Swine Flu Outbreak in India Kills Over 100 People

The H1N1 virus, more commonly referred to as Swine Flu, has claimed the lives of over 100 people in India within the past few weeks. This marks a significant uptick in fatalities as 2018 began, with only 20 deaths reported up until this point. Most of the victims are reportedly located within the western state of Gujarat.

This latest outbreak of Swine Flu comes as little surprise to health officials, who have been predicting an increase in cases throughout the region for months now. The virus has proven to be particularly deadly among pregnant women and children, both of which have seen a significant number of fatalities in Gujarat.

In response to the outbreak, the Indian government has begun to take a series of preventative measures. These include distributing masks and other respiratory protection gear to citizens, setting up fever clinics throughout major cities, and sending out advisories to local hospitals and doctors advising them on how best to treat patients.

Despite these efforts, however, it is anticipated that the death toll will continue to rise in the coming weeks and months. Health officials are urging residents in areas affected by Swine Flu to take precautions against becoming infected, including washing their hands regularly and avoiding close contact with those who are ill.

Scientists Study How Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Spreads Among Pigs

In a study recently published in the journal PLoS Genetics, researchers from Kansas State University used whole-genome sequencing to track the spread of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) among pigs.

PRRS is a highly contagious virus that can cause reproductive problems in pigs, as well as respiratory problems that can be fatal. The virus is believed to have originated in Europe, and it has been present in the United States since the late 1980s.

The Kansas State University team used whole-genome sequencing to track the spread of PRRS virus among 39 herds of pigs in Iowa and Nebraska. They found that the virus had spread rapidly between herds, and that it was also capable of mutating rapidly. This suggests that PRRS is a very dynamic virus and that new methods may be needed to control its spread.

The study also identified several genetic markers associated with resistance to PRRS. These markers could be used to develop new breeding programs designed to produce pigs that are resistant to this deadly virus.

California Farmer Finds Dead Pig in Tractor Wheel Well

On a hot day in California, a farmer was working in his tractor when he happened to notice something strange. Lying at the bottom of the tractor wheel well was the dead body of a pig. It's not clear how the pig got there, but it's possible that it was dumped by someone else who was using the tractor.

This is certainly an unusual discovery, but it's not the only time that something strange has been found hidden inside a tractor wheel well. In fact, farmers sometimes find all sorts of things lurking inside those wells, including snakes, spiders, and rodents.

One reason for this is that tractors tend to travel through all sorts of different environments, from fields to forests to barnyards. This means that they can easily come into contact with all sorts of different creatures. And since the wheel wells are often dark and damp, they can be perfect places for critters to take refuge.

In addition, the wheel wells are often difficult to access, which means that creatures can live there without being disturbed. This can be a problem for farmers because it can lead to pests and diseases being spread around their farms.

Fortunately, there are ways to address this issue. Farmers can install fences or screens around their tractor wheel wells to keep out unwanted creatures. They can also inspect their tractors regularly for signs of infestation. By taking these steps, they can minimize the chances of unwanted animals entering their tractors and causing problems.

Lab-Grown Pork Meat Could be on Grocery Shelves by 2020

In a study recently published in the journal "Nature Communications," researchers detail their development of a lab-grown pork meat product. The product is made from pig cells that were cultured in a laboratory. The cells were then stimulated to grow and divide, forming small strips of muscle tissue.

The research team, which was led by Dr. Mark Post of Maastricht University in the Netherlands, reports that the lab-grown pork meat is indistinguishable from conventionally raised pork when it is cooked. The team also says that the lab-grown pork meat has a similar texture, color, and flavor to conventionally raised pork.

The researchers say that their goal is to have a commercially viable lab-grown pork meat product on grocery shelves by 2020. They estimate that the product will cost around $10 per pound to produce.

Lab-grown beef has been available for purchase since 2013. However, lab-grown pork has been more difficult to produce than lab-grown beef because pigs are larger animals.

Lab-grown meat is produced by culturing cells from an animal in a laboratory setting. The cells are then stimulated to grow and divide, forming small strips of muscle tissue.

Lab-grown meat is not yet widely available, but there are a number of companies working on developing products. Some of these companies include Memphis Meats, JUST Inc., and Clara Foods.