https://www.sciencedaily.com/news/plants_animals/dogs/ Veterinary research and news on dogs as companions, canine health, wolf pack behavior and more. If it is news about dogs, you will find it here! en-us Fri, 17 Apr 2026 09:08:01 EDT Fri, 17 Apr 2026 09:08:01 EDT 60 https://www.sciencedaily.com/images/scidaily-logo-rss.png https://www.sciencedaily.com/news/plants_animals/dogs/ For more science news, visit ScienceDaily. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260319044643.htm Ravens have long been thought to follow wolves to find food, but new research shows they’re far more strategic. By tracking both animals in Yellowstone, scientists discovered that ravens memorize areas where wolf kills are likely and fly directly to those spots—sometimes from great distances. Rather than trailing wolves, they rely on learned patterns in the landscape. It’s a clever system that highlights just how intelligent these birds really are. Thu, 19 Mar 2026 21:52:07 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260319044643.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260303201801.htm Returning rescued slow lorises to the wild may sound like a conservation success, but a new study shows it can turn deadly. Researchers tracked nine released animals and found that only two survived, with most killed in territorial attacks by other lorises. Scientists say better planning is essential to ensure wildlife releases actually help endangered species. Tue, 03 Mar 2026 23:19:55 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260303201801.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260303050628.htm In Yellowstone’s wild chess match between wolves and cougars, it turns out the real power play is theft. After tracking nearly a decade of GPS data and thousands of kill sites, researchers found that wolves often muscle in on cougar kills—sometimes even killing the cats—but cougars never return the favor. Instead of fighting back, cougars adapt. As elk numbers dropped, they shifted toward hunting more deer, which they can eat quickly and in safer terrain, helping them dodge wolf encounters. Tue, 03 Mar 2026 13:10:50 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260303050628.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260227061824.htm For decades, scientists believed a fertilized egg’s DNA began as a shapeless mass, only organizing itself once the embryo switched on its genes. But new research reveals that the genome is already carefully arranged in three dimensions long before that critical activation step, known as Zygotic Genome Activation. Using a powerful new method called Pico-C, researchers captured this hidden DNA architecture in unprecedented detail, showing that a complex scaffold is built early to control which genes will later turn on. Fri, 27 Feb 2026 06:18:24 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260227061824.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260219040814.htm A giant virus discovered in Japan is adding fuel to the provocative idea that viruses helped create complex life. Named ushikuvirus, it infects amoebae and shows unique traits that connect different families of giant DNA viruses. Its unusual way of hijacking and disrupting the host cell’s nucleus offers fresh insight into how viruses may have influenced the evolution of the cell nucleus itself. The finding deepens the mystery of viruses—and their possible role in life’s biggest leap. Thu, 19 Feb 2026 22:28:24 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260219040814.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260212025612.htm A new scientific review challenges the headline-grabbing claim that Yellowstone’s returning wolves triggered one of the strongest trophic cascades on Earth. Researchers found that the reported 1,500% surge in willow growth was based on circular calculations and questionable comparisons. After correcting for modeling and sampling flaws, the supposed ecosystem-wide boom largely disappears. Thu, 12 Feb 2026 08:51:03 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260212025612.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260211073029.htm For the first time, deadly H5N1 bird flu has been confirmed as the cause of a wildlife die-off in Antarctica, killing more than 50 skuas during the 2023–2024 summers. Researchers on an Antarctic expedition found the virus ravaging these powerful seabirds, with some suffering severe neurological symptoms—twisted necks, circling behavior, and even falling from the sky. While penguins and fur seals were examined, skuas emerged as the primary victims, especially on Beak Island, where a mass die-off occurred. Thu, 12 Feb 2026 01:31:45 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260211073029.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260129080446.htm On a remote Alaskan island, gray wolves are rewriting the rulebook by hunting sea otters — a behavior few scientists ever expected to see. Researchers are now uncovering how these coastal wolves adapted to marine hunting, what it means for land–sea ecosystems, and whether this ancient predator–prey relationship is re-emerging as sea otters recover. Fri, 30 Jan 2026 10:29:41 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260129080446.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260122074035.htm A new study suggests humans belong in an elite “league of monogamy,” ranking closer to beavers and meerkats than to chimpanzees. By comparing full and half siblings across species and human cultures, researchers found that long-term pair bonding is unusually common in our species. Even societies that permit polygamy show far more monogamy than most mammals. This rare evolutionary shift may have played a key role in human social success. Thu, 22 Jan 2026 23:58:52 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260122074035.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260112001032.htm A groundbreaking cattle genome has given researchers their clearest look yet at what makes Wagyu beef so special. By uncovering hundreds of new genes and hidden genetic variations, scientists can now pinpoint traits linked to marbling, health, and productivity with far greater accuracy. The advance could boost profits for beef producers while improving breeding outcomes across many cattle breeds. It also sets the stage for even more comprehensive livestock genomes in the future. Mon, 12 Jan 2026 02:01:13 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260112001032.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260107225541.htm DNA doesn’t just sit still inside our cells — it folds, loops, and rearranges in ways that shape how genes behave. Researchers have now mapped this hidden architecture in unprecedented detail, showing how genome structure changes from cell to cell and over time. These insights reveal why many disease-linked mutations outside genes can still cause harm. The findings could speed up the discovery of genetic risks and inspire new ways to target diseases. Thu, 08 Jan 2026 21:16:11 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260107225541.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260106001920.htm Dogs began diversifying thousands of years earlier than previously believed, with clear differences in size and shape appearing over 11,000 years ago. A massive global analysis of ancient skulls shows that early dogs were already adapting to different roles in human societies. This challenges the idea that dog diversity is mainly a product of recent breeding. Instead, it points to a long process of coevolution between humans and their earliest canine companions. Tue, 06 Jan 2026 23:43:56 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260106001920.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251227004151.htm Scientists have uncovered ancient wolf remains on a small Baltic island where wolves could only have been brought by humans. These animals weren’t dogs, but true wolves that ate the same marine food as the people living there and showed signs of isolation and possible care. One even survived with an injured limb that would have made hunting difficult. The findings suggest humans once kept and managed wolves in ways far more complex than previously imagined. Mon, 29 Dec 2025 10:44:27 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251227004151.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251204024226.htm Scientists have captured a never-before-seen, high-resolution look at influenza’s stealthy invasion of human cells, revealing that the cells aren’t just helpless victims. Using a groundbreaking imaging technique, researchers discovered that our cells actually reach out and “grab” the virus as it searches for the perfect entry point, surfing along the membrane. Thu, 04 Dec 2025 03:46:07 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251204024226.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251129053351.htm Researchers studying thousands of canine genomes discovered that wolf DNA is still present in most dog breeds. This ancient genetic influence shows up in traits like body size, behavior, and environmental resilience. Even dogs bred far from wolves, including tiny chihuahuas, carry detectable wolf ancestry. The findings highlight how deeply intertwined the histories of dogs and wolves really are. Sat, 29 Nov 2025 10:49:53 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251129053351.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251128050506.htm Data from over 47,000 dogs reveal that CBD is most often used in older pets with chronic health issues. Long-term CBD use was linked to reduced aggression, though other anxious behaviors didn’t improve. The trend was strongest among dogs whose owners lived in cannabis-friendly states. Fri, 28 Nov 2025 08:41:17 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251128050506.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251104013023.htm Beneath the ocean’s surface, bacteria have evolved specialized enzymes that can digest PET plastic, the material used in bottles and clothes. Researchers at KAUST discovered that a unique molecular signature distinguishes enzymes capable of efficiently breaking down plastic. Found in nearly 80% of ocean samples, these PETase variants show nature’s growing adaptation to human pollution. Tue, 04 Nov 2025 08:54:51 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251104013023.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251102205006.htm On the Canary Islands, scientists discovered that the spider Dysdera tilosensis has halved its genome size in just a few million years—defying traditional evolutionary theories that predict larger, more repetitive genomes in island species. This unexpected downsizing, revealed through advanced genomic sequencing, shows that despite its smaller DNA, the island spider is genetically more diverse than its continental relatives. Sun, 02 Nov 2025 21:48:10 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251102205006.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251030075112.htm From mini-brains to spider-inspired gloves and wolf apple coatings, scientists are turning eerie-sounding experiments into real innovations that could revolutionize health and sustainability. Lab-grown brain organoids may replace animal testing, spider-silk gloves could create instant wound dressings, wolf apple starch keeps veggies fresh, and researchers even found microplastics lurking in human retinas—offering both wonder and a warning about the modern world. Thu, 30 Oct 2025 08:51:19 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251030075112.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250925025308.htm Vincetoxicum nakaianum tricks flies into pollinating it by imitating the smell of ants attacked by spiders. Ko Mochizuki stumbled upon this finding when he noticed flies clustering around the flowers and later confirmed their unusual preference. The study reveals the first known case of ant odor mimicry in plants, expanding our understanding of how diverse floral deception can be. Thu, 25 Sep 2025 04:07:22 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250925025308.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250923021212.htm Gifted dogs can categorize toys by function, not just appearance. In playful at-home tests, they linked labels like “fetch” and “pull” to toys—even ones they’d never seen before. The findings hint that dogs form mental concepts of objects, much like humans, pointing to deeper cognitive abilities. Tue, 23 Sep 2025 23:20:54 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250923021212.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250827010724.htm Bumble bees aren’t random foragers – they’re master nutritionists. Over an eight-year field study in the Colorado Rockies, scientists uncovered that different bee species strategically balance their intake of protein, fats, and carbs by choosing pollen from specific flowers. Larger, long-tongued bees seek protein-rich pollen, while smaller, short-tongued species prefer carb- and fat-heavy sources. These dietary preferences shift with the seasons and colony life cycles, helping bees reduce competition, thrive together, and maintain strong colonies. Wed, 27 Aug 2025 01:07:24 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250827010724.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250820000749.htm Two independent research teams have unveiled near-complete reference genomes of the central bearded dragon, a reptile with the rare ability to change sex depending on both chromosomes and nest temperature. Using next-generation sequencing technologies from China and Australia, the projects uncovered the long-sought genetic basis of sex determination in this lizard. Wed, 20 Aug 2025 04:07:36 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250820000749.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250816113522.htm Scientists have engineered a groundbreaking cancer treatment that uses bacteria to smuggle viruses directly into tumors, bypassing the immune system and delivering a powerful one-two punch against cancer cells. The bacteria act like Trojan horses, carrying viral payloads to cancer’s core, where the virus can spread and destroy malignant cells. Built-in safety features ensure the virus can’t multiply outside the tumor, offering a promising pathway for safe, targeted therapy. Sun, 17 Aug 2025 10:28:53 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250816113522.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250806094112.htm Apple snails can fully regrow their eyes, and their genes and eye structures are strikingly similar to humans. Scientists mapped the regeneration process and used CRISPR to identify genes, including pax6, as essential to eye development, raising hopes for future human vision restoration. Wed, 06 Aug 2025 23:00:40 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250806094112.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250718031215.htm Despite our strong belief in dogs' ability to sense good from bad in people, new research shows they may not actually judge human character, at least not in the way we think. When dogs watched how humans treated other dogs, they didn’t favor the kinder person later. Even direct interactions didn’t sway their behavior. The study suggests dogs' reputational judgments might be more nuanced—or harder to study—than we realized. Fri, 18 Jul 2025 22:06:56 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250718031215.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250718031205.htm Tourists feeding wild elephants may seem innocent or even compassionate, but a new 18-year study reveals it s a recipe for disaster. Elephants in Sri Lanka and India have learned to beg for snacks sugary treats and human food leading to deadly encounters, injuries, and even the ingestion of plastic. Once wild animals become accustomed to handouts, they lose their natural instincts, grow bolder, and risk both their lives and the safety of humans. Fri, 18 Jul 2025 03:12:05 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250718031205.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250717013901.htm Dogs trained by everyday pet owners are proving to be surprisingly powerful allies in the fight against the invasive spotted lanternfly. In a groundbreaking study, citizen scientists taught their dogs to sniff out the pests’ hard-to-spot egg masses with impressive accuracy. The initiative not only taps into the huge community of recreational scent-detection dog enthusiasts, but also opens a promising new front in protecting agriculture. And it doesn’t stop there—these canine teams are now sniffing out vineyard diseases too, hinting at a whole new future of four-legged fieldwork. Thu, 17 Jul 2025 11:02:40 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250717013901.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250716000846.htm Dogs trained to detect Parkinson’s disease using scent have shown remarkable accuracy in new research. In a double-blind trial, they identified skin swabs from people with Parkinson’s with up to 80% sensitivity and 98% specificity, even when other health conditions were present. The findings offer hope for a simple, non-invasive diagnostic method using biomarkers that appear long before traditional symptoms, potentially allowing earlier treatment and slowed disease progression. Wed, 16 Jul 2025 12:22:41 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250716000846.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250711224330.htm A cat named Pepper has once again helped scientists discover a new virus—this time a mysterious orthoreovirus found in a shrew. Researchers from the University of Florida, including virologist John Lednicky, identified this strain during unrelated testing and published its genome. Although once thought to be harmless, these viruses are increasingly linked to serious diseases in humans and animals. With previous discoveries also pointing to a pattern of viral emergence in wildlife, scientists stress the need for more surveillance—and Pepper remains an unlikely but reliable viral scout. Sat, 12 Jul 2025 10:58:37 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250711224330.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250706230323.htm Danish and Welsh botanists sifted through 400 studies, field-tested seed mixes, and uncovered a lineup of native and exotic blooms that both thrill human eyes and lure bees and hoverflies in droves, offering ready-made recipes for transforming lawns, parks, and patios into vibrant pollinator hotspots. Mon, 07 Jul 2025 07:49:17 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250706230323.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250706230313.htm Scientists have decoded the sea spider’s genome for the first time, revealing how its strangely shaped body—with organs in its legs and barely any abdomen—may be tied to a missing gene. The detailed DNA map shows this ancient creature evolved differently from its spider and scorpion cousins, lacking genome duplications seen in those species. With new gene activity data, researchers now have a powerful tool to explore how sea spiders grow, regenerate, and evolved into some of the oddest arthropods on Earth. Mon, 07 Jul 2025 04:49:54 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250706230313.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250701234744.htm Locked-down Hungarians who gained or lost pets saw almost no lasting shift in mood or loneliness, and new dog owners actually felt less calm and satisfied over time—hinting that the storied “pet effect” may be more myth than mental-health remedy even in extreme isolation. Wed, 02 Jul 2025 05:57:47 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250701234744.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250624044319.htm Two Ice Age wolf pups once thought to be early dogs have been identified as wild wolves, thanks to detailed DNA and chemical analysis. Surprisingly, their last meals included woolly rhinoceros meat—an unusually large prey item—hinting that ancient wolves might have been bigger than today’s. Their well-preserved bodies also shed light on wolf pack behavior and Ice Age environments. Tue, 24 Jun 2025 09:24:09 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250624044319.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250618094452.htm New research is shaking up our understanding of evolution by revealing that some species may not evolve gradually at all. Instead, scientists discovered that certain marine worms experienced an explosive genetic makeover when they transitioned to life on land over 200 million years ago. Their entire genome broke into pieces and was randomly reassembled an event so extreme it stunned researchers. This radical shift supports the theory of "punctuated equilibrium," where species remain unchanged for ages and then suddenly leap forward. Wed, 18 Jun 2025 09:44:52 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250618094452.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250603172914.htm UC Davis researchers found that video telehealth visits help cat owners better care for arthritic cats without the stress of clinic visits. Owners appreciated personalized tips to improve their cat s comfort at home, and most said they'd pay for this convenient service. It s a game-changer for supporting cats with chronic conditions in a low-stress, familiar setting. Tue, 03 Jun 2025 17:29:14 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250603172914.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250529124402.htm Whether you are lucky enough to have a cat companion or must merely live this experience vicariously through cat videos, Felis catus is a familiar and comforting presence in our daily lives. Unlike most other feline species, cats exhibit sociality, can live in groups, and communicate both with other cats and humans, which is why they have been humans' trusted accomplices for millennia. Despite this intimacy, there is still much that we don't know about our feline friends. Thu, 29 May 2025 12:44:02 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250529124402.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250528214222.htm Interactive robots should not just be passive companions, but active partners -- like therapy horses who respond to human emotion -- say researchers. Wed, 28 May 2025 21:42:22 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250528214222.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250528131641.htm Scientists show that wolves that are eating sea otters in Alaska have much higher concentrations of mercury than those eating other prey such as deer and moose. Wed, 28 May 2025 13:16:41 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250528131641.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250527180932.htm A new study reveals the biological secret to the Zika virus's infectious success: Zika uses host cells' own 'self-care' system of clearing away useless molecules to suppress the host proteins that the virus has employed to get into those cells in the first place. Tue, 27 May 2025 18:09:32 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250527180932.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250523120450.htm The molecular pathways involved in antiviral defenses and counter-defenses in host-pathogen systems remain unclear. Researchers have used Neurospora crassa as a model organism to explore how RNA editing influences fungal antiviral responses. They identified two neighboring genes -- an RNA-editing enzyme (old) and a transcription factor (zao) -- that regulate virus-induced gene expression. Their findings show how the old-zao module controls both asymptomatic and symptomatic infections, providing new insight into conserved antiviral mechanisms in fungi. Fri, 23 May 2025 12:04:50 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250523120450.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250519204644.htm A new report identifies the top 12 emerging threats that could accelerate pollinator losses within the next 5-15 years, according to ten of the world's leading experts. Mon, 19 May 2025 20:46:44 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250519204644.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250514120234.htm The northern white rhinoceros is one of the rarest animals on Earth, with just two females left and no natural way for the species to reproduce. Now, scientists have mapped the entire genome of a northern white rhino. This represents a crucial step toward bringing the critically endangered species back from the edge using advanced reproductive technologies. The complete genome can be used as a reference to analyze the health of previously developed northern white rhinoceros stem cells. Eventually, those stem cells may be able to generate sperm and eggs to yield new rhinos. Wed, 14 May 2025 12:02:34 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250514120234.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250513150246.htm Researchers developed a new machine learning method that, given a relevant amino acid sequence, can automatically predict the location of a protein in any human cell line down to the single-cell level. This advance could help clinicians identify certain diseases, streamline the process of drug discovery, and give biologists new insights into the effects of protein mutations. Tue, 13 May 2025 15:02:46 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250513150246.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250513112146.htm Researchers have identified a never-before-seen mechanism that enables HIV-1 to evade the body's natural defenses and use it to support its survival and replication. The 'loophole' is a biological process that involves circular RNAs and marks the first experimental evidence of HIV-1 generating them from an integrated retroviral genome. Findings point to a novel strategy the virus uses to survive, providing a new target in the fight against one of the world's most resilient pathogens. Tue, 13 May 2025 11:21:46 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250513112146.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250512133654.htm A team of researchers has identified distinct mother-offspring attachment types in wild chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus). Drawing parallels with human psychology, the study provides compelling evidence that wild chimpanzee infants, like human children, develop critical secure and insecure-avoidant attachment patterns to their mothers. However, unlike humans and some captive chimpanzees, wild chimpanzees did not exhibit disorganized attachment characterized by high rates of aggression. This raises new questions about how this type of attachment may be shaped by survival and modern environmental pressures. Mon, 12 May 2025 13:36:54 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250512133654.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250509122258.htm A research team has achieved a significant breakthrough in developing broadly protective, live-attenuated influenza vaccines (LAIV). These innovative LAIV platforms offer potential to develop universal influenza vaccines that induce a more robust immune response against various virus subtypes, including both human and avian strains. Fri, 09 May 2025 12:22:58 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250509122258.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250501122105.htm Animal research on biomusicality, which looks at whether different species are capable of behaving in ways that show they recognize aspects of music, including rhythm and beat, remains a tantalizing field at the intersection of biology and psychology. Now, the highly trained California sea lion who achieved global fame for her ability to bob her head to a beat is finally back: starring in a new study that shows her rhythm is just as precise -- if not better -- than humans. Thu, 01 May 2025 12:21:05 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250501122105.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250430142727.htm A new study comparing wild and zoo-housed Sumatran orangutans reveals that life in a zoo significantly alters how orangutans interact with their environment. Researchers analyzed over 12,000 instances of daily exploratory object manipulation (EOM) -- the active manipulation and visual inspection of objects associated with learning and problem-solving -- across 51 orangutans aged 0.5 to 76 years. The findings show that orangutans living in zoos engage in more frequent, more diverse, and more complex exploration than their wild counterparts. Wed, 30 Apr 2025 14:27:27 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250430142727.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250428220441.htm Through intensive breeding, humans have pushed breeds such as pug dogs and Persian cats to evolve with very similar skulls and 'smushed' faces, so they're more similar to each other than they are to other dogs or cats. Mon, 28 Apr 2025 22:04:41 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250428220441.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250415211247.htm Macaque mothers experience a short period of physical restlessness after the death of an infant, but do not show typical human signs of grief, such as lethargy and appetite loss, finds a new study by anthropologists. Tue, 15 Apr 2025 21:12:47 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250415211247.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250414124340.htm Like the dengue and Zika viruses, Oropouche virus causes a febrile illness. There are recent indications that infections during pregnancy can cause damage to unborn babies. Researchers have now determined that the virus is much more widespread in Latin America than previously assumed. Their study also suggests that climatic conditions have a significant influence on the virus's spread. Mon, 14 Apr 2025 12:43:40 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250414124340.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250410130626.htm Dogs could help predict valley fever spread in humans. A new study finds a strong correlation between occurrence of dog and human disease. Thu, 10 Apr 2025 13:06:26 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250410130626.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250409154619.htm A new, exploratory study has revealed statistical links between the performance of medical detection dogs and their scores on behavioral and affective tests, finding that more 'optimistic' dogs tended to perform better overall on detection tasks, but 'pessimistic' dogs had higher scent detection specificity. Wed, 09 Apr 2025 15:46:19 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250409154619.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250409114840.htm New research into the overlooked environmental impact of pet dogs has found far-reaching negative effects on wildlife, ecosystems and climate. Wed, 09 Apr 2025 11:48:40 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250409114840.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250404122422.htm New research shows how small shifts in the molecular makeup of a virus can profoundly alter its fate. These shifts could turn a deadly pathogen into a harmless bug or supercharge a relatively benign virus, influencing its ability to infect humans and cause dangerous outbreaks. Fri, 04 Apr 2025 12:24:22 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250404122422.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250401174900.htm For dogs housed at Texas kennels, age and fecal score are important factors for screening for subclinical Giardia infections. Tue, 01 Apr 2025 17:49:00 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250401174900.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250326123344.htm Nature documentaries presented as 360 virtual reality videos have a stronger positive effect than other forms of media, including an indirect effect on donation intentions. Wed, 26 Mar 2025 12:33:44 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250326123344.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250325141538.htm This research comes as many mosquito-borne viruses are spreading rapidly. Tue, 25 Mar 2025 14:15:38 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250325141538.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250321121311.htm Researchers have developed eye drops that extend vision in animal models of a group of inherited diseases that lead to progressive vision loss in humans, known as retinitis pigmentosa. Fri, 21 Mar 2025 12:13:11 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250321121311.htm