Food and Agricultural Sciences News and Research

Latest Food and Agricultural Sciences News and Research

Research Sheds Light on Protein's Role in Enhancing Plant Disease Resistance

Salicylic acid is vital for protecting plants from pathogens, but its synthesis remains unclear. A recent study by Shinshu University researchers has discovered that the protein HSR201 is key to its production.

3 Dec 2024

Enterococcus Co-Infection Increases Protective Slime in Pathogenic E. coli

A new study finds that two subtypes of pathogenic Escherichia coli (E. coli) produce five to 16 times more protective capsular "slime" when Enterococcus faecalis (EF) is present.

3 Dec 2024

Biodiversity in the city: Sown meadows as urban refuges for pollinators

In a recent article, researchers investigated the role of sown wildflower meadows in urban areas. They found that they effectively support pollinator populations, particularly bees and hoverflies, while natural meadows remain vital for butterflies.

2 Dec 2024

New Biogel Test Detects Bacteria Through Simple Color Change

A novel new test for bacteria in fluids makes it as easy as observing a color change to confirm the presence of disease-causing pathogens, promising much easier diagnostic tests and greater food safety.

28 Nov 2024

Cyanobacteria Harness Pulse Amplitude Modulation to Control Biological Functions

Cyanobacteria, an ancient lineage of bacteria that perform photosynthesis, have been found to regulate their genes using the same physics principle used in AM radio transmission.

26 Nov 2024

Uncovering the Genetic Basis of Sex Determination in Amborella trichopoda

Although it is a complicated process, plant reproduction is essential to both ecological balance and the food chain. Some plants are hermaphrodites, some are either male or female, and some change sex during their lives.

26 Nov 2024

Redefining plant monitoring with innovative tactile sensor technology

In a recent article, researchers present an iontronic tactile sensory system combined with machine learning, enabling accurate classification of plant species and growth stages for precision agriculture.

26 Nov 2024

Smart Researchers Pioneer Method to Detect Dehydration in Plants

Have you ever wondered if your plants were dry and dehydrated, or if you’re not watering them enough? Farmers and green-fingered enthusiasts alike may soon have a way to find this out in real time.

From Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology 26 Nov 2024

New Vector Systems Open the Door for Efficient Genetic Modification

A recent breakthrough in biotechnology promises to change the landscape of plant genetic engineering. Imagine a persistent invader-;Agrobacterium-;long used to deliver genes into plants. Despite its historical success, the journey has been fraught with setbacks, especially with crops that launch fierce immune defenses.

25 Nov 2024

Scientists Map Microbiome of Rivers Across the U.S.

Rivers and streams serve as critical connectors across vast geographical landscapes, trickling out of tucked-away headwaters and snaking thousands of miles toward oceans and deep seas.

21 Nov 2024

Ancient DNA Unlocks Secrets of European Genetic Adaptation

Leveraging a unique statistical analysis and applying it to ancient DNA extracted from human skeletal remains, a team of researchers from The University of Texas at Austin and the University of California, Los Angeles has revealed new insights into how ancient Europeans adapted to their environments over 7,000 years of European history.

21 Nov 2024

New Insights Into Salmonella’s Ability to Manipulate the Gut Microbiota

Salmonella, a leading source of food poisoning, can enter the gut even in the presence of beneficial bacteria, according to a recent study from the University of California Davis Health.

18 Nov 2024

Fermenting a Future for Food in Australia

Forming a National Food Plan and appointing a food minister are among the key recommendations of a white paper into growing a precision fermentation industry in Australia.

From University of Queensland 18 Nov 2024

Innovative Static Culture Method for Microbial Growth and Analysis

Growing microorganisms in the lab is known as culture, a fundamental yet essential technique in microbiology research.

11 Nov 2024

Study Reveals How Plants Override Genetic Instructions Through DNA Duplication

Biologists at Washington University in St. Louis have discovered the origin of a curious duplication that gives plants multiple ways to override instructions that are coded into their DNA.

7 Nov 2024

Gut Bacteria Influence Stress Responses Through Circadian Rhythms

A pioneering study has uncovered the vital role that gut microbiota plays in regulating stress responses by interacting with the body's circadian rhythms.

6 Nov 2024

Novel Mechanism of Resistance to Bt Crops in a Major Agricultural Pest

Insect pests can destroy crops if they are not controlled. Crops that produce bacterial proteins that kill important pests without endangering humans or wildlife have been genetically modified to limit damage and lessen the need for insecticide sprays.

5 Nov 2024

New Genome Assembly Supports Climate-Smart Breeding

An international research collaboration has completed the most detailed genome assembly to date of grass pea (Lathyrus sativus).

4 Nov 2024

Genetically Enhanced Black Soldier Fly Larvae Provide Superior Protein Source for Livestock Feed

With the rapid increase in the global population, a "protein crisis" is expected in the near future, where the supply of protein will not be able to meet the rising demand. Fishmeal is the most common protein source that supports the production of livestock and aquaculture products, which are key protein sources for human consumption.

4 Nov 2024

Revolutionary Single-Sensor “E-Nose” Achieves 96.7% Accuracy in VOC Detection Using Graphene Oxide

Ant-nose sensor demonstrates reliable VOC classification with graphene technology, offering a low-cost solution for food quality and environmental monitoring.

30 Oct 2024