A $4.4 million study is exploring ways to improve the US melon industry through consumer evaluations, sensory panels, and collaboration with growers and grocery store chains. The goal is to enhance sustainability and profitability by emphasizing consumer preferences and industry-driven needs.
A multidisciplinary research team is focusing on the economics of providing transportation for rural elderly populations. The study aims to identify innovative solutions and information technology that can improve the coordination and efficiency of rural transit systems.
A team of researchers discovered that a bacterium infects cotton by tricking the plant to produce food for itself, ultimately depleting the plant's resources. The study offers potential tools for earlier diagnostics and strategies for controlling the disease, which can affect up to 40% of cotton yield.
Researchers at Texas A&M AgriLife Research have discovered two new proteins, RICE1 and RICE2, that play a crucial role in regulating plant structure and resisting crop stresses like drought. The study sheds light on the mechanism of RNA silencing, which can be used to help plants overcome environmental challenges.
A Texas A&M research team has discovered a way to produce good quality carbon fiber from lignin, a structural part of plants that piles up as waste. The breakthrough could lead to the creation of new products like tennis rackets and cars, generating jobs and rural economic growth.
The genome of Botryococcus braunii has been sequenced, revealing 18,500 genes and potential biosynthetic pathways for hydrocarbon production. The findings could enable the use of algae as a renewable fuel source without modifying existing infrastructure.
A team of researchers, led by Dr. Jessica Yorzinski, has conducted a study on peacock behavior to understand how males assess their rivals during the breeding season. The study found that males focus on the lower regions of rival displays, particularly the eyespot areas and body, when evaluating competition.
A recent study by Dr. Kirk Winemiller and his Brazilian colleagues analyzed a long-term database of fish survey statistics and hydrology in the central Amazon. The research reveals that climate change is causing alterations in regional precipitation, affecting water quantity and quality and leading to changes in fish species populations.
Scientists have discovered a new protein that regulates gene expression and is frequently found next to antibiotic-producing gene clusters. The discovery, known as LoaP, expands the basic knowledge of processive antitermination and demonstrates its widespread presence among bacteria.
Researchers at Texas A&M AgriLife Research have found that viruses make decisions about their actions in host bacteria, similar to human decision-making. The study's findings could lead to the development of more effective phage therapy for treating bacterial diseases.
A study has identified a new target for controlling cell division, which could lead to insights into diseases such as cancer. The research found that enzymes responsible for lipid synthesis are synthesized at higher efficiency when cells are ready to divide.
A multi-state project will establish a nationally coordinated consortium to increase wheat yields through genetic advancements and breeding programs. Wheat geneticist Dr. Shuyu Liu and breeders Dr. Amir Ibrahim and Dr. Jackie Rudd will contribute to the major effort to improve wheat yields dramatically over the next decade.
The project aims to increase hybrid wheat yield potential by 15-20 percent, making it climate resilient and attractive to producers. The team will develop tools and germplasm for efficient hybrid seed production and create hybrids to establish and confirm heterotic pools in wheat.
The new facility will enable researchers to analyze individual molecule isotopes as fingerprints of biosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere processes. The stable isotope mass spectrometer systems will provide cutting-edge capabilities for studying ecology, environment and energy research.
Researchers found a protein produced by yellow fever and Zika viruses that suppresses the mosquito's immune response, allowing the virus to evade detection. This discovery could lead to new strategies for controlling mosquito-borne diseases like Zika.
Researchers successfully grew high-quality tomatoes in a Texas A&M AgriLife Research project, producing over 1,500 pounds of tomatoes. The study found that tomato yields were higher in the high tunnel plots than in the field, with the Texas A&M-developed varieties outperforming commercial entries.
Researchers at Texas A&M University have discovered three new bird species in African forests, challenging the idea of low evolutionary diversification. The study's findings highlight the importance of continued exploration and sampling to fully document avian biodiversity.
A recent study published in Crop Science journal has found enhanced wheat curl mite control in genes, leading to the development of a new screening protocol. The research team identified the genetic markers responsible for resistance to the wheat curl mite and its associated diseases, such as wheat streak mosaic virus.
A new species of fungal disease, Curvularia malina, has been identified on short-cut Bermuda and Zoysia grasses in southern US golf courses. The disease can cause black spots and reduce turf aesthetic quality, but proper diagnosis and management practices can mitigate its impact.
A Texas A&M professor developed a new approach to analyzing impediments to leisure activities, identifying key factors such as fear of crime, poor health, and lack of social ease. The paper aimed to resolve measurement issues and advance understanding of leisure services.
A study published by Texas A&M scientists found that red imported fire ants can increase the abundance of small mammals and reduce the number of ticks in an ecosystem. This could lead to a decrease in tick-borne disease transmission to humans and animals.
The US Energy Department has granted $2.5 million to Texas A&M AgriLife Research to explore ways to use biorefinery waste to produce marketable products, including bioplastics. The study aims to make biorefineries economically viable and sustainable.
A team of researchers has discovered a receptor on the legs of mosquitoes that, when activated, makes female mosquitoes fly away. This finding could lead to novel mosquito repellents and potentially disrupt the life cycle of disease-spreading mosquitoes.
Researchers have found the lock for a cellular 'trap door' that could lead to more efficient and less harmful delivery of proteins into cells. This breakthrough has potential applications in treating diseases such as HIV, cancer, and regenerative medicine.
Researchers have discovered an enzyme that enables the production of fuel-grade oil from plants, a breakthrough that could lead to sustainable energy solutions. The enzyme, lycopaoctaene synthase (LOS), is capable of initiating the production of hydrocarbons, which can be used to make fuels such as gasoline and diesel.
The study confirms 13,000 previously mapped SNPs and newly maps 2,190 unique SNPs to improve drought tolerance, greenbug and wheat curl mite resistance. The research aims to develop high-yielding wheat varieties with improved resilience to stressors across different climates.
A Texas A&M study found that soil texture impacts shrubland resilience to brush removal, allowing landowners to prioritize management practices. Brush removal is more effective on fine-textured clay soils than coarse-textured sandy soils.
A recent study published in Scientific Reports found that consuming dried plums can protect against bone loss caused by ionizing radiation. The researchers tested mice using different interventions and found that dried plum was most effective in reducing the breakdown of bone and preventing spongy bone effects.
A team of entomologists, including Dr. Ed Vargo and Dr. Spencer Johnston from Texas A&M AgriLife Research, has mapped the bedbug genome, revealing its unique features and ecological niche. The study identifies critical genes for survival, providing a valuable resource for developing new control targets.
A Texas A&M University study found that private landowners and managers are more likely to use prescribed fire for brush control in regions with lower legal liability standards. The research highlights the importance of integrated ecological, economic, and socio-political influences on natural resource management.
Three of the earth's mightiest rivers, Amazon, Congo and Mekong, are being ravaged in the name of progress due to hydropower expansion. This study highlights the negative impacts of hydroelectric development on fish diversity and ecosystems of tropical rivers.
Researchers discovered a unique antibiotic molecule that triggers a bacteria's adaptation strategy, enabling it to resist the drug. The resistant bacteria undergoes morphological changes and can move away from the antibiotic, allowing it to survive and spread.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has granted a $750,000 program to enhance coastal resilience in Texas. The program aims to improve community planning and outreach, using tools like CHARM, to mitigate the impact of weather hazards.
Adaptive multi-paddock grazing is a potential option to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions on cow-calf operations. This advanced rotational grazing results in more carbon sequestration and produces higher quality grass that reduces methane production.
The US Department of Agriculture has funded a three-year study to make organic rice production more economically viable for farmers. The research aims to address key challenges such as weed control, nitrogen supply, and stand establishment, which are major issues affecting organic rice farming.
Research shows that a diet containing dried plums can positively affect microbiota in the colon, potentially reducing the risk of colon cancer. The study found increased Bacteroidetes and reduced Firmicutes in the distal colon, as well as reduced aberrant crypts and precancerous lesions.
Researchers at Texas A&M University found that pairing popular vegetables with school entrees, such as burgers and chicken nuggets, can lead to increased vegetable consumption. The study suggests optimizing entrée-vegetable pairings in schools meals could positively impact vegetable intake for students relying on school meals.
A new stink bug has been identified as the primary pest problem for soybean crops in Texas, causing economic damage. Entomologists are developing targeted control methods, including using trap crops and resistant varieties, to mitigate the issue.
Researchers discover that high nighttime temperatures cause rice plants to produce a stress hormone, leading to losses in yield and quality. They also find that root pruning can occur due to rice water weevils, affecting plant growth.
A study monitors trends on woody encroachment in three Central Texas settings, finding a significant correlation between population changes and woody cover decreases. The researchers used time-series aerial imagery and historical census data to quantify the relationship between human demographics and land use patterns.
Researchers at Texas A&M AgriLife Research have discovered a natural cocktail of four bacteriophages that can prevent and treat Pierce's disease in wine grapes. The phage treatment offers an alternative to pesticides for disease control, with promising results in both greenhouse experiments and field testing.
Engineers have created a prototype for real-time listeria bacterial contamination detection, aiming to detect levels as low as one bacteria in a 25-gram sample. The device utilizes nanobrushes that select and capture specific bacteria, mimicking the mechanism used by the Hawaiian bobtail squid's cilia.
The study uses mutant stem cells to screen for genes involved in rabies infection and identifies 63 host target genes that can be targeted for treatment. The technique has potential applications in discovering gene function and assessing human host response to various infections and toxins.
Researchers identified three genes that improve production by about 15 bushels per acre under both irrigated and dryland conditions. The study's results are promising, with potential benefits for Texas farmers who have struggled with low yields in recent years.
Researchers at Texas A&M AgriLife Research found that water is the biggest factor affecting corn silage quality in the region. Irrigation levels between 65-75% of evapotranspiration resulted in decreased yield and quality.
The FibreLux is a small portable unit measuring average fiber diameter, comparable to the $75,000 OFDA2000 in accuracy with an 87% rating. Preliminary studies indicate the tool is user-friendly enough for growers to use on ranches.
Research published in the journal PLOS Genetics reveals that regular doses of ibuprofen extended the lifespan of multiple species by 15%, potentially adding a decade or more to healthy living. The study's findings suggest that common drugs like ibuprofen may hold key to understanding and extending human health span.
The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service has received a $783,000 grant to support national efforts to reduce chronic diseases and promote healthier lifestyles. The program will focus on improving access to healthy foods and safe locations for physical activity in Hidalgo County.
Researchers have discovered that the smell of cut grass signals distress and summons parasitic wasps to protect plants from insect attacks. The volatile organic compounds also play a role in drought tolerance and can help breeders develop new crop varieties with improved resistance to insects and drought.
A recent Texas A&M AgriLife Research study identified the impact of soils, land cover and water use on groundwater levels in Texas. The study found progressive decline in statewide decadal median water levels from 46 feet to 118 feet between the 1930s and 2000s.