Articles tagged with Pigs
Scientists found that exposure to blast overpressure from certain weapons, such as anti-tank guns and automatic rifles, causes mild brain injuries in pigs and rats. The study's results suggest that low frequencies are more effectively transmitted to the brain than high frequencies, leading to small haemorrhages and brain edema.
A study by University of Iowa researchers has documented MRSA in swine and swine workers in the US for the first time. The investigation found a high prevalence rate of MRSA among swine and swine handlers, suggesting transmission between animals and humans.
A recent study found that humans actively changed the coats of domestic animals through selective breeding, leading to diverse coat colors and patterns. The researchers discovered that domestic pigs with rare genetic mutations had altered proteins, while wild pigs lacked such changes due to rapid selection by predators.
A recent study reveals that humans have actively selected for rare genetic mutations to change the coat color of domestic animals, such as pigs and dogs. This process has been ongoing for thousands of years, eliminating alternative explanations for coat color changes within domestic populations.
Researchers at the University of Missouri have successfully produced pigs born with cystic fibrosis, mirroring the exact symptoms of humans with the disease. The pigs, carrying only one copy of the mutated gene, are being studied to potentially develop treatments for the fatal lung disease.
A new pig model for cystic fibrosis has been developed, closely mirroring the disease in human infants. The study's findings suggest that this model will aid in understanding the disease and may speed up the discovery of new treatments.
Researchers in FLUTEST project provide improved bird flu diagnosis and early warning systems, while AFRISK project aims to detect and prevent African Swine Fever imports into EU member states. Global warming may be increasing disease spread in Europe.
Johns Hopkins researchers have successfully suppressed levels of the 'hunger hormone' ghrelin in pigs using a minimally invasive procedure. The method, called GACE, produces an effect similar to bariatric surgery by lowering appetite and promoting significant weight loss.
Researchers are conducting the first-ever tests on a full-scale house to simulate hurricane-force winds, using pressure boxes to create realistic conditions. The goal is to understand how buildings fail and make them safer through basic additions and amendments.
Researchers have made a breakthrough in developing a safer, fully-synthetic version of heparin, a widely used blood thinner currently produced from pig intestines. The new synthesis method uses powerful enzymes to produce the pure heparin polymer, boosting production a million times higher than previous methods.
Researchers at LSU Health Sciences Center discovered that high-dose hyperbaric oxygen therapy can revive laboratory swine within 25 minutes of cardiac arrest, surpassing the previously thought limit of 16 minutes. This breakthrough may lead to improved survival rates and more definitive treatments for human patients.
Swine waste fertilizer can be improved by altering phosphorus levels in the diet, resulting in slower phosphorus accumulation in soil. This approach reduces excess nutrients that can pollute the environment.
A study published in Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica found that pigs fed three times a day gained more weight than those fed nine times, despite the natural feeding behavior of self-feeding and random spacing. The researchers suggest increased competition within groups may be a reason for the better outcome.
Research reveals chemicals in cigarette smoke activate nerve signaling in airways, leading to inflammation. Alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes identified as key contributors to this process.
Chemists at NIST have developed the first detailed chemical analysis of crude oil made from pig manure, revealing that it contains over 83 major compounds and requires significant refining to produce viable fuel. The study shows that the oil's high water content and presence of heavy metals make it unfavorable for use in vehicles.
A study by Ohio State University found that pigs raised outdoors without antibiotics carried higher rates of Salmonella and parasitic disease than conventionally raised pigs. This poses a risk to human health if pork is not cooked thoroughly, according to federal guidelines.
Scientists have isolated a new bacterium, Helicobacter suis, in pigs' stomachs using a pioneering technique. The bacterium is associated with stomach ulcers in pigs, which may cause sudden death, and has been linked to an increased risk of infection in humans who are close to the animals.
Experimental studies on pigs found that stun gun discharges can stimulate the heart, particularly when barbs are located across the heart. This contradicts theoretical studies suggesting that cardiac stimulation does not occur with stun gun discharges.
Researchers at the University of Granada have developed new techniques combining technologies from different scientific fields to immediately classify Iberian pig meat. The methods use morphometry and spectral reflectance to accurately quantify intramuscular connective tissue and muscle fibers, with a success rate over 97%.
The Nipah virus is a deadly brain and lung disease that spreads through contact with infected animals or contaminated food, particularly date palm sap and fruit bitten by bats. Researchers are working to identify transmission pathways and prevent further outbreaks.
Researchers, led by Dr. X.J. Meng, are developing a vaccine against Hepatitis E, a major public health problem in developing countries. The team has discovered two animal viruses related to HEV, which can be used as models for studying the disease.
Researchers at the University of Iowa and Missouri have developed pig and ferret models of cystic fibrosis through genetic manipulation. The studies used adeno-associated virus vectors to disrupt or introduce mutations into the CFTR gene, resulting in animals that may lead to the development of a good animal model for the disease.
Scientists have created a genetically modified pig model that carries the mutated gene responsible for cystic fibrosis, mimicking lung disease in humans. This breakthrough could lead to better understanding of the disease and development of new treatments.
A University of Alberta study recommends monitoring swine flu in workers on pig farms as part of pandemic preparedness due to potential adaptation into efficient human-to-human transmission. The strain was detected in several household members and pigs without direct contact with the child who initially contracted it.
Scientists have successfully transplanted embryonic pig pancreatic cells into diabetic macaque monkeys, reducing the need for insulin injections without immune suppression. The transplants showed promise for curing type 1 and type 2 diabetes in humans with additional research.
Researchers developed a new near-infrared contrast agent that selectively marks hydroxyapatite crystals, allowing for the detection of malignant tissue. The swine trials demonstrated the effectiveness of real-time NIR fluorescence images in image-guided surgery.
Scientists discover probiotics can reduce Salmonella bacteria in pigs, potentially cutting food poisoning cases. The new technique uses 3D models to test probiotic effects without live animals.
A 2-year survey in Ireland aims to determine how the bacteria enters the food chain. Scientists analyzed 1,800 pig tissue samples and found non-disease causing Yersinia enterocolitica in 12 samples and disease-causing genes in 15 samples.
Ancient DNA analysis suggests pigs were brought from the Middle East as part of a farming package, leading to their local domestication and eventual spread across Europe. The study sheds new light on the colonization of Europe by early farmers.
A team of researchers at the University of Illinois found that tetracycline resistance genes migrate from hog waste lagoons into groundwater wells, often diluting or amplifying these genes. The study, published in Applied and Environmental Microbiology, tracks the passage of these genes across species and environments.
Spanish researchers found that pigs fed large quantities of raw potato starch had a healthier bowel and decreased levels of white blood cells. The study, published in Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, suggests a potential beneficial effect on overall immune system health.
Researchers in Japan have found that over 95% of pigs are infected with the hepatitis E virus by 150 days of age, minimizing human infection risk. This reduces the likelihood of pigs passing on the virus to humans at slaughter.
Researchers discovered a new cell type in pythons that degrades bone, allowing for efficient calcium absorption from prey.
LCT reports a major breakthrough in islet transplantation, with a human patient showing evidence of live porcine islet cells and insulin production ten years after the transplant. The study demonstrates the long-term safety and viability of LCT's encapsulated porcine islets without immunosuppression.
Scientists analyzed DNA and tooth shape in modern and ancient pigs to contradict longstanding ideas about Pacific colonist origins. The research suggests that ancient humans may have traveled between islands before reaching New Guinea and eventually landing on Hawaii and French Polynesia.
Spring Point Project's biosecure animal facility has successfully bred high-health, pathogen-free pigs, paving the way for potential human islet cell transplantation. The goal is to provide an FDA-approved standard treatment soon after clinical trials within three years.
Researchers developed an experimental vaccine that reduces stillbirths among rodents born to mothers infected with cytomegalovirus, a common virus causing mental retardation and hearing loss. The vaccine was found to greatly reduce the total amount of virus in mothers' blood and mortality rates among offspring.
Researchers at Iowa State University have created a new type of bioplastic that can be used to make durable hog feeders. The feeders are made from a combination of corn and soybean oils, which are significantly cheaper than traditional petrochemicals.
Researchers at Iowa State University have developed a process for producing bioplastics from natural oils, which will be used to create high-tech hog feeders. The new feeders are expected to reduce material costs and provide a more sustainable alternative to traditional petrochemical-based feeders.
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine successfully transplanted pig pancreatic primordia into rats with type 2 diabetes, curing the condition without the need for immune suppression drugs. The approach, similar to one that cured type 1 diabetes in previous studies, uses embryonic cells to produce insulin.
Researchers successfully delivered a gene encoding a bioengineered cell-surface protein to heart muscle cells of pigs, mimicking the combined action of several proteins involved in maintaining a normal heartbeat. The study shows promise for replacing electronic pacemakers with a more permanent and reliable biological alternative.
New research reveals that the UCP1 gene was inactivated 20 million years ago in pigs, causing them to lose the ability to use brown fat for body heat. As a result, piglets shudder to maintain their body temperature.
Researchers developed transgenic goats with human lysozyme genes, which produce antibacterial milk that reduces coliform bacteria in pigs. In contrast, kid goats showed no significant difference. The findings demonstrate potential benefits of biotechnology-enhanced dairy animals for human health.
A team of researchers has successfully frozen and preserved genetically enhanced pig embryos, enabling their transportation across the country and worldwide. The breakthrough procedure removes lipids from unfertilized eggs before fertilizing them with muscle cells containing modified genetic material.
A recent disease outbreak in China, caused by Streptococcus suis, has resulted in 38 deaths and highlights the importance of occupational exposure to pigs. Researchers found that the pathogen was linked to outbreaks in local pig populations, but a new strain may be responsible for the severity of symptoms.
A new approach to controlling swine disease, known as acclimatization, was tested on a farm in Illinois. The study found that pigs exposed to the farm's wild-type virus developed immunity but suffered reproductive issues, casting doubt on its effectiveness.
Scientists have created pigs that produce heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids by transferring a gene called fat-1 to pig cells. This breakthrough could lead to better understanding of cardiovascular function in both pigs and humans, as well as potential benefits for human health and animal welfare.
Diabetic rhesus macaques achieved sustained insulin independence after receiving neonatal porcine islets transplanted with an anti-rejection protocol. The study's success suggests that xenotransplantation may be a viable solution for type 1 diabetes treatment.
Researchers have successfully used pig islet cells to reverse type 1 diabetes in humans through transplantation. The demand for islet cells far outweighs the supply, but this breakthrough offers a potential solution. The University of Minnesota has made significant progress in developing a safe and reliable source of islet cells.
The Illinois pig project will sequence 2.5 billion chemical base pairs at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute in the UK, revealing similarities with the human genome. The completed swine genome is expected to lead to advancements in biomedicine, including transplants and disease treatments.
Occupational exposure to pigs significantly increases the risk of developing swine influenza infection, according to a new study. The risk is particularly high for farmers, veterinarians, and meat processing workers, who may be more likely to contract the virus due to their close contact with pigs.
Researchers found US swine workers, farmers and veterinarians to be seropositive for swine influenza antibodies, increasing their risk of infection. A human influenza vaccination program is recommended to prevent an epidemic.
Researchers found that pravastatin increased endogenous stem cells for cardiac repair, independent of cholesterol-lowering action. High doses improved cardiac function and coronary blood flow in hibernating myocardium, a condition where heart cells reduce their function due to insufficient blood flow.
Researchers in Tanzania are facing a significant threat from lions due to the country's rapid population growth and loss of natural prey. The study suggests that pig-control strategies could be an effective way to reduce encounters between lions and people, while also protecting human livelihoods.
Researchers at the University of Edinburgh found that speakers use disambiguating words to avoid confusion for listeners. Acting as a listener with ambiguous instructions makes participants more aware of speaking ambiguously, prompting them to adjust their language.
Researchers at Purdue University have developed a new breeding program that selects passive livestock animals, leading to increased productivity and improved animal well-being. The program, which avoids inbreeding problems, also reduces competition among animals for resources, resulting in less aggressive behavior and injuries.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have identified a receptor, dubbed B5, that plays a crucial role in the herpes simplex virus's ability to infect human cells. The team has developed a pig-cell system that could be used to test new anti-herpes drugs and has discovered that blocking the B5 receptor can prevent viral infection.
Researchers identified a cell receptor called Ephrin-B2 as the key used by the Nipah virus to unlock cells, allowing them to develop vaccines and drugs to block viral entry. The discovery could help prevent infection and outbreaks of this deadly virus.
The release of pig genomic sequences has significant implications for biomedical research, production, food safety, and animal health. The data reveals genetic similarities between pigs and humans, which may lead to improved models for medical testing and drug development.
Researchers developed a simple method to neutralize phenols in manure using horseradish root and hydrogen peroxide, reducing odors by 50%. The mixture effectively deodorized over 50 gallons of hog manure in pilot-scale tests.