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February 28, 2007
What Makes a Mean Bee Stay Mean?
Is the highly defensive behavior of Africanized honey bees simply genetic, or it is due to their social environment? http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2007/070226.htm
Posted by sball at 11:59 AM | Comments (0)
Model Successfully Predicts Rift Valley Fever Outbreak
A Rift Valley fever outbreak was successfully predicted several months in advance for the first time with a model developed by a team assembled by an Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientist. http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2007/070216.htm
Posted by sball at 11:57 AM | Comments (0)
Bioethics Symposium Proceedings Available
The Bioethics Symposium, "Proactive Approaches to Controversial Welfare and Ethical Concerns in Poultry Science" was held January 23, 2007 at the World Congress Center in Atlanta, Georgia.
The symposium was coordinated by the WERA-1902, Agricultural Bioethics multi-state research committee, and sponsored by the Southern Poultry Science Society, and the US Department of Agriculture, Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service, Plant and Animal Systems.
Audience members that left a business card will be mailed the revised version (which includes power point presentations).
If you want a copy (copies), send an email to rreynnells@csrees.usda.gov
Richard Reynnells, National Program Leader, Animal Production Systems
US Department of Agriculture, Cooperative State Research,
Education and Extension Service, Plant and Animal Systems
Posted by sball at 11:48 AM | Comments (0)
For First Time, Chimps Seen Making Weapons for Hunting
Washington Post reports chimpanzees have been observed fashioning deadly spears from sticks and using the tools to hunt small mammals. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/22/AR2007022201007.html
Posted by sball at 11:27 AM | Comments (0)
Scientific American: Good Sex Is Not a Rat Race
Scientific American: Good Sex Is Not a Rat Race
Posted by sball at 11:07 AM | Comments (0)
February 27, 2007
Horse genome assembled: Thoroughbred mare's DNA code now freely available
Vetscite.org reports on the Horse Genome Project. http://www.vetscite.org/publish/items/003519/index.html
Posted by sball at 02:58 PM | Comments (0)
Are Scientists Ignoring Environmental Influence on Genetic Research?
Scientific American reports a new study suggests that they do, and that they should take it into account in experiments involving knockout mice. Scientific American: Are Scientists Ignoring Environmental Influence on Genetic Research?
Posted by sball at 08:22 AM | Comments (0)
February 08, 2007
One bright side for Barbaro
The Patriot-News reports Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro left behind a wealth of medical knowledge. http://www.pennlive.com/search/index.ssf?/base/opinion/1170284120187850.xml?pennpedit&coll=1
Posted by sball at 08:39 AM | Comments (0)
Researchers Exploit Cattle Pathogen's Genomic Secrets
With genomic "maps" in hand, Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists are plotting new ways to protect cattle from cellular attack by Anaplasmosis marginale. http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2007/070208.htm
Posted by sball at 08:37 AM | Comments (0)
Humane Society: 'Faux fur' often dog hair
CNN reports "faux fur" jackets sold in the United States are actually made, at least in part, from dog fur. http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/02/07/dog.fur/index.html
Posted by sball at 08:07 AM | Comments (0)
February 07, 2007
Counting Eimeria Before They Hatch
Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists have developed a rapid system for identifying which of several Eimeria species are present on a particular farm. Eimeria are single-celled protozoans that cause coccidiosis, a major intestinal disease of chickens. http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2007/070207.htm
Posted by sball at 10:08 AM | Comments (0)
Barbaro's Brave Fight Won't Be Forgotten
ABC News reports owners are taking steps to leave a lasting legacy for Barbaro. http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory?id=2847253
Posted by sball at 10:01 AM | Comments (0)
February 06, 2007
Prize for improving welfare of hamsters used in medical research
NC3Rs.org.uk reports a new technique for infecting hamsters used in research on visceral leishmaniasis has been awarded the second annual 3Rs Prize. http://www.nc3rs.org.uk/news.asp?id=396
Posted by sball at 02:26 PM | Comments (0)
The Best Shot at Disease Prevention
In the last century, scientists in the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) developed vaccines that helped eradicate animal diseases. http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/np/ha/han28.htm
Posted by sball at 02:24 PM | Comments (0)
February 05, 2007
Ga. Crash Victim Says Dog Saved Her Life
SFGate.com reports a motorists says that a dog found her bruised and battered after an accident and dragged her about 50 yards to a highway and let her lean against him so she could flag a passing motorist. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2007/02/02/national/a170525S55.DTL
Posted by sball at 01:46 PM | Comments (0)
Monkey Saves Family from Fire
Wtop.com reports a marmoset who is service animal woke up a family and helped save them from a house fire. http://www.wtopnews.com/?nid=502&sid=1051934
Posted by sball at 01:36 PM | Comments (0)
February 01, 2007
Equine medical center's isolation unit is valuable tool in battle against infectious diseases
Virginia Tech News reports the Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center in Leesburg, Va., is on the frontlines in the battle against infectious diseases within the equine population. http://www.vtnews.vt.edu/story.php?relyear=2007&itemno=55
Posted by sball at 10:05 AM | Comments (0)
MRI allows for better diagnosis of bone and soft tissue injuries in horses
Virginia Tech News reports on a new MRI system at Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center.http://www.vtnews.vt.edu/story.php?relyear=2007&itemno=59
Posted by sball at 09:59 AM | Comments (0)