Researchers found that modern-day Europeans have ancestry from three previously unrecognized groups: hunter-gatherers, early farmers, and a newly identified group of ancient north Eurasians. This discovery shifts scientists' ideas on human migration and interaction across the globe thousands of years ago.
The University of Guam Entomology Lab has received a $50,000 USDA Forestry grant to implement control procedures for the invasive little fire ant (Wasmannia auropunctata) on Guam. The team aims to demonstrate that these ants can be controlled through ongoing funding.
A global research agenda is necessary to address the challenges of climate-smart agriculture, which aims to improve farm productivity while maintaining ecosystem services. The initiative focuses on three key areas: farm and food systems, landscape and regional issues, and institutional and policy matters.
A consortium of Missouri universities and research institutions will examine how climate change affects agriculture in the state. Researchers will focus on plant stress, soil changes, and regional weather patterns.
A comprehensive online resource has been developed to assist in the identification of 194 potentially invasive species from around the world. The new tool, built by the USDA and California Department of Food and Agriculture, includes diagnostic characters, distribution, hosts, and important references for each species.
A new report by the European Commission's Joint Research Centre analyzes the impacts of climate change in 9 sectors, predicting significant economic losses, heat-related deaths, and coastal damage. The study finds that the northern Europe region would experience the lowest welfare losses, while southern Europe would bear the most burden.
This special issue of Technology and Innovation explores the benefits of tech transfer to universities and its impact on rural regions. Key findings include the use of information technology in rural health care organizations and precision agriculture in the Northern Great Plains, which improves crop management and reduces waste.
The patented process, developed by N.C. A&T researchers, reduces allergens in peanuts by 98%, making them safer for people with allergies. The technology can be used to create hypoallergenic peanut butter and other products, and has been demonstrated in human clinical trials.
Research from Brown University suggests that the decline of suitable land for agriculture is a key factor in slowing deforestation in Mato Grosso, Brazil. The study found that land with characteristics such as flat terrain and proximity to roads was initially converted to agriculture, but this type of land is becoming increasingly scarce.
Agriculture accounts for 80% of human-caused nitrous oxide emissions, which rise faster than expected when fertilizer rates exceed crop needs. Applying more precise amounts of nitrogen-based fertilizer can help combat climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Agricultural fires are on the rise in central Africa due to the dry season, affecting air quality and public health. The region's reliance on slash-and-burn agriculture has led to a recurring pattern of annual burning that can have significant environmental implications.
Researchers have identified a novel mechanism of resistance in pink bollworm insects to genetically engineered Bt cotton, which could impact the effectiveness of integrated pest management strategies. Alternative splicing is responsible for the diverse variants of cadherin protein that confer resistance.
A study suggests that nitrogen pollution can be reduced by 50 percent through targeted fertilizer application, recycling animal dung, and changing consumer habits such as reducing food waste and meat consumption. The findings highlight the importance of addressing nitrogen pollution to mitigate both health and climate impacts.
The report suggests that reducing global beef consumption, reducing food waste, and improving farm nutrient management can deliver big climate wins while maintaining food security. Implementing these strategies could cut over three gigatonnes of carbon dioxide per year.
In a recent study, scientists document the importance of irrigated agricultural crops to the Long-billed Curlew, a species of continental conservation concern. The study highlights the need for allocating water reliably to wetlands and flooded agricultural lands to support the species' survival.
The Feinstein International Center at Tufts University is awarded an $8.5 million contract to support evidence-gathering from agriculture projects in Ethiopia. The project aims to understand the impact of agricultural development on rural communities and inform policy improvements.
The IPCC report highlights the urgent need for actions to adapt to climate change and ensure food production and security. Innovative solutions, such as improved crop varieties and livestock breeds, can significantly lessen negative impacts.
Research clarifies that ammonia emissions from agricultural exports have a substantial impact on air quality, with the study estimating an annual health cost of $36 billion. The findings suggest that reducing ammonia emissions could lead to significant societal benefits, particularly in the Northeast and Great Lakes region.
Researchers found that the initial stage of autophagy is not directly related to the composition of the Beclin-1 complex. Instead, other mechanisms are likely involved in inducing autophagy. This study highlights the complexity of autophagy regulation and challenges current understanding of its role in neurodegenerative diseases.
A new study reveals that targeted livestock production systems can lead to a 23% reduction in emissions from land use change within two decades. This shift would make it more profitable for farmers to expand mixed systems with higher-quality feed, resulting in increased efficiency and reduced environmental impact.
Researcher Timothy Johns advocates for valuing environmental and health benefits of small-scale local farming to combat malnutrition and chronic diseases. Smallholder farmers can increase productivity and sustainability with access to improved technology.
A team of researchers discovered that ancient microbes used a process similar to photosynthesis to produce methane 2.5 billion years ago, long before oxygen became available. This finding may have implications for understanding climate change, agriculture, and human health.
A recent study found that community-focused agriculture has a measurable effect on economic growth in certain US regions. For every $1 increase in agricultural sales, personal income rose by 22 cents over five years.
A study published in Environmental Science & Technology suggests that increased wildfires due to climate change will have significant impacts on air quality and human health. By 2100, emissions from wildfires in California are expected to grow by 19-101%, posing challenges for agriculture and ecosystems.
The agriculture and aquaculture industries' overuse of antibiotics is creating a global health crisis by promoting antibiotic-resistant bacteria. A new proposal suggests implementing user fees to reduce non-human use of antibiotics, encouraging more efficient farming practices.
Significant portions of the Ogalalla Aquifer are at risk of drying up due to excessive drainage. Michigan State University scientists propose policy solutions, including federal crop insurance changes and wholesale precision agriculture strategies, to avert water crisis.
The productivity of many lands has been dramatically reduced due to soil erosion, salinity accumulation, and nutrient depletion. A sustainable approach to agriculture is needed to maintain soil fertility and address climate change and biodiversity loss.
A German study suggests that straw from agriculture could supply energy to millions of households in the country. The research found that between 8-13 million tons of cereal straw could be used sustainably for energy production annually.
Agriculture faces increasing competition for water, but integrated water management plans can increase water security by utilizing blue, green, and gray waters. The symposium highlights the importance of protecting these three water sources to meet the world's growing demand for food.
Researchers are studying the effects of urban climates on crop yields to develop new crops adapted to urban gardens and provide recommendations for urban farmers. The benefits of urban agriculture include increased food production, community engagement, and access to healthy fresh produce.
A new report by IFPRI and ASARECA suggests that Kenyan farmers may not only survive but thrive in the face of climate change. The study predicts a shift in maize production due to changing weather patterns, offering opportunities for farmers to adapt to new conditions.
Researchers have developed a method to exploit biological nitrification inhibition (BNI) in Brachiaria grasses, which can significantly reduce nitrous oxide emissions and nitrogen leaching. This approach offers potential for increasing crop yields while keeping global climate change within manageable limits.
Researchers aim to miniaturize and automate nitrogen fixation, making it available only when needed. By placing the apparatus in plant cells, they hope to reduce energy requirements and environmental problems associated with current methods.
The Entomological Society of America has elected ten new Fellows, Dr. Charles Vincent and Dr. Jeffrey G. Scott, who have made significant contributions to entomology in research, teaching, extension, or administration. The fellows will be recognized at the ESA's 61st Annual Meeting in Austin, Texas.
The Ecological Society of America examines ways to improve soil, water, and nutrient retention, pollinator support, and pest suppression. Sessions focus on land sharing, global-to-local connections, and resilient future interdependencies between conservation and agriculture.
A study by the University of Edinburgh reveals that deforestation in south-central Africa is driven by population growth and agriculture demands. Sustainable fuel alternatives and reduced burning practices can mitigate this loss, while forest cover north of the Congo basin shows a contradictory trend.
A new study warns that climate change will significantly reduce water flows in the Volta River Basin, depriving countries of water needed to drive turbines and feed farms. The Volta Basin is expected to face severe water shortages by 2100, posing major challenges for agriculture and food security.
A study published in Science magazine found that current agricultural policies result in considerable financial and environmental costs. The research suggests refocusing public policies could improve the situation by rewarding farmers for ecosystem services like climate change mitigation, biodiversity conservation, and water regulation.
Plants with thinner roots show natural variation in cortical cell number, reducing energetic cost of soil exploration and increasing rooting depth. This trait could lead to improved seed production for agriculture, maintaining high yields in drought-prone regions.
Archaeologists uncover evidence of ancient grain cultivation between 12,000 and 9,800 years ago in eastern Fertile Crescent. Plant remains found at Chogha Golan site show simultaneous development of Neolithic culture across region.
A new report from the CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security charted a path for farmers to adapt to climate shifts despite uncertainties. The study highlights 'regret-free' approaches that build on current capacities in agriculture and environmental management.
The Lancet review finds that existing programs in agriculture, social safety nets, early child development, and schooling have limited evidence of nutritional benefits. Investing in nutrition-sensitive programs can help prevent excess stunting, wasting, and impaired child development.
Dozens of agricultural fires in central Africa were detected using NASA's MODIS satellite, highlighting the widespread use of slash-and-burn agriculture methods. These practices threaten biodiversity and air quality, producing smoke that can lead to deforestation and erosion.
Researchers have discovered evidence of ancient agriculture in southern China, predating the arrival of domesticated rice. The use of a new analysis technique on grinding stones revealed starch from tropical palms, indicating that people may have cultivated these plants around 5,000 years ago.
A new study published in Significance magazine assesses how precision agriculture can improve the farming economy and crop quality, ensuring food security. Geostatistics is used to map and predict soil properties, allowing farmers to apply inputs like fertilizers and pesticides more efficiently.
Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory and Technical University of Madrid create model for iron transportation in legumes to enhance nitrogen fixation. This breakthrough aims to lessen reliance on nitrogen fertilizers and promote sustainable agriculture practices.
The US Department of Agriculture has awarded Washington State University a $1.6 million grant to develop domestic quinoa production, meeting growing demand for the high-protein crop. Researchers aim to identify best varieties and breeding practices for organic production.
Researchers at the University of Notre Dame used genetic analysis to identify a harmless fruit fly in Washington state, preventing costly quarantine measures. The study's findings demonstrate the potential for rapid and accurate identification of insect species, which could have significant implications for agriculture and public health.
Researchers explore naturally occurring egg-hatching factors to control G. pallida, a non-native species causing economic hardship in US potato fields. Using these chemicals to stimulate eggs to hatch when no potato plants are present could be an effective defense against the pest.
Researchers aim to identify genetic markers for improved dairy cow fertility, focusing on cyclicity and pregnancy timing. The study will involve collecting DNA from cows in five states and analyzing variables such as time from calving to conception.
The Climate-Smart Agriculture Global Science Conference aims to bring together scientists and policymakers from around the world to discuss climate change impacts on agriculture. The conference will focus on science-based policies and actions to slow the effects of climate change while meeting the world's need for food and sustainability.
A study led by Field Museum curator Dr. Jonathan Haas reveals that maize was a primary component of people's diets in coastal Peru around 3000-1800 B.C. The research, published in PNAS, analyzed microscopic evidence found in soil, stone tools, and coprolites from ancient sites.
New isotopic data shows that Neolithic farmers introduced agriculture to Central Europe from the Near East through colonizers. This discovery sheds light on the spread of farming across Europe and challenges previous theories about its adoption.
A new study by Karl Zimmerer and colleagues found that small-scale farmers in Bolivia, Peru, and Mexico can successfully cultivate genetically diverse local crops alongside intensive agriculture. These farms often rely on remittances from migrant communities, which enables them to maintain agrobiodiversity maize.
Philip Lowe, RELU programme director, received the Bertebos Prize for his contributions to sustainable rural development and land use management. The prize recognizes his interdisciplinary approach and impact on rural policy development in the UK and Europe.
A special issue of Industrial Biotechnology explores innovative uses of nanotechnology in food and agriculture, including nanoparticle bioactivity, soil denitrification, and nutrient microencapsulation. Researchers discuss promising applications and methods for industrial biotech innovation.
Researchers warn that climate change, combined with human-driven factors, could significantly reduce usable groundwater availability for agriculture worldwide. Inadequate monitoring and mismanagement of groundwater usage will exacerbate the issue, compromising global food security.
Researchers at the US Department of Agriculture have discovered a new method for producing insect-killing fungi, which significantly reduces production costs and increases yields. The liquid culture fermentation process uses less expensive nitrogen sources, making it a more cost-effective alternative to traditional methods.
A Kansas State University doctoral student has received a USDA grant to research the relationship between the tomato spotted wilt virus and its vector, the western flower thrip. The goal is to develop a genetic tool to silence the thrip's protective genes, potentially stopping the disease's transmission.
Researchers at the US Department of Agriculture have created a biodegradable thermoplastic composite using sugar beet pulp and polylactic acid. The new material retains mechanical properties similar to traditional plastics, offering a sustainable alternative for disposable food packaging.