Grim statistics on koala survival odds
Records of koala admissions to veterinary hospitals in South East Queensland shows euthanasia was the most common outcome.
Kidney disease in cats: High-quality feline iPSCs generated without genetic footprint
High-quality feline induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) have now been generated. The feline iPSCs are also footprint- and feeder-free. Further research using these stem cells is expected to elucidate the…
Researchers give adult zebra finches back their ability to learn new songs
We all know the adage, ‘You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.’ As we age, our ability to learn new skills, like mastering a foreign language or picking up…
Dogs understand words from soundboard buttons
A new study reveals that dogs trained with soundboard buttons can indeed comprehend specific words, producing contextually appropriate responses.
‘Silent’ mutations found to have repercussions beyond their own gene
Researchers are adding new evidence to the emerging concept that ‘silent’ or synonymous mutations may have crucial consequences. Their study showed how a synonymous mutation in one gene can significantly…
From pets to pests: How domestic rabbits survive the wilderness
How do rabbits go from fluffy pets to marauding invaders? Rabbits have colonized countries worldwide, often with dire economic and ecological consequences, but their secret has until now been a…
Ancient DNA reveals Indigenous dog lineages found at Jamestown, Virginia
Previous scientific studies have indicated that North American dog lineages were replaced with European ones between 1492 and the present day. To better understand the timing of this replacement, researchers…
Studying how serotonin alters locust’s sense of smell
Researchers study the role of serotonin in altering odor driven behavioral and neural responses in locusts.
When mammoths roamed Vancouver Island
Mammoths, the massive pre-historic ice age cousins of the modern-day elephant, have always been understood to have inhabited parts of British Columbia, but the question of when has always been…
Improving cat food flavors with the help of feline taste-testers
Cats are notoriously picky eaters. But what if we could design their foods around flavors that they’re scientifically proven to enjoy? Researchers used a panel of feline taste-testers to identify…