutscher Platz 6, D-04103 Leipzig, Germany. http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/summary/325/5945/1213Posted by sball at 10:41 AM | Comments (0)
Liposuction Fat Turns to Stem Cells Quicker Than Skin in Study
Bloomberg - Human fat, widely available and easily harvested with liposuction, morphed into stem cells more efficiently than skin cells in a study, giving scientists an alternative to the use of embryonic cells. http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aK36DFw539FMPosted by sball at 08:09 AM | Comments (0)
September 08, 2009
Humane slaughtering spearheads China's drive to promote animal welfare
Xinhua - Longda's practice epitomizes a growing trend in China's large-scale slaughterhouses where animal welfare is being given increasing attention. http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-09/04/content_11998320.htmPosted by sball at 11:03 AM | Comments (0)
Fish-Killing Toxin Could Kill Cancer Cells
A powerful fish-killing toxin could have cancer-killing properties as well, according to collaborative research led by Agricultural Research Service (ARS) microbiologist Paul V. Zimba and chemist Peter Moeller of the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The toxin, called euglenophycin, has a molecular structure similar to that of solenopsin, an alkaloid from fire ant venom known to inhibit tumor development. http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2009/090908.2.htmPosted by sball at 10:50 AM | Comments (0)
From Chicken Feathers to Flower Pots
Chicken feathers, usually an unwanted byproduct of poultry processing, may have a more valuable future as an ingredient in biodegradable flower pots, according to an Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientist. http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2009/090908.htmPosted by sball at 10:49 AM | Comments (0)
Eagles' animal-welfare blitz package
Philadelphia Inquirer - The Eagles yesterday circulated a draft plan to animal-rights groups that calls for an immediate, widespread campaign to combat animal abuse in Philadelphia. http://www.philly.com/philly/business/homepage/20090908_Eagles__animal-welfare_blitz_package.htmlPosted by sball at 10:17 AM | Comments (0)
Moths as good as mice for many drug tests – study
Reuters - Moths, caterpillars and fruit flies could soon take the place of millions of mice used every year by scientists testing drugs, researchers said Tuesday. http://www.reuters.com/article/scienceNews/idUSTRE5864NW20090908Posted by sball at 10:01 AM | Comments (0)
Maryland Dog Rescue Featured on TODAY Show
Firehouse.com - The rescue efforts of a Prince George's County crew gained national attention on Aug. 31 as their story was featured on NBC's TODAY Show. http://cms.firehouse.com/web/online/News/Maryland-Dog-Rescue-Featured-on-TODAY-Show/46$65236Posted by sball at 09:59 AM | Comments (0)