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Study suggests cats understand the laws of physics
Cat close up
The researchers found that the cats were more attentive to the containers that rattled when shaken in anticipation of a falling object.

Study reveals recognition of cause and effect

Researchers at Kyoto University in Japan have published a study in ‘Animal Cognition’, outlining how domestic cats deploy a basic understanding of physics and cause and effect.  

Combining these principles with their keen sense of hearing, the study begins to explain how they can predict the possible whereabouts of their prey.

The experiment followed on from previous studies by the team that established cats use hearing to predict the presence of invisible objects. The new research involved thirty domestic cats.

The subjects were videotaped during four experimental conditions designed as both congruent and incongruent with the laws of physics.

Using electromagnets, the experimenter was able to control whether a noise was made and whether on turning the container an object dropped out.  

The researchers found that the cats were more attentive to the containers that rattled when shaken in anticipation of a falling object.  

"Cats use a causal-logical understanding of noise or sounds to predict the appearance of invisible objects," says lead researcher Saho Takagi.

In the experiments that defied the laws of physics, the cats stared longer as if to question the scenario.

Takagi’s interpretation of this response is that cats use sound to predict whether when turned over, an object would fall out, and were puzzled by the inconsistency of the conditions that didn’t comply with causal logic.

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Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

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News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.