Playtime is purr-fect for your cat"s welfare
Play is often considered an indicator and promotor of animal welfare. Playing with your cat may also nurture closer cat-human bonds. In a new study, scientists have investigated these links by applying in-depth empirical methods to analyze data gathe.....»»
Addressing anti-Black racism is key to improving well-being of Black Canadians, says researcher
Anti-Black racism continues to be a major determinant of poor health and social outcomes for Black Canadians. Addressing this racism within Canadian institutions—like the health care system, justice system, the child welfare system and education—.....»»
Research shows goats can tell if you are happy or angry by your voice alone
Goats can tell the difference between a happy-sounding human voice and an angry-sounding one, according to research co-led by Professor Alan McElligott, an expert in animal behavior and welfare at City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK)......»»
Live animal transport regulations not "fit for purpose," large international study finds
A "fitness check" of regulations in five countries, meant to protect animals during transportation, has deemed that they all fall short of fully protecting animals during transport. Findings from this interdisciplinary work involving animal welfare s.....»»
Researchers develop an assessment system for fish health
The welfare of fish drives Dr. Beate Hoppe and her team every day. The animal keepers, scientists and veterinarians at the Leibniz Institute for Ageing Research (FLI) in Jena have spent six years meticulously collecting and evaluating data and have n.....»»
Molecularly designing polymer networks to control sound damping
The world is filled with myriad sounds and vibrations—the gentle tones of a piano drifting down the hall, the relaxing purr of a cat laying on your chest, the annoying hum of the office lights. Imagine being able to selectively tune out noises of a.....»»
In the interests of animal welfare and public health, researchers make a case for improved farm animal conditions
Research shows that three-quarters of emerging infectious diseases are passed from animals to humans; an illness of this type is known as zoonosis (plural: zoonoses). Farm animals, especially pigs and poultry, pose a high risk of zoonotic infection......»»
Two recent studies expand understanding of how early social housing helps dairy calves thrive
Dairy industry professionals continuously work to ensure the highest possible welfare for dairy calves, including fine-tuning their housing to improve overall health, well-being, and performance. Two new studies in JDS Communications are illuminating.....»»
Researchers fear the British spoken "r" is ready to roll away from the last bastion of rhoticity
How do you pronounce your "r"s towards the ends of words like Shearer, purr, nerd and pore? And what about those in car, bird and her?.....»»
Sensor implant gathers information about the welfare of individual farmed salmon
Sick and injured farmed salmon are a problem, but researchers have recently developed an implant that uses sensors to gather information about the welfare of individual fish......»»
Digital goods generate more than $2.5 trillion in consumer welfare a year, research finds
Digital goods are products or services that can only be purchased, transferred, and delivered online (e.g., e-books, downloadable music, online games). Such goods can generate significant benefits for consumers, but because most of them are free, the.....»»
Study shows schools are providing "fourth emergency service" by feeding families in desperate need
New research has exposed how food charity in schools is becoming mainstreamed across England amidst the cost-of-living crisis, welfare cutbacks, and entrenched poverty......»»
Study finds amino acid supplementation prevents negative effects of low-protein diet on pig welfare
Pigs fed a low-protein diet can show more damaging behaviors, but this can be counteracted by supplementation of essential amino acids to their diet. This has been demonstrated in research from Wageningen University & Research. The outcome is importa.....»»
Bizarre blip: Cases of fetuses with flipped organs quadrupled in China
Doctors speculated cases could link to a COVID surge, but no conclusions can be drawn. Enlarge / A nurse is on night shift at the emergency clinic of the International Peace Maternity & Child Health Hospital of China welfare inst.....»»
Everyone Was Wrong About Why Cats Purr
Cats purr when they’re happy and kittens purr so their mothers can find them. But it turns out purring may be more like a snore than a smile......»»
Pig welfare outweighs climate concerns for consumers, study finds
Pork production is a societal concern on several fronts: antibiotics use, infectious disease, poor animal welfare and climate and environmental pressures. Even though the beef, coffee and chocolate industries are each major climate culprits, the worl.....»»
More animal welfare or more environmental protection: Which is the better goal?
Which sustainability goals do people in Germany find more important: Animal welfare? Or environmental protection? Human health is another one of these competing sustainability goals......»»
Marine mammal longevity study reveals remarkable advances in animal welfare
A new study provides compelling evidence that animal care and management practices at zoos and aquariums have significantly improved over time. The study, led by Species360 and University of Southern Denmark Research Scientist Dr. Morgane Tidière in.....»»
Study explores how risk tolerance changes around payday
People living in poverty often struggle from payday to payday. Those who receive government assistance, such as welfare or pensions, must manage scarce resources to make ends meet until the next payment. Researchers from Kobe University, the Max Plan.....»»
What Do We Owe the Octopus?
Mounting research suggests that cephalopods experience pain. Now, the National Institutes of Health is considering new animal welfare rules that would put them in the same category as monkeys......»»
We now know how cats purr—why they purr is still up for debate
Studies of excised cat larynxes reveal role of connective tissues embedded in vocal folds. Enlarge / "They excised what, now?" Puck is nonetheless intrigued by new findings about the mechanisms behind a cat's purr. (credit: Jenni.....»»