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Oetzi the Iceman dressed like a herdsman

A new study analyzing Oetzi's hair samples reveals his clothes were made from sheep and cattle fur, supporting the idea that he was a herdsman. The technique used could be faster and more reliable for checking animal hair products and aiding manufacturers in adhering to EU laws.

SourceWiley·JournalRapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry·DateAug 20, 2008

Wealthy 'amenity' ranchers taking over the West

A new study reveals that traditional ranchers are being priced out of business as wealthy 'amenity' owners buy up large ranches around Yellowstone National Park. These new owners often prioritize restoration of native ecosystems, large-scale conservation projects, and innovative approaches to blending conventional ranching with non-let...

SourceOregon State University·JournalSociety & Natural Resources·DateOct 25, 2006

Seal rookeries could provide a reliable food source for endangered California condors, study finds

A team of scientists proposes releasing captive-bred California condors near marine mammal breeding grounds to restore their natural diet. The study suggests that whales and seals have been an integral part of the condor's diet since the last Ice Age, providing a potential solution for conserving endangered populations.

SourceStanford University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 7, 2005

Hamster hamburger anyone?

Oral exposure to scrapie has been shown to lead to the deposition of pathological prion protein PrPSc in hamster muscles. This preclinical study provides new insights into the progression of prion diseases.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateMay 17, 2004

SMCM professor discovers cattle hormones that leak into streams and alter fish reproduction

A recent study by St. Mary's College of Maryland professor Edward Orlando reveals that hormones from cattle feedlots are altering the reproductive biology of wild fish in Nebraska's Elkhorn River. The research showed significant changes in male and female fish, with reduced testosterone levels and altered estrogen levels.

SourceSt. Mary's College of Maryland·JournalEnvironmental Health Perspectives·DateDec 18, 2003

Assessing the risk of mad cow in sheep

A new model developed by researchers suggests that the risk of contracting mad cow disease from infected sheep is likely to be higher than from cattle due to stricter control measures. However, implementing regulations such as slaughtering young sheep and banning animal products in feed can reduce this risk significantly.

Texas tortoise and cattle can co-exist

A recent study published in Conservation Biology found that moderate cattle grazing has little to no effect on Texas tortoise populations. The researchers compared tortoise populations in grazed and ungrazed pastures and found no differences in abundance, size, growth rate, or adult survival.

SourceSociety for Conservation Biology·JournalConservation Biology·DateJul 23, 2001

Cattle Diets Could Control E. Coli Danger

Researchers at Cornell University discovered that feeding cattle hay for five days before slaughter can reduce acid-resistant E. coli infections in humans. This simple change in diet can cut the risk of E. coli contamination, which causes over 20,000 annual infections and 200 deaths in the US.

SourceCornell University·JournalScience·DateSep 10, 1998