A recent article in a medical journal highlighted the looming threat of the H5N1 avian flu. Virologists from over 40 countries signed on, urging global leaders to increase surveillance, boost biosecurity and prepare for person-to-person transmission.

The paper’s authors cited some sobering facts. Over 995 dairy herds and at least 70 people have been infected with bird flu. Some cases have been severe and at least one person has died.

Among the suggested mitigation strategies are continuous animal and caretaker surveillance, tracking H5N1 evolution that could lead to human-to-human transmission, self-administered diagnostic testing and vaccine development.

The good news is that past pandemics have left us with many tools for preventing viruses’ spread.

Dogs are an integral part of most Native American communities, but in low-income environments, veterinary needs often run up against financial challenges. That’s when First Nations Vet steps in.

Also known as Friends of the Rez Dogs, this nonprofit group offers free exams, spay and neuter services and wellness care — like vaccinations and flea and tick preventatives — to both dogs and cats. Even microchipping is covered. In addition, First Nations partners with Fences for Fido, which sets up free fences and insulated dog houses.

Grant funding helps First Nations Vet volunteers travel to reservations, where their work prevents about 300 animal births per reservation. This reduces cases of aggression and pet surrenders due to overpopulation, benefiting both pets and people.

Ehrlichiosis [air-leek-ee-OH-sis] is a tickborne disease, particularly affecting dogs in Southeastern and Southwestern states.

Rickettsial organisms — a genus of bacteria — spread the disease. The most common carrier is the brown dog tick, but other tick species can also be carriers.

Most dogs are diagnosed in the acute stage of disease, when they may have a fever, swollen lymph nodes, bleeding disorders or neurologic signs. From there, they may clear the infection or progress to a relatively symptom-free stage. The final stage, chronic ehrlichiosis, is associated with a wide range of serious clinical signs.

Prevention of ehrlichiosis is much easier than treatment. That’s why canine tick preventatives are crucial year-round.

What’s better than butter? Well, probably a longer lifespan.

A major study tracked more than 220,000 Americans over 33 years to learn about how butter and plant-based oils impact mortality. When it came down to the age-old question of buttering or not, the results were clear.

Those who opted to consume butter saw a 15% higher chance of early death versus those who opted for plant-based oils like olive, soybean or canola oil. In fact, the oil-inclined participants even saw a 16% reduction in mortality risk.

That being said, there is some good news for butter-based bakers out there. The study did not find any correlation between using butter in baked goods and an increase in risk of mortality.

For those who like to spread a bit of butter on their bread, swapping out two teaspoons of butter for certain plant oils can reduce the risk of mortality by 17%. Olive, soybean and canola oils were linked to lower mortality risk. Corn and safflower oils did not demonstrate notable benefits.

Researchers also noted that butter intake was associated specifically with higher risk of cancer and heart disease. This could be due to saturated fats in butter increasing harmful cholesterol and promoting inflammation.

The study highlights how dietary substitutions can be important and reminds us that it’s not always about eating less of something — but considering what we might replace it with instead.

The researchers said that even cutting back on butter and adding more plant-based oils to daily diets can deliver real health benefits in the long run.

So remember: When it comes to choosing between butter and plant-based oils for your dinner rolls, it’s OK to spread the love.

As the story goes, Ponce de León never found the fabled Fountain of Youth. The Spanish explorer, however, didn’t have a molecular biologist on his team.

He could have used one.

That’s because a modern team of them recently found that a protein released by our muscles can reverse some age-related declines in muscle and bone. As you might expect, the protein surges during exercise.

The protein is composed of the cardiotrophin-like cytokine [Pronounced CAR-dee-oh-troh-fin-like SIGH-toh-kine] factor 1 molecule, or CLCF1. And scientists say it can help even an active 80-year-old outperform a sedentary person half their age.

The hope is that the “youth molecule” might eventually lead to treatments for age-related muscle loss and osteoporosis.

Our CLCF1 levels fall as we age. But even then, exercise can temporarily revive production to more youthful heights.

A team of South Korean scientists recently published a study in which they gave elderly mice the protein. A 20-month-old mouse, by the way, is the equivalent of an 80-year-old human. The mice were then able to regain the bone density and muscle strength of much younger members of their species.

Researchers also learned that, by blocking the protein, exercise lost its anti-aging benefits.

While this is a mouse study, researchers are confident the effects of the protein apply to humans as well. For example, just as in mice, the protein levels decline with age.

That might explain why bones and muscles become weaker as we get older. Supplementing the body’s store of this protein, however, helps counter that natural depletion over time.

Perhaps the Fountain of Youth does exist. It’s in your local gym.

Pet food labeling is regulated at the federal and state levels to ensure product safety, but there are key differences in how human food and pet food are labeled, contributing to consumer confusion about what they’re really feeding their animals. On this archive episode of Animal Airwaves Live, Dr. Richard Hill, a veterinary internal medicine and nutrition specialist at the UF College of Veterinary Medicine, explains key differences in pet and human food labeling, how to understand what to look for, and what’s most important to keep in mind when choosing a pet food to ensure your dog or cat is receiving optimal nutrition to meet dietary needs.

Ever looked at a photo of a river and instinctively known you would be able to swim in it? Or seen a trail on your drive to work and thought, “I could walk there”? It’s a neat trick our brains do without us consciously asking them to — and one that AI struggles to emulate.

A new study from researchers in Amsterdam shows that our brains automatically recognize “affordances,” a term used to describe opportunities for action, when we look at scenes in the world around us. Common ways this manifests might include the knowledge of climbing stairs or cycling down a path, or even being aware when you should not move forward.

Using MRI scans, researchers tracked brain activity while participants viewed photos of various settings, like mountain trails and city streets. Then, they pressed buttons to indicate how they thought they could move through each scene. Even without explicit instruction to think about moving, participants’ brains still lit up in ways that suggested they were evaluating different possibilities of action.

Specifically, parts of the visual cortex activated based not only on what the participant saw, but what they could envision doing. So, while you’re looking at that forest trail, your brain is already considering your next step — literally.

The kicker? Researchers also tested how well AI models performed at the same test. The result? Not great. While AI could label objects, it struggled to “see” what humans see: action, movement, potential.

Why does this matter? Well, as we build AI for real-world tasks, like disaster-response robots or self-driving cars, understanding how we move through space has the potential to make systems more efficient … and more like how a human would behave.

July is the peak of the heat. The month brings the scorching “dog days” of summer, a season of perspiration.

When most of the northern hemisphere isn’t taking refuge in air-conditioned places, it’s a time many of us spend outdoors, at barbecues, pool parties or trips to the beach.

Hence this reminder that July is also UV Safety Month.

Ultraviolet rays cause most skin cancers. Groups like the American Academy of Dermatology and the American Cancer Society offer plenty of tips for protecting yourself from the sun’s penetrating rays.

First, the basics: Find the shade and stay in it when you can. Wear clothing that protects you from the sun and liberally apply a broad-spectrum water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or more. And reapply as the manufacturer’s instructions suggest.

There’s more to it than that, of course.

Know that the sun’s UV rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

If you’re in or on the water, sand or snow, the sun’s rays will be reflected and more intense. Protect your eyes with UV-blocking sunglasses and wear UV-blocking clothing. Rule of thumb: If you can see through a garment, it’s too sheer to protect you. For those with the fairest complexions who are most vulnerable to the sun, some companies make clothing that’s both comfortable and protective.

Even on a cloudy day, UV rays still cause problems. Watch for forecasts that include a UV index. In general, the higher the number, the more caution you need to take.

So, get your sun-protection game in order this month and get through summer safely. And don’t forget to put sunscreen on your ears. They burn, too.

The next time you curse out the driver who cut you off or mutter expletives at the speed demon next to you, consider the fact that the driver might be a sleepy teen.

A National Sleep Foundation study found that the large number of teens who drive while tired poses a serious health concern.

The study surveyed U.S. teens ages 13 to 17 to assess the prevalence, frequency and perceived risk of drowsy driving. They were asked if they had driven while so tired they struggled to keep their eyes open and how often. They were also asked about their beliefs on drowsy driving and what prevented them from getting the necessary sleep to stay alert.

The study found that 1 in 6 teen drivers reported having driven while drowsy and estimated that over 400,000 teens drive drowsy at least once a week. Those with paying jobs were twice as likely to admit to drowsy driving compared with teens who didn’t work.

The study also found that 95% of teens agree that drowsy driving is risky, but they ranked it as having the lowest risk of death or serious injury behind drunken, drugged and distracted driving. In reality, drowsy driving accounts for a large portion of crashes. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that 21% of fatal crashes involve a drowsy driver.

Study participants blamed work and school schedules for their lack of sleep. Researchers found that these time demands mean about 1.7 million teens have driven droopy-eyed and are at greater risk for drowsy driving-related consequences.

Vehicle crashes are the second leading cause of death among U.S. teens, but accidents caused by drowsy driving are preventable.

Before your teen hits the road, make sure they hit the hay.

Ulcerative colitis is one of those chronic conditions that doesn’t just cause discomfort — it can deeply disrupt daily life, with symptoms like abdominal pain, nausea and weight loss.

Now, scientists may have found a surprising potential ally in the fight: the strawberry tree, a traditional Mediterranean plant more commonly known for its fruit than its medicinal power.

In a recent study, researchers gave lab rats an extract made from strawberry tree fruit (likely not the strawberries you’re used to picturing) and found that it significantly protected against a form of colitis, that, for the purposes of the study, mimicked the sort found in people. The extract didn’t just reduce visible damage to the colon; it also lowered inflammation and preserved antioxidant enzyme levels. In short, the rats were in better shape after treatment, especially at higher doses.

Initially, researchers put rats into groups, with some receiving different doses of the plant extract and others getting a common anti-inflammatory drug. A third group just water. Those treated with the highest dose of extract saw nearly the same protection as the drug-treated group — 80% versus 75%.

And it wasn’t just about markers of inflammation. The extract also helped maintain the colon’s antioxidant defenses and reduced signs of oxidative stress.

But before you rush to brew strawberry tree tea, it’s worth noting that researchers intend to study this extract in people, too. More research is needed before we can say if this fruit has a future on the pharmacy shelf. For now, it’s a promising start — with a lot left to learn.