Canine MRIs sniff out how human preferences shaped dogs’ hallmark traits

The saying goes that an old dog can’t be taught new tricks, but there may be fundamental qualities to all dogs that are unchangeable — and humans may be responsible. Many behaviors we associate with dog breeds don’t come naturally, but are often learned from humans, a new study found. Researchers looked at MRI images of more than 60 dogs that represented 33 breeds. They found six brain networks that reflected readily visible neuroanatomical differences among the images, differences that predicted behavioral qualities. Terriers, for instance, had a highly developed network associated with a reward system, which ties to their propensity for social bonding with people. Understanding how innate wiring and learned behavior shape canine brains “might tell us something about our own brains and how that happens,” study author Erin Hecht told STAT’s Sharon Begley.

Correction: An item in Friday's newsletter misstated the amount that the vaccine alliance Gavi intends to spend on stockpiling Ebola vaccines. It's $150 million.