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A28 SCIENCE
Tuesday 19 November 2019
Old dogs, new tricks: 10,000 pets needed for science

By CARLA K. JOHNSON that varies by breed. Large
AP Medical Writer dogs have shorter lifespans
SEATTLE (AP) — Can old than smaller dogs.
dogs teach us new tricks? A Great Dane’s lifespan
Scientists are looking for is about half that of a toy
10,000 pets for the largest- poodle’s.
ever study of aging in ca- That makes large dogs bet-
nines. They hope to shed ter test subjects for the pill.
light on human longevity Dogs weighing at least 40
too. pounds will be eligible for
The project will collect a an experiment with rapa-
pile of pooch data: vet re- mycin, now taken by hu-
cords, DNA samples, gut mans to prevent rejection
microbes and information of transplanted kidneys.
on food and walks. Five The drug has extended
hundred dogs will test a pill lifespan in mice. A small
that could slow the aging safety study in dogs found
process. no dangerous side effects,
“What we learn will poten- said project co-director
tially be good for dogs and Matt Kaeberlein of the Uni-
has great potential to trans- versity of Washington.
late to human health,” said Human devotion to dogs
project co-director Daniel drives projects like this, the
Promislow of the University In this Monday, Nov. 11, 2019 photo, University of Washington School of Medicine researcher scientists said. Owners will
of Washington School of Daniel Promislow, the principal investigator of the Dog Aging Project grant, rubs the head of his gladly fill out surveys, send
Medicine. elderly dog Frisbee at their home in Seattle. records and submit a pup’s
If scientists find a genetic Associated Press poop for analysis if they
marker for a type of can- welfare advisers. The data collected will be can, should we?” think it will help all dogs live
cer in dogs, for instance, To nominate a pet, own- available to all scientists. Compared to farm dogs longer, even if it won’t help
that could be explored in ers can visit the Dog Aging Leslie Lambert of Parkville, in the past, today’s pam- their pet.
humans. Project’s website. Maryland, enrolled her pered pups live longer and “People love dogs,” said
For the study, the dogs will The five-year study was 11-year-old rescue dog, get more geriatric diseases, Promislow, who normally
live at home and follow formally launched Thurs- Oscar, in an early phase. said veterinarian Dr. Kate studies aging in fruit flies.
their usual routine. All ages day at a science meeting “I would selfishly like to Creevy of Texas A&M Uni- “No one has ever come
and sizes, purebreds and in Austin, Texas. The Na- have him around forever,” versity, the project’s chief up to me and said, ‘Oh my
mutts are welcome. tional Institute on Aging is said the 33-year-old veteri- scientific officer. goodness, I just love fruit
Owners will complete pe- paying for the $23 million narian. “Unfortunately, he Yet no standard measures flies.’”
riodic online surveys and project because dogs and ages much, much faster exist for frailty or prognosis Promislow’s mixed breed,
take their dogs to the vet humans share the same than I do.” in sick, aged dogs, Creevy 14-year-old Frisbee, will not
once a year, with the pos- environment, get the same But she’s torn by the pros- said. The project will devel- participate to prevent a
sibility of extra visits for cer- diseases and dogs’ shorter pect of an anti-aging pill op those tools. conflict of interest.
tain tests. Their welfare will lifespans allow quicker re- because so many aban- One dog year is roughly “It’s too bad because she’s
be monitored by a bioethi- search results, said deputy doned dogs go without equal to seven human a terrific example of a real-
cist and a panel of animal director, Dr. Marie Bernard. care. “Just because we years, Creevy said, but ly healthy ager,” he said.q

China tests Mars lander in international

cooperation push

By SAMUEL McNEIL It has developed rapidly, especially since it
Associated Press conducted its first crewed mission in 2003,
HUAILAI, China (AP) — China showed off and has sought cooperation with space
its Mars spacecraft during a landing test agencies from Europe and elsewhere.
Thursday as the country pushes for inclu- The U.S., however, has banned most space
sion in more global space projects. cooperation with China out of national se-
In this Nov. 14, 2019, photo, a lander is lifted during a test of The demonstration of hovering, obstacle curity concerns, keeping China from par-
hovering, obstacle avoidance and deceleration capabilities at
a facility in Huailai in China's Hebei province, Thursday, Nov. avoidance and deceleration capabilities ticipating in the International Space Sta-
14, 2019. was conducted at a site outside Beijing tion.
Associated Press simulating conditions on the red planet, Despite that, China’s ambitions continue
where the pull of gravity is about one-third to grow as it seeks to rival the U.S., Russia
that of Earth. and Europe in space and cement its posi-
China plans to launch a lander and rover tion as a regional and global power. It is
to Mars next year to explore parts of the gradually constructing its own larger, more
planet, one of four scheduled missions. permanent space station in which it has in-
The U.S. and Europe are also sending rov- vited foreign participation.
ers to Mars next year, and the United Arab The lander on Thursday successfully avoid-
Emirates plans to launch an orbiter. ed ground obstacles during a simulated
China's burgeoning space program low-gravity descent, according to the
achieved a lunar milestone earlier this year China Aerospace Science and Technol-
by landing a spacecraft on the mysterious ogy Corporation, the Chinese space pro-
far side of the moon. gram’s main contractor.q