Owning a dog may be the secret to living longer
It seems we have even more reasons to be grateful for man's best friend, as a study has revealed canine companions promote better health in their owners.
Researchers have found owning a dog can lead to improved cardiovascular outcomes, especially for heart attack and stroke survivors who live alone.
The study combined patient data of 3.8 million people from multiple studies, including England.
Scientists at the American Heart Association said dog owners experienced a 24% reduced risk of mortality and are 65% less likely to die after a heart attack.
https://www.facebook.com/167894960347553/videos/274366563476811/
A separate recent study carried out by Sweden's Uppsala University also highlighted the health benefits of dog ownership. It found a 33% reduced risk of death for heart attack patients living alone after being released from hospital if they owned a dog.
'These two studies provide good, quality data indicating dog ownership is associated with reduced cardiac and all-cause mortality,' said Glenn N Levine of the American Heart Association.
Humpback whale in River Thames dies
A 30ft humpback whale spotted in the River Thames over the weekend has died.
Volunteers from British Divers Marine Life Rescue said they saw the whale lying motionless at Greenhithe yesterday (Tuesday) afternoon.
The Port of London Authority will attempt to recover the animal’s body for examinations by whale experts.
It was believed is believed to be the first of its kind in the River Thames for 10 years.
On this day...
On 9 October, 1986, Andrew Lloyd Webber's Phantom of the Opera premiered in London, starring Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman. The world-renowned musical continues to captivate audiences at Her Majesty’s Theatre in London's West End after thousands of performances.
Plans to plant one million trees in Northumberland
The planting of a new forest in Northumberland will begin next year.
Great Northumberland Forest will encompass three new areas of woodland, covering 500 hectares with up to a million new trees by 2024.
The planting scheme is among the government's efforts to cut net carbon emissions to zero by 2050.
Other measures include providing £1 billion to boost the production of green technologies in the car industry, updating building regulations so that new homes have fewer carbon emissions and building a fusion power plant.
Study finds badger culls risk increased spread of TB
New research has suggested culling badgers drives them further afield, dispersing tuberculosis over a larger area.
Rosie Woodroffe, from the Zoological Society of London, said the results backed the scientific consensus that culling could potentially accelerate infection.
'There is an expectation from some farmers that the cull will be a silver bullet and it will make everything much better. But these results explain why those expectations are so misplaced,' Proffessor Woodroffe told BBC News.
And finally... A curious cat
A tabby cat from Helensburgh, Scotland, has gained thousands of followers thanks to his solo escapades on buses and trains.
https://www.facebook.com/737720389989951/photos/a.738522929909697/789662954795694/?type=3&theater
The friendly feline, named George, has also been spotted in numerous homes in his neighbourhood as well as local businesses.
His owners, Eliazbeth and Dennis Royal, have set up a Facebook page to follow his movements, with fans tracking his adventures with pictures and videos.
We wonder where his next trip will take him...
Dog who refuses to walk another step triggers six-man mountain rescue in Lake District
The Keswick Mountain Rescue Team came to the aid of a Lake District walker and his exhausted canine companion.
Soothing sounds of woodland proven to be more relaxing than meditation apps or silence
Listening to birdsong, rustling leaves and a gentle stream can positively affect our wellbeing, a Natural Trust study has found.
Heroic farmer rescues inquisitive calf that squeezed itself 240ft down an underground water pipe
It took two and a half hours for Robert Osborne, from Dumfriesshire, to drag three-week-old Trouble to safety after the
-
Dawn Chorus: A Blue Plaque for Marc Bolan, holidaying in the Caribbean with Francis Ford Coppola and a history of the National Gallery in 25 picturesPlus the best of the property pages, and how the railways will save the countryside.
-
Game, set, match: 12 of the world’s most beautiful tennis courtsFrom Italy to Indonesia, when it comes to hotel amenities, a picturesque tennis court will always trump a 24-hour gym. So, before you book your next holiday, take a look at our pick of the 12 best.
-
The brilliant tractor tribute to the NHS from a group of Warwickshire farmersPeople around Britain have been paying tribute to the efforts of our NHS workers at the time of the coronavirus pandemic — but few have been as creative and clever as this one.
-
London's iconic red bus at risk and 6,000 year old chewing gum gives clues into our DNA historyCuts to industry subsidies and an increase in fares has left bus use at its lowest point ever, while DNA extracted from ancient 'chewing gum' allows scientists to decipher the genetic code of a Stone Age woman.
-
90-million-year-old 'swimming dinosaur' skeleton found by dogs out walking in Somerset, and the nonchalant moths who don't bother fleeing enemiesA superbly intact dinosaur skeleton — described as being 'museum quality' — has been discovered on a beach in Somerset.
-
Battle to ban 4x4s from the idyllic Lake District spot bequeathed by Beatrix Potter, eagle fights octopus and the 'snail's pace' climate talksThis morning we look at Little Langdale's fight for peace, reflect on the climate change talks in Madrid and discover the soundtrack for Brexit.
-
Country Life Today: How Greta Thunberg shifted the dial on climate change — and the backlash shows just how muchThis morning we ponder whether Greta Thunberg is the Joan of Arc for the environmental movement, look at a key election — one from 19 years ago — and ponder the marvel of 'dad tidying'.
-
Country Life Today: Great news for those who love our great country pubs — the years of decline are overThere is a great sign of health in the pub industry, we look back at Edward VIII's abdication message and fret about Greenland's melting ice.
-
Country Life Today: Spain accused of being 'a deplorable choice' for UN climate conferenceA no-holds-barred assault on the Spanish fishing industry, Banksy raising awareness of the homeless and the woes of the Christmas jumper are in today's news round-up.
-
Country Life Today: 'This is perhaps the ultimate wake-up call from the uncontrolled experiment humanity is unleashing on the world’s oceans'In today's round up, we examine why oxygen loss is putting oceans at risk, discover that action to cut air pollution brings almost immediate benefits to human health and find out which bird's arrival marks the start of winter in Gloucestershire.
