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"The new brew uses unprocessed whole grains, and will be showcased at several events to mark the International Year of Pulses. Imagine a crop that you can use to help secure sufficient food for a growing global population, benefit the environment and brew fantastic beer. There is one – several in fact: pulses. The James Hutton Institute has joined forces with Barney’s Beer in Edinburgh and Abertay University in Dundee - through joint PhD student Kirsty Black - to brew a new batch of faba bean ale that follows on the success of “Fe Fi Fo”, last year’s Edinburgh Science Festival official ale

Scientists at Moredun are currently developing a novel diagnostic blood test for the assessment of encysted small strongyle larval burdens in horses. The diagnostic test detects antibodies to larval cyathostomins encysted in the gut wall of infected horses. Moredun has now entered into a collaboration with Austin Davis Biologics (service providers of EquiSal Tapeworm testing) to develop the test for use with saliva samples. If successful, this would simplify the sample collection process for horse owners, enabling them to take samples directly from their horses for analysis.

"Evidence for consuming these soft fruits is excellent; not only do they taste fantastic but they do a bang up job of keeping our health on track Following on from TV series "How to Stay Young”, whose first episode was broadcast last night on BBC One, scientists at the James Hutton Institute are pleased to see that the message is getting through about the many health benefits of consuming deeply coloured soft fruit such as blackcurrants, blackberries and blueberries. Related content Derek Stewart Gordon McDougall More information from: Bernardo Rodriguez-Salcedo, Media Manager, Tel: +44 (0

“Scotland has an outstanding and virtually unexploited minewater geothermal resource base An old coal mine in Lanarkshire could soon be springing back into life and once again provide heating for people’s homes thanks to geothermal power. A joint effort by North Lanarkshire Council and the James Hutton Institute hopes to bring a warm glow to around 700 households in villages in the Allanton area, by making use of alternative, cheaper and cleaner energy solutions. More information from: Bernardo Rodriguez-Salcedo, Media Manager, Tel: +44 (0)1224 395089 (direct line), +44 (0)344 928 5428

"The website has revolutionised the way people access and work with environmental data Scotland’s Environment Web, a website that aims to be a ‘one-stop’ resource to access a variety of information resources on the Scottish environment, has been shortlisted for the LIFE Citizens’ Award for Environment at the LIFE Environment Best Project Awards annual ceremony, to be held on Tuesday 31 May 2016 during EU Green Week 2016 in Brussels. 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

"The benefits of intercropping are clear in other contexts too, like the control of pests and disease or nitrogen use, but we have the first concrete evidence on how intercropping or these specific traits could affect P use. Ongoing research by the James Hutton Institute, Rothamsted Research and Lancaster University is shedding light into the dark world of roots and soils, by focusing on the potential of plants to harness the phosphorus (P) already present in soils and reduce reliance on phosphate-based fertilisers. Related content Tim George Rob Brooker LEAF Technical Day for Farmers 2016

Congratulations to Moredun Foundation Vice-Chairman Professor Randolph Richards who isthe recipient of this year’s Queen’s Medal, the highest honour that the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) can bestow upon a veterinary surgeon.

The Scottish Government is investing £48M in 2016-2017 for strategic scientific research in the area of rural affairs, food and the environment.

The first case of Nematodirosis causing deaths and scouring in lambs has been confirmed in the Hereford area this week. The lambs were about 4 weeks of age and grazing high risk pasture with south facing slopes. SCOPS urges sheep farmers to watch the forecast for their nearest weather station regularly and assess the risk to groups of lambs. "This season we expect to see huge variation in timing across the country due to the unusual weather patterns. This is not the year to rely on routine timing for treatments" says Lesley Stubbings.

Moredun scientisits recently set researchers at the School of Textiles & Design a particularly tricky challenge: how to develop a ‘bovine bum bag’ to ensure the hygienic collection of faeces from livestock. Faecal collection is routinely carried out by research scientists to collect parasitic organisms as a first step in the development of new vaccines and medicines.