Articles tagged with Pesticides
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Researchers at Aarhus University have found an enzyme, C-P lyase, in E. coli bacteria that can degrade highly stable chemicals, including pesticides like RoundUp. The enzyme uses energy from ATP to open and close a 'nutcracker' mechanism that traps and breaks down troublesome chemicals.
Researchers found that two common strawberry fungicides can impact cellular mechanisms, creating berries with subdued flavor and sweetness. The study suggests that the use of these pesticides could be to blame for the blander taste of strawberries.
Researchers have discovered licorice leaf extract as a potent bactericide and fungicide, offering a sustainable alternative to synthetic pesticides. The extract modulates plant immune responses to pathogens and acts against resistant oomycetes, making it a potential solution for naturally controlling plant diseases.
Researchers developed new spiro-pyrazolo quinazoline derivatives with reduced bee toxicity without compromising insecticidal activity. The compounds showed promising results, including one compound with an LD50 value three to four orders of magnitude lower than fipronil.
Researchers at Leibniz-HKI discovered keanumycins in bacteria of the genus Pseudomonas, effective against plant fungal diseases like grey mould rot and human-pathogenic fungi like Candida albicans. The natural product could be an environmentally friendly alternative to chemical pesticides.
A new study by Penn State researchers found that US honey bee colony loss is primarily related to parasitic mites, extreme weather events, and nearby pesticides. The study integrated multiple large datasets at different spatial and temporal resolutions to assess various potential stressors associated with colony collapse across the US.
A UC Riverside study found that farmworkers in the Eastern Coachella Valley lack information and means to advocate for better public health due to language barriers, job insecurity, and limited access to healthcare. The study highlights disproportionate respiratory illness affecting Latinx children living near the Salton Sea.
Researchers have launched five projects to investigate the impact of pollution on UK rivers, which fail to meet good ecological status due to pollutants like chemicals, microplastics, and pharmaceuticals. The projects aim to improve water quality, biodiversity, and resilience to climate change.
Researchers found that fertilizers change the electric field surrounding a flower, affecting bees' ability to navigate and feed. This alteration lasts for up to 25 minutes and can persist beyond a single use of chemicals.
Researchers at Kyoto University found that two species of spider mites avoid food plant leaves with active ant chemical traces and walking along ant-traveled stems to evade natural predators. This avoidance behavior may be comparable to direct consumption by the ants, highlighting a non-consumptive effect of predators on prey.
Researchers discovered that two approved insecticides can damage honey bees' intestinal flora, making them more susceptible to disease. The study highlights the need for rigorous research on pesticide effects on beneficial insects before approval.
Scientists are conducting a first-of-its-kind study to investigate the origin of psychedelic compounds in fungi, including psilocybin found in 'magic mushrooms'. The research aims to understand the evolution of these compounds and their potential applications in medicine and conservation.
A UMass Amherst researcher is developing an eco-friendly drift reduction agent using essential oils derived from food waste to reduce pesticide use, while also creating a potentially scalable process for plant-based seafood that mimics the texture of fish meat.
Researchers found chlorobenzenes in a corroded Roman bowl dated to the Late Iron Age, which may pose a threat to archaeological preservation due to pollution in soil. Soil polluted with chlorobenzenes can lead to increased corrosion and damage to ancient artifacts.
A new study by Environmental Working Group finds that communities of color in Ventura County are disproportionately exposed to pesticides, threatening their health and well-being. The study analyzed over 340,000 pesticide application records and found that farmworkers and their families face the greatest risk of pesticide exposure.
A new study from North Carolina State University shows that soil temperature can be used to predict the spread of the corn earworm, an important pest affecting various crop species. The research reveals three geographic zones where the pest can overwinter, and models suggest that these zones will shift northward due to climate change.
Researchers at Florida International University discover that DDT causes an increase in toxic amyloid beta, a characteristic of Alzheimer's disease. By blocking sodium channels with tetrodotoxin, the production of toxic amyloid-beta species is prevented.
Researchers analyzed four pesticides' effects on earthworms and springtails in Northern, Central, and Southern Europe. They found varying risks depending on soil compartment and pesticide characteristics. The study highlights the need to consider regional variability when regulating agricultural practices.
Researchers at Ben-Gurion University have discovered two defense methods in wild emmer wheat that can protect cultivated wheat from insects. The wheat produces a poison called benzoxazinoid and has a coating of 'hairs' that prevent insects from burrowing, allowing for improved pest resistance
A new CABI-led study identifies key institutional and policy barriers to the adoption of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in Africa. Despite its potential for economic and environmental benefits, IPM's uptake is patchy due to regional and national agricultural policies prioritizing production over sustainability.
Researchers have developed innovative tests for multiple chemicals using plant-based molecules that can detect synthetic cannabinoids and banned pesticides. The system uses a simple and inexpensive approach to quickly signal the presence of nearly 20 different chemicals.
A study found that imidacloprid, a widely used pesticide in Brazil, is toxic to native bees and can cause alarming levels of poisoning. Researchers are calling for specific protocols and more effective regulation to protect these vital pollinators.
A study by Dr. Anja Weidenmüller reveals that glyphosate affects the collective thermoregulatory capacity of bumblebee colonies, impacting brood development and colony growth. This effect is particularly pronounced in times of resource scarcity, highlighting the need to reassess pesticide approval procedures.
A new project led by INRS will assess how living organisms respond to reduced pesticide use, focusing on soil and water health. The study aims to provide a clear understanding of the benefits and limitations of reducing pesticide use in sustainable farming.
A study found that pesticides can impact the reproductive behavior of male bees, making them less desirable to females. The researchers exposed horned mason bees to a low-toxicity fungicide and discovered that pesticide-exposed males were more likely to be rejected by females.
Researchers found that non-biting midge larvae accumulate pesticides from polluted water and retain them into adulthood. Adult female midges have higher pesticide concentrations than males, which are transferred to their offspring. The study suggests that midges can be a source of pesticides in terrestrial ecosystems.
Researchers at George Washington University developed a novel tool to rapidly screen pesticides for safety and performance. The new approach can aid in the design of next-generation molecules to develop safer pesticides, with only 7% of analyzed compounds meeting safety criteria.
Researchers developed a simple, inexpensive test to detect organophosphate pesticides directly in foods and biological samples. The method uses a new enzymatic cascade reaction called HELP to synthesize luciferin analogues, which produce luminescence in different wavelengths.
Researchers discovered that plant volatile signals can warn neighboring plants of herbivore attacks, activating defense genes and increasing resistance. The team found epigenetic mechanisms, including histone acetylation, play a key role in this process.
A study published in Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry found that pesticide levels are low in nectar and pollen collected by honey bees in urban and suburban areas across the US. Chemical analyses detected 17 pesticides in nectar and 60 in pollen samples, with 73% of all samples containing no detectable pesticide residues.
The EPA has introduced a new policy to evaluate the impact of pesticides on endangered species before new products are introduced to the market. The policy requires consultation with wildlife services and aims to mitigate adverse effects, but challenges remain due to differing approaches and thresholds between agencies.
A new study by Emory University finds that schistosome transmission can be highest when freshwater snail populations are low. Snails competing for resources may lead to lower infectivity rates, contrary to typical pesticide-based control methods.
Researchers from Eötvös Loránd University have created a more efficient method for producing catalysts, which can speed up chemical transformations and reduce environmental impact. This breakthrough could lead to faster drug development and improved pesticide production.
Female mosquitoes learn to avoid pesticides after a single exposure, allowing them to seek out safer food sources and resting sites. The study found that pre-exposed mosquitoes were more likely to avoid pesticide-treated nets and rest in pesticide-free containers.
A UMass Amherst researcher has received a $3 million grant to study the complex interplay of risk factors for autism, including early life exposure to environmental pollutants and genetic susceptibility. The study aims to better understand how multiple pollutants and the folate system are associated with autistic traits.
Researchers have discovered a spray-induced gene silencing technique that effectively controls late blight, a devastating disease affecting potatoes and tomatoes. This environmentally friendly method has potential to reduce the usage of chemical pesticides and can be quickly adapted for new targets.
Mathematicians at the University of Leicester have developed a new mathematical model that could greatly increase the efficiency of pest control. The model uses field data and computer simulations to predict the distribution of slugs in arable fields, accounting for individual creature movements.
A University of Ottawa review provides the first field-wide summary of how pesticide exposure affects social bee gut microbiotas. The study found that pesticides disturb microbial communities, leading to a loss of benefits and potential decline in bee health and performance.
A large population-based study found a significant association between lifetime workplace exposure to pesticides and an increased risk of COPD. The study, which included over 500,000 participants, controlled for other risk factors and found that even low levels of pesticide exposure were linked to a heightened risk of COPD.
Scientists develop a sensitive electrochemical detector using cerium oxide nanozyme to identify organophosphate pesticides in plants. The method provides an unprecedented wider linear range and a detection limit of 0.06 mmol/L, making it suitable for detecting trace amounts of pesticide residues.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis are developing a framework to understand how herbicides interact and drift onto unintended plants, affecting crops and the environment. The study found that genetically modified crop introduction influences herbicide use rates and practices, leading to increased drift.
Scientists have discovered new targets for insecticides by analyzing the structure of potassium channels in Drosophila. The study provides a detailed map of the channel, enabling the design of highly selective and safe insecticides.
A new study found that chronic pesticide exposure has detrimental effects on soft-shell clam growth, condition, and feeding rates. The researchers monitored clams in laboratory conditions over 90 days, exposing them to environmentally relevant concentrations of four pesticides registered for use in forest management.
A new project led by University of Illinois researchers will develop machine learning models to predict the reactivity of thousands of organic contaminants in engineered and natural environments. This will help scientists better model pollutant fate and transport, leading to more accurate contaminant risk assessments.
Scientists from Okayama University have identified the genes that cause pesticide sensitivity in sorghum, a superfood grain. The study reveals that these genes are involved in plant defense mechanisms and could help develop crops that can be grown safely with organophosphate treatment.
The number of wild bees has fallen by 25% since 1990, threatening plant reproduction and food production. Researchers must assume social responsibility to communicate their knowledge and work in transdisciplinary coalitions to halt the decline.
A German study reveals that glyphosate and dozens of other pesticides are spreading through the air for miles into national parks and cities. The analysis was published in a peer-reviewed journal and shows that agricultural toxins like glyphosate are classified as probably carcinogenic to humans by the World Health Organisation.
Researchers have developed a new method to remove micropollution from drinking water by using iron and chlorine to break down carbon-based pollutants. The technique produces only CO2 and salt as by-products, making it a promising solution for purifying contaminated water.
A recent study has identified a nematode attractant in flax seeds, which can be used to develop sustainable and environmentally-friendly agriculture methods. The attractant, consisting of cell wall polysaccharides, is found to contain L-galactose sidechains that are critical for nematode attraction.
A study by Greta Wengert and colleagues found that illegal cannabis farms overlap with habitat ranges of endangered Pacific fisher, threatened Humboldt marten, and northern spotted owl. The researchers mapped 1469 illicit cultivation sites using location data and compared them to habitat distribution models.
Researchers have developed a way to bottle the 'smell of fear' produced by predators to repel and disrupt destructive insects. The odor blend can be used in essential oil diffusers to spread over time across gardens or fields, offering a natural alternative to pesticides.
Long-term simulations show that smart land management, such as organic farming and protected refuge areas, can help stabilize threatened bumblebee species. Climate change is expected to have the strongest total effect on bumblebees, threatening many species.
Researchers at UBCO have developed a data processing technique that expands the effectiveness of fluorescence-based water quality monitoring. This approach addresses the challenge of source-specific models by mapping similarities between water sources, enabling real-time detection of hydrocarbons and pesticides in water.
West Virginia University researchers are working on a project to create a tomato that requires little to no pesticides. They aim to identify pest-resistant genes and make those new varieties available to breeders and farmers. The goal is to develop an environmentally friendly and sustainable crop that reduces pesticide use.
Researchers found that captive-raised monarchs can establish proper orientation using their sense of flight direction after being exposed to sunlight and natural cues. The process takes between 24-48 hours, allowing them to fly in the correct direction once released into the wild.
A recent study has identified discrepancies in World Health Organization (WHO) classifications of pesticide hazards, leading to the continued use of potentially lethal pesticides in developing countries. The researchers propose eliminating all pesticides with fatality rates above five per cent to reduce suicides.
A new study found that exposure to organophosphate pesticides may increase susceptibility to COVID-19 infection by triggering an inflammatory response. The research suggests that people with metabolic diseases or cancer may be particularly at risk due to increased ACE2 receptor expression on the surface of airway cells.
Researchers found that drones were only slightly less expensive per unit area than tractor-mounted boom sprayers for pest-control costs, while also having a slight advantage in daily area coverage. Data envelopment analysis showed that both boom sprayers and UAVs reached maximum or near-maximum efficiency for most paddy areas.
Researchers found that chronic dietary exposure to RNAi pesticides enhances their efficacy in controlling pests, allowing for lower concentrations to be used for effective control. This breakthrough has implications for optimizing dsRNA spray approaches and developing genetically engineered crops with built-in pest control.
A recent study by the University of Sydney found that 64% of the world's arable land is at risk of pesticide pollution. The research highlights concerns about human health and environmental impacts associated with widespread agricultural pesticide use, particularly in regions like Asia and Europe.