MedicalNewsToday.com reports there is no safe and effective analgesia for chronic pain despite decades of animal experiments. http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/118286.php

The Australian Government, National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) announces the world first guidelines that focus on the wellbeing of animals used for scientific purposes. The Guidelines to Promote the Wellbeing of Animals Used for Scientific Purposes: The Assessment and Alleviation of Pain and Distress in Research Animals focus on all aspects of the care of animals used in research. http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/media/media/rel08/080818.htm

The New York Times reports local Dallas, Texas protesters, elephant experts and national animal rights groups are crusading to have Jenny, the abused elephant, sent to sanctuary in Tennessee. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/15/us/15elephant.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

Keeping America's sheep healthy and productive while expanding the market for wool and lamb is the goal of Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists who are matching the animals' physical traits to the genes that underpin their expression. http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2008/080815.htm

The Washington Post reports Louisiana becomes the last state to ban cockfighting.

Agricultural Research Service (ARS) molecular biologist John Lippolis is delving into the dynamics of the dairy cow immune system. His work is resulting in the first close-up look at how immune system proteins help protect the cows, and how bacterial proteins fight back. http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2008/080813.htm

A joint symposium of 25 years Division of Laboratory Animal Science, 15 years Netherlands Centre on Alternatives to Animal use, and 5 years Department of Animals, Science and Society!
We invite you to discuss with us the 3R-road ahead and celebrate our anniversaries.
5 - 7 FEBRUARY 2009
UTRECHT, THE NETHERLANDS
http://www.vet.uu.nl/viavet/viavet_english/departementen/dwm/3r_symposium

Technology Day - 18 September 2008
New scientific impulses towards 3R Alternatives - Methods to replace, reduce and refine animal use.
Stimulating research collaborations between industry and university.
Thursday September 18th, 2008. At the VUB campus Jette, Faculty of Pharmacy and Medicine, Building A, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels.
http://www.vub.ac.be/english/infofor/industry/technologydays/index.html

Aug. 13, 2008--Institut für Pharmazie, Freie Universität Berlin, announces two training courses.
Training course 7 (A): Topical Toxicity, October 29 ? 31, 2008.
Training course 8 (B):Reproductive Toxicology, November 06 ? 07, 2008
http://userpage.fu-berlin.de/~invitrot/
http://userpage.fu-berlin.de/~invitrot/images/INVITROTRAIN%207%20und%208%20Flyer.pdf

BBC News reports a team from Birkbeck College, University of London reports yawning is catching. The team found that 21 out of 29 dogs yawned when the stranger in front of them yawned. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7541633.stm

Mercury News reports federal agencies encourage companies to find ways to assess their products without experimenting on animals. http://www.mercurynews.com/lifestyle/ci_10156583?nclick_check=1

NIH -- 8/6/08 -- Terrorism against researchers and institutions as well as their children and other family members is not to be tolerated. It is illegal and unconscionable. http://www.nih.gov/about/director/08062008statement_santacruz.htm

The Associated Press reports two tiger attacks at two different Missouri animal facilities have law enforcement officials calling for tougher exotic animal laws. http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gMxFKgL3BBOkv3BCIftK9sNDq8CQD92CSJ6O3

Calling it one of the most significant welfare issues affecting any equine breed or discipline, the American Association of Equine Practitioners today issued recommendations for eliminating the abusive practice within the Tennessee Walking Horse industry known as soring. http://www.aaep.org/press_room.php?term=2008&id=312