Tag: health

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Did Putin have a heart attack?

And was a double of Putin used during official meetings?

Rumors that Russian President Vladimir Putin suffered a heart attack last weekend have prompted Kremlin officials to comment publicly and deny the allegations, calling them hoaxes.

“Russian President Vladimir Putin is healthy and does not use body doubles for public appearances,” a representative of the Russian President was reportedly forced to respond.

According to Forbes, former members of Russia’s foreign intelligence services allegedly claimed on Telegram earlier this week that a double of Putin had been used for a telephone conversation with Brazilian President Lula Da Silva, while the real Putin is said to be in a very serious state of health and is being treated in an intensive care unit set up in his residence.

WennCover

According to rumors, the Russian president suffered a cardiac arrest in his private residence in Moscow last Sunday evening, and has been on the verge of death ever since.

The Kremlin has since been accused of using a Putin look-alike… again!

“This belongs to the category of absurd information hoaxes that a whole series of media discuss with enviable tenacity,” the Kremlin representative is said to have added.

Getty Images

Questions about Putin’s state of health have weighed on the Russian president for some time now, including rumors earlier this year that he had received chemotherapy treatments to treat cancer.

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Mobile Syrup

Apple planning to develop its own AI powered health coaching service

Apple is working towards its own artificial intelligence-powered health coaching service and mood tracker in the company’s latest attempt to bring health and wellness features to its users.

The news comes from a report from Bloomberg. The new service is codenamed ‘Quartz’ and is designed to help users maintain motivation to exercise and help improve sleep and eating habits. Apple plans to use AI and data from Apple Watches to create coaching programs tailored to each user, according to people with knowledge of the project.

The move follows the company’s recent push towards health and wellness, which may include an expansion of the health app to the iPad, complete with features to help improve users’ vision. It’s rumoured that the project Quartz will have its own app with an attached monthly fee.

The service is allegedly being pushed for a debut in 2024, barring postponement or cancellation. The project is being backed by several teams at Apple, such as its health, Siri and services divisions.

Apple also plans to launch an iPad version of the iPhone health app. The change will allow users to see electrocardiograms and health results in a larger format. The update is planned to be included as part of iPadOS 17 in the coming months.

Tools that allow emotion tracking are expected to be added to the health app later this year, allowing users to log their mood, answer questions about their day and compare results over time. Apple plans on unveiling the iPad health app as well as the tools for managing vision and emotions at its WWDC in June 2023.

These new health-based plans are a separate entity from Apple’s rumoured journaling app, which will not be designed to include health features.

Image credit: Apple

Source: Bloomberg

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Mobile Syrup

MobileSyrup’s Smart Health Gift Guide [2022 Edition]

Who doesn’t want to live a healthier lifestyle? Yet, if you’re like me, you probably find it challenging to create routines, build good habits, and especially find encouragement.

Smart health accessories are a great way to help you feel motivated and keep yourself on track. Smart health isn’t necessarily about doing anything unique or revolutionary. It’s about democratizing health data previously only collected occasionally in a hospital or doctor’s office. 

Using some of the gear in this gift guide, you, a family member or a friend can gain valuable insight into your health through data collection. Over time, this data becomes useful trends that help encourage you to push forward and continue to improve.  

While much of this smart health tech is something we may like, it’s not always something we’re willing to buy for ourselves. So, this holiday season, consider adding some of these smart health accessories to your personal gift list or grabbing one for someone special in your life. Here are some of my top smart health accessories for this holiday shopping season.

Apple Watch or Pixel Watch

There are many fitness trackers on the market. However, for simplicity, here are two of the most popular options: the Apple Watch and the Pixel Watch. The Apple Watch is the top choice for iPhone users, claiming around a quarter to a third of the world’s smartwatch market share. Meanwhile, the Pixel Watch is the stylish new Android smartwatch to feature smarts by Google and fitness tracking by Fitbit. 

The Apple Watch Series 8 and the Pixel Watch are pretty similar. Both feature ECG, heart rate detection, blood oxygen, activity monitoring, sleep tracking, a microphone, a speaker, and an always-on display. Both watches also come in either Bluetooth/Wi-Fi only or Bluetooth/Wi-Fi + Cellular (LTE). 

The Pixel Watch is stainless steel with a round 41mm diameter face and features up to 24 hours of battery life. The Apple Watch Series 8 is a square design with either a 41mm or 45mm display, up to 18 hours of battery life, and comes in aluminum or stainless steel. 

Apple also offers the Apple Watch SE for the more cost-conscious. While the Apple Watch SE does feature heart rate tracking and all the core activity and sleep monitoring functionality, it doesn’t feature an always-on display, blood oxygen detection, or ECG. 

The Apple Watch Ultra is a more premium option featuring all of the Apple Watch Series 8 features. It also has a titanium build and up to 36 hours of battery life. Apple Watch users may also benefit from our “14 Apple Watch apps to help you live a healthier life” article. 

You can order the Pixel Watch directly from Google starting at $449. Apple Watches can be ordered directly from Apple, with the series 8 starting at $529, the SE starting at $329, and the Ultra at $1099

Withings Thermo Smart Temporal Thermometer

Whether you’re a parent checking a sick child’s temperature or a person tracking their own health metric, the Withings Thermo Smart Temporal Thermometer is a great choice. This highly accurate thermometer uses sixteen infrared sensors to calculate a person’s temperature. Unlike traditional thermometers, this one is no-contact. Meaning it’s unobtrusive and sanitary. 

Data is wirelessly tracked for up to eight users via the Withings Health Mate app, which is available on iOS and Android. As an added bonus, iOS users can sync their data with the Apple Health app. In situations where you need to conduct a random temperature check and the data doesn’t need to be stored, the Withings Thermo Smart Temporal Thermometer can do that too. 

This thermometer works by hovering it above a person’s forehead centre to the temporal lobe. The thermometer vibrates once a person’s temperature is calculated. Users can swipe between profiles using the LED touch screen on the side to correctly assign the temperature. 

You can order the Withings Thermo Smart Temporal Thermometer in white from Best Buy for $129.99.

Withings Smart Scales

Another fantastic product is Withings Smart Scales. Withings offers three variations; the Body, Body+, and Body Cardio. Of course, all three scales detect your weight and can log that data for up to eight users via Withings’ Health Mate app. Additionally, all three scales calculate your Body Mass Index (BMI) and come in black or white. 

While the Withings Body scale only tracks weight and BMI, the Body+ model calculates a person’s body fat, water, bone, and muscle masses. The Body+ also features Baby and Pregnancy modes to help weigh even the smallest family members. Both the Body and Body+ models feature 18-month battery life on a single set of batteries. 

The Body Cardio includes all of the Body+’s features plus standing heart rate detection and cardiovascular health. Cardiovascular health is determined through vascular age detection, a feature that estimates how old you are on the inside by assessing the health of your arteries. The Body Cardio scale offers up to one year of battery life with a single set of batteries. 

When deciding which model to buy, consider the Body as the no-frills option to log your weight and build trends over time. The Body+ is my personal scale of choice, providing an excellent range of metrics for only a bit more money. The Body Cardio is a perfect choice if you want the best and are willing to pay the premium. However, if you already have a heart rate monitor like an Apple Watch, the Body Cardio may be a less compelling choice. As a bonus to iOS users, Withings’ scales also support syncing data to the Apple Health app. 

You can order all three Withings scales from Amazon; the Body is $79.95, the Body+ is $99.99, and the Body Cardio is $183.99.

Tangram Smart Rope

Tangram is trying to reinvigorate your cardio workouts by making skipping rope cool again. Tangram offers two versions of their smart skipping ropes, ROOKIE and LED. Both versions automatically track your cardio workout session duration, calories burned and skips via Tangram’s iOS, Android, or Apple Watch app. For iOS and Apple Watch users, your data can also sync to the Apple Health app. 

The LED model has the additional benefit of showing the skipper their skip count in the air. As the LEDs built into the skipping rope move overhead, they show your number of skips. The ROOKIE is size adjustable and comes in black, blue, coral, and pink. The LED model comes in three different sizes: small, medium, and large and in three colours: black, chrome, and red. 

Both skipping ropes are available for order on Amazon, with the ROOKIE starting at $39 and the LED at $106.17.

Withings Bpm Connect Blood Pressure Monitor

The Withings Bpm Connect works like a regular blood pressure monitor cuff, except it wireless logs your blood pressure data into the Withings Health Mate app. iOS users can also sync their data to the Apple Health app.

The Withings Bpm Connect has a cuff range of 22-42cm and lasts up to six months on a single charge. 

Order the Withings Bpm Connect on Amazon for $203.90.

Philips Sonicare Diamond Clean Smart Toothbrush

As silly as it may sound, the Philips Sonicare Diamond Clean Smart Toothbrush made brushing my teeth kind of fun and interesting. As an electric toothbrush, the Philips Sonicare Diamond Clean brings all the benefits of having cleaner teeth and healthier gums when compared to using a manual toothbrush. 

You also get some neat settings and brushing tips. Select from four brushing modes: clean, white, gum health, or deep clean. Each mode focuses on specific areas depending on where you’re looking to target. There are also three different levels of brushing intensity. 

The smart aspect of this toothbrush is it connects via Bluetooth to your smartphone using the Sonicare iOS or Android app. The app tracks where you’ve brushed and provides feedback on missed areas. It also alerts you when you have applied too much pressure or have moved too much. 

The Philips Sonicare Diamond Clean Smart Toothbrush comes in black, white, pink, and rose gold. It also comes with a travel case and charges via a fancy glass inductive charger. 

Order the Philips Sonicare Diamond Clean Smart Toothbrush on Amazon for $215.

HydrateSpark Pro Smart Waterbottle

Do you think to yourself, “I need to drink more water?” Good news! There’s a smart water bottle designed to do just that. HidrateSpark creates three water bottles with an LED base that glows when it’s time to drink. The HidrateSpark water bottles report your water consumption to your iOS or Android device using the HidrateSpark Smart Bottle app. iOS users can also sync their data with the Apple Health app. 

The three models available are a 24oz plastic bottle that comes in black or blue and 21 or 32oz stainless steel bottles that come in black or silver. All three bottles come with two lids, one of which is a straw. The stainless steel bottles can keep your water cold for up to 24 hours. 

All three bottles are available to order from Apple, with the 24oz plastic bottle priced at $79.95, the 21oz stainless steel bottle at $94.95, and the 32oz stainless steel bottle at $104.95.

Withings Sleep Tracking Mat

Using technology to track your sleep is a popular way to collect data to better understand why you sleep well or poorly. Smartwatches like the Apple Watch and Pixel Watch are excellent ways to track sleep. However, if you aren’t a fan of wearing a watch to bed, Withings has you covered! 

The Withings Sleep Tracking Mat is a pad you place under your mattress to better understand your sleep cycles, heart rate, breathing, and snoring. Data is synced to your iOS or Android device via the Withings Health Mate app, and iOS users can sync the data with the Apple Health app. 

The Withings Sleep Tracking Mat is available at Best Buy for $134.99.

BACtrack Mobile Breathalyzer

The BACtrack Mobile Breathalyzer aims to remove the guesswork from figuring out when it is safe for a person to drive again after drinking. This Bluetooth breathalyzer detects your blood alcohol level and syncs the data to your iOS or Android device. iOS users can even sync this data with the Apple Health app. The idea behind carrying a small portable breathalyzer is to remind social drinkers the only safe time to drive is when you show a 0.00 percent blood alcohol level. 

Order the BACtrack Mobile Breathalyzer from Amazon for $129.97.

MobileSyrup utilizes affiliate partnerships. These partnerships do not influence our editorial content, though MobileSyrup may earn a commission on purchases made via these links that helps fund the journalism provided free on our website.

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Mobile Syrup

Apple reveals health strategy in detailed report

Apple has released a new report outlining its approach to the digital health market, including its focus on consumer health/fitness features and broader healthcare systems.

Led by Apple’s chief operating officer Jeff Williams, the report is a glimpse behind the curtain regarding the tech giant’s approach to the healthcare market. Apple also confirmed a partnership with Stanford University’s School of Medicine regarding larger-scale medical studies.

On the Canadian side of things, the report also includes the use of iPads at vaccination clinics and a heart failure study with the University Health Network.

The majority of the report is focused on the Apple Watch and its various health sensors given the pivotal role Williams played in bringing the wearable to market.

“Our vision for the future is to continue to create science-based technology that equips people with even more information and acts as an intelligent guardian for their health, so they’re no longer passengers on their own health journey. Instead, we want people to be firmly in the driver’s seat with meaningful, actionable insights,” said Williams in a press release.

The study also delves into the lengths the tech giant goes to ensure that health information remains secure on the iPhone and Apple Watch.

Apple says that it plans to continue developing health-related features for consumers and the healthcare industry.

For an in-depth look at the full study, follow this link.

Image credit: Apple

Source: Apple

Categories
Cottage Life

Tick talk: Ontario Lyme Disease Map 2022

Photo by Public Health Ontario

Are you heading to the cottage and thinking about visiting parks and wooded areas? Maybe you fancy going hiking, golfing, hunting, camping, bird-watching, or fishing. Before you jump into this season’s fun, stay safe by checking out Ontario’s annual Lyme Disease Map for 2022: Estimated Risk Areas. The map highlights common high-risk areas, where blacklegged ticks (ticks that have the potential to carry the bacteria causing Lyme disease) are typically found. Many popular cottage spots are on the map.

What exactly is the Ontario Lyme disease map?

The Ontario Lyme disease map is released annually by Public Health Ontario in an effort to assist public health professionals and clinicians to make informed decisions on testing and treatment. According to Public Health Ontario, the risk areas are calculated “as a 20 km radius from the centre of the location where blacklegged ticks were found through drag sampling.” Drag sampling is a surveillance method which involves dragging a white flannel cloth over vegetation to determine if ticks are present. Public Health Ontario decides where to conduct drag sampling based on historical location data of black-legged ticks, assessment of exposure from local human Lyme disease cases, and evidence of  suitable tick habitat. Drag sampling is completed over a three-hour period between May and October where ticks have previously been found, and is conducted twice a year where ticks have not been previously found.

If I’m not in a high-risk area, can I still encounter a blacklegged tick?

You may encounter an infected blacklegged tick almost anywhere in Ontario. They thrive alongside forest edges and in shrubs, leaf litter, wood piles, and long grass. These ticks also feed on and can be transported by migratory birds. The map is not intended to be a fulsome list of where black-legged ticks are found in Ontario, but rather to highlight high-risk exposure locations. 

Is the problem getting worse?

While there is an uptick in trends of Lyme disease for all ages and sexes, according to Public Health Ontario, there was a decrease in cases from 2019 to 2020 (the last year of trend data) in Ontario. Moving to the broader Canadian scale, reported cases of Lyme disease did rise from 1,615 in 2019, to a preliminary case count of 2,851 in 2021. 

Lyme disease rates and cases for all ages for all sexes in Ontario
Photo by Public Health Ontario

There is minor variation in comparing the Ontario Lyme disease maps between the years of 2019-2022, however, similar estimated risk areas have been identified. 

Follow these three simple tips to help protect yourself against Lyme Disease.

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Mobile Syrup

Big tech companies, sponsors pull out of CES 2022 amid Omicron

Source: https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/las-vegas-nv-usa-1112020-giant-1786457969

Several major companies and sponsors scrapped plans to attend the annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Nevada in January.

The Consumer Technology Association (CTA), which puts on the show, hasn’t changed plans regarding CES 2022 and is forging ahead with an in-person show after 2021’s online event. But as the omicron variant surges in the U.S. and other countries, several companies are reconsidering plans, limiting in-person attendance or cancelling altogether.

Bloomberg detailed several of the companies that have changed plans. Twitter cancelled its in-person presence at CES due to COVID. Meta (formerly Facebook) pulled out as well and is instead considering how to participate virtually. Amazon and its smart home subsidiary Ring pulled out of CES while U.S.-based carrier and CES sponsor T-Mobile said it would “significantly limit” its in-person presence. Moreover, the company’s CEO will no longer give a keynote speech at CES.

Other companies include Pinterest (cancelled), Nvidia (planned a virtual presentation), AMD (attending with limited presence) and Samsung (could move to a smaller delegation on-site with a focus on online).

However, some other major companies are forging ahead with plans. According to Bloomberg, both Sony, Qualcomm and Google still plan to attend, with the former planning to include a digital version of its plans too. Smaller companies like HTC and OnePlus will also still attend.

Apple, unsurprisingly, won’t attend CES 2022. The company typically doesn’t go to CES, although it did show up that one time to talk about privacy.

Finally, several technology publications, including The Verge, Engadget, TechCrunch and CNET, said they wouldn’t send reporters to CES. MobileSyrup is also not planning to attend CES 2022 in person.

While it looks like the show will go on, it looks like CES will be a smaller affair in 2022.

Image credit: Shutterstock

Source: Bloomberg

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Pets Files

Old dogs, new tricks: how to care for an aging pet

As they move into their twilight years, our pets still give us plenty of love and enjoyment, but they start to need more from us in return. Older animals may need help getting on and off the furniture, better quality food, more frequent vet checkups or even specialized medical care.

How old is old?
Most people know the old rule-of-thumb: a dog ages seven years for every one human year. So figuring out your dog’s age is as simple as multiplying his years on earth by a factor of seven, right? Actually, the truth isn’t nearly as simple. Different breeds – and especially different sizes – of dogs all age at different rates. Because they’re more similar in size, cats tend to age at similar rates, although there is some difference between indoor and outdoor cats. These convenient charts from Dogster and Catster can help you figure out how old your pet really is.

What to expect
For most dogs, old age begins somewhere between seven to 10 years of age, so around that time, you should start keeping an eye out for warning signs like a greying coat, fading hearing or slower movements. The American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals recommends that senior dogs see a vet every six months, but you can talk to your vet about a schedule that’s right for your dog. Elderly dogs may need some dietary changes as well, requiring a food with less fat but still plenty of protein. It may also help your older pet to have smaller, frequent feedings instead of a few large meals each day.

As with dogs, the ASPCA recommends that senior cats – those over 12 to 14 years of age – see a vet every six months, where you should report any changes in appearance or behaviour in case they’re symptoms of a more serious problem. Cats over the age of seven may benefit from low-fat/high-protein food and a more frequent feeding schedule.

Growing old gracefully
Just like humans, older dogs and cats are at higher risk for certain problems, like arthritis, incontinence, kidney failure, loss of senses and even cognitive dysfunction. Family Circle magazine offers some tips for helping animals with these types of health-related issues. For instance, you can use a puzzle toy to keep your pet’s mind sharp, while a heating lamp or pad can provide soothing heat to aching joints.

If your dog’s sense of sight is failing, use verbal commands and consider taking him for a walk during a time of day when it’s still light outside. If he’s having trouble hearing, you can use a flashlight as a way to get his attention. Meanwhile, for cats who are having problems with incontinence, you can buy more litter boxes and place them strategically throughout your home.

Older animals can still enjoy healthy, active lives, but it’s important for owners to consider specific health issues that can target senior pets. Remember to be patient with your critter, and keep an eye out for any symptoms that could suggest a more serious underlying problem.

Photo credit : FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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Uncategorized

Keep the heart healthy by eating apples daily: study

(Relaxnews) – A small-scale study funded by the apple industry claims that an apple a day can, indeed, keep the cardiologist at bay.

Published in the Journal of Functional Foods, the research found that healthy, middle-aged adults who ate one apple every day for four weeks succeeded in lowering levels of ‘bad’ cholesterol by 40 percent — a substance which has been linked to the hardening of the arteries.

To carry out their study, researchers from Ohio State University recruited 16 healthy adults between the ages of 40 and 60 who weren’t regular apple eaters – less than twice a month. Participants were instructed to eat either a Red or a Golden Delicious apple every day for four weeks.

Another 17 participants took oral capsules containing 194 mg of polyphenols for four weeks, and a third group of 18 people took a placebo.

While the polyphenol capsules also yielded measurable results, they weren’t as strong as consuming whole apples, researchers said.

“That could either be because there are other things in the apple that could contribute to the effect, or, in some cases, these bioactive compounds seem to get absorbed better when they’re consumed in foods,” hypothesized lead researcher Robert DiSilvestro.

When oxidized LDL or low-density lipoprotein –also known as ‘bad cholesterol’ — oxidizes after meeting free radicals, the cholesterol is more likely to promote inflammation and cause tissue damage, researchers explain.

DiSilvestro also claims that eating whole apples daily was found to be more effective in this particular capacity — lowering bad cholesterol levels — than other antioxidant-rich foods he’s studied separately, including turmeric, green tea and tomato extract.

The latest study builds on previous research vaunting the health benefits of apples. A Florida State University study likewise proved that eating an apple daily lowered ‘bad cholesterol’ levels by 23 percent while also increasing good cholesterol levels by 4 percent. Female participants also lost an average of 1.5 kg (3.3 lbs) during the year-long experiment.

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Uncategorized

Wine and your health: your questions answered

(Relaxnews) –  But before you crack open that bottle and toast your good health, here is what you need to know.

Is red wine healthier than white?
Yes, experts say, but not all grapes are created equal. White wine contains resveratrol but not as much as red, and scientists believe pinot noir grapes have the highest concentration of the compound.

Is wine fattening?
Actually, researchers from Purdue University say they’ve found a compound in red wine, grapes, blueberries, and passion fruit that blocks immature fat cells’ ability to develop and grow. Studies find that people who drink wine daily have lower body mass than those who indulge occasionally; moderate wine drinkers have narrower waists and less abdominal fat than people who drink liquor. Plus, if you’re going to drink, wine is the most calorie-friendly choice with a typical 20 calories per ounce (28 grams).

Is it okay to drink wine, or any alcohol, during pregnancy?
It’s complicated. A new series of studies from Denmark found that children of women drinking up to eight alcoholic drinks a week in early pregnancy showed no effects in terms of intelligence, attention, or self-control at age five. Yet many doctors still advise pregnant women to avoid alcohol altogether. Drinking during pregnancy, particularly heavy drinking and especially during the seventh and 12th weeks of pregnancy, has been linked to fetal alcohol syndrome, which causes serious developmental problems in children. This is a question best settled with your doctor.

Will drinking wine boost a woman’s risk of breast cancer?
The jury is still out. Women who drink three to six glasses of alcohol per week have a 15 percent higher risk of getting breast cancer than women who do not drink, according to research led by Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School. Yet in a conflicting study at the University of Calabria, Italy, the resveratrol compound was also found to block the cancer-fueling effects of the female hormone estrogen, as well as inhibiting the growth of breast cancer cells that have become hormone resistant.

Will wine reduce blood pressure?
There is research aplenty on the heart health benefits of a daily glass (or two) of red wine, but Dutch researchers discovered that the antioxidants in wine that account for the benefits don’t reduce blood pressure.

Can I get all the health benefits of wine from drinking grape juice?
Maybe: According to the Mayo Clinic, some research studies suggest that red and purple grape juices may provide some of the same heart benefits of red wine, including reducing the risk of blood clots, reducing so-called bad cholesterol, and preventing damage to blood vessels in the heart. Some research suggests that whole grapes deliver the same amount of antioxidants that are in grape juice and wine but have the added benefit of providing dietary fiber.

Is wine healthier than beer or hard liquor?
Possibly: Multiple studies have show any type of alcohol, when consumed in moderation, offers life-extending benefits. But the polyphenols, resveratrol, and other ingredients common to wine have also been shown to prevent heart disease, slow muscle deterioration, and offer other health-boosting effects not found in beer or spirits.

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Pets Files

Dogs and humans share same cancer tumor marker

The dog may be ‘man’s best friend,’ but even so, it comes as a surprise that the two species share the same tumor marker for breast cancer.

Scientists suggest a specific molecule – ancient in evolutionary terms – has remained virtually unchanged in the two species. The finding of the joint Austrian study between scientists at the University of Veterinary Medicine and the Medical University of Vienna may help improve cancer research.

Identical tumor marker in both dogs and humans
Researchers looked for similarities in breast cancer of dogs and humans, focusing on a specific tumor marker CEA (carcinoembryonic antigen), and discovered a specific molecule, called the CEA receptor, that could lead to the rapid development of new therapeutic methods for use in dogs and humans.

Unfortunately, despite steadily improved methods for diagnosis and treatment, cancer still represents one of the most frequent causes of death in humans. What is less well-known is that this also holds true for our pets. Researchers stated that about 4,000 dogs in Austria develop cancer each year, and about half the dogs over age 10 die from a carcinoma that is biologically similar to a human tumor.

Found in high concentrations in cancer patients, CEA is considered one of the most important markers for tumors, and is thought to have a signaling function in tumor cells via a specific receptor molecule: the CEA receptor.

Canine and human share genetic ancient history
The tumor marker itself is constructed very differently in dogs and humans, however the receptor is essentially identical in the two species. Scientists believe the CEA receptor is a very old molecule in evolutionary terms and that because of its biological importance, it has remained practically unchanged in the two species.

“Because dogs have shorter life-spans than humans, similar processes place on a shorter time scale, this means that research in dogs gives faster results,” said lead author Erika Jensen-Jarolim. “By means of comparative research on the two species – so-called comparative medicine – it might be possible to develop a new generation of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures much, much faster. And these may be applicable both to humans and to animals.”

Researchers next plan to address the nature of the molecules that bind to the receptor in human breast cancer or in cancer of the milk glands in dogs. The hope is that the knowledge will help guide new therapeutic approaches.

Dogs are the first domesticated species, going back at least 10,000 years, and by some estimates 30,000 years, according to experts. So, the next time Rover gazes adoringly at you, don’t forget the two of you share an ancient evolutionary genetic bond.

Photo: FreeDigitalPhotos.net