TESTICLE EATING FISH, THE PACU WAS FOUND IN PARIS

It is a fish that could give the great white shark competition as the most terror-inspiring creature of the deep. With the appearance of the piranha, but with teeth that look uncannily human, the pacu usually dines on a feast of insects, decaying plants and fruit that falls into the waters of the Amazon. But it has become more known for reportedly dining on another food: men's testicles. As though destined to fulfil the script of a spoof horror flick, the pacu is now on the move, and has now been found as far from its South American home as Paris. Could it be making its way to the UK? The small fish was found in European waters for the first time in August with experts warning men to keep their trunks on if swimming in the Øresund channel between Denmark and Sweden. Now the pacu has been found in the River Seine, The Paris Prefecture of Police newsletter revealed on Tuesday. Although officers were skeptical of the tropical catch, its human-like teeth marked the species as the feared ‘testicle eating’ pacu. Fish expert Henrik Carl told the Local earlier in August: “The pacu is not normally dangerous to people but it has quite a serious bite. There have been incidents in other countries, such as Papua New Guinea where some men have had their testicles bitten off. "They bite because they’re hungry, and testicles sit nicely in their mouth." The pacu, a relative of the piranha that is commonly found around the Amazon, can grow to up to 90cm and weigh in at a staggering 25kg. Fishermen in South America attacked by the pacu have reportedly bled to death after losing their testicles in the fish's vicious teeth. The fish are found in most rivers in the Amazon and Orinoco basins in South America and have also been spotted in Papua New Guinea, where they are believed to have been introduced in order to boost fish stocks.

FAMILY DOG INSPIRE'S MAN WITH ADVANCED ALZHEIMER'S TO SPEAK UP

Though unable to speak otherwise, an elderly man with advanced Alzheimer’s disease nonetheless breaks his silence when exposed to “pet therapy” — a tail-wagging dog named Roscoe. In a YouTube video below, Lisa Abeyta captures an emotional moment as her father experiences a brief remission of sorts, speaking and cooing to the dog. "Oh yeah, hey! You've got, you've got something! You've got something, huh?" he says to Roscoe. "Yeah, well, that ... that's too bad, there. That's all. That's all I've got." Even with advanced cognitive impairment, something as basic as playing with the family dog brought Abeyta’s father back to life, in a therapeutic tradition dating back to the 1980s. Today, animal-assisted therapy is used to improve a patient’s social, emotional, and cognitive functioning. According to the National Institute on Aging, some 5.1 million Americans may suffer from Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia among elderly people. The condition encompasses a loss of cognitive and behavioral functioning, becoming a debilitating impediment to independent living. For most people, symptoms first appear after the age of 60. The disease is named for Alois Alzheimer, a doctor who first found amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, which cause neuronal dysfunction, by performing an autopsy on a patient in 1906.

RESEARCHERS CLAIMS ANIMALS COULD BECOME HUMAN ORGAN DONORS SOMEDAY

Advances in transplant technology could pave the way for the use of animal organs in people some day which could help solve the problem of the donor organ shortage, researchers say. In a new study, scientists transplanted hearts from genetically engineered pigs into baboons whose immune systems had been suppressed, to prevent them fromrejecting the transplants. The transplanted hearts survived in their recipients for more than 500 days, the researchers reported April 28 at a meeting of the American Association for Thoracic Surgery in Toronto. The research has not been published in a peer-reviewed medical journal, but it has been submitted for publication. About 120,000 patients are waiting for organ transplants in the United States far more people than the number of human donors, said Dr. Muhammad Mohiuddin, chief of transplantation at the National Institutes of Health's National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. "If we do these transplants using nonhuman donors, we will be able to save most of these precious lives," Mohiuddin told Live Science. Transplanting organs from animals, known as xenotransplantation, could replace human organs completely, or provide a stopgap until a human organ becomes available. But tissue rejection by the recipient's immune system remains a major hurdle to successful transplantation. To overcome this problem, Mohiuddin and his colleagues used hearts from pigs that had been genetically engineered to remove genes known to cause tissue rejection in humans, and replaced them with human genes that wouldn't cause an immune reaction. Pigs were chosen because their anatomy is similar to humans', and they mature very quickly. The researchers implanted hearts from these pigs into the abdomens of baboons, without replacing the monkeys' original hearts but still connecting the pig hearts to the baboons' circulatory system. The transplanted hearts survived in the baboons for more than 500 days, with the baboons taking immunosuppressive drugs, the researchers reported. "Now, we are at a stage when we can control the rejection the most difficult part," Mohiuddin said. The next step will be to perform transplants that replace the baboons' hearts with the genetically engineered pig hearts. The researchers couldn't say when the animal transplants might move to clinical trials in humans. The researchers can only move on to human trials if they show that the process works in baboons, Mohiuddin said. Besides the heart, other tissues could also potentially be transplanted from animals to humans, including the liver, kidneys, pancreas and lungs, Mohiuddin said.

ANIMAL ASSISTED THERAPY- IS UNDERVALUED AS AN ALTERNATIVE TREATMENT

A pet is an island of sanity in what appears to be an insane world. Friendship retains its traditional values and securities in one's relationship with one's pet. Whether a dog, cat, bird, fish, turtle, or what have you, one can rely upon the fact that one's pet will always remain a faithful, intimate, non-competitive friend, regardless of the good or ill fortune life brings us." If you are an animal lover, you will fully relate to this quote from American child psychologist Dr. Boris Levinson. And it seems the majority of us are. As of 2012, 62% of American households included at least one pet. There is no doubt that humans have a strong bond with animals, and it is this bond that led to the introduction of animal-assisted therapy (AAT), or pet therapy - the idea that animals can help humans cope with or recover from certain medical conditions. In fact, it was Dr. Levinson who first came up with the idea of AAT in the 1960s, after finding that he was better able to reach a withdrawn 9-year-old boy every time his dog - called Jingles - was in the room with him. With Jingles present - who Dr. Levinson deemed his "co-therapist" - he found he was able to gain the trust of the boy, something that past therapists had failed to do. In 1961, Dr. Levinson presented the idea of AAT to the American Psychological Association (APA). At the time, the theory was met with cynicism. But a survey conducted by Dr. Levinson 10 years later found that of 319 psychologists, 16% used companion animals in their therapy sessions, indicating that people were warming to the idea of AAT. Today, AAT is more popular than ever. A 2011 report from the US Department of Health and Human Services, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Health Center for Health Statistics revealed that almost 60% of hospice care providers that provide complementary and alternative therapies offer pet therapy to patients. What is AAT? AAT is an intervention that uses animal interaction to aid recovery from health problems or to help people cope with certain medical conditions. The therapy is believed to have an array of benefits, including personal and social development, increased self-esteem, improved mental health, better social skills and increased empathy and nurturing skills. Patients with chronic heart failure, cancer, post-traumatic stress disorder, autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and schizophrenia are just some groups who benefit from AAT. Earlier this year, Medical News Today reported on a study from Ohio State University, which found that equine therapy - AAT involving interaction with horses - improved symptoms for patients with Alzheimer's disease. Study co-author Holly Dabelko-Schoeny, associate professor of social work at Ohio State, said of the findings: "We wanted to test whether people with dementia could have positive interactions with horses, and we found that they can - absolutely. The experience immediately lifted their mood, and we saw a connection to fewer incidents of negative behavior." Individuals with physical disabilities may also benefit from AAT. Equine therapy, which can also involve horse riding, has been shown to improve patients' strength, flexibility and balance. AAT is not just limited to interaction with cats, dogs and horses; it can include everything from hedgehogs, rabbits and skunks, to snakes and even spiders. Critterish Allsorts - an AAT practice based in the UK - use a tarantula called Fluffy as a therapy for individuals with autism. In the past, concerns have been raised regarding the safety and sanitation of AAT, particularly if such therapy is conducted in hospitals. However, rules are put in place to ensure animals are well trained, clean and vaccinated. To date, the CDC have received no reports of infection through AAT. How does AAT work? In general, the benefits of AAT stem from the interaction with animals. Some forms of AAT, such as equine therapy, involve caring for animals on a regular basis. For example, equine therapy may require individuals to feed, groom and bathe horses once or twice a week. Speaking of how equine therapy helps Alzheimer's patients, Dabelko-Schoeny told Medical News Today: Other forms of AAT may include an animal being brought to a care facility for patient interaction. For example, Pet Partners - a non-profit organization in the US that provides AAT - has a volunteer who brings a cat to a rehabilitation center to work with an occupational therapist and a child who has problems with movement. The occupational therapist asks the child to handle the cat's collar, or open a tin of treats and feed the cat - activities that help improve the child's motor skills. "Animal-assisted activities can provide much needed motivation, education or recreation to enhance a person's quality of life," Mary Craig, CEO of the Pet Partners board and a veterinarian, told Medical News Today. Should there be more focus on the use of AAT? But Craig notes an important point: "It's easy for our volunteers involved in animal assisted activities to see and understand the benefits to animal-assisted activities. But the magic that happens in these interactions is difficult to quantify and 'prove.' The benefits realized are often unique to the individuals involved in the personal exchanges." Because of this, many experts in the AAT field believe the therapy is undervalued and that there should be more research conducted to expose its benefits. "There is a growing body of research, but much of it is still qualitative, not quantitative," Chris Patella, of Animal Assisted Therapy Services - a US organization that specializes in equine and canine therapy - told us. "We need hard numeric data to convince insurance companies and legislatures that AAT should be covered like any other medical intervention." In addition, Patella said he believed that doctors should be recommending AAT as an alternative treatment for patients with both physical and mental health conditions. "However," he added, "doctors are rooted in Western medicine that promotes medication. They, too, are looking for the solid research that proves AAT is a viable intervention. Research is the key." Could AAT replace drug treatment? This brings us to the question of whether AAT could replace or reduce the use of drug treatment for certain health conditions. A 2009 study from Loyola University in Chicago, IL, found that adults who used AAT - in the form of canine therapy - while recovering from total joint-replacement surgery required 50% less pain medication. Dr. Edward Creagan, an oncologist at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, is one health professional who feels very strongly about the health benefits of pets, to the extent that he notes the name of a patient's pet when he takes their medical history. "A pet is a medication without side effects that has so many benefits," he says. "I can't always explain it myself, but for years now I've seen how instances of having a pet is like an effective drug. It really does help people." 

GOLDEN FISH UNDERGOES SURGERY FOR REMOVAL OF DEADLY TUMORS

When George’s owners noticed that he’d become very sick, they rushed their beloved pet to the vet for a check-up. That’s when George was diagnosed with a life-threatening tumor, and was recommended by the vet to undergo an experimental surgery. Except George is goldfish. And not just any goldfish: one that’s already 10-years old. While most owners would’ve said their goodbyes and flushed George down the toilet, his owners shelled out $200 for a vet at the Lort Smith Animal Hospital in Melbourne, Australia, to perform a never-been-done surgery, according to the New York Post. Very little of the hospital’s surgical practice is fish-specific, Dr. Tristan Rich, an exotic wildlife specialist who performed George’s surgery, told Daily Mail. George was first placed in a bucket of ice water that contained an anesthetic, according to the hospital’s Facebook. While excising the tumor, which had grown into his skull, Dr. Rich fed a tube containing water, oxygen and anesthetic into George’s gills, so that the goldfish would remain unconscious and alive. At the end of the operation, Dr. Rich ran into a bit of trouble. The sutures didn’t hold, so instead he used tissue glue—something that’s normally used in human operations. Finally, Dr. Rich gave George antibiotics and painkillers, and placed him in a recovery bucket of clean water. Soon after the 45 minute operation, George started swimming and breathing on his own. “For the owners, it’s not about having a fish, it’s about having this fish,” Dr. Rich told Daily Mail. “If you have a pet, regardless of what it is, then you have a responsibility to look after it as best you can.” 

A LAB IN SOUTH KOREA WILL CLONE YOUR DOG FOR $100,000

People cope with the loss of their pets in very different ways. Some carry on as normal, some may cuddle their pet’s favorite chew toy while sobbing over Marley & Me, some immediately rush out and buy a replacement; there’s no right or wrong way to deal with it. But it turns out that some people are willing to go to rather extreme measures to mend their broken hearts: cloning their dog. Since 2006, a controversial biotech lab in South Korea called Sooam has been offering cloning services for the meagre sum of $100,000 (£64,000); I guess some would say their companions are priceless. The company was founded by trained veterinarian and scientific researcher Woo Suk Hwang who has a rather shady history. Hwang was publicly disgraced and expelled from his academic institution for fabricating research on human embryo cloning and still faces criminal charges. But this hasn’t seemed to put people off as business is booming; since it was established, more than 400 dogshave been cloned, and the firm usually has around 15 clients per month. The company has also brought its services to the US and plans to offer cloning to UK clients soon. The cloning technique Sooam scientists use is the same 50 year old method that brought us Dolly the sheep back in 1996—nuclear transfer. First, cells are taken from the pet to be cloned and the nucleus, the cellular command center that contains the organism’s genetic information, is removed and saved. Next, an egg cell from a donor pet is obtained and the nucleus is replaced with that of the pet to be cloned. The egg cell is then given a small electric shock to stimulate division, and after a few days the developing embryo is placed back inside a surrogate mother. The surrogate doesn’t have to be of the same breed, but ideally they would be of similar size. Of course, clients don’t get their old dog back, but more of an identical twin. Some dogs may also appear slightly different; dalmations, for example, may have different spots. The clones may also not have the same personality or temperament as the original dog. And the procedure is not without risks; many dogs are born unhealthy, so they have to repeat the process until a healthy dog is produced, although Sooam claims it never puts a dog down. An ambitious company, Sooam has no intention of stopping at dogs and is dreaming big. Recently, they signed a deal with Russian scientists to attempt to clone a woolly mammoth, despite the ethical issues surrounding this.

MONKEY CPR

A video has gone viral that appears to show a rhesus macaque resuscitating his friend who had been electrically shocked at a train station in Northern India. The video shows snippets of one monkey poking and prodding at the other for a period of 20 minutes, even trying to splash water on it. Ultimately, the unconscious macaque did wake up - but what were the actual intentions of the helpful friend? National Geographic reports that it isn't entirely clear how different primate species are affected by the death of those they are close with, but there have been recorded events of monkeys shaking and biting their fallen friends. However, it isn't known if they are confused by why the other monkey isn't moving, or if they are actually trying to revive the individual. What do you think is the motivation behind these actions? Was there even a deliberate motivation at all?

WHAT CANINES CAN TEACH US ABOUT SLEEP!

My dog, Isaac, was a handsome, blue-eyed Siberian husky who loved playing Frisbee. And I loved witnessing his wild passion for the game. He would seem dreamlike, almost defying gravity in slow-motion flight while twisting and lunging to capture his prize. But if ever I paused our Frisbee play to answer my cell phone, Isaac would stop in his tracks, glare at me with his head cocked, and then plop instantly down to sleep. Like other canines, Isaac had a robust sleep-wake rhythm -- a remarkable capacity for achieving peaks of activity and depths of repose. He would get thoroughly animated in pursuit of a Frisbee, his poodle playmate or, his absolute favorite, the neighbor's tabby trespassing in our yard. But in a matter of seconds, with a change in circumstance, Isaac could drop into deep sleep like a stone into water. No, he wasn't narcoleptic. With regard to his sleep-wake rhythm, Isaac was simply dogged. Dogs and humans have similar sleep cycles that include a mix of stage and REM sleep. Humans, however, normally experience four or five of these cycles consecutively through the night, while dogs can have 20 or more much shorter ones scattered throughout the night and day. Dogs doggedly get up and get down in a distinct sleep-wake rhythm known as segmented sleep. Sleeping and waking in shorter segments results in a tighter weave or integration of these states of consciousness. A dog's ability to repeatedly get down suggests that they never venture all that far from sleep. They keep it close at hand and readily accessible. I've never met a dog who couldn't nap on cue. Although Isaac would not have cared for the term, he was an exceptional cat napper. (Not to mention cat nabber.) Historical evidence suggests that humans had more of a segmented sleep-wake rhythm prior to the industrial revolution. Rest and repose were naturally woven into the waking day and periods of nighttime wakefulness were common and considered perfectly normal. The rise of industrialization, however, restricted sleep to a limited portion of night and simultaneously escalated demands for relentless productivity. Unlike dogs, humans now expect to sleep though the night and remain wide awake throughout the day in highly consolidated periods. While dogs keep sleep within easy reach, consolidation overly distances us from it. And while dogs modulate their passionate waking lives with regular repose, we have segregated and even bifurcated the states of sleep and waking. As a result, our waking consciousness has devolved into a relentless mental buzz and bustle known as hyperarousal. Hyperarousal is often mistaken for passion, but it's not. Genuine passion doesn't arise at the expense of repose; it's deeply rooted in it. Characterized by a chronic sense of haste reflected in rapid heart rates, speedy brain waves, elevated cortisol, and runaway thinking, hyperarousal leaves us t'wired -- simultaneously tired and wired. Not surprisingly, hyperarousal is a primary factor in the contemporary epidemic of insomnia. Dogs demonstrate a most effective approach to breaking the momentum of hyperarousal in their ability to readily submit to sleep. Their consistent willingness to come down, to descend even from the very heights of passion, is in essence, an act of humility. Dogs have, in fact, been an archetypal symbol of humility in numerous myths across time and around the globe. Humility is the antidote to hyperarousal. The term humility is derived from the Latin, humus, meaning earth or ground. When settling in for a stretch of sleep, Isaac would intently spiral downward over a spot on the floor or the ground. In contrast to cats, who prefer to ascend to sleep, dogs literally get down. Beyond all of the psychological and biomedical complexities associated with it, dogs remind us that falling asleep is an act of humility. But, as reflected in the arrogance of Icarus, humans have a proclivity to resist getting down. Hyperarousal stems from an addiction to perpetual soaring -- a chronic resistance to letting go of our ordinary, ego-based waking self. To fall asleep naturally, as opposed to just crashing into it when our wings melt or knocking ourselves out with substances or medications, we must be willing to humbly surrender this waking self. C.S. Lewis reminds us that humility is not thinking less of yourself, it's thinking of yourself less. Although there's been growing interest in the topic over recent years, I'm not suggesting we revert back to segmented sleep patterns. It's simply not feasible for most of us. I am recommending that we become much more dogged about our sleep-wake rhythms. That we acknowledge the obvious interdependence of getting up and getting down. And that, in whatever ways are most personally meaningful to us, we practice surrendering our waking self at bedtime with the humility of a dog. 

CRAZY CAT LADY SYNDROMES

Cats — especially stray or outdoor ones — may carry a parasite known asToxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) in their feces. This parasite is able to infect any warm-blooded animal, including humans; the CDC estimates that some 60 million Americans have it. Most people don’t show any symptoms of the infection, but people with a weaker immune system could get sick with toxoplasmosis, which has been linked to miscarriage, fetal developmental disorders, blindness, and flu-like symptoms. It turns out that in addition to toxoplasmosis, it’s possible that T. gondiiis linked to mental illness, including schizophrenia, according to recent research. The study, published in the journal Schizophrenia Research, claims that having a cat during childhood is a risk factor for developing schizophrenia or other mental illnesses like bipolar disorder later on. The researchers compared two past studies that examined the link between cat ownership and schizophrenia, to mental health data from 1982. Their results, which claim that cat exposure in childhood could play a role in mental illness, supplements another recent study out of the Academic Medical Centre in Amsterdam. The Dutch study found that someone infected with T. gondii was twice as likely to develop schizophrenia as those who did not have the parasite. Various studies conducted in the past several decades have found links between T. gondii infection and subtle changes in behavior, such as increased levels of dopamine, extroversion in females (and introversion in males, interestingly), as well as less inhibition in risky or scary situations. The infection has been linked to a double increase in the risk of getting into a car accident, lower reaction times, and has even been dubbed the “crazy cat lady syndrome.” But let’s not freak out and get rid of our cats. The study doesn’t actually prove that the parasite can cause mental illness; it simply hypothesizes that it might, based on the loose link between having a childhood cat and later developing mental illness. The researchers note that more research is needed. “We urge our colleagues to try and replicate these findings to clarify whether childhood cat ownership is truly a risk factor for later schizophrenia,” they write in the abstract. And scientists still aren’t entirely sure how the parasite works, travels, or even infects humans. One thing is fairly certain: It can only reproduce in cats, and it’s released into the environment from infected cats’ feces, where it can be picked up by grazing animals (pigs, rodents, cows). Humans can come into contact with it through handling cat litter/feces, or eating undercooked or raw meat (which is actually a bigger risk factor than owning a cat). “I don’t want to cause any panic,” Joanne Webster, a parsitologist at the Imperial College London who has studied the parasite, told The Atlantic. “In the vast majority of people, there will be no ill effects, and those who are affected will mostly demonstrate subtle shifts of behavior. But in a small number of cases, [Toxo infection] may be linked to schizophrenia and other disturbances associated with altered dopaminc levels — for example, obsessive-compulsive disorder, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, and mood disorders.” You can get tested for T. gondii with a simple blood test. But if you’re not already exhibiting symptoms of toxoplasmosis, it’s likely you’re OK and shouldn’t view your cat as a parasite-carrying death sentence. Your cat is still just a cute furball that will continue to steal the Internet’s heart.

25 THINGS I LEARNT FROM MY DOG CONCERNING THE ASPECT OF MEDICINE

1. Be nice to others, even if there are a lot of butt sniffers out there.

2. Waiting to be seen is really hard. Try to keep a schedule and routine.

3. Get out for that walk. It will fill you with joy, well-being and makes the rest of the day calmer. Take other dogs on that walk to improve their well-being too.

4. “Good boy” and a treat always get better results. If you want someone to follow what you want them to do, you have to give a treat (incentive) and not add punishment.

5. If you use words that dogs and patients don’t understand, they just stare at you blankly. Too many requests to do a list of things also induces the same look and result.

6. A pack is better than a single working dog. Pulling a full sled is much easier when we do it together.

7. Trust is something earned. You can’t get it back very easily if you do something to ruin that.

8. Kindness is like fur, spread that everywhere.

9. Getting help for health reasons makes some dogs really scared and wanting to growl. Humans aren’t much different.

10. If a dog is yawning, something around is not quite right, same goes for the medical students and residents you are teaching.

11. Too much time alone makes a dog unwell. Visits are important for reassurance and good behavior. Drop in on your patients often too.

12. The rep can put all kinds of labels about the meat in it and how shiny your coat will be, but it may still contain a lot of corn meal. Select wisely based on experience of others.

13. If a dog in your pack is barking loudly, you should go see what all the fuss is about. There is obviously something they want to you to see yourself. Never ignore a nurse that says a patient doesn’t look right.

14. If you are having a bad day, don’t kick the dog, even if the dog ate your new shoes. Correct them and then move ahead. We all make mistakes; we learn from mistakes, keep moving ahead.

15. If the dog has a closed mouth, wrinkled forehead, and tensed posture you better be quiet, stand still and act like a tree. Same applies to attendings and those in psychosis.

16. Correlation does not equal causation. Having a dog is often correlated with having hair on the couch; however, the dog is pointing a paw at the cat.

17. Get vaccinated. You can’t go to the kennel if you don’t have your shots. Same should go for kids.

18. You are the leader. I depend on you to make good decisions in my best interest when I can’t talk to tell you what is wrong.

19. Sometimes when you fill a hole that has been dug, a new one shows up soon after. Watch for small changes early.

20. Be curious. Sniff around and find out what is new. Be a life-long learner; even old dogs can learn new tricks.

21. If you want to be the alpha dog, be confident and strategic. Stretch and own the whole bed you have laid down in.

22. Just because the dog is “satisfied” doesn’t mean he is healthy. Satisfaction ratings don’t improve patient health either.

23. My dog pants heavily and gets really anxious in the truck. What is worse than deciding something is pathology when it is normal is missing pathology thinking it is normal.

24. If it smells like poo everywhere you go, check the bottom of your own shoes first.

25. If you stepped in it, clean it up...

SCIENTISTS FINDS OUT WHY ELEPHANT TENDS TO HAVE CANCER

Did you know that besides humans, animals also die of cancer at the same percentage as us? It is also believed that some animals are moving toward extinction because of this deadly illness. And then, there are those animals that never get cancer. One big example is elephants. The reason behind why elephants are less likely to get cancer is due to additional copies of a gene encoding tumor protein suppressor, p53. A new study performed by the researchers at Huntsman Cancer Institute at University of Utah Health Sciences, and researchers from the Ringling Bros. Center for Elephant Conservation, shows this phenomenal result. Also, the study conducted that elephants have built-in powerful system of killing cancerous cells. Elephants dying out of cancer is 5% compared to 11 to 25% of humans dying out of cancer have baffled the scientists for many years. In order to solve this mystery, the scientists, along with the Ringling Bros. Center for Elephant Conservation, Primary Children’s Hospital, and Utah’s HogleZoo, have performed experiments for several years. On a conclusion, they have discovered that elephants have 38 additional modified copies of a gene that encodes p53, a compound that subdues tumor development. Comparatively, humans have only 2. To come up with a solid answer, the scientists compared the elephants genes with healthy human genes, and genes from a group of patients suffering from Li-Fraumeni Syndrome. The patients have a 90% chance of developing cancer in their lifetime, and have only 1 copy of p53. The lifespan of elephants are from 50 to 70 years, and they have 100 times more cells than us. This made the scientists wonder that among so many cells, at least one or two would trigger cancer. But they don’t. These results have been published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). “Nature has already figured out how to prevent cancer. It’s up to us to learn how different animals tackle the problem so we can adapt those strategies to prevent cancer in people,” said co-senior author Joshua Schiffman, M.D., pediatric oncologist at Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah School of Medicine , and Primary Children’s Hospital. Schiffman and his team scoured through the African elephant genome, and uncovered 40 copies of genes that code for p53. This is a huge amount, given that humans have only 2 copies. What the team did next was they extracted white blood cells from the elephants during their routine check-ups, and subjected the cells to treatments that damage DNA. As a reply, the cells self-destructed, meaning, the cells died, and would be unable to turn into cancer. “If you kill the damage cell, it’s gone, and it can’t turn into cancer. This maybe more effective of an approach to cancer prevention than trying to stop a mutated cell from dividing and not being able to completely repair itself,” said Schiffman. The team, then did another experiment. In order to see if more p53 can prevent cancer, they took cells from elephants (n=8), healthy humans (n=10), and Li-Fraumeni Syndrome patients (n=10), and exposed the cells to radiation. The response showed that elephant cells self-destructed at twice the rate of healthy humans, and more than five times the rate of Li-Fraumeni patients (14.6%, 7.2% and 2.7% respectively). These results supported the idea that more p53 can prevent against cancer. The scientists believe that too much p53 is nature’s way of protecting these majestic animals from cancer. Of course, there will be further studies and researches to see if the same can be applied to humans. “If the elephants can hold the key to unlocking some of the mysteries of cancer, then we will see an increased awareness of the plight of elephants worldwide,” said Eric Peterson, elephant manager at Utah’s Hogle Zoo. “What a fantastic benefit: elephants and humans living longer, better lives.”

NEUROSCIENTIST CAN NOW READ THE MIND OF A FLY

Northwestern University neuroscientists now can read the mind of a fly. They have developed a clever new tool that lights up active conversations between neurons during a behavior or sensory experience, such as smelling a banana. Mapping the pattern of individual neural connections could provide insights into the computational processes that underlie the workings of the human brain. In a study focused on three of the fruit fly's sensory systems, the researchers used fluorescent molecules of different colors to tag neurons in the brain to see which connections were active during a sensory experience that happened hours earlier. Synapses are points of communication where neurons exchange information. The fluorescent labeling technique is the first to allow scientists to identify individual synapses that are active during a complex behavior, such as avoiding heat. Better yet, the fluorescent signal persists for hours after the communication event, allowing researchers to study the brain's activity after the fact, under a microscope. "Much of the brain's computation happens at the level of synapses, where neurons are talking to each other," said Marco Gallio, who led the study. "Our technique gives us a window of opportunity to see which synapses were engaged in communication during a particular behavior or sensory experience. It is a unique retrospective label." Gallio is an assistant professor of neurobiology in Northwestern's Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences. By reading the fluorescent signals, the researchers could tell if a fly had been in either heat or cold for 10 minutes an entire hour after the sensory event had happened, for example. They also could see that exposure to the scent of a banana activated neural connections in the olfactory system that were different from those activated when the fly smelled jasmine. Details of the versatile technique, which could be used with other model systems for neuroscience study, will be published Dec. 4 in the journal Nature Communications. Gallio and his team wanted to study the brain activity of a fruit fly while it performed a complex behavior, but this is not easily achieved under a microscope. The scientists figured out a different approach using genetic engineering. Starting with the gene for a green fluorescent protein found in jellyfish, the authors derived three different colored markers that light up at the point of contact between neurons that are active and talking to each other (the synapse). The fluorescent signals can be read one to three hours after the action is over. "Different synapses are active during different behaviors, and we can see that in the same animal with our three distinct labels," said Gallio, the paper's corresponding author. The fluorescent green, yellow and blue signals enabled the researchers to label different synapses activated by the sensory experience in different colors in the same animal. The fluorescent signals persisted and could later be viewed under a relatively simple microscope. The researchers studied the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster, a model animal for learning about the brain and its communication channels. They tested their newly engineered fluorescent molecules by applying them to the neural connections of the most prominent sensory systems in the fly: its sense of smell, sophisticated visual system and highly tuned thermosensory system. They exposed the animals to different sensory experiences, such as heat or light exposure and smelling bananas or jasmine, to see what was happening in the brain during the experience. To create the labels, the scientists split a fluorescent molecule in half, one half for the talking neuron and one half for the listening neuron. If those neurons talked to each other when a fly was exposed to the banana smell or heat, the two halves came together and lit up. This only happened at the site of active synaptic transmission. "Our results show we can detect a specific pattern of activity between neurons in the brain, recording instantaneous exchanges between them as persistent signals that can later be visualized under a microscope," Gallio said. This is the kind of new technology scientists discuss in the context of President Obama's BRAIN (Brain Research Through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies) Initiative, Gallio said. Such a tool will help researchers better understand how brain circuits process information, and this knowledge then can be applied to humans.

DOCTORS DELIVERS A BABY GORILLA BY EMERGENCY C-SECTIONS

It’s not every day that a baby gorilla is born in captivity—and it’s even rarer for that baby gorilla to be born by cesarean section. On Feb. 12, both medical doctors and veterinarians rushed to deliver a baby western lowland gorilla at Bristol Zoo Gardens in the U.K. The mother, Kera, was showing signs of preeclampsia, a dangerous condition that also occurs in people in which a pregnant woman develops high blood pressure, protein in her urine, and swelling. The only cure for preeclampsia is delivery of the baby. The zoo’s team of vets evaluated Kera, then medical doctors David Cahill and Aamna Ali from a nearby hospital performed the operation, their first on a gorilla. They delivered a baby gorilla girl weighing in at 2 pounds, 10 ounces. She needed emergency resuscitation as soon as she was born. But the little gorilla pulled through, and after being kept warm, given skin-to-skin contact, and fed formula, a zoo official said the baby is growing stronger. See her for the first time in the video above.

9 MOST SMARTEST ANIMALS

We humans have the ability to learn, to reason and solve problems. We're self-aware, and we're also conscious of the presence, thoughts and feelings of others. We make tools and practice the art of deception. We're creative. We think abstractly. We have language and use it to express complex ideas. All of these are arguably signs of intelligence. Scientists may not agree on the best and fullest definition of intelligence — but they generally agree that humans are highly intelligent. Other members of the animal kingdom exhibit signs of intelligence as well, and some scientists might say the definition of animal vs. human intelligence is merely a matter of degree - a point that was brought home in 2005 when the London Zoo put "Homo sapiens" on display in the exhibit pictured here.

             CHIMPANZEES

Chimps are almost like us If we humans possess intelligence, chimpanzees must have some as well: Our genomes are at least 98 percent identical. Chimps make and use tools, hunt in organized groups and engage in acts of violence. Wild troops have distinct behaviors and customs. Field observations and lab experiments show chimps are capable of empathy, altruism and self-awareness. In the experiment pictured here, chimps performed better than humans on a number memory test.

           DOLPHINS

Dolphins get creative This dolphin in Australia uses a sponge to protect her snout when foraging on the seafloor, a tool use behavior that is passed on from mother to daughter. Scientists say that's just one sign of dolphin smarts. Other signs include distinct whistles and clicks that may serve as dolphin names, perhaps used in a type of language. A famous 1960s experiment found that a pair of dolphins entered a tizzy of creativity once they figured out their novel behaviors were rewarded with fish. Frustrated human test subjects just let out a sigh of relief when they caught on to the idea.

           ELEPHANTS

Elephants exhibit self-awareness The sheer size of their brains suggests that elephants must know a thing or two about the ways of the world. They have been seen consoling family members, helping other species in times of need, playing in water and communicating with one another via vibrations sensed in their feet. A crowning achievement, some researchers say, was when this female Asian elephant named Happy recognized herself in the mirror. The complex behavior is shared only with humans, great apes and dolphins.

             CEPHALOPODS

Cephalopods have big brains Are octopi, squids and cuttlefish smart? That's a matter of scientific intrigue, but such cephalopods are certainly among the brainiest invertebrates in the sea. The cephalopod brain surrounds the esophagus, but shares with the human brain features of complexity such as folded lobes and distinct regions for processing visual and tactile information.

              SWIRLS

The how-smart debate swirls around deciphering observations that the creatures have a seemingly irrepressible curiosity, a disdain for boredom, an ability to learn and the capacity to use tools.

           CROWS

Crows get crafty Crows are crafty critters: They fashion tools from twigs, feathers and other bits of debris to snare food from hard-to-reach places. A crow named Betty, pictured here, uses a straight wire she bent into a hook to retrieve food from a tube. The birds are born with a tool-making ethic, but they hone their craft by watching their elders, a sign of higher intelligence. Ravens, a type of crow, have even been shown to manipulate the outcomes of their social interactions for added protection and more food.

             SQUIRRELS

Squirrels can be deceptive Is the squirrel pictured here plotting deception? Perhaps. Researchers recently reported that the rodents put on elaborate shows of deceptive caching to thwart would-be thieves. The behavior increased in a lab experiment after squirrels observed humans stealing their peanuts. The researchers called the finding a sign that squirrels can interpret intentions of others, though it could just be a case of learned behavior. Other studies have shown the critters make three-dimensional maps to recall where they cache their nuts. And squirrels in California will cover their fur in the scent of rattlesnakes to mask their own scent from predators. Man's best friend University of Vienna Are dogs intelligent or just really good at basic obedience? They can learn to sit, lie down and fetch, for example, but can they read their owner's intentions? Research suggests they can at least find food in response to non-verbal cues, a type of understanding that scientists think may be akin to the human ability to understand someone else's point of view.

                   DOGS

The dog in the experiment pictured here accurately discriminated between photos of dogs and photos of landscapes — an indication the dog was able to form the concept of "dog." Cats are adaptable Like dog owners, some cat owners have trained their pets to sit down, roll over and jump through hoops. Cats learn the tricks by observation and imitation, egged on with positive reinforcement. But training cats is harder than dogs. Does that mean they are less intelligent? Not necessarily. Cat experts say felines are just different. They are solitary animals, motivated by the need to survive. This has allowed them to adapt to a variety of domestic environments for at least 9,500 years - even the hoods of cars. Pigs are wise ... and clean Here's the dirt on pigs: They are perhaps the smartest, cleanest domestic animals known - more so than cats and dogs, according to some experts. But pigs don't have sweat glands, so they roll around in the mud to stay cool. A sign of their cleverness came from experiments in the 1990s.

                  PIGS

Pigs were trained to move a cursor on a video screen with their snouts and used the cursor to distinguish between scribbles they knew and those they were seeing for the first time. They learned the task as quickly as chimpanzees

JOHN HOPKINS UNIVERSITY END THE USE OF ANIMALS FOR MEDICAL (STUDENTS) TRAINING

The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine—the nonprofit representing more than 12,000 physicians—applauds Johns Hopkins University’s decision to end the use of animals in its medical education training labs. Previously, medical students at Johns Hopkins practiced surgical techniques on live pigs. “Simply put, pigs and humans do not possess the same anatomy. Students are best trained for their careers in medicine with advanced, human-relevant technology—not with live animals,” said John Pippin, M.D., F.A.C.C., director of academic affairs at the Physicians Committee. Since 2006, the Physicians Committee has urged Johns Hopkins to modernize its methods. The organization has addressed the university with letters from physicians and concerned residents, public transit advertisements, petitions signed by more than 100,000 people, and doctor-led demonstrations. In February 2016, a bill was introduced in the Maryland House of Delegates. The bill would have required medical schools in the state to use existing nonanimal methods for training and education. Johns Hopkins University was the only school in Maryland (and one of only two in the United States and Canada) that used animals for medical education. The University of Maryland School of Medicine provides medical training using simulators and virtual reality techniques, and the Department of Defense’s medical school, Uniformed Services University, in Bethesda, stopped using animals in 2013. However, at Johns Hopkins, medical students were instructed to make incisions in a pig’s abdomen and insert long tubes with cameras, or endoscopes, into the pig’s body. This caused severe injuries, and the pigs were killed after the procedure. With this decision from Johns Hopkins, the only remaining medical school in the United States and Canada using animals for training is the University of Tennessee College of Medicine campus in Chattanooga, Tenn. 

MEDICALS STUDENTS MURDERS A MONKEY

Thousands of people have signed a petition calling for the medical students accused of torturing a young monkey to death to be banned from the profession. The four students allegedly tied up, thrashed, beat and impaled the young female primate with a metal rod at their accommodation at the Christian Medical College in Vellore, Tamil Nadu. It's claimed that the bonnet macaque, estimated to be about 12 months old, had climbed through the window of their hostel room before the 'barbaric killing' which is said to have happened on November 19.

A fellow student is believed to have tipped off PETA India about the abuse and the organisation then sent local animal rights activists to the scene to investigate. The body of the monkey was exhumed from the college grounds two days later, with the four activists then filing a First Information Report (FIR) to police. One of the animal protection activists attending, Shravan Krishnan, said on Facebook that it was one of the most 'shocking and heart-wrenching cases' he has been involved with. He alleged: 'They tied her hands and started abusing and torturing her by beating her with sticks and belts, broke her legs, jaws and finally put a rod up her anus and killed her. The monkey was buried behind the hostel mess by the college sweepers. 'When exhumed her hands were tied up, neck choked with a telephone wire, multiple fractures all over the limbs and jaws, severe damage to the starting of the tail bone and intestines were out. 'The degree of cruelty and pain the monkey has gone through is beyond words. We have all been having sleepless nights after we saw the body of the monkey. Extremely disturbed.' In Shravan Krishnan's latest update, he said the police investigation - including post mortem and forensic reports - was still ongoing and the students accused had allegedly returned to their hometowns. Police are believed to have called on them to appear for questioning and the college confirmed that it had suspended the students and condemned the alleged incident. The case has shocked India, with the monkey being named Lakshmi and a campaign for 'justice' in her name set up. Nearly 3,000 have now signed a petition calling on the college and government to ban the accused from ever going on to practice as doctors. The petition alleges: 'These students, who are studying to be doctors, willfully went through with such a barbaric, senseless act of violence against a helpless creature which could not raise its voice. 'It is beyond comprehension what was the thinking behind this act which was committed deliberately and while the students were in full possession of their mental faculties.' 'These people have lost the right to be doctors in any form', it adds. Dr Shiranee Pereira, co-founder of People for Animals, Chennai, has also written an open letter, urging people to call on the Prime Minister to take action. She said that the killing had seen 'humanity plunged to its deepest, depraved and despicable worst'. In a letter sent out to students, Christian Medical College (CMC) director Sunil Chandy and principal Dr Anna B Pulimood condemned the alleged incident. They said the 'deplorable incident' had brought great sadness to the college. The letter added: 'We as an institution are deeply regretful, have condemned it and have immediately suspended the students. 'CMC does not condone this activity and will take every possible measure to prevent such incidents.' 'CMC will take due action and co-oporate with concerned higher authorities in the follow up of this case,' it added.

MOST RISKY MISTAKE PET OWNERS MAKE

Let Your Dog Walk You A poorly trained dog can be a hazard when you’re out for a stroll. According to the CDC, tens of thousands of people end up in the ER every year because of pet-related falls. Many of them happen during walks, either when a person trips over a dog or gets pulled or pushed by one. Experts say obedience training is the best way to make sure your pooch doesn’t take you down during his morning walk. You Overlook Ticks After a walk in the woods, you check yourself for these pests, right? Don't forget about your dog. Tick bites put your furry pal at risk for Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and a handful of other diseases. They can also cause serious illnesses in cats, and put the rest of the family at risk. If you find one, remove it with tweezers, and be careful to get all of the head and not to crush it. Ask your vet about tick control. You Ignore Ringworm If your pet has a round bald patch, this fungus could be to blame. People can get it when they touch an infected dog's or cat's skin or fur, so it's important to treat it. Ringworm usually causes a reddish, ring-shaped rash on the skin or bald spots if it infects the scalp. If your pet has hair loss, take him to your vet. You Don't Bother to Deworm Roundworms are common parasites in dogs and cats. They cause diarrhea and vomiting, and may lead to a serious illness. But they're a threat to people, too. An infected pet can spread the tiny eggs in soil or sand. Kids may swallow the eggs when they put dirty fingers in their mouths. When the worms hatch inside people, they can cause blindness and other tissue damage. Ask your vet about regular deworming for your pet. You Skip Flea Medicine Pets without these meds aren't the only ones who will pay the price. Fleas will quickly set up shop on their skin, especially in summer and fall, and fill your home with their eggs and young. Some people wind up covered in itchy sores. Fleas can also spread serious diseases to people, including bubonic plague. Ask your vet about long-term flea medication, and put a routine reminder on your calendar to give it to your pet. You Don't Spay or Neuter Your Pet Millions of cats and dogs live on the street or end up euthanized because of unwanted litters. Still, many people are reluctant to spay or neuter their pets. The fact is, it's a healthy choice for an animal. It lowers the risk of breast cancer in females and testicular cancer in males. Neutered males are also less likely to run away from home, mark their territory, or act aggressive. Talk to your vet about the decision to neuter or spay your animal. You Keep the Food Bowl Full It's one of the most common mistakes pet owners make. The problem is that cats and dogs often eat more than they need. If food is always available, they'll take in too many calories and put on too much weight. Instead, follow the serving suggestions on the pet food label, or ask your vet for advice You Force Cats to Be Vegetarian Vegetarian people sometimes want their pets to share their lifestyle. The trouble is cats are "obligate carnivores" -- they must eat meat to survive. They depend on nutrients that are found only in animal tissue. Dogs may be able to handle a well-balanced vegetarian diet, but check with your vet first. You Give Them Too Little Exercise Just like people, pets need to get moving to stay healthy. Without exercise they're prone to obesity, which raises their risk of respiratory problems and joint trouble. The right amount of exercise for a dog depends on the breed and size, but vets recommend at least a half-hour each day. Bonus: Brisk walks with your buddy can help you get in shape, too. You Misread Body Language Sure, you love your dog. But do you really understand him? If you think a wagging tail is always a good sign, you could be in for a surprise. When a dog wants to threaten someone, he may hold his tail high and wave it stiffly back and forth. Mistake this warning for a sign of playfulness and you could get bitten. To avoid misunderstandings, learn about your pet's body language. You Don't Give Enough Attention Just like children, your pets will get bored if you don't play with them. And that can lead to habits like chewing, digging, barking, and whining. Bored cats may resort to scratching and meowing. Keep things interesting by hiding treats for your pets to find around the home. Give your cat toys to chase. Teach dogs to play fetch, tug-of-war, or hide-and-seek You Make Cats Share a Litter Box Do that and you might end up cleaning more pee or poop off the floor. Felines can be picky about their litter box. If it's dirty or smells like other cats, they may not use it. Experts say you should have one box for every kitty in your home, plus one extra. It may be helpful to space them out around the home. You Don't Socialize Young Pets During their first 7 weeks of life, puppies and kittens need to get used to people. So, their humans should build that trust with things like gentle handling and play. Reputable breeders will begin doing this, and you can keep it up when you bring your pet home. To create a strong bond, play with your new puppy or kitten every day You Leave Your Dog Alone Too Long Eight to 10 hours alone in a crate, tiny laundry room, or even outdoors is too much for most canines. It can lead to separation anxiety and destructive habits like chewing, digging, nonstop barking or howling, and even depression in a timid pet. Better choices are doggie day care, a mid-day visit from a pet sitter, or a canine companion. Adult dogs can go 4-5 hours in a crate, but they need exercise before and after. You Don't Set Rules Some people expect their pets to know right from wrong without being told. But human etiquette doesn't come naturally to dogs and cats. You need to make it clear that jumping up on people, scratching the furniture, and peeing on the carpet are not OK. Be consistent about these rules, and reward your pets for good behavior. If you need advice, a trainer can help. You Scold Pets for 'Accidents' If you come home to find a puddle of pee on the floor, you may have the urge to yell at your pet. But animal behavior experts say this will do no good at all. It happened in the past, and your dog or cat won't know why you're yelling. A better strategy is to praise your pets right away when they do their business where they're supposed to. You Leave Young Kids Unsupervised Lots of children adore animals, but sometimes their enthusiasm means they could get hurt. Young kids can play too rough, so a dog or cat might strike out in self-defense. Be sure to supervise play time when a new pet joins the family. Set rules for how kids should treat the pet, and teach them to spot the signs that a dog or cat wants to be left alone. You Give Milk to Cats The idea that felines thrive on this drink is a myth. In fact, the opposite is often true. Most cats are lactose intolerant, meaning they can't properly digest the sugars in milk.

It could give them diarrhea. While some cats can digest milk with no problems, they don't need it. So, most vets say you should skip it. You Let Dogs Eat Spoiled Food Your dog may be tempted to rifle through the garbage in search of a treat, but don't let her. Food gone bad is no healthier for pets than it is for people. Dogs who eat trash could get food poisoning or pancreas problems. Spoiled products may also have toxic mold, which can cause vomiting, severe tremors, seizures, and death. You Give Bones to Dogs We may think of them as tasty treats for canines, but the FDA says otherwise. The agency warns that chewing on bones can injure the teeth, tongue, or mouth. They can also get stuck in the digestive tract and would need to be removed with surgery or an endoscope. If your dog likes to chew, ask your vet about safer choices. You Feed Dogs Table Scraps It's hard to resist those big, sad eyes when your pal begs at the table. But when you reward his barks or whines with a bit of your meal, you encourage him to beg more in the future. And then you can forget about quiet dinners with your family. If you want to share table scraps as a treat sometimes, do it away from the table -- and use the food as a reward for good behavior. Also, learn which human foods are toxic to pets.
You Feed Cats Only Dry Food Cats have a low thirst drive by nature, so they may not drink enough to stay hydrated. If their bodies are always low on water, they could be at risk for urinary tract problems. Get them to drink more by adding a water fountain designed for cats. Canned food is generally about 78% water, so it's a good option too, but not every feline needs it. You can also ask your vet about prescription food that encourages a pet to drink. Pregnant? You Give Up Your Cat Kitty poop can have a parasite that causes an illness called toxoplasmosis. If a pregnant woman is newly infected, it could harm her baby. But most people who have cats already have antibodies to protect against the disease. The CDC says pregnant women should keep their cats but avoid handling cat litter if possible. You Don't Have a Disaster Plan If fires, flooding, or a hurricane forces you to evacuate your home, what will you do with your pets? Leaving them behind is not an option. And not all Red Cross shelters allow animals. It's best to find pet-friendly shelters and motels ahead of time, so you can keep your pets with you during an emergency. You Adopt a Pet on a Whim If a friend is giving away puppies or a local animal shelter is totally full, you may be tempted to bring home a new pet. But this should never be a spur-of-the-moment decision. You're making a long-term commitment to care for the animal -- 10 to 15 years for dogs and up to 20 years for cats. It’s also best to do some research ahead of time to decide what type of pet -- and what specific breed -- would be best for your family.

5 UNEXPECTED HABIT OF OWNING A DOG

Every dog lover knows that whoever coined the phrase "human's best friend" to describe the animal was spot-on — dogs can improve our health and lives in a multitude of ways. Growing up, I owned the sweetest, cutest (albeit not the brightest) golden retriever in the world (not that I'm biased or anything). She may not have had the highest IQ, but her emotional intelligence was astounding and she could always tell when I was anxious or having a hard time; her mere presence eased my anxiety and I looked forward to seeing her every single day. And I'm not alone in finding dogs to be a great asset to mental health — there's a reason that after tragedies like Sandy Hook, the Boston Marathon bombing, and the Orlando mass shooting, emotional support dogs are sent to the towns and the cities that were affected. Sure, dogs are fun, loving companions — but there are also a number of unexpected health benefits we gain from having dogs. Whether they ease our anxiety on a daily basis, detect when we are suffering from a life-threatening illness, or simply get us outside and socializing, dogs improve our quality of life in more ways than one. Here are five ways our canine friends benefit our health:

1. They Decrease Stress Levels Comfort dogs and emotional support dogs are an invaluable resource for people who have recently experienced a tragedy or a traumatic experience. But they aren't helpful only on the worst days of our lives — the physical companionship of a dog has been shown to decrease blood pressure and reduce stress. Studies have found that individuals who own dogs show lower heart rates and lower blood pressure. Additionally, dog owners tend to be in better physical health because they need to take care of their pets and get them out to exercise each day, regardless of how stressed out they are. And, of course, exercise is the number one way to stay physically and emotionally healthy.

2. They Decrease Depression A 2006 study from the University of Portsmouth found that caring for a dog reduces the risk of a depressive episode. Taking a dog for daily walks can help ward off feelings of depression and loneliness — and getting out of the house with their pet allows dog owners to meet and interact with others during their strolls. The participants in the study also noted that, when they were having bad days, they felt better once they went outside with their dog. Of course, severe depression can't be treated by a dog alone — it's still necessary to seek professional help. But, as someone who has experienced depression and anxiety, I can definitely say that the presence of my dog was extremely comforting on more occasions than I can count.

3. They Lower The Risk Of Allergies When kids grow up with dogs, their allergy risk decreases and their immune systems are stronger. In fact, when pregnant women live with a dog, it reduces their child's chances of developing allergies. Exposure to dogs during infancy, especially around the time of birth, strengthens a child's immune system and makes them less vulnerable to a variety of allergic diseases. By their third birthdays, kids with dogs are less likely to suffer from atopic dermatitis and wheezing compared to their peers who don't own dogs. (Seriously, is there anything dogs can't do?).

4. They Can Detect Cancer & Other Illnesses Research has shown that dogs are adept at detecting cancer, low blood sugar, and even impending seizures. There's no scientific explanation as to why canines are able to sense that their owner is about to have a seizure and therefore there's no way to "train" them how to do so. However, Jennifer Arnold, the founder of a Canine Assistants program in Georgia, reported to WebMD that approximately nine out of 10 service dogs she places develop the ability to detect an upcoming seizure within a year of placement. Arnold explains: “Dogs alert in different ways ... Most of them become visibly distressed in some way. They will start licking their person or pawing at them. It’s extremely common for the dog to tug their person toward the ground, as if they want them to lie down.” Dogs have also been known to detect cancer due to their keen sense of smell — and the same applies for diabetes. They can sense when their owner's blood sugar has dropped, and they're able to identify this even before the person does.

5. They Help Us Be More Social For those of us who tend to be a bit on the shy side, having a dog is a great way to meet and socialize with others. People tend to approach those with adorable dogs (or, in my case, chase the cute dog down the street and ask if I can pet it) and it's a great conversation starter. Furthermore, taking your dog to a pet store or dog park gives you the opportunity to chat and mingle with people who you have at least one thing in common with. A study conducted by Warwick University found that 40 percent of dog owners reported making friends more easilyas the result of having a canine companion. So, our dogs are way more than our best friends — they're the ones who can comfort us during rough times, sense when we're physically ill, and help improve our social lives. Plus, looking at those adorable faces each day is sure to lift anyone's mood.

FACTS ABOUT CAT SLEEPING

perfectly normal and healthy for a cat to sleep for 16-20 hours per day! Why? In the wild, cats must hunt for their food and this takes a lot of time and energy. Although a house cat doesn’t hunt for meals, the natural need to doze off and save energy will always be there. Paf and Tika are true masters at falling asleep any time, any place, under any circumstances Cats sleep soundly after strenuous exercise, a big meal or if their surroundings are very warm Our feline friends don’t necessarily use the very expensive beds that you buy for them Cats normally tell you where they want to sleep Cats are always on alert, even when they’re asleep. Little Tika has a very rapid reaction state when she hears a plastic noise. Are those treats? You can tell when a cat is in light sleep because their ears will twitch and rotate toward noises and their eyes will be open a tiny bit The Yin Yang sleeping position, their favourite it If your cat was a human… “Study for 10 minutes, reward yourself with 50 minutes break” Yeah, napping is more effective than a cup of coffee....

Zoonotic Disease: What Can I Catch from my Cat?

What is a zoonotic disease? While most feline infectious diseases affect only cats, and most human infectious diseases affect only humans, it is important to be aware that some of these diseases—called zoonotic diseases—can be transmitted between cats and people. You are much more likely to contract ailments from other humans than you are from your cat. However, simple precautions, common sense, and good hygiene, including careful handling of litter boxes and treating cats with fleas and other parasites, can further reduce the risk of zoonotic disease. How are zoonotic diseases transmitted? Transmission of a zoonotic disease can potentially occur when a person comes into direct contact with secretions or excretions—such as saliva or feces—from an infected cat. Additionally, a disease may be contracted through contact with water or food that has been contaminated by an infected cat. Many zoonotic diseases can be transmitted from fleas or ticks (called vectors) to a person or a cat from another animal. Who is at risk? Most zoonotic diseases pose minimal threat; however, some humans are particularly at risk. Those with immature or weakened immune systems, such as infants, individuals with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), the elderly, and people undergoing cancer therapy, are more susceptible to zoonotic infections than others. What are some common zoonotic diseases? 1. Bacterial Infections Cat-scratch disease, also called bartonellosis, is by far the most common zoonotic disease associated with cats. Approximately 25,000 people are diagnosed every year in the United States. Cat-scratch disease can occur when a person is bitten or scratched by an infected cat. Fleas may also play a role in the transmission of infection. People with cat-scratch disease usually have swollen lymph nodes, especially around the head, neck, and upper limbs. They may also experience fever, headache, sore muscles and joints, fatigue, and poor appetite. Healthy adults generally recover with no lasting effects, but it may take several months for the disease to go away completely. People with compromised immune systems may suffer more severe, even fatal, consequences. Some healthy cats are continuously or intermittently infected with cat-scratch disease bacteria, but antibiotics do not reliably cure infection in these cats and are not currently recommended. However, avoiding scratches and bites (for example, by not allowing children to play roughly with cats), controlling fleas, and keeping cats indoors all reduce the risk of cat-scratch disease. Because most cases of cat-scratch disease result from contact with kittens, immunosuppressed people should avoid such contact. Salmonellosis, another common bacterial disease, can cause diarrhea, fever, and stomach pain beginning one to three days after infection. Salmonellosis usually resolves on its own. However, some people require medical attention because the diarrhea is severe or the infection is affecting other organs. People usually get salmonellosis by eating contaminated food, such as undercooked chicken or eggs. However, cats and other animals—even those that appear healthy—can carry and pass salmonella bacteria in their stool. Salmonella bacteria are more commonly harbored by cats that feed on raw meat or wild birds and animals. Feline infection can be prevented by keeping cats indoors and feeding them cooked or commercially processed food. Human infection can be prevented by wearing gloves and washing hands thoroughly after cleaning litter boxes (especially if used by a cat with diarrhea). 2. Parasitic Infections Fleas are the most common external parasite of cats. While fleas cannot thrive on humans, their bites can cause itching and inflammation. Fleas may also serve as vectors for cat-scratch and other zoonotic diseases. Flea-infested cats may become infected with tapeworms from fleas ingested while grooming. Children, albeit rarely, can also become infected with tapeworms from inadvertently ingesting fleas. Some feline intestinal parasites, including roundworms and hookworms, can also cause disease in people. Children are particularly at risk due to their higher likelihood of contact with contaminated soil. Visceral larva migrans, a potentially serious disease that can affect the eyes and other organs, results from inadvertent consumption of roundworm eggs (e.g. when soiled fingers are placed in the mouth). Cutaneous larva migrans, an itchy skin disease, is caused by contact with hookworm-contaminated soil. Proper hygiene, including washing hands before meals, cleaning soil from vegetables, and reducing exposure to cat feces (e.g., by covering children's sandboxes when not in use) can prevent infection. Anti-parasite medications for kittens and annual fecal exams for adult cats can reduce environmental contamination and the risk of human infection. 3. Fungal Infections Ringworm is not caused by a worm at all; it is a skin infection caused by a group of fungi. Infected cats most often come from environments housing large numbers of animals. In cats, ringworm appears as a dry, gray, scaly patch on the skin. In humans, ringworm often appears as a round, red, itchy lesion with a ring of scale around the edge. Ringworm is transmitted by contact with an infected animal's skin or fur, either directly or from a contaminated environment. Infected cats continuously drop fungal spores from their skin and fur; these spores, which remain capable of causing infection for many months, are difficult to eradicate from a household. Children are particularly at risk of infection. To reduce environmental contamination, confine infected cats to one room until they are free of infection; then thoroughly clean and disinfect the household. 4. Protozoal Infections Protozoans are single-celled organisms. The three most common protozoal diseases in cats and humans are cryptosporidiosis, giardiasis, and toxoplasmosis. Cryptosporidiosis and giardiasis can cause diarrhea in both cats and people, who usually become infected by a common source—for example, contaminated water—not by each other. To prevent the spread of infection, schedule annual fecal examinations for your cats, and medicate infected cats as directed by your veterinarian. Other preventive measures include wearing gloves while handling feces-contaminated material, washing hands afterwards, and boiling or filtering any surface water used for drinking. Toxoplasmosis is caused by the parasitic protozoan Toxolasma gondii. People with weakened immune systems, or infants whose mothers are infected during pregnancy, can develop severe illness. People commonly become infected by eating undercooked or raw meat, or by inadvertently consuming contaminated soil on unwashed or undercooked vegetables. Unfortunately, pregnant women or immunosuppressed individuals are often mistakenly advised to remove cats from the household to reduce the risk of toxoplasmosis. However, people are highly unlikely to become infected from direct contact with their cats. Cats can become infected by eating infected rodents, birds, or anything contaminated with feces from another infected cat. An infected cat can shed the parasite in its feces for up to two weeks. The parasite must then mature for one to five days before it becomes capable of causing infection. However, it can persist in the environment for many months and continue to contaminate soil, water, gardens, sandboxes, or any place where an infected cat has defecated. Basic hygiene can prevent toxoplasmosis. Wear gloves when handling potentially contaminated material (for example, when gardening or handling raw meat), and be sure to wash your hands afterwards. Avoid eating undercooked meat, and thoroughly wash fruit and vegetables before eating. Surface water should be boiled or filtered prior to drinking, and children's sandboxes should be covered when not in use to prevent wandering cats from defecating in them. Scoop litter boxes daily while wearing gloves, and wash your hands afterwards. Pregnant women or immunosuppressed individuals are safest when other household members clean the litter box. 5. Viral Infections Most viruses infect only their natural host species. Human viruses, like those that cause the common cold, infect only humans, while feline immunodeficiency virus, feline infectious peritonitis virus, and feline leukemia virus infect only cats. However, one virus that can be passed from cats to humans is rabies, a viral disease resulting from the bite of an infected animal. Cats are highly susceptible to rabies, which attacks the central nervous system, causing a variety of signs. Rabies is almost always fatal. In people, rabies infections usually occur when an infected animal bites a person. In order to protect human health, rabies vaccination of cats is required by law in many areas. Even if your cat is kept indoors, it is important to keep rabies vaccines current because cats occasionally escape outdoors, and because rabid animals such as bats and raccoons occasionally enter houses. To further reduce your risk of rabies, avoid contact with wildlife and stray animals. See a doctor immediately if you have been bitten by an animal.