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Battling cancer on two fronts
Going after the tumor isn't always enough when it comes to fighting breast cancer. But a new one-two punch developed by researchers at the University of Missouri's College of Veterinary Medicine and Dalton Cardiovascular Research Center may prove to be a formidable foe in combating the disease. The new, nontoxic treatment combines a drug and an antibody that, when working together, attack the breast cancer cells and destroy the blood vessels that feed the tumor and allow it to grow. The researchers use mice in their studies, and results show great promise in treating many types of cancer. For more information, contact Tracey Berry at 573-884-2215 or berryt@missouri.edu.
The sounds of prevention
A multidisciplinary approach to studying tiny cracks in bones may one day help prevent stress fractures in both horses and humans. Researchers in veterinary medicine, biomedical and electrical engineering, and earth and atmospheric sciences are borrowing from the study of earthquakes and seismology to develop a monitoring system that uses sound waves to check for "microcracks" that form in bones and can lead to stress fractures. The new technology could prove highly valuable in reducing catastrophic injuries in race horses and also could help protect soldiers, athletes and dancers, as well as the elderly, from suffering stress fractures in their feet, legs and hips. For more information, contact Kevin Doerr at doerrk@purdue.edu.
Eating away at stress
A new study out of the University of Pennsylvania's School of Veterinary Medicine adds to the growing body of literature suggesting that stress causes overeating, particularly of unhealthy foods high in fat and carbohydrates. The study indicates that eating food high in fats and carbs leads to activation of brain reward pathways and a reduction of stress in mice that are genetically engineered to be more sensitive to stress. Such eating behavior, the researchers say, can lead to obesity, and they also believe their research could help treat those people who are most susceptible to stress-induced eating. For more information, contact Gail Luciani at 215-898-1475 or Luciani@vet.upenn.edu.
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Guiding the way toward fewer unwanted pets
Spay and neuter programs for dogs and cats play an important public health role by reducing the free-roaming and stray animal populations. The programs also help reduce the number of unwanted animals that end up in shelters each year, many of which are euthanized. That's why a task force comprised of 22 veterinarians from around the country recently compiled - for the first time ever - guidelines for spay and neuter clinics. The guidelines, which are published in the July 1, 2008, issue of the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, are based on acceptable practices that all spay-neuter programs can attain, says task force member and veterinarian Brenda Griffin. Griffin says that assembling spay-neuter guidelines will go a long way toward increasing public confidence in spay-neuter programs as a legitimate option to euthanasia. For more information, contact David Kirkpatrick at 847-285-6782.
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A sampling of interesting upcoming events and pet-related campaigns ...
American Veterinary Medical Association Annual Convention, July 19, 2008 - July 22, 2008: Thousands of veterinary leaders in food safety, public health, comparative medicine, research and companion animal medicine will attend the AVMA's 145th annual convention in New Orleans, La. Some of the timely topics include protecting the public against emerging and zoonotic diseases, safeguarding our nation's food supply and providing the best possible care for pets of all sizes and types. For more on the convention and its roster of speakers, go to http://avmaconvention.org.
Association of Avian Veterinarians Annual Conference, Aug. 9, 2008 - Aug. 14, 2008: Avian veterinarians and their colleagues from the Association of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians gather in Savannah, Ga., to explore the latest medical and behavioral developments in everything furry and feathered. For more information, go to www.conferenceoffice.com/aav.
5th International Symposium on Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy in Veterinary Medicine, Aug. 13, 2008 - Aug. 16, 2008: The University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine and the International Association of Veterinary Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy hosts the symposium in Minneapolis, Minn. The gathering highlights the rapidly growing area of animal rehabilitation and how veterinary professionals and physical therapists are working together to develop treatment programs. For more information, go to http://www.cvm.umn.edu/outreach/events/rehab/home.html.
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