Spider’s silk for surgical sutures
Spider’s silk is an extremely strong and elastic biomaterial that can be used for many purposes: from surgical sutures to bullet-proof vests. Researchers at SLU have now learned how spiders produce their silk thread. Soluble proteins are produced from a gland in the spider’s body. When this solution passes through the thread canal, pH is lowered from 7 to 6, and the thread is formed. It is possible...
(2012-04-17)
Traces of Chernobyl remain in reindeer
Several of the 51 reindeer herding districts in Sweden still have to adapt management to reduce the caesium content in reindeer. In total, this costs the Swedish society seven million Swedish crowns per year.
(2011-08-19)
Domestic Cat Reveals Hazardous Substances at Home
The domestic cat and its human owner share the same environment to a large extent. The cat can therefore serve as a model for the exposure and uptake of hazardous substances at home, especially applicable to small children.
(2010-11-30)
Mixtures of substances disrupt hormone production
Hormone disrupting substances are present in the food we eat, in medicines, in pesticides and in pollutants. They may impair our reproductive capacity, our health, and our early development in the womb. Since we are exposed to a mixture of substances, it is difficult to determine their combined effect.
(2010-09-03)
Better consultation on reindeer grazing
Wherever there are natural resources and a number of interested parties, conflicts arise. One such example is found in Sweden’s boreal forest region, used by reindeer owners and forest owners in parallel, although their aims diverge.
(2009-03-25)
Right genotype of hens for organic eggs
Hen feathers contain sulphurous amino acids, mainly cystine. Cystine deficiency can be prevented by using a feed additive consisting of synthetic methionine, which is converted into cystine. However, this method is not open to organic egg farmers.
(2008-10-27)
Leptospira thrives in a humid climate
The disease leptospirosis is caused by the Leptospira bacterium, which is capable of infecting numerous kinds of animal, including dogs, horses, cattle, pigs and rodents.
(2008-04-02)
Monitoring methane from cows
Methane (CH4) is a greenhouse gas formed when cows and other ruminants digest their food. 95 per cent of the gas is released when the cow belches; the rest is emitted anally.
(2008-03-10)
Breeding for healthier dogs
Breeding programmes in which dogs are DNA tested for certain disorders makes it possible to produce healthier breeds of dog. Geneticists at SLU have succeeded in identifying exactly which mutation causes disorders linked to white spotting and reverse hair pattern along the spine.
(2007-11-06)
Plant defences resemble those of animals
New knowledge about immune systems may ultimately increase our chances of curing plant and animal diseases. SLU geneticists have collated knowledge on development of the defence in plants and animals.
(2007-09-25)
Late grazing good for flora
Species diversity in dry or mesic, nutrient poor grasslands in the pastoral landscape would increase if grazing animals were let out to pasture later in the season.
(2006-07-14)
Healthy fat from grazing heifers
We consume too much omega-6 fatty acids in relation to omega-3. In the modern diet the ratio between omega-6 och omega-3 is 10 – 20:1, although it would be better if the balance was 1 – 4:1 instead.
(2006-05-01)