Articles tagged with Pigs
A new study found that people have moved pigs across the Pacific for millennia, introducing invasive species to Indonesia and beyond. The research used genomic analysis to track pig movements, revealing a complex history of human activity in the region.
A study by Iowa State University researchers reveals that avian influenza can infect livestock and humans through their mammary glands, which have high levels of sialic acids. This increases the risk of transmission and potentially more dangerous adaptations emerging.
Current PRRSV vaccines offer protection through a T cell response, rather than antibody production. Vaccination induces an immune response that identifies and attacks conserved parts of the virus.
Researchers have made breakthroughs in overcoming immune reactions behind human rejection of transplanted pig kidneys, paving the way for more successful clinical trials. The study reveals three major immune responses against the pig kidney and identifies potential biomarkers as early-warning systems for rejection.
At least eight bat species frequent pig farms in Northern Italy due to lack of physical barriers, increasing risk of coronavirus transmission. Researchers used a multi-disciplinary approach to study the interfaces between bats and pigs.
A pioneering case of pig-to-human liver xenotransplantation has been successfully demonstrated, with the genetically engineered porcine liver functioning for an extended period in a human recipient. The patient survived for 171 days despite complications such as xenotransplantation-associated thrombotic microangiopathy.
Researchers created a comprehensive single-nucleus transcriptomic atlas of the pig intestine, identifying 19 major cell types and 58 cellular subtypes. This study provides valuable insights into the mechanisms by which neurons regulate inflammatory responses and the molecular basis for stronger immune functions in wild boars.
A new study reveals that humans, dogs, and pigs share similar brain responses to vocal sounds and calls from their own species, indicating an evolutionarily ancient mammalian heritage. This discovery sheds light on the deep roots of voice perception and highlights the value of studying companion animals to better understand human biology.
A new study provides evidence that pigs were domesticated from wild boars in South China approximately 8,000 years ago. The researchers analyzed molar teeth of 32 pig specimens and found starch granules, human parasite eggs, and other signs of human interaction, indicating that pigs ate cooked foods, human waste, and scavenged food fro...
The CHLA team has demonstrated the possibility of using genetically engineered pig hearts as a 'bridge' to heart transplant for critically ill babies. Eight baboons have survived with a pig heart, with one living for nearly 21 months.
A new study found that adding green-synthesised iron nanoparticles (G-nFe) to pig manure neutralises bioavailable copper, reducing environmental risks. The process reduces exchangeable cooper by 66.8%, carbonate-bound copper by 47.5%.
Selective breeding by humans led to significant changes in pig skulls, with snouts becoming shorter and flatter, in just a century. The study also found that even separate breeds of domestic pigs underwent similar changes, highlighting the power of human influence on animal evolution.
Researchers identified distinct metabolic profiles in skeletal muscle of Taoyuan Black pig compared to Duroc pig, with correlations to intramuscular fat content and lipid metabolism. The study provides insights into the muscle-adipose axis and potential targets for nutritional regulation.
A recent study found a 59% decrease in river antibiotic pollution due to improved manure recycling and reduced direct discharge. However, this reduction came with an unintended consequence: increased antibiotic leaching into groundwater by 15%, mainly from expanded manure use as fertilizer.
Researchers from the University of Maryland School of Medicine analyzed the second patient to receive a genetically-modified pig organ, identifying key factors contributing to rejection and highlighting areas for improvement. The study provides valuable insights into how to prevent graft failure in future transplants.
Researchers found that injecting infarcted pig hearts with specially bioengineered cells significantly decreased the infarct area and improved heart function. The therapy worked by stimulating the proliferation of endogenous pig cardiomyocytes, which had previously been unable to divide in adult hearts.
The IHT Cooling Pads, developed by Purdue University and IHT Group, have earned recognition from the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) and Resource magazine as 2025 AE50 award winners. The mats utilize advanced water-based cooling technology to tackle heat stress in sows and boars.
Researchers at Ohio State University discovered that a strain of rat hepatitis E can infect and spread among pigs, raising concerns about the potential transmission of the virus to humans. The study found that infected pigs shed the virus in their feces, highlighting the need for improved food safety procedures.
A 175-year-old experiment by Carl Linnaeus shows pigs are pickiest eaters, eating 32% of plant species, while cows and horses rank lower, with goats preferring legumes and grasses. The study also reveals animals generally struggle to avoid toxic plants.
Researchers have developed an implantable device that can independently detect opioid overdose and automatically administer naloxone, with promising results in animal trials. The device, called iSOS, uses multiple sensors to continuously monitor vital signs and rapidly release naloxone when needed.
A novel two-step vaccination strategy has been developed to combat seasonal flu, pairing an intramuscular injection with a nasal spray of a weakened live-virus. The approach resulted in a strong immune response and reduced shedding of the vaccine candidate from the upper respiratory tract.
Researchers at Hiroshima University have identified genetic signatures of domestication in pigs and chickens, revealing changes in gene expression related to immune response, stress response, and energy metabolism. These findings provide insights into the genetic basis of domestication and highlight potential candidate genes for breedi...
A team of Texas A&M researchers will conduct a five-year study on brucellosis in Armenia to improve detection capabilities and provide education. The project aims to better understand the disease's presence and prevalence, allowing the Armenian government to develop a control plan to stop its spread.
Researchers from SWPS University found that assigning individual characteristics to farm animals can change children's attitudes towards eating meat. In studies involving preschoolers aged 5-6, those who were given a name and unique habits showed increased desire to befriend the animal and decreased willingness to eat its meat.
A study by Eötvös Loránd University found that domestication and human socialization alone are insufficient to trigger a human-analog attachment bond in companion animals. Dogs displayed specific behaviors typical of the attachment bond, unlike pigs, which did not exhibit these behaviors.
Researchers found that dogs matched their emotional state with the content of human vocalizations, while pigs exhibited stress behaviors to unusual humming sounds. This suggests that domestication may have facilitated emotional contagion in dogs.
Researchers at Ohio State University discovered the hepatitis E virus is associated with sperm in pigs, suggesting a possible link to male infertility and sexual transmission. The virus was found to circulate in blood and shed in feces, with viral particles present on the head of sperm cells that can infect human liver cells.
Researchers explore the potential of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in preventing and controlling African Swine Fever, highlighting its antiviral and immunoregulatory capabilities. The study suggests that integrating TCM into modern pig farming practices could significantly bolster disease prevention and control measures.
The first pig-to-human kidney xenotransplants detected early signs of antibody-mediated rejection and showed human immune cells rapidly infiltrating the transplanted kidneys. However, the transplanted kidneys also began to repair themselves, with gene expression associated with cell proliferation observed within 24 hours.
Researchers analyzed cell changes before, during, and after xenotransplantation surgeries using single-cell RNA sequencing. The study found evidence of subtle immune reactions that could cause xenotransplants to fail over time, including antibody-mediated rejection and tissue repair mechanisms.
A team of researchers led by Dr. Ahmed discovered that two FDA-approved antibiotics can induce heart regeneration in mammals, showing promise for treating heart failure. The study found that the antibiotics improved cardiac output and reduced fibrotic scar tissue, suggesting a potential new therapy.
Researchers characterized the microbial composition of oral fluid, feces, and environment of nursery piglets on commercial farms in Brazil. The study found distinct oral fluid bacterial profiles differing from those in feces and environment, with potential implications for swine health and production.
A combined mechanical heart pump and gene-edited pig kidney transplant has given new hope to a patient with heart and kidney failure. The surgery was performed in two stages, first implanting the heart pump and later transplanting the gene-edited pig kidney. This innovative approach has shown promise for patients who would otherwise no...
Researchers found that copper beads in pig feed reduced microbial pathogens, but unexpectedly increased Enterobacteriaceae levels, suggesting a more complex impact on the gut microbiome. The study aimed to improve animal health before slaughter by enhancing gut health through pre-harvest interventions.
Synthetic platelets made of hydrogel nanoparticles mimic the size and shape of human platelets, promoting clotting and healing. The innovative device has shown promising results in animal models and is being developed for clinical use to treat various medical conditions.
Researchers evaluated different pig farming systems, finding that none performed well across all four areas: land use, greenhouse gas emissions, antibiotics use, and animal welfare. However, some individual farms did excel in all domains, highlighting the potential for trade-offs to be minimized.
Researchers develop method to preserve donor hearts for more than 24 hours, a major improvement over current six-hour time window. The new approach uses normothermic ex-vivo heart perfusion and has shown strong improvements in extending the shelf-life of donor hearts.
Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have developed a patented process to produce heparin in the lab, offering a consistent and safe supply of the essential medicine. The discovery has the potential to revolutionize the production of heparin, reducing reliance on animal-derived sources and addressing global supply chain issues.
Researchers found that Chinese migrants in Los Angeles Chinatown overcame economic barriers by raising pigs and distributing pork, a practice similar to traditional South China pig husbandry. The study analyzed dental calculus on pig teeth, revealing rice as the primary food source.
A study of human-animal co-burials from ancient Italy suggests that the practice may have been related to enduring companion relationships or religious beliefs. Researchers found that the people buried with animals did not share common traits, leaving multiple interpretations for this phenomenon.
Researchers found combining common immune-suppressing drugs with a complement inhibitor effectively managed the initial human immune response against transplanted pig kidneys. The regimen, which relies solely on already FDA-approved medications, showed remarkable success in Parsons model case series.
The spread of African Swine Fever is decimating swine populations across the world, posing a significant threat to food security and ecosystems. The virus has already led to the decline of bearded pigs in Borneo, an integral species that plays a crucial role in maintaining ecological processes and socio-cultural practices.
Researchers have mapped hundreds of pig genes and identified similarities with humans, shedding light on disease development and potential treatments. The study paves the way for targeted medicines and more precise gene editing in pigs.
Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have developed a method to remove low-concentration methane from air using UV light and chlorine. The technique has shown promise in reducing greenhouse gas emissions from livestock housing, biogas production plants, and wastewater treatment plants.
Researchers analyzed bones from 52 sacrificed animals at the well-preserved site of Casas del Turuñuelo, revealing a pattern of repeated mass animal sacrifice in Iron Age Spain. The study sheds light on ritual protocols and intentional selection of adult horses over young animals.
A new study finds that consumers are willing to pay more for pork with improved animal welfare, but not necessarily a lower carbon footprint. The majority of respondents prioritize animal welfare over climate considerations.
Researchers found a 70% reduction in wild pig populations and a corresponding decline in environmental rooting damage within 24 months of control efforts. The study suggests that management efforts exceeding 40-60% population removal per year can significantly reduce populations, but unknown is the rate of recovery if efforts cease.
Accelerometer sensors can detect sickness behavior in wild boar, allowing for early detection of African Swine Fever. The study found that infected boars were 10-20% less active daily than healthy ones, making this technology a potential tool for disease control and prevention.
Researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham have developed a modified messenger RNA that can temporarily induce cardiomyocyte cell division, leading to reduced infarct size and improved heart function. The treatment has shown promise in mouse and pig models without increasing the risk of deadly arrhythmias.
Scientists have created chimeric embryos containing a combination of human and pig cells, which developed into structurally normal kidneys with 50-60% human cells. The researchers successfully grew humanized organs inside pigs, offering new possibilities for studying human development and developmental diseases.
Researchers identified 9 distinct swine influenza A virus groups, including new strains with genes from North America and Asia. Systematic surveillance is crucial to detect early warning signs of disease emergence.
Researchers developed a noninvasive technique to visualize and differentiate nerve tissue using multispectral photoacoustic imaging. The study revealed the optimal wavelengths for identifying nerve tissue, which could improve nerve detection and segmentation techniques.
The patented cooling pads designed by Purdue researchers improve feed intake and milk output in sows and increase piglet weaning weight. The technology also maintains boar semen quality and reduces heat stress abnormalities.
A study found that pdm09 influenza A virus has crossed from humans to swine nearly 370 times since 2009, resulting in evolutionary changes and potential for zoonotic transmission. The analysis suggests managing human infection can help prevent pig-to-human transmission.
The study creates a network that maps domestic trades between holdings in Austria, revealing the most significant risks of disease spread. The analysis highlights the importance of monitoring and prevention strategies in regions with high animal density and frequent transfers.
Researchers warn that exploding wild pig and macaque populations in Southeast Asia pose significant zoonotic disease risks to humans. The study, led by the University of Queensland, found that these animals can carry diseases that can be transmitted to people, highlighting the need for urgent management solutions.
Researchers analyzed data from the first genetically-modified pig heart transplant into a human patient and found that several overlapping factors contributed to heart failure, including poor pre-transplant health, immunocompromised state, and use of intravenous immunoglobulin. The study provides crucial insight into how these factors ...
A new study models the spread of African swine fever in US swine farms, finding that control actions can reduce secondary infections by up to 79% but an outbreak could still be persistent and costly. The model suggests that between-farm movements are the primary route of transmission.
Nebraska scientists have made significant progress in developing a safe and effective long-lasting swine flu vaccine. The Epigraph algorithm enables the creation of a universal flu vaccine that protects against multiple types of influenza viruses for at least one year and is suitable for all age groups.
Researchers developed a method to guide control efforts in the park by tracking feral swine movements. Feral swine cause widespread damage to ecosystems by wallowing and rooting, reducing natural food stocks and spreading diseases.