When it comes to the potential therapeutic benefits of cannabinoids‚ they're often thought of in relation to how they can help out us humans. A new case report‚ however‚ suggests that these compounds could be used to treat our poorly pooches too‚ after cannabis oil was successfully used as a treatment in a dog with an autoimmune skin condition.The report presents us with a 2-year-old mixed-breed dog with discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE)‚ a common autoimmune skin disease in dogs. Usually found on the nose and ears‚ it’s characterized by intense inflammation that can lead to loss of pigment and hair‚ redness‚ and even ulcers and crusting. In other words‚ it’s not a pleasant experience for our pups.Conventionally‚ DLE is treated with a type of anti-inflammatory medicine called corticosteroids – these are used to treat a lot of human skin conditions too. However‚ they can lead to side effects or prove ineffective with long-term use; the symptoms of the dog in the report didn’t improve even after several months of use.This is where the cannabinoids came in. Previous research has suggested that two of the most notable cannabinoids‚ cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC‚ best known as the one that gets you high)‚ are anti-inflammatory and can be used for long periods with no significant side effects. As a result‚ the pup patient was referred to a specialist vet who prescribed a cannabis oil containing CBD and THC to treat its DLE.It took a while to find the right dosage‚ but eventually‚ they found it: a low‚ twice-daily dose of a single full-spectrum cannabis oil containing a 3:1 ratio of CBD to THC. “Within a few weeks of starting [cannabinoid therapy]‚ the dog showed significant improvement in skin lesions and in liver enzymes levels. After 1 year‚ the dog remains clinically stable on a low dose of full-spectrum CBD-rich oil. No evidence of DLE recurrence was observed‚” the authors write.The dog's nose before (left) and after a year and 3 months of treatment with cannabis oil (right).Image credit: da Silva et al.‚ Frontiers in Veterinary Science 2024 (CC BY 4.0)And importantly‚ the dog “exhibited robust overall well-being [and] maintained an active and playful disposition.” What a good girl.The success of this case suggests that treatment with cannabinoids could provide a viable alternative for cases where traditional therapeutics aren’t suitable‚ though the authors are keen to caution that this is just one case – further research is needed to get a full picture of its long-term safety and efficacy. “While the song of cannabis therapy for DLE in dogs holds immense promise‚ we must continue listening closely‚ gathering more evidence‚ and refining the tune‚” the authors write‚ but they conclude on a hopeful note.“This case report adds its verse to the growing chorus‚ paving the way for future research and potentially offering a new rhythm of hope and a haven from the long-term reign of corticosteroids for dogs battling this challenging disease.”The case report is published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science. 

A fossil claw belonging to a new-to-science species of crab that lived 8.8 million years ago has just snipped the ribbon on quite the crustacean certification: it’s the largest fossil crab claw ever found. The hefty specimen’s enormous size has scientists figuring it could well be the precursor to today’s Southern Giant Crab‚ which can weigh over 12 kilograms (26 pounds).The ancient extinct crab specimens were recovered from Waitoetoe beach‚ North Island‚ in New Zealand. They were committed to the fossil record as part of the upper Miocene Urenui Formation of the Taranaki Basin that dates back to around 8.8 million years ago‚ at a time when the Mohakatino Volcanic Centre erupted offshore‚ shaping the palaeoenvironment.As we know‚ fossils preserve particularly well when sediment in the form of mud or volcanic ash swoops in to cover it before the decomposition ecosystem can have its way with dead animals‚ and these crabs are no exception. Having been buried in sediments including volcanic material‚ they are beautifully preserved‚ and that’s a big bonus for the fossils’ academic potential. We now know that these animals lived deep in the ocean‚ marking the first time they've been found in the region that is now New Zealand.A team of researchers deduced that the fossilized crustaceans represent a new species: Pseudocarcinus karlraubenheimeri. The latter name is in honor of Karl Raubenheimer of New Plymouth‚ North Island‚ New Zealand‚ who collected and donated the specimen.The massive fossil crabs "form the basis for a new species of ‘Southern Giant Crab’" say the researchers.Image courtesy of Barry W.M. van BakelThe hefty hunk of crab joins the Pseudocarcinus genus‚ which is represented in the modern era by P. gigas: the giant southern crab. Its other nicknames – the giant deepwater crab‚ queen crab‚ and bullcrab – give some indication of the size of these monsters."The now living Giant Southern crab‚ Pseudocarcinus gigas‚ is one of the largest crabs to have ever lived‚" study author Barry W.M van Bakel told IFLScience. "Its claw can reach a maximum of 47 centimeters [18.5 inches]‚ nearly half a metre! This fossil ancestor is about half the size."As for what drives a crab to go supersized‚ the threat of predators plays a part‚ but it’s also about making sure you don’t end up with eyes bigger than your snip-snips.“Pseudocarcinus crabs are characterised by gigantism‚ which provided them with significant advantages in competition and defence‚” write the authors. “Their carnivorous nature is reflected in their exceptionally large major cheliped [aka‚ the claw].”  The authors suggest that P. karlraubenheimeri’s claw engineering may have been driven by an uptick in animals like gastropods and bivalves appearing on the deep-sea menu back in the Late Cretaceous‚ welcoming in a new era of BIG CRABS with BIG CLAWS."This is the largest fossil crab to have ever been discovered‚ which is fascinating‚" added van Bakel. "But also‚ the discovery of its former habitat: sea-floor gas seeps‚ bringing CO2 and/or methane to the sediment-water interface‚ provided a warm and nutrient-rich environment rich in clams‚ snails‚ and smaller crabs. This formed the food source for these giant crabs! It is great to learn about former ecosystems."The study is published in the New Zealand Journal Of Geology And Geophysics.

Being pregnant at the same time gave these sisters in Utah a chance to bond over their experience — from cravings to complications. The bonding experience continues after they gave birth on the same day. Source: Pair of sisters gives birth on the same day Pretty cute.

Carrying on the shredding tradition. The post The musician Brian May called “one of the greatest living” guitarists first appeared on Far Out Magazine.