Rabbits, skunks can pass bird-flu virus to ducks..

A government wildlife researcher has found that rabbits and skunks can become infected with the bird flu virus and shed it enough to infect ducks — offering scientists one more clue about how bird flu may move in the environment and spread between farms, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said. Experiments done last year demonstrated that striped skunks and cottontail rabbits in a laboratory transmitted a strain of bird flu to mallard ducks after they shared food and water sources, National Wildlife Research Center biologist Jeff Root said in a statement. "When wildlife and poultry interact and both can carry and spread a potentially damaging agricultural pathogen, it’s cause for concern,” he said. Last year bird flu resulted in the death of 48 million birds in 15 states, sending egg prices soaring to record highs, increasing turkey meat prices and hurting exports of poultry products. Scientists hope to find how the virus gets from wild birds to farms and spreads, and Root said it’s now important to figure out how likely it is that such transmission across species happens in the wild. The study results offer the first significant confirmation that mammals can transmit the virus to birds. Skunks and rabbits are common visitors to farms across the country. They also are frequently found at the riverbanks and wetlands where waterfowl gather. Scientists studying bird flu who weren’t involved in the research said it’s a noteworthy finding, but more study is needed about how transmission is occurring. “These viruses, we’ve always known that they get very eagerly into turkeys. Turkeys and ducks exchange viruses but skunks and rabbits? Who knew? So this is really exciting that way,” said Carol Cardona, an avian health professor at the University of Minnesota who studies domestic poultry viral disease. “It tells us little bit more about an ecosystem we weren’t fully understanding.” Iowa State University veterinary microbiology professor James A. Roth said it’s an unexpected development, but it’s not clear whether these animals can spread bird flu virus into commercial turkey and chicken barns. culled from Columbus Dispatch.

AIO ROBOTICS EXPANDS CHINESE PRESENCES THROUGH PARTNERSHIP WITH SHENYANG MACHINE TOOL CO.

< When it comes to simplicity and ease, it’s hard to beat AIO Robotics. Using their Zeus 3D printer is as easy as plugging it in and pressing a button, which has made it an obvious favorite of schools, libraries, and consumers who want to avail themselves of 3D printing for prototyping or other purposes but don’t necessarily have the time or expertise for high-maintenance precision machines. 

 The Los Angeles-based AIO Robotics launched their flagship printer a couple years ago after a successful Kickstarter campaign, and has since spread across the globe with resellers all over the US and in Canada, Asia, Australia and Europe.  

 One market the company hasn’t significantly tapped thus far has been China, but that should soon be changing thanks to a partnership with Shenyang Machine Tool Co, Ltd (SMTCL). The Chinese company is the largest machine and tool manufacturer in the world, but they haven’t ventured into 3D printing until now, though they are a champion of technologically advanced manufacturing. In 2014, SMTCL introduced the i5, an intelligent CNC control and “Smart Factory” platform, which has accounted for a significant portion of the company’s business. 

 In addition to being an easy-to-use 3D printer, the Zeus is also a 3D scanner, copier and fax machine, and recently AIO Robotics further enhanced the machine’s capabilities by integrating it directly with the MyMiniFactory printing platform. 

 Users can now access the site’s expansive 3D model library and download and print files directly from their printers with the push of a button, making the Zeus even more ideal for educational settings. 

The classroom-friendly attributes of the printer are certainly a big selling point for the community-focused SMTCL, which shares many of AIO’s future-thinking values. SMTCL is the fourth Asian reseller to pick up the Zeus, joining Taiwan’s Smartec Scientific Corp, Japan’s Santec, and the also-China-based Trustworthy Technology Co.  

 Read more at 3Dprint.com

DOG PARKER.

On-demand neighborhood doghouses provide-1) Clean and comfortable places for dogs to hang out. 2) Peace of mind and freedom for loving pet parents.3) An easy way for any store to be immediately dog-friendly 4) More time together for you and your pup! Welcome the dog parker. The Co-founders Chelsea Brownridge and Todd Schechter of Brooklyn-based Dog Parker introduced a new concept on-demand dog houses Presenting “dog parking by the minute,” these dog houses are intended to be, effectively, parking spots for “urban pet parents” to safely leave their dogs for a few minutes while running errands, in a more secure alternative to tying a leash around a tree or bike rack. A membership card opens the house, the dog can be guided in, and no one else can gain access until the dog’s owner returns a few minutes later, using the same membership card or the Dog Parker app to unlock the house. Similar to a Zipcar model of business, a membership would run $25 annually per dog — leading, they say, to a $1.7 billion business opportunity that could benefit up to 2.4 million urban dogs. With Boyce Technologies as their tech partner, Dog Parker tested three different sizes for their dog houses, now using a one-size-fits-most model that fits about 97% of dogs (sorry, no mastiffs). The parker needs regular maintenance similar to a vending machine, the Dog Parker houses also function as their own advertising, as they would be placed right on the streets in urban areas, starting with New York City. read more at dogparker.com

3D PRINT RECYCLING.

One of the downsides of 3D printing is trash. This does in fact occur mainly by way of plastic—and even just one home workshop can produce surprising volumes of it, by way of big blobby print failures, discarded prototypes, and other materials as well. Upon the advent of this technology, most were caught up in the euphoria of discovering something new that allows for such empowerment in making things, verging on that of magic. It wasn’t too long, however, before the question of what to do with piles of plastic in the trash emerged. Lately, we discover and discuss numerous ways of recycling, as well as using recycled products in filament that can then be recycled again—and even for solvents. Companies like Voodoo Manufacturing and Filabot are concerned about trash pileup too, and rather than just setting that worry aside, they have taken action in creating a partnership for recycling. This is where the fun comes in—well, maybe it’s just me—but the idea of chucking all that plastic into a great big grinder and sending it back full circle seems very fulfilling. Plus, let’s consider the savings on the bottom line here. Filament, while varying in price, can begin to take a toll on the budget if you are a major 3D printing enthusiast. Voodoo and Filabot have discovered quite a symbiotic relationship. Voodoo has bunches of plastic that needs to go out the door and Filabot has the means to recycle and re-use. This is a real rags to riches story for trashed items that are turned back into what is often quite an expensive commodity. The Filabot machinery can recycle practically any plastic, grinding it, and sending it right back where it came from, also coming full circle in some of the most wonderful 3D printing benefits—self-sustainability, innovation, and affordability. Have you been worried about what to do with plastic from 3D printing? recycle is the answer. read more at 3Dprint.com

JOHNSON & JOHNSON ANNOUNCES COLLABORATION WITH HP TO CREATE PERSONALIZED 3D PRINTED HEALTHCARE SOLUTIONS.

3D printing technology offers a wide range of personalization and customization options that are impossible with traditionally manufactured products. We’re already seeing some of the first custom 3D printed consumer products making their way to market, including shoes, sports equipment, eyeglasses and even earbuds. All of these products can be made for a specific user’s body, optimizing the technology to work for an individual, not an average user as with most mass produced products. A more exciting, and potentially world-changing application of customized 3D printed products is the ability to manufacture life-saving medical devices and assistive technology to suit an individual user’s needs. As one of the largest pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers in the world, the products that Johnson & Johnson develops will be made available in more than 175 different countries all over the globe. So when they decide to develop ways to integrate 3D printing technology into their business, it isn’t just their own company that will be changed, but as their competitors try to keep up with them, their entire industry will change. This week Johnson & Johnson is announcing a broad and wide-reaching collaboration with a 3D printing subsidiary of HP Inc. The goal of the partnership between Johnson & Johnson and HP is to find ways to implement new 3D printing technology that will help them develop better healthcare outcomes for patients, consumers and health care providers while reducing costs. The two companies plan to combine their scientific, clinical, material science and technological know-how to develop a series of consumer products, medical solutions and medical devices that can be manufactured fast. 3D printing will allow them to develop products that have been customized for individual patients and consumers based on their specific needs. “Advances in 3D printing technology have the potential to break historical paradigms of health care delivery in ways that are not feasible in traditional manufacturing processes. Together with Johnson & Johnson we have the potential to create opportunities and innovations in health care to improve patients’ lives that neither company could develop alone,” explained Stephen Nigro, president of HP’s 3D printing business. While the collaboration was just announced yesterday, the partnership has actually already begun, and teams of experts brought together from both companies are working together on new medical products and solutions. In the early stages of the partnership they will focus on the personalization of instrumentation and software used to operate patient-specific medical devices. However they expect that their collaboration will lead to 3D printing applications that will innovate solutions and devices in orthopedics and eye health, not to mention new, cutting edge consumer products. culled from 3Dprint.com

Pet jerky treats linked to hundreds of dog deaths.

Jerky treats imported from China are still being linked to hundreds of dog deaths, according to the FDA. Between September 2014 and December 2015 the FDA investigated 200 more reports of animals becoming sick after eating the chicken, duck and sweet potato treats imported from China. The number is lower than previous years but investigators still caution owners to be on the lookout for vomiting or other symptoms. Since 2007, the FDA has investigated the illnesses of 6,200 dogs – including more than 1,100 deaths. Culled from WIRC

AGRIBUSINESS: HOW TO START AQUARIUM BUSINESS AND MAKE MONEY.

AGRIBUSINESS: HOW TO START AQUARIUM BUSINESS AND MAKE MONEY. Learn all about how to take the ocean to your home