StemCell Therapy

This story appeared in the July/August 2020 issue as "A Dog's Life."Subscribe to Discovermagazine for more stories like this.

Matt Kaeberleins search for the secret to a long life began, in part, with 560 unique strains of bakers yeast.

He noticed that some of the strains with the greatest longevity tended to divide in slow motion. And he found that this slowdown, which takes place in the molecular mechanisms controlling cell division, could be tinkered with artificially by feeding the yeast a drug called rapamycin.

As he began publishing his results in 2006, other researchers were finding that the drug most commonly used to prevent rejection of organ transplants in humans had a similar anti-aging effect in worms and flies. Several years later, a landmark paper in Nature showed that rapamycin could increase the lifespan of middle-aged mice by 9 to 14 percent.

Veterinarian Kate Creevy (with Poet and Bandana) is one of the co-leaders of the Dog Aging Project. To participate, dogs visit the clinic regularly for checkups. (Credit: Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences)

By then a professor of pathology at the University of Washington medical school,Kaeberlein found these results both tantalizing and frustrating. There would appear to be molecular processes that are shared in the aging process cross lots of different organisms, he says. That means, in theory, a chemical like rapamycin should therefore also prolong the lives of people. But itd be hard to confirm: Humans live such a long time that it would take at least a generation to find out. What he required was a test subject that approximated humans biologically, but with a much shorter lifespan.

An intriguing solution came up in 2011 in a conversation with biologist Daniel Promislow, who would soon become a new colleague and, like Kaeberlein, was a dog owner. Considering that canines have an average life expectancy of about a decade, everyday exposure to a human living environment and natural susceptibility to many of the same frailties as humans from heart disease to cancer Promislow, who was already working toward starting aging studies in dogs, commented that pooches might just be a pathologists best friend. And pathologists could return the favor by helping to extend pets lifespans, a treat for anyonewho has a dog.

Veterinarian Kate Creevy and Rudy during a regular checkup. (Credit: Amber J. Keyser)

Kaeberlein decided to join in. Launching the Dog Aging Project late last year, with $23 million in funding from the National Institute on Aging, he, Promislow and their colleagues got 80,000 responses to their call for canine volunteers.

By then, their ambitions had expanded considerably. For most of his career, Promislow had wondered why larger dogs live shorter lives. It got me interested in thinking about dogs as a model for aging, he says. Looking at the relationship between dog size and lifespan might be a way to find genes associated with diseases of aging and longevity.

To address this question, Promislow plans to observe dogs over their lifetimes. For the next decade, hell collect genetic profiles, owner surveys and data from veterinary checkups.

According to Kate Creevy, a Texas A&M University veterinarian who co-leads the Dog Aging Project with Promislow and Kaeberlein, one of the biggest challenges will be to establish criteria to measure canine aging objectively, because nobody until now has set out to practice canine gerontology. We need something more specific than for me to walk into an exam room and say, Gosh, your dog looks really good, says Creevy.

Creevy and her colleagues are developing metrics that will encompass both physical and mental health, positioning them to investigate the genetics and environments of fast and slow agers, and to see whether similar systemic breakdowns make different breeds of dog susceptible to different diseases.

Daniel Promislow with Frisbee. (Credit: Tammi Kaeberlein)

Kaeberleins contribution to the Dog Aging Project directly complements the longitudinal study headed by Promislow and Creevy. His working hypothesis is that rapamycin targets pathways that contribute to a variety of aging-related diseases, he explains. If rapamycin delays the onset of cancer in golden retrievers and heart disease in Doberman pinschers, he says hell have evidence that there is a molecular biology of aging common to all canines and possibly other mammals.

He has reason to be optimistic. He recently conducted a 10-week study on a couple of dozen middle-aged dogs, testing for side effects of rapamycin. In that brief period, he saw evidence of more youthful heart activity and more affectionate behavior, which might be interpretable as improved cognition.

In an upcoming study, Kaeberlein will give rapamycin or a placebo to 500 middle-aged dogs for three years. Given their maturity, a couple of hundred will probably die in that period. By comparing the lifespan of dogs on the drug with those chowing on placebos, Kaeberlein will be able to determine whether his treatment really works.

He acknowledges the personal disappointments ahead for some participants, but believes the distress will be outweighed by the potential of prolonged life for dogs and humans alike. To a dog person like Kaeberlein, these extra years are a lot more enticing than spending some additional quality time with some long-lived bakers yeast.

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The Drug That Could One Day Help People and Dogs Live Longer - Discover Magazine

A pair of endangered African penguins were returned to their colony this week at the National Aviary in Pittsburgh after being hospitalized for months.

While Dottie was recovering her mate, Stanley, was moved to the ICU with her to help encourage her.

According to the National Aviary, Dottie became ill in October. She was admitted to the aviarys intensive care unit where it was discovered she had pneumonia and a mass in her chest.

"In the face of this stunning diagnosis, a team of experts in veterinary care, penguin behavior, and husbandry was formed to collaborate on her care. Human-grade antibiotics and nebulizers, respiratory medicines, oxygen treatments, and intensive nursing brought Dottie through the worst of her illness. She received nebulizer treatments every four hours, twice-daily medications, and daily fluids. Dottie regained her strength, overcame setbacks, and made strides towards a recovery.

Penguins are colony birds, used to living in close proximity. The National Aviarys team knew that beyond needing intensive physical care, Dottie needed companionship to make a full recovery."

Her lifelong companion, Stanley, who is named for the Stanley Cup and is one of the aviarys original four African penguins, was brought to the ICU for visits.

In the beginning, Stan visited for an hour a day. As she became stronger, Stan would stay longer. He also helped to encourage her to eat, according to Dr. Pilar Fish, the National Aviarys Director of Zoological Advancement and Veterinary Medicine.

Stan worked in tandem with the team who visited throughout the day to encourage Dottie to eat. While our penguin experts would feed Dottie, Stan would sit right next to her, vocalizing and grooming her. When Stan ate, Dottie would take a bite," she said.

Stan is the mate of Dottie, an endangered African Penguin, at the National Aviary in Pittsburgh. Stan helped Dottie recover from a serious illness that her in the ICU since October. The couple returned to Penguin Point this week. (Photo provided by the National Aviary)

When returned to Penguin Point, Dottie and Stan immediately reclaimed their usual cave in the rocks.

Fish said that Dotties recovery is a miracle.

Dotties recovery is a miracle that largely happened behind the scenes, and this happy moment, watching her dive into the water at Penguin Point, is the result of prioritizing both her physical health and emotional wellbeing. From our incredible veterinary team, to our penguin experts bringing Stanley to be at Dotties side, to the members of our extended Aviary family who donated to help ensure Dottie received the highest possible level of care, Dotties recovery was possible through many acts of caring and generosity at each stage.

The National Aviary will reopen to the public on July 1 after being closed during the coronavirus pandemic.

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Global Point-Of-Care Diagnostics Market: Snapshot

Point-of-care or point-of-use diagnostics, sometimes known as bedside testing, has gained increased prominence in analytical testing over the past few years. They provide clinically relevant information without the need for a dedicated laboratory. Recent technological advancements in a host of microfluidic diagnostics platforms have consequently improved their functionality and performance. Constant advances such as devices miniaturization, multiplexing of samples, and development of networking technologies have led to the evolution of advanced point-of-care diagnostics. This has led to the advent of devices with higher specificity and sensitivity, which is helpful in boosting patient outcomes in a variety of clinical settings. Furthermore, they increase the availability of diagnostics and reduces the overall healthcare cost. Point-of-care diagnostics are expected to open up promising prospects in areas such as veterinary medicine, space travel, and critical care.

Get Sample Copy of the Report @https://www.tmrresearch.com/sample/sample?flag=B&rep_id=1037

In recent years, intensive researches are being done for the technical feasibility and clinical viability of point-of-care diagnostic using saliva in case of periodontitis. Saliva, as source of excellent biomarkers, have already been tested for the application in bedside testing. While this has been proven to be technically feasible, still hurdles remain in the clinical application. For instance, the viability of the method is still not validated for a large, diverse set of patient population. Periodontitis is chronic in nature and progresses without causing any noticeable discomfort to patients, until periodontium is destroyed. Hence, world over, researchers and clinicians are focused on meeting the unmet needs of various populations suffering from gingival inflammation.

Global Point Of Care Diagnostics Market: Overview

The continuous development in the field of information technology pertaining to healthcare plays an imperative role in the growth of the global point of care diagnostics market. Point of care diagnostic systems are used for various applications including glucose monitoring, infectious disease testing, cardiometabolic monitoring, hematology testing, pregnancy and fertility testing, fecal occult testing, and tumor/cancer testing. These systems are widely used in professional diagnostic centers, home care, and research laboratories.

This research report provides a detailed analysis of the global point of care diagnostics market by segmenting the overall market on the basis of various criteria including end users, products, and geography. Each segment has been meticulously studied in terms of both value and volume. The report offers insights into the historic scenario and current landscape of the market and uses the data to estimate future trends. It uses Porters five force analysis and market attractiveness analysis to derive the vendor landscape of the market. It profiles key players of the market and presents data regarding their business strategies, latest development, market shares, and contact information. It also presents a detailed description of the factors influencing the market and analyzes the extent to which they impact the growth.

Global Point Of Care Diagnostics Market: Drivers and Restraints

The increasing prevalence of infectious diseases and lifestyle-related diseases is triggering the global demand for point of care diagnostic systems. The growing investments by governments and private organizations in the development of innovative diagnostic products are fuelling the global point of care diagnostics market. Moreover, rapid advancements in technologies and increasing focus of manufacturers towards new product launches are providing a fillip to the market. The rising demand for home-based POC devices is another factor augmenting the market. Furthermore, the increasing number of regulatory approvals for new and advanced immunoassay techniques is catalyzing the growth of the market.

Despite the numerous drivers, the growth of the market is restrained by arduous and stringent regulatory policies, which are adversely affecting the gestation period for product launches. Moreover, pricing pressures due to lack of favorable reimbursement policies and budgetary constraints are limiting the widespread adoption of point of care diagnostic systems.

Global Point Of Care Diagnostics Market: Geographical Segmentation

Based on geography, the key segments reviewed in the research report are Asia Pacific, Europe, North America, and Rest of the World. North America will account for a substantial share in the market throughout the forecast period. The rising prevalence of lifestyle-related diseases, increasing initiatives by governments to promote the development of novel healthcare products, and the growing number of product approvals are escalating the growth of the region.

Asia Pacific is expected to register a significant CAGR during the same span owing to the improving healthcare infrastructure and expanding patient base. The increasing initiatives by market players for expanding their distribution network are working in favor of the growth of the region. Moreover, high unmet medical needs and rising consumer expenditure on healthcare are propelling the market in the region.

Global Point Of Care Diagnostics Market: Competitive Landscape

Prominent players in the global point of care diagnostics market are focusing towards business expansion through product innovation and technological advancements. They are involved in the development and commercialization of more sophisticated products to enhance their shares in the market. Several companies operating in the market are involved in collaborations with large hospitals in order to stay ahead. Some of the key players in the global point of care diagnostics market are Siemens AG, Abbott Laboratories Inc., Beckman Coulter Inc., Roche Diagnostics Limited, Becton, Dickinson and Company,Alere Inc., and Johnson & Johnson.

Read Comprehensive Overview of Report @https://www.tmrresearch.com/point-of-care-diagnostics-market

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TMR Research is a premier provider of customized market research and consulting services to business entities keen on succeeding in todays supercharged economic climate. Armed with an experienced, dedicated, and dynamic team of analysts, we are redefining the way our clients conduct business by providing them with authoritative and trusted research studies in tune with the latest methodologies and market trends.

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Point Of Care Diagnostics Market Analysis by Growth, Segmentation, Performance, Competitive Strategies and Forecast to 2025 - Cole of Duty

Purdue released it Protect Purdue Plan on Friday, June 12. The plan outlines how Purdue plans to reopen campus for the fall 2020 semester amid the coronavirus pandemic.(Photo: Purdue University)

WEST LAFAYETTE After working since March 31 on how to reopening the West Lafayette campus in August, in time for the fall 2020 semester, Purdue released its full plan Friday for a school year amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Purdue trustees put the final touches on the 23-page Protect Purdue Plan Thursday adding details about distancing in dining halls, COVID-19 testing capacities on campus and the creation of an in-hour contact tracing team to track down those whove been close to those who test positive.

Purdue President Mitch Daniels, who was early and aggressive about the universitys plans to reopen, said he had faith that the plan the product of two teams of researchers, administrators and deans would make it possible to get a full complement of students back on campus for the first time since March.

Were getting so many questions, Daniels told trustees Thurdsay. Not just from this campus, but all from all over the country about this. So, weve said, Let us put all the blocks in place, understanding that well be filling in the gaps, and well be changing some of them as we learn more.

Willie Reed, dean of Purdues College of Veterinary Medicine, was co-chair of the Safe Campus Task Force, assigned by Daniels to study what Purdue needed to do to safely open.

More: Purdue faculty, staff less confident in campus reopening plan after getting Protect Purdue Pledge details

More: No furloughs, layoffs, but restructured jobs likely as Purdue firms up budget, reopening plan

More: Coronavirus: Foot on the gas, Mitch Daniels, Purdue trustees lay groundwork for bringing students back to campus this fall

Over the next two months, hundreds, if not thousands, of Purdue faculty and staff will continue to work tirelessly to prepare for the safest and best fall semester we can deliver, Reed said. This plan outlines the most vital measures as we know them right now and will continue to evolve as we follow the guidance and direction of our own medical experts, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and governmental and public health officials.

Here are some of the highlights, as approved over the past month by Purdues trustees:

Reach Dave Bangert at 765-420-5258 or at dbangert@jconline.com. Follow on Twitter: @davebangert.

Read or Share this story: https://www.jconline.com/story/news/2020/06/13/coronavirus-campus-how-purdue-reopen-fall-heres-protect-purdue-plan/3181991001/

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How will Purdue reopen in the fall? Heres the Protect Purdue Plan - Journal & Courier

by: News Release & Posted By Staff | newsweb@everythinglubbock.com

Artist rendering of the Texas Tech University School of Veterinary Medicine in Amarillo.(Photo provided by Texas Tech University)

LUBBOCK, Texas (NEWS RELEASE) The following is a news release from Texas Tech University:

TheCancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas(CPRIT) has awarded a transformative grant to theTexas Tech University School of Veterinary Medicine in Amarillodesigned to bring to the schools growing faculty one of the worlds leading cellular and molecular biologists.

The $1.4 million grant will allow Klementina Fon Tacer, a postdoctoral researcher at St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, since 2016, to join the veterinary school faculty. Supported by this award, Fon Tracer will investigate the novel mechanisms that protect mammalian germ cells against stress and how those mechanisms are co-opted in cancer, with the ultimate goal of advancing cancer treatment and fertility preservation of childhood cancer survivors.

The hope is Fon Tacers research will establish a strong foundation for a comparative oncology research center in the School of Veterinary Medicine.

What we do and why we do it is simple. We are here to benefit Texas and Texans, saidGuy Loneragan, dean of the School of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Fon Tacer is going to change lives for generations to come. When we first had the chance to meet her, it was clear. Her research is transformative and will impact countless Texans in the years ahead. I am so thankful to the CPRIT Oversight Committee for awarding Texas Tech this recruitment award to make it possible to bring Dr. Fon Tacer to Texas and to the School of Veterinary Medicine. Her work in comparative oncology will save lives.

The Recruitment of First-Time, Tenure-Track Faculty Members Award, one of seven awarded by CPRIT this week and part of 13 academic research recruitment and product development awards totaling $56 million, is the first CPRIT grant awarded to the School of Veterinary Medicine, which is scheduled to open its doors to students for the first time in the fall of 2021.

Fon Tacer earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) and Doctor of Philosophy in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the University of Ljubljana in Slovenia. She also holds a Master of Science in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the University of Ljubljana.

Fon Tacer is not new to Texas, having served as a postdoctoral researcher and Fulbright Fellow at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas from 2006-2008. From there, she returned to the University of Ljubljana as a postdoctoral researcher and later as an adjunct assistant professor on the veterinary faculty at the University of Ljubljana until 2012.

Among her research interests at St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital are melanoma antigen genes (MAGE), very common cancer immunotherapy targets and their role in cancer reproduction, metabolism and stress response.

We are very excited to have support from CPRIT for building the faculty of our new School of Veterinary Medicine, saidJoseph Heppert, vice president of theOffice of Research & Innovation. One-health research themes developed by faculty like Dr. Tacer will have enormous benefits for both human and animal health. TheTexas Tech University Systemhas strong potential for collaboration in one-health research across the Texas Tech andTexas Tech University Health Science Centercampuses, and we are extremely proud to be adding new faculty who will capitalize on these opportunities.

Thanks to the generosity of Amarillo and communities across Texas, and the commitment of legislators from around the state, the Texas Tech University School of Veterinary Medicine in Amarillo, established in 2018, is working to enroll its first class in the fall of 2021, pending approval by the AVMA Council on Education.

The School of Veterinary Medicine will recruit and select students with a passion to practice and succeed in rural and regional communities. Its curriculum is focused on the competencies and skills necessary for success in practices that support these communities. Texas Techs innovative and cost-efficient model partners with the wider community of veterinary practices across the state to provide clinical, real-world experiential learning.

In June 2019,Gov. Greg Abbott signed into law the biennial state budget, which appropriated $17.35 million for the School of Veterinary Medicine in Amarillothat will go toward operational needs in order to get the school up and running. The appropriation included language directing Texas Tech to move forward in establishing the school.

To date, CPRIT has awarded almost $2.5 billion in grants to Texas research institutions and organizations through its academic research, prevention and product development research programs. CPRIT has recruited 181 distinguished researchers, supported the establishment, expansion or relocation of 36 companies to Texas and generated more than $3 billion in additional public and private investment. CPRIT funding has advanced scientific and clinical knowledge and provided 5.7 million life-saving cancer prevention and early detection services, reaching Texans from all 254 counties. In November 2019, voters in Texas approved a constitutional amendment authorizing an additional $3 billion in bonds for cancer research and prevention.

(News release from Texas Tech University)

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TTU School of Veterinary Medicine receives $1.4 Million CPRIT recruitment grant - KLBK | KAMC | EverythingLubbock.com

The Western College of Veterinary Medicine has completed a summary of seasonal influenza over the past two years.Dr Susan Detmer, an Associate Professor in the Department of Veterinary Pathology with the Western College of Veterinary Medicine, says COVID-19 has presented an interesting scenario.

Speaking to Farmscape, she explains:

"With less movement of people, even between the provinces in Canada, we're actually seeing less disease and less transmission. There's still movements of pigs and we do see viruses move with the movement of pigs. We are seeing that happen, the viruses are on these farms so they're not going to just disappear.

"But we do expect to see less influenza in people so long as they're doing their social distancing, they're not interacting with large groups, they're not travelling on planes. All of that is going to hopefully benefit the pigs this fall.

"We'll see what happens but it is something that some of us are keeping an eye on because, this time of year it's southern hemisphere. Australia, South America, those areas where flu is transmitting still because it's their winter time, what comes back to us come next fall, we'll if that is any different.

"If there's less virus being transmitted in Australia because they're trying to stop the Coronavirus from transmitting as well, then we could actually have a better fall flu season because people are not interacting at the levels that they normally would."

Dr Detmer says all of those steps to reduce the spread of COVID-19, staying home when sick, self isolating, creating bubbles around families, wearing facemasks, are all going to help stop the spread of other respiratory viruses like influenza.

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COVID-19 control efforts appear to be containing swine flu - The Pig Site

Editors note: The following letters are part of an ongoing conversation about diversity and inclusion in veterinary medicine that started when dvm360 published this article late last year. For the beginning of the conversation, the original letters can be found here and here.

I would like to make one final comment and response about recent letters to the editor regarding the whitest profession in America. I believe Dr. McKenzies assertion that the makeup of our profession is predominantly white as a result of systemic racism is incorrect. (More on the whitest profession, April 2020). It is obvious from his website that Dr. McKenzie is a firm believer in evidence-based medicine. In this discussion, the evidence and statistics from the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) do not support his assertion.

According to the AAVMC, the percentage of underrepresented minorities applying to veterinary colleges in 2016 was 21.6%, and the actualenrollment in those same programs was almost identical (21.1%). Im not a statistician, but this leads me to conclude, perhaps naively,that the makeup of the veterinary student population and of our profession as a whole mirrors the racial makeup of the applicant pool. (The same holds true for the percentage of women now enrolled in U.S. and Canadian veterinary programs. Most classes are 80% female, reflecting the 82% of female applicants in the 2016 AAVMC report.)

Despite many initiatives, including by my alma mater, Purdue University, the number of underrepresented minorities applying to veterinary colleges is still way below that of white applicants, and there is no evidence to support that the admissions to veterinary schools are or have been the result of intentional discrimination or systemic racism.

The good news is that the percentage of minorities graduating in 2016 was 15.8%substantially higher than the approximately 4.5% when I graduated from Purdue's DVM program in 1982, with most of the gains being made since the launch ofthe Diversity Matters initiative in 2005.

In 1969, one of my early mentors who allowed me to job shadow was an African-American graduate of Tuskegee University. He was instrumental in my decision to become a veterinarian.During my 38-year career, I have never known (nor can I imagine) a colleague who was unwilling to encourage or mentor elementary, high school or college students of any minority group that showed interest in our profession.

My concern is that using the terminology the whitest profession in America will in fact dissuade underrepresented minorities from seeking to join our profession by insinuating that the deck is stacked against them before they even attempt to shadow a veterinarian or pursue an education that will prepare them for admission to colleges of veterinary medicine. In this regard, I believe words matter.

Likewise, should I be expected to dissuade my white, privileged grandsons from seeking a career in veterinary medicine, as we must now and for the foreseeable future balance the racial makeup of the profession? Shouldsimilar programs developed to attract underrepresented minorities to veterinary medicine be made available to them?

I thank Dr. McKenzie for his feedback. I was very hesitant to get involved in discussions about race, but once again, Imust disagree about using the term whitest profession in America. I believe it does nothing to enhance the promotion of diversity in our profession.

Dr. Paul Clemente

Fort Wayne, Indiana

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

I appreciate Dr. Clementes willingness to engage in a discussion of such a contentious topic, and I acknowledge the difficulty in having substantive conversations about such a complex issue in the letters page of a magazine. However, I feel obliged to point out that his understanding of my comments, and of the role of racism in the demographic makeup of the veterinary profession, is incorrect.

That the proportion of veterinarians from underrepresented groups (at least those that are tracked) is similar to the proportion of applicants from those groups to veterinary colleges suggests that intentional discrimination in admissions is not the reason for the disproportionate predominance of white veterinarians. This is encouraging, both because such a direct manifestation of racism would reflect badly on the profession and because it would be a clear violation of federal law.

This does not demonstrate, however, that systematic racism is not at work or that the poor representation of specific groups is due to a natural or inherent lack of interest among those groups in joining the profession. The composition of the applicant pool reflects a much more insidious and widespread constellation of factors that impede potential applicants from underrepresented communities at a much earlier stage on the path to becoming veterinarians. This includes disparities in educational opportunities and resources as well as a paucity of mentors and role models in the profession to encourage children in minority communities to consider veterinary medicine as a career. This lack of representation in our profession, not the acknowledgment of it in the phrase whitest profession in America, is one of the barriers to greater diversity. Sadly, the deck is stacked against people of color, and solving the problem begins with clearly and honestly labeling it.

The suggestion that diversity and inclusion is a zero sum game in which white men must be discriminated against to make room for others is an outdated and disappointingly simplistic characterization of the problem and the available solutions. Dr. Clementes grandsons are indeed privileged that their ethnicity is not an obstacle to their career aspirations, as it still too often is for people of color. They should be encouraged to pursue their ambitions and, with a grandfather who is a veterinarian, they can likely see themselves as part of a profession that looks comfortable and familiar. The grandchildren of people of color should have the same opportunities and encouragement as Dr. Clemente provides his grandsons, and right now they frequently do not. Inclusion means making such encouragement and opportunities available to everyone, not discriminating against one group to favor another.

I would encourage Dr. Clemente, and everyone interested in inclusion and diversity in veterinary medicine, to read Navigating Diversity and Inclusion in Veterinary Medicine, edited by Lisa M. Greenhill and colleagues. This excellent, evidence-based resource traces the roots of the problem and offers strategies for improvement.

Brennen McKenzie, MA, MSc, VMDThe SkeptVet

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Final words on the 'whitest profession' - dvm360

One of the most common COVID-19 tests involves a long swab pressed deep into the nasal cavities and while the test can be administered quickly, it has been described as unpleasant and uncomfortable.

Now researchers at The Ohio State University are working on a testing system that would require a simple exhaled breath. Perena Gouma is the primary investigator of a team developing a breathalyzer device that will sample breath for key biomarkers of the infection. She says it would serve as an alternative to current tests that are expensive, can take a long time to get results and require specialized personnel to do the sampling and to analyze the results.

Gouma, director of the Advanced Ceramics Research Laboratory and professor in the College of Engineering, is working with co-investigator Andrew Bowman, associate professor of veterinary preventive medicine. The project was awarded a nearly $200,000 National Science Foundation EAGER grant this month under a program supporting exploratory, early-stage research on untested, but potentially transformative, ideas or approaches.

Breath analysis is not really a technique that is used widely in the medical field yet, so it is considered early-stage work, Gouma said. [We] have a sensor device that detects nitric oxide and VOCs (volatile organic compounds) in breath and can be used to tell you about the onset of an infectious disease.

In addition to nitric oxide, the device examines two other metabolites that could specifically indicate the presence of a COVID-19 infection even in asymptomatic patients. Exhaling once in the breathalyzer may help with earlier detection of the onset of the disease, as well as with monitoring of the severity of the infection, which could help reduce the risk for worsening of the symptoms and allow timely therapeutic intervention, she said.

The new project builds upon Goumas invention of a hand-held breathmonitor that may provide early detection of flu before symptoms appearprior to her arrival at Ohio State. The COVID-19 breathalyzer involves advances on nanomaterials for detecting specific breath gases at the concentrations of interest for making a diagnosis.

The breathalyzer gives results rapidly (15 seconds response time), it is extremely inexpensive, and it is easy to use so that there is no need for trained personnel to perform the test, Gouma said. The results can be viewed directly on the display or they can be transferred to the physician wirelessly.

We are working on making these hand-held monitors that will be widely distributed and theyre very inexpensive, she said. The technology evolved from the sensors used for monitoring gases in an automotive exhaust thats how we started on breath analysis 20 years ago.

Gouma said the NSF-funded project would not have been possible without the collaboration with the College of Veterinary Medicine, the College of Medicine and the Wexner Medical Center. She said these connections make Ohio State very appealing for interdisciplinary research between engineering and medicine (nanomedicine).

Thats one of the advantages of Ohio State. You dont find many institutions that have the No. 1 vet med school in the world and also a world-class medical school, she said. Its also serendipity because COVID-19 is a zoonosis, a disease that comes from animals, and the vet med school had years of experience studying coronaviruses and the flu in animals.

Furthermore, the Wexner Medical Center has been treating COVID-19 patients from the beginning of the pandemic, so it offers unique insights to this project.

Gouma said the collaboration is critical for engineers developing medical diagnostics for humans and animals who need to consult with colleagues who have expertise in medicine to ensure that the ideas have merit and to validate their claims through clinical trials.

If the device proves to be accurate, portable and effective, it could be used to screen travelers before they step on a flight or to test students and teachers before they head back into the classroom. It would also be used in the Medical Intensive Care Units and in every hospital and doctors office as a bedside test. Gouma said the breathalyzer technology may become the platform to help detect metabolic problems like cancer, Alzheimers disease or diabetes, by choosing the appropriate biomarker

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Ohio State researchers testing breathalyzer to detect COVID-19 - The Ohio State University News

Should people be wary when cats jump into their laps? Is it okay to pet someones dog passing by on the street? Are veterinarians in danger during checkups?

Since March, a team of Tufts researchers has tested hundreds of animals looking for clues on whether they can get the virus and pass it along to humans, or vice versa, in the Coronavirus Epidemiological Research and Surveillance (CoVERS) study.

We know this virus came out of the animal population, so theres some reason to believe this could affect other animals, said Dr. Jonathan Runstadler, professor of infectious diseases and global health at Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts. We know there are sporadic reports of transmission from humans to pets.

The risk of the virus spreading in the other direction, from animals to humans, is considered to be low, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says on its website.

A German shepherd from New York became the first dog to test positive for the virus in the country, the US Food and Drug Administration announced Tuesday. Several cats have tested positive since late April.

Out of the nearly 400 animals the Tufts team has sampled, none have tested positive.

Along with common domestic animals, the Tufts team has tested pigs, bats, horses, and exotic animals, according to Runstadler.

The lack of positive tests was expected, Runstadler said, but its no reason for the team to stop the research any time soon.

[The pandemic] is an active outbreak, and with viral outbreaks, things can change, he said.

To test animals, the team uses materials similar to those in a human test kit. The researchers assemble kits themselves, including swabs, media, and molecular reagents.

In the first phase of the study, animal owners who have volunteered get their animals tested at the lab or gather nasal and mouth swabs from their pets at home and submit them.

The best outcome would be that we dont see infections in animals, and that we see that trend continue over time, and that its not a risk, Runstadler said.

The second phase of the study focuses on pets owned by people who have the virus or are at higher risk of having the virus due to contact with someone who was infected. Researchers are looking for the rare circumstances in which a human may have transmitted the virus to an animal, or the even rarer circumstance in which the animal transmits the virus to a human, Runstadler said.

Researchers are particularly interested in these circumstances for future reference, Runstadler said.

When the next pandemic occurs, the Tufts researchers want scientists to have a solid understanding of animal transmission to be better prepared.

We expect that events like this epidemic will happen again, Runstadler said.

The research will end, he said, when the coronavirus pandemic is over.

Matt Berg can be reached at matthew.berg@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @mattberg33.

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Does Fido have coronavirus? Tufts researchers are testing hundreds of animals to find out - The Boston Globe

People whove encountered swimmer Raena Eldridge, the 2020 Arthur Ashe Jr. Female Sports Scholar of the Year, say she is thoughtful, compassionate, goal-driven and interested in making a positive impact in the world.

From the first time she arrived at Texas A&M University after graduating from Rockwall High School in 2015, Eldridge wanted to exceed expectations. Whether it was engaging in community service beyond what was asked of her or picking demanding courses and adding a second major, she never backed down.

The daughter of Eric and Wendy Eldridge was an eight-time state medalist for Rockwall High School in swimming and was the 2012 state champion in the 50-meter freestyle. She was also a National Merit Scholar and graduated seventh in her class.

It helped that I was very interested in the subjects, and when youre interested in something its so much easier to do, says Eldridge, 23. Also, A&M athletics brings resources to us. They have study halls, computer lab study rooms and tutors available all the resources you need to succeed.

My teammates were also pursuing pretty intense majors, like engineering or other STEM majors, and when youre surrounded by a team thats pursuing excellence in everything that they do, its pretty easy to hop on board and do the same. My teammates were my best study buddies.

Chris Barttelbort, assistant athletic director, academic services, says Eldridge made it clear early on that she wanted to pursue graduate school after earning her bachelors degree. Barttelbort also serves as Eldridges scholastic supervisor. Having spent five years at Texas A&M because of a torn ACL her freshman year, Eldridge had the time to focus on what science-related field that would be, ultimately deciding on veterinary school.

With only 33 veterinary schools in the country, admissions are highly competitive, but Eldridge received five acceptances and will be attending North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine (ranked fourth in the nation).

She recognized that she was going to need other things beside grades and test scores on her resume to differentiate herself from other candidates, Barttelbort says. We have a lot of community service you can do through the athletic department, but she also brought things outside of that.

Eldridge started her own non-profit organization, SPLASH, Inc., which gives free swimming lessons to low income kids, and she also participates in a faith-based organization, Save Our Streets Ministry, where she mentors elementary schoolgirls. Shes taken on leadership roles within the athletic department, including being a team captain for the swim team the last two years.

In the pool, Eldridge hit her stride these past two years, qualifying for the NCAA championships in individual events for the first time this year. She received multiple Southeastern Conference and all-America honors.

She received Texas A&Ms Bill Erwin Scholar Athlete of the Year Award in 2019, given for the highest level of academics and athletics balanced by any female athlete on campus.

Shes very driven, very determined and very loyal, says Tanica Jamison, associate head coach of swimming and diving. Shes always been someone that her teammates could count on.

If there was anything the head coach or I challenged her with, she always welcomed those challenges and was open to our suggestions on how to improve, she adds. Shes someone that will listen, someone whos confident in who she is, someone whos willing to help others.

Humble, Eldridge thanks the coaching staff for seeing her potential, when she was concerned whether she could measure up to Texas A&Ms fast times. I improved every year because of [head coach] Steve Bultmans training and his ability to see in me more than I was able to see in myself, she says.

Her results in the 50-meter and 100-meter freestyle at the 2019 Phillips 66 National Championships earned her a spot in the Olympic trials, but with the Olympics postponed to 2021, she has announced her retirement from swimming.

Growing up participating in club swimming, Eldridge saw the sport as individualistic. The universitys swim program emphasized teamwork and that gave her not only best friends, but a sense of unity. Representing her university also pushed Eldridge to excel.

To know that everything I do is going to represent the school as a whole, gave me purpose, drive and the sense of doing something bigger than just me and my own accomplishments, she says. If I was doing everything for myself to improve my chances for [vet school] it would have been a lot less meaningful. Having this team, having the training and the competitions, it gave me the meaning that I needed. Through that, Ive learned so much that prepares me for vet school: discipline, work ethic, leadership, compassion. It taught me things I needed that I dont think I would have gotten elsewhere.

The Arthur Ashe Jr. award is named for the tennis champion, who was known for his love of tennis and commitment to education. He died in 1993.

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RHS graduate named Ashe Jr. Female Sports Scholar of the Year - Rockwall County Herald Banner

As people begin to go back to work and offices as well as venture out of the house more frequently, their pets might experience some separation anxiety after all this extra time at home. Experts offer advice on how to best prepare your pets for more time alone.

As the state reopens and more people return to their jobs, offices and some pre-coronavirus routines, local veterinarians expect their phone lines to get a bit busier.

And not just because pet owners feel more comfortable bringing in their furry friends for minor or preventative procedures.

Separation anxiety is an issue many pet owners will deal with the next few months as people begin to leave their homes more frequently and for longer periods, said Dr. Robert Knapp, of Knapp Veterinary Hospital in Clintonville.

There are a whole bunch of animals out there that will be learning a new normal, Knapp said.

From getting walked every few hours to snuggling on the couch during Netflix binges to showing off during Zoom meetings, pets received a huge boost in quality time during the early stages of the pandemic. That will undoubtedly change, now, no matter what a familys new normal is.

While people who recently added a pet to their families stay-at-home orders produced an uptick in dog adoptions might have more difficulties, those who had pets before COVID-19 could still see problems, especially if those animals have a history of anxiety.

If your dog has historically been crated, youve got to get him back in the crate, Knapp said. He probably hasnt been in a crate for six or eight weeks.

Knapp and other animal experts said there are a number of things pet owners, whether new or seasoned, can do to ease their pets transition.

To help, Dr. M. Leanne Lilly and her office at the Ohio State University Veterinary Medical Center, where she works as an instructor and practitioner in behavioral medicine, created a flier when the pandemic first hit Ohio titled Mitigating separation-related behaviors when youre home now, but wont always be.

Roughly half of all dogs experience separation-related behaviors, Lilly said. Some are predisposed to it because of breed or have an increased risk if they came from a shelter.

Behaviors, such as a dog always following its owner to the bathroom or whining when alone in a room, might signal that the pet will experience separation anxiety. But its always best to prepare for the possibility during a transition like this, Lilly said.

The first step is to start leaving the house around a typical time for short periods get the dog used to hearing the garage door open or keys jingle. Then pay close attention to how the dog acts.

Spending time separated from your dog is really important for you and your dog so they can learn that being home alone is normal, Lilly said. If you leave really delicious food out for them and they wont eat it until you come home, then you know theyre in distress. Or if they have excessive panting or whining when you leave or come home.

Most dogs exhibit excited behavior when their owners return, but the intensity (knocking over furniture) and duration (cant calm down for 35 minutes) can be concerning.

They were really worried you werent ever coming home, Lilly said.

More obvious signs of anxiety include urination, defecation, piles of drool or destruction.

However, Knapp said to not hesitate to reach out to veterinarians at the earliest signs before your favorite shoes get chewed up.

Knapp recommends going through morning routines several weeks in advance. Instead of leaving, though, sit on the couch.

All the things that wind a dog up to say, Oh youre leaving me, and then you do things like sit down and give them a treat and they think, Oh, theyre not leaving me, Knapp said.

Walking the dog predeparture can release any pent-up energy, but ensure theres enough time for the pooch to calm down before leaving.

Now is the best time to reach out to veterinarians for advice on whether medications, supplements or calming pheromones might be necessary, Knapp said. They can make other individualized recommendations, too, such as playing classical music.

This is on our radar, Knapp said. All veterinarians are aware that as we go back to work, getting pets acclimated is something were going to have to help with.

New dog owner Carol Schwiebert knows there will be an adjustment period as she and her husband, Adam, both head back to work in the next month, leaving their 1-year-old Labrador mix, Austin, at home. The Hilliard couple adopted him in March.

Its such a big shock as hes used to being around us 24/7, Schwiebert said.

She feels better knowing she can watch Austin on the pet camera they were gifted (cameras can be a beneficial in diagnosis and treatment, experts said) and will be able to spot any early signs of distress. Theyre ready to put him in a crate hes trained if necessary.

Plus, she plans to walk Austin on lunch breaks.

We probably should avoid doing communal lunches (at work), she said, citing coronavirus concerns. A quick bite and walk outside the office seems like a good idea.

Other experts think the workplace could actually continue to evolve to the benefit of pets.

Steven Feldman, executive director of the Human Animal Bond Research Institute in Washington, D.C., said he believes more people will have the flexibility to work from home and more businesses might welcome pets as the workplace continues to morph.

Weve had this wonderful experience with our pets being with us, why not take them to work with you? Feldman said. Weve seen a real trend toward a pet-friendly workplace and I think well continue to see a trend to more work-life balance where we work and that will be a lasting effect of the pandemic.

award@dispatch.com

@AllisonAWard

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Animal experts offer tips to ward off pet stress as owners head back to work - The Columbus Dispatch

To the UC Davis Community:

Our Community Moment of Silence three days ago was just the beginning. Renetta Garrison Tull asked us to take a stand against racism. Kayton Carter implored us to go beyond the moment. I encouraged us to work together to effect change. And we are.

Renetta Garrison Tull is our vice chancellor of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, which organized Tuesday afternoons moment of silence for George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Californias own Stephon Clark, Floridas Tony McDade and many others. Kayton Carter is the executive director of Student Affairs Retention Initiatives and the director of the Center for African Diaspora Student Success.

We livestreamed the program (see the video recording at the top of this page) and kept it small, by necessity, with just three people speaking from Mrak Hall: Vice Chancellor Tull, Director Carter and me. As Vice Chancellor Tull noted: We are not hiding the fact that were African Americans standing here, coming in during a pandemic the people around us all have masks but we needed to say something.

We are not the only ones speaking out about the killing of black men and women, including George Floyd, who died May 25 while in the custody of Minneapolis police. Over the last two weeks, we have seen statements of outrage from all corners of the university, including heartfelt messages from deans, coaches and the police chief.

See ally letters and links here.

Vice Chancellor Tull recounted a conversation with her mother and brother and other family members over Zoom last Friday. We talked about the times when weve been stopped by police for no reason, she said. I remember this happening as a child, sitting in the car with my father, so this is not new.

Director Carter offered a list of incidents dating back almost 100 years to the Black Wall Street Massacre in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where a black shoemaker was accused of assaulting a woman, and it led to the deaths of some 300 people and the destruction of an entire black community. (A state commission in 2001 concluded the shoemaker had most likely tripped and accidentally stepped on the womans foot.)

Director Carter also noted the deaths of Abner Louima and Amadou Diallo, while Vice Chancellor Tull added the names of Freddie Gray, Sandra Bland, Eric Garner, Philando Castile, Tamir Rice, Trayvon Martin. Too many to name, she said. We are in the midst of a pandemic, where more than 100,000 people have died of COVID-19, and even in the midst of that, we must take some time to acknowledge the reality of racism and unjust deaths of black lives, which is centuries old.

I read parts of the statement I put out last week, with some additions. I work in the ivory tower of academia, but I live in the real world. Im constantly reminded of that fact: driving while black, shopping while black, cooking out while black, exercising while black. It is exhausting. And Im tired.

George Floyd could have been any African American man, including me. At a traffic stop, no one knows I am a chancellor. No one knows I have a Ph.D.

I am a lifelong educator, a black man whose parents endured segregation personally. Ive spent much of my career working to increase diversity on college campuses and in the workforce. I think a lot about how America has not made as much progress as we often claim. Recent events have only reaffirmed the need to build an inclusive society that recognizes and respects people of all backgrounds and experiences.

But inclusion like social justice doesnt come easily. It requires collective effort. It requires each one of us working to make a difference, whether thats through getting involved in your community, peaceful protesting or doing what you can to change procedures that reflect bias. And dont forget to vote.

As Director Carter said, we must go beyond the moment. He challenged the UC Davis community: In the spaces where there are no African diaspora people, if you experience and witness racism, take a stand.

Vice Chancellor Tull agreed: This doesnt stop here. Just because we had this moment this afternoon and weve taken time to affirm black lives, to address and call out injustice, we have to keep going and we have to make sure that we do more.

The School of Law wasted no time holding a forum the day after the Community Moment of Silence, drawing almost 170 people for an online discussion of next steps. Among them, as announced by Dean Kevin Johnson: a King Hall speakers series on racial justice. This is an issue we should address day in and day out, not just [when something happens], he said.

In closing Tuesdays program of remembrance, Vice Chancellor Tull said: It may take us to stand up, to be an upstander, to actually intervene, and well have workshops for that. In the meanwhile, we also know that we have to take time to heal. And, so, we thank you, and again we ask you to remember, to think, to read, to listen, reflect, learn, plan and act, recognizing that black lives do indeed matter and that we are all going to go forward together.

See Resources for Racial Trauma, compiled by the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. This page will be updated with programs and other events, as well as new resources and other information.

On top of the pandemic, the killing of George Floyd and the ensuing national protests have only added to students stress and anxiety as the quarter comes to an end. In response, the Academic Senate this week authorized faculty to offer students the alternative of receiving spring quarter grades based on work completed by the last day of instruction (June 4), provided that instructors also administer their scheduled final exams to the students who want the tests. Many students rely on finals to improve their course grades.

As we informed students in a letter yesterday, it is the instructors decision whether they want to make their final optional. If the instructor determines that a final is required, we encouraged them to consider accommodations on a case-by-case basis and let students know how to make such requests, because some students may not feel empowered to initiate these conversations. We also asked faculty to consider approving requests for incompletes, giving students additional time to complete coursework or to achieve research or project milestones.

This change in final exam policy expanded the senates earlier actions to provide flexibilities for students around choosing the grading options Passed/Not Passed (for undergraduates) and Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory (for graduate students). The senate also extended the deadline for students to select the course grading mode to the last day of instruction. Although this deadline has now passed, students can later petition the Grade Change Committee to modify their grading mode for a course retroactively (for example, change a passing letter grade to a P after the term is over). Although we cannot guarantee that the committee will approve all petitions, we fully anticipate that they will take the present circumstances into account when evaluating future requests.

Academic Senate and university leaders this week also communicated with faculty about their role in serving students as part of a community: We must recognize that while we have pledged to be their teachers, we, as professors, cannot forget that we are also together in journey of lifelong learning that calls for embracing these profound moments of disruption and discomfort as opportunities for individual and collective growth.

Get ready for Tuesdays launch of Campus Ready, the Finance, Operations and Administration website to help ensure UC Davis is campus ready for you as we gradually resume administrative and office work in step with the gradual return of research and students over the coming months.

Weve already posted our guidelines for this process. They include a requirement for every work site (e.g., building, department, program, school) to establish a written COVID-19 prevention plan addressing such key prevention practices as staying home if you are sick and encouraging others to do the same, physical (social) distancing, use of face coverings (Yolo Countys face-covering order is still in effect), frequent practicing of hand hygiene (i.e., hand-washing, sanitizer use); regular cleaning and disinfection of workspace and personal items; and minimizing the use of shared or communal property or equipment.

The website coming next week will provide a toolbox (including templates) to help create and implement the work site plans. The site is intended to serve as a dynamic guide for what you can expect as campus operations evolve, and what will be expected of you.

In my Thursday Thoughts video, Ive got a message for students about their finals next week, and some advice for our graduates.

Today, in my Friday Thoughts, let me congratulate the Class of 2020. To our baccalaureate degree recipients, I will be addressing you in your remote ceremony a week from today. To our advanced-degree recipients, most of you I have already addressed in remote celebrations that began in mid-May, and we have two more to go: for the School of Education and the Graduate School of Management.

I know all of you expected to be walking across the commencement stage, and I want you to know how desperately we wanted to make that happen. But nothing can take away your achievement and the extra credit you all deserve for persevering in the face of a pandemic and, more recently, the tragic killing in Minneapolis that has a nation once again outraged over the senseless death of another person of color.

Yet here you are, graduates in STEM and agriculture, the social sciences and the arts and humanities, the law and business administration, and medicine and veterinary medicine going out into the world at a time when your knowledge and skills and ideas and creativity are needed more than ever.

Our world is under siege by a virus, our nation under siege by racism. We have incredible faith in our newest Aggie graduates to take on these tremendous challenges and help build and innovate a healthier, safer and more equitable future for everyone.

Sincerely,

Gary S. MayChancellor

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Checking In With Chancellor May: Beyond the Moment - UC Davis

In a study published this month in the New England Journal of Medicine, scientists in the U.S. and Japan report that in the laboratory, cats can readily become infected with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, and may be able to pass the virus to other cats.

Professor of Pathobiological Sciences at the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine Yoshihiro Kawaoka led the study, in which researchers administered to three cats SARS-CoV-2 isolated from a human patient. The following day, the researchers swabbed the nasal passages of the cats and were able to detect the virus in two of the animals. Within three days, they detected the virus in all of the cats.

The day after the researchers administered virus to the first three cats, they placed another cat in each of their cages. Researchers did not administer SARS-CoV-2 virus to these cats.

Each day, the researchers took nasal and rectal swabs from all six cats to assess them for the presence of the virus. Within two days, one of the previously uninfected cats was shedding virus, detected in the nasal swab, and within six days, all of the cats were shedding virus. None of the rectal swabs contained virus.

Each cat shed SARS-CoV-2 from their nasal passages for up to six days. The virus was not lethal and none of the cats showed signs of illness. All of the cats ultimately cleared the virus.

That was a major finding for us the cats did not have symptoms, says Kawaoka, who also holds a faculty appointment at the University of Tokyo. Kawaoka is also helping lead an effort to create a human COVID-19 vaccine called CoroFlu.

The findings suggest cats may be capable of becoming infected with the virus when exposed to people or other cats positive for SARS-CoV-2. It follows a study published in Science by scientists at the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences that also showed cats (and ferrets) could become infected with and potentially transmit the virus. The virus is known to be transmitted in humans through contact with respiratory droplets and saliva.

Its something for people to keep in mind, says Peter Halfmann, a research professor at UWMadison who helped lead the study. If they are quarantined in their house and are worried about passing COVID-19 to children and spouses, they should also worry about giving it to their animals.

Both researchers advise that people with symptoms of COVID-19 avoid contact with cats. They also advise cat owners to keep their pets indoors, in order to limit the contact their cats have with other people and animals.

Kawaoka is concerned about the welfare of animals. The World Organization for Animal Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say there is no justification in taking measures against companion animals that may compromise their welfare.

Humans remain the biggest risk to other humans in transmission of the virus. There is no evidence cats readily transmit the virus to humans, nor are there documented cases in which humans have become ill with COVID-19 because of contact with cats.

There are, however, confirmed instances of cats becoming infected because of close contact with humans infected with the virus, and several large cats at the Bronx Zoo have also tested positive for the virus.

For instance, according to an April 22 announcement from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, two cats in two private homes in New York state tested positive for COVID-19. One had been in a home with a person with a confirmed case of the viral disease. The cats showed mild signs of respiratory illness and were expected to make a full recovery.

Additional cats have also tested positive for COVID-19 after close contact with their human companions, says Sandra Newbury, director of the UWMadison Shelter Medicine Program. Newbury is leading a research study in several states in the U.S. to test animal-shelter cats that might have previously been exposed to human COVID-19 cases.

Animal welfare organizations are working very hard in this crisis to maintain the human-animal bond and keep pets with their people, says Newbury. Its a stressful time for everyone, and now, more than ever, people need the comfort and support that pets provide.

Its something for people to keep in mind, says Peter Halfmann, who helped lead the study. If they are quarantined in their house and are worried about passing COVID-19 to children and spouses, they should also worry about giving it to their animals.

Newbury has worked with the CDC and the American Veterinary Medical Association to develop recommendations for shelters housing potentially exposed pets, which they may do while owners are hospitalized or otherwise unable to provide care because of their illness. The UWMadison study helps confirm experimentally that cats can become infected, though the risk of natural infection from exposure to SARS-CoV-2 seems to be quite low, Newbury says. Of the 22 animals the program has tested, none have had positive polymerase chain reaction tests for the virus, she adds.

Cats are still much more likely to get COVID-19 from you, rather than you get it from a cat, says Keith Poulsen, director of the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, who recommends that pet owners first talk to their veterinarians about whether to have their animals tested. Testing should be targeted to populations of cats and other species shown to be susceptible to the virus and virus transmission.

With respect to pets, were targeting companion animals in communal residences with at-risk populations, such as nursing homes and assisted living facilities, Poulsen says. There is a delicate balance of needing more information through testing and the limited resources and clinical implications of positive tests.

So, what should pet owners do?

Ruthanne Chun, associate dean for clinical affairs at UW Veterinary Care, offers the following advice:

As always, animal owners should include pets and other animals in their emergency preparedness planning, including keeping on hand a two-week supply of food and medications, she says. Preparations should also be made for the care of animals should you need to be quarantined or hospitalized due to illness.

References: Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in Domestic Cats by Peter J. Halfmann, Ph.D.; Masato Hatta, D.V.M., Ph.D.; Shiho Chiba, Ph.D.; Tadashi Maemura, D.V.M., Ph.D.; Shufang Fan, Ph.D.; Makoto Takeda, M.D., Ph.D.; Noriko Kinoshita, M.D.; Shin-ichiro Hattori, Ph.D.; Noriko Kinoshita, M.D. and Shin-ichiro Hattori, Ph.D., 13 May 2020, New England Journal of Medicine.DOI: 10.1056/NEJMc2013400

The study was supported by the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and by the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development.

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Study Confirms Cats Can Become Infected With COVID-19 - SciTechDaily

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. Even while adapting to the day-to-day challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, protecting the health of animals and the people that take care of them across the Hoosier state continues to be a priority for Purdue Universitys Veterinary Hospital.

Animals play such an important role in our lives, said Dr. Ellen Lowery, director of the Veterinary Hospital. Our focus from the beginning of this situation was to continue providing exceptional client care and protecting the animals they care for.

Currently, the hospital is accepting emergency and urgent cases, as well as preventive and elective procedures as supplies of personal protective equipment and hospital staffing supports. Lowery emphasized that everything is treated on a case-by-case basis.

The hospital is continuing to restrict access to its small and large animal hospital reception areas and provides car-side drop-off and pickup to help protect both animal owners and hospital staff. When a client arrives for an appointment at either hospital, they are instructed to call the appropriate reception area to let hospital staff know that they are in the parking lot. A staff member will then come outside to meet them and receive the patient. The client will be updated through text messaging, phone calls or email as the animal is being treated.

We understand that this is an extremely stressful time for the client and the patient, Lowery said. We work closely with the client to reassure them that their animal is in the best possible care, and we keep them informed during the entire process.

Lowery anticipates that over the next month, the hospital will return to seeing more animals for preventive and elective procedures, as well as continuing to provide advanced care through the specialty services. Social distancing, the use of face masks, and other sanitation measures will continue to be a critical component of health protection for clients and the hospital team.

Were working closely with the state to do our part to help flatten the curve as we work through this pandemic together, Lowery said.

A video and up-to-date guidelines are available on the hospitals website.

Whether its a pet or the farm animal population, animals are so important to the overall health of our world, Lowery said. We want to be able to provide that necessary and, at times, critical care. Im thankful for every person who is coming here to work to make sure that the hospital stays functional and that we can do what we are called to do, which is take the best possible care of our clients and their animals.

To reach the Purdue Veterinary Teaching Hospital:

Small animal reception: 765-494-1107

Large animal reception: 765-494-8548

About the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine

The Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine seeks to advance global animal and human health and well-being through excellence in learning, discovery and engagement while serving as a major referral center for the diagnosis and treatment of animal diseases. Faculty research both animal and human health, with an emphasis on animal welfare science and the human-animal bond; infectious diseases and immunology; cancer; neuroscience; and musculoskeletal biology and orthopedics. The college also is one of only a few nationally that educate all members of the veterinary team, offering the doctor of veterinary medicine degree as well as bachelor's and associates degrees in veterinary nursing, post-graduate internships and residencies for veterinarians seeking specialty training, and graduate degrees in the departments of Basic Medical Sciences, Comparative Pathobiology, and Veterinary Clinical Sciences. For more information visit http://www.vet.purdue.edu.

About Purdue University

Purdue University is a top public research institution developing practical solutions to todays toughest challenges. Ranked the No. 6 Most Innovative University in the United States by U.S. News & World Report, Purdue delivers world-changing research and out-of-this-world discovery. Committed to hands-on and online, real-world learning, Purdue offers a transformative education to all. Committed to affordability and accessibility, Purdue has frozen tuition and most fees at 2012-13 levels, enabling more students than ever to graduate debt-free. See how Purdue never stops in the persistent pursuit of the next giant leap at purdue.edu.

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Purdue University's Veterinary Hospital presses on to continue treating Indiana's animals - Times-Mail

Covid-19 has erased from our lives many things we used to take for granted. From high street shopping to dining out, the pandemic has altered the way we interact with the world, and many social customs may disappear forever. Who would have thought the handshake could go the way of the dodo? There are, however, upsides to the lockdown. Not only is the tech bringing people closer than ever before (am I alone in speaking to relatives on a much more frequent basis these days?), but it could be set to revolutionise the way our pets receive veterinary treatment

In my case, going to the vets used to involve travelling there by car with assorted pooches strapped into the back. Then, waiting in a packed reception with whining dogs and anxious cats before seeing a very nice vet for a consultation. That spot on my dogs back had been growing for months, it seemed. Dark thoughts at the back of my mind, convinced me it was the Big C, and poor Sophie, my Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, had only months to live. Of course, in the end, it turned out to an age-related spot.

Id often asked myself whether our pets could be treated and triaged with less fuss and anxiety remotely. Many veterinary practices now, including my own, have been forced to do telephone consultations and dispense medicines whilst maintaining social distancing rules. A fairly joyless and fraught experience, in my own opinion.

Sharing the full story, not just the headlines

Not that many, it seems, are going that extra mile and embracing the full on, increasingly accessible tool of video consultations, zapping at one fell swoop the need for detailed descriptions of the pets ailment. After all, a picture, or rather a video, is better than a thousand words.

Step in, the Cat Vet, Dr Jeremy Campbell of The London Cat Clinic who is not simply phlegmatically opting for video consultations as a must, but sees them as a potential portal into the future of veterinary medicine. They could, after all, be positioned somewhere between getting ourselves unduly worked up as an amateur armchair vet to potentially reducing the need for a stressful and potentially unnecessary trip to the vets in the first place.

Dr Campbell is one of the growing number of practitioners behind the drive to open up veterinary treatment to those unable, unwilling or too anxiety ridden to jump in the car to see their vet. In these strange times, the practices video consultations are pioneering stuff; in the same way that the clinics sole focus on felines was a pioneering move when it opened in 2017.

Cat owners can access the video consultations directly via the clinics website or else phone the practice for an appointment, which usually lasts 20 minutes. Dr Campbell explains: The video consultation is not meant to turn anyone into a vet in twenty minutes but to allow us to have a focused conversation about any concerns.

They dont need to have their cat trapped in front of a webcam, but they should be nearby and relaxed, he says. If we feel we cannot make an assessment via the information provided and ask the pet owner to bring the cat into the clinic as a direct result of the consultation, we will waive the fee of the initial video or phone call. This is to take the pressure off the pet owner to judge which cases can be seen remotely and which ones cannot. This is our job, after all.

Dr Campbell see video consultations as a triage service to determine if a patient can be assessed remotely or must be seen in the clinic.

Part of the client-vet bond is that mutual provision of support and if a client feels they can reach out to us to check on a problem particularly if they are unwell or self-isolating then this must be a winner for all involved particularly our loved felines.

No hype, just the advice and analysis you need

Dr Campbell predicts that in future, this mode of veterinary consultation could run alongside traditional vet visits for things like routine post-operative checks, weight management and nutritional consultations. The current crisis is making people more aware of the technology and more comfortable with it.

His colleague, Dr Serina Filler, agrees: We have long in-clinic appointment times to ensure we get to examine the entire cat and often pick up on subtle changes like heart murmurs or small tumours before the owner has noticed anything being wrong. But follow-ups for already diagnosed conditions could be done remotely to a greater degree which we have been doing for a lot of our cases via telephone and email all along.

For anxious pets, video consultations have another advantage: they can remain in the comfort of their own home free of the pokes and prods they associates with a trip to the vets.

Whether coronavirus has opened up a whole new world of veterinary treatment via remote consultations remains to be seen. For now, video consultations are a very useful innovation in our socially distanced times, with the potential to open up veterinary treatment to more patients, and prevent needless anxiety for armchair diagnosticians.

Marie Carter is the editor and publisher of Pets Magazine

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Why video vet appointments are just the ticket for anxious pets - The Independent

From snakes and pangolins to farms and wet markets, our relationship with animals has come under intense scrutiny as many search for answers to the origin of the novel coronavirus outbreak.

Yet while definitive evidence remains elusive, we can be confident that our knowledge and understanding of animal health at a global level is actually more robust than ever, including within livestock farming, which has been among the scapegoats for the pandemic.

Scientists have found that aroundsix out of every 10infectious diseases are, like COVID-19, zoonotic, or pass between animals and people. However, we also know that the vast majority of these diseases originate inwildliferather than in pets or livestock.

Moreover, to date, there isno evidence that farmed livestock, including pigs and poultry, transmit COVID-19 and contribute to the global spread of infection.

Rather, global co-operation and advances in veterinary medicine mean that livestock diseases whether zoonotic or not do not usually spread internationally in the same way and with the same speed that COVID-19 has done.

This is due to the development of global systems ofdisease surveillance, which allow countries to share information about outbreaks, as well as mechanisms such ascompartmentalisation, which allow livestock trade and movement to continue between defined areas that are demonstrably disease-free.

These measures, along with the improved availability and use of animal vaccines and medicines, have meant that even if diseases pass from wild animals to domesticated animals, outbreaks and their impact on people can be confined and managed. This is crucial in ensuring that livestock do not become a source of major global health issues.

Nevertheless, to properly understand and manage the risk factors associated with diseases like COVID-19, health authorities must treat the pandemic as part of a wider system, which includes animal, human and environmental health, or what we call One Health.

For example, many achievements in improving public health in recent years have resulted from innovations in animal agriculture that protect farmers, food handlers and consumers as well as animals.

These developments have included the preventative use of vaccines as well as measures designed to keep disease out of farms, or to contain them within the farm if a disease outbreak does occur.

Such innovations are often most effectively and rigorously applied in indoor or contained farms, where conditions can be closely managed to maintain animal health and welfare, which is critical to productivity and sustainability.

An effective vaccine for poultry widely administered across breeding farms since the mid-1990s resulted in humancases of salmonella plummetingwhile efforts to eradicate tuberculosis in cattle will also protect people. Vaccinating cows against leptospirosis, meanwhile, reduces the risk of exposure of dairy farmers. And even in the throes of a pandemic, veterinarians are working closely with livestock farmers to maintain animal health for safe food production and to minimise animal welfare issues that might arise through disruption caused by COVID-19 restrictions.

This has included veterinarians advising on steps to continue the safe testing of cattle for tuberculosis while observing social distancing practices where handling systems make this possible, protecting cattle and people alike from the threat of disease.

Screens and dividers have also been introduced in abattoirs and meat-packing plants to allow staff to keep processing livestock during the pandemic, providing food supplies and incomes at a crucial time.

Governments worldwide have identified vaccines, pharmaceuticals, and veterinary services as essential, not only in the interests of animal health but in the associated interests of human health as well.

Animal health threats may be changing as the world is changing, but there are sadly no halcyon days to which we can revert to avoid threats like COVID-19. This is why ongoing collaboration across human and animal medicine is vital. A key element of this is developing and sharing an understanding among doctors, veterinarians, and environmental experts around the identification of risks in terms of zoonotic potential.

This means assessing and understanding the critical control points in the entire farm to fork supply chain and taking action to mitigate risks, from improved genetics and breeding to hygienic farm conditions, widespread vaccination, and food safety standards. But ultimately, we need to create the One Health systems that will maintain an appropriate balance between humans, animals, and environment.

The coronavirus pandemic has reminded everyone just how closely linked our fortunes health, social and economic are.

Although there is no evidence livestock or pets transmit the virus, it matters less which animal or market started the outbreak and more how we collectively respond to similar risks in the future.

Dr Simon DohertyGuest authorInstitute for Global Food Security, Queens University Senior Vice-President of the British Veterinary Association

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Improving 'One Health' is more important than the COVID-19 blame game - Health Europa

Manufacturing leaders expect some elements of the industrys pandemic response, such as reduced business travel and more employees working from home, might be here to stay.

Nobody is traveling right now, obviously I think thats going to be one of the permanent legacies of this crisis, said Austin Ramirez, CEO of Husco International, a manufacturer of vehicle components with locations in Waukesha and Whitewater.

During a webinar yesterday hosted by the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce, Ramirez predicted a permanent, significant downturn in business travel, adding the associated expense reduction has helped the company better respond to COVID-19. Plus, he noted that holding virtual meetings has saved a lot of time.

Husco has also eliminated inter-facility travel between three nearby sites in Wisconsin and Iowa, keeping each location self-contained.

Meanwhile, about 20 percent of the team at Pindel Global Precision have been working from home for the past few months. And company leaders have taken action to limit the spread of the virus among workers still on the manufacturing floor.

Read the full story at WisBusiness.com: https://www.wisbusiness.com/?p=1452357

Alliant Energy is planning to acquire six new solar energy projects in the state as part of the companys long-term strategy for shifting to renewables.

Pending approval by the state Public Service Commission, the company expects the projects will produce enough energy to power 175,000 homes per year. Theyre also expected to create more than 1,200 construction jobs and provide about $80 million in local tax revenues over a 30-year period.

The projects would be located in Grant, Jefferson, Richland, Rock, Sheboygan and Wood counties. They would range in size from 50 to 200 megawatts.

Along with the rest of the Clean Energy Blueprint, these projects will help customers avoid more than $2 billion in long-term costs, said David de Leon, president of Alliant Energys Wisconsin energy company.

Alliant Energy will be submitting applications for the projects with the PSC this week, according to a release. The company expects the agency to make a decision in the first half of 2021.

See more on the companys plans: http://poweringwhatsnext.alliantenergy.com/clean-energy/

After Alliant Energy recently announced plans to retire a coal plant in Sheboygan, the Sierra Club of Wisconsin is urging the company to go further and retire another coal plant near Portage.

Coal costs us. It pollutes our air and water, it threatens the health of our climate, and now we know its also unnecessarily costing customers millions of dollars. We in Wisconsin have had enough. Its time to retire the Columbia coal plant and go all-in on investing in clean energy, said Sierra Club volunteer leader Victoria Gillet.

According to Elizabeth Ward, director of the Wisconsin chapter of the Sierra Club, a recent analysis by the organization found closing both plants and replacing them with renewables would lead to millions in savings for the companys customers.

The company announced Friday it would be closing the Edgewater coal plant near Sheboygan, which was losing millions of dollars each year.

We are encouraged by Alliants recent decision to close Edgewater, and its pledge to build 1000MW of new solar by 2023 will bring new jobs to one of Wisconsins fastest growing industries: clean energy, Ward said in a statement. Now its time to commit to retiring the Columbia coal plant and double down on the benefits for customers, public health, and our climate.

See the Sierra Club analysis: http://www.sierraclub.org/sites/www.sierraclub.org/files/sce-authors/u2196/SierraClub_CostOfCoal.pdf

See the statement on the Edgewater plant closing: http://www.sierraclub.org/press-releases/2020/05/sierra-club-statement-alliant-s-edgewater-coal-plant-retirement-announcement

UW researchers have found that COVID-19 can spread between animals. But theyre not sure if it can be spread from a pet to its owner.

Professor Yoshihiro Kawaoka in the UW- Madison School of Veterinary Medicine infected three cats with SARS-CoV-2 the virus that causes COVID-19. In one to three days, the cats had the virus. Then, they put a different cat in each of the cats cages. Each cat introduced became infected in three to eight days.

Cats can transmit the virus between each other, but they dont and have not been demonstrated to pass the virus between cats, for example, and humans, said Dr. Mark Markel, dean of the School of Veterinary Medicine, in a Milwaukee Rotary Club briefing.

For pet owners who are worried about their companions getting infected, Markel said, theres so low of a likelihood that theyre going to be infected, that you dont need to worry about it.

But if owners do want to take precautions, Markel advised to keep the pet at home and separate an infected family member from the pet. However, no typical symptoms are shown in animals with COVID-19; even Kawaokas cats didnt show symptoms of coronavirus.

Although we do have the ability at the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory to do SARS-CoV-2 testing of animals, we are trying to do it as little as possible primarily because we are creating the test kits and the media for the human testing, said Markel. Most of those resources, the same media and reagents that might be used for animals, are being dedicated to human use.

Another reason the vet school is reluctant to test pets is the concern that owners will abandon that animal with no real justification for doing that.

Thats because there is no evidence that pets do transmit COVID-19 to their owners.

As far as predicting which viruses could jump from animals to humans, UW is hoping to develop a consortium to find out. Markel touted UWs School of Medicine and Public Health, School of Veterinary Medicine and College of Agricultural and Life Sciences as the leaders of infectious disease research to find out what viruses can spread between animals and humans.

UW is already researching this. The Goldberg Lab sequences viruses and bacteria in Uganda to decide which ones transmit to humans like COVID-19 that went from a bat to a pangolin to a human.

The answer is a very challenging problem, said Markel. The more rational pathway is to be ready when an outbreak begins to begin testing and create testing very quickly. They did do this to some extent with SARS. When there was funding around SARS, there was some initial vaccine development. But the money dried up when SARS went away.

When funding goes away, its difficult to make a vaccine that is adaptable to the next outbreak, he said.

UW has two different COVID-19 vaccines in trials.

One is by Kawaoka and his company FluGen. The other is by Jorge Osorio, a professor in the School of Veterinary Medicine.

But the goal is to kind of have a basebone of this vaccine so that if a new in this case, coronavirus, comes in the picture somehow, then you can create a vaccine much more readily than the 12 to 18 months or earlier or longer that it might take to create a vaccine, said Markel. Its very difficult to predict the next pathogen.

DHS reports the states COVID-19 death toll at 517 up three since the last count.

The states number of confirmed cases also rose since Monday by 279 bringing the cumulative case count to 15,863. The positive tests results account for 3.6 percent of the total tests received Tuesday, continuing the steady decline in positive tests since Saturdays peak of 6.8 percent.

DHS continues to monitor the spread of this virus at all times, according to Deputy Secretary Julie Willems Van Dijk, adding she hopes people in close proximity were not harboring COVID-19 over Memorial Day weekend.

Monitoring the virus will be the work of DHS until there is a vaccine, she said in a briefing.

Even if we have periods of time when the virus seems more quiet and we havent seen as much spread, we know it can come back, said Willems Van Dijk. We dont want to be caught off guard. Thats why testing is so very important for even when were not seeing hundreds of cases like we are today when we test, that we want to keep testing so that if we do start to see the virus increase after a lull that we are all prepared.

An estimated 59 percent of those who tested positive have recovered from COVID-19, while 3 percent of patients have died. Thirty-seven percent are still in a 30-day waiting period of symptom onset or diagnosis.

Counties reporting deaths include: Milwaukee (277), Brown (32), Dane (26), Waukesha (26), Racine (25), Kenosha (22), Rock (16), Walworth (13), Grant (12), Ozaukee (11), Outagamie (7), Fond du Lac (5), Clark (4), Richland (4) and Washington (4).

Door, Jefferson, Sauk and Sheboygan counties report three deaths each. Marinette County reports two deaths.

Adams, Bayfield, Buffalo, Burnett, Calumet, Columbia, Dodge, Iron, Jackson, Juneau, Kewaunee, Manitowoc, Marathon, Marquette, Monroe, Polk, Waupaca, Winnebago and Wood counties report one death each.

Click here for more coronavirus resources and updates: http://www.wispolitics.com/wisconsin-coronavirus-resources/

COVID-19 hospitalizations in the state are the highest theyve been in over a month with 416 patients in hospitals statewide.

According to the Wisconsin Hospital Associations dashboard, thats up 34 from Monday and 24 from last week. Its the highest amount of patients statewide since April 14.

While DHS is aware of the statewide increase, Deputy Secretary Julie Willems Van Dijk assured that the spike is nothing that would put us in a surge situation with hospitals.

Were in regular touch with our hospitals, and they have indicated theyre good, but something we want to keep an eye on, she said.

Of the states 15,863 confirmed cases, 15 percent have been hospitalized and 3 percent have received intensive care, according to DHS.

DHS reports that 295 of the total COVID patients are in southeastern Wisconsin, and fewer than 60 patients are in each of the six other regions of the state.

And Wisconsin appears to have an adequate supply of beds and ventilators, according to WHA.

ICU beds immediately available in the state number 385 out of 1,436 total in Wisconsin; intermediate care beds 187 out of 878; surgical beds 1,540 out of 7,206; and isolation beds beds in negative pressure rooms meant for isolating patients 1,164 out of 1,970.

Statewide, hospitals have a total of 1,273 ventilators and 307 ventilated patients.

But PPE supplies are still lagging. The WHA data shows that 36 hospitals in the state have seven days or less supply of N95 masks, 34 have a limited supply of gowns and 29 hospitals have limited paper medical masks.

Regardless of federal funding, the Wisconsin National Guard will continue working the statewide pandemic response.

Specimen collection only requires half of the 1,400 Guard members in the states coronavirus response, Wisconsins Adjutant General Paul Knapp told reporters in a briefing.

The other 700 or so citizen soldiers monitor self-isolation facilities and warehousing operations, transport personal protective equipment and testing kits, and assist with a statewide call center and mortuary affairs. The number of soldiers and airmen is based on the requests the Guard has received.

Right now, the Wisconsin National Guard is on a Title 32 order federal active duty through June 24. Gov. Tony Evers and other governors requested President Trump to extend Title 32 through July 31.

We are available and ready to continue testing under state active duty if that were to expire, said Knapp. So as long as the need exists for the Guard to assist in this effort, well be here in one of those statuses or another.

Willems Van Dijk attributes the increase in state testing to the great partnership with the Wisconsin National Guard.

The pandemic is likely to last a year or two until we get (a) vaccine, and well continue to need expanded testing, she said.

Willems Van Dijk noted the funding Evers announced last week will assist local health departments to ramp up testing so that if the Guard is not available, we have established systems and processes and counties for expanding testing throughout our state.

Despite Dane County meeting its health departments metrics to begin phase 1 of its reopening plan, state health officials warn the virus is still out there.

DHS Deputy Secretary Julie Willems Van Dijk said the metrics Dane County has met to reopen regarding mitigating COVID-19 doesnt mean its absent from the community.

The first phase of Forward Dane allows businesses such as restaurants, gyms and retail establishments to open at 25 percent capacity with physical distancing.

But Willems Van Dijk said to refrain from going out with a hundred different friends that you havent seen since March. She recommends being cautious about leaving the house, limiting interactions to a small social circle and diligence with common sense things, such as hand washing.

Phase 1 also allows indoor gatherings at commercial facilities of 50 people or less; indoor gatherings at a private residence of 10 people or less; outdoor gatherings of 50 or less; and reopening public courts and fields.

The order notes that select businesses and activities with high risk for disease transmission, such as K-12 schools and public playgrounds, are still closed.

The county will remain in Phase 1 for a minimum of 14 days, which is one incubation period for COVID-19. In order to get to phase 2, the county has to meet certain criteria. If thats not met, then the data will be reassessed regularly until the county is ready to continue through the phases.

The Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. announced a new online retail portal to connect shoppers with more than 230 Main Street businesses statewide.

The website, linked below, is a searchable database of locally owned shops organized by region or type of goods that can be bought online or shipped.

Local small businesses have been hit especially hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, said WEDC Secretary and CEO Missy Hughes in a statement. This is a great opportunity to help sustain local and small businesses in our downtown districts throughout Wisconsin.

According to a release from the WEDC, in order to be listed, shops must be located in one of the 34 Wisconsin Main Street communities. Wisconsin Main Street is a community development program administered by WEDC that targets Wisconsins historic commercial districts.

Additional offerings from local businesses in Connect Communities member communities will be added in the future, read the release.

Visit the website: http://www.mainstreetwi.com/

#TOP STORIES#

# Wisconsin State Fair decision will be made by board chairman Yingling

http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/news/2020/05/26/board-chairman-in-charge-of-state-fair-decision.html

# Takeout just isnt the same: Handful of restaurants reopen in face of virus

http://madison.com/wsj/news/local/takeout-just-isnt-the-same-handful-of-restaurants-reopen-in-face-of-virus/article_d55abf6c-4826-5b23-8530-c5cd82e63aba.html

#TOPICS#

# AGRIBUSINESS

WFBF seeking 2020 Leadership Institute participants

http://wisconsinagconnection.com/story-state.php?Id=572&yr=2020

# ECONOMY

Area restaurants carefully approach reopening dine-in service

Dane County takes first tentative steps toward getting back to business

http://madison.com/wsj/news/local/dane-county-takes-first-tentative-steps-toward-getting-back-to-business/article_66ec048e-762e-5d09-bce9-f0979cbee54f.html

# EDUCATION

Two UWRF students named CAFES outstanding seniors

http://wisconsinagconnection.com/story-state.php?Id=570&yr=2020

Sheila Briggs running for Wisconsin State Superintendent https://www.wpr.org/sheila-briggs-running-wisconsin-state-superintendent

Back to school? 1 in 5 teachers are unlikely to return to reopened classrooms this fall, poll says https://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/story/news/education/2020/05/26/coronavirus-schools-teachers-poll-ipsos-parents-fall-online/5254729002/

# ENVIRONMENT

NRCS announces second EQIP signup for 2020 funding

http://wisconsinagconnection.com/story-state.php?Id=569&yr=2020

Grazing goats abound: Madison Parks Division hires herd to remove invasive plants https://www.wpr.org/grazing-goats-abound-madison-parks-division-hires-herd-remove-invasive-plants

# HEALTH CARE

Advocate Aurora invests in Texas-based PPE manufacturer

A progress report on how Wisconsin is doing against coronavirus https://www.wpr.org/progress-report-how-wisconsin-doing-against-coronavirus

Visit link:
WED AM News: Manufacturers expect some elements of pandemic response are here to stay; UW researchers have two COVID-19 vaccines in trials -...

When it comes to cognitive testing, the Goffins cockatoos at the University of Veterinary Medicine in Vienna are pros.

Researchers have tested them on toolmaking, shape-matching and other tasks, and found that a cockatoo can learn how to solve a problem from watching another cockatoo do it just once.

Now, researchers in Alice M. I. Auerspergs lab, the home of the Austrian cockatoo colony, have created an experimental setup they call an innovation arena. Its a new way to test the ability of animals to innovate, and might be used for a variety of species, in principle. And they compared the performance of laboratory-raised cockatoos and wild-caught birds, to see if the lab-raised birds had acquired an edge by hanging out with human beings.

It might seem like pure human arrogance to think that we make animals smarter, but previous research efforts have found a captivity effect in animals, including chimpanzees, that have been in long-term human custody. Their cognitive performance was better than that of their wild relatives on human-devised tests. Therefore, the humans hypothesized, exposure to human environments and interaction with humans might improve animals ability to innovate.

The hypothesis did not hold up in this experiment. As the researchers reported Tuesday in the journal Scientific Reports, the wild birds were just as smart as the captive birds but a good deal less interested in bothering with the experiment at all.

Perhaps the birds did not appreciate that the innovation arena was like the set of an avian TV game show: a semicircular area with 20 doors, each with a different task behind it to solve for a food reward. It certainly looks like fun from a human point of view. And perhaps birds that have spent a lot of time around humans and their experiments get the idea that a weird-looking apparatus indicates that humans are going to offer food for otherwise nonsensical tasks like moving a lever or pushing a button.

Among the 20 tasks revealed by the doors were ones the researchers called the seesaw, the swish, the shovel, the swing, the mill and the twig. Each task required a different solution to earn the treat. The bird might have to push a platform down or a lever sideways. Or it might have to press a knob, nudge a bowl, rotate a wheel or bend a wire. Each time the birds were set in the arena, the tasks were shuffled, hidden behind different doors.

Innovation in animals is defined in different ways, but it more or less means coming up with new ways to solve problems. The researchers wanted to test the rate of innovation: how many solutions a bird could come up with in a given amount of time. And they wanted an experimental setup that, in principle, might be adapted to different species. Thus, the arena.

The experiment was designed both to show that the arena was workable and to test the captivity effect. The researchers set up a kind of competition between the major-league, lab-raised team in Vienna and a pickup squad of temporarily captive cockatoos. (The latter had been caught in the wild in Indonesia and kept long enough that they were comfortable around people and the experimental apparatus.)

The A-team performed in Vienna; the scrubs were in a field station lab in Indonesia. The competitions were often run more or less simultaneously, according to Theresa Rssler, who conducted the experiments in Vienna while Berenika Mioduszewska ran them in Indonesia.

As anticipated, the apparatus worked out. The Vienna birds, familiar with experiments and their rewards, dove right in when placed at the starting point. They very quickly approach the tasks and wander around and try to open the boxes and get out the rewards, Ms. Rssler said.

But they didnt always follow the game plan no surprise to a cockatoo researcher. Sometimes the birds, both lab-raised and wild, had their own idea of how a problem might be solved. For instance, some opened the Wire task in several instances by removing the window hinges (which were closer to the reward) instead of unbending the wire, the researchers wrote. Ms. Rssler said, In many of the experiments they seemed to outsmart us at some point.

The big difference between the two groups was in their interest in doing the tests at all. The researchers classified 10 of 11 lab birds as motivated, meaning they began right away to open doors and look for food. Only three of the eight wild birds were motivated.

The unmotivated birds rarely approached the setup or interacted with the tasks, the researchers reported. But the motivated birds both wild-caught and lab-raised performed at the same level in solving the tasks.

Ms. Rssler said that if the wild birds decide they want to interact with the apparatus, they are just as skillful problem solvers.

Read the rest here:
Wild Cockatoos Are Just as Smart as Lab-Raised Ones - The New York Times

LONGMEADOW Just in time for the stay at home advisory that was put in place in the beginning of March, one Longmeadow resident had started her own mobile veterinary practice, Paws Calls.

Kara Ryczek grew up in Longmeadow and graduated from Longmeadow High School in 1992. After graduation, she attended Trinity College in Hartford, CT, where she earned a BcS in biology in 1996. While she attended Trinity, she worked at a local veterinary hospital during her senior year. Following her time at Trinity, she chose Tufts University for Veterinary Medicine as her next move, and graduated with her DVM in 2001.

From there, Ryczek completed a 13-month rotating internship at VCA South Shore.

After my internship, I worked in small animal hospitals. At these practices, Id see routine visits, sick appointments and surgical cases once a week, Ryczek explained. I missed emergency work, as this was mostly what I saw during my internship, so I picked up shifts at Boston Road Animal Hospital on weekends and holidays.

Eventually, Ryczek moved back to Longmeadow, and worked part time at the VCA Shaker Road Animal Hospital, and currently, she works at West Springfield Animal Hospital.

I decided to open Paws Calls at the beginning of this year. I wanted to be able to help local family and friends with their pets emergencies, routine care, and overall ease of maintaining the pets health care at home, Ryczek said.

She no longer has a routine surgical day through West Springfield Animal Hospital, as she stopped when she became pregnant with her son. However, with her new practice, she now has the opportunity to do minor procedures.

With the mobile practice, Im able to perform minor surgical procedures as needed. Im seeing patients on scheduled appointments, but I am also open to fit in emergencies as needed, Ryczek explained.

The opening of Paws Calls occurred at the beginning of 2020, and the timing just happened to coincide with COVID-19, and the closing of many local businesses, Ryczek said. Veterinarians are considered essential, so she has been helping a friend at her local clinic, while building Paws Calls.

Paws Calls is only seeing dogs and cats at this time. Ryczek is working by herself for now, and is using her own SUV. During the pandemic, she is asking owners to see the pets outside for dogs, and to see cats in an enclosed porch, mud room or garage. The business is currently set up for annual physical examinations, vaccinations, microchips, routine diagnostic testing, sick visits and at-home euthanasia.

Paws Calls can be reached at 617-797-3070, on her Facebook Page, Dr Paws Calls, or by email at dr.pawscalls@gmail.com.

See the original post here:
Paws Calls offers vet appointments in the comfort of home - Reminder Publications

Is there anything a dog can't do?

Emotional support animals, medical support animals, drug sniffing dogs, bed bug sniffing dogs...and soon Coronavirus sniffing dogs!

YES!

A new program at theUniversity of Pennsylvania's School of Veterinary Medicine (Penn Vet) has scientests and researchersworking with dogs to see if their nosescan help with early detection of COVID-19 in humans.

In this program happening right now,8 dogs are being trained in a laboratory setting. Over three weeks, they will first learn to recognize the smell of COVID-19 in saliva and urine samples from infected patients (through an imprintingtechnique) and will then be tested to see if they can detect the infected samples from the non-infected samples.

Cynthia Otto, a Vet and director ofPenn Vet's Working Dog Center says:

"The potential impact of these dogs and their capacity to detect COVID-19 could be substantial.This study will harness the dog's extraordinary ability to support the nation's COVID-19 surveillance systems, with the goal of reducing community spread."

So when could we start seeing COVID-19 sniffing dogs? These trained dogs could be ready to start sniffing humans by July.

For more info on this training click here: COVID Sniffing Dogs

Read more:
Dogs Being Trained to Sniff Out COVID-19 - RADIO.COM