Scientists studying a mysterious neurological affliction in cats have discovered a surprising ability of the central nervous system to repair itself and restore function.

Scientists studying a mysterious neurological affliction in cats have discovered a surprising ability of the central nervous system to repair itself and restore function.

“Falling all over” a pet usually refers to indulging or pampering a four-legged companion, but a new report shows that many Americans, particularly the elderly, are falling over their dogs and cats literally… and hurting themselves.

Featuring ‘lights out’ themed songs, from the Amy Winehouse hit ‘Back to Black’ and Bob Marley’s ‘Turn Your Lights Down Low’ to The Fratellis ‘When all the Lights go Out’ and Thin Lizzy’s ‘Dancing in the Moonlight’, WWF has put together more than 60 minutes of classic music to help people celebrate Earth Hour in style.

To enjoy WWF’s playlist, simply download Spotify for free from http://www.spotify.com and follow this link: http://tinyurl.com/daf5mp

Spotify is a quick, simple and free digital music service, that allows you instant access to a massive online music library, and also enables you to build, collaborate and share playlists with friends. Spotify is supporting WWF’s Earth Hour and will be encouraging their users to sign up via their twitter page.

“We’re delighted to support a cause as worthwhile as WWF’s Earth Hour and hope that our music will help spread the charity’s conservation message across the globe,” said Daniel Ek, CEO and founder at Spotify.

Earth Hour looks set to be the world’s biggest ever action against climate change. So far 1,500 cities and towns from more than 80 countries, including London, Cardiff, Belfast, Newcastle, Birmingham, Manchester and Edinburgh, have already signed up and the numbers are growing daily. Landmarks from Nelson’s Column and the Wembley Arch in London, to the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, the entire quayside in Newcastle and the Forth Bridge in Edinburgh are also committed to taking part.

“WWF’s Earth Hour will send a strong signal to global leaders that millions of people are relying on them to take strong steps to tackle climate change when they meet at the UN Climate Summit in Copenhagen this December,” said Colin Butfield, Head of Campaigns at WWF-UK. “From the Eiffel Tower to Nelsons column and Las Vegas to Lima, WWF’s Earth Hour is a truly global event. Sign up to switch off and become part of the world’s biggest ever action against climate change.”

Sign up to switch off by visiting http://www.wwf.org.uk/earthhour or text ‘earth’ to 84880. You can also download a WWF lightswitch widget, which will turn your website dark by visiting: http://tinyurl.com/b2mqps

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Editor’s notes

The way we live is leading to environmental threats such as climate change, species extinction, deforestation, water shortages and the collapse of fisheries. WWF’s One Planet Future Campaign is working to help people live a good quality of life within the earth’s capacity. For more information visit www.wwf.org.uk/oneplanet

About Spotify

Spotify is an innovative digital music service offering music fans instant access to a world of music. Spotify enables on-demand streaming of audio content and aims to be a better alternative to music piracy by offering a superior user experience, while monetising licensed content with both an ad-supported, free-to-the-user model and a premium, paid model. Spotify brings fans closer to the music and artists they love, and provides a marketplace for additional products such as live events, music downloads and more.

For further information or WWF’s Earth Hour images/logo, please contact:
Jo Sargent, tel: 01483 412375, mobile: 07867 697 519, email: jsargent@wwf.org.uk

Carried out to support WWF’s Earth Hour, the poll revealed most men wanted to wine and dine glamorous X Factor judge Cheryl Cole, whilst women favoured charismatic Pirates of the Caribbean star, Johnny Depp. And given the chance to bring absolutely anyone back from the past for a spot of supper, 15% of people would pick Elvis Presley, with Freddie Mercury and Marilyn Monroe in second and third place.

Based on a sample of 4,000 people, the survey backs WWF’s Earth Hour initiative – a global WWF campaign to encourage one billion people, and hundreds of iconic buildings and landmarks, to switch off their lights for one hour at 8.30pm on Saturday 28 March 2009 and show their support for positive action on climate change. Millions of people around the world are expected to hold candlelit dinners and parties to mark the event.

1,500 cities and towns from more than 80 countries, including London, Cardiff, Belfast, Newcastle, Birmingham, Manchester and Edinburgh, have already signed up to support WWF’s Earth Hour and the numbers are growing daily. Landmarks from Nelson’s Column and the Wembley Arch in London, to the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, the entire quayside in Newcastle and the Forth Bridge in Edinburgh are also committed to taking part.

“WWF’s Earth Hour is set to be the world’s biggest ever climate change event, and it will send an incredibly powerful message to global leaders that, in order to avoid its worst impacts, they need to take action to tackle climate change now,” said Colin Butfield, Head of Campaigns at WWF-UK. “WWF hopes that millions of people across the UK will take part and celebrate the hour by holding candlelit dinners with their friends and family, even if they are secretly wishing they were with Cheryl Cole or Johnny Depp instead.”

The level of public support for Earth Hour should come as no surprise – according to the poll, apart from the current financial crisis, climate change is the UK public’s greatest fear for the future and an overwhelming 72%of people are willing to take more action to tackle the issue head on. Climate change is also a vote winning issue – 57% of people polled would vote for a political party that promised strong action against climate change – and 88% of people think the UK government should be doing more to get world leaders to tackle the issue.

WWF hopes that the millions of people taking part in Earth Hour will help to convince governments across the world that they must agree to take effective action to tackle climate change, when they meet at the UN Climate Summit in Copenhagen, in December 2009. To sign up to WWF’s Earth Hour, please text ‘earth’ to 84880 or visit: www.wwf.org.uk/earthhour

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Editor’s notes

The survey was carried out online by One Poll, and full results are available on request

The way we live is leading to environmental threats such as climate change, species extinction, deforestation, water shortages and the collapse of fisheries. WWF’s One Planet Future Campaign is working to help people live a good quality of life within the earth’s capacity. For more information visit www.wwf.org.uk/oneplanet

For further information or WWF’s Earth Hour images/logo, please contact:
Jo Sargent, tel: 01483 412375, mobile: 07867 697 519, email: jsargent@wwf.org.uk

Avoid over the counter flea medications for your pet cat, dogs and other, besides saving money it may just kill you pets.

Presently it is difficult to point out a pet for whom medication for liver disease, nervous system disorders, cancers, diabetes, renal failure and other diseases is not required throughout the year. Our animals are [...]

Using software they originally developed to identify gray seals, researchers have come up with a system that can match stripe patterns of tigers, living or dead.

Scientists have discovered how the toxoplasmosis parasite may trigger the development of schizophrenia and other bipolar disorders. They have shown that the parasite may play a role in the development of these disorders by affecting the production of dopamine — the chemical that relays messages in the brain controlling aspects of movement, cognition and behavior.

Catch and release.

About one in 3,500 people are affected with retinitis pigmentosa (RP), a disease of the retina’s visual cells that eventually leads to blindness. Now researchers have identified a genetic link between cats and humans for two different forms of RP. This discovery will help scientists develop gene-based therapies that will benefit both cats and humans.