Recent studies have shown that a woollen under blanket can
increase the amount of REM sleep and that a woollen duvet can lead to 25 per
cent more stage 4 sleep (the deepest and most restful stage). Other findings
were that the relative humidity is much lower under a wool blanket. Wool
absorbs moisture vapour, keeping the wearer cool in humid conditions. (Source:
Farmers Guardian. Tonbridge: Feb 6, 2004. Pg. 20)
Non-Shrink Sheep
Scientists in Australia are working hard to develop new and improved sheep.
These “non-shrink” sheep will produce non-shrink, fully washable wool for the
clothing industry. This will allow people to wash wool along with the rest of
their clothes, without the special care that is required now. This same
technology could eventually be used to create sheep’s wool that is stretchy,
less scratchy, coloured or even glow-in-the-dark. (Source: Douglas, Fox.
New Scientist. London: Dec 20, 2003-Jan 9 2004. Vol. 180,
Iss. 2426-2428; pg. 68)
If You’re Not Into GM Sheep…Try Non-Shrink Wool
Scientists in Japan have developed “Bio Tech Wool”, a new type of wool that
can be washed in water without fear of shrinkage. This process involves dipping
the wool in protein dissolving enzymes, which is more durable than the
conventional shrink proofing process of coating the fibres with resin. The
resultant wool repels water, and can be washed in a conventional washing
machine. (Source: Pacific Research Consulting. Cosmetics &
Toiletries & Household Marketing News in Japan. Tokyo: Jan 25, 2004. Vol.
26, Iss. 1; pg. 1)
Branching Out in Wool Research
Scientists in Australia and New Zealand are conducting new research into the
molecular events that underlie wool development, which could improve wool
production and profits. They are investigating whether the genetic basis of
'secondary' wool follicle development- -and a phenomenon known as 'branching' -
can eventually be used to produce more fine-grade wool. Studies have shown that
sheep with finer wool have a greater percentage of branched follicles; however,
as many as 25 per cent of these branched follicles may not mature to produce
fibres. If scientists can successfully intervene and increase fibre production,
it will reduce fibre diameter in the long term.
(Source: CSIROnline. Media Release - Ref PR04_124 -
Jul 19, 2004. www.csiro.au)
No Wool? No Problem!
Agricultural Research Service scientists are determining which breeds can be
mated to produce “easy-care” sheep that do not require shearing. This would
increase profits for farmers interested in producing sheep meat exclusively
rather than wool. The experimental breeding is a combination of 2 hair breeds (Katahdin
and Dorper) and 2 wool breeds (Rambouillet and Dorset). This will hopefully
help those farmers whose costs for shearing exceeds the price at which the wool
can be sold. (Source: David Elstein. Agricultural Research.
Washington: Apr. 2003. Vol. 51, Iss. 4; pg. 7)
Greasy Wool is Right
This study looked at the possibility of using wool-based nonwoven material as
absorbent for an oil spill cleanup. The roughness of the wool fibre surface has
an important role in oil sorption, and wool absorbed a significantly higher
amount of oil than other investigated nonwoven materials. Recycled wool-based
nonwoven material showed good sorption properties and adequate reusability,
indicating that it would be a viable alternative to synthetic materials that
have poor biodegradability. (Source: Maja M Radetic et al.
Environmental Science & Technology. Easton: Mar 1, 2003. Vol. 37, Iss. 5;
pg. 1008)