Swiss farmers contributed to the domestication of the opium poppy
Fields of opium poppies once bloomed where the Zurich Opera House underground garage now stands. Through a new analysis of archaeological seeds, researchers at the University of Basel have been able to bolster the hypothesis that prehistoric farmers.....»»
Protecting against AI-enhanced email threats
Generative AI based on large language models (LLMs) has become a valuable tool for individuals and businesses, but also cybercriminals. Its ability to process large amounts of data and quickly generate results has contributed to its widespread adopti.....»»
Scandinavia"s first farmers slaughtered the hunter-gatherer population, DNA analysis suggests
Following the arrival of the first farmers in Scandinavia 5,900 years ago, the hunter-gatherer population was wiped out within a few generations, according to a new study from Lund University in Sweden, among others. The results, which are contrary t.....»»
El Niño is starting to lose strength after fueling a hot, stormy year. An atmospheric scientist explains what"s ahead
Wild weather has been roiling North America for the past few months, thanks in part to a strong El Niño that sent temperatures surging in 2023. The climate phenomenon fed atmospheric rivers drenching the West Coast and contributed to summer's extrem.....»»
Andean farmers use age-old technique amid climate change
From the sky, they look like huge, circular patterns made by aliens—but in fact, they are an age-old technique farmers have brought back to fight the climate crisis on the Andean plateaus of Puno......»»
Researchers present near-complete genome version of spreading earth moss
The model organism spreading earth moss (Physcomitrium patens, formerly: Physcomitrella patens) has contributed significantly to a better understanding of plant evolution and development. Nevertheless, the currently known genome of Physcomitrium pate.....»»
Professor explains what the UK/Canada trade disagreement means for UK farmers
With talks between the UK and Canada breaking down over the trade of agriculture products such as beef and cheese, what does it mean for the farming industry and domestic trading in the UK?.....»»
Trees can make farms more sustainable—here"s how to help farmers plant more
Imagine making one change to a farm field so that as well as producing food, it also generated building materials, fuel and fodder. At the same time, this change would nourish the health of the soil, regulate the micro-climate and support pest-contro.....»»
French govt under fire for putting pesticide phase-out on hold
France's government was on the defensive on Friday after environmental campaigners and opposition politicians accused it of having scrapped a key green policy to appease protesting farmers......»»
New study reveals transformative power of aquaculture in Zambia
A new study led by the University of Stirling has revealed for the first time substantial benefits from adopting smallholder aquaculture for Zambian farmers. The research provides compelling evidence of how fish farming diversifies livelihoods and im.....»»
The right bacteria turn farms into carbon sinks
A company works with farmers to treat fields with bacteria that sequester carbon. Some of the microbes that make carbon sequestration work. (credit: Andes Ag, Inc) In 2022, humans emitted a staggering 36 gigatons of carb.....»»
Underwater unmanned vehicle missing under Doomsday Glacier
The unmanned underwater vehicle Ran has gone missing under a glacier in Antarctica. The vehicle, owned by the University of Gothenburg, is one of just three in the world that is used for research and has contributed to important knowledge about the s.....»»
Spatial model predicts bumblebee exposure to pesticide use
It has long been known that agricultural pesticides are one of the greatest threats to bees and other essential pollinators. What farmers have lacked is an understanding of how different pesticides, applied at various times on a variety of crops, aff.....»»
African smallholder farmers benefit from reduced crop losses and higher incomes from a novel pest alert service
A newly published review of the CABI-led Pest Risk Information Service (PRISE) project shows that smallholder farmers in four African countries who received pest alerts created using earth observation data benefitted from reduced crop losses and high.....»»
Magnesium still has the potential to become an efficient hydrogen store, says study
It is easy to be optimistic about hydrogen as an ideal fuel. It is much more difficult to come up with a solution to an absolutely fundamental problem: How to store this fuel efficiently? A Swiss-Polish team of experimental and theoretical physicists.....»»
Analyzing historical crop yields can reveal key soil health insights
New research from Michigan State University shows how evaluating historical crop yields across distinct areas of agricultural fields can provide farmers with essential information on soil health characteristics and carbon sequestration. The paper was.....»»
New buzz about coffee genes: A more complete genome sequence of world"s most popular variety
Like its flavor profile, the genome of Arabica coffee is large and complex. This makes breeding and genetic survey work more difficult, but this diverse genetic background may have contributed to bean's popularity, practicality, and commercial succes.....»»
Dutch farmers struggle through extreme weather
The sub-zero temperatures have a detrimental effect on crops that were prevented from being harvested due to the extreme precipitation in recent months. Potatoes still in the fields in January are to be considered lost. Wijnand Sukkel of Wageningen U.....»»
Global food production at risk as rising temperatures threaten farmers" physical ability to work, new study finds
The future of global food production is under threat as temperature rises will impact farmers' physical capacity to work, a new study has revealed......»»
Report: Warmer planet will trigger increased farm losses
Extreme heat is already harming crop yields, but a new report quantifies just how much that warming is cutting into farmers' financial security. For every 1 degree Celsius of warming, yields of major crops like corn, soybeans and wheat fall by 16% to.....»»
Scientists, farmers, managers work together to avoid the decline of the little bustard
Collaboration between scientists, farmers and managers is crucial to improve the protection of the little bustard, an steppe-land bird in Spain endangered due to human activity. The reduction of natural habitats, the increase in irrigation and the ur.....»»