Did You Know?

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Clinician's Brief, December 2008

The Found Animals Foundation (www.foundanimals.org) will award $25 million to the person or group that comes up first with a safe, one-time nonsurgical means to sterilize male and female cats and dogs. Up to $50 million more will be available to support the development of plausible approaches.-www.foundanimals.org

DID YOU KNOW? Tidbits: Factual, Funny, Fascinating

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Clinician's Brief, November 2008

Uno, a beagle that won Best in Show at this year's Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, has become a certified therapy dog. Uno will spread cheer at hospitals, nursing homes, schools, and other facilities.-www.aspca.org

Young male dogs playing with female pups will often let the females win, even if the males have a physical advantage. Researchers suspect they might lose the game in the short run, but they could win at love in the future.-www.discovery.com

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Clinician's Brief, October 2008

Images from Google Earth reveal that cattle tend to align their bodies in a north-south direction. Wild deer also display this behavior-a phenomenon that has previously gone unnoticed. The explanation remains a mystery. -National Geographic News

Within 100 milliseconds of seeing a moving swatter, a fly's brain can calculate the position of the impending threat and place its legs and body in an optimal position that allows it to jump in the opposite direction.-Science Daily

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Clinician's Brief, September 2008

Contagious yawning, previously reported only in humans and primates, also occurs between humans and dogs. It is thought to relate to the capacity for empathy. -www.medicalnewstoday.com 8/6/08

In a nationwide trend, college students facing tight budgets are using food stamps to help make ends meet. Many students who qualify for a federally financed work-study program are eligible. -Miami Herald 8/12/08

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Clinician's Brief, August 2008

The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act became law in May. The act prohibits insurance companies from using genetic information to deny, cancel, or charge more for coverage; it also prohibits discrimination based on an individual's DNA. -www.geneticfairness.org

Disinfectant wipes may spread drug-resistant bacteria rather than kill them. A study of 2 hospitals in Wales showed wipes could transfer "superbugs" such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) if a single wipe was used on multiple surfaces.-Reuters, 6/4/08

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Clinician's Brief, July 2008

The "life simulation" game The Sims is moving from the suburbs into "the most pet-friendly apartment around." The new game, available in August, promises interesting neighbors, a pet spa, and a wide variety of animal companions, including cats, dogs, birds, snakes, and rabbits.-www.thesims.ea.com; www.boxnet.com