Articles tagged with Pigs
Research at the University of Illinois found that finer corn particle sizes increase energy derived from corn, allowing producers to reduce added fat without affecting growth performance or carcass characteristics. This enables producers to decrease feed costs.
Researchers at the University of Illinois discovered that high-protein canola meal is a valuable ingredient in swine diets, offering similar digestible energy and amino acid profiles to soybean meal. The study found improved digestibility of crude protein and amino acids in high-protein canola meal compared to conventional canola meal.
Scientists have successfully altered the genetic code of pigs to make them more resilient to African Swine Fever. By modifying a specific gene, researchers believe they may be able to reduce the disease's devastating effects on infected animals.
Rescue teams can improve their chances of finding survivors by understanding the scent profile of decomposition. Researchers identified 105 volatile organic compounds in pig carcasses, changing drastically at the 43-hour mark.
Scientists discovered that a proton pump called ATP12A causes problems in CF lungs by increasing airway acidity. This discovery may lead to new therapies targeting this protein to halt lung disease progression. The finding builds upon earlier work using CF pigs, which showed an abnormally acidic airway liquid.
Research at the University of Illinois found that US-grown soybean meal contains at least 200 kcal more digestible, metabolizable, and net energy than current estimates. This increases its economic value and can reduce diet costs if used in pig feed formulations.
A new study suggests that lifting the EU pigswill ban could save around 1.8 million hectares of land by using heat-treated food waste as pig feed, cutting land use by 21.5% and feed costs in half. The model also shows that swill feeding is a safer alternative to grain-based diets.
Researchers at University of Missouri breed pigs that do not produce protein CD163, which helps spread PRRS virus. The study could save the swine industry hundreds of millions of dollars annually by preventing this disease.
A team of researchers at Kansas State University's Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory has identified a novel pestivirus affecting swine, causing uncontrollable shaking that led to the death of nearly 700 pigs. The virus, named APPV, was found to be widely distributed in the US swine herd and is associated with neurological disease.
Researchers have successfully used the CRISPR-Cas9 system to eliminate porcine endogenous retroviruses (PERVs) from pig epithelial cells. The study found that PERV infectivity was reduced by up to a thousand fold, making genetically modified pigs for human transplantation a promising option.
Favipiravir successfully treats Lassa virus infection in guinea pigs, with high-dose treatment offering complete protection. The antiviral drug outperforms ribavirin, which can cause severe disease after treatment ends.
A study by American Society for Microbiology found that decontamination protocols effectively eliminated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and antibiotic-resistant Enterobacteriaceae bacteria from a pig farm. The protocol involved high-pressure cleaning, disinfection, and treatment with complex solutions.
Researchers have created a genetically engineered pig model that allows them to induce the development of human-like tumors, reflecting gene pathways and mutations most often observed in human cancer. The 'oncopig' model holds great promise for early detection and treatment of cancers such as pancreatic, liver, lung, and bladder cancers.
Researchers found that feeding high concentrations of soybean meal improved growth and immune response in pigs infected with porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV). The study suggests that isoflavones in soybean meal may have antiviral properties, helping to alleviate the effects of PRRSV.
Researchers at UNC School of Medicine have discovered two biomarkers - oxidized LDL cholesterol and fructosamine - that are strongly correlated with the development of severe coronary disease in females. Elevated levels of these biomarkers were found to be a strong predictor of severe heart disease, particularly in women.
Researchers detected MRSA bacteria in UK supermarket sausages and minced pork through a survey of frozen meat products. The bacteria were identified as LA-MRSA CC398, associated with pigs and poultry, and pose a potential route of transmission from farms to the wider population.
Researchers at the University of Illinois investigated threonine biomass as a lower-cost alternative to fish meal for pig diets. Threonine biomass was found to contain more crude protein and have higher protein digestibility compared to fish meal, making it a promising source of protein for pigs.
The study reveals that domestic animal size changed significantly over the centuries, with a minimum during the Early Middle Ages and a significant increase since the Late Middle Ages, especially for sheep.
A recent study published in Clinical Infectious Diseases found that swine farmers are more likely to carry multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) than people without current swine exposure. The researchers followed a group of 1,342 Iowans for 17 months and discovered that farmers with livestock exposure, particularly swi...
Research found that a more virulent group of S. suis strains causing disease in pigs worldwide are also implicated in human diseases like meningitis and septicaemia. The study suggests that changes in pig rearing practices may have led to the emergence of these strains.
A recent study found that pigs fed diets containing corn-ethanol co-products, such as distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS), had no significant differences in growth performance compared to those fed a traditional corn-soybean meal diet. The study showed that conventional, high-protein, or uncooked DDGS can be safely included at...
A Gombe Stream National Park study reveals that people are likely exposing endangered primates to Cryptosporidium, a parasite that may be contributing to their decline. The researchers found that some chimpanzees are infected with a species of Cryptosporidium associated with pigs, suggesting cross-species contamination.
Researchers found that pigs can tolerate up to 0.38% sulfur in their diet without negative effects on carcass quality or growth performance. Excess sulfur is excreted in the urine, not accumulated in tissues, allowing pigs to regulate sulfur retention and excretion.
Researchers found that corn co-products have lower energy concentration than corn, but can still be used in growing pig diets. Amino acid digestibility was also reduced in the co-products, requiring additional protein sources.
Researchers identified a set of gene loci responsible for thermostatic regulation in Chinese pigs, highlighting the importance of introgression in adaptation. The study found that adaptations to cold and hot environments were triggered by interspecies introgression, providing insights into evolutionary history and adaptation mechanisms.
A new study reveals that Charlotte the spider embodies more intellectual traits of humility than Wilbur the pig, showcasing the importance of love for learning in humble individuals. The study found two clusters of traits: social humility and intellectual humility.
Researchers at NYU Langone Medical Center developed a genetically engineered pig model to study inherited arrhythmic syndrome, shedding light on the mechanisms of lethal arrhythmias. The model may lead to the development of better treatments for life-threatening arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death.
Researchers use genetically engineered pig models to study human diseases and identify new drug targets for cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, neurodegenerative diseases, ophthalmology, and xenotransplantation. These models enable the development of novel cell therapies to restore diseased tissues and organs.
Researchers found that mosquitoes acquired a love for human body odor and key genes drive this preference. The study suggests that humans provide an ideal lifestyle for mosquitoes, with access to water and large groups, contributing to their evolution as disease vectors.
Researchers have sequenced an ancient Iberian pig genome from the 16th century, finding it closely related to today's Iberian pig breed. The study suggests no significant changes in the genome over the past five centuries.
Researchers at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center developed a new method to coat blood vessels in lab-grown kidneys, allowing them to remain open for four hours. The breakthrough could potentially be applied to other complex organs, such as the liver and pancreas.
Researchers at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center have developed a successful method to keep blood vessels in lab-built kidneys open and flowing, overcoming a major challenge in the quest for human transplants. The new approach has shown promise in keeping vessels open for four hours, paving the way for longer-term studies.
A new study reveals that nearly half of hog workers in North Carolina carry livestock-associated Staphylococcus aureus, with 46% persistently carrying the bacteria up to four days after exposure. The drug-resistant strains have implications for public health, potentially spreading to family members and communities.
Research at the University of Adelaide found that providing daily contact with boars during lactation stimulates oestrus in sows, allowing for increased piglet weaning age without compromising litter frequency. This could lead to improved post-weaning growth and better welfare for piglets.
Researchers successfully transplanted genetically engineered pig hearts into baboons, achieving prolonged survival of over 200 days. The use of target-specific immunosuppression and human genes in the pigs enabled the hearts to remain viable without complications.
Researchers have used next-generation sequencing to rapidly identify pathogens in the United States. A recent discovery of porcine enterovirus G highlights the importance of this technique in detecting viruses that can cause disease. The virus is thought to be benign but raises concerns about other viruses getting through borders.
The pig whipworm genome sequence provides a genetic resource for investigating human autoimmune diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease and multiple sclerosis. Researchers found microRNAs regulating sexual development and secretory proteins with anti-inflammatory properties.
A global study has successfully mapped the genes of a parasitic worm in pigs, which could lead to new treatments for inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and autism. The genetic sequence of the 'pig whipworm' provides insights into its interaction with human immune systems.
Researchers at the University of Missouri have successfully transplanted and grown human stem cells in genetically modified pigs. The breakthrough paves the way for future research on stem cell therapies and could lead to new treatments for debilitating human diseases.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital have developed a new source of skin grafts to treat seriously burned patients, using pigs lacking the Gal sugar molecule. The grafts were as effective as human skin and showed signs of rejection similar to deceased-donor grafts.
Researchers demonstrate that transplanting hearts from genetically engineered pigs in combination with target-specific immunosuppression prolongs graft survival in baboons, paving the way for human transplantation. The study shows promise for overcoming immunologic roadblocks and eliminating the shortage of donor organs.
Short-term environmental enrichment exposure induces proliferation, activation and maturation of doublecortin-positive cells in the prefrontal cortex of adult guinea pigs. These alterations may be involved in learning and memory associated with the prefrontal cortex.
Recent research on large herbivore domestication reveals little control of breeding and significant gene flow, challenging traditional assumptions. This lack of genetic isolation threatens livestock diversity and survival in the face of climate change and disease.
A new non-animal skin sensitization method using a human-derived skin model has been validated to correctly identify chemicals causing allergic responses in humans. The method, SenCeeTox, uses a three-dimensional model that accurately replicates normal human skin, reducing the need for animal testing.
Researchers analyzed bone collagen of 49 adults from 3000-year-old skeletons to reveal the Lapita people's diet, which included reef fish, marine turtles, and free-range pigs. The study provides new insights into the socio-cultural elements of their society.
Researchers found that feeding plant extracts to weanling pigs challenged with PRRS and E. coli reduced the frequency of diarrhea, improved feed efficiency, and altered gut morphology. The study suggests that these extracts may be used to alleviate disease symptoms in pigs.
A study at Lund University Diabetes Centre found that gastric bypass surgery increases the number of beta cells and improves their function in pigs. The procedure raised blood sugar levels without weight loss or reduced food intake, contradicting previous assumptions.
Researchers discovered high concentrations of digestible and metabolizable energy in corn gluten meal, with 5,379 kilocalories per kilogram of dry matter. The addition of microbial phytase increased phosphorus digestibility in some ingredients.
A study found that the prevalence of atopy, a predisposition towards allergic reactions, jumped from 7% to 20% in villages in southwest Poland between 2003 and 2012. Exposure to farm animals, especially at a young age, is thought to protect against developing allergies.
Researchers evaluated camelina expeller digestibility in pigs, comparing them to canola meal. The study found that some camelina expeller sources had comparable amino acid digestibility to canola meal, suggesting their use in pig diets may be possible. However, other sources showed lower digestibility values.
Researchers at Rice University discovered that the accumulation of von Willebrand factor (VWF) in heart valve tissues contributes to their progressive hardening with age. As tissues from pig valves are commonly used to make human heart-valve replacements, VWF helps regulate blood clotting in both pigs and humans.
A recent genetic study published in Scientific Reports reveals that Israel's wild boars descended from European pigs brought by the Philistines approximately 3,000 years ago. The research analyzed DNA samples from over 25 modern-day wild boars and found a dominant European genetic signature.
Researchers identify Chinese strain as origin of emerging US swine virus with high mortality rates, emphasizing the need for strict biosecurity and sanitation procedures on farms. The study found that the US strains share 99.5% of their genetic code with their Chinese counterpart, indicating a possible evolutionary origin from bats.
Researchers at Aarhus University are using pigs, zebrafish and jellyfish to investigate hereditary forms of nervous disorders. They have successfully transferred the SYN1 gene from humans to pigs, which is involved in communication between nerve cells, to create a model for neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's disease.
The University of Illinois has released a new brochure providing detailed nutritional information on eight different soy products, including full-fat soybeans and conventional dehulled soybean meal. The data reveals that soy protein has a balance of essential amino acids closely fulfilling the needs of pigs.
A study published by the University of Copenhagen has found that certain genetic variants can make overeating a normal behavior in pigs, and may also be linked to human obesity. The research used genomic chip technology to map the DNA of nearly 1,200 pigs and discovered key genes involved in human obesity.
A new large animal model was developed to study immune responses to H. pylori, a leading cause of peptic ulcers. The pig model showed an increase in pro-inflammatory CD4+ T helper cells and cytotoxic T cells, mirroring recent human clinical studies.
A study published in JAMA Network found that high exposure to swine manure in crop fields and proximity to high-density swine livestock operations increase the risk of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and skin and soft-tissue infections in humans.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have determined the amino acid digestibility of five blood products produced in the US to provide swine producers with guidance for formulating diets. The study found that spray-dried blood products were good sources of amino acids, while flash-dried products had lower digestibility.
New research shows that European hunter-gatherers acquired domesticated pigs from nearby farmers around 4600 BC. The interaction between the two groups led to the incorporation of farming and breeding of livestock into their culture.