ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE IN HORSES.

The use of antimicrobial s in food animals have been linked to the emergence of antibiotic resistance in man and animals as well.The emergence of the super bugs has been the light on the way food animals are raised and managed,with people clamoring for antibiotic-free livestock production.Antibiotics in livestock should be used as treatment protocol and not as growth promoters in animals,because these residues do more harm to man that consume these animals.These antibiotic residues have been linked to several ailments plaguing man today. The antibiotic resistance war has enveloped the companion animals as well as other pets, a lot of pet lover/owners and handlers abuse the use of antibiotics as well resulting in resistance which affects their owners as well.The E.coli infection affecting man and animals are borne from gross misuse of antibiotics ; a recent study shows the resistance in horses; new review in the Equine Veterinary Journal reveals that antimicrobial resistance is prevalent in bacteria from horses, particularly E. coli. Also, while methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) can be common in hospitalized horses, it is less frequently present in the general equine population. The emergence of multidrug resistance in many other bacterial species, however, represents a huge challenge for society. Read more here http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/11/151120182819.htm

A BREECH IN BIOSECURITY PROTOCOL FINGERED FOR SPREAD OF BOVINE VIRAL DIARRHEA.

Bovine viral diarrhea that affected about 5,000 cattle of which 500 were destroyed in Germany,indicates a breech of bio security protocol as the cause of high incidence. Bovine Viral Diarrhea (BVD) leads to severe disease and significant economic losses Caused by the Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus (BVDV). Bovine Viral Diarrhea suppresses the immune system and causes a variety of symptoms, including respiratory problems, infertility, and abortion. "A dairy farmer first noticed a reduction in milk yield, respiratory symptoms, nasal discharge, fever, sporadic diarrhea and sudden deaths -- these symptoms were also noted on other farms as the infection spread, but did not immediately indicate BVD as the cause," said Dr. Jörn Gethmann, lead author of the study from Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute. "We were surprised by the high morbidity and mortality an induced by a BVDV strain in this outbreak." The researchers supported the competent local authorities in tracing the spread of the virus. They visited eight farms and obtained data on a further 13 farms. They discovered that the virus was not transmitted directly by infected cattle, but mostly by people such as vets and traders who were moving between farms. "We were surprised to see the effective transmission to other farms without persistently infected animals involved," commented Dr. Gethmann. Bio security is very important at all levels of production; a simple hand washing ,wearing protective clothing,tyre dips,foot baths and use of protective gloves will prevent spread of infectious agents. Read more here;http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/09/150921090151.htm

A VIRUS IN CATTLE LINKED TO HUMAN BREAST CANCER.

A study has revealed the link between bovine leukemia virus and breast cancer; researchers analyzed breast tissue from 239 women, comparing samples from women who had breast cancer with women who had no history of the disease for the presence of bovine leukemia virus (BLV). They found that 59 percent of breast cancer samples had evidence of exposure to BLV, as determined by the presence of viral DNA. By contrast, 29 percent of the tissue samples from women who never had breast cancer showed exposure to BLV. Bovine leukemia virus infects dairy and beef cattle's blood cells and mammary tissue. The retrovirus is easily transmitted among cattle primarily through infected blood and milk, but it only causes disease in fewer than 5 percent of infected animals.This is another reason to handle animals,organs and blood with utmost care. Read more about the study here;http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/09/150915105004.htm

Pigeons can identify cancerous tissue on x-rays.

A new study shows that pigeons can distinguish between healthy and cancerous tissue in x-rays and microscope slides with an accuracy rate of up to 99%.In a series of three experiments, led by Richard Levenson, professor of pathology and laboratory medicine at the University of California Davis Medical Center, it was found that pigeons have the capacity to learn how to identify whether an image shows healthy or cancerous breast tissue. The birds “share many visual system properties with humans”, according to the study.“With some training and selective food reinforcement, pigeons do just as well as humans in categorizing digitized slides and mammograms of benign and malignant human breast tissue,” read more here;http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/nov/19/pigeons-can-identify-cancerous-tissue-on-x-rays-study-finds

HORSY INNOVATION.

An accident while trotting down the street on a horse, brought on a mission to develop an innovated light safety system. The system showcases LED lights, on both the front and tail units to warn, oncoming motorists that there is a rider on the road.Read more; http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3327748/That-really-tail-light-Firm-unveils-clips-light-horses-improve-rider-safety.html

Horses and humans share facial expressions.

Horses use similar facial muscles to humans, suggesting an evolutionary parallel in how horses and humans use the face to communicate.Horses share some surprisingly similar facial expressions to humans and chimps, according to new University of Sussex research.Mammal communication researchers have shown that, like humans, horses use muscles underlying various facial features -- including their nostrils, lips and eyes -- to alter their facial expressions in a variety of social situations.read more here;http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/08/150805144820.htm

HUMAN WASTE HAS HIGH ENERGY VALUE.

Biogas potentially available from human waste worldwide would have a value of up to US$ 9.5 billion in natural gas equivalent, UN University's Canadian-based water institute estimates. And the residue, dried and charred, could produce 2 million tonnes of charcoal-equivalent fuel, curbing the destruction of trees. The large energy value would prove small, however, relative to that of the global health and environmental benefits that would accrue from the safe treatment of human waste in low-resource settings. read more about the research here;http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/11/151103064551.htm