Articles tagged with Pesticides
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.
A systematic testing approach for pesticides minimizes animal suffering while identifying potential harmful effects on brain cells. The four-phase test involves database research, laboratory experiments, animal species tests, and exposure to mice and rats.
A new study confirms that pesticides commonly used in farmland significantly harm bumblebees. Data from 106 sites across 8 European countries shows that bumblebees encounter multiple pesticides, resulting in fewer offspring and reduced colony performance.
A study by UNICAMP researchers found high concentrations of contaminants in the Piracicaba, Capivari and Jundiaí River Basin, including PFAS compounds, pesticides, and industrial chemicals. The study highlights the severity of pollution in the region, which supplies water for drinking, irrigation, and industry.
A new study from the University of Oxford found that bumblebees cannot taste pesticides in nectar, even at lethal concentrations. Bees rely on taste to avoid contaminated nectar, which poses a significant threat to their survival.
A new analysis by Aalto University reveals that industrial agriculture is highly sensitive to shocks in agricultural inputs such as synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. The study models the impacts of these shocks on crop yields and food availability globally, identifying high-risk areas for the greatest yield losses.
A new study by Cornell University researchers found that higher cannabinoid concentrations in hemp leaves led to proportionately less damage from insect larvae. The study suggests the potential for developing pesticides from cannabinoid extracts, but such uses would be limited to non-edible plants.
A recent study published in ScienceDirect found hundreds of toxic chemicals in recycled plastic pellets from 13 countries. The findings highlight the risks associated with recycling plastics and the need to phase out harmful chemicals. The researchers urge policymakers to take action to limit hazardous chemicals in plastics.
Asian longhorned ticks, originating from East Asia, have been detected in Ohio, with over 1 million estimated in a single pasture. Researchers stress the need for early detection and targeted control measures to manage these persistent pests.
A large cross-sectional study of over 2,800 young men in Switzerland found an association between mobile phone use and lower sperm concentration. While no link was discovered to poor sperm motility or morphology, the results suggest that reduced semen quality may be linked to increased mobile phone usage.
Researchers developed an environmental risk score to assess ALS risk and survival using a blood sample, associating several individual pollutants with disease risk. A mixture of pesticides in the blood significantly increased ALS risk, with those in the highest group having twice the risk as those in the lowest.
A study by researchers at the University of Illinois found a significant relationship between soy expansion and childhood leukemia deaths in Brazil. Pesticide use in the region has been linked to increased cancer mortality, with an estimated 123 children under 10 dying from ALL associated with pesticide exposure between 2008 and 2019.
Researchers discovered a novel insecticidal protein in ferns that protects major crop plants from pests and is naturally produced by plants. The protein has features in common with known Bt proteins used extensively in agriculture for insect control.
Researchers at UC Riverside successfully engineered a plant to turn beet red in the presence of a banned pesticide, enabling an environmental sensor without damaging its native metabolism. This breakthrough opens up possibilities for detecting other toxic substances like drugs and birth control pills in water supply.
A new study review found children from families with low incomes and families of color are exposed to more neurotoxic chemicals, leading to greater harm on brain development. This disparity is attributed to their neighborhoods being located near factories, chemical plants, highways, and agricultural fields where pesticides are applied.
Researchers found a 5% sodium hydroxide solution successfully turns live Lebbeck mealybug specimens green, identical to the 10% potassium hydroxide solution. The new alternative is less corrosive, more water soluble and less expensive.
Researchers discovered a species of fungus that fosters a unique symbiotic relationship with oilseed rape plants, increasing flavonoid biosynthesis and enhancing plant defense against pests. This breakthrough offers promising potential for sustainable agriculture and minimizing ecological footprints.
A research team at Ritsumeikan University has identified the elusive ApiT gene in celery, crucial for apiin synthesis. The discovery may pave the way for efficient biosynthesis of apiin, a compound with potential health benefits and medicinal uses.
Researchers found that introducing flowering components, aromatic ground covers, and extensification in orchard management increased natural enemies' abundance and decreased pest insects. Ground covers had the most positive effects on predators, while promoting floral resources and ecosystem-friendly strategies can reduce pesticide use.
A new tool helps evaluate pesticide toxicity at high resolution and suggests targeting a few pesticides in watersheds could significantly reduce aquatic toxicity in California. The Environmental Release Tool (ERT) quantifies pesticide applications and toxicity by watershed, covering hundreds of commodities.
A new study analyzed existing research on bee-protective measures and found that many common methods are backed by minimal scientific evidence. Researchers urge stronger testing to evaluate effective measures and warn of potential waste of time if ineffective.
A study reveals high levels of insecticide resistance among Aedes aegypti populations in Dhaka, compromising mosquito control and increasing dengue burden. Researchers recommend non-insecticidal approaches, such as Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes, to effectively manage dengue vectors.
Approximately 70,000 tonnes of pesticides leach into aquifers each year, impacting ecosystems and freshwater resources. The study showed that about 80 percent of applied pesticides degrade into daughter molecules, persisting in the environment for a long time and posing significant harm to marine wildlife and coral reefs.
A new study reveals that nearly half of traded hazardous chemicals are imported without consent, posing a significant threat to human health and the environment. The report highlights the need for strengthened national and international action to address global trade of highly hazardous chemicals.
Researchers have developed bat-inspired drones to eliminate moth pests from greenhouses using sound-based technology. The drones' noise affects moth flight behavior, causing some to fly erratically and others to cease flying altogether.
Researchers found that ahiflower oil supplementation can recover mitochondrial respiration rates in honey bees exposed to imidacloprid, a common neonicotinoid pesticide. This study suggests the potential for food supplements to decrease honey bee mortalities caused by pesticides.
Researchers found that biting midges responsible for transmitting the virus are active on warmest days throughout the winter, contrary to previous theories. The discovery suggests that bluetongue virus transmission is likely ongoing year-round, with potential economic impacts for cattle farming.
Research suggests that the Bhopal gas disaster had long-term intergenerational effects on health and education. Men exposed in utero to toxic gas had a higher risk of disabilities and cancers, while those born later had reduced educational attainment. The sex ratio of births also changed among children born near the incident site.
A recent study has identified 53 pesticides linked to an increased risk of Parkinson's disease, with exposure to multiple chemicals combined being more toxic than any single pesticide. The researchers also found that specific pesticides can directly harm dopamine neurons, a key finding for the development of new therapeutic strategies.
Researchers at UCLA and Harvard have identified 10 pesticides toxic to dopaminergic neurons, which play a key role in voluntary movement. The study used California's pesticide use database and found that co-exposure of certain pesticides increased toxicity, with combinations involving herbicides like trifluralin producing the most harm.
Exposure to pyrethroid pesticide deltamethrin during pregnancy and lactation causes reduced cognition, increased repetitive behaviors, and altered dopamine levels in mice offspring. These findings suggest that exposure to pyrethroid pesticides may contribute to neurodevelopmental disorders in humans.
A UToledo-led study found early exposure to pyrethroids may increase the risk of autism and developmental disorders in mice. The researchers discovered behavioral changes, including hyperactivity and repetitive behaviors, which are similar to symptoms seen in human patients with neurodevelopmental disorders.
A new pesticide exposure test has been developed to help protect the health and safety of agricultural workers, particularly those in the emerging cannabis industry. The test uses a bio solid-phase microextraction method that can detect ultra-trace levels of pesticide residues in human blood plasma.
Researchers at the University of São Paulo developed a kraft paper-based electrochemical sensor that can detect traces of pesticides in fruit and vegetables in real time. The device resembles a glucometer and has been shown to be highly sensitive, fast, and inexpensive.
Researchers analysed wastewater from 10 cities to detect chemical and biological markers of health, including pesticides, pharmaceuticals and disease-causing viruses. The study found that analysing wastewater on a large scale could spot new outbreaks of diseases in communities early on.
A recent study found that organophosphate pesticides used to control desert locusts in Eastern Africa had devastating impacts on honey production, pollinators, and ecosystems. The campaign led to a 78% decline in honey production and an estimated loss of US$500 million in revenue.
Researchers have developed a microneedle-based drug delivery technique for plants, which can precisely deliver controlled amounts of agrochemicals to specific plant tissues. This method has the potential to improve crop quality and disease management while minimizing resource wastage and environmental contamination.
A new CABI-led study found that mass media campaigns improve farmers' knowledge of pesticide risks and safety measures, boost the adoption of environmentally safer alternatives to synthetic pesticides. The campaigns also increase the use of personal protective equipment and reduce pesticide-related illnesses.
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.