NEW YORK (December 6, 2023) — For the 124th year, the National Audubon Society is organizing the annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count (CBC). Between December 14 and January 5, tens of thousands of bird-loving volunteers will participate in counts across the Western Hemisphere. The twelve decades’ worth of data collected by participants contribute to one of […]
Life
People For the American Way Mourns the Death And Celebrates the Life of Founder Norman Lear
December 6, 2023 – People For the American Way is mourning the death of its founder Norman Lear, who remained an active board member until his death on Dec. 5, 2023. Lear died at home, surrounded by loved ones, at the age of 101. “We are heartbroken,” said People For the American Way President Svante Myrick. “We […]
2024 BigPicture: Natural World Photography Competition is now open
SAN FRANCISCO, CA (December 4, 2023) — Submissions for the California Academy of Sciences’ 2024 BigPicture: Natural World Photography Competition will be accepted through March 1, 2024. In its 11th year, the competition focuses a visual lens on the extraordinary wonders of the natural world and the importance of striving for a healthier planet. Winners of this year’s […]
Can science find a better way to trim a cat’s nails?
November 30, 2023 – University of California, Davis, researchers are working with the Sacramento SPCA to alleviate a near-universal source of stress for cats and those who care for them: nail trimming. Clipping a cat or kitten’s nails should be a routine practice, not only for the health of the cat and humans, but also […]
Celebs, Korean War Vets & More Join to Support Dog Meat Ban in South Korea
SEOUL (Nov. 22, 2023) — In Defense of Animals’ Global Anti-Dog Meat Coalition applauds members of South Korea’s National Assembly for pledging to support legislation to ban the dog meat trade by the end of the year. The coalition has gathered supportive statements from Korean War veterans, U.S. Congressman Brad Sherman, and celebrities including Priscilla Presley, Mena Suvari and Katherine Heigl urging […]
Why do some people get headaches from drinking red wine?
November 20, 2023 – A red wine may pair nicely with the upcoming Thanksgiving meal. But for some people, drinking red wine even in small amounts causes a headache. Typically, a “red wine headache” can occur within 30 minutes to three hours after drinking as little as a small glass of wine. What in wine […]
Virginia Tech and Arizona State researchers discover way to boost shelter dog adoptions
November 15, 2023 – After a long day at work, you open the door to the place you call home. A chorus of furry happiness rushes toward you, the sound of unconditional canine love. With your return, your dog’s world is whole. Virginia Tech and Arizona State University researchers are working to help more shelter […]
Keep Risky Habits Out of the Kitchen this Thanksgiving
WASHINGTON, Nov. 14, 2023 – America’s biggest food holiday is almost here, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) wants to remind consumers to avoid habits that increase the risk of harmful bacteria in their Thanksgiving meal. “Unsafe handling and undercooking your turkey can cause foodborne illness,” said USDA Under Secretary for Food Safety Dr. […]
An antidote for deadly mushrooms? (video)
WASHINGTON, Oct. 23, 2023 — Almost all mushroom-related fatalities worldwide are caused by a single group of molecules, cyclopeptides, which are found in death caps and destroying angels. A single mushroom from this family can contain enough of these toxins to destroy your liver or even kill you. And there’s no antidote for mushroom poisoning. […]
Can Golden Retrievers Live Longer?
Golden retrievers are one of the most popular breeds of dogs. But research shows they have up to a 65% chance of dying from cancer. In a new study, University of California, Davis, researchers set out to find if certain genetic factors could help their survival rate. But instead of searching for genes associated with […]
Books: The Corporate Sabotage of America’s Future and What We Can Do About It
Long-time corporate accountability crusaders Robert Weissman, Public Citizen president, and Joan Claybrook, Public Citizen president emeritus, investigate how giant corporations corrupt the policy making process to block reforms favored by overwhelming majorities of the American people, and to enrich themselves through far-reaching corporate welfare schemes. The Corporate Sabotage of America’s Future And What We Can […]
How is ceviche ‘cooked?’ (video)
WASHINGTON, Sept. 11, 2023 — What does it mean to have “cooked” something? Is heat the only way to break down proteins and transform raw ingredients? If you love ceviche, you know that’s not true … but how exactly does ceviche get “cooked?” No heat source is used, but it still undergoes a process in […]
Study confirms it: Opposites don’t actually attract
September 5, 2023 – Despite some conventional wisdom to the contrary, opposites don’t actually attract. That’s the takeaway from a sweeping CU Boulder analysis of more than 130 traits and including millions of couples over more than a century. “Our findings demonstrate that birds of a feather are indeed more likely to flock together,” said […]
Entrance to Burning Man event on Black Rock Desert closed for remainder of event due to flooding and mud
GERLACH, Nev. – Officials from BLM and the Pershing County Sheriff’s Office have closed ingress to the Burning Man event effective immediately and for the remainder of the event. Participants inbound for the event should turn around and head home. Rain over the last 24 hours has created a situation that required a full stop […]
Study Finds Banana-Blueberry Smoothie Not Best Combo for Absorbing Flavanols
Smoothies can be a tasty and convenient way to get the important fruits and vegetables you need for a healthy diet. But is a banana and blueberry smoothie the best combo? Researchers at the University of California, Davis, suggest that blending certain ingredients in smoothies can influence whether your body is getting a nutritional boost. […]
Disasters in Greece, Beijing, Maui and elsewhere highlight the need to help animals
August 16, 2023 – In the aftermath of devastating wildfires that claimed the lives of a still unknown number of people on Maui, we mourn with our supporters and colleagues in Hawaii. As with most disasters, the loss of human life and the financial and other damages incurred by individuals, governments, businesses and institutions are […]
Cats first finagled their way into human hearts and homes thousands of years ago – here’s how
Who run the world? Cats! Grace Cary/Moment via Getty Images Jonathan Losos, Arts & Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis A few years ago, I had the opportunity to go on safari in southern Africa. One of the greatest thrills was going out at night looking for predators on the prowl: lions, leopards, hyenas. […]
Dogs provide critical support for homeless people, study finds
July 25, 2023 – Homeless people and their dogs have a mutually beneficial relationship, with the dogs providing critical support for their owners’ emotional and mental health while owners make every effort to protect the dog and meet their welfare needs, new research has found. The study, by academics at the University of Bristol Veterinary School and […]
Kids who lose WIC lose nutrition
July 25, 2023 – A one-year gap in access to WIC can have a significantly negative effect on the quality of some 5-year-olds’ diets. A new study from the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences found that when children age out of WIC after their fifth birthday, many families are left without food assistance support for […]
Volunteering in late life may protect the brain against cognitive decline and dementia
Sacramento – Volunteering in late life is associated with better cognitive function — specifically, better executive function and episodic memory. Those are the findings of a new study from UC Davis Health presented today (July 20) at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference 2023 in Amsterdam. “We hope these new data encourage individuals of all ages and backgrounds to […]