A recent study published in Science found that only a small fraction of potentially environmentally relevant chemicals are monitored. The researchers analyzed large datasets to assess the environmental risks of highly toxic chemicals, highlighting the limitations of current chemical monitoring.
Researchers at UMass Amherst have identified a naturally occurring compound secreted by donkeys that effectively repels adult Ixodes scapularis ticks, the primary tick species responsible for spreading Lyme disease. The compound, (E)-2-octenal, shows promise as a natural alternative to DEET-based repellents.
A meta-analysis from the University of Copenhagen shows that flower strips with at least two sown species increase the number of natural enemies by an average of 70 percent. This is due to the diverse range of flowers attracting a broader range of beneficial insects, such as ladybirds and hoverflies.
A two-year study found that fluridone is effective in controlling Palmer pigweed in rice, but its use can cause injury to some cultivars. Rice farmers should apply the herbicide before the three-leaf stage and follow the label instructions to minimize risk.
A University of Helsinki study shows that pesticides can negatively affect non-target species living in agricultural environments. The effects vary greatly depending on the substance tested, with one fungicide increasing mortality rates and reducing reproductive success in butterflies.
Researchers develop AI-based monitoring system to link pesticide exposure to honeybee pollen-foraging behavior and overall colony health. The study confirms previous findings that neonicotinoid pesticides affect honeybee colony dynamics.
A new study confirms copper-based fungicides as a reliable solution for aerial stem rot in potatoes. The research found that copper fungicide treatments consistently slowed disease spread and improved yields over a 10-year period.
A study found 3,196 poisoning events in European raptors, with scavenging birds disproportionately affected by carbofuran and aldicarb. The most commonly poisoned species was the Eurasian Buzzard, highlighting the need for targeted conservation efforts.
Researchers at Lund University found that hedgehogs collected from urban areas in Sweden contained high concentrations of lead, pesticides, and other pollutants. The study provides an environmental fingerprint of urban ecosystems, highlighting the need for increased monitoring and reduced use of synthetic materials.
A research team at Tokyo University of Science has identified two new tetranins in spider mite saliva that reduce reproduction and increase defense responses in plants. The findings have potential for organic farming techniques and more resilient crops, contributing to sustainable agriculture and enhanced food safety.
Researchers demonstrate a new technique for encapsulating beneficial bacteria that can be stored and applied to plants to improve growth and protect against pests. The technique enables customized probiotics for plants, allowing farmers to use these bacteria in conjunction with agrochemicals.
A recent study reveals extensive pesticide contamination in the Upper Rhine Region, contaminating not only agricultural areas but also remote regions. The research found that pesticide mixtures spread far beyond fields, posing a risk to people's health and environment.
A comprehensive global study reveals pesticides are a major contributor to the biodiversity crisis, affecting over 800 species of plants, animals, fungi, and microbes. The research highlights the need for policies and practices to reduce pesticide use, including regenerative agriculture and Integrated Pest Management.
Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology found that biochar significantly reduces DDT uptake by earthworms in contaminated soil, halving the toxin's presence. This method could enable farming on land deemed unusable due to environmental risks.
A new study shows distinct effects of neonicotinoid pesticide exposure in different bumble bee body parts, highlighting the need for more sensitive safety testing. The researchers found dramatic differences in gene activity across body tissues, affecting brain, legs, and kidney-like tissues in unique ways.
Scientists develop novel approach using Cry14 protein to combat soybean cyst nematode (SCN), a major soybean pest. The research demonstrates that Cry14 reduces SCN population in soybean roots, leading to higher yields and potential resistance against native traits.
A team from the University of Cambridge has developed a model to predict desert locust swarms, enabling national agencies to respond quickly. The model uses weather forecast data and computational models to forecast locust swarm movements both short and long-term.
A new University of Texas at Arlington study provides a comprehensive genetic map of the common bedbug Cimex lectularius, enhancing scientific investigations into pesticide resistance and developing targeted pest control strategies.
A group of international scientists is urging the European Commission to implement protective measures for subterranean ecosystems, which store 97% of the world's drinking water and harbor unique biodiversity. Regular surveys of subterranean fauna can reveal the health of these ecosystems, which are sensitive to contaminants.
Researchers at Texas A&M University developed a non-toxic pesticide using neem seed extract and nanotechnology. The new formulation shows improved targeting ability and reduces environmental pollution by up to 80-90% of sprayed pesticides missing their target entirely.
A Curtin University study uses eDNA metabarcoding to track insect interactions with avocado flowers, detecting five times more unique pest species than digital video recordings. This method could help improve yields and make agricultural operations more efficient by identifying beneficial pollinators and pests.
A new study by the University of Minnesota and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources found high concentrations of neonicotinoids in some ground and surface water sources, including natural springs. This contamination can affect drinking water quality and organisms in streams fed by those springs.
Researchers will use decades-old data from blood and urine tests to measure pesticide and metal levels among participants, then match with MRI scans and cognitive tests to identify potential contributions to dementia risk. The study aims to understand environmental links to Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.
Induced resistance, a plant-based approach, prepares plants to fight pests and disease by activating their immune systems. This holistic strategy combines multiple methods for tailored protection, enhancing abilities beyond just one defense mechanism.
Researchers developed a new method to analyze interactions between neighboring plant individuals, identifying genes involved in associative resistance. Mixing different plant genotypes reduced herbivore damage by up to 24.8% compared to planting individual genotypes.
A new study reveals that pesticide residue concerns are the most frequently cited source of food safety fears amongst consumers in Bangladesh, Ghana, Kenya, Pakistan and Uganda. Consumers who express concerns with pesticides are more likely to demand fruits and vegetables from specialist shops and avoid those from street hawkers.
A study published in Nature Sustainability has found an antidote to neonicotinoids, a class of pesticides killing bees. The treatment involves tiny ingestible microparticles that physically bind to the pesticide, leading to 30% higher survival rates and reduced symptoms in bumblebees.
A recent Science study reveals that bat population decline led to a significant increase in pesticide use by farmers, resulting in more than 1,000 infant deaths. The study found a 31% rise in pesticide use and an 8% increase in infant mortality rate, highlighting the potential harm of pesticide misuse on human health.
A recent study found that actively managed habitats can slow or reverse population declines in at-risk butterflies. Habitat management, such as prescribed burns and planting nectar plants, appeared to dampen the effect of climate change on butterfly timing.
A new study found a strong correlation between pesticide use and fewer wild bee sightings, suggesting a direct link between pesticide exposure and bee population declines. Alternative pest control strategies, such as integrated pest management, are essential for conserving these crucial pollinators.
A new study by MLU and UG found that organic farming, flower strips, and semi-natural habitats improve bee health. Organic fields had the greatest impact, reducing parasite infestation and boosting colony growth.
A new study found that consumer-grade insecticide sprays have little to no effect on eliminating German cockroach infestations. The residues of these products did not kill more than 20% of the cockroaches, with some taking up to five days to die.
Researchers developed a high-tech imaging method to detect pesticide contamination at low levels using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). The method was applied to fruits, revealing that current food safety practices may be insufficient.
A new study found that living near areas where pesticides were used during the first trimester of pregnancy or pre-conception increases the risk of stillbirths. Researchers linked pesticide use records to state birth certificate data and found specific chemicals, such as organophosphates and pyrethroids, to be associated with increased...
A recent study published in Frontiers found that pesticide use is associated with increased cancer risk, particularly for Non-Hodgkins lymphoma, leukemia, and bladder cancer. The researchers discovered a strong correlation between pesticide exposure and cancer incidence, rivalling the effects of smoking.
SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Cancer Control and Society·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 25, 2024
A comprehensive study reveals that per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are increasingly added to US pesticide products, contaminating waterways and posing potential threats to human health. The study found that pesticides containing PFAS are widely used in staple foods, flea treatments for pets, and insect-killing sprays.
Researchers have developed a more effective method of removing organic pesticides from drinking water using powdered activated carbon particles as small as 6 μm. This process achieves significant water treatment savings while ensuring the removal of toxic chemicals.
A recent study finds semi-natural habitats play a crucial role in conserving pollinator diversity, outpacing the impact of pesticide use. The research suggests that prioritizing habitat conservation can be more effective than reducing pesticide application in rice fields.
Mithila Jugulam has been appointed Co-Editor-in-Chief of Pest Management Science, bringing expertise in weed physiology and molecular biology. She aims to foster interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation, while maintaining the journal's commitment to scientific rigor and editorial integrity.
A study found that pesticides imidacloprid, pyraclostrobin, and glyphosate impair the mobility and immune system of Brazilian native stingless bees. Even if bees survive exposure to these pesticides, their immune systems are weakened, making them more prone to infections and increasing the risk of colony collapse.
Researchers at Colorado State University have developed a new approach to speed up the development of pharmaceuticals and pesticides. By deconstructing and reassembling common compounds known as heterocycles, scientists can rapidly change their characteristics without extensive synthesis.
A CABI-led study found that participation in Zambia's Farmer Input Subsidy Programme encourages synthetic pesticide use at the expense of sustainable practices. Farmers consider biopesticides as safer alternatives when they have tenure security and access to financial resources.
SourceCABI·JournalJournal of Agricultural Economics·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 2, 2024
A new study found that genetic variants in lysosomal genes may contribute to the development of Parkinson's disease in individuals exposed to high levels of pesticides. The research suggests a potential gene-environment interaction, where minor changes in these genes can lead to increased disease risk under stress.
A researcher will study how plants defend themselves against nematode infections, which could lead to novel drugs or antibiotics for humans and livestock. The project aims to increase food security in Africa and Asia by understanding the molecular mechanisms behind plant resistance.
A new study reveals that honey bees are exposed to an average of 23 stressors at once, creating 307 interactions that impact bee health. The researchers found that social media influencers – viruses and pesticides – have a significant impact on the architecture of the complex network.
Researchers found a significant association between storing chemicals in attached garages and increased ALS risk. The study suggests that volatile chemicals released into the living space may contribute to this link.
A new study by Johns Hopkins University reveals that California is the nation's greatest emitter of sulfuryl fluoride, a common pesticide. The majority of emissions come from structural fumigation in just a few counties, contributing to global warming.
Researchers from Tokyo University of Science found that rose essential oil increases the transcript levels of PIR1 and PIN2, key plant defense genes, in tomato plants. The study also showed that REO reduces leaf damage caused by pests and attracts beneficial predators to protect against herbivores.
Researchers at Oregon State University have identified a metal-organic framework that can completely remove and break down glyphosate, a widely used herbicide. The material, Sc-TBAPy, shows faster adsorption and photodegradation of glyphosate compared to other MOFs.
A new disinfection technology uses low-temperature plasma to sterilize nutrient solutions in hydroponic farming, reducing the need for chemical pesticides. This innovation promotes environmentally friendly crop cultivation and reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
A recent study found that even extremely low levels of pesticide exposure can cause lasting behavioral changes in fish, extending to offspring never exposed firsthand. The impact also raises concerns for all vertebrates, including humans.
A new EWG study has found chlormequat, a little-known pesticide, in 77% of urine samples from people tested between 2017 and 2023. The chemical is linked to reproductive and developmental problems in animal studies, suggesting potential harm to humans. EWG calls for increased research and regulation on chlormequat.
A new study reveals that Agent Orange damages frontal lobe brain tissue in laboratory rats, causing molecular and biochemical abnormalities similar to early-stage Alzheimer's disease. This research has important implications for the long-term brain health of aging veterans and people exposed to biologically similar herbicides.
Research published in ACS Environmental Science & Technology Letters reveals that exposure to pesticide-treated seeds can adversely affect earthworms' health. Earthworms exposed to non-lethal amounts of insecticides and fungicides showed poor weight gain and mitochondrial DNA damage.
Two new EU-funded projects, PollinERA and WildPosh, will investigate the toxicological and ecological impacts of chemical pollution on terrestrial biodiversity and pollinators. The projects will improve risk assessment tools and characterise exposure routes to pesticides in four European regions.
Parents who received nutritional epigenetics education reduced ultra-processed food consumption and increased whole organic foods intake, leading to improved behavior and cognition in their children. The education intervention also reduced heavy metal exposures and dietary deficits that disrupt gene function.
Scientists at UC Riverside have discovered a tiny worm species that can control crop pests in warm, humid environments. The new Steinernema adamsi nematode is nearly invisible and can kill insects with a low dose, making it a potential alternative to pesticides.
Researchers have developed a novel approach to determine the age of mosquitoes, which could help improve pesticide strategies and reduce the spread of diseases like malaria. The method uses surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) to analyze biomolecules in mosquito water extract.
Scientists have discovered a way to predict breast cancer risk based on specific chemical traits, identifying over 900 chemicals that could contribute to the disease. These chemicals are commonly found in consumer products, food, and workplaces, and can alter hormones or damage DNA.
Research reveals that prolonged exposure to plantations during infancy triples the likelihood of infant mortality. Exposure to pesticides and agricultural chemicals may negatively affect infant development and lead to increased mortality rates.