Research on rice as a crop and staple food. Covers fertilizer and emissions trade-offs, biochar and heavy metals, and heat resilience.
Researchers at Okayama University have identified the Shoot-Silicon-Signal protein as a crucial regulator of silicon uptake and accumulation in rice and other grasses. The study highlights the importance of silicon in enhancing plant resilience and productivity, particularly under climate change conditions.
Haotian Wang, associate professor at Rice University, is recognized for his groundbreaking contributions to carbon dioxide electrochemistry. His innovative research has transformed the field of carbon dioxide electrolysis, offering practical pathways to combat climate change.
Researchers found evidence of ancient rice beer production at the Shangshan site, revealing a significant presence of domesticated rice phytoliths and fungal elements. The study provides new insights into the origins of alcoholic beverage brewing in East Asia.
Researchers found that coating rice seedlings with magnesium-doped durian-derived carbon dots increased antioxidant activity and photosynthesis, reducing stress caused by salty soil. The treatment improved plant growth and defense mechanisms in salty soils.
Richard Baraniuk, a Rice University professor, has been awarded the 2025 IEEE Jack S. Kilby Signal Processing Medal for his pioneering work in multiscale and sparse signal processing. He is also a pioneer of the open education movement, transforming access to learning materials worldwide through OpenStax.
Researchers from RCEES have developed a sustainable technology to selectively reduce nitrate to ammonium, increasing rice yield by over 20% while reducing fertilizer usage. The approach also improves nitrogen absorption and reduces environmental risks associated with nitrate pollution.
A research team has developed three new rice varieties resistant to bacterial leaf blight, a detrimental crop disease affecting smallholder farmers in East Africa. The varieties were created using marker-assisted backcross breeding and are expected to protect local rice harvests against aggressive strains.
A research team led by Dr. WU Yuejin discovered the SM1 gene plays a crucial role in controlling rice leaf vein development and affecting methane emissions. The study found that mutant plants with solid veins had 49% less dry weight and 96.8% increased total methane emissions.
Researchers have discovered the RGL2 gene's role in regulating rice grain length through cell proliferation, providing new genetic resources for improving yield. The study found that overexpressing RGL2 increased grain length and single-plant yield by promoting cell growth, offering a promising strategy for molecular design breeding.
Researchers found that a regulatory level change enabled C4 plants to photosynthesize more efficiently. By studying this shift, they believe it could be applied to make C3 crops like rice and wheat more resilient to climate change.
Plant biologists have identified two genes that work together to trigger embryo formation in rice egg cells, enabling the creation of high-yielding clonal strains. The method, which increases success rates to around 90%, has significant implications for sustainable agriculture and could provide a path forward for resource-limited farmers.
Researchers have uncovered a previously unknown signaling pathway in plants that helps them sense and respond to low temperatures. The COLD6-OSM1 module triggers the production of 2',3'-cAMP, a secondary messenger that complements calcium signaling to enhance cold tolerance.
A gene called COLD6 contributes to cold tolerance in rice by triggering 2',3'-cAMP signaling to initiate a defense reaction against low temperature. This pathway may also apply to other crops, improving their cold tolerance.
A recent study discovered that COI1 proteins in maize balance growth and defense by degrading JAZ and DELLAs. This finding could lead to developing more resilient maize varieties. The research revealed an unexpected role of COI1 in regulating DELLA levels, enabling maize to thrive under hot and arid climates.
A team of IRRI researchers has identified genes responsible for low glycemic index (GI) and high protein content in rice. The study reveals superior lines with ultra-low GI (below 45%) and unprecedented protein levels, which can help control blood glucose levels.
Rice University graduate students Eric Wuesthoff and Esther Jimenez have been awarded National Science Foundation INTERN grants to engage in real-world research experiences. Wuesthoff will collaborate with the Houston Zoo on conservation efforts, while Jimenez will work at Solugen on developing sustainable chemical production.
The Rice University Sustainability Institute has partnered with Chevron to establish a graduate fellowship program supporting innovative sustainable energy solutions. This year's fellows are tackling critical energy challenges, including recycling lithium-ion batteries and developing cost-effective solar-driven technologies.
Scientists developed a framework that aligns satellite data with rice growth stages to boost paddy rice mapping accuracy. The new approach improved accuracy by 6.44-16.10% and provided insights into critical factors influencing rice phenology and spatial distribution.
A survey study estimates that 15.6 million US adults consume at least one potentially hepatotoxic botanical product within the past 30 days. Turmeric is the most commonly reported botanical, followed by green tea, ashwagandha, Garcinia cambogia, red yeast rice, and black cohosh products.
A new study by Salk scientists reveals a key gene that enhances plants' zinc tolerance, allowing them to thrive in toxic conditions. The discovery enables the development of crops more resilient to soil contamination, a major goal of Salk's Harnessing Plants Initiative.
Cultivated rice has also evolved into weedy varieties that shatter and are successful in limiting production worldwide. A long abscission zone is a key factor in ease of shattering across various weedy groups, indicating humans' management inadvertently selects for these traits.
A research team developed a hyperspectral library for rice nutrient stress detection using deep learning, achieving accurate results up to 100%. The study improved the precision of nutrient stress detection and contributed to better crop management in precision agriculture.
Researchers at Salk Institute found that higher temperatures drain plants of important dietary nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus, affecting their long-term sustainability. The study's findings will inform the engineering of climate-resilient crops to address global warming's impact on food production.
Isochorismate synthase is essential for phylloquinone production in rice, while its absence does not affect salicylic acid synthesis. The study reveals an ICS-independent pathway for SA biosynthesis in rice, with the PAL pathway being a likely candidate.
A new study found that removing hedgerows and field margins decreases the diversity and abundance of arthropods, which can lead to reduced natural pest control. The research suggests that using flowering plants in field margins and implementing agri-environmental measures can be effective ways to increase farmland biodiversity.
A new study reveals the continuous evolutionary history of rice from wild to domesticated over 100,000 years, with China identified as its birthplace. The research provides new evidence for understanding the development of human society and the origins of agricultural civilization.
Research found that during severe droughts, agricultural reservoirs in Korea's southern region experienced increased total organic carbon concentrations. The study suggests that these reservoirs may shift from carbon storage to carbon sources, emitting carbon into the atmosphere. This finding highlights the need for integrated environm...
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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...