RNA breakthrough creates crops that can grow 50% more potatoes, rice
Manipulating RNA can allow plants to yield dramatically more crops, as well as increasing drought tolerance, announced a group of scientists from the University of Chicago, Peking University and Guizhou University......»»
Dead coral skeletons hinder reef regeneration by sheltering seaweed
The structural complexity of coral reefs creates a vibrant underwater city populated by a diverse assortment of characters. Ironically, this same complexity can impede coral recovery after disturbances......»»
Injecting manure into growing cover crops can cut pollution, support corn crops
Nitrogen in the soil, where plants can readily utilize it, benefits crop growth and health. However, nitrogen leaving the soil—whether through leaching into the groundwater table, flowing with surface runoff into streams or escaping into the air as.....»»
Identifying the top hazardous polluters in the path of Tropical Storm Helene
Recent projections show that Tropical Storm Helene, the latest storm brewing in the Gulf of Mexico, is heading for Florida and tracking toward the state's panhandle. An interactive map developed by Rice University's Center for Coastal Futures and Ada.....»»
Sustainable metal-recycling method reduces cost and greenhouse gas emissions
A research team led by Rice University's James Tour has developed a method to recycle valuable metals from electronic waste more efficiently while significantly reducing the environmental impact typically associated with metal recycling......»»
New insights into hot carrier solar cells: Study explores hot electron tunneling and collection to enhance efficiency
Hot carrier solar cells, a concept introduced several decades ago, have long been seen as a potential breakthrough in solar energy technology. These cells could surpass the Shockley–Queisser efficiency limit, which is a theoretical maximum efficien.....»»
Yeast chit-chat: How microorganisms communicate food shortages
To grow and survive, tiny organisms such as yeast must sometimes adapt their nutrient sources in response to changes in the environment. FMI researchers have now found that yeast cells communicate with each other to use less favorable nutrients if th.....»»
Researchers explore environmental impacts of genetically modified crops
Genetically modified (GM) crops are widely used around the world, but their effects on the environment need to be better understood......»»
Study shows treed borders around crops provide a base for pollinating, pest-eating hoverflies
Planting and maintaining a border of trees around agricultural fields will help a family of flies that, in turn, is important to crops, according to a recent University of Alberta study......»»
Obama"s 2012 reelection tied to better mental health in educated Black men, study suggests
Following Barack Obama's reelection as U.S. president in 2012, the mental health of college-educated Black men improved significantly, while those who didn't attend college reported worse mental health, according to new research from Rice University.....»»
Increasing protein in staple crops could help alleviate global protein shortage
A Mississippi State biologist's research in improving global nutrition and sustainability is featured this week in New Phytologist......»»
Scientists explore how indoor vertical farming could help future-proof food demand
To make sure everyone eats well in our crowded world, we need to innovate. Vertical farming systems, which grow plants intensively in an indoor setting, could be part of the answer—but to use them on a large scale we need to overcome key problems,.....»»
Potential breakthrough in battle against antibiotic resistance from historic brine
A historic brine bath is the site of a potential breakthrough in the prevention of antibiotic resistance in relation to MRSA, and other hospital pathogens......»»
Researchers uncover key insights into cholesterol"s structure in cell membranes
A new study by Rice University researchers led by Jason Hafner could open new pathways for understanding how cholesterol influences cell membranes and their receptors, paving the way for future research on diseases linked to membrane organization. Th.....»»
Ohio Ford-Lincoln dealership service department sees benefits in going paperless
Beau Townsend Ford-Lincoln has seen its recruiting and retention of young technicians and advisers grow with its all-digital efforts......»»
Extreme polar light environment of the North and South Poles sustains biodiversity, researchers suggest
Researchers working in Finland propose that the unique light environment of the Earth's polar regions creates conditions that result in circumpolar hybrid zones around the North and the South Poles. These extreme conditions increase the synchrony of.....»»
Human urine could be used as eco-friendly crop fertilizer: Study
Bacterial communities in soil are as resilient to human urine as synthetic fertilizers—making recycling the bodily fluid as a fertilizer for agricultural crops a viable proposition, according to a new study......»»
Viking Therapeutics, Inc. (VKTX): Biotech Breakthrough or Short Sellers’ Target?
Viking Therapeutics, Inc. (VKTX): Biotech Breakthrough or Short Sellers’ Target?.....»»
Saturday Citations: Football metaphors in physics; vets treat adorable baby rhino"s broken leg
This week, researchers reported an effective way to protect working dogs from heat stress: training them to dunk their heads in cool water. A new computational technique provided a breakthrough in understanding the so-called "pseudogap" in quantum ph.....»»
Personal histories shape how immigrant families transmit their home language to children
According to Statistics Canada, in 2021, 1 in 4 Canadians had at least one mother tongue other than English or French. Many people grow up with their family's heritage languages—like Mandarin, Punjabi, Spanish or Arabic—as part of their family's.....»»
Plants could still grow well under alien skies
Photosynthesis changed Earth in powerful ways. When photosynthetic organisms appeared, it led to the Great Oxygenation Event. That allowed multicellular life to evolve and resulted in the ozone layer. Life could venture onto land, protected from the.....»»