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
Scotland's Water Resources: Impacts of Land Use and Climate Change
Scotland has water resources of generally high quality and with adequate volume to meet current demands. Read more
Published on 29 January 2013 in Climate, water and energy
Liver Fluke in Sheep and Cattle - A Major Animal Health Concern Following One of the Wettest UK Summers on Record
The summer of 2012 has been one of the wettest summers on record and it is held responsible for the extraordinary levels of disease and death in sheep due to liver fluke. Read more
Published on 24 January 2013 in Sustainability and Communities , Climate, water and energy , Food, health and wellbeing
Dietary Fibre and Satiety
Obesity is a major public health issue with current trends leading to estimated UK incidence in 60% of men, 50% of women and 25% of children by 2050. Read more
Published on 13 November 2012 in Food, health and wellbeing
Ovine chlamydiosis - the most common infectious cause of prenatal lamb death in the UK
Ovine Enzootic Abortion (OEA) is one of the major infectious causes of abortion in sheep and goats worldwide, and the most common cause in the UK. Read more
Published on 22 October 2012 in Sustainability and Communities , Food, health and wellbeing
Parachlamydia - an emerging potential cause of abortion in cattle in the UK
Reproductive failure in cattle is a major concern to livestock producers worldwide. An emerging group of bacteria known as Chlamydia-like organisms have been associated with cases of bovine abortion, as well as with human respiratory and reproductive infections. Read more
Published on 9 October 2012 in Sustainability and Communities , Food, health and wellbeing
Diet, phytochemicals and age-related diseases
Ageing is associated with reduced insulin sensitivity, increased inflammation and reduced ability to respond to metabolic stress. Read more
Published on 25 September 2012 in Food, health and wellbeing
Sustainability-oriented innovation for competitive advantage: Does the business environment matter?
Sustainability-oriented innovation within firms, such as the development of eco-friendly production methods, is seen as a route for product differentiation, value creation and as a way for firms to enhance their bargaining power within the supply chain. Read more
Published on 11 September 2012 in Sustainability and Communities , Ecosystems and biodiversity
Evidence of pain in broiler chickens
The gait or walking style of meat (broiler) chickens differs from that of laying hens. The aim of this study was to determine the extent to which pain, as opposed to say conformation, was associated with or influenced walking style in broilers of gait score 3 (i. Read more
Published on 30 August 2012 in Food, health and wellbeing
Neosporosis - A major cause of abortion in cattle
Neosporosis - a major cause of reproductive failure in cattle . Read more
Published on 13 August 2012 in Food, health and wellbeing
Obesity and Colon Cancer
Rising obesity levels are set to increase cancer risk in the future. This may be caused by the foods and lifestyle factors that lead to obesity, such as consumption of high levels of dietary fat and a sedentary lifestyle. Read more
Published on 8 August 2012 in Food, health and wellbeing
