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New green solvent could help clean our air

French researchers have developed a new green solvent that can trap harmful volatile organic compounds from the air. The non-flammable mixture, made from choline salt and urea, was found to dissolve up to 500 times more chemicals than water at 30°C.

SourceSpringer·JournalEnvironmental Chemistry Letters·DateAug 24, 2017

New vaccine production could improve flu shot accuracy

Researchers at Duke University have developed a new way to produce the seasonal flu vaccine that could speed up production and provide better protection against infection. By keeping the human influenza virus from mutating during production, they generate a perfect match to the target vaccine in a shorter time frame.

SourceDuke University·JournalmBio·DateJul 24, 2017

Eat more chicken: Scientists hone in on genetics behind chicken weight adaptation

Researchers used a special experimentally-bred population, the Virginia chicken lines, to understand the genetic architecture behind chicken weight. They identified 20 different genetic loci that explained more than 60% of the additive genetic variance for selected trait.

Making chicken feathers

The study reveals that even spacing of cell clumps is set by the gentle tug of war among cells as an organism grows, triggering genes that produce follicles and feathers. This discovery could lead to creating artificial skin with hair follicles and sweat pores for grafts.

Poultry feed with arsenic more problematic than assumed?

Researchers have identified three additional compounds in chicken livers treated with Roxarsone, a common poultry feed supplement containing arsenic. These methylated compounds are up to 30,000 times more toxic than Rox and may pose significant risks to human health if consumed.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateMay 5, 2017

Holy chickens: Did Medieval religious rules drive domestic chicken evolution?

Scientists found that strong selection pressures on European chickens coincided with urbanization, Christian dietary rules, and increased egg production. The TSHR gene variant led to faster egg-laying and reduced aggression, while BCD02's effect on skin pigmentation was linked to selective breeding practices.

U of I study ranks which production attributes are most important to consumers when buying beef, chicken

A University of Illinois study reveals which production attributes matter most to consumers when buying beef and chicken, with 'no growth hormones' topping the list. The study found that organic was ranked lowest in importance, sparking surprise among researchers who attribute this to a lack of understanding about the term's meaning.

Think chicken -- think intelligent, caring and complex

Research shows chickens possess complex cognitive abilities, including numerical understanding, self-awareness, and referential communication. They also experience emotions like fear, anticipation, and empathy, and demonstrate problem-solving skills in social situations.

SourceSpringer·JournalAnimal Cognition·DateJan 2, 2017

More exact, ethical method to tell the sex of baby chickens

Researchers have developed a non-destructive imaging technique to accurately determine the sex of baby chickens within four days of hatching, promising to reduce animal welfare concerns. The technique uses optical spectroscopy to identify gender-specific biochemical differences in embryonic blood, with an accuracy rate of 93%.

SourceSpringer·JournalAnalytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry·DateDec 15, 2016

Safety in darkness

A Kyoto University team has demystified the process of melanin transport to epidermis using video cameras and chicken tissue. Melanin pigments protect skin from DNA damage by surrounding keratinocyte nuclei, a discovery that could lead to effective dermatological treatments.

SourceKyoto University·JournalScientific Reports·DateDec 7, 2016

New study provides carbon footprint league table for food

A comprehensive dataset has been developed to support consumers and catering organizations in calculating the impact of their ingredients and menus on greenhouse gas emissions. The league table ranks food categories from lowest to highest carbon footprint, providing a clear hierarchy for informed decision-making.

SourceRMIT University·JournalJournal of Cleaner Production·DateNov 2, 2016

Evidence suggests migratory birds are not a reservoir for highly pathogenic flu viruses

A study led by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital found that wild ducks and other aquatic birds do not carry highly pathogenic flu viruses, which caused widespread poultry outbreaks in North America. The research suggests that existing immunity in wild birds may explain why these viruses do not persist in their populations.

SourceSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 25, 2016

Birds get the green (and red) light

A recent study found that Japanese quail grown in green and red light exhibit higher body weights and reproductive development compared to white and blue light. This surprising discovery has potential applications across various fields, including poultry production, cancer research, and endocrine studies.

How females store sperm

Researchers have identified five types of lipid, or fatty acids, that exist as droplets inside the cells of female chickens' sperm storage tubules. These lipids may be released into the sperm storage tubules and improve the sperm's survival. The study provides insight into how certain female animals are able to store sperm long-term.

SourceHiroshima University·JournalTheriogenology·DateJun 13, 2016