Animal research is crucial for pets -- and their owners
By Matthew R. Bailey
A team of researchers is testing a groundbreaking vaccine that could prevent cancer in dogs.
About 800 dog owners have volunteered their healthy canine companions for a clinical trial. The pets will receive either the vaccine or a placebo and will undergo regular checkups to monitor for tumors. Researchers have spent more than a decade developing the drug -- and hope that it could stave off every form of cancer.
Six million canines are diagnosed with cancer annually. If the vaccine works, it could save tens of millions from an untimely end. And since dogs and humans develop similar cancers, researchers are optimistic the vaccine could ultimately be used in people.
Eradicating cancer with a single shot sounds like science fiction. But thanks to research in animal models, it could soon be scientific fact. Impeding this research, as some animal rights activists would have us do, would be a disaster -- for pets and people.
Americans love their pets. More than 60 million U.S. households have a dog; 47 million have a cat.
Our pets rely on medicines that were developed thanks to humane research in animal models. Several vaccines can prevent cats from developing feline leukemia virus -- which kills 85 percent of cats within three years of diagnosis. New anti-inflammatory drugs can enable dogs with arthritis -- which afflicts one in five dogs -- to move with less pain.
Without clinical trials in pets, none of these advances would have been possible.
Many animal researchers are pet owners who chose their profession specifically to help their furry friends. Consider Dr. Jessica Quimby, a veterinary scientist at Ohio State University who developed an affection for barn cats as a girl growing up in Wisconsin. Now, she's uncovering ways to help felines who have kidney disease, which afflicts about 10 percent of cats over ten years old. Quimby has spent the past decade analyzing how an antidepressant for humans might help cats with failing kidneys boost their appetites and live longer, healthier lives.
There are many more potential treatments for animals with dangerous diseases on the horizon.
Researchers at CSU are attempting to find the first definitive non-invasive diagnostic test for feline infectious peritonitis, a highly fatal disease that kills kittens without any warning symptoms. Other CSU veterinarians are testing how a compound derived from marijuana can treat epilepsy in dogs without the side effects of debilitating sedatives.
Such studies can also help humans. A report published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, for example, revealed that medicines used to protect pets from fleas and ticks could actually help humans fight Zika and malaria. Meanwhile, research from Texas A&M University on brain tumors in dogs could soon yield insight into human brain tumors.
Despite its impressive history of producing cures for all sorts of diseases that afflict both pets and humans, critics claim animal research is unnecessary.
Nothing could be further from the truth. Animal research has already saved, and will continue to save, millions of pets' lives. Without animal research, how many of our cats would be dying prematurely of leukemia? Or how many of our dogs would be unable to run and play because of debilitating arthritic pain?
Cats and dogs are treasured family members for many Americans. To ensure that their furry friends can live long, happy lives, pet lovers must support animal testing.
Matthew R. Bailey is president of the Foundation for Biomedical Research.
===========================
USDA Issues Farm Safety Net and Conservation Payments
Total Exceeds $4.8 Billion
WASHINGTON, Oct. 12, 2018 – Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue today announced that the United State Department of Agriculture (USDA) continues to invest in rural America with more than $4.8 billion in payments being made, starting this month, to agricultural producers through the Farm Service Agency’s Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC), Price Loss Coverage (PLC) and Conservation Reserve (CRP) programs. Approximately $3 billion in payments will be made under the ARC and PLC programs for the 2017 crop year, and approximately $1.8 billion in annual rental payments under CRP for 2018.
“Despite a temporary lapse of Farm Bill authorities, farmers and ranchers can rest assured that USDA continues to work within the letter of the law to deliver much needed farm safety net, conservation, disaster recovery, and trade assistance program payments,” said Perdue.
The ARC and PLC programs were authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill and make up a portion of the agricultural safety net to producers when they experience a substantial drop in revenue or prices for their covered commodities.
“These program payments are mandated by Congress, but the Department has taken measures to ensure we meet our deadlines and get capital in the hands of those folks that need it most. Unfortunately, 2018 has proven to be another tough year for producers across the Nation, making the timeliness even more critical. Our resilient farmers, ranchers, and producers are battling more hurricanes, wildfires, droughts, floods, and even lava flows,” said Perdue.
PLC payments have triggered for 2017 barley, canola, corn, grain sorghum, wheat and other crops. In the next few months payments will be triggered for rice, chickpeas, sunflower seeds, flaxseed, mustard seed, rapeseed, safflower, crambe, and sesame seed. Producers with bases enrolled in ARC for 2017 crops can visit www.fsa.usda.gov/arc-plc for updated crop yields, prices, revenue and payment rates. The estimated payments are before application of sequestration and other reductions and limits, including adjusted gross income limits and payment limitations.
Also, this week, USDA will begin issuing 2018 CRP payments to over 362,000 landowners to support voluntary conservation efforts on private lands. “CRP has long been a useful tool for the Department to encourage farmers to take that environmentally-sensitive, more unproductive land, out of production and build-up their natural resource base. These CRP payments are meant to help encourage land stewardship and help support an operation’s bottom line,” said Perdue.
=====================================
A 2018 study shows that men with gum disease are more than twice as likely to suffer from impotence as well. Dr. Brian Raskin, author of “Better Than Basic: Your Smile Is Worth The Best”, (www.advanceddds.com) says this highlights the fact that oral health can directly influence other factors of your life, making regular visits to the dentist as important as a visit to the primary care physician.
About Dr. Brian Raskin
Dr. Brian Raskin, author of Better Than Basic: Your Smile Is Worth The Best, is CEO of Advanced DDS (www.advanceddds.com), a progressive group practice in Garden City, Long Island, N.Y. The practice features the most advanced techniques in restoring oral health along with the most advanced technology available for a dental practice. Dr. Raskin is a 1982 graduate of New York University College of Dentistry, the same school from which his father and grandfather graduated in 1953 and ‘23, respectively. Dr. Raskin was trained by Dr. Carl Misch, a major innovator in implant dentistry. He has taken more than 2,000 hours of continuing education in numerous phases of dentistry and is regarded as a leader in implants and in sedation dentistry.
========================
SHIRAGIRL
RELEASES VIDEO FOR
"GIRLS JUST WANNA GET SUM REMIX (FEAT. MALA REIGNZ)"
WATCH EXCLUSIVELY VIA
THE WOMEN'S INTERNATIONAL MUSIC NETWORK
SONG AVAILABLE ON ALL DIGITAL PLATFORMS
RUNNING GIVEAWAY IN PARTNERSHIP
WITH PACIFICA BEAUTY AND KEEP A BREAST
BROOKLYN GOES HOLLYWOOD OUT NOW
OCTOBER 12, 2018 - LOS ANGELES, CA - Punk rock artist and women's empowerment activist, Shiragirl, has premiered the official video for the remix of "Girls Just Wanna Get Sum" featuring Bronx-based rapper Mala Reignz. Watch exclusively via The Women's International Network of Music (The WiMN). "This song is a meant to be a modern tribute to a classic feminist anthem, with lyrical nods to icons from the Go Gos to Joan Jett," Shiragirl explains. "Musically the original track was 80s/new wave influenced, so we had the idea to bring on Bronx rap queen Mala Reignz and give it a contemporary urban remix." The song, which originally appeared on Shiragirl's latest EP Brooklyn Goes Hollywood, was produced by Tim Armstrong (Rancid, The Transplants, Pink, The Interrupters) and John King (Beastie Boys, Beck, Dust Brothers), mixed by John Morrical, and mastered by Paul Dugre. SVMG Pictures shot the corresponding video spontaneously one night in New York, as Shiragirl recalls, "They really captured the fun essence and female camaraderie of the tune. Not pictured: getting kicked out of the arcade for shooting. Luckily we got all the shots in first. Game over!"
In honor of Breast Cancer Prevention Month, Shiragirl is working with Pacifica Beauty and Keep A Breast to run a Facebook giveaway promotion for the remix video. Shiragirl details, "We will be giving away Pacifica's pink collection, all vegan and cruelty-free, as well as a Keep A Breast swag bag." Stay tuned to Shiragirl's Facebook page for details on how to win: http://facebook.com/shiragirl.For more information on Shiragirl, please visit: https://shiragirl.com/.
With deep roots on the East Coast, this "Punk Rock Madonna" first splashed onto the scene after crashing the Vans Warped Tour. As the legend goes, a young, determined Shira showed up in her iconic pink RV, created her own stage and performed atop it with her band. After receiving a rousing crowd response, Warped Tour founder Kevin Lyman invited Shira to return the following summer to host an official Shiragirl Stage. The stage went on to host over 200 female-fronted bands, many making their Warped debuts, including Paramore on their first ever tour, and the legendary Joan Jett. This year, the Shiragirl Stage returned to the 2018 Vans Warped Tour for select dates, including Pomona, San Diego, Ventura and Holmdel, and hosted artists such as Blameshift, Shiragirl, Elana J, No Small Children, Whitney Peyton, Bridge City Sinners, Turbulent Hearts and Moa, plus new additions Rivals, Vanessa Silberman and Babs from Emo Nite (DJ set). Shiragirl also performed on the Full Sail Stage at select Warped Tour dates, including Milwaukee and Indianapolis, and was added to the Transform Stage for Scranton, Mansfield and Wantagh.
With the Shiragirl Stage, Shira accomplished her mission to inspire and empower women, by providing them a platform for creative expression. She also broke into the boys club, and made Punk Rock history. Shiragirl's story was featured in the book 'Misfit Summer Camp: 20 Years On The Road With The Vans Warped Tour'. She received an MTV Warpie Award, and a spot in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Warped Tour Time Capsule Exhibit as well.
Shiragirl went on to rock stages across North America, including support slots for Rancid, NOFX, and Juliette Lewis. In 2017, Shiragirl shot a music video for her single "RESIST" at the Women's March, and was invited back to play the 2018 Women's March. Shiragirl may travel far and wide, but her soul will always be Forever Warped.
For more information, please visit:
http://instagram.com/shira_girl
Hi-Res Photo:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/7ih8ajnx720z311/Shiragirl%20by%20Giselle%20Dias.jpg?dl=0
===============================
When: Saturday, Oct. 13, starting at 7 a.m. until the cereal runs out – arrive early!
Where: Box Elder County Fairgrounds, 1000 W 320 N, Exhibit Building #3, Tremonton, UT 84337
Visuals:
•
