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Baboons build on the work of others, study reveals
Baboon
“Baboons do not have complex culture in the wild, but appear to be capable of much more in our experimental set-up."

Cumulative culture previously thought to be unique to humans

A study by the University of Edinburgh has revealed that baboons may share the human ability to build on the work of others.

The phenomenon, known as cumulative culture, sees people make gradual improvements in knowledge over time to reach their goals - for example eradicating disease or sending rockets into space.  It was previously thought to be unique to humans.

Researchers from the University of Edinburgh and CNRS Aix Marseille University devised a computer test where baboons had to try and remember grid patterns.

The baboons tried to replicate the patterns by pressing buttons on the screen - allowing the scientists to recreate the kind of cultural exchange of knowledge and skills that take place in humans. The patterns that one baboon produced, whether or not they were correct, became the patterns the next baboon in a chain had to memorise and reproduce.

The research team discovered that when the patterns are transmitted between baboons they changed to become easier to memorise and pass on.
 
In the same way that humans can perfect technologies, baboons were able to make gradual improvements to the patterns provided by others.
 
Prof Simon Kirby, from the University of Edinburgh’s School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences, said: “For a long time, researchers thought that cumulative culture was uniquely human. However, the evolution we see in our experiment mirrors human cumulative culture, providing an entirely new way of studying our species-defining trait.”
 
Dr Nicolas Claidière, from CNRS Aix Marseille University, added: “Baboons do not have complex culture in the wild, but appear to be capable of much more in our experimental set-up. Understanding why this is gets us closer to uncovering the crucial differences between humans and our primate relatives.”
 
The study is published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B. 

Image (C) Gordon E. Robertson

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Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

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News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.