Latest Briefing in Food, health and wellbeing
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How investment in fundamental scientific research leads to practical outcomes
The societal benefits of funding applied scientific research – research which addresses a question that is immediately and directly relevant to an end user such as a farmer or policy maker – are clear. It is nearly always relatively straightforward to identify practical outcomes that emerge from such projects, making them highly attractive to funding bodies and industrial collaborations, particularly at a time of financial constraint. However, these applied outcomes frequently rely upon and develop previous fundamental research programmes for which practical outcomes were not immediately or obviously apparent at the time. This article describes how Scottish Government (SG) investment in a number of fundamental scientific areas at Main Research Providers (MRP), through the Strategic Research Programme has underpinned research which is now yielding practical outcomes that are making a difference in Scotland and beyond.
Read morePublished on 8 March 2016 in Food, health and wellbeing
Recent Briefings in Food, health and wellbeing
Probiotics and Prebiotics: effects on the gut microbiota
There has been a significant increase in the number of food products containing either probiotics or prebiotics reaching the supermarket shelf in recent years and the myriad of health claims associated with these products is very confusing. Read more
Published on 11 November 2010 in Food, health and wellbeing
Potato Nutritional and Sensory Quality
In the UK the potato supply chain is of major economic importance. In Scotland the seed potato industry is particularly important and there is a strong demand for new improved cultivars that can compete internationally. Read more
Published on 28 October 2010 in Food, health and wellbeing
The use of Vaccination and diagnostics to support the sustainable control of Ectoparasites
Sheep scab (caused by the sheep scab mite Psorptes ovis) is endemic in the UK and is one of the most important diseases for the sheep industry. Read more
Published on 25 October 2010 in Sustainability and Communities , Food, health and wellbeing
Diet and Deprivation
Social disadvantage in the UK persists throughout life and across the generations and is proving increasingly difficult to overcome. Read more
Published on 21 October 2010 in Food, health and wellbeing
Dietary Selenium and Cardiovascular Health
Selenium is a dietary micronutrient essential for maintaining optimal health in both animals and humans. Read more
Published on 20 October 2010 in Food, health and wellbeing
Plants and Plant Extracts to Replace Growth-Promoting Antibiotics in Farm Livestock Production
Antibiotics were used as growth promoters (GPA) in poultry, pig and ruminant livestock production for more than 40 years before their ban by the European Commission at the beginning of 2006. Read more
Published on 1 September 2010 in Sustainability and Communities , Food, health and wellbeing
Beef Cow Management in Scotland: A Sensitive Balancing Act
Management of beef suckler cow enterprises requires a difficult but vitally important balance between the need for farm profits, animal health and welfare and sustainable food production. Read more
Published on 30 August 2010 in Sustainability and Communities , Food, health and wellbeing
Welfare of animals in transit - a sound scientific basis for regulations
The welfare of animals during transportation is a matter of major public and political concern. The transport of animals for the purposes of relocation, breeding and slaughter may constitute a risk of stress, injury, altered product quality and reduced welfare status. Read more
Published on 30 August 2010 in Food, health and wellbeing
Introduction - Obesity in the Workplace
The University of Aberdeen Rowett Institute of Nutrition and health have received almost 1M Euros as part of a a 6M Euro EU funded research project to look at food intake, addiction and stress. Read more
Published on 16 August 2010 in Food, health and wellbeing
Molecular Epidemiology: Fingerprinting the culprit
Within even species of bacteria, parasite and virus there are can be several different strains; each are unique and capable of causing very different diseases in livestock and man. Read more
Published on 27 July 2010 in Sustainability and Communities , Ecosystems and biodiversity , Food, health and wellbeing
