Posts
March 02, 2013
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Or in science in general, really. The basic idea is the following: what if researchers used the public as a bunch of data collectors? Organisations such as ‘Adventurers and Scientists for Conservation’ already engage people to become citizen scientists (more … Continue reading →
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8:53 PM | Why Do Male Dogs Scent Mark So Much?
Answer: We don’t know, but some research discussed Friday at IFAAB by Dr. Anneke Lisberg might have shed some light on the topic. Those of you who have been following the blog for awhile know that Anneke is one of the few people studying chemical communication in domestic dogs. Although chemical communication is central to communication in many species, including our dogs, it is exceptionally difficult to study and very few people have made the attempt. It doesn’t help that we […]
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Hi Julie, what a week! Thanks for all that great information about The Sounds of Dogs, that was so interesting. I definitely recognise differences in the way my dogs bark. They have very different vocalisations for "strange person at the door", "someone familiar that I'm excited to see at the door" and "Oh my goodness, you just did something that we're not meant to do!" (that last one is ALWAYS Elke 'dobbing' on Caleb - she would have totally been the teacher's pet in a classroom
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Hazel S.J., Signal T.D. & Taylor N. (2011). Can Teaching Veterinary and Animal-Science Students about Animal Welfare Affect Their Attitude toward Animals and Human-Related Empathy?, Journal of Veterinary Medical Education, 38 (1) 74-83. DOI: 10.3138/jvme.38.1.74
Yeates J.W. (2010). Death is a Welfare Issue, Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Ethics, 23 (3) 229-241. DOI: 10.1007/s10806-009-9199-9
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February 27, 2013
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6:37 PM | Profile of Ben Barres at Brain Facts
I thoroughly enjoyed talking to Dr. Ben Barres for this brief profile. His Stanford lab works on understanding the role of glial cells (especially in neurodegenerative disease) and he is a crusader for gender equality in the sciences. As a female to male transgendered person, he has a unique perspective on sexism and bias in [...]
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2:54 PM | Do Non-Human Animals Like Human Music?
We think of song as an artistic expression, a beat to groove to, a melodic story. But to animals that use it (arguably including many birds, whales, and primates), “song” is generally a competitive vocal signal used to attract mates and deter rivals. This leaves us wondering: Do any non-human animals have music? Can they even enjoy human music? Some certainly seem to: A Cockatoo Shakes His Tailfeather: A Beluga Whale Listens To A Mariachi Serenade: A Dog Grooves To His
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1:23 PM | New on AAAS: Killer Kitties
Cats are the most popular pets in the world. More than a third of American households have feline family members, and more than 600 million cats live among people worldwide. But a recent report has catapulted felines into the headlines by suggesting their cute and fluffy exteriors belie a ruthless hidden nature. Are domestic cats [...]
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I really enjoyed getting to hang out with some of my fellow bug bloggers at Science Online at the beginning of the month! I feel like we’ve got a great community online, a very supportive group of writers who are … Continue reading →
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2:01 AM | New Seminar in August, Chicago, Illinois
Oh boy, what fun. As many of you know, I’m not doing many more full day seminars anymore, but I couldn’t resist pairing up with the Steve White for a two-day seminar outside of Chicago, Illinois on August 10th and 11th of this year. Thanks to a Facebook reader who jumped in with dozens of others with ideas for a title, we are calling the seminar Sense(s) and Sensibility. Thank you Mairi and kisses to your lovely dog, Layla! On Saturday, I’ll be doing an ... Read the Rest
February 26, 2013
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11:31 PM | A Comforting Thought
It’s only Tuesday and I’m already having a bad week. It’s got to the point where I’ve had to take up yoga. Yoga! But even that, the centering, the focusing, the calm, doesn’t seem to have perked up my tired but ever-racing brain. So, today’s fink is about melancholia, and specifically, how we remedy it. [...]
February 24, 2013
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These tips aren’t about finding research internships per se, but hopefully they’ll help you in your search for those valued practical experiences Tip 1 – DEFINE YOUR CRITERIA I HIGHLY suggest (see what I did there?) you take the time to assess … Continue reading →
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I could have sworn that I posted this last weekend, but when I went to post the next part of the report there it was in the drafts folder. Whoops! Well, here’s hoping it will go through this time… In … Continue reading →
February 23, 2013
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3:42 PM | Blog Redesign and Open Mike
First off, some good news. Many more people from all over the world have joined us in the past few months, the traffic to The Other End of the Leash blog has increased rapidly in the past six months. (Hello Serbia, United Arab Republic, Boliva, Nepal…!) What a joy it is to have this international conversation with dog lovers from so many different perspectives. However, our increased traffic was causing some website problems; as a friend says, a “high quality problem” indeed. […]
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3:27 AM | No Friday 5 Today
I thought I might be able to get it done, but between working 13 days in a row and having family in town, Friday 5 just isn’t going to happen. I hope to be back to my regular posting schedule … Continue reading →
February 22, 2013
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SUMMARY: We should celebrate the scientific breakthroughs that benefit the many, not the few Image: Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences. Like a lot of people, I awoke this morning to the news of the new Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences. Initiated by multibillionaires Art Levinson, Sergey Brin, Anne Wojcicki, Mark Zuckerberg, Priscilla Chan and Yuri Milner, the Breakthrough Prize is intended to recognise "excellence in research aimed at curing intractable diseases and extending human life." […]
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1:15 AM | Pet sounds
Hi Mia, Your last post opened an entirely new can of worms -- dog poo as a source of electricity. Yes, you went there, and your post was equipped with a lamp shaped like a dog taking a poo as well as the phrase, “I’m not talking crap (well, I am).” Extraordinary.Since one of our goals at DYBID is to discuss topics that are important to dogs, it was inevitable that we’d arrive at poo. And while dogs probably don’t care what we do with their poo after they’re done with it (maybe
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February 21, 2013
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8:39 AM | Dolphins call each other by name?
An article titled “Vocal copying of individually distinctive signature whistles in bottlenose dolphins” is in the news this week. This is the latest in a series of studies from researchers at the University of St Andrews looking at how dolphins use “signature” whistles. Signature whistles are unique vocalizations that each dolphin develops at a young [...]
February 20, 2013
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By Sam Brunner and Ian Straus Cephalopods, like octopuses, squid, and cuttlefish, are well known for their ability to alter the color and patterns on their bodies for better camouflage, mimicry, and even communication. By developing a unique set of camouflage tools, cephalopods excel at not being seen or being seen but not detected as a cephalopod. There are videos all over the internet showcasing how squid can terrify divers with their flashing red displays, or how some octopuses avoid their
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Froesch, D. (1973). Projection of chromatophore nerves on the body surface of Octopus vulgaris, Marine Biology, 19 (2) 153-155. DOI: 10.1007/BF00353586
Messenger JB (2001). Cephalopod chromatophores: neurobiology and natural history., Biological reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society, 76 (4) 473-528. PMID: 11762491
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Seeking volunteer research assistants for a project on endangered Australian sea lions Project title: Conservation ecology and human disturbance of Australian sea lions (Neophoca cinerea) in Western Australia Project description: In this study, baseline information on the ecology and behaviour of Australian … Continue reading →
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Apart from the occasional wayward ladybug that makes it into the trailer where my office is at work, there has been a shocking lack of insects out and about for me to look at/document recently. It might have something to … Continue reading →
February 18, 2013
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11:36 PM | Back on the Burger-Wagon
I know, I know. I said, ‘been there, done that’. So, sorry to return to the issue, but I think there is another symbiologically relevant point to be brought forth from this continuing horsemeat malarky, which I didn’t really look at last time. But hey (geddit?), I’ve had a week off and need something to [...]
February 17, 2013
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Madagascar is a land filled with wonderful creatures, from charismatic lemurs to chameleons so small they can stand on the tip of a pencil. It is also home to the [...]
Luhrs M.L., Dammhahn M. & Kappeler P. (2012). Strength in numbers: males in a carnivore grow bigger when they associate and hunt cooperatively, Behavioral Ecology, 24 (1) 21-28. DOI: 10.1093/beheco/ars150
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February 16, 2013
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4:37 AM | Friday 5: My Other Hobbies
Okay, this post is going to be completely non-scientific, but I want to post it anyway. Be forewarned! When I’m not working, spending time with friends or family, or photographing things, I typically have SOMETHING in my hands I’m working … Continue reading →
February 15, 2013
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5:12 PM | “Self-Control Depletion” & Dogs
This post could be sub-titled “No, a tired dog is not always a good dog,” or alternatively, “Why We Choose Pasta with Cream Sauce Over Vegetable Soup on a Difficult Day.” Okay, maybe it’s just me that makes poor decisions about lunch when I’m exhausted, but this research suggests that I, along my dogs, are not alone. A study by Miller et. al. followed up on earlier work about the effect of self-control on risk taking and decision making. (“Too dog tired […]
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10:22 AM | A 3-step guide to the perfect bee trap
Brought to us by the ingenious bee assassin bug. Watch it happen in this excerpt from Sir David Attenborough’s The Amber Time Machine: STEP 1: Find out what they like As shown in the video, these stingless bees are resin addicts. With it, … Continue reading →
February 14, 2013
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10:12 PM | The Human Brain Project
This past week a new interesting project about the human brain was approved by the European Commission. This project has been selected with an european flagship FET (Future and emerging technologies) which means it’s set to receive a billion euros and also to be funded as FET “flagships” over 10 years through its research and innovation [...]
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My latest story is about this happy little guy. Why does he look so excited? Maybe it’s because each of his nostrils can work independently of the other, giving him the ability to sniff in stereo! Read the whole story: For Moles, Two Nostrils Are Better Than One.
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Moles may not be able to see well, but they make up for it with a nose that can smell in stereo. read more
February 13, 2013
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Hey Julie,Thanks for the run down on ScienceOnline and ‘Lend a Paw’ month. I completed the survey about my cat’s behaviour, it was quick and easy to do. I also liked your stroking video, but I’ll get back to that later, right now I need to tell you how dog poo (I think you usually say ‘poop’ in the USA?) is turning green.Dog poo is turning greenIt’s turning green and it’s thanks to the power of science. Or perhaps it’s the science of power? It’s easy to
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Miller R. & Howell G.V.J. (2008). Regulating consumption with bite: Building a contemporary framework for urban dog management, Journal of Business Research, 61 (5) 525-531. DOI: 10.1016/j.jbusres.2007.07.006
Wells D.L. (2006). Factors Influencing Owners' Reactions to Their Dogs' Fouling, Environment and Behavior, 38 (5) 707-714. DOI: 10.1177/0013916505284794
Okoroigwe E.C., Ibeto C.N. & Okpara C.G. (2010). Comparative Study of the Potential of Dog Waste for Biogas Production, Trends in Applied Sciences Research, 5 (1) 71-77. DOI: 10.3923/tasr.2010.71.77
Nemiroff L. (2007). Design, Testing and Implementation of a Large-Scale Urban Dog Waste Composting Program, Compost Science & Utilization, 15 (4) 237-242. Other: http://montrealndgdogrun.org/image/downloads/compost%20studies.pdf
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4:32 PM | Friends Without Benefits: A Guest Post
By Joseph McDonaldDo you want to avoid the friend zone? Photo by freedigitalphotos.net.Guys DREAD the friend zone. That heart-aching moment when the girl you’ve been fawning over for years says you’re the best listener, the sister she never had, or so much better than a diary! You’ve been so nice to her and her friends, listening to all their drama. But that’s just the problem... you’re too nice to too many people. Research performed by Aaron Lukaszewski and Jim Roney at the
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Lukaszewski, A. & Roney, J. (2010). Kind toward whom? Mate preferences for personality traits are target specific, Evolution and Human Behavior, 31 (1) 29-38. DOI: 10.1016/j.evolhumbehav.2009.06.008
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A while back I went collecting with a friend in one of my favorite places in Arizona right when the very large cicadas in the area (Tibicen cultriformis) were active. You could hear their grand songs sweeping up the … Continue reading →
