Latest Briefing in Food, health and wellbeing
 james hutton institute 345x250.jpg)
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
Diet and Inflammation - new insights into obesity and metabolic health
The predisposition of individuals to obesity is thought to be caused by a lack of will power in the face of a cheap and plentiful supply of highly palatable energy dense food. Read more
Published on 17 February 2011 in Food, health and wellbeing
New diagnostic test for endemic cattle disease under development
Johne's Disease caused by Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis is endemic disease in cattle and its prevalence is increasing. Read more
Published on 16 February 2011 in Sustainability and Communities , Climate, water and energy , Ecosystems and biodiversity , Food, health and wellbeing
Assessing diffuse pollution and land management impacts on water quality in the Lunan Water, using event-based monitoring
Diffuse pollution is the most significant pressure leading to failure of lochs and rivers to achieve objectives set out in the Water Framework Directive. Read more
Published on 16 February 2011 in Ecosystems and biodiversity , Food, health and wellbeing
Chlamydial infection of sheep an infectious cause of prenatal lamb death
Chlamydial infection of sheep is the single largest infectious cause of prenatal lamb death in the UK. Read more
Published on 26 January 2011 in Sustainability and Communities , Food, health and wellbeing
Can acaricide treatment of sheep control ticks and tick-borne disease in the environment?
The tick Ixodes ricinus is the most important pathogen-carrying vector in Europe, including the UK. This species of tick is a generalist parasite, feeding off most types of terrestrial vertebrate, including sheep, deer, horses, dogs and humans. Read more
Published on 10 January 2011 in Sustainability and Communities , Food, health and wellbeing
Zinc - essential for health
When browsing the supermarket shelves, it is rare to find any information about the zinc content of foods although nutrition professionals and regulators well appreciate the essentiality of zinc. Read more
Published on 6 January 2011 in Food, health and wellbeing
The role of muscle in appetite control
Exercise is a lifestyle change that is often tried alone or in conjunction with diet to reduce weight and has beneficial effects on metabolic health in addition to weight loss. Read more
Published on 10 December 2010 in Food, health and wellbeing
Berry components may influence fat digestion and obesity
In Scotland, 1 in 4 adults can be categorised as obese with all projections suggesting an increasing trend over the next decades. Read more
Published on 6 December 2010 in Food, health and wellbeing
Poxvirus Infections: Important threat to both animal and human health
Poxviruses cause painful diseases in animal and humans, threatening both health and productivity. Moredun researchers have identified potential treatments for the major pox virus in the UK but further research is required to protect both livestock and human health in the future. Read more
Published on 25 November 2010 in Food, health and wellbeing
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
