Latest news with #Siberian
Scotsman
11 hours ago
- Health
- Scotsman
Hypoallergenic Cats: Vet explains science behind the felines least likely to make you sneeze
Some cats shed lots of fur that can cause allergies. | Canva/Getty Images Even people who have problematic allergies can have a cat - it's just about understanding the science. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... More than a third of UK households include a cat or a dog, but over a third of pet owners experience allergic reactions to their pets—according to Allergy UK. Cats are the most common culprit - with up to 20 per cent of the population allergic to them thanks to the Fel d 1 allergem that they naturally produce, which can cause rhinitis, conjunctivitis, and asthma. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad But science is transforming the lives of those who wish to have a cat. Dr Aimee Warner, resident veterinarian at Waggel, explained: 'I've met pet owners who've been told they can never own cats, yet with the right approach, many do go on to live happily with feline companions. The key isn't avoiding cats altogether—it's understanding which cats produce fewer allergens and how to create an allergy‑friendly environment.' She added: 'The encouraging reality is that whilst some people still experience symptoms despite choosing hypoallergenic breeds, many others do find relief. Understanding why some succeed whilst others struggle helps us guide people towards better outcomes. With proper preparation, realistic expectations, and commitment to management strategies, many allergy sufferers can enjoy the companionship of cats. It's about approaching it scientifically, rather than hoping breed names alone will solve the problem.' Here's her advice. Certain breeds generally produce lower Fel d 1 levels, but individual variation is massive While breeds such as the Siberian, Russian Blue, and Balinese have been associated with lower average Fel d 1 production, studies show as much as an 80-fold difference in cat-to-cat levels—and that this variation doesn't consistently align with breed, sex, or age. So, two Siberian cats may have very different allergen output. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Female and neutered cats are naturally more allergy‑friendly Research shows that intact males produce the highest Fel d 1 levels, while neutered males and females typically produce significantly less. Regular grooming substantially reduces airborne allergens Weekly bathing and daily brushing remove allergen‑laden dander and saliva from the coat, significantly reducing Fel d 1 in the home. Environmental management creates genuinely cat‑friendly homes Using HEPA air purifiers, frequent washing of bedding, and restricting cats from bedrooms are proven to cut allergen exposure—especially when used alongside low‑allergenic cats. Individual allergen testing provides reliable compatibility data Progressive breeders now test kittens—often via saliva—for Fel d 1 levels, giving prospective owners concrete data about specific animals rather than relying solely on breed assumptions. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Do your research Spend extended time with potential companions: Organise longer visits, as brief encounters often don't trigger reactions that may develop over time.
Miami Herald
2 days ago
- General
- Miami Herald
Map Shows How Chinese Planes Nearly Collided in Russian Airspace
Two Chinese airliners narrowly avoided colliding in early July, after what a pilot appeared to not follow air traffic control instructions, almost resulting in disaster. A Newsweek map traces the flight paths of the aircraft involved in the incident, which occurred high above Tuva-a southern Siberian region bordering Mongolia. At the center of the mishap was an Air China Airbus A350, flight CA967, on route from Shanghai to Milan. The July 6 event began when the Air China jet unexpectedly maneuvered into the path of another Chinese plane. The confusion appeared to have originated when the pilot was given instructions along with two other Chinese planes flying northwest of CA967, according to the South China Morning Post. In a radio recording that circulated on Chinese social media, a Russian air traffic controller is heard instructing a Hainan Airlines jet and a second China Airlines plane to maintain an altitude of 36,000 feet. The authenticity of the recording could not be independently verified by Newsweek. At around 9:40 a.m. local time, CA967 climbed unexpectedly from 34,100 feet to 36,000 feet within 15 minutes, according to Flightradar24 data. The pilot did not ask for air traffic control to approve the maneuver. This sudden ascent brought the Air China jet into the path of a Boeing 767 cargo plane, flight CSS12, flying from Budapest, Hungary, to Ezhou, China. The two aircraft came within about 400 feet of each other-well below the internationally accepted 1,000-foot minimum. Audio from the cockpit captured the cargo plane's pilot noting the unexpected presence of the Air China jet directly ahead, prompting the Russian controller to order immediate evasive maneuvers for both flights. The close encounter also triggered both planes' Traffic Collision Avoidance Systems, a last-resort automated alert designed to prevent midair collisions. When the Air China pilot radioed to ask about the cause of the alert, the controller pressed: "Are you climbing with instruction or without instruction? Confirm, please." The Air China pilot replied: "No, thank you," which has drawn widespread commentary on Chinese social media. The South China Morning Post reported that the two pilots communicated further with the Air China pilot appearing to blame a Russian air traffic controller for the incident, saying instructions had left pilots "confused". A similar scare played out over the United States just days later. On Friday, a Delta Air Lines passenger jet flying from Minneapolis to Minot, North Dakota, was forced to execute a hard turn to avoid a U.S. Air Force B-52 bomber. The Delta pilot expressed surprise that Minot Air Force Base, which has a radar, had not put out a notification about the flight. An Air Force spokesperson told Newsweek the service was "looking into the matter." Related Articles Trump Hosts US's Oldest Pacific Ally Amid Tensions With ChinaRussia Touts Trump-Putin Meeting for Major DeadlineChinese Navy Shadowed NATO Aircraft Carrier: ReportUS Government Worker Prevented From Leaving China: What We Know 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Newsweek
2 days ago
- General
- Newsweek
Map Shows How Chinese Planes Nearly Collided in Russian Airspace
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Two Chinese airliners narrowly avoided colliding in early July, after what a pilot appeared to not follow air traffic control instructions, almost resulting in disaster. A Newsweek map traces the flight paths of the aircraft involved in the incident, which occurred high above Tuva—a southern Siberian region bordering Mongolia. At the center of the mishap was an Air China Airbus A350, flight CA967, on route from Shanghai to Milan. The July 6 event began when the Air China jet unexpectedly maneuvered into the path of another Chinese plane. The confusion appeared to have originated when the pilot was given instructions along with two other Chinese planes flying northwest of CA967, according to the South China Morning Post. An Airbus A321 of Air China prepares to land at Shanghai Pudong International Airport in Shanghai on April 16, 2025. An Airbus A321 of Air China prepares to land at Shanghai Pudong International Airport in Shanghai on April 16, 2025. Hector Retamal/AFP via Getty Images In a radio recording that circulated on Chinese social media, a Russian air traffic controller is heard instructing a Hainan Airlines jet and a second China Airlines plane to maintain an altitude of 36,000 feet. The authenticity of the recording could not be independently verified by Newsweek. At around 9:40 a.m. local time, CA967 climbed unexpectedly from 34,100 feet to 36,000 feet within 15 minutes, according to Flightradar24 data. The pilot did not ask for air traffic control to approve the maneuver. This sudden ascent brought the Air China jet into the path of a Boeing 767 cargo plane, flight CSS12, flying from Budapest, Hungary, to Ezhou, China. The two aircraft came within about 400 feet of each other—well below the internationally accepted 1,000-foot minimum. Audio from the cockpit captured the cargo plane's pilot noting the unexpected presence of the Air China jet directly ahead, prompting the Russian controller to order immediate evasive maneuvers for both flights. The close encounter also triggered both planes' Traffic Collision Avoidance Systems, a last-resort automated alert designed to prevent midair collisions. When the Air China pilot radioed to ask about the cause of the alert, the controller pressed: "Are you climbing with instruction or without instruction? Confirm, please." The Air China pilot replied: "No, thank you," which has drawn widespread commentary on Chinese social media. The South China Morning Post reported that the two pilots communicated further with the Air China pilot appearing to blame a Russian air traffic controller for the incident, saying instructions had left pilots "confused". A similar scare played out over the United States just days later. On Friday, a Delta Air Lines passenger jet flying from Minneapolis to Minot, North Dakota, was forced to execute a hard turn to avoid a U.S. Air Force B-52 bomber. The Delta pilot expressed surprise that Minot Air Force Base, which has a radar, had not put out a notification about the flight. An Air Force spokesperson told Newsweek the service was "looking into the matter."
NZ Herald
4 days ago
- Sport
- NZ Herald
On The Up: Taupō couple race Siberian huskies, share passion for sled dogs
'We had previous large dog experience, but he was untrainable, restless and wouldn't listen.' The Coxheads decided they had to learn to manage him as they had a responsibility towards him. 'We joined the Northern Alaskan Malamute Club and went to a working weekend in the forest,' Steve said. During that weekend, Kaz was introduced to the world of dryland running dog racing. Taniya said he loved it. They raced him through the winter season of 1996. 'This breed is a working dog and needs to run and have a purpose.' The world of husky racing Taniya Coxhead with two of her Siberian huskies. Photo / Catherine Fry Steve wanted to take the racing further. 'I told Taniya that I would love to get a racing team together using Siberian huskies, as Malamutes are big and feisty. 'The Siberian huskies are smaller and are very good pack dogs, with fewer power struggles.' While waiting for their first huskies, the couple prepared to have their own pack. 'We needed harnesses and equipment, including chariots, or rigs as they are known. 'We built our own using parts from all sorts of things and were able to race from 1998 onwards.' They initially raced their first husky, Malinka, as a single dog, then borrowed a dog to race a two-dog rig. In 2002, they ran a four-dog rig. 'Dryland running is with one dog to eight dogs. 'In New Zealand, the majority of races are run on forest trails using wheeled rigs or scooters.' Steve and Taniya are in training for the annual Sled Dog Festival held at the Wairau Snow Farm in Cardrona Valley from September 2 to 6. This location is the only venue where dogs can be run on snow in New Zealand, as the rest of the snow areas are National Parks and dogs are banned. Steve said racing their huskies on snow was the ultimate experience and exactly what they are bred to do. 'While snow isn't a necessity, huskies just love the cold.' Taniya's father, Gary, hand-crafted a wooden sled for the couple's Timberline pack to race on snow. Breeding their own huskies Pack members howling with excitement before they are exercised. Photo / Catherine Fry Over several years, the Coxheads bought 10 pups from the now-retired Ray and Dianne Holliday's Cheechako Kennels. These huskies were from two breeding lines: Northome Kennels from Duluth, Minnesota, and Alaskan Kennels, Anadyr Siberians. Cheechako Arky's Topaz, or Timber as he was known, was a 'great all-round dog'. 'In 2010, we looked at business options near the Snow Farm but decided that the snow season wasn't long enough and we needed a more sustainable business model that would work year-round. '[From there] Timberline Racing Siberian Huskies Kennel and Tours was born.' As the Coxheads were coming to Taupō from Tauranga around 20 times a year, they decided the Central Plateau was the place for their new business to be based and found their current Broadlands property in 2016. It's near the Kaingaroa Forest where they can dryland train their dogs. Taniya and Steve Coxhead. Photo / Catherine Fry Steve was a builder and Taniya is a data administrator. They wanted their tour business to show visitors what the dogs can do and educate them about the breed's needs and traits. 'We bought a 10-acre bare block and I built all the kennels and runs, the shed, our house and outbuildings,' Steve said. They built an 800m fully fenced track enabling the huskies to be exercised daily. On cold days, they can run further, but on hot days, huskies can overheat easily. 'They get very excited when they realise they're getting a run,' Steve said. 'They howl in true husky style until we set off. 'I run them in front of my quadbike and while it looks like they are pulling me, I'm actually letting them run at their speed and I keep up with them.' Using frozen semen from Timber and AI, the Coxheads bred five puppies with River over two litters in 2019/20 and another litter of six from a natural mating with Shawnee and Tor in 2022. 'These puppies are solely for us to keep our racing pack going,' Taniya said. 'When they can no longer race, we retire them and keep them until they pass away – they have a home for life with us.' Timberline use the K9 Petfoods raw meat diet to meet their dogs' nutritional needs, together with a frozen high-performance food.
Newsweek
6 days ago
- General
- Newsweek
Hearts Break As Shelter Volunteer Reveals Reasons Dogs Are Abandoned
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. In a viral Instagram post, a shelter volunteer revealed the most-common reasons dogs are abandoned, leaving internet users heartbroken. In the post, shared on Tuesday under the username @jsaraceno, the volunteer, Julie Saraceno, walks around the shelter filming some of the pups still waiting for a home, listing the reasons for their surrender. "When you're a volunteer at an animal shelter and you see all the reasons the dogs ended up here," the caption says. The first pup is Mishka, a 10-year-old Siberian husky who was abandoned because of his owner's health conditions, and is now desperately looking for a new foster, who can make him feel happy and safe for his remaining months. Saraceno told Newsweek: "He's been with us for just over a month, surrendered because of the health of the owner. Upon intake, a mass was found on his hip, later confirmed through X-ray. "Due to his age and medical condition, Mishka is in need of a hospice foster home where he can spend his remaining months surrounded by love and comfort." Screenshots of the viral video show the pups in shelter waiting to be adopted. On the right is Mishka. Screenshots of the viral video show the pups in shelter waiting to be adopted. On the right is Mishka. @jsaraceno Another pup featured in the clip is Jazzy, surrendered due to landlord issues back in December, still waiting for her perfect match. "She is only 1 year old. She is very shy and scared, so it takes time for her to trust people," Saraceno said. "Most people aren't willing to do more than one meet-and-greet, and I think that is what she needs to feel comfortable." Among all the other dogs in the clip are also Bowser and Mario, a pair of 5-month-old dachshund and Siberian husky-mix puppies, surrendered because the family had too many animals. "They have the most-adorable stubby dachshund legs you've ever seen," Saraceno added. With almost 3 million dogs entering American shelters in 2024 alone, adopting from a shelter has never been more important. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) says that, of all the homeless pups that ended up in shelter last year, only about 2 million were adopted, and 554,000 were returned to their owner. Of the pups left, 524,000 were transferred to other organizations, and 334,000 were euthanized. The Humane Society of the United States says that, when animals are injected with proper euthanasia drugs, they can lose consciousness in about 3 to 5 seconds. However, many local and underfunded shelters still use gas chambers. In these black boxes, it can take as long as 20 minutes for death to occur, and, in some cases, the animals are still conscious when their vital organs begin to shut down. The video quickly went viral on social media and it has so far received nearly 30,000 views and almost 3,000 likes on the platform. One user, John_baresky, commented: "Each is a TREASURE of a puppy dog to ADOPT and CHERISH! They bring cheer, fun, joy, laughs, love and loyalty to those that adopt them!" Portagebreeze added: "So many wonderful dogs who were originally placed in homes where human illness or a must move occurred. These pups are all so deserving of a wonderful family to call their own. "Won't you consider one of them? Papa has been waiting SO long. He has to be an only dog in the home it this is easily done and the folks at the shelter can help you be successful with him!!" Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@ with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
