January 15, 2009
Capuchin monkeys are choosy about the best nutcrackers
ScienceBlogs.com -- In the first study of its kind, Elisabetta Visalberghi from the National Research Council, Italy, found that capuchin monkeys are able to pick stones with the right properties for nutcracking. http://scienceblogs.com/notrocketscience/2009/01/capuchin_monkeys_are_choosy_about_the_best_nutcrackers.phpPosted by sball at 02:39 PM | Comments (0)
Brain tissue aids stroke drug study
Augusta Chronicle, GA - The human tissue won't replace animal testing or animal studies, Dr. Kirov cautioned. http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2009/01/15/met_507705.shtmlPosted by sball at 02:32 PM | Comments (0)
Pet dogs rival humans for emotional satisfaction
New Scientist (U.K.)-- Who needs children when a puppy can provide a similar emotional experience? After playing with their pets, dog owners experience a burst in a hormone linked to infant care, not to mention romantic love and friendship, new research finds. http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn16412-pet-dogs-rival-humans-for-emotional-satisfaction.html?DCMP=OTC-rss&nsref=lifePosted by sball at 02:24 PM | Comments (0)
Taking Pet Birds To Mexico
BirdChannel.com -- Guide to forms and permits need for moving to Mexico with your birds. http://birdchannel.com/bird-magazines/bird-talk/2009-march/traveling-to-mexico.aspxPosted by sball at 01:55 PM | Comments (0)
January 14, 2009
Science’s Breakthrough of the year: Cellular reprogramming
Vetscite.org -- Journal Science has given top honors to research that produced "made-to-order" cell lines by reprogramming cells from ill patients. http://www.vetscite.org/publish/items/004952/index.htmlPosted by sball at 02:23 PM | Comments (0)
Why do pigs die during commercial transport?
Vetscite.org -- An international team of scientists has carried out a study in five European countries to identify and evaluate the factors involved in causing injuries or even death in pigs as they are transported to abattoirs. http://www.vetscite.org/publish/items/004964/index.htmlPosted by sball at 02:21 PM | Comments (0)
AQHA continues focus on Animal Welfare Issues
Equestrianmag.com - The AQHA Executive Committee has approved the Animal Welfare Assurance Task Force recommendations. http://www.equestrianmag.com/news/aqha-animal-welfare-issues-01-09.htmlPosted by sball at 11:35 AM | Comments (0)
UM's surgical training experiments on dogs blasted
Detroit Free Press - The University of Michigan course is one of 15 in the country -- and the only one in Michigan -- that uses animals, according to a survey from the animal welfare group. http://www.freep.com/article/20090114/NEWS06/901140322/U-M+s+surgical+training+experiments+on+dogs+blastedPosted by sball at 11:22 AM | Comments (0)
Study Suggests How To Avoid Slaughter Of Yellowstone Bison
RedOrbit News -- Last winter, government agencies killed one third of Yellowstone National Park's bison herd due to concerns about the possible spread of a livestock disease to cattle that graze in areas around the park. http://www.redorbit.com/news/science/1622257/study_suggests_how_to_avoid_slaughter_of_yellowstone_bison/index.html?source=r_sciencePosted by sball at 08:41 AM | Comments (0)
New mouse model found for allergy
RedOrbit News -- Researchers in Chicago say they have developed a new way to get mice to mimic symptoms of humans having an allergic reaction to peanuts. http://www.redorbit.com/news/science/1622541/new_mouse_model_found_for_allergy/index.html?source=r_sciencePosted by sball at 08:38 AM | Comments (0)
January 13, 2009
University of Minnesota Offers Quarterly Webinars for Horse Owners
The webinars will feature University of Minnesota faculty presenting research-based information on a variety of topics including horse health, nutrition, forage utilization, manure management and general care. http://www.extension.org/pages/University_of_Minnesota_Offers_Quarterly_Webinars_for_Horse_OwnersPosted by sball at 02:36 PM | Comments (0)
Tiger exhibitor loses license
Duluth News Tribune, MN - A Texas-based tiger exhibitor was found guilty by a federal judge of abusing his animals and violating the Animal Welfare Act. http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/event/article/id/109427/group/home/Posted by sball at 02:29 PM | Comments (0)
Unwanted Exotic Animals Find Refuge at South Florida Zoos
Palm Beach Post (WEST PALM BEACH) - The Palm Beach Zoo at Dreher Park is full of animals the zoo didn't want. http://www.palmbeachpost.com/localnews/content/local_news/epaper/2009/01/10/a1b_exotics_main_0111.htmlPosted by sball at 02:26 PM | Comments (0)
Protein Might One Day Prevent Blindness
Yahoo! News (HealthDay News) - Researchers working with mice have identified a protein that appears to prolong the lives of retinal cells in both healthy and diseased eyes. http://news.yahoo.com/s/hsn/20090109/hl_hsn/proteinmightonedaypreventblindness;_ylt=AtxjLi08hkhfLRv4GH4vHAO3j7ABPosted by sball at 02:24 PM | Comments (0)
Shanghai Seller Stops Sales of Suspect Dog Food
The Associated Press (SHANGHAI, China) - A local distributor of a popular brand of dog food said Monday it had suspended sales of the product following reports that dogs who ate it had died from aflatoxin poisoning. http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jP0C1Aoi0pUm3LIAfqDoB4Dpi8BwD95LL3A81Posted by sball at 02:20 PM | Comments (0)
Pink slips for porcupines? U.S. zoos face cuts
MSNBC.msn.com -- As states slash funding, the shortfalls hit 'living museums' especially hard. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28634539/Posted by sball at 02:14 PM | Comments (0)
Proceedings: Complementary Relationships in Animal Agriculture
Complementary Relationships in Animal Agriculture. One in a Series of Educational Programs Presented by the Future Trends in Animal Agriculture USDA. CSREES. Plant and Animal Systems. http://www.nal.usda.gov/awic/pubs/FTAAProceedings/FTAA_2008.pdf (PDF 4.6 MB)Posted by sball at 07:36 AM | Comments (0)
January 08, 2009
ECVAM develops two new methods to avoid skin irritation testing in animals
Euroalert.net-- Research activities carried out at the European Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods (ECVAM), aim to deliver new testing methods which will avoid unnecessary tests using animals for the validation of chemical substances safety. http://euroalert.net/en/news.aspx?idn=8317Posted by sball at 02:34 PM | Comments (0)
January 07, 2009
How Many Pets Are Poisoned by Lawn Pesticides?
TheDailyGreen.com -- A new Web site allows veterinarians to report and track pesticide poisonings so dogs, cats and other pets can be better protected. http://www.thedailygreen.com/environmental-news/latest/pets-pesticides-47010505Posted by sball at 01:29 PM | Comments (0)
Colorful mice help track hantavirus
RedOrbit.com -- U.S. researchers said Tuesday they've determined the bigger and older a wild deer mouse is, the more likely it is to transmit deadly hantavirus. http://www.redorbit.com/news/science/1618819/colorful_mice_help_track_hantavirus/index.html?source=r_sciencePosted by sball at 07:39 AM | Comments (0)
Calls for ban on monkey testing - Scottland
BBC News -- A Scottish MEP has called for a proposed ban on primate testing to be extended to include monkeys used in Scottish laboratories. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/7814469.stmPosted by sball at 07:20 AM | Comments (0)
Arkansas Farm Bureau backs animal cruelty bill
The Associated Press - The Arkansas Farm Bureau has announced it will back legislation to make aggravated animal cruelty a felony on first offense, reversing its opposition to past efforts to stiffen the state's animal cruelty penalties. http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hscdCgh6ZISTcxQBtln3mWrdzcDwD95I6AC80Posted by sball at 07:17 AM | Comments (0)
Why Do Dolphins Carry Sponges?
PLoSone.org -- Tool use is rare in wild animals, but of widespread interest because of its relationship to animal cognition, social learning and culture. In Shark Bay, Australia, only a subset of the bottlenose dolphin population uses marine sponges as tools. http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0003868Posted by sball at 07:12 AM | Comments (0)
Office of Inspector General (OIG) Annual Plan Fiscal Year 2009
This document describes how OIG will achieve its mission of promoting economy, efficiency, effectiveness, and integrity in the delivery of USDA programs. http://www.usda.gov/oig/webdocs/2009ABPFinal.pdfPosted by sball at 07:02 AM | Comments (0)
January 06, 2009
Temple Grandin On 'The Best Life For Animals'
Fresh Air from WHYY, January 5, 2009 · In her new book, Animals Make Us Human: Creating the Best Life for Animals, Temple Grandin examines common notions of animal happiness and concludes that dogs, cats, horses, cows and zoo animals — among other creatures — possess an emotional system akin to that of humans. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=99009110Posted by sball at 08:44 AM | Comments (0)
January 05, 2009
USDA Extends Comment Period on Proposed Contingency Plan Requirement for Animals Regulated Under the Animal Welfare Act
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is extending the comment period for our proposed rule that would amend the Animal Welfare Act regulations to add requirements for contingency planning and training of personnel by research facilities and by dealers, exhibitors, intermediate handlers and carriers. This action will allow interested persons additional time to prepare and submit comments. http://www.aphis.usda.gov/newsroom/notices/content/2008/12/awacontn.shtmlPosted by sball at 11:58 AM | Comments (0)
Farmland: the fun way for kids to learn about animal welfare
In an effort to raise awareness among children about the importance of treating farmed animals in a respectful and humane way, the European Commission launched on 10 November "Farmland," the European children’s website on animal welfare. http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/health_consumer/dyna/consumervoice/create_cv.cfm?cv_id=476Posted by sball at 10:55 AM | Comments (0)
USDA Issues Final Rule Regarding Importation of Cattle from Mexico with the Addition of New Port in San Luis, Ariz.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) today announced a final rule that adds San Luis, Ariz., as a port to control the import of cattle infested or exposed to fever ticks or tick-borne diseases into the United States from Mexico. http://www.aphis.usda.gov/newsroom/content/2009/01/cattle_from_mexico.shtmlPosted by sball at 09:56 AM | Comments (0)
FDA Prevents Two Dairies from Adulterating Animal Drugs and Food
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced today that the District Court for the District of New Mexico has enjoined Do-Rene and Clover Knolls Dairies and their owners, Douglas B. Handley and Irene Handley, from adulterating new animal drugs and introducing adulterated food into commerce. Both companies are based in Clovis, N.M. http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2009/NEW01938.htmlPosted by sball at 09:44 AM | Comments (0)
On Elephant Sanctuary, Unlikely Friends
CBS -- the closest friends of all are Tarra and Bella. http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/01/02/assignment_america/main4696340.shtmlPosted by sball at 09:42 AM | Comments (0)
Mouse Trap? Stanford Immunologist Calls For More Research On Humans, Not Mice
The time has come for immunologists to start weaning themselves from experimental rodents and to embark on a bold, industrial-scale assault on the causes and treatment of specifically human disease, writes immunologist Mark Davis, PhD, in an essay to be published Dec. 19 in Immunity. http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/133848.phpPosted by sball at 08:41 AM | Comments (0)
The American Association for Laboratory Accreditation implements new veterinary laboratory accreditation program to include OIE and ISO/IEC requirements
A2LA, the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation, is proud to announce the re-introduction of the Veterinary Laboratory Accreditation Program to its broad range of accreditation activities. http://www.vetscite.org/publish/items/004919/index.htmlPosted by sball at 08:39 AM | Comments (0)