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Added on the 03/03/2016 17:55:55 - Copyright : Zoomin EN
The common parasite Toxoplasma gondii is spread to people through undercooked pork and occasionally domestic cats. Chronic T. gondii infections are linked to an increased risk of schizophrenia, lowered cognition, and behavioral changes like more risk-taking and aggression. Now, scientists say the parasite might have more insidious health effects than previously suspected. Gizmodo reports new research suggests a link between Toxoplasma gondii infection and an increased risk of gliomas, the most common form of brain cancer. The US sees 24,000 new cases of brain cancer annually, while 11% of Americans over age six carry T. gondii--upwards of 30 million people. So even if the connection is real, the chances of getting brain cancer as a result of chronic T. gondii infection are very low on an individual level.
A new study about cat-human communication has provided scientific evidence of what many cat lovers already suspected: “Slow-blinking” may help people bond with their feline companions. “Our results suggest that slow-blink sequences may function as a form of positive emotional communication between cats and humans,” wrote scientists from the United Kingdom’s University of Sussex and University of Portsmouth in the study, published in the journal Scientific Reports on Monday. Slow-blinking means making eye contact with a cat and then slowly closing and opening your eyes.
While it's tempting to widen your eyes and squeal in delight when your cat enters the room, a new study offers a far more effective approach to cat-charming. Cats greeted with 'cat eye narrowing movements' are more likely to return a similar expression to their owners than when given a neutral glance, or none at all. Gizmodo reports cats produce the same response to strangers. Cats are also more likely to approach them after receiving a slow blink. It's the first experimental evidence suggesting that slow blinking can have a relaxing effect on how cats interact with humans. The study authors say slow blinking can help people establish 'positive emotional communication with felines.
The sounds of meowing coming from a pipe alerted a local to the plight of a feline stuck somewhere deep underground in the Russian town of Voronezh on September 25. The trapped kitten was discovered by a resident of a nearby house, who first investigated the pipe before calling for help. Some workers nearby came to help out in the rescue efforts and they soon discovered that a cat was indeed stuck in the pipe at a depth of about 5 feet and organized a rescue effort to pull her out.
Vets were hand-feeding the tiny Amur leopard baby at the Yalta Zoo, as the cub is still too young to open its eyes or even walk on four legs. Only 57 Amur leopards, which are listed as "Critically Endangered," are believed to live in the wild as of 2015. Despite the fact that Amur leopard numbers have roughly doubled since 2007, they are still the species of large felines most vulnerable to extinction.
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