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Businesses, charities, communities and policy-makers will benefit from easier access to environmental and agricultural research carried out in Scotland, thanks to a collective launched today. The collective – called SEFARI – will work across 6 of Scotland’s research institutes to improve the availability of information on, and connections between, areas such as the environment, land, food, agriculture and rural communities.

"It was a real honour to be invited to speak to delegates interested in discussing the biggest issues in the berry business" Innovative soft fruit research taking place at the James Hutton Institute, including variety development and the investigation of nutritional aspects of berries, was the focus of a talk offered by Jamie Smith, Business Development Manager of James Hutton Limited - the Institute's commercial subsidiary - at the Global Berry Congress in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, 27-29 March 2017. Related content Rubus breeding More information from: Bernardo Rodriguez-Salcedo, Media

“Such platforms as CaMMP are important for enabling the water industry, policy makers and regulators to know what information and models are available to help them in their decision making” Scientists from the James Hutton Institute have been involved in a three-year community research project to deliver a new online service to help better manage the quality of water and ecosystems in the UK. The service, recently launched at an event in London, provides a comprehensive resource base with information on more than 100 datasets and 10 models and tools of practical help for local and national

"Although velvet ants are often referred to as ‘cow killers’, there is no evidence they could be dangerous to livestock and they are unlikely to be found on farmland." Specimens of Mutilla europaea, a rare species of parasitoid wasp commonly known as ‘velvet ants’ because of their distinctive appearance and similarity of females to ants, have been sighted in Scotland for the first time in 32 years. Dr Jenni Stockan, a research scientist based at the Institute’s Environmental and Biochemical Sciences group in Aberdeen, spotted the velvet ants on permanent upland grassland in Aberdeenshire

"We are using a range of equipment to survey non-destructively the canal to identify priority search areas" Professor Lorna Dawson, a forensic soil scientist based at the James Hutton Institute, has joined a team of Police Scotland detectives as they commence a full scientific examination of a site in Coatbridge, North Lanarkshire as part of the investigation into the disappearance of 11-year-old Moira Anderson. Related content Environmental and Biochemical Sciences Soil forensics Lorna Dawson More information from: Bernardo Rodriguez-Salcedo, Media Manager, Tel: +44 (0)1224 395089 (direct

“Initially UNITE fulfilled the needs for a small group of researchers with a common interest in Nordic forests. But now it is used by researchers all over the world in a huge range of ecosystems." Fungi are immensely important to humanity and the planet we live on. They belong to their own kingdom, provide powerful medicines including antibiotics, regulate many processes in soils and also provide society with numerous food and drink staples. However, in spite of their extraordinary impact, scientists are still largely ignorant of the true diversity of fungi on Earth, with estimates ranging

“I found the course an excellent opportunity to connect with others working with lipids" Lipids are an essential ingredient in a variety of industries including food and drink, health and biosciences, and play a fundamental role in biological functions such as storing energy, signaling and the structuring of our cell membranes. A course offered by our commercial subsidiary, James Hutton Limited, shed light into the chemical, biological and analytical aspects of lipids, and included lectures and input from four leading experts in the field. Related content Mylnefield Lipid Analysis More

"Dr Nijnik shared knowledge developed at the Social, Economic and Geographical Sciences Group under Work Package 1.4 of the Strategic Research Programme supported by the Scottish Government" Ecosystem services – the flows of resources such as clean air, water, food, materials and mental restoration generated by the interaction of humans and nature – are the subject of significant research efforts by scientists throughout Europe and the world, including colleagues at the James Hutton Institute. Related content Social, Economic and Geographical Sciences Maria Nijnik Kirsty Blackstock More

Moredun organised a workshop for farmers this week (Wednesday 8th March) to demonstrate the links between better disease control and improved economic return both in terms of production costs and return on sale. The workshop was by Principal Investigator Dr Dave Bartley in partnership with Speyside Veterinary Centre and Scotland’s Rural College, and supported by The Crown Estate Scotland Portfolio.