Baylor in the News – Sept. 29-Oct. 5, 2024
Baylor research headlines top science outlets, including Science, Smithsonian Magazine and ScienceNews
Baylor biologists published new research finding that coyotes, like domestic dogs, have the ability to produce the famous "puppy dog eyes" expression, challenging the hypothesis that this facial feature evolved exclusively in dogs as a result of domestication.. (Credit: Carol Hamilton / Collection: iStock / Getty Images Plus)
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Featured News
Science: Move over, Sparky—coyotes may be able to make ‘puppy dog eyes,’ too
Findings of a new study led by Baylor biologists challenge idea that “puppy dog eyes” originated with dog domestication. Scientists led by doctoral candidate Patrick Cunningham published their discovery in Royal Society Open Science that wild coyotes also have the anatomical ability to make the expression, suggesting that dogs aren’t the only canid species capable of communicating this way. Study co-author Sarah Kienle, Ph.D., assistant professor of biology at Baylor, also is quoted in the Science article.
National/International
Smithsonian Magazine: Coyotes Might Make ‘Puppy Eyes,’ Suggesting the Facial Expression Evolved for More Than Just Cuteness
The “puppy dog eyes” expression has long been associated with dogs and thought to have evolved due to humans’ close bond with the domesticated canine. A new discovery published in Royal Society Open Science by Baylor biology doctoral candidate Patrick Cunningham and study co-author Sarah Kienle, Ph.D., assistant professor of biology, suggests that coyotes also have the facial muscles needed for the “puppy dog eyes” expression, making scientists rethink human’s history with dogs.
ScienceNews: Coyotes have the face muscles for that ‘sad-puppy’ look
Coyotes turn out to have face muscles that look capable of making that big-eyed, sad-puppy face that dogs have used to melt human hearts for eons, according to new Baylor biology research published in Royal Society Open Science. That discovery supports a rethink of humans’ history with dogs, says doctoral candidate Patrick Cunninghamand colleagues, including study co-author Sarah Kienle, Ph.D., assistant professor of biology.
Campbell University: Lecture series speaker shares idea of ‘seeing illness through art’
Devan Stahl, Ph.D., associate professor of religion at Baylor who specializes in disability theology, bioethics and the visual arts within medicine, walked attendees at a Campbell University lecture series through her MS diagnosis, including how her interpretation of an MRI of her brain changed dramatically, thanks to her sister who transformed the image into art. “I now had another new image of my ill body, which captured something important about my experience of my body in illness,” she said.
State/Local
Waco Tribune-Herald: Murder, mystery occupy Waco stages with ‘Sweeney Todd’ and more
Lauren M. Weber, M.F.A., senior lecturer in musical theater, is directing Baylor Theatre’s production of the Stephen Sondheim musical Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, which features 26 actors, with the leading roles double-cast, accompanied by an 11-player orchestra led by music director Guilherme Almeida, M.M., senior lecturer in musical theater and collaborative pianist.
KWBU-FM (Waco/NPR): Baylor University hosts Passport to Media Literacy event
AUDIO: Baylor students took a trip around the world of media literacy during the inaugural Passport to Media Literacy event, hosted in collaboration with the Baylor Libraries, the Baylor Department of Journalism, Public Relations and New Media and KWBU. Alec Tefertiller, Ph.D., assistant professor of journalism, led one stop where students learned how to identify the differences between an AI-generated image and a genuine image.
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Baylor's Office of Media and Public Relations (M&PR) supports the University's Baylor in Deeds strategic plan as a premier Christian Research 1 university by focusing on faculty research and expert opinions, innovative teaching, major awards and recognition, and community involvement. Through its media training workshops, the Baylor M&PR team develops faculty experts to effectively communicate the impact of their research or speak as subject-matter experts into national trends and conversations with media outlets, through Hot Topics and on the Baylor Connections podcast. Our faculty expert directory is available on the M&PR website.
ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY
Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked Research 1 institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for more than 20,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 100 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions. Learn more about Baylor University at www.baylor.edu.