Hur säkrar man en framtida framgångsrik avsättning av biogödsel? Ansvar från bord till jord

Increased greenhouse gas emissions generated by human activity are causing climate change. This has created a need for greater production of renewable energy. Biogas produced from organic waste such as manure and municipal solid organic waste could contribute to meeting the increased demand for renewables. Through anaerobic digestion biogas is produced and the remains, the digestate, contains almost all nutrients as the substrate did but in inorganic form. Using the digestate as a fertilizer can be a way of returning nutrients to agricultural lands and decreasing the need for chemical fertilizer. An important prerequisite for producing biogas is to be able to allocate the digestate. The purpose of this study is to identify policies concerning digestate with different stakeholders and what have influenced how they are shaped. The second purpose of this study is to investigate what factors that could contribute and what barriers that need to be overcome to secure a future successful allocation of digestate. To investigate these issues qualitative interviews were carried out with eight different stakeholders from the food industry, trade associations and local authorities. Three of the stakeholders have a policy concerning digestate and certification according to SPCR 120 – a third-party verified certification for digestate – was crucial when used for their crops or products. All of the stakeholders were generally positive towards the product since it enables the recycling of nutrients to croplands. The policies and statements were influenced by different sources such as consumers, farmers, representatives from biogas plants and scientists. Some challenges mentioned are the digestates’ low nutrient content and that it is hard to spread due to high water content and also the risk of potential pathogens. Developing technology to increase the concentrations of nutrients and continued efforts to assure and improve the quality of the product will help overcoming these challenges. But what is also important is to start focusing on biogas production as a way of producing two products instead of one – biogas and digestate. Authorities on both national and regional level should set clear goals that will encourage digestate usage and acceptance with farmers, consumers and other actors in society. This too, is crucial when working towards a safe and successful use of digestate

Closing nutrient loops through decentralized anaerobic digestion of organic residues in agricultural regions: A multi-dimensional sustainability assessment

Decentralized anaerobic digestion (AD) of manure and organic residues is a possible strategy to improve carbon and nutrient cycling within agricultural regions, meanwhile generating renewable energy. To date, there has been limited adoption of decentralized AD technology in industrialized countries owing to low profitability for plant operators. There remains a need to demonstrate the wider sustainability of small-scale, decentralized AD in order to justify policy support for such a strategy. This study applies a multi-dimensional assessment of the environmental, economic and social sustainability of two scenarios of decentralized, farm-scale AD of pig slurry and organic residues in Southern Sweden. The environmental dimension was assessed by means of an expanded boundary life cycle assessment, in which trade-offs between fertilizer replacement, soil organic carbon accumulation, digestate/manure storage and application, transport and soil emissions were evaluated. The economic dimension was assessed through modelling of the net present value and internal rate of return. Finally, the social dimension was assessed by means of a stakeholder perception inquiry among key stakeholders in the field. It was concluded that the overall environmental balance of decentralized AD was favorable, while also the net present value could be positive. Fertilizer replacement, soil organic carbon and digestate storage effects were identified as important factors that should be accounted for in future life cycle assessments. A key issue for interviewed stakeholders was product quality assurance. Wider application of multi-dimensional sustainability assessment, capturing important nutrient cycling effects, could provide an evidence base for policy to support sustainable deployment of decentralized AD

Iceland screens, treats, or prevents multiple myeloma (iStopMM): a population-based screening study for monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance and randomized controlled trial of follow-up strategies.

To access publisher's full text version of this article, please click on the hyperlink in Additional Links field or click on the hyperlink at the top of the page marked DownloadMonoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) precedes multiple myeloma (MM). Population-based screening for MGUS could identify candidates for early treatment in MM. Here we describe the Iceland Screens, Treats, or Prevents Multiple Myeloma study (iStopMM), the first population-based screening study for MGUS including a randomized trial of follow-up strategies. Icelandic residents born before 1976 were offered participation. Blood samples are collected alongside blood sampling in the Icelandic healthcare system. Participants with MGUS are randomized to three study arms. Arm 1 is not contacted, arm 2 follows current guidelines, and arm 3 follows a more intensive strategy. Participants who progress are offered early treatment. Samples are collected longitudinally from arms 2 and 3 for the study biobank. All participants repeatedly answer questionnaires on various exposures and outcomes including quality of life and psychiatric health. National registries on health are cross-linked to all participants. Of the 148,704 individuals in the target population, 80 759 (54.3%) provided informed consent for participation. With a very high participation rate, the data from the iStopMM study will answer important questions on MGUS, including potentials harms and benefits of screening. The study can lead to a paradigm shift in MM therapy towards screening and early therapy.Black Swan Research Initiative by the International Myeloma Foundation Icelandic Centre for Research European Research Council (ERC) University of Iceland Landspitali University Hospita

Aluminium ingots at Alcoa, Point Henry, Victoria, 1970, 2 [picture] /

Condition: Good.; Title devised by cataloguer based on inscription on reverse.; Part of Wolfgang Sievers photographic archive.; Sievers number: 4170A.; Also available in an electronic version via the Internet at: http://nla.gov.au/nla.pic-vn3914318

Effects of sociodemographic factors on adherence to breastfeeding and other important infant dietary recommendations

To access publisher full text version of this article. Please click on the hyperlink in Additional Links fieldAIM: To examine in an affluent and healthy population the association between sociodemographic factors and the adherence to key infant dietary recommendations. METHODS: In a longitudinal prospective study, healthy newborns were selected randomly in maternity wards around Iceland and their diet recorded every month for one year (n = 124). In addition, a 48-hour-weighed-record, including information on added sugar, fruits, vegetables and the use of A and D vitamin drops was completed by 91 (73%) mothers at 9 and 12 months. Information about the mothers' education, smoking, age, parity, and family income was collected (n = 98; 79%). RESULTS: Regression analyses, including sociodemographic factors, showed exclusive breastfeeding to be positively associated with more education (P = 0.022) and non-smoking (P = 0.013) explaining 22% of the variance, and total breastfeeding (exclusive + partial) with non-smoking (P = 0.006). Multiple regression also showed children's intake of added sugar from 9-12 months to be positively associated with mother's smoking (P = 0.022) and negatively with age (P = 0.026), explaining 30% of variance. Sociodemographic factors were associated with children's fruit and vegetable consumption but not with the administration of AD-vitamin drops. However, when tested for significance between groups, younger mothers with fewer children seemed less likely to give AD-vitamin drops. CONCLUSIONS: In a group of mothers getting regular antenatal care and giving birth to healthy infants, sociodemographic factors can predict which mothers need special guidance concerning recommendations about diet in infancy. These were mothers with less education, who smoked, were younger and were having their first or second child

The risk allele of SNP rs3803662 and the mRNA level of its closest genes TOX3 and LOC643714 predict adverse outcome for breast cancer patients.

To access publisher full text version of this article. Please click on the hyperlink in Additional Links field.The minor allele of SNP rs3803662 has been shown to correlate with increased breast cancer risk and with lower expression of TOX3. The SNP is closely located to TOX3 residing within an uncharacterised gene LOC643714. The aim of the study was to examine the association of the risk allele with expression of TOX3 and LOC643714, and of mRNA levels and genotype with clinical and pathological characteristics. The SNP was genotyped in DNA isolated from blood and normal tissue from 160 breast cancer patients and mRNA levels were measured by microarrays and quantitative real-time (qRT)-PCR in breast tumours. Association with clinical and pathological characteristics was analysed by parametric tests. An association of the risk allele of rs3803662 with lower TOX3 expression was confirmed in oestrogen receptor (ER) positive tumours. It was more often observed in lobular tumours (p = 0.04), and carriers of the risk allele who had been diagnosed with luminal A tumours had shorter overall survival (OS) than carriers of the non-risk allele (p = 0.01). Positive correlation between the mRNA levels of TOX3 and LOC643714 was observed (r = 0.44 and p < 0.001). Association analysis with tumour pathology showed that low TOX3 and LOC643714 expression correlated with high Ki67 levels (p = 0.026 and p = 0.002) and the basal subtype (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001), whereas high expression correlated with ER (p = 0.004 and p < 0.001) and progesterone receptor (PgR) (p = 0.005 and p < 0.001) expression. Furthermore, high TOX3 and LOC643714 correlated with positive lymph nodes (p < 0.001 and p = 0.01). Patients with ER positive tumours and high levels of TOX3 mRNA had shorter overall- and distant metastasis free-survival (p = 0.017 and p = 0.021), an effect mostly attributable to patients with luminal B tumours. The results suggest that the effect of the risk allele of rs3803662 is strongest in luminal A tumours and that the expression levels of TOX3 and/or LOC643714 affect the progression of breast cancer. The effect may vary depending on the subtype and developmental stage of the tumour.Landspitali-University Hospital Research Fund "Gongum saman", a supporting group for breast cancer research in Icelan

The risk allele of SNP rs3803662 and the mRNA level of its closest genes <it>TOX3</it> and <it>LOC643714</it> predict adverse outcome for breast cancer patients

Abstract Background The minor allele of SNP rs3803662 has been shown to correlate with increased breast cancer risk and with lower expression of TOX3. The SNP is closely located to TOX3 residing within an uncharacterised gene LOC643714. The aim of the study was to examine the association of the risk allele with expression of TOX3 and LOC643714, and of mRNA levels and genotype with clinical and pathological characteristics. Methods The SNP was genotyped in DNA isolated from blood and normal tissue from 160 breast cancer patients and mRNA levels were measured by microarrays and quantitative real-time (qRT)-PCR in breast tumours. Association with clinical and pathological characteristics was analysed by parametric tests. Results An association of the risk allele of rs3803662 with lower TOX3 expression was confirmed in oestrogen receptor (ER) positive tumours. It was more often observed in lobular tumours (p = 0.04), and carriers of the risk allele who had been diagnosed with luminal A tumours had shorter overall survival (OS) than carriers of the non-risk allele (p = 0.01). Positive correlation between the mRNA levels of TOX3 and LOC643714 was observed (r = 0.44 and p TOX3 and LOC643714 expression correlated with high Ki67 levels (p = 0.026 and p = 0.002) and the basal subtype (p TOX3 mRNA had shorter overall- and distant metastasis free-survival (p = 0.017 and p = 0.021), an effect mostly attributable to patients with luminal B tumours. Conclusions The results suggest that the effect of the risk allele of rs3803662 is strongest in luminal A tumours and that the expression levels of TOX3 and/or LOC643714 affect the progression of breast cancer. The effect may vary depending on the subtype and developmental stage of the tumour.</p