My wife and I recently went through one of the most agonizing events of our lives: the euthanasia of our beloved dog, Murphy. I remember making eye contact with Murphy moments before she breathed her last — she gave me an endearing mix of confusion and comfort that everything was well because we were both by her side. The Discussion When people who have never owned a dog … [Read more...] about Why Losing A Dog Is More Difficult Than Losing A Relative Or A Friend
Never-Seen-Before Behavior Of Chimp Brushing Dead Son’s Teeth
Biologists have observed a chimp using a tool to clean the teeth of a deceased group member in an unusually intimate manner (video below). This not only gives academics more information about apes' emotional intelligence, but it may also shed light on the evolutionary origins of humans' death rituals. Scientists from Scotland's University of St Andrews saw the behavior for … [Read more...] about Never-Seen-Before Behavior Of Chimp Brushing Dead Son’s Teeth
In a Contentious Study, Scientists Implanted a Human Brain Gene Into Monkeys
A team of Chinese scientists has transferred a gene crucial in human brain development into the genomes of monkeys in what is probably an ethically contentious endeavor. They assessed whether the changed monkeys performed better in cognitive tests than their control colleagues in subsequent experiments. The findings have been published in the journal National Science … [Read more...] about In a Contentious Study, Scientists Implanted a Human Brain Gene Into Monkeys
Every Day a Small Flock of Guinea Hens Consumes Thousands of Ticks
If you're looking for a natural way to keep your yard free of ticks, fleas, and mosquitos while also reaping the benefits of fresh eggs and potentially delicious meat, consider raising guinea fowl. While not as well-known as other backyard birds like chickens, turkeys, or ducks, guinea fowl are renowned for their tick-hunting abilities. While research on their tick-control … [Read more...] about Every Day a Small Flock of Guinea Hens Consumes Thousands of Ticks
Diego: The Casanova of Tortoises Who Saved His Species by Fathering Over 900 Offspring
In the world of wildlife conservation, few stories are as remarkable – or as amorous – as that of Diego, the Hood Island giant tortoise from the Galápagos. Dubbed the “sex-crazed tortoise” by admirers, Diego has fathered an astonishing 900 offspring, single-handedly (or should we say, single-shelledly?) rescuing his species from the brink of extinction. Born in the 1910s … [Read more...] about Diego: The Casanova of Tortoises Who Saved His Species by Fathering Over 900 Offspring