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Scientists explain ‘puppy dog eyes’
Dogs and wolves were exposed to humans for two minutes, during which the dogs raised their inner eyebrow more and at higher intensities than wolves.
Rapid evolution results in extra muscles around eyes 

Dogs have evolved to have new muscles around their eyes to help them communicate better with humans, new research shows.

Led by the University of Portsmouth, a team of UK and US experts compared the anatomy and behaviour of dogs and wolves.

Findings published in PNAS suggest that the facial musculature of both species are similar, except for above the eyes.

A small muscle, which is absent in the wolf, allows dogs to intensely raise their inner eyebrow. This inner eyebrow raising - dubbed the AU101 movement - triggers a nurturing response in humans. It makes the dog’s eyes appear larger, giving them a more ‘baby-like’ look, and is also similar to a human facial expression that indicates sadness.

During the study, dogs and wolves were exposed to humans for two minutes, during which the dogs raised their inner eyebrow more and at higher intensities than wolves. Previous research also found that dogs moved their eyebrows significantly more when humans were looking at them.

Lead anatomist Professor Anne Burrows, from Duquesne University, remarked that the evolution of these new muscles happened “remarkably fast”.  

It is thought this can be directly linked to dogs’ enhanced social interaction with humans. Researchers believe the muscles could be the result of humans’ unconscious preferences influencing selection during domestication.

The AU101 movement elicits a caring response from humans, giving dogs that move their eyebrows more a selective advantage over others, which would reinforce the trait for the future. 

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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.