The Gates Foundation has launched a $13 million program to support the careers of at least 360 African women in agricultural research. The initiative aims to address the 'leaky pipeline' of women in sub-Saharan Africa, with goals including increasing women's participation in research teams and leadership roles.
A K-State study predicts devastating economic impacts if foot-and-mouth disease were to occur in Kansas, with estimated losses of $36 million, $199 million, and $945 million for the state. The study analyzed three scenarios and found that larger outbreaks would result in longer durations and greater economic ruin.
A team of MSU researchers found inconsistencies in China's certification and traceability systems, which can affect the quality and safety of imported goods. The experts recommend increased government oversight, training for producers and distributors, and improving labelling practices to ensure compliance with international standards
A new crop simulation model can predict the timing, quality, and weight of sweet corn crops, addressing seasonal production limitations and perishability issues. The model has significant promise for improving sweet corn production, with potential applications for producers, technical consultants, and the agricultural industry.
The Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST) has introduced two new commentaries on biofuel byproducts and ethanol production, highlighting the potential risks of invasive pests in dedicated feedstock crops. The commentaries aim to provide a process to quantify and minimize this risk.
Agricultural soil erosion removes more carbon from the atmosphere than it emits, creating carbon sinks equivalent to 1.5% of annual fossil fuel emissions. The study challenges previous assessments that erosion contributes significantly to global warming.
Researchers create artificial plant chromosomes from small rings of naturally occurring plant DNA, allowing for the introduction of multiple genes at once. The technology enables more consistent and controlled expression, potentially increasing agricultural productivity and improving biofuel production.
The Great Plains' stability is threatened by demographic shifts, environmental degradation, and economic pressures. Despite increased crop productivity, the region faces challenges such as soil erosion, high nitrate runoff, and declining aquifers.
A study funded by Cargill Crop Nutrition found that varying nitrogen application rates can increase corn yield with similar or higher nitrogen rates, but may not improve grain quality. Researchers also discovered that one hybrid performed better than the other under both uniform and varied nitrogen applications.
Researchers explore potential for enhanced nutrient cycling through coupling of agricultural and bioenergy systems to improve sustainability of biomass production. The study reports that up to 78% of nitrogen fertilizer could be recovered from an integrated biological and thermochemical process.
Researchers explore 'tipping points' in agriculture, highlighting the need to understand regime shifts to sustain ecosystem functions. The symposium identifies potential tipping points related to water and agriculture that could have major global consequences.
A fast and inexpensive test kit has been developed to detect aflatoxin in crops, enabling African farmers to manage the costly naturally occurring poison. The test has improved food safety and increased agricultural exports, particularly for groundnuts.
A study by University of Minnesota researchers found that alternative cropping systems reduced nitrate levels in surface and ground water by 41-62% compared to conventional farming practices. Increasing cropping system biodiversity can improve water quality.
A new study finds that climate change and temperature fluctuations significantly correlate with warfare frequency in eastern China over the last millennium. The research reveals that cooling temperatures impact agriculture, leading to shortages of essential resources and potentially triggering armed conflicts.
The University of Georgia is partnering with Mexican universities to develop innovative technologies for generating biofuels from agricultural waste. This initiative aims to support rural economic development and environmental sustainability by providing training, internships, and exchanges between UGA and Mexican academics and profess...
Researchers identified a sodium transporter gene that helps plants grow better in low-nutrient conditions. The OsHKT2;1 transporter allows plants to take up sodium, reducing the toxic effects of salt stress and even enhancing growth under nutrient-poor soils.
Researchers found that modifying irrigation and waste treatment practices, along with providing medicine and pesticide, can reduce the spread of schistosomiasis. These changes include lining irrigation ditches with concrete to eliminate snail habitats and using biogas digesters to destroy Schistosoma eggs.
Trials at NSW DPI's Wollongbar Agricultural Institute found agrichar, a black carbon byproduct of pyrolysis, triples wheat yields and doubles soybean production when applied at 10 tonnes per hectare. The technology also reduces greenhouse gas emissions by up to 99% compared to traditional farming methods.
Researchers found that a soil model can accurately estimate carbon levels in soil, enabling farmers to verify soil carbon change and sell carbon credits. The Century model's accuracy depends on accurate soil texture data, highlighting the need for benchmark monitoring sites.
Researchers have developed a rapid test that accurately predicts nitrogen levels in corn soil, enabling growers to optimize fertilizer use. This test has the potential to reduce economic and environmental costs associated with excessive nitrogen application.
Justin Barone's research focuses on creating biodegradable plastics from agricultural byproducts like poultry feathers. He has developed polymers with improved strength, water resistance, and longevity by modifying keratin amino acid structures and using natural additives.
According to MSU scientist Bruce Dale, cellulosic ethanol makes it possible to feed the country's population with less land, as animal feed production can be integrated into biofuel production. This will reduce pressure on our land resources and increase raw material yield from one acre of land.
Fluorescence microscopy reveals how antifreeze proteins protect insect cells from freezing, providing insights into their hyperactive properties. The study also explores potential applications in medical transplants, frostbite prevention, and agricultural protection.
The Pichia stipitis fungus has been harnessed for improved biofuels production through the characterization of its genetic blueprint. The research identified key genes responsible for xylose fermentation and analysis of metabolic pathways. This knowledge can be applied to improve cellulosic ethanol production.
David R. Franz, Kansas State University's National Agricultural Biosecurity Center director, warned of the vulnerabilities and threats to the nation's livestock industry due to increased animal concentrations and international transportation. He emphasized the need for a different set of tools to protect against intentional disease int...
A one-year, $1 million dollar grant supports research on enhancing agricultural soils' role in climate change mitigation. PNNL experts contribute basic research, biophysical modeling, and economic analysis to identify carbon sequestration strategies.
A new study in Current Anthropology examines the effect of genetically modified crops on farmers in Warangal District, India. The research reveals a pattern of 'agricultural deskilling' and reliance on social learning, exacerbated by the spread of Bt cotton seeds.
Researchers at Iowa State University have created a new type of bioplastic that can be used to make durable hog feeders. The feeders are made from a combination of corn and soybean oils, which are significantly cheaper than traditional petrochemicals.
A Rutgers-Camden research team, led by Heike Bücking, aims to develop a better understanding of the nutrient exchange processes between fungi and agricultural environments. The project seeks to promote the use of mycorrhizal fungi as biofertilizers to reduce fertilizer pollution and improve agricultural sustainability.
A team of five land-grant universities, led by Texas Cooperative Extension, will work together to strengthen agricultural extension and training in Iraq. The $5.3 million project aims to improve the quality of life for Iraqi citizens by building their agricultural capacity.
The CATALIST Project will help maintain biodiversity, improve environmental management, and develop markets for agricultural inputs and crops in the Great Lakes region. Local people will be employed in labor-intensive public works to plant trees and build terraces and roads.
Researchers at Purdue University found that considering all interactions among temperature, radiation, precipitation, and land use can aid humans in preparing for extreme shifts in weather patterns. They discovered that a lack of precipitation will have the most dramatic effect on living conditions in the future.
A new study suggests that earlier corn plantings in the US Corn Belt may lead to a decrease in crop yields in the future. Farmers have been planting seeds around two weeks earlier than they did 30 years ago, but this trend may not be sustainable due to seasonal limitations.
A study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that household levels of mold and bacterial endotoxins in post-Katrina homes were comparable to those in wastewater treatment plants and agricultural environments. The researchers strongly recommend wearing respirators for cleaning and repairing flood-damaged homes.
Researchers at Iowa State University have developed a process for producing bioplastics from natural oils, which will be used to create high-tech hog feeders. The new feeders are expected to reduce material costs and provide a more sustainable alternative to traditional petrochemical-based feeders.
Researchers at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln are developing fabrics from agricultural waste products, including chicken feathers and rice straw. These fibers have properties similar to wool and cotton, making them suitable for conventional clothing and textiles.
The Straus Family Creamery has received the Ecological Society of America (ESA) Corporate Award for its commitment to sound agricultural practice and technological innovation in reducing environmental impact. The farm, which has been family-owned since 1941, uses innovative technologies such as methane gas-powered electricity generatio...
Researchers at Iowa State University have developed a process to turn manure and corn stalks into a bio-oil that can be used as boiler fuel and potentially transportation fuel. Preliminary tests show promising results, with every kilogram of dried mixture producing .2 to .5 kilograms of bio-oil.
Two Brazilian soil scientists, Edson Lobato and A. Colin McClung, along with Alysson Paolinelli, the former Minister of Agriculture, will be recognized for their contributions to transforming Brazil's Cerrado region into an agricultural powerhouse through innovative soil fertility research and policy implementation. The $250,000 World ...
A Canadian study found that farm kids are at a higher risk of fatal injuries due to accidents on the farm. The researchers identified three main ways these injuries occur and proposed prevention strategies, including improved supervision and safer equipment.
Recent changes in agricultural practices, such as more irrigation and higher yielding crops, can cool local temperatures by up to 4 degrees Fahrenheit. The study suggests that climate mitigation policies focusing only on carbon sequestration may be too simplistic.
Agriculture can offer ecosystem services like cleaner air, water, and wildlife habitats by managing land in a way that appreciates non-marketable benefits. This approach aims to encourage farmers to provide these services with incentives and citizen payments.
A study confirms that rice research has contributed significantly to poverty reduction in China and India. The research shows that improved rice varieties can increase farmers' income, lower food prices, and boost demand for labor, ultimately lifting millions out of poverty.
Agricultural activity dominates over a third of the Earth's landscape, posing environmental challenges such as deforestation and water pollution. New maps track changing agricultural land use patterns worldwide, highlighting emerging trends like soybean production in Argentina and Brazil driven by China's demand.
Occupational exposure to pigs significantly increases the risk of developing swine influenza infection, according to a new study. The risk is particularly high for farmers, veterinarians, and meat processing workers, who may be more likely to contract the virus due to their close contact with pigs.
The collaboration aims to uncover the genetic basis underlying important agricultural traits in rice. By identifying sequence variation between major rice varieties, researchers can associate DNA variations with traits like drought resistance or vitamin content, ultimately helping to breed more resilient and nutritious rice strains.
A Canadian institute has defined sustainable agriculture as a key to ensuring economic viability for farmers. The paper recommends using immigration policies to bolster rural communities and suggests levying a small tax on food to support sustainability goals.
The completed rice genome sequence provides a raw material for studies aimed at improving the agricultural yield of the world's most important food source. The sequence reveals some 37,500 genes on the 12 chromosomes of rice, closely related to other major cereal grasses.
Wastewater can be safely reused for irrigation if pretreated, monitored, and using correct crops, say researchers. The study found that viruses in wastewater could linger in soil for up to a month, but were not detected on spinach leaves.
A study by Cornell University professor David Pimentel found that organic farming systems produce the same crop yields as conventional farming, while using less energy and conserving more water. Organic farming also improves soil quality and reduces pollution.
Antibiotic-resistant bacteria can be transmitted from animals to humans through contaminated food and handling practices. The European Union ban on agricultural antibiotics has led to a decline in resistant bacteria, suggesting that transmission from agriculture can have a greater impact on human populations than hospital transmission.
Scientists at Ohio State University have discovered a gene called Avr3a that triggers the blight that destroyed Ireland's potato crops in the 19th century. The gene is found in the pathogen Phytophthora infestans, which causes massive agricultural damage worldwide.
Dr. Leonard Pike aims to breed a carrot containing lutein, carotene, anthocyanin, and lycopene, which have been shown to ward off various diseases and improve health. The goal is to create a healthier snack option for Americans who consume over 5 pounds of carrots annually.
A new study by Stanford University scientists presents direct evidence linking large-scale coastal farming to massive algal blooms in the sea. Highly productive regions of the ocean are found to be more vulnerable to agricultural runoff than assumed.
A team of researchers designed a protective structure to reduce tractor rollover accidents, resulting in improved agricultural worker safety. The 'Estrema' programme calculates necessary structures for various types of tractors, with enhanced models approved for use in the agricultural sector.
Researchers found that genetic diversity of the Mlabri is significantly lower than other agriculture-based hill tribes, indicating a severe population reduction around 500-1000 years ago. This reverts previous assumptions that contemporary hunter-gatherer groups represent pre-agricultural human populations.
According to Pinstrup-Andersen, failing to address Africa's devastating poverty will exacerbate global instability and push millions towards terrorism. The consequences of malnutrition and environmental degradation in Africa will have far-reaching effects on worldwide security.
Agriculture can provide food and energy security while sustaining soil and water resources, says Kansas State University professor Charles W. Rice. Properly managed agricultural systems can conserve soil and water, but excessive tillage, low productivity, and residue removal result in loss of biodiversity and environmental degradation.
Researchers developed a survey method using helicopters to estimate orangutan numbers, revealing crucial information on distribution and size. The study suggests orangutans may adapt better to degraded forests than previously thought, provided illegal hunting and agricultural conversion are controlled.
Research by Texas Agricultural Experiment Station scientists has shown that citrus compounds called limonoids targeted and stopped neuroblastoma cells in the lab. The finding is promising not only for its potential to arrest cancer but also because limonoids induce no side effects, according to Dr. Ed Harris.