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U of M researchers discover how a brain hormone controls insect metamorphosis

Researchers at the University of Minnesota have discovered how a brain hormone controls insect metamorphosis, allowing scientists to develop new and more environmentally safe ways to control agricultural pests. The study sheds light on human development as well, as both puberty and metamorphosis involve similar biological processes.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

See no weevil: researcher tracks rice bugs to help farmers, consumers

A Texas researcher is making strides in controlling the rice-craving insect, the rice water weevil, by integrating various treatments to manage pests efficiently and economically. The study found that planting during the optimum time and using seed treatment with rynaxypyr can reduce yield losses and improve grain quality.

IPM reduces cockroaches and allergens in schools

Using integrated pest management (IPM) can significantly reduce cockroach populations and associated allergen concentrations in schools. A new study found that IPM is more effective than conventional methods in reducing asthma incidences among inner-city children.

New greenhouse gas identified

A new study identifies sulfuryl fluoride as a significant contributor to future greenhouse warming due to its long lifetime of 36 years. The gas is currently present in the atmosphere at very small quantities, but increasing emissions pose a risk.

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

Smithsonian researchers show major role of bats in plant protection

Researchers at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute found that bats are more effective pest control agents than birds in a lowland tropical rainforest. In the study, plants lost 13.3% of their leaf area when only bats were excluded, compared to 7.2% with only birds excluded.

1 large organic shade-grown coffee, please -- with extra bats

A recent University of Michigan study reveals that Mexican organic coffee bat populations are crucial in controlling insects that damage coffee crops. Using a new 'perch and wait' hunting technique, bats outperform birds by 84% in reducing insect density during the summer wet season.

Gypsy moth management made more efficient, cost-effective

A computer model developed by Penn State University and the University of Cambridge recommends tailored strategies to manage gypsy moths, focusing on medium-density infestations to reduce high-density ones. The model aims to save time and money for land managers while slowing the spread of invasive species across the US.

'Jekyll and Hyde' bacteria offer pest control clue

New research reveals symbiotic bacteria in black bean aphids can exhibit a disruptive 'Hyde' side, slowing insect growth while allowing bacterial proliferation. This discovery may lead to new methods for controlling insect pests without relying on insecticides.

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

USDA Cooperative Agreement funds mosquito project at Rutgers

The USDA Cooperative Agreement aims to use IPM techniques to suppress the Asian tiger mosquito across the country. The project involves collaboration with control agencies, community involvement, and economic analysis to create a cost-effective program.

Value of services performed by insects tops $57 billion in US

Native insects provide valuable services worth $50 billion in recreation industry, $4.5 billion in pest control, $3 billion in crop pollination, and conserving grazing lands valued at $380 million annually. Insects are crucial for human survival, and their ecological functions need to be conserved or enhanced through research investment.

Pest control breakthrough – from a spider's stomach

Cardiff University scientists have developed a new method to identify the prey spiders eat by analyzing their stomach contents using DNA. This technique shows that money spiders prefer certain species of springtails, which could lead to better control of aphids and boost spider populations.

Sometimes no result is good result for science

Researchers discovered that the removal of MTase1, a viral protein, did not impact virus replication rates in tissue culture. This finding suggests that proteins essential to virus function may be more complex than previously thought, with implications for understanding virus behavior and potential applications in pest control.

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

Weeding out better wines

A comprehensive study on organic weed control in vineyards will be conducted to produce valuable information on controlling weeds without using chemicals. The project aims to provide alternatives for Australian wine producers to maintain their clean reputation and avoid contamination scares.

Oaks' Defenses Help Gypsy Moth Caterpillar Fend Off Virus

Research shows that the tannins produced by oak trees inhibit gypsy moth caterpillar growth and viral infection, with enzymes like PPO playing a key role in this process. This discovery could lead to new methods for controlling gypsy moth populations.

Environmentally-Safe Method Chills Out Pests From Stored Grain

Researchers at Purdue University developed chilled-aeration technology to control pests in stored grains without using chemical fumigants. The method is economically competitive with fumigation and reduces total energy consumption. For fresh-picked produce, the technology increases marketability by cooling it immediately after harvesting.