Researchers from Texas A&M are testing far-UVC light to determine its effectiveness in reducing airborne pathogens in commercial poultry houses without harming birds. The study, led by Morgan Farnell and Ziteng Xu, aims to provide a new tool for the poultry industry to protect bird health and reduce mortality and economic losses.
Researchers are studying the male role in early pregnancy loss, focusing on paternal epigenetics and its impact on fertility and pregnancy. By analyzing sperm from bulls with high and low fertility, the team aims to understand how nongenetic changes to DNA affect embryo development and gene regulation.
Researchers with Texas A&M AgriLife Research are exploring the potential of prickly pear cactus as a source of biofuels and functional food ingredients. The crop's resilience and value make it an attractive option for sustainable agriculture, but scaling production and standardizing ingredients remain key challenges.
A newly registered citrus greening treatment, developed from over a decade of research, has achieved full federal registration. The treatment, rooted in naturally occurring antimicrobial peptides from spinach, protects citrus trees from Huanglongbing disease. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has granted unconditional registrati...
Researchers at Texas A&M AgriLife are leveraging AI to streamline tuberculosis drug discovery, identifying nuisance compounds that waste time and resources. By analyzing published screening data, their CAGE-Fusion model sorts compounds into four trouble categories, informing more targeted research efforts.
A condition affecting 170 million adolescents and women worldwide is being redefined to capture its complexity, including its far-reaching health impacts on metabolism, mental health, and reproductive systems. The proposed name change aims to improve awareness among patients and providers, encouraging more comprehensive care.
Researchers developed a technique that uses infrared light and machine learning to determine the sex of blow fly larvae, improving time-of-death estimates. The method achieved over 90% accuracy and has potential applications in forensic entomology, agriculture, and biosecurity.
Researchers from Texas A&M AgriLife and partner institutions collaborate to develop alternative vascular delivery approaches for citrus greening therapies, reducing structural damage. The project aims to create a more sustainable system for long-term therapeutic delivery, with potential applications beyond citrus crops.
A global study using camera trap data from over 8.9 million images across 445 species in 38 countries found that many species do not stick to a single daily rhythm. Mammals' diel activity patterns are influenced by factors such as body size, location, and human presence, particularly in areas with higher human development.
A new theory suggests locusts follow an uncoordinated version of follow-the-leader behavior rather than synchronized collective motion. Environmental factors influence swarm direction, with individual locusts reacting to their nearest neighbors.
Researchers are tackling the problem from multiple perspectives, bringing in interdisciplinary expertise to understand the virus on a fundamental level. The project aims to inform the general public of the challenges that plant viruses and vectors present to global food and nutritional security.
A three-year project investigates the mechanisms through which Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum affects plant and insect immune systems. The findings could lead to long-term solutions that help producers and the environment by identifying proteins blocking plant defenses and developing biocontrol agents.
A research initiative by Sapna Dass aims to identify pathogens, monitor transmission pathways, and implement rapid responses to address potential danger from unidentified pathogens. The project employs SARS-CoV-2 as a model virus to study spillover events from wildlife to livestock.
Researchers have identified genetic markers that determine sex determination in cattle fever ticks, a breakthrough that could lead to novel control methods. The discovery opens the door for innovative solutions against disease-carrying ticks and answers a basic biological mystery about these pests.
Researchers at Texas A&M AgriLife discovered that Botryococcus braunii, a key biofuel-producing microalga, is not one but three distinct species. The study used genomic comparisons to reveal significant genetic differences between the three races, A, B, and L, which produce varying types of oils.
Researchers found that decreasing folate intake can support healthier metabolisms in aging animal models. Folate-limited diets enhanced metabolic flexibility and improved weight management into old age, without adverse health effects.
Researchers discovered a key process in plant biology that can improve crops' ability to withstand environmental stressors. The study provides guidelines for designing artificial microRNAs, opening the door to improved crop yields in corn, wheat, soybeans, and rice.
Researchers discovered that German cockroaches originated from Asian cockroaches approximately 2,100 years ago. The species adapted to human-built environments, leading to a dependence on living inside manmade structures. This evolution has enabled the cockroaches to thrive globally and develop resistance to insecticides.
A collaborative project between institutions across the US will provide comprehensive economic and market research to strengthen the aquaculture industry. The team aims to address regulatory complexities, input costs, and competition from imported seafood products.
Researchers, led by Masako Suzuki, aim to understand the effect of dysregulated vitamin D metabolism on preterm infant kidney development. They will study the genome and transcriptome to gain insights into how vitamin D affects podocyte differentiation during preterm development.
Phage researchers at Texas A&M AgriLife Research elucidate precise mechanisms by which phages disable bacteria. The study reveals how a specific phage called PP7 infects Pseudomonas aeruginosa, leading to the pilus's detachment and reduced bacterial capacity for infection.
A new decision support system will utilize existing technology to project scenario-based outcomes for producer operations based on possible fluctuations within factors such as continuing drought or changes in input costs. The tool aims to help farmers consider economic, environmental, and production challenges together in one place.
A new project aims to improve the efficiency of livestock operations by utilizing precision farming techniques, including AI-powered monitoring systems. The goal is to optimize feeding behaviors and reduce costs through data-driven insights.
Researchers have made a groundbreaking discovery that could lead to novel treatment for obesity and associated diseases. The growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR) plays a critical role in chronic inflammation, which is a key reason obese individuals often have multiple chronic diseases.
The project aims to develop a successful harvest system by identifying suitable cultivars, optimizing production practices, and modifying the harvest system to minimize damage to onion bulbs. The goal is to improve profitability and market share for short-day onions in the southern US onion harvest system.
A collaborative program called Vector Educational Center for Training, Outreach and Resources (VECTOR) aims to expand control capacity against vector-borne diseases across Texas and Louisiana. The program will improve education, training, and outreach efforts focused on prevention around the region.
Researchers have developed a novel noninvasive method to assess nutrient absorption and diagnose feeding intolerance severity in preterm infants. The precision exfoliomic approach captures gene expression information from intestinal cells released into the fecal stream, allowing for precise diagnosis without invasive testing.
A new study published in MDPI suggests that pecans have anti-inflammatory properties and can increase energy expenditure, reducing the risk of obesity and diabetes. The research found that pecans modulate adipose tissue lipolysis and mitochondrial oxidative metabolism in liver and skeletal muscle.
The new sensor chip detects multiple disease pathogens with high sensitivity and eliminates chemical dye reagents. Results are available in about 30 minutes, showing promise for rapid point-of-care diagnostic capabilities.
A recent study has uncovered new ways genetic mutations in patients with muscular dystrophies may lead to disease and neurological problems. The research found that certain genes affected in these disorders are crucial for the proper wiring of sensory axons in flies, a discovery that could have implications for humans.
Researchers are using air flow modeling and simulations to understand how pathogens transport through spaces, shedding light on the impact of building design on human health. The study aims to develop interdisciplinary ventilation strategies to mitigate microbe spread and improve disease prevention.
Researchers found that cholesterol increases the toxicity of a peptide implicated in Alzheimer's progression, altering its secondary structure and forming small, toxic clusters called oligomers. A diet rich in cholesterol may contribute to Alzheimer's disease development by changing the lipid composition of neuronal membranes.
A team of researchers led by Wes Osburn, Ph.D., has made a breakthrough in developing an amino acid-based alternative curing method for meat and poultry products without adding sodium nitrite. This new technique uses L-arginine to activate the nitric oxide synthase system, generating nitric oxide and residual nitrite naturally.
A Texas A&M team will leverage single-cell sequencing technology to improve cancer diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. The project aims to develop novel statistical methods for analyzing single-cell RNA-sequencing data to reveal medically important information about cancer.
A study led by Susanne Talcott explores the 'mechanics' of botanical compounds and their effects on human microbiota. The research aims to develop novel recommendations for safe and effective consumption of large molecular polyphenols, including gallotannins, to reduce intestinal inflammation.
A new project aims to develop sustainable roses resistant to biotic and abiotic stresses, and have high ornamental quality. The researchers are combining traditional plant breeding with molecular genetics to stack multiple resistance genes into a rose.
Researchers found that hepatocyte adenosine kinase promotes excessive fat deposition and liver inflammation, suggesting a key role in the pathogenesis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Dietary changes may help prevent or reduce NAFLD severity by inhibiting ADK activity.
Researchers studied the common house ant's adaptation to urban environments, finding genetic concentration and changes in aggression towards outsiders. Urban queens were closely related and less aggressive, while super-colonies with polydomous colonies formed only in developed areas.
A multidisciplinary research team at Texas A&M has found a way to deliver proteins quickly and effectively to the brain, with therapeutic and scientific implications. The method uses a peptide that allows proteins to enter cells and then triggers a response.
A team of researchers developed a system that uses carbon dioxide to produce biodegradable plastics, which could replace traditional nondegradable plastics. The new platform has great potential to address sustainability challenges and transform the future design of carbon dioxide reduction.
A three-year project led by Vijay Joshi aims to overcome challenges in organic spinach production, including nutrient acquisition and abiotic stresses. The research will focus on developing varieties with improved nutritional profiles and exploring the role of beneficial microbes.
The Texas Climate-Smart Initiative aims to expand climate-smart commodity markets and leverage greenhouse gas benefits. Project partners will provide technical and financial assistance to producers to implement climate-smart production practices.
Researchers have identified a sex-adapted color-change gene in locusts that signals between males to reduce mating mistakes in swarming conditions. The discovery reveals a previously unknown sexual dimension to desert locusts' phase polyphenism, providing insights into the evolution of phenotypic plasticity.
A three-year project aims to research novel pest management tools for cotton production by modifying terpene biosynthesis in cotton using a transgene-free CRISPR/CAS9 approach. The goal is to silence genes that produce monoterpenes, reducing infestations and pesticide use.
A Texas A&M AgriLife Research project investigates the ages-long interaction between parasitic lice and mammal species, including humans. The researchers aim to answer why various louse species parasitize specific hosts and what makes these species good hosts.
Researchers develop novel bioremediation technology using plant-derived material to adsorb and dispose of PFAS chemical pollutants. The technique has potential for commercial applications, offering a cost-effective solution for cleaning up environmentally persistent substances.
A study by Texas A&M AgriLife Research found no evidence of SARS-CoV-2 transmission from flies and roaches to humans in households with confirmed COVID-19 cases. The researchers sampled over 1,300 insects from 40 homes with at least one human COVID-19 case, but none tested positive for the virus.
Researchers at Texas A&M University's Center for Phage Technology have completed a study on phage therapy, identifying potential applications to fight multidrug-resistant bacterial infections. The study showed promise in treating Acinetobacter baumannii, a deadly pathogen found in hospital settings and the Middle East.
A five-year collaboration aims to create high-yielding, low-input peanut lines with increased oil content for the renewable diesel industry. The project seeks to improve peanut varieties' adaptability to dryer climates and reduce carbon intensity in agricultural practices.
Researchers at Texas A&M AgriLife are working on developing effective nutritional strategies to improve the health, growth, and productivity of hybrid striped bass in aquaculture, using protein substitutes like glycine and glutamate to replace fishmeal.