June 2006 issue - Science and Research Updates

PROCESSED FOOD | Aussie spaghetti just as good
If you buy Italian pasta in preference to an Australian one because you think the Italians make better pasta, think again. A study comparing Italian and Australian spaghetti has found no difference between the two.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/june-2006/aussie-spag

MICROBIOLOGY | Salmonella alert for home fish tanks
Aquaria may harbour dangerous bacteria, and children and adults handling home fish tanks are advised to follow good hygiene practices.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/june-2006/salmonella-alert

PEST CONTROL | First, feed rats a varied diet ...
Feeding rats a varied diet early in life could help in implementing effective control programs, according to research into the impact of rats’ eating habits.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/june-2006/rats-diet

HORTICULTURE | Pest management guide for growing summer fruits
Shoppers can be confident that fruit has been produced using pesticides only when absolutely necessary, courtesy of the first-ever integrated pest and disease management manual for Australian summer fruits.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/june-2006/summer-fruits

PLANT BREEDING | New lucerne variety aims to help restore soil fertility
Lucerne is the ‘King of the Fodders’, and NSW DPI has just released a new variety Pegasis which has been bred exclusively for use in cropping rotations.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/june-2006/lucerne-variety

ANIMAL PROTECTION | Avian influenza and wild birds - a hot topic
Research which highlighted the need for Australia’s preparedness for avian influenza to consider the role of wild birds in an Australian context has attracted top billing.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/june-2006/ai-wild-birds

PLANT PROTECTION | DNA technology to aid early detection of wheat disease
A highly sensitive molecular test has been developed for detecting the much-dreaded disease Karnal bunt, which could seriously affect the Australian wheat industry.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/june-2006/dna-wheat-disease

AQUACULTURE | Disease-resistant Sydney rock oysters
Efforts by the oyster industry to breed disease-resistant Sydney rock oysters are to be supported by a new three-year $560,000 research program.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/june-2006/disease-resistant-oysters

FORESTRY | Why wood products should be used more
The environmental benefit of using wood products is greatly underestimated, according to new research which questions the view that the carbon stored inside trees is released once the trees are logged.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/june-2006/wood-products

ANIMAL PROTECTION | Reducing antibiotic use in pig herds
A vaccine and better housing are two options being explored by researchers looking at ways to help the Australian pork industry better manage a wasting disease in young pigs known as Ileitis. Antibiotics are currently used to treat the disease.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/june-2006/pig-antibiotics

SOILS | Acid soils developing 'below plough depth'
Nitrate-based fertilisers may help solve a deep-seated environmental problem - acid subsoils. Acid subsoils affect at least 23 million hectares of Australian land.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/june-2006/acid-soils