Researchers at Swansea University have made an intriguing discovery about the behavior of wild chacma baboons on South Africa’s Cape Peninsula. By using high-resolution GPS tracking, they found that these intelligent primates walk in lines not for safety or strategy, but simply to stay close to their friends.

For a long time, scientists believed that baboons structured their travel patterns, known as “progressions,” to reduce risk and optimize access to food and water. However, the new study published in Behavioral Ecology reveals that this behavior is actually driven by social bonds rather than survival strategies.

The researchers analyzed 78 travel progressions over 36 days and found that the order in which individual baboons traveled was not random. They tested four potential explanations for this phenomenon, including strategic positioning to avoid danger or gain access to resources. However, their findings show that the consistent order of baboon movement patterns is solely driven by social relationships.

According to Dr. Andrew King, Associate Professor at Swansea University, “The baboons’ consistent order isn’t about avoiding danger like we see in prey animals or for better access to food or water. Instead, it’s driven by who they’re socially bonded with. They simply move with their friends, and this produces a consistent order.”
This discovery introduces the concept of a “social spandrel.” In biology, a spandrel refers to a trait that arises not because it was directly selected for but as a side effect of something else. The researchers found that the consistent travel patterns among baboons emerge naturally from their social affiliations with each other and not as an evolved strategy for safety or success.

The study highlights the importance of strong social bonds in baboon society, which are linked to longer lives and greater reproductive success. However, this research also shows that these bonds can lead to unintended consequences, such as consistent travel patterns, which serve no specific purpose but rather as a by-product of those relationships. The findings have implications for our understanding of collective animal behavior and the potential for social spandrels in other species.

The world of cat care is about to undergo a significant transformation. For the first time, researchers have shown that video telehealth visits can be an effective way to improve the quality of life for cats suffering from chronic health conditions. The study, conducted by a team at the University of California, Davis, involved 106 pet owners whose cats had mobility issues and found that these virtual consultations significantly benefited both cat and owner.

According to lead author Grace Boone, an assistant specialist in the UC Davis Animal Welfare Epidemiology Lab, “Teleadvice is meant to provide advice and support for caregivers caring for their cats.” The results of the study, published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science, demonstrate that video calls where pet owners can ask questions and get non-medical advice can be beneficial. In fact, more than 95% of those who took part in the research said they would pay for telehealth visits, though most were willing to pay a little less than for in-clinic appointments.

A common ailment affecting cats is feline arthritis, which affects roughly 6% to 30% of cats under age 10 and from 64% to 92% of those older than 10. As Carly Moody, senior author on the paper and an assistant animal science professor, points out, “Cats are great at hiding signs of pain.” This means that chronic health issues can go undetected for a long time if owners don’t seek veterinary care.

The researchers found that video telehealth visits allowed pet owners to receive guidance on how to modify their home environment to improve their cat’s mobility and comfort. Suggestions included elevated food and water dishes, larger litter boxes with shorter walls, and additional steps to access favorite places. Pet owners reported that the visits helped them understand their cats’ needs, making them more confident in how they cared for their cats.

Telehealth visits don’t require a veterinarian; a registered veterinary technician or other knowledgeable staff member can conduct the calls, answer questions, and give advice. These consultations are meant to supplement, not replace, in-person veterinary care. In fact, the visits have the potential to foster better veterinarian-client-patient relationships by improving communication and understanding between cat owners and veterinarians.

Future research will examine whether recommended changes based on expert advice can improve a cat’s wellbeing in the home. Additionally, Moody’s lab may explore whether telehealth could be beneficial for other health issues like obesity and disease prevention.

This article highlights the potential benefits of video telehealth visits for cats with chronic health conditions and emphasizes the importance of exploring new ways to provide care that prioritizes animal welfare.

The detection of snake venom is a crucial step in treating life-threatening snake bites. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), every five minutes, 50 people are bitten by a snake worldwide, resulting in four permanent disabilities and one death. Traditional methods for diagnosing snake venom rely on antibodies, which have limitations such as high costs, lengthy procedures, and inconsistencies.

Researchers at the University of Warwick have made a groundbreaking discovery that could revolutionize snake venom detection. They have developed a glycopolymer-based ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) test to detect Western Diamondback Rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox) venom. This new assay is a cheap and rapid alternative to antibody-based approaches, showcasing a version that specifically detects Crotalus atrox venom.

Dr. Alex Baker, lead researcher of the Baker Humanitarian Chemistry Group, explained that snake venoms are complex, making it challenging to detect toxins in the body. However, their research has produced an assay using synthetic sugars that mimic the natural sugar receptors targeted by venom proteins. The team engineered synthetic chains of sugar-like units (glycopolymers) attached to gold nanoparticles to amplify the response and make the reaction visible.

The Western Diamondback Rattlesnake venom binds to specific sugar molecules on red blood cells and platelets, disrupting blood clotting or interfering with immune responses leading to disability and death. The new assay changes color when venom toxins bind to the synthetic sugars, providing a rapid and cheap detection method beyond antibody-based techniques.

Mahdi Hezwani, first author of the research paper, emphasized that this assay could be a game-changer for snake envenomation. The team tested venom from other snake species, such as the Indian Cobra (Naja naja), and found that it did not interact with glycans in the body. This suggests that the new assay may have potential to distinguish between different snake venoms based on their sugar-binding properties.

This is the first example of a diagnosis test using sugars for detecting snake venom in a rapid detection system, building on the work of the Warwick research group using a glyconanoparticle platform in COVID-19 detection. The new assay is faster, cheaper, and easier to store, making it a more practical solution for treating snake bites.

The University of Warwick’s STEM Connect programme has enabled this innovative research, demonstrating the potential for bold and innovative solutions in addressing global health challenges.