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Study: Baby Ducks Relieve Stress

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Study: Baby Ducks Relieve Stress

by Scott Friedstein, FluffPo Correspondent

According to a study just released by Duke University, baby ducks can greatly reduce stress levels in those holding them. 

“Stress is a constant in modern life,” says head researcher David Burke. “Thankfully, so are baby ducks. We found that holding onto one for just a minute stimulates dopamine receptors and lowers blood pressure. It was a real surprise.”

The study also suggests the addition of baby ducks where they’re perhaps needed the most – in the workplace.

“Work environments can be particularly stressful,” says Burke. “Keeping one of these fuzzy little guys at your desk can help take the edge off and give you something cute to look at. It’s a win-win.”

The findings will be published in next month’s American Journal of Medicine alongside a companion study citing hamsters as excellent mood stabilizers. 

Via blade_mhf.

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Panda Takes ‘Tree Hugger’ Too Literally

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Panda Takes ‘Tree Hugger’ Too Literally

By Anna Washenko, FluffPo Correspondent

Eyewitnesses have confirmed to The Fluffington Post that for the past week, baby panda Chen has been seen tenderly embracing every tree that he comes across. 

“I’ve always been impressed with how seriously he thinks about our natural resources; you should see how fastidious he is about picking up litter around the Bifengxia Panda Center,” Jin Liao, associate director of development at the center said via email. “I told Chen that the world would be a better place if there were more tree huggers like him. I just assumed he knew what the phrase meant.”

Friends and family haven’t decided whether or not to tell Chen that being a “tree hugger,” in the modern context, doesn’t actually involve literally hugging trees.

“On the one hand, he’s super adorable when he does it,” said Liao. “On the other hand, he’s gotten stuck up in a tree four times this week, so it’s starting to become a nuisance.”

Via explore.org.

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