How cats and cows protect farm children from asthma

Date:  July 6, 2017

Source:  University of Zurich

 

Summary:  It is a known fact that microbes on farms protect children from asthma and allergies. But even non-microbial molecules can have a protective effect. Immunologists have shown that a sialic acid found in farm animals is effective against inflammation of lung tissue. This study opens up a wide variety of perspectives for the prevention of allergies.  

 

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Panthers attack record number of farm animals in Florida

4 hours ago by David Fleshler, Sun Sentinel

A record number of Florida panther attacks on farm animals and pets took place this year, in what the state wildlife commission says is a consequence of the endangered cat's increased population.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission on Friday confirmed 32 incidents of fatal panther attacks on animals such as goats, sheep, calves, dogs and cats, with more than 50 animals killed. This year also saw a record 20 panthers killed by vehicles.

The commission attributed the increase in killings to the success of state and federal efforts to increase the panther's population. The number of panthers today is estimated at 100 to 180, with the top figure representing a recent upward revision from 160. During the 1970s, the population may have fallen as low as 30.

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Butter-Cow Prank Does Nothing to Help the Cause of Animals (Op-Ed)

Wayne Pacelle is the president and chief executive officer of The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). This Op-Ed first appeared on the blog A Humane Nation, where it ran before appearing in LiveScience's Expert Voices: Op-Ed & Insights.

If you care about farm animals in Iowa, there is unfortunately no shortage of high-profile, high-impact matters that would benefit from citizen activism there.

For example, with Congress in recess and lawmakers back home in their districts, The HSUS is working to defeat the amendment from Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) to nullify important state laws — statutes that impose conditions or standards on the agriculture industry to protect animals, workers, public health and the environment. There is great value in organizing folks in King's district to defend Iowa's laws and remind King that his constituents don't support the amendment's attack on states' rights.

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Iberian Lynx Attacks On Farm Animals Are On the Rise

June 11, 2013 — Scientists working on the LIFE IBERLINCE project have spent six years studying the hunting behaviour of the Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus), registering a total of 40 attacks with 716 farm animals killed. Their results indicate that, although the resulting economic losses are not high, this behaviour is on the rise, and it is therefore necessary to establish conflict prevention programmes alongside the existing conservation programmes.

Most studies on depredation of livestock in Spain have focused on wolves and little attention has been given to this type of conflict in smaller species.

Within the LIFE IBERLINCE project, "Conservation and reintroduction of the Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) in Andalusia," a team of scientists has spent six years monitoring lynxes' hunting habits in areas with nearby settlement. In the eight years since this initiative began, the number of lynxes in Spain has trebled.

"We have counted a total of 40 attacks on farm animals, involving 716 kills, in the area of Andújar-Cardeña, one of the hubs -- along with Doñana -- in which members of this species in danger of extinction are centred," explains German Garrote, co-author of the study and researcher on this project.

Although the majority of these attacks (78%) were carried out against poultry, sheep depredation resulted in higher economic losses."

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Farm Animals Fed Antibiotics (Infographic)

http://www.livescience.com/20090-antibiotics-farm-animals-infographic.html