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
Clubroot in Oilseed Rape
Recent work at SRUC (formerly SAC), in collaboration with ADAS, has revealed that half of all oilseed rape fields in Scotland are infected with clubroot. Read more
Published on 26 September 2011 in Ecosystems and biodiversity , Food, health and wellbeing
Raising the competitiveness of Scotland's agri-food industry
This briefing discusses the results of a research project which aimed to indicate how Scottish agriculture and the wider agri-food industry can improve its competitiveness through raising productivity at both the farm production and food chain level. Read more
Published on 20 September 2011 in Food, health and wellbeing
Nutrients, bioactive compounds, and immune function
Persistent, low-grade inflammation is associated with an impaired immune function. This is a key factor in the development of obesity, cardiovascular diseases, and dysfunction of the gut. Read more
Published on 8 June 2011 in Food, health and wellbeing
New vaccine hopes for endemic sheep disease
Since its introduction into the UK over two decades ago, caseous lymphadenitis (CLA) has become endemic within the national sheep flock. Read more
Published on 18 April 2011 in Sustainability and Communities , Food, health and wellbeing
Targeting mechanisms of hunger and satiety in the fight against obesity
Full4Health is a new . Read more
Published on 5 April 2011 in Food, health and wellbeing
Balancing protein and fibre in our diet
This brief describes research which explores the relationship between dietary protein, red meat, carbohydrate and dietary fibre on the formation of potentially harmful breakdown products in the human gut. Read more
Published on 31 March 2011 in Food, health and wellbeing
Oats could hold the key to a healthier lifestyle
The consumption of whole grain foods, such as wholemeal bread, wholemeal pasta or whole grain cereals (porridge, whole wheat) is associated with lowered risk of heart attack. Read more
Published on 21 March 2011 in Food, health and wellbeing
Nutrition During Pregnancy
During development, the baby is entirely dependent on its mother for its nutrition. It is clear, therefore, that maternal nutrition during pregnancy will have a big effect on outcome. Read more
Published on 16 March 2011 in Food, health and wellbeing
Gut bacteria are essential to human health and recent research is showing how they work
We are not alone. Each and every one of us plays host to millions of bacteria (bugs), the majority of which reside in our guts. Read more
Published on 10 March 2011 in Food, health and wellbeing
One size doesn't fit all! Differences between individuals and the potential implications for dietary health effects
Dietary intakes can play an important role in maintaining human health, however, the response of individuals to specific food ingredients can vary considerably from the effect seen in the population as a whole. Read more
Published on 17 February 2011 in Food, health and wellbeing
