Articles tagged with Farming
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Research found that Amish children have altered immune responses, with increased neutrophils and enhanced innate immunity activation. Mice exposed to Amish house dust showed protected airways from asthma-like responses. The study highlights the key role of innate immunity in preventing asthma.
A Harvard-led research team conducted the first large-scale genome-wide analysis of ancient human remains from the Near East, illuminating population dynamics and genetic identities of world's first farmers. The study reveals three genetically distinct farming populations living in the Near East at the dawn of agriculture.
A team of scientists discovered that ants first switched to farming fungi 55-60 million years ago, marking the beginning of a mutual adaptation. Leafcutter ants have since developed industrial-scale farming, producing protein-rich bulbs and thriving on an enormous scale.
Scientists sequenced DNA from early Neolithic skeletons and found a previously uncharacterized population in Iran's Zagros region. The Zargos-based farmers' genetic sequences resemble modern-day Pakistani and Afghan populations, suggesting they split from ancient Anatolian genomes over 40,000 years ago.
A recent study published in Science found that early farming populations had deep genetic differences, indicating distinct ancestries. The research identified similarities between Neolithic farmer's DNA and living people from southern Asia, suggesting a federal origin of farming.
A recent study published in Science reveals that populations in the ancient Fertile Crescent are the ancestors of modern-day South Asians, but not of Europeans. The earliest farmers from the Zagros mountains in Iran showed a genetically distinct group that only very distantly related to the first farmers of western Anatolia and Europe.
Archaeologists uncover evidence of domesticated rice in China, shedding new light on the history of human agricultural practices. The discovery suggests that rice domestication has been ongoing for much longer than previously thought, with characteristics consistent with japonica rice now cultivated in Japan and Korea.
A study led by Mainz paleogeneticists reveals that early European farmers originated from modern-day Greece and western Turkey, bringing agriculture and domestic animals to the continent. The research challenges previous theories on farming's spread in Europe.
Researchers found that host birds only tolerate brood parasite eggs when threatened with retaliation by the parasitic birds. This 'mafia hypothesis' explains why some hosts accept parasitic eggs despite the risk of losing their own young.
A study by Emile Fiesler and Tracy Drake discovered 689 species of invertebrates in the Madrona Marsh Preserve, including flightless creatures such as camel crickets and velvet ants. The diversity was found to be surprisingly high despite urbanization pressures.
Archaeologists discovered a 11,000-year-old quarry in central Israel that demonstrates the significant impact of humans on the landscape during the transition to farming. The site, dated to the Pre-Pottery Neolithic A culture, shows evidence of large-scale quarrying activities for flint and limestone tool manufacturing.
Researchers studied oysters at six sites in Great Bay over a three-year period to quantify nitrogen dynamics and assess the role of oyster farms. They found that farmed oysters varied depending on size, farm site, age, seasonal variability, water quality, and time of harvest.
A team of NJIT students, backed by the EPA, is designing a low-cost water filter to combat chronic kidney disease in rural Sri Lanka. The filter aims to absorb heavy metals and disease-causing pathogens using locally available materials.
A new project led by University of Plymouth aims to investigate the impact of dementia on farming businesses, families, and communities. The research will focus on providing specialist care networks for those affected, with a goal of improving quality of life for people with dementia in rural areas.
Agricultural expansion is a leading cause of wild species loss and greenhouse gas emissions. To combat this, researchers propose "land-sparing mechanisms" that link yield increases with habitat protection, such as zoning and smart subsidy schemes. By minimizing farming's footprint, land can be spared for conserving natural habitats.
Researchers from Arizona State University report on a 10-year project studying human interaction with land in the Mediterranean, finding thresholds for farming success and failure. Computer simulations help understand socio-ecological landscapes and predict future consequences.
A new study finds that prehistoric farming and non-farming societies in North America and Europe experienced the same long-term annual growth rate of 0.041 percent, challenging the notion that agriculture accelerated population growth.
A new study suggests that climate change will significantly impact global farming productivity, with a one-sixth decline in production under projected scenarios. Altering crop patterns within countries is key to mitigating these effects, rather than relying on international trade.
Research by the University of Exeter found that intensive farming practices, such as larger herd sizes and maize growth, increase the risk of bovine TB. Farms with herds over 150 cattle are 50% more likely to suffer a TB outbreak.
A Norwegian study reveals that fish farming consumes a significant amount of phosphorus, with the industry generating 9,000 tonnes of emissions annually. The researchers propose reusing this waste phosphorus to create new products and reduce pollution, offering potential solutions for Norway's aquaculture industry.
A new study suggests that geoduck farming in central Puget Sound could have significant impacts on the food web if farming activities increase by 120 percent. The equipment used to farm geoducks, including PVC pipes and nets, may have a greater impact than the addition of the clams themselves.
Researchers at Michigan State University found that Chinese farmers are adapting to shrinking domestic soybean fields by planting more profitable crops like corn, but this shift has environmental implications. Meanwhile, pockets of resilience in soybean cultivation suggest potential solutions for China's burgeoning food demand.
A Neolithic skeleton from Scotland reveals the earliest case of rickets in the UK, dating back over 3,000 years. The woman's diet and lifestyle suggest she suffered from Vitamin D deficiency due to lack of sunlight, highlighting unusual circumstances that led to her condition.
New research suggests offering financial incentives for farming industries to mitigate environmental impact has a positive effect on greenhouse gas reduction and increased biodiversity. However, the study finds that current agriculture funding models are 'perverse subsidies,' promoting negative actions in both the long and short term.
A new study led by UC Berkeley researchers found that clearing non-crop vegetation around farms does not lower pathogen levels in produce. Instead, diverse habitats can encourage pollinated food crops and filter out agrichemical runoff.
Researchers from Tel Aviv University and international partners uncover proof of trial plant cultivation 11 millennia earlier than conventional ideas suggest. The study reveals early humans had gathered over 140 species of plants, including weeds mixed with edible cereals, indicating basic knowledge of agriculture and foresight.
Researchers argue that increasing the use of forages to feed livestock can enhance food security and improve productive capacity in poor producers. They suggest introducing new forage varieties and animal management practices to specific farming areas, as well as coordinated efforts by farmers, extension workers, and scientists.
Researchers have identified glass formations on Mars that could preserve signs of ancient biological activity. The glass-rich impactites found by Kevin Cannon and John Mustard are preserved on billion-year timescales and could provide a promising target for searching for possible ancient Martian life.
Researchers analyzed ancient ornamental beads to understand cultural interactions during farming's introduction in Europe. North European populations showed resistance to new bead types, maintaining the same personal ornaments for centuries.
Researchers found that northern Europeans rejected farming during the Neolithic period, unlike southern and central regions which adopted it. This discovery reveals two cultural trajectories in Europe thousands of years ago.
Farmed Chinese giant salamanders are traded across China, kept in crowded conditions, and prone to devastating disease outbreaks. The industry poses a number of threats to the species, including the mixing of locally-adapted genetic strains making farmed animals unsuitable for future reintroduction to the wild.
Researchers reconstructed how fungus-growing ants improved their clonal crops into a robust farming system. The ant farmers lost the ability to produce vital amino acids and enzymes themselves, relying on the fungus for delivery.
A new model developed by University of Maryland researchers links intensive agriculture to increased atmospheric carbon dioxide levels, revealing a strong correlation between the Green Revolution and Earth's metabolism. The study found that crop production tripled while land planted with major crops grew by 20 percent, leading to incre...
A new model suggests that intensive agriculture is the primary reason for increased seasonal oscillations in carbon dioxide, with average annual increase of 0.3 percent. The 'Green Revolution' farming practices are boosting atmospheric carbon dioxide levels, leading to a stronger seasonal cycle.
Researchers have found evidence of prehistoric dairy farming in Finland dating back to 2500 BC, despite harsh winter conditions. The discovery suggests that Stone Age people were able to domesticate and care for animals over four months of snow, paving the way for modern-day Finland's high milk consumption.
Researchers analyzed human remains in the Four Corners region, finding a centuries-long population growth and subsequent collapse due to overpopulation and environmental degradation. The study highlights the importance of considering population growth's consequences for modern societies.
Researchers charted an ancient baby boom in the southwestern US among Native Americans between 500 to 1300 A.D. Birth rates likely exceeded the highest in the world today, driven by early features of civilization such as farming and food storage. However, a crash followed, offering a warning sign about the dangers of overpopulation.
A new study reveals distinct northern and southern Chinese psychological cultures, with southern China's history of rice farming contributing to its interdependent nature. The 'rice theory' proposes that centuries of cooperative rice farming have led to a more collectivist culture in southern regions.
A genomic study of eleven Stone-Age human remains from Scandinavia found that expanding farmers assimilated local hunter-gatherers, while hunter-gatherers had lower genetic diversity. The study provides insights into the demographic history of Stone-Age humans and the impact of agriculture on European population structure.
Research suggests that humans became less mobile and physically active after the transition to agriculture in Central Europe around 5300 BC. Male bones show a decline in strength and rigidity, indicating reduced mobility and heavy physical work, while female bones exhibit more inconsistent trends.
A new £1 million project will improve detection and control of liver fluke in UK dairy farms, causing weight loss, anaemia and lethargy. The research programme aims to develop sustainable drug treatments and practical farming techniques.
Researchers at the University of Warwick have detected and sequenced an ancient RNA genome of Barley Stripe Mosaic Virus in a 750-year-old barley grain found in modern-day Egypt. The study pushes back the origin of the virus to at least 2,000 years and reveals how intense farming during the Crusades contributed to its spread.
A new study reveals Herdwicks contain a 'primitive genome' from ancient founder flocks in Sweden, Finland, and the Orkney Islands. The research also found that these breeds have lower risk of infection to Maidi Visna virus, providing potential genetic traits for future sheep farming.
A Princeton University research team created a model to evaluate how human response to climate change may alter the agricultural utility of land. The study found that most conservation lands have low agricultural utility due to rugged terrain, but some areas could become more valuable for farming in the future.
A new NOAA report suggests that specific types of fish farming can be done without harming the coastal ocean environment as long as proper planning and safeguards are in place. The study found minimal to no effects on the environment in cases where farms are responsibly managed.
Research from Aarhus University shows that exposure to a farming environment can prevent or dampen hypersensitivities and allergies, even in adults. The study found that working in farming environments stimulates the immune system, dampening its response to environmental irritants, which may trigger hypersensitivity.
A recent genetic study challenges the long-held assumption that the Neolithic age marked the beginning of a global population explosion. Researchers found evidence of significant human population expansion dating back to the Paleolithic era, around 60,000-80,000 years ago.
Carbon farming schemes can sequester carbon while providing environmental benefits like reduced pollution, erosion, and improved biodiversity. Local participation is key to long-term success, as it leverages local knowledge and draws in more landholders.
Dozens of agricultural fires in central Africa were detected using NASA's MODIS satellite, highlighting the widespread use of slash-and-burn agriculture methods. These practices threaten biodiversity and air quality, producing smoke that can lead to deforestation and erosion.
A recent study suggests that empowering women farmers with knowledge of improved agricultural practices and modern storage methods can significantly increase food security in Sub-Saharan Africa. This approach has been shown to reduce poverty and post-harvest losses, leading to a more stable food supply.
A new study published in Significance magazine assesses how precision agriculture can improve the farming economy and crop quality, ensuring food security. Geostatistics is used to map and predict soil properties, allowing farmers to apply inputs like fertilizers and pesticides more efficiently.
A global plan for road building is proposed to reduce environmental damage by concentrating roads in suitable areas. Properly planned roads can improve farming, increase farm profits, and enhance food security, helping to feed the growing global population.
New isotopic data shows that Neolithic farmers introduced agriculture to Central Europe from the Near East through colonizers. This discovery sheds light on the spread of farming across Europe and challenges previous theories about its adoption.
Researchers have discovered that ancient Petra was extensively farmed on terraces, with wheat, grapes, and olives being cultivated. The complex systems of dam construction and water management were crucial to the region's agricultural success.
Researchers discovered ancient wooden wells in eastern Germany, providing evidence of skilled carpentry among early European farmers. The tree rings preserved environmental data offering insights into climate and strategies used by these prehistoric settlers.
Michigan State University will use a $7.8 million grant to help eight African nations intensify sustainable farming methods and improve environmental quality. The project aims to promote effective government strategies, build capacity of national policy institutes, and support small farmers.
A study by the University of Alberta found that older farmers (45-64 years) spend more time operating tractors and combines, increasing their risk of serious injury. The study also highlighted the importance of newer machinery with better safety features to reduce injury risks.
Researchers will survey producers and interview key stakeholders in 15 cities to examine trends in urban farming. Urban agriculture's diversity in production methods and its potential impact on community development and access to healthy food are also being studied.
A Northwestern University study reveals that farmers and ranchers with major limb amputations struggle with durable, affordable, and adaptable prosthetics. These limitations hinder their ability to perform farm tasks, making traditional prosthetic solutions unsuitable for their unique needs.
Research reveals that ants farm subterranean aphids in clone groups, with over half of ant mounds containing a single species or clone. This unique farming method allows ants to actively manage diversity and abundance, maximizing honeydew yield and dietary protein.