Latest Briefing
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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
Improving phosphorous supply in organic agriculture
Supply and availability of phosphorous (P) is one of the major limiting factors in organic production systems. Read more
Published on 23 November 2010 in Sustainability and Communities
Berries may improve insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetics
Diabetes presents a serious health challenge for Scotland. The genus Vaccinium (e.g. blueberry, blaeberry), has been used traditionally as a source of folk remedies for established diabetic symptoms. Read more
Published on 23 November 2010 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
Future disease threats to food crops - are we prepared?
Monitoring crops for new threats provides an early warning of emerging problems affecting food production & quality. Read more
Published on 18 October 2010 in Sustainability and Communities , Climate, water and energy , Ecosystems and biodiversity
Understanding public preferences for water management strategies in the context of climate change
Climate change is expected to cause major changes in precipitation patterns all over the world. Over the coming decades, this will heavily influence riverine water flows and availability of water resources. Read more
Published on 13 October 2010 in Climate, water and energy
Taxonomy as a Science for Scotland
Published on 8 October 2010 in Ecosystems and biodiversity
