Monthly Archives: January 2010

Regrowing limbs: science, or science fiction?

January 28, 2010 | Editor | Leave a comment

Regenerative medicine is the study of methods that can help regrow a damaged limb or organ, and it has always seemed like science fiction…until recently, that is.  Scientists at the Salk Institute have found one of the clues to the puzzle.  They’re studying zebrafish, which can regrow their tails, to find out what triggers the regeneration and how it is controlled.  What they’ve found so far is very promising, and could lead to medical advancements that could make prosthetic limbs and organ transplants history.

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No more butts

January 28, 2010 | Editor | Leave a comment

As if you need another reason to not smoke, or to quit smoking, San Diego State University researchers have found that the chemicals in cigarette butts and filters can leech out into the water and kill fish.  When you consider that cigarette butts are the most common littered item in the world, it means they could cause significant problems for fish when the butts end up in our waterways.  The researchers have suggested that cigarette butts should be reclassified as toxic waste.

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Haiti, at the intersection of human health and animal health

January 26, 2010 | Editor | Leave a comment

The tragic effects of the recent earthquake in Haiti have brought the intersection of human health and animal health to the forefront once again.  A large population of Haitians rely on livestock to survive, and these animals are threatened.  Sure, the livestock weren’t in the buildings that collapsed, but their lives are no less in danger.  Right now, relief efforts include addressing public health issues – even though Haiti is surrounded by water, quality drinking water is in short supply for animals and humans alike.  Haiti has a large population of feral dogs, and the disaster and its after effects are increasing conflict between these animals and people.  Rabies is a big concern, as are other diseases that can be spread by poor quality water (including leptospirosis).  Keeping the human and animal populations healthy is critical to the country’s survival.

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Helping paws

January 15, 2010 | Editor | Leave a comment

Artificial limbs, called prosthetics, can help people with physical disabilities lead happier and more active lives.  Did you know they can help animals do the same?  Yes, they can.  Chance, Molly and Cervantes are just a few of the animals who can live active lives thanks to prosthetics.

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Sharing more than our homes and lives

January 15, 2010 | Editor | Leave a comment

When there’s talk of diseases shared by people and animals, the focus is usually on diseases that are transferred from animals to people.  However, they can go the other way, too.  In fact, researchers in the U.K. have found evidence that the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus actually jumped from people to chickens about 38 years ago.  As a result, the bacteria has become a common infection in chickens and can cause severe lameness.

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