Across southeastern US, weedy rice steals herbicide resistance from crop rice
Weedy rice is a close relative of cultivated rice that infests rice fields worldwide and drastically reduces yields. To combat this agricultural pest, rice growers in the southeastern United States have been planting rice cultivars that were tweaked.....»»
Could manure and compost act like probiotics, reducing antibiotic resistance in urban soils?
Urban soils often contain chemical contaminants, such as heavy metals or trace amounts of antibiotics, along with higher levels of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. New research from the University of Maryland suggests that, in some cases, boosting urba.....»»
New tools for fungicide resistance detection
Researchers at the Center for Crop and Disease Management (CCDM) have developed a new method for detecting fungicide resistance, enabling them to detect multiple mutations, both known and novel, in just one test......»»
How farmers and tech teamed up to better test crops
For over a decade, farmers across the world have been working hand-in-hand with researchers at the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT and their collaborators to develop a better way to test new crop varieties and improve food security in t.....»»
Biocides are a useful tool to combat antibiotic resistance but appropriate use is vital, scientists suggest
A recent review in the journal Sustainable Microbiology discusses how the use of biocides can promote well-being—but must only be used when there are clear benefits......»»
Editing for resilience: CRISPR/Cas9 boosts potato stress resistance
Scientists have made a significant breakthrough in agricultural biotechnology by using CRISPR/Cas9 to edit the potato genome, resulting in plants with increased resistance to both biotic and abiotic stresses. This innovation could lead to a new era o.....»»
DNA Topoisomerase insights hold potential for drug discovery and plant protection
Insights into the function of DNA Topoisomerase VI (Topo VI) may provide a springboard for drug discovery and crop protection......»»
Flow of sweetness: Key sugar transporters identified for enhanced camellia seed growth
Seed development is crucial for plant reproduction and crop yield, largely dependent on efficient sugar transport and metabolism. In many plants, the detailed mechanisms of sugar import remain unclear, despite extensive research on model species......»»
A review of the Epichloë festucae antifungal protein Efe-AfpA
A research team has reviewed the mechanisms behind endophyte-mediated disease resistance in strong creeping red fescue (Festuca rubra subsp. rubra) and identified the antifungal protein Efe-AfpA produced by Epichloë festucae as a key factor against.....»»
Former Hurricane Debby Stalls, Causing Heavy Rains and Flooding along East Coast
Some parts of the southeastern U.S. have seen more than a foot of rain from Tropical Storm Debby, and rain will keep moving up the coast in the coming days.....»»
Teosinte Pollen Drive: Scientists may have discovered corn"s "missing link"
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) has begun to unravel a mystery millennia in the making. Our story begins 9,000 years ago. It was then that maize was first domesticated in the Mexican lowlands. Some 5,000 years later, the crop crossed with a spec.....»»
Dissatisfied parents demand superintendents, school boards step up their game, expert says
School district leaders including superintendents and board members are under increasing pressure from parents to show better results, according to research by an expert at Rice University's Jones Graduate School of Business. Among superintendents th.....»»
Nanomaterials may enhance plant tolerance to high soil salt levels
Soil salt concentrations above the optimal threshold for plant growth can threaten global food security by compromising agricultural productivity and crop quality. An analysis published in Physiologia Plantarum has examined the potential of nanomater.....»»
Team fabricates world"s highest-performance superconducting wire segment
Our future energy may depend on high-temperature superconducting (HTS) wires. This technology's ability to carry electricity without resistance at temperatures higher than those required by traditional superconductors could revolutionize the electric.....»»
Sci-fi writer and WordStar lover re-releases the cult DOS app for free
"Compared to it, Microsoft Word is pure madness"—Anne Rice. Enlarge (credit: Robert J. Sawyer) WordStar's most recent claim to fame might be that it's the word processing application on which George R.R. Martin is stil.....»»
Farmers innovate to save Iraq"s rice production
After seeing his once-lush rice field shrink in recent years due to relentless drought, Iraqi farmer Muntazer al-Joufi fought back using tougher seeds and water-saving irrigation techniques......»»
Four killed after Storm Debby hits Florida coast
Tropical Storm Debby drenched Florida on Monday, killing at least four people and threatening southeastern US states with heavy rainfall and catastrophic flooding......»»
Double whammy antibiotic makes antibiotic resistance much harder—new study
Most antibiotics are natural products of bacteria and other microorganisms from the environment. They are part of a silent chemical warfare among microorganisms in soils, rivers and seas right now. The fact that they are natural products that have be.....»»
US braces for "catastrophic" flooding as Storm Debby drenches Florida
At least four people were killed as Tropical Storm Debby swept over Florida on Monday, threatening southeastern US states with record-breaking rainfall and potentially catastrophic flooding......»»
Historic flooding possible as TS Debby bears down on southeastern US
Tropical rainfall and training bands: It's going to be a soggy mess. Enlarge / Satellite image of Tropical Storm Debby on Sunday morning. (credit: NOAA) As often happens during the month of July, the Atlantic tropics ent.....»»
Historic flooding possible as TS Debby bears down on southeastern United States
Tropical rainfall and training bands, it's going to be a soggy mess. Enlarge / Satellite image of Tropical Storm Debby on Sunday morning. (credit: NOAA) As often happens during the month of July, the Atlantic tropics ent.....»»