Researchers discuss innovative examples of sustainable agriculture, such as the Ecological System of Rice Intensification (SRI), which trains farmers to adopt environmentally friendly techniques. SRI has successfully increased rice yields without relying on herbicides and pesticides, improving food security in Cambodia and Asia.
A nonwoven fiber barrier made of ethylene vinyl acetate can significantly reduce the number of eggs laid by onion maggots, with treated plants having an average of 1.4 eggs per plant compared to 10.4 for untreated plants.
Research shows that ant diversity near forest fragments is higher in shade than sun coffee farms, and salamander abundance is higher in disturbed streams confluent with undisturbed ones. Conservation efforts may focus on making surrounding areas more conservation-friendly rather than connecting fragments.
The new center will focus on developing solutions to the two major threats to honeybees, including parasitic mites and Africanized honeybees. It aims to create mite-resistant stocks of honeybees using molecular technologies and traditional breeding methods.
The U.S. Navy is seeking non-toxic solutions to combat barnacle infestations, which cost billions of dollars annually due to drag on ship hulls. Researchers are exploring flexible and textured coatings that may repel or deter barnacles without harming marine organisms.
Researchers will study the functions of beta-glucosidase and beta-galactosidase gene families in Arabidopsis, a small but useful model for understanding genetic processes. The goal is to determine the functions of approximately 25,000 genes, which can be extrapolated to other plants like wheat and soybeans.
Researchers are using spatial statistics to analyze cases of renal failure and leukemia in Texas. They found that the distribution of renal failure cases is consistent with random phenomena, but may have underlying hotspots for cancer cases.
Low levels of estrogen hormones in water may be responsible for the feminization of wild fish, according to a recent study. Researchers found that very low concentrations of estrogenic compounds released from sewage treatment plants were causing intersex and altered sex ratios in aquarium fish.
Researchers at AgraQuest have developed a natural pesticide called Serenade that targets various fungal and bacterial diseases. It is highly effective and nontoxic to humans, birds, fish, and beneficial insects, making it suitable for integrated pest management systems.
Researchers at Texas A&M University found that wind-borne pollutants can travel long distances, contaminating both air and water. They used rain and air samplers to collect pollutants in Corpus Christi Bay and estimated the amounts deposited into the bay area.
Researchers at Purdue University developed a method to use pesticides in a precise way to stop genetic resistance from arising. Using multiple pesticides together can delay resistance for decades, potentially reducing costs and social impacts.
Researchers have developed portable chemical sensors using shifting liquid crystals, which can detect environmental exposure to residential pesticides and monitor food spoilage. The sensors are extremely sensitive and quick, taking only seconds to complete detection and reset.
Researchers found that 20% of caterpillars died from parasitoid attacks, mostly from introduced species. The study highlights the importance of understanding ecological costs of biocontrol agents to prevent adverse cascading events in food chains.
A Clemson-led team led by Linda J. Gahan has made a breakthrough in tracking genetically the tobacco budworm's efforts to become resistant to biotechnological pest controls. The discovery opens the door for monitoring resistance mechanisms and management strategies in insect pests.
Scientists have discovered the genetic and molecular means by which roundworms develop resistance to Bt toxins, which are safe to humans but threaten long-term effectiveness. The researchers identified a galactosyltransferase enzyme as key to toxin recognition, enabling the development of strategies to delay or circumvent resistance.
Researchers have identified a gene that confers high levels of resistance in the tobacco budworm moth to genetically engineered crops with built-in insecticides. This discovery will enable farmers and government officials to take early steps to prevent uncontrollable outbreaks by detecting the early signs of pests evolving resistance.
A new study reveals that exposure to pesticides and solvents in men is associated with lower sperm threshold values and changes in hormone concentrations, particularly affecting primary infertility. The research highlights the potential impact of environmental factors on male reproductive health.
A recent study published in The Lancet found a link between DDT use in the US and an increase in premature births in the 1960s. Researchers analyzed stored blood serum from thousands of mothers, revealing elevated levels of DDT's breakdown product, DDE, in mothers of pre-term infants.
Scientists have found a link between the combination of two widely used agricultural pesticides and Parkinson's disease in mice. The study, led by Deborah Cory-Slechta, suggests that everyday environmental factors may play a role in the development of the disease.
Researchers at Monash University developed a noninvasive technique to predict the usable lifetime of rubber products using nuclear magnetic resonance. An Australian research team also created high-tech methods to detect insecticides and fungicides in wine and grapes, potentially leading to improved wine quality.
A USGS study links agricultural contaminants to declining amphibian populations in California's Sierra Nevada. Pesticides, such as chlorpyrifos and diazinon, were found to suppress enzyme activity in frogs, leading to population declines.
A comprehensive study on organic weed control in vineyards will be conducted to produce valuable information on controlling weeds without using chemicals. The project aims to provide alternatives for Australian wine producers to maintain their clean reputation and avoid contamination scares.
A University of Maine team found that zeolite and sunlight can rapidly break down pesticides in contaminated water. The researchers used malathion, a toxic insecticide linked to lobster deaths, to test the method.
A study by Dr. Adam Drewnowski suggests that using Mediterranean cuisine techniques can help overcome bitterness in vegetables, revealing potential health benefits.
A study found that chemicals from household sources like mothballs and pesticides linger in carpeting for extended periods. The type of chemical determines how long it stays attached to the carpet, with denser materials persisting longer.
Researchers found that bacteria thrived in around a third of common pesticides, with Shigella, E. coli, and Salmonella growing best on chlorothalonil. The risk of food poisoning could increase one-thousandfold if contaminated water is used on crops.
A new study found that farming overall is protective against breast cancer in women, but pesticide exposure boosts their risk slightly. Women who farmed more than 23 years had a 40% lower risk of breast cancer.
New research highlights pesticides, agricultural runoff, and animal by-products as major contributors to the Chesapeake Bay's ecological issues. Scientists examine the impact of endocrine disrupters, copper-based pesticides, and atmospheric ammonia emissions from swine farms on marine life.
Researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory have devised a method to combine chemical treatment with bacteria to remove cadmium from contaminated soil, leaving insoluble cadmium sulfide in place. This technique could be less costly than traditional methods and has potential for treating other metals like arsenic and cobalt.
Harold McNair, a renowned chemist at Virginia Tech, has been awarded the American Chemical Society's Calvin Giddings Award for his outstanding contributions to analytical chemistry. He was recognized for his work on pesticide analysis using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry.
Researchers found that people exposed to pesticides were approximately two times more likely to develop Parkinson's disease than those not exposed. In-home exposure to insecticides carried the highest risk of developing the disease.
A University of Washington study found that over half of farmworker children in Douglas and Chelan counties, Washington state, exceeded federal safety levels for pesticides. The study suggests that regulators need to reassess exposure standards for these chemicals.
Researchers from around the world present real-world and theoretical findings on valuing environmental services, exploring challenges of assigning economic values to ecosystems and regulating the environment. The study highlights the complexities of managing ecosystem resources and incorporating costs of pollution into prices.
Researchers found nearly 1,000 cave species in the continental US, with over 60% living in a single county or cave. Protecting land above caves is crucial to save these species from disruptions to vegetation and drainage basins.
Researchers at Cornell University have identified and cloned a key gene in the reproductive system of male cockroaches, which could lead to the development of safe and effective birth control. The goal is to create a pesticide that specifically targets pests without harming other insects or humans.
A recent study by Ohio State University researchers found that two experimental wetlands, one with more diverse plant species and the other more productive, both contribute equally to reducing nitrates and water pollution. The study aims to answer whether mitigated wetlands can effectively control environmental threats like hypoxia in ...
A study by Ohio State University's William Mitsch explores the performance of two experimental wetlands, one of which is 20% more productive but less diverse in plant species. Both wetlands contribute equally to reducing nitrates, but their long-term fate remains uncertain.
The Chinese alligator is critically endangered with fewer than 150 remaining in the wild. Conservationists believe that restoring populations through habitat improvements and captive breeding can help stage a comeback for this culturally significant species.
A New York-based council argues that health scares about pesticides in food are unjustified on scientific grounds, citing issues of dose and exposure. Experts warn that the risks from nature don't end with cancer, as certain foods like potatoes contain natural toxins.
A recent study by Ohio State University suggests that evergreen trees can collect two to four times more pesticide spray droplets than broadleaf plants. The researchers recommend planting a line of evergreen trees around crops to reduce the movement of pesticide sprays outside their fields.
A recent study reveals that much of the information on global pollution is flawed due to the chirality of chemicals. This asymmetry affects how toxic pollutants interact with living organisms. The study finds that some pollutants may be less harmful than thought, while environmental changes could increase or decrease their toxicity.
The study found elevated levels of DDE and mercury in bald eagle eggs on Kiska Island, but not on other islands. Seabirds are thought to be the major source of contamination due to their diet rich in fish from contaminated water.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have identified a protein molecule involved in dioxin-induced cell killing, known as CD-95 ligand. The team aims to develop antibodies to neutralize this molecule, potentially leading to diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of dioxin's toxic effects.
Researchers found that genetic variation significantly impacts an individual's sensitivity to estrogen, challenging traditional laboratory-animal-based safety tests. The study suggests that genetic makeup should be considered when prescribing estrogen and related hormones for medical purposes.
A special symposium discusses children's exposure to environmental hazards, including air and food pollution, insecticides, and pesticides. The event highlights the need for better regulation and science-based decision-making to protect children's health.
The USGS report found complex mixtures of nutrients and pesticides in streams with significant agricultural or urban development. However, concentrations of individual pesticides were often lower than current U.S. Environmental Protection Agency drinking-water standards.
Researchers found that sites with high agricultural land had a stronger correlation with red-legged frog declines than UV radiation or global warming. The study suggests that wind-borne pesticides from the Central Valley may be contributing to the frogs' decline in the Sierra Nevada foothills.
A recent study found that tomato plants artificially stimulated with chemical jasmonic acid attract parasitic wasps, which kill twice as many caterpillars on treated plants. This natural defense mechanism can be used to develop environmentally friendly agricultural pest control methods.
A study by Cedars-Sinai Medical Center has detected and measured contaminants from certain pesticides and industrial chemicals in the amniotic fluid of unborn babies. DDE levels were found in 30% of the population, ranging from 0.1 to 0.63 nanograms per milliliter, which is comparable to natural hormone levels.
Representatives from government agencies, industry, and academia will discuss regulatory aspects of pesticide residues in foods. The symposium will also examine global food safety standards concerning heavy metals, mold toxins, and other contaminants.
Research by Cornell University reveals that genetically engineered corn, designed to protect against pests, can kill monarch butterfly larvae when they come into contact with its pollen. This has significant implications for the long-term survival of the monarch species, which is already facing habitat disruption and other threats.
A recent UB study found that women eating Lake Ontario fish have higher levels of PCBs and pesticides in their breast milk than non-fish-eaters. The study, conducted on lactating women in the New York State Angler Cohort, shows a decline in toxicant concentrations with increasing number of children and time spent breastfeeding.
Two studies published in Science suggest that parasites, specifically Riberoria trematodes, are responsible for some frog deformities. Laboratory and field experiments found that parasite infections cause mirror-image limb deformities, distinct from the thigh-knee-thigh-knee pattern caused by retinoids.
Weed killers and pesticides applied to lawns can track into homes, causing unnecessary exposure, particularly to children. Consumers can reduce track-in by removing shoes, restricting access to youngsters and pets, and carpeting entryways.
A UB Study found no correlation between male consumption of Lake Ontario fish contaminated with PCBs and pesticides, and delayed conception in women. The study analyzed data from 785 women who had conceived between 1991-93, but did not find a significant link to conception delay, despite concerns about potential reproductive effects.
A new cleanup system called Anodic Fenton Treatment (AFT) can clean up waste water from pesticides and textile processing on-site in just two to three minutes. The AFT process uses two electrochemical half-cells to produce hydroxyl radicals that break down unwanted chemicals, producing safe water for disposal.
Researchers have made significant discoveries in various fields, including a new form of Ritalin that could treat cocaine addiction, a bone growth pill, and wrinkle-free cotton. Additionally, citrus limonoids show anticancer potential and can control insects, while polymers may aid in aircraft fire safety.
Scientists have developed cotton fabrics with built-in pesticide detoxifiers that can be cleaned and reactivated by washing with bleach. The treatment reduces pesticide levels in garments to harmless fragments within minutes, offering a comfortable and protective solution for agricultural workers and gardeners.
The Center for Ion Mobility Spectrometry (IMS Center) brings together top researchers to develop new applications and advance fundamental research in ion mobility spectrometry. The center aims to expand the technology's utility into new areas, improving detection of hard-to-detect molecules like pesticides and environmental contaminants.
A study by Ohio State University found that younger farmers are at a higher risk of injury, with 32% of injuries linked to farm equipment. Neurological symptoms such as difficulty concentrating and chemical exposure also correlated with increased injury risk.