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Old for new, using ancient genetic variation to supercharge wheat

Researchers identify genomic regions affecting radiation use efficiency and biomass accumulation in spring wheat, providing a crucial resource for scientists and breeders. The study aims to increase wheat yield potential without sacrificing grain yield, addressing the challenge of sustainingably feeding a growing population.

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

Biologists have studied enzymes that help wheat to fight fungi

Researchers identified 1,544 enzymes that play a key role in wheat's defense against fungal infections. The study found that proteases are involved in cell death induced by infection, but contradicting the current understanding that caspase-like enzymes initiate this process.

The evolution of grain yield

A study by Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research has identified the GNI-A1 gene as a key player in regulating floret fertility in wheat. The gene's reduced-function allele was found to increase fertile florets, leading to higher grain counts and yields.

Mini-tornadoes of spores illuminated during raindrop impact

A recent study published in PNAS revealed that raindrop impact can transport rust spores using tornado-like air vortices, enabling long-distance pathogen spread. This discovery has significant implications for preventing disease spread in wheat crops and may inform new strategies for managing disease.

Boost for Australian grain industry

Researchers at La Trobe University and CSIRO found that early sowing of winter wheats can increase Australian wheat crop yields and global food security. The approach could add $1.8 billion to the national economy, with potential yield increases of 20%.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Surprise findings turn up the temperature on the study of vernalization

Researchers have discovered that vernalization is influenced by both cold and warm conditions, with a wider temperature range than previously thought. The study found that warmer temperatures can trigger an 'extreme vernalization response', leading to unique gene expression patterns in certain wheat cultivars.

Harvesting wild genes gives crops renewed resistance to disease

A global alliance of researchers has pioneered a new method to rapidly recruit disease-resistance genes from wild plants for transfer into domestic crops. The technique, called AgRenSeq, promises to transform the development of disease-resistant varieties for the global food supply.

Rapid gene cloning technique will transform crop disease protection

Researchers have developed a new method called AgRenSeq, which enables the rapid recruitment of disease resistance genes from wild plants and their transfer into domestic crops. This technique has been successfully trialed in a wild relative of wheat and holds promise for protecting multiple crops worldwide.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

Ancient gene duplication gave grasses multiple ways to wait out winter

Grasses have multiple copies of a gene that induces flowering during long days, but one duplicate has been repurposed to be expressed during short days, giving some grasses a new way to prepare for spring. This adaptation allows them to flower quickly in spring, providing an edge in the race to produce seeds.

European wheat lacks climate resilience

Researchers at Aarhus University found that current breeding programs for European wheat do not provide sufficient climate resilience. This lack of response diversity can lead to reduced yields, increased yield variability, and market volatility.

Climate resilience of European wheat

A decline in European wheat's climate resilience is reported, as analyzed from farmers' field data and trials. Wheat cultivar diversity hotspot exists in Slovakia, but deserts are found in Czechia, Germany, Italy, and Spain

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.

New insights in rust resistance in wheat

Researchers from Aarhus University have made significant breakthroughs in understanding the mechanisms of yellow rust resistance in wheat. The study found that Yr15 gene produces defence responses early in infection, providing a crucial piece of information for developing disease-resistant varieties.

Space-inspired speed breeding for crop improvement

Scientists at John Innes Centre and University of Queensland have improved space-inspired speed breeding technique to breed disease-resistant, climate-resilient crops. By using enhanced LED lighting and day-long regimes, they can grow six generations of wheat per year, compared to two generations using traditional breeding methods.

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

Scientists reveal spring cold spells that reduce crop yields

Scientists have identified a significant link between spring cold spells and crop yield losses in North China. Continuous negative temperature anomalies during these events can lead to devastating effects on wheat yields, resulting in losses of up to 20%.

Climate changes require better adaptation to drought

A European team of scientists investigated the impact of heat and drought on maize and winter wheat yields under climate change. They found that drought poses a greater threat to maize than heat stress, with yield losses expected to increase due to changing climate conditions.

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

Wheat that pumps iron, naturally

Researchers successfully biofortified wheat to naturally increase its iron content, a process that could help address global iron deficiency. The breeding lines showed no significant decrease in grain yield, making it a promising solution for improving nutrition without compromising farmers' profits.

Global warming: More insects, eating more crops

Rising global temperatures will lead to increased pest pressure and crop losses, especially in temperate regions, with wheat, rice, and maize facing substantial declines. Crop losses are projected to rise by 10-25% per degree of warming, with the most severe impacts expected in countries like France and China.

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

Australian, UK scientists solve 30-year wheat rust genetics puzzle

Researchers from Australia and the UK have isolated three related rust resistance genes that confer distinct recognition specificities to the stripe rust pathogen. This breakthrough could enable accurate monitoring and integration of these genes into breeding programs to combat evolving pathogens.

Epic genetic: the hidden story of wheat

The study reveals geographical patterns in epigenetic changes between 100 landraces of wheat, suggesting that these changes have arisen due to environmental conditions. This discovery provides breeders with a new tool to improve how plants respond to local conditions, enabling farmers to grow the best possible crop for their environment.

Plant virus alters competition between aphid species

A plant virus manipulates aphid species to its advantage by increasing the nutrients in host plants, making it easier for aphids to feed. This allows late-arriving aphids to outcompete early arriving ones, leading to boosted reproductive success and increased spread of the virus.

UMD researcher helps to crack the genetic code for wheat for the first time

The University of Maryland has contributed to the publication of two collaborative papers in Science that detail the full genome sequence of wheat. The research uses this genome sequence to examine gene expression related to heat, drought, and disease stressors, paving the way for more resilient and sustainable wheat varieties.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

One giant leap for wheat

Scientists have produced the most comprehensive map of a wheat genome, paving the way for more resilient and nutritious varieties. The detailed findings describe over 94% of the Chinese Spring wheat genome, with benefits expected to boost wheat improvement over the next decades.

The wheat code is finally cracked

The International Wheat Genome Sequencing Consortium has published the reference genome of bread wheat, enabling breeders to identify genes and regulatory elements underlying complex traits. This achievement will boost wheat improvement, similar to maize and rice after their reference sequences were produced.

Previously grainy wheat genome comes into focus

The complete wheat genome is now sequenced, enabling researchers to identify genes controlling traits such as drought resistance and breed plants with higher nutritional quality. This breakthrough accelerates innovation in breeding resilient and disease-resistant crops to meet global demand for wheat.

Presenting the first fully annotated reference genome of bread wheat

The international team of researchers presents the first high-quality fully annotated reference genome sequence of bread wheat variety Chinese Spring. This advancement provides a powerful tool for accelerating the development of new wheat varieties designed to address human nutrition and crop resiliency needs.

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

In India, swapping crops could save water and improve nutrition

A study published in Science Advances suggests replacing rice with alternative crops like maize, finger millet, or sorghum could reduce irrigation water demand by 33 percent while improving iron and zinc production. However, more research is needed to evaluate the potential benefits on a case-by-case basis for each district.

GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

First step to lasting wheat health

Rothamsted Research has developed a new approach to protecting wheat crops from the devastating take-all root fungus, by carefully selecting the first wheat variety in a cropping cycle. This reduces the disease's severity and increases yields in subsequent crop varieties.

Whether wheat weathers heat waves

Researchers created computer models to understand how wheat responds to heat stress, including timing, intensity, and duration. The models predict the impact of heat waves on wheat yields and grain size, providing valuable insights for farmers to mitigate losses.

Chinese scientists generate a high-quality wheat A genome sequence

A high-quality wheat A genome sequence was generated by Chinese scientists using BAC-by-BAC sequencing and single molecule real-time whole-genome shotgun sequencing. The resulting genome sequence reveals the evolution model of Triticum urartu chromosomes, with four large chromosomal structure variations occurring during wheat evolution.

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.

Plants show an unexpected response to more carbon dioxide

A 20-year study found that C3 grasses actually lose biomass under elevated CO2 levels, while C4 species gain significantly, contradicting previous expectations. This reversal has significant implications for modeling future climate and accurately estimating the distribution of these plant species globally.

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

Natural enemies reduce pesticide use

A study found that increasing crop diversity in agricultural landscapes reduces aphid populations and decreases the need for pesticides. This is because natural enemies of aphids, such as ladybirds and spiders, have better living conditions in diverse landscapes.

Spread of agriculture into central Anatolia

Archaeological evidence from P?narba?? and Boncuklu in Turkey suggests indigenous people adopted agriculture on a small scale, possibly for non-economic reasons. The findings indicate the spread of agriculture was not uniform throughout central Anatolia.

Another blow to fungal infection

Scientists have isolated a natural resistance gene, Stb6, that confers protection against Septoria tritici blotch (STB), a major threat to wheat production. The discovery holds promise for deciphering other resistance genes and developing a natural barrier to infection.

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

A step toward sensitive and fast gluten detection

Researchers have developed a fast gluten detector that can detect and quantify different sources of gluten than current tests, providing more accurate results. The new test is faster, taking only 45 minutes, and can sense less than 20 parts per million of gluten, meeting the FDA's limit for 'gluten-free' designation.

Calculating the CO2 emissions of biofuels is not enough

A new computer model developed by EPFL scientist Edgard Gnansounou can quantify the emissions of each product coming out of biorefineries, providing a more accurate assessment of biofuels' environmental impact. This could help policymakers set clear incentives for biorefineries to become economically viable.

Speed breeding technique sows seeds of new green revolution

The speed breeding platform enables rapid generation of wheat and other crops, increasing generations per year by threefold. This technology uses LED lights to create intensive growth regimes, reducing costs and heat, and has the potential to rank alongside the Green Revolution.

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

Towards better fates for wheat crops: Gene-level insights into a deadly pathogen

Researchers have gained crucial gene-level insights into an age-old evolutionary arms race between wheat and stem rust disease, a devastating fungal pathogen. The studies identified key peptides released by the fungus that can evade plant immune systems, potentially allowing for more effective DNA testing to identify resistant crops.

Wheat disease breakthrough to help feed the world

Researchers have isolated the first rust pathogen gene that wheat plants detect to 'switch on' resistance, allowing for faster DNA testing and prioritizing resistance genes. The breakthrough could save crops from being destroyed by devastating diseases, threatening food security globally.

Rust stemmed for wheat

A team of experts has identified a gene that triggers resistance in wheat to the devastating fungal pathogen Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici (Pgt). The breakthrough allows for DNA testing to identify whether a rust strain can overcome a resistance gene, enabling targeted treatment and reducing crop devastation.

Major award recognizes UK and global impact of wheat scientist

Cristobal Uauy, a world-leading wheat scientist, has been awarded the prestigious Research Medal by The Royal Agricultural Society of England. His work in developing genomic techniques and sharing them with the international community has led to significant benefits for wheat breeders and researchers.

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

Ancient barley took high road to China

New research from Washington University in St. Louis suggests ancient barley took a southern route to China, adapting to seasonal challenges along the way. The study, published in PLOS One, analyzed radiocarbon data and DNA evidence from ancient grains in China, India, Kyrgyzstan, and Pakistan.