Shifting excess nitrogen from rich countries to poor ones could increase crop production by 12%, with moderate/food insecure regions seeing significant gains in both fertilizer use and food output. Current levels of production could be maintained with only 53-68% of current nitrogen used through redistribution.
Researchers have determined the molecular level function of free-forming structures in plant cells that help sense light and temperature, enabling plants to distinguish a range of different light intensities. The formation of these organelles is not random but is linked to specific locations within the cell, particularly near centromeres.
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Using AI software called SLEAP, scientists at Salk Institute are designing climate-saving plants with optimized root systems that can store more carbon. This approach enables researchers to analyze plant features and connect desirable traits to targetable genes, accelerating the development of carbon-capturing plants.
Researchers have discovered that rice bran-derived nanoparticles exhibit strong anticancer effects, selectively targeting cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue. The nanoparticles reduced tumor growth and inhibited metastatic cell growth in mice models.
Researchers at UNIGE and ETH Zurich have created biofortified rice lines with enhanced vitamin B1 content, targeting the nourishing tissue of the grain. The modified lines multiplied vitamin B1 levels by 3-4 without compromising agronomic yield, providing a significant advance in combating deficiency.
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Researchers are exploring the potential of using naturally occurring polyphenols and proteins from pigmented waxy rice as a natural starch strengthener. This approach aims to improve food texture without chemical modification, addressing consumer concerns over chemically modified ingredients.
A new study suggests rice malt can yield robust fermentations in gluten-free, all-malt beer and styles with high adjunct inclusions. Malted long-grain rice shows the most promise as a competitor to malted barley for sugar content and brewing qualities.
Researchers have developed a biodegradable chitosan-based composite film reinforced with lignin-rich nanofibers extracted from rice husks, reducing waste and promoting circular economy practices. The material showcases improved strength, durability, and unique properties like UV-blocking capabilities.
A multi-institutional team is creating innovative technologies to reduce complications associated with left ventricular assist devices (LVADs), including infection, thrombosis, stroke, and bleeding. The new LVAD will deliver a physiological response to changes in the recipient's activity levels using a 'smart' Maglev drive technology.
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A new study from the University of Sheffield found that around 32% of the global population is at risk of serious health issues due to high levels of arsenic in drinking water. The majority of these countries are in Asia, where rice is a staple food and exposure can be exacerbated by cooking with contaminated water.
Researchers develop a novel approach using SIF and PRI to estimate GPP in rice canopies, showing significant correlations between these indexes and GPP across various timescales. The study reveals the dynamic responses of PRI/SIF to environmental conditions and demonstrates improved correlation by distinguishing between shaded and sunl...
Researchers discovered controlled storage affects rice's physicochemical properties, including gelatinization degree and water absorption capacity. The study suggests optimal temperatures can enhance cooked rice quality, offering farmers a practical strategy to minimize pest contamination risks.
Researchers found that Chinese migrants in Los Angeles Chinatown overcame economic barriers by raising pigs and distributing pork, a practice similar to traditional South China pig husbandry. The study analyzed dental calculus on pig teeth, revealing rice as the primary food source.
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Korean scientists have successfully grown animal muscle and fat cells inside rice grains, resulting in a nutritious and flavorful hybrid food. The cell-cultured beef rice has been found to have 8% more protein and 7% more fat than regular rice, making it a potential alternative to traditional livestock-based protein sources.
A new study shows that Africa's rice production can be increased by employing improved agronomic practices such as soil nutrition, weed control, and water management. This can help meet projected demand of 150 million tons by 2050 without increasing imports or land conversion.
Researchers identified a key chromatin modifier-centered pathway for grain size regulation in rice, showing that HHC4 and bZIP23 interact and enhance grain size. Phosphorylation of HHC4 by TGW3 triggers negative influences on the pathway, leading to increased rice yield.
Researchers have successfully engineered the plant microbiome to boost beneficial bacteria that protect plants from disease. This breakthrough could substantially reduce pesticide use and unlock opportunities to improve plant health.
Researchers identified high levels of silica nanoparticles in kidney tissue of patients with chronic kidney disease. Exposure to sugarcane ash and rice paddies' burning is linked to the disease, suggesting a toxicant released by agricultural activities.
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Researchers found that the OsMATL2 gene triggers haploid induction when inactivated, resulting in plants with half the normal chromosome number and reduced seed setting. This discovery could revolutionize rice cultivation by accelerating breeding processes.
Researchers found that plant-to-plant interactions can modulate disease susceptibility in both wheat and rice, with 23 same-species mixtures showing a significant effect. This phenomenon, known as Neighbor-Modulated Susceptibility, may be used to design varietal mixtures with embedded crop protection.
Researchers have identified an essential stage in the takeover of rice cells by a fungus, which could accelerate treatment or prevention of rice blast disease. The discovery involves a modification in tRNA molecules that aid in protein construction, and its absence leads to reduced virulence.
Researchers from Okayama University used CNNs to estimate rice yield from pre-harvest photographs, achieving accuracy of 68-69%. The model highlighted the importance of panicles in yield estimation and showed promise for monitoring rice productivity at regional scales.
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A USTC study reveals the Yangshao culture period's dominant crops were broomcorn millet, foxtail millet, and rice, with millets occupying a main position in agricultural structure. Climate change may have driven this shift around 6400 years ago.
Researchers at the University of Arkansas successfully used gene editing to reduce 'chalkiness' in rice, a condition caused by heat stress. The modified rice lines showed a significant improvement in grain quality, with increased starch granule compactness and reduced chalkiness.
A new study from the University of Missouri found that poverty, low health literacy, cultural beliefs, lack of infrastructure, and political issues hinder diabetes self-management for Haitian migrants. The researchers suggest targeted interventions, such as community gardens and healthcare education through local priests.
The PLOS Biology special issue explores plant engineering to combat climate change, from ancient breeding techniques to genome engineering. The collection highlights strategies for enhancing climate-resilience in crops, including microbiome manipulation and synthetic biology.
A new study published in Pest Management Science reveals that an apple snail invasion could be disastrous for rice production and food security in Kenya. The invasive species reduces rice yields by up to 14% and net rice income by up to 60% for farmers experiencing moderate levels of infestation.
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Researchers have discovered that breeding high-yielding rice hybrids with lower methane emissions can help farmers achieve food security without significantly increasing emissions. The study highlights the potential for low-emission rice production systems to mitigate methane emissions in Latin America and the Caribbean.
The article discusses the growing challenge of food security in Africa, particularly with regards to rice production and consumption. The research reveals that socioeconomic developments have a more substantial influence on rice availability than gradual climate change, but climatic anomalies pose a significant threat to stability. Div...
International researchers have identified nutrient-rich black rice varieties with improved agronomic traits, including shorter stem length and early maturity. These findings provide important resources for crop bioengineers to improve pigmented rice for human health and sustainable agriculture.
Researchers identified a novel high RS gene, SSIIIb, which when combined with the loss-of-function SSIIIa gene, increased RS content in cooked rice. This breakthrough provides genetic resources for breeding high-RS rice varieties, potentially reducing obesity and related health issues.
A new study reveals that Indian farmers have adapted to climate change by changing management practices and using hardier crop varieties. However, the impact of climate change on crop yields varies across crops and regions, with some areas experiencing greater benefits than others.
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A team of researchers from China created universal critical nitrogen dilution curves for 10 Japonica rice cultivars using machine learning methods. The study found that parameters a and b vary with cultivar, year, site, and N fertilizer quantity and ratio. Three universal N C curves were obtained using different approaches, which accur...
Researchers combined drones and machine learning to gauge bacterial blight outbreaks and screen for resistant genes in rice crops. The approach provided accurate predictions of disease severity and enabled the detection of previously unknown QTLs related to BB resistance.
Researchers have identified a gene network underlying rice grain size regulation, revealing a phosphorylation-driven auxin signaling pathway. The study found that OsTIR1–OsIAA10–OsARF4 plays a crucial role in controlling rice grain size and weight.
A new method involving drones and deep learning has been developed to replace manual rice counting with higher accuracy. The RiceNet network architecture can identify plant density, location, and size with good signal-to-noise ratio, producing quality maps for future automated crop management techniques.
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A digital food voucher system in Indonesia has significantly increased the frequency with which poor households receive their full allocation of food, from 24% to 81%. The program's success was achieved by replacing traditional rice-bag delivery with digital card vouchers, allowing recipients to purchase food themselves.
Research by the University of the Basque Country found that gluten-free products often lack essential nutrients like fibre and protein. Gluten-free pasta, for example, is now made from millet instead of rice flour, improving nutrition.
Researchers at Okayama University have identified cycloartenyl ferulate as the main contributor to brown rice's health-promoting effects. The compound's antioxidant properties help protect cells from oxidative stress and inflammation, leading to benefits such as weight reduction and improved cholesterol levels.
New research from the University of Sheffield reveals genetically modifying rice to reduce stomata can make it more salt-resistant and survive in environments with high salt levels. This adaptation could help tackle food insecurity caused by climate change.
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A team has achieved a clonal efficiency of 95%, allowing the mass production of hybrid seeds and enabling farmers to save and replant rice from season to season. This breakthrough could help meet global food demands sustainably.
Researchers from Singapore University of Technology and Design developed a new reconfigurable workspace soft robotic gripper that can pick and place a wide range of consumer items. The RWS gripper's adaptive capabilities make it particularly useful in logistics and food industries where robotic automation is crucial.
A recent study has revealed a novel cold domesticated repair mechanism for DNA damage in rice, providing elite modules for improving chilling tolerance. The discovery of GCG codon repeats in the first exon of COLD11, a DNA repair protein, has opened the way for fine regulation of rice chilling tolerance with a single site.
Scientists at Aston University are developing processes to capture low-cost energy from rice straw, with the goal of powering Indonesia's households and reducing air pollution. The project aims to increase energy extraction from rice straw from 35% to 70%, providing a sustainable source of locally generated energy.
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A government policy that pushed back the sowing of rice in northwest India led to a delay in harvests and agricultural burning, exacerbating air pollution. Without this delay, cities like New Delhi would have seen an average of 11-21% less smoke-related air pollution between 2008 and 2019.
Researchers identified two methods of harvesting rice, which helped initiate rice domestication. The findings showed that the early Neolithic cultures in southern China used both 'finger-knife' and 'sickle' techniques to harvest rice, with the latter method becoming more widely used as rice became more domesticated.
A recent study found that consuming the most vegetables, including leafy greens and cruciferous veggies, was associated with a lower risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. Meanwhile, potatoes may not have the same benefits but aren't bad if prepared in a healthy way.
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A new report showcases perennial rice strains that can thrive in various climate conditions, offering labor and cost savings for farmers. The research emphasizes the need for large-scale localization of perennial rice to tailor it to local climates, with potential applications in Africa and other regions.
Researchers have developed perennial rice that allows farmers to plant once and harvest up to eight times, reducing labor and costs. The crop provides significant environmental benefits, including improved soil quality and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
Researchers discover chemical inhibitor TIS108 significantly lowers Striga infestation without affecting plant growth or grain yield. The study shows canonical strigolactones contribute to seed germination in root parasitic weeds and play a major role in stimulating invasion by Striga.
Researchers at Hefei Institutes of Physical Science found that a novel mutant, low grain weight (lgw), affects grain size by regulating GW7 expression and cell elongation. The discovery sheds light on the molecular mechanisms controlling grain size in rice.
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Research suggests that climate change can increase trust among Vietnamese rural households, particularly during periods of poor rice yields. As temperatures rise, communities come together to help each other, leading to increased social cohesion and trust.
A recent study has identified key factors influencing the eating quality of hybrid rice, including single-grain composition and physicochemical indicators. The research developed a novel technology to analyze these traits, enabling rapid and nondestructive detection of high-quality rice.
A new analysis of nutrient omission trial data reveals that balanced fertilizer application can significantly improve maize and rice yields in sub-Saharan Africa. The study found that doubling current yields through balanced fertilization with nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium can lead to more consistent results across regions.
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A new study published in The Crop Journal has identified the gl9 gene variant as a key factor in increasing grain size and reducing chalkiness in rice. By introducing this allele into elite rice varieties, scientists have improved grain length, width, and weight, leading to enhanced appearance quality and yield.
Researchers from Hiroshima University have identified two types of genes that are upregulated in both rice and thale cress when exposed to oxygen deprivation. The study suggests distinct molecular mechanisms under hypoxia in plants and animals, with potential applications for creating flood-tolerant crops.
Scientists found that weedy rice has developed herbicide resistance through gene flow from crop rice, with most fields showing resistant plants within 20 years of herbicide-resistant rice cultivation. This rapid evolution is due to the close proximity of weedy and crop rice in the same fields, allowing for pollen transfer and outcrossing.
Exosomes have been identified as possible vehicles for virus transmission, and a recent study found that the saliva protein exportin 6 plays a crucial role in this process. The researchers isolated exosomes from the saliva of insect vectors and showed that they can transport plant virions into rice plants.
Researchers discovered a genetic mechanism that lowers cadmium accumulation in rice without affecting its quality and yield. The duplicated OsNramp5 gene increases the uptake of manganese, competing with cadmium for translocation to shoots, reducing its accumulation.
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Researchers found that adjusting sowing dates for wheat in eastern India can increase production by 69% while maintaining rice productivity. The study provides new recommendations for rice sowing dates and cultivar types to accommodate earlier wheat planting.