A study in Nature Ecology & Evolution found that wild African elephants use unique calls to address specific individuals, akin to human names, without imitating vocalizations. This suggests elephants have complex communication methods previously thought unique to humans.
Higher neuroticism, conscientiousness, being female, over 50, a dog owner, or a parent are associated with stronger pet attachment, new research has found.
Men who own pets show significantly higher levels of empathy towards animals compared to farmers and non-pet owners, highlighting the potential impact of personal and emotional connections with pets.
Recent research found that veterans with trained psychiatric service dogs experienced significantly reduced PTSD symptoms, lower anxiety and depression, and improved overall quality of life compared to those receiving usual care alone.
A recent study found that individuals with anxious attachment styles experienced more severe grief after losing a pet.
AI models, initially designed for human speech, can accurately interpret dog barks, identifying emotions like playfulness or aggression, and even distinguishing age, breed, and gender, enhancing our understanding of canine communication.
New research in Animal Cognition reveals that dogs anticipate human actions based on location, not the object involved, highlighting a unique aspect of canine cognition. Unlike primates, who focus on objects, dogs' predictions are shaped by where actions occur.
New research shows that moral judgments about sexual assault on AI-powered sex robots are shaped by the robots' perceived mental capacities, their roles in relationships, and the nature of their interactions with humans.
Owning cats during early life may more than double the risk of developing schizophrenia-related disorders in young adulthood, though the impact on milder psychotic-like experiences remains unclear.
A study from Eötvös Loránd University reveals that dogs form "multi-modal mental images" of toys, thinking about them through sensory dimensions like appearance and scent. This finding enhances our understanding of how dogs perceive and interact with their environment.
Scientists trained dogs to detect PTSD symptoms by recognizing stress-related markers in human breath. This new method could allow service dogs to intervene more effectively, helping their handlers manage symptoms before they fully manifest.
Researchers discovered that dogs possess a general intelligence factor ('g factor') similar to humans, influencing various cognitive tasks. Their study highlights dogs' potential as models for understanding cognitive aging and raises questions about the neurobiological basis of intelligence.
New research findings that engaging in activities with dogs significantly increases brain activity in areas associated with relaxation, emotional stability, attention, and concentration. Furthermore, these interactions lead to reduced stress levels and enhanced positive emotional states.
A study of high school and university students in Japan reported that female (but not male) cat and dog owners tend to be a bit more involved with their families compared to non-owners. This involvement might, in turn, lead to...
A study across Denmark, Austria, and the UK reveals people generally invest more in dogs than cats, with the largest disparity in Denmark and the smallest in the UK, suggesting pet care preferences are influenced by cultural factors.