Research funded by USDA suggests that blueberry polyphenols, found in blueberries' powerful antioxidant compounds, may aid in building strong bones. The investigation showed that animals fed rations containing 10% freeze-dried blueberry powder had significantly more bone mass than their counterparts.
Scientists have identified how E. coli O157:H7 colonizes fresh-cut lettuce, providing new insights for food safety. The bacteria breaks down leaf cells, releasing carbohydrates and antimicrobial compounds that can be used as energy sources.
A USDA-led consortium has sequenced the genome of Mycosphaerella graminicola, a pathogen causing significant yield losses in wheat crops. The sequencing effort may lead to new strategies to control this disease, which affects every wheat-growing area worldwide.
USDA scientists recommend controlling starch buildup in sugar factories by using an intermediate-temperature stable amylase to break down unwanted starch. The solution involves adding diluted concentrated amylase solutions to factory tanks, resulting in improved product quality and reduced costs.
A study by Rosalia C. M. Simmen found that blueberry powder improved indicators of rat mammary gland health, including branching and biochemical markers like PTEN. The effects have not been shown in humans and may aid breast cancer research.
USDA scientists used GPS-equipped conductivity meters to map manure distribution on feedlot surfaces, estimating manure amounts and quality. They also developed a computer program to associate high soil conductivity levels with manure solids and chloride content.
A lab animal study found that hamsters fed blueberry-enhanced rations had improved cholesterol health, with lower total plasma and VLDL cholesterol levels. The study suggests that liver genes involved in cholesterol production may be responsible for the effects.
Researchers found that preharvest rainfall and firm fruit are key factors contributing to blueberry splitting. The study also showed that some cultivars, like 'Premier,' have a lower incidence of splitting than others, such as widely grown 'Tifblue.'
A study by the USDA found that keeping dairy cows outdoors year-round lowers ammonia emissions by 30% and greenhouse gas emissions by 8%. Well-managed outdoor dairy herds also sequester more carbon in fields converted to perennial grasslands.
The 2010/2011 winter survey found total losses of 30% from managed honey bee colonies nationwide. Beekeepers reported an average loss of 38.4%, with 61% experiencing losses greater than economically acceptable levels.
Researchers found that cattle fed with wet distiller's grains (WDGS) had higher levels of E. coli O157:H7 in manure and on their hides compared to those without WDGS. The study aims to determine the causes of this difference and find ways to reduce E. coli levels.
Researchers at the USDA's Agricultural Research Service have identified several blueberry cultivars with high resistance to mummy berry disease, caused by the fungus Monilinia vaccinii-corymbosi. These cultivars, including 'Brunswick' and 'Bluejay,' can withstand both stages of the fungal infection.
The PhenologyMMS software predicts plant growth stages based on weather reports and soil moisture, providing farmers with a decision-making tool to optimize crop management. The program covers multiple crops, including corn, wheat, barley, and millet varieties, and can be used independently or integrated into existing models.
The USDA has developed a cutting-edge optical scanning system that uses two different kinds of lighting and a sophisticated camera to inspect fresh produce items. The system can detect defects and contaminants, such as cuts, bruises, and specks of fertilizer, in a single image.
The study's genome-wide characterization of rust fungi may help develop control strategies for worldwide threats to wheat fields and tree plantations. Researchers uncovered evidence that both pathogens have large numbers of effector proteins, indicating co-evolution with host plants.
The USDA has safeguarded a diverse collection of blueberries, including wild relatives and lesser-known species, to ensure their preservation for future generations. The genebank will provide plant breeders with access to these plants as parents for new and improved blueberry varieties.
A study by USDA scientists found that spinach leaves exposed to continuous light during storage were more nutritionally dense than those in dark conditions. The researchers discovered a significant increase in levels of carotenoids and vitamins C, E, K, and B9, or folate, in the continuously lit spinach.
Researchers are testing a fungal pathogen and releasing non-stinging wasps to control the emerald ash borer, which has devastated forests and tree-lined neighborhoods. The fungus, Beauveria bassiana, kills beetles when applied to infested trees before wasps are released.
A new procedure devised by USDA scientists increases PCR-based method sensitivity for detecting plant disease organisms, improving diagnostic accuracy and reducing economic harm from asymptomatic seed contamination. The technique, called Bio-PCR, enhances detection rates by 100- to 1,000-fold over conventional methods.
Researchers at USDA's Agricultural Research Service are investigating the use of high-pressure processing (HPP) to inactivate viruses and bacteria in oysters, clams, and mussels. The technique, already used in pasteurizing juices and meats, has shown promise in inactivating 99.9% of hepatitis A virus in mollusks.
A US Department of Agriculture study suggests that dietary yeast extract has good potential as a non-antibiotic alternative for decreasing pathogens in organic turkey production. The researchers are looking for a balance between enhancing immune response and maintaining growth.
The USDA has identified six lesser-known Escherichia coli types, known as the Big Six, which are increasingly of concern to food safety scientists. Researchers have developed gene-based PCR assays for each type, allowing for quick and reliable identification and detection.
Researchers have identified a macrocyclic lactone compound that female emerald ash borers release while feeding, attracting male borers. This discovery has the potential to improve traps for monitoring and controlling the tree-killing beetle.
A study of beef 'trim' found US procedures for monitoring imported beef trim are adequate for detecting pathogens like E. coli. Researchers have since shared pathogen detection technologies with Uruguayan national laboratories.
USDA scientists tracked E. coli's journey from soil to leafy greens, finding the pathogen's survival in roots is sporadic and not a significant food safety concern. The study suggests that E. coli is unlikely to become internalized through plant roots, reducing the risk of foodborne illness.
USDA scientists found bacterial strains producing the enzyme urease survive longer when fed to caterpillars, making them more effective at controlling pests. Researchers tested 50 strains and found that urease-producing phenotypes survived better when repeatedly fed to gypsy moths.
USDA scientists have discovered a previously unknown population of American elms that carry genes for resistance to Dutch elm disease. The diploid trees were found in the wild and may hold the key to combating the disease, which has killed millions of trees since its arrival in the US in 1931.
The GPFARM-Range computer model allows ranchers to test various scenarios involving forage yields, weight gains, and stocking rates under different weather conditions. This research supports USDA's priority of promoting agricultural sustainability in the face of climate change.
Researchers studied stormwater runoff and riparian vegetation to understand water usage patterns. They found mesquite woodlands use significantly more water than native desert grasses, providing a tool for land managers to estimate water savings.
Researchers are examining a cropping system using molasses to stimulate microbial activity, which could replace the fumigant methyl bromide. The study also explores recently developed fumigants dimethyl disulfide and methyl iodide.
Meadow fescue has been rediscovered as a suitable forage grass for intensive rotational grazing, producing more milk when consumed by cows. Its non-toxic fungi, called endophytes, help it survive heat, drought, and pests, making it a valuable alternative to toxic varieties.
The AgroAtlas project aims to promote world food security in Newly Independent States-countries by providing a geographic distribution of crops, diseases, pests, and wild relatives. The interactive website shows the distributions of 100 crops, 640 crop diseases, and 560 wild crop relatives growing in Russia and neighboring countries.
Researchers identify resistance to cucurbit yellow stunting disorder virus (CYSDV) in exotic melon varieties, with potential applications for the southwestern United States. Whitefly populations and high temperatures exacerbate CYSDV infection, highlighting the need for integrated management strategies.
A study by US Department of Agriculture scientists found that no-till production systems can significantly reduce soil erosion and enhance efforts to protect water quality. The research compared runoff, soil erosion, and crop yields in conventional and no-till winter wheat-fallow systems.
A team of US Department of Agriculture scientists found that moderate cattle grazing can improve soil health and sequester carbon and nitrogen. Decades of plowing have degraded the soil in the Piedmont region, but researchers discovered that grasses planted on eroded land and grazed by beef cattle can restore soil quality.
Fire, cattle, and prairie dogs play a crucial role in maintaining the diversity of vegetation on the western Great Plains. This mosaic of diverse vegetation supports various wildlife species, including declining populations of grassland birds and ground-nesting birds.
Researchers from the US Department of Agriculture have found moderate antimicrobial activity and significant antiplatelet-clumping activity in chamomile tea. Peppermint tea has been shown to have strong antioxidant and antiviral actions, while hibiscus tea has lowered blood pressure in pre-hypertensive adults.
USDA scientists have successfully applied generic irradiation protocols to control quarantine insect pests on fresh commodities, enabling easier and less costly exports of tropical fruits and vegetables from Hawaii. This technology has also been adopted by several countries, including Mexico, India, and Thailand.
A team of USDA scientists used infrared heaters to simulate growing conditions expected by 2050 and found that applying heat to wheat planted in September enabled the crop to survive frosts with minimal yield loss. The results provide valuable guidance for growers on how to adjust planting schedules as the climate warms.
Researchers confirm that stream bank failure is a significant contributor to high sediment levels in the Mississippi River, with seepage erosion playing a crucial role. The study finds that stable stream banks can become unstable when seepage erosion is added to factors promoting bank failure.
A USDA study found that ragweed pollen season in North America has increased by almost a month, correlating with seasonal warming shifts and climate change. The study supports the impact of climate change on public health and agriculture.
NIFA awards $20 million each to three research teams to study climate change effects, develop adaptation methods, and train professionals. The projects will monitor soil carbon, greenhouse gas emissions, and crop management practices to inform agricultural decisions.
Researchers successfully extended tomato shelf-life by introducing a polyamine-producing yeast gene, resulting in a delay of shriveling up to three weeks and a slower rate of decay. The study also showed increased levels of lycopene, a nutrient linked to cancer prevention.
The pilot project uses a vegetative cap made from topsoil, compost, and tree and shrub planting to seal the old landfill. This approach reduces methane emissions and prevents rainfall from penetrating into groundwater, ultimately improving the health of the Chesapeake Bay by sequestering carbon.
A team of USDA scientists has developed a new approach to detecting pathogenic Escherichia coli and Salmonella bacteria in waterways, achieving lower detection levels than previous methods. The process uses a combination of techniques, including filtration, biochemical testing, and polymerase chain reaction technology, to identify even...
Researchers at the USDA's Vegetable and Forage Crops Research Laboratory in Prosser, Wash., have found promising alternatives to traditional crops for bioenergy production. These include canola, camelina, soybeans, mustard, and switchgrass, which could help supply Washington State with renewable fuels.
Researchers found that mechanical shaking was more effective than manual shaking in removing yellowjacket queens from Christmas trees. The study also showed that pre-harvest insecticide sprays can be 100% effective in killing yellowjacket queens, even after heavy rainfall.
Researchers discovered the FMD virus selectively infects epithelial cells in the nasopharynx after just six hours of exposure. This breakthrough could lead to the development of more effective vaccines and potentially eradicate the disease, which causes significant economic losses globally.
Researchers are improving rain gardens to reduce runoff and filter pollutants, keeping toxic metals out of storm drains. Scientists have found that biochar-activated carbons can attract heavy metals, leading to more effective filtration.
Researchers discovered that corn rootworm larvae's nasty blood repels certain predators like ground beetles and ants. However, wolf spiders have a hearty appetite for the insects, making them an important predator in controlling corn rootworm populations.