Crops can adapt to grow in the shade
After detecting the proximity of vegetation, some plants, including most of the crops we eat, can plan for conditions of shade in their surroundings and modify their structure and growth to prosper with less light. This has been verified by a researc.....»»
How does organic farming benefit honey bees?
Organic farming and flower strips promote the health of honey bees. In their vicinity, colonies grow stronger and are generally healthier. This is most likely because the insects have a diverse and continuous food supply there and are less exposed to.....»»
Outdated and imprecise: Why it"s time we retired the term "race relations"
There's a term that crops up whenever Aotearoa New Zealand's political debates turn to the Treaty of Waitangi and its contemporary relevance: "race relations.".....»»
Climate change is already reshaping PNW shorelines: Tribal nations are showing how to adapt
Keeley Chiasson plodded through the steep, sandy sediment near the base of the bluff. Carefully perched on a firm shelf, she scraped back the weathered surface of the wall, revealing stripes of cocoa, rust and tan sediments......»»
Lufthansa is using artificial sharkskin to streamline airplanes
Copying a trick from the animal kingdom can help cut aircraft emissions. Enlarge (credit: Aurich Lawson | Getty Images) Companies are often caught between wanting to cut emissions but also grow profits. But for airlines,.....»»
How a mix of old and new techniques produced a superior maize harvest in a dry part of South Africa
New research into rural small-scale farms in South Africa's North West province has found that climate-smart farming techniques lead to a better maize yield, a more regular supply of food for the farmers, and a wider variety of crops......»»
Scientists investigate triggers of explosive volcanic eruptions in lab simulation study
Scientists at The University of Manchester have effectively simulated how bubbles grow in volcanic magma thanks to a novel pressure vessel that can mimic the eruption process in a laboratory setting......»»
Report: The iPhone 16 Pro might come in a unique shade of "bronze"
Despite previous rumors suggesting Rose pink, a new image reveals the smartphone will come in a dull-looking brown......»»
New research shows agricultural impacts on soil microbiome and fungal communities
New research from Smithsonian's Bird Friendly Coffee program highlights a type of biodiversity that often gets overlooked: soil bacteria and fungal communities. For over twenty years, Smithsonian research has shown that coffee farms with shade trees.....»»
Crypto-linked cybercrime saw another record year as ransomware risk rises
Ransomware operators have earned more money in 2024 compared to last year as scam possibilites grow......»»
Trees compete for space, light and resources, and those clashes can leave battle scars
When you walk through a forest, it may feel like a static setting where very little is happening. But trees are constantly interacting and reacting to each other as they grow. There's intense competition for light and space. Every shift affects the o.....»»
Newly discovered protein stops DNA damage
Researchers from Western University have discovered a protein that has the never-before-seen ability to stop DNA damage in its tracks. The finding could provide the foundation for developing everything from vaccines against cancer, to crops that can.....»»
Newly discovered ability of comammox bacteria could help reduce nitrous oxide emissions in agriculture
An international research team led by the Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science (CeMESS) at the University of Vienna has discovered that comammox bacteria, first identified by them in 2015, can grow using guanidine, a nitrogen-ric.....»»
Exploring the structures of xenon-containing crystallites
Noble gases have a reputation for being unreactive, inert elements, but more than 60 years ago Neil Bartlett demonstrated the first way to bond xenon. He created XePtF6, an orange-yellow solid. Because it's difficult to grow sufficiently large crysta.....»»
Wildfires don"t just burn farmland—they can contaminate water farmers use to irrigate crops and support livestock
The wildfires that burned across Maui, Hawaii, in August 2023 became the deadliest conflagration in the United States in more than a century. While the harm to homes and tourism drew the most attention, agriculture was also heavily affected across th.....»»
Scientists discover antlions" venom changed to adapt to their ecological niche
In a new study published in Communications Biology, researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology and the University of Giessen show that the adaptation of antlions to their ecological niche has also changed their venom......»»
Supply of minerals lags EV policy demands
Despite a lull, EV battery mineral shortages are expected to grow as autos compete with the demand from other industries......»»
Unveiling the ancient Maya"s relationship to animals and nature
As the scorching May sun of Central Belize blazes down on us, temperatures soar to a staggering 106°F. Local farmers anxiously await the onset of the rainy season to sow their crops, but the much-needed first rain remains elusive. This property is o.....»»
Archaeologists conduct first "space excavation" on ISS and discover surprising quirks of zero-G life
New results from the first archaeological fieldwork conducted in space show the International Space Station is a rich cultural landscape where crew create their own "gravity" to replace Earth's, and adapt module spaces to suit their needs......»»
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.....»»
The molecular shield: How tea plants combat drought through protein phosphorylation
Drought stress poses a significant challenge to agriculture, causing substantial yield losses in many crops. Tea plants, known for their rich flavonoid content which enhances both quality and health benefits, are particularly affected. Under drought.....»»