Researchers identified a novel mobile genetic element, pWCP, in the Wolbachia bacterium of Culex pipiens mosquitoes. This discovery opens up new avenues for understanding interactions between the bacterium and its host, as well as its role in pathogen transmission.
A new high-throughput sequencing technique enables quick diagnosis of viruses like Ebola and Zika in the field, avoiding sample transfer. The technology has been validated in plant virology, paving the way for real-time detection of chronic or emerging plant viruses.
A study reveals that introducing a parasitic wasp to control the cassava mealybug can reduce crop losses, restore farm profitability, and slow deforestation. The approach provides a sustainable solution for tackling invasive species, promoting biodiversity conservation and profitable farming.
Researchers have developed new coefficients for carbon storage in agroforestry systems, improving the IPCC's ability to assess their impact on climate change. The new coefficients take into account the diversity of agroforestry systems and their effects on soil organic carbon stocks.
Researchers have discovered that inactivating the RECQ4 gene can treble recombination frequency, leading to increased chromosome shuffling and greater genetic diversity. This discovery is expected to improve crop breeding operations by allowing breeders to combine more genes in a single generation.
Traces of cocoa dating back 5,300 years have been discovered in the Santa Ana-La Florida archaeological site in Ecuador. The study suggests that the Mayo Chinchipe civilization consumed cocoa almost continuously from 5,300 to 2100 years before present.
Researchers at CIRAD found an incoherence in a conversion factor for calculating basic wood density, leading to potential errors in estimating forest carbon stocks. The corrected formula will improve the accuracy of forest carbon assessments and understanding of forests' role in climate regulation.
Researchers are working to develop strategies for eucalyptus plantations to cope with climate change, including more efficient water use and biological pest control methods. The conference will also discuss the potential for eucalyptus plantations to capture carbon in their wood and soil.
A study by CIRAD researchers found that Japanese encephalitis circulates as intensely in Phnom Penh, Cambodia's capital, as it does in rural areas. Vaccinating children remains the best way to protect humans, while vaccinating sows and controlling mosquitoes can reduce virus circulation.
African oil palm cultivation could impact primates due to high demand for the crop. The study found that only 3.3 million hectares of land offer little impact on primates, while 273 Mha can be planted with varying yields.
A proposed four-pillar strategy aims to drastically change consumption patterns, ensuring agricultural production and supply chains play a greater role in sustainable development. The transformation hinges on renewing food system governance, prioritizing human development, food security, and rational resource management.
Researchers developed a dynamic model to simulate virus spread and conducted a national serological study to assess transmission levels and vaccine coverage required. The results suggest that certain pastoral production systems act as virus reservoirs, emphasizing the need for adapted vaccination strategies in high-risk populations.
The sugarcane genome has been sequenced using a novel method that leverages colinearity with the sorghum genome, enabling molecular screening techniques for breeding and biomass production. The reference sequence obtained is of high quality, revolutionizing genomic and genetic approaches for sugarcane species.
Researchers from CIRAD and Hong Kong University find MERS-CoV strains in African dromedaries differ from those in the Arabian Peninsula, explaining virus transmission. Genetic differences may account for disease not being transmitted to humans in West and North Africa.
A study by international scientists found that viruses cluster in genetically similar organisms and agricultural land, leading to a higher prevalence of viral infections. The research also reveals a vast number of viruses in the natural compartment, which can inform the emergence of plant diseases.
Climate change may alter desert locust distribution and behavior, potentially increasing agricultural threats in southern Africa. The study suggests maintaining existing monitoring capacities and reviewing prevention strategies to address changing environmental conditions.