Publications by authors named "Courtney Sexton"

Introduction: Companion animals offer a unique opportunity to investigate risk factors and exposures in our shared environment. Passive sampling techniques have proven effective in capturing environmental exposures in dogs and humans.

Methods: In a pilot study, we deployed silicone monitoring devices (tags) on the collars of a sample of 15 dogs from the Dog Aging Project Pack cohort for a period of 120 h (5 days).

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Dogs are distinctly positioned to be indicators of human health and well-being.

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Article Synopsis
  • Despite advances in understanding dog biology, the veterinary field lacks clear data on the average lifespan of domestic dogs due to inconsistent mortality data collection.
  • Historical and current studies from 1981 to 2023 indicate that the median lifespan of domesticated dogs has actually increased over time, contrary to some media reports suggesting a decrease.
  • To improve future lifespan assessments, the authors recommend a standardized method for recording dog mortality data to ensure accuracy and consistency across studies.
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The evolution of facial muscles in dogs has been linked to human preferential selection of dogs whose faces appear to communicate information and emotion. Dogs who convey, especially with their eyes, a sense of perceived helplessness can elicit a caregiving response from humans. However, the facial muscles used to generate such expressions may not be uniquely present in all dogs, but rather specifically cultivated among various taxa and individuals.

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Facial phenotypes are significant in communication with conspecifics among social primates. Less is understood about the impact of such markers in heterospecific encounters. Through behavioral and physical phenotype analyses of domesticated dogs living in human households, this study aims to evaluate the potential impact of superficial facial markings on dogs' production of human-directed facial expressions.

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Sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) are a large source of added sugar in teenagers' diets, comprising 20-25% of daily calories. Despite efforts, teens in rural and southern states continue to have the high SSB consumption rates. Using Teen Advisory Councils (TAC), students designed and delivered school-specific interventions at five Tennessee schools.

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Preeclampsia is one of the most common complications in the last half of pregnancy. Mother-baby nurses are often present at the birth to provide neonatal care as well as ongoing care during the first days of life. This article discusses the implications of preeclampsia for the neonate and the role of the mother-baby nurse in the care of these infants.

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