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Ants picky over choice of home
ant
Some ants are so picky that even the equivalent of a mansion will not do.

Ants have different 'standards', study reveals

Ants have different 'standards' when it comes to finding a new home, according to research by the University of Bristol.

The study, published in Royal Society Open Science, found that while some ants are happy to slum it out in anything with a roof, others are so picky that even the equivalent of a mansion will not do.

Scientists know that ants use a 'quorum' to make decisions. This is where a certain number of ants 'vote' for any one option before the colony as a whole makes a choice. However, what is not known is how the opinions of individual ants affect this.

Now, using mathematical modelling, researchers from Bristol's Schools of Engineering Mathematics and Biological Sciences have demonstrated that the answer may lie in the varying 'pickiness' of ants in a colony.

Their modelling revealed this distribution of individual 'standards' across the colony makes for a robust, but effective, method of nest choice.

When this was simulated, the results were strikingly similar to the behaviour of real ants. This suggests that, in insects often known for their uniformity, individuality may hold the key to their success.

 

 

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
RCVS pays tribute to well-loved equine vet

The RCVS and the Riding Establishments Subcommittee has paid tribute to well-loved veterinary surgeon and riding establishment inspector, Rebecca Hamilton-Fletcher MRCVS.

Linda Belton MRCVS, RCVS President, said: "I, along with my colleagues on the RESC, RCVS Council, RCVS Standards Committee, as well as RCVS staff, was very saddened to hear of the sudden death of Rebecca, or Becca as we knew her, last week.

"She was a true advocate for equine welfare and in her many years on the RESC worked to continually improve the quality and consistency of riding establishment inspections, all in the interests of enhanced horse welfare and rider safety."