AnimalLab.com — Researchers at the University of Missouri have developed a method for creating stem cells from fetal-pig fibroblasts, with the hope of creating an animal model stem-cell culture for therapy research. http://www.animallab.com/News_Articles.asp?pid=622

NQR.farmonline.com.au — More than 350 cattle producers reinforced their commitment to animal welfare when they traveled from across Queensland, Australia and inter-state to the tiny north-west town of Muttaburra yesterday. http://nqr.farmonline.com.au/news/state/livestock/news/muttuburra-producers-back-lowstress-animal-handling/1555030.aspx

MedicalNewsToday.com — AB Science announces the pan-European commercial launch of its Masivet veterinary anticancer drug in June 2009. http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/155573.php

@TheHorse — Horse transport and housing has an effect on the animals’ stress levels. http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=14445

funny

U.S. News and World Report — The hormone serotonin, known to boost moods in humans and mice, could be linked with maternal care. http://www.usnews.com/articles/science/plants-animals/2009/06/24/why-moms-go-mad.html

gossipcheck / CC

Since Michael Jackson’s passing on Thursday, there have been hundreds of news stories ranging from how he influenced just about every musician performing today to how he’s responsible for the Academy’s recent decision to allow 10 nominations for “Best Picture” (no, really!). It got us thinking: What if Michael’s music could be used to help animals?

We’ve written to Michael Jackson’s estate asking for the rights to the singer’s first solo hit, “Ben,” which was written for the 1972 film of the same name. This beautiful song is about the friendship between a lonely boy and a rat named Ben, and we’re hoping to use it to raise awareness about the plight of rats and other animals tormented in laboratory experiments.

Mice and rats make up the vast majority of animals used in experiments, but because they are excluded from the federal Animal Welfare Act, they are denied even minimal legal protection. Part of the message of “Ben” is that rats are frequently misunderstood. (For example—did you know that rats and mice are fastidiously clean, intelligent, and highly sociable animals—they even giggle!) In the song, Jackson sings:

Ben, most people would turn you away

I don’t listen to a word they say
They don’t see you as I do
I wish they would try to.

We hope we’ll be able to use this song to inspire people to understand rats a little better and to join our campaign to stop cruel and archaic animal experiments on them.

Posted by Amanda Schinke

funny

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) invite veterinarians, educators, researchers, students, and others interested in animal welfare education and research to attend this important Symposium.
November 9-11, 2009
The Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center at Michigan State University
http://www.avma.org/awsymposium/

chris rock is attacked by a squirel in a car lol