Crops grown together cooperate better in just two generations
Growing multiple food crops together is a more sustainable farming practice mimicking highly productive wild plant communities. This process, known as intercropping, takes advantage of complementary features of different types of crops to maximize pr.....»»
Fighting coastal erosion with electricity
New research from Northwestern University has systematically proven that a mild zap of electricity can strengthen a marine coastline for generations—greatly reducing the threat of erosion in the face of climate change and rising sea levels......»»
Human manure or "nightsoil" makes great crop fertilizer—but attitudes to poo-grown produce differ drastically
Would you eat potatoes grown in human poo? And how would you feel if the marigolds in your local park sprouted from human manure? In the midst of climate crisis, human manure offers significant environmental benefits. But can we overcome the "yuck fa.....»»
Outdated and imprecise: Why it"s time we retired the term "race relations"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.".....»»
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......»»
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.....»»
Tiny South American deer debuts at New York City zoo
A tiny South American deer that will weigh only as much as a watermelon when fully grown is making its debut at the Queens Zoo in New York City......»»
Florida’s ban on lab-grown meat challenged as unconstitutional
Attorney: “Florida’s law has nothing to do with protecting health and safety." Enlarge (credit: Upside Foods) Florida’s ban on cultivated meat is being challenged in federal court in a lawsuit that was filed yester.....»»
Lawsuit Attacks Florida’s Lab-Grown Meat Ban as Unconstitutional
Upside Foods, a leading cultivated-meat company, argues that the ban violates the US Constitution in several ways......»»
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.....»»
"All of us urgently need to band together to pass a robust and just Earth to future generations," says expert
An article in a special issue on The Planetary Future published in Environmental Policy and Law considers the Planetary Trust as an essential framework underlying today's kaleidoscopic world, reviews important developments in implementing the Trust,.....»»
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.....»»
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.....»»
Unlocking the secrets of salt stress tolerance in wild tomatoes
As our climate changes and soil salinity increases in many agricultural areas, finding crops that can thrive in these challenging conditions is crucial. Cultivated tomatoes, while delicious, often struggle in salty soils. Their wild cousins, however,.....»»
Cancer Case Rates Are Rising Across Generations, and a SpaceX Private Spacewalk Is Delayed
A new blood test for cancer, helpful cat parasites and a new kind of wood are featured in this week’s news roundup......»»
How Reddit became the most important website on the internet
Despite Reddit's modest early beginnings, it's grown into not only the backbone of Google Search, but the future of the internet as well......»»
New technology protects crops by testing the air for the DNA of plant diseases
Plant infections can now be detected in our crops before they're even visible......»»
Researchers use vibrations from traffic to measure underground soil moisture
Caltech researchers have developed a new method to measure soil moisture in the shallow subterranean region between the surface and underground aquifers. This region, called the vadose zone, is crucial for plants and crops to obtain water through the.....»»
Saturday Citations: Warp drive disasters; cancer prospects across generations; a large COVID vaccination study
This week, researchers reported on the implications of a warp drive containment breach in case you're interested in theoretical space-borne disasters. Scientists in the U.K. report the cardiovascular benefits of COVID-19 vaccination in an extremely t.....»»
15,000 Intel job cuts announced, with Apple and Microsoft key factors in the decline
Some 15,000 Intel job cuts have been announced by the company, as it implements a $10B cost-reduction program to try to resolve its financial difficulties. Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger told employees that revenues have not grown in the way the company.....»»