Dogs (and other domestic pets) really do love their owners: research shows they secrete the ‘love hormone’ oxytocin in intimate situations.

Scientists of the Claremont Graduate University in California found that domesticated animals release oxytocin, dubbed the ‘love hormone’, in intimate situations. Oxytocin is the same chemical secreted by humans when forming close emotional bonds with one another.

Owners and their pets may truly share mutual connections of love. (Image courtesy of CPVH)

Owners and their pets may truly share mutual connections of love. (Image courtesy of CPVH)

An experiment was conducted in which a dog and a goat were placed together in an enclosure where they playfully interacted with one another for 15 minutes. Blood samples were taken before and after the experiment, with the dog showing a 48 per cent increase in oxytocin after the play session with the goat, suggesting the dog viewed the goat as a ‘friend.’ Professor Paul Zak of Claremont Graduate University commented that “the only time I have seen such a surge in oxytocin in humans is when someone sees their loved one, is romantically attracted to someone, or is shown an enormous kindness.” The inverse is true as well: Human pet owners experience increased oxytocin after playing with their pets. The mutual increase in oxytocin suggests for the first time, in scientific terms, that love between a pet and its owner may very well exist.

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Canada exceeds the United States in middle-class wealth.

Canada has exceeded the United States for average middle-class income. (Image courtesy of FrumForum)

Canada has exceeded the United States for average middle-class income. (Image courtesy of FrumForum)

According to a New York Times report, Canada’s middle-class incomes have now exceeded the United States’, despite being substantially behind in the 2000’s. Analysts have reported that the rich in the US are getting richer, but the middle and lower class have not seen the same benefits. In addition to Canada, the United Kingdom is also quickly catching up, a 19.7% increase in median income since 2000, the same rate of increase as Canada. The United States saw only a 0.3% average increase. Canada has effectively replaced the United States as the country with the most prosperous middle-class in the world.

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Satellite images suggest North Korea may be preparing to simultaneously detonate multiple nuclear warheads.

New satellite images taken on Wednesday 23 April seem to indicate “increased movement of vehicles and materials near what are believed to be the entrances to two completed test tunnels,” said Jack Liu of 38 North, an expert website that tracks weapon developments in North Korea.

Satellite images showing possible transportation of nuclear devices into testing tunnels in North Korea. (Image courtesy of 38 North.)

Satellite images showing possible transportation of nuclear devices into testing tunnels in North Korea. (Image courtesy of 38 North)

Pyongyang, the capital of North Korea, has issued multiple warnings in recent weeks on its intentions to conduct a “new” type of atomic test. While experts warn nothing can be known for certain, as the only information available for analysis are satellite images, North Korea may be preparing to set up multiple atomic devices in test tunnels. US President Obama and South Korean President Park Geun-Hye warned of harsh consequences if North Korea were to follow through with its fourth nuclear test, threatening to impose new sanctions with “even more bite” aimed at the ultimate denuclearization of North Korea.

Source and more information can be found here.

 

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s approval ratings reach 80 percent amid ongoing tensions between Russia and Ukraine.

Russian President Vladimir Putin's approval ratings have hit 80 percent. (Image courtesy of Washington Post)

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s approval ratings have hit 80 percent. (Image courtesy of Washington Post)

Russian President Vladimir Putin is enjoying 3-year record high approval ratings, with just 18 percent of Russians unhappy with his presidency. Putin holds an 80 percent approval rating. The other 2 percent are undecided or unsure. Russian citizens appear happy with his aggressive handling of the Crimean situation. Putin’s previous peak of popularity occurred in 2008 at 88 percent, during the Russian oil economy boom. Russia’s annexation of Crimea gave Putin’s rating a huge push upward. His rating previously sat at 61 percent as of 1 November 2013.

Source and more information can be found here.

 

Google will end forced Google+ integration into its products and services, drastically cutting resources to the project after lacklustre results.

Users have shown negative feedback such as comment relays on YouTube showing their displeasure with forced Google+ integration with many of Google's products. (Image courtesy of ARS Technica)

Users have shown negative feedback such as comment relays on YouTube , voicing their displeasure with forced Google+ integration into many of Google’s products. (Image courtesy of ARS Technica)

Google has announced that it will reshape its Google+ strategy, no longer considering it a competitor with Facebook and Twitter. 1000 to 1200 employees, many at the core of the Google+ project, will be moved to new projects and other divisions. Google+, considered a social network by the company, hasn’t seen a major user base increase despite its implementation into practically ever aspect of the company’s products and services, including Android and YouTube. Google+’s aggressive integration strategy has been universally hated by users, leading to even greater public disapproval. While the project hasn’t been completely shut down, it has been described as “the walking dead,” with resources being diverted elsewhere. The future of Google+ is unclear, a blotch in Google’s typically successful public relations.

Source and more information can be found here.