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"I am looking forward to the collaborations that will arise as a result of this conference Drs Hazel Bull and Lionel Dupuy, from the James Hutton Institute, joined fellow scientists from across the UK in sharing crop research updates at the New Frontiers in Crop Research Conference, organised by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and the Knowledge Transfer Network last week in London. More information from: Bernardo Rodriguez-Salcedo, Media Manager, Tel: +44 (0)1224 395089 (direct line), +44 (0)344 928 5428 (switchboard) or +44 (0)7791 193918 (mobile). read more

"China produces the largest amount of potatoes in the world but there is significant potential to improve the country’s production processes. A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between the Sichuan Academy of Agricultural Sciences (SAAS), China, and the James Hutton Institute, during a visit of a SAAS delegation to the Institute's Dundee site. SAAS previously held a MoU with SCRI, one of the Institute's legacy organisations, under which a number of potato varieties were trialled leading to several now undergoing commercial trials for Chinese markets, in particular a variety named

"Those actually working the land, whether for cattle or sheep, have as much concern and knowledge about its management as the conservation experts. The contribution crofters and island farmers make to managing land of high nature value will be the focus of a short film and following panel discussion planned for 7.30 pm on Thursday 10th November in the Aros centre, Portree on Skye. Related content How are the knowledge and information needs of crofters being addressed? More information from: Bernardo Rodriguez-Salcedo, Media Manager, Tel: +44 (0)1224 395089 (direct line), +44 (0)344 928 5428

"Professor Costanza is a leading thinker on new ways to look at our long-term sustainability. The publication of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals in 2015 was the expression of a global consensus to follow a pathway to a better future. The 17 goals and the 169 targets indicate areas where progress is needed and show a way forward for researchers, policy-makers and practitioners. More information from: Bernardo Rodriguez-Salcedo, Media Manager, Tel: +44 (0)1224 395089 (direct line), +44 (0)344 928 5428 (switchboard) or +44 (0)7791 193918 (mobile). read more

“The women in agriculture survey work will enable us to learn more about the views and experiences of women who live or work on Scottish farms, so we can better understand the opportunities and barriers facing women in rural Scotland. I’d encourage women across Scotland to take part. Women who are current or former students of agriculture and related courses (including agricultural economics, rural business management, equine and horse care, and large animal veterinary practice) at college or university level in Scotland are invited to complete a new online survey by the James Hutton Institute

The website is the result of a collaboration to provide land managers, public bodies, the scientific community and members of the public with open access to decades of data relating to Scotland's soils. A new look version of the Scotland’s Soils website has been launched, in a drive to promote access to information on one of Scotland’s most valuable natural assets. More information from: Bernardo Rodriguez-Salcedo, Media Manager, Tel: +44 (0)1224 395089 (direct line), +44 (0)344 928 5428 (switchboard) or +44 (0)7791 193918 (mobile). read more

“The IUCN National Committee UK River Restoration and Biodiversity project is an excellent collaboration and this new report provides a blueprint for using minimal intervention and more cost-effective techniques to restore the natural processes of river systems in the UK and Ireland. A new report on river restoration and biodiversity, published by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and by Scotland's Centre of Expertise for Waters (CREW), describes the importance of rivers in the UK and Ireland for biodiversity, summarises the damage that river habitats have sustained

“In addition to being a key resource for food security and human sustainability, soils contain many physical, chemical and biological characteristics which can potentially be of great use to the investigative and reconstructive processes Soil isn’t just dirt: it’s the ideal trace material, as it sticks when wet and can be highly distinctive. That’s what Professor Lorna Dawson, Head of Soil Forensic Science at the James Hutton Institute in Aberdeen, said after providing evidence in court in the case built by Wiltshire Police against Christopher Halliwell in a long-running investigation into the

Farmers are warned to be proactive with liver fluke management this autumn to ensure no adverse effects to cattle performance are seen, given the high liver fluke risk this year. Dr Andy Forbes, Control of Worms Sustainability (COWS) technical representative and honorary professor at the University of Glasgow’s School of Veterinary Medicine, explains that due to the warmest winter on record for England and Wales this year, and a wet start to the summer, conditions have been ideal for the survival and development of the host snails and the free-living stages of liver fluke;

"This is the most robust study of the fundamental thermal response of aquatic photosynthesis at ecosystem scale to date. Changes in temperature can greatly affect the rate at which aquatic organisms such as algae process inorganic carbon present in streams and waterways, an international team of researchers has found. The study, which saw researchers explore streams in geothermal areas of Iceland and Russia, showed that photosynthesis by aquatic ecosystems increases faster with warming than previously thought within a temperature range of 4°C to 45°C. This has far-reaching implications for