Food and Agricultural Sciences News and Research

Latest Food and Agricultural Sciences News and Research

RNA-Based Active Agents Successfully Shield Plants from Cucumber Mosaic Virus

New RNA-based active agents reliably protect plants against the Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), the most common virus in agriculture and horticulture. They were developed by researchers at the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (MLU).

20 Mar 2025

New Chromosome Identification System Revolutionizes Alfalfa Research

In a recent study, scientists have developed a revolutionary chromosome identification system for alfalfa, one of the world's most economically vital forage crops.

19 Mar 2025

Rethinking Cancer: Moving Beyond Genetic Mutations to a Holistic View

It's time for researchers to reconsider the current paradigm of cancer as a genetic disease, argued Sui Huang from the Institute for Systems Biology, USA, and colleagues in a new essay published March 18th in the open-access journal PLOS Biology.

19 Mar 2025

Scientists Unlock Genetic Secrets of Wild Barley to Improve Crop Yields

An international team of scientists from Australia and China has unveiled the first chromosome-scale genome of a wild barley species, with their findings offering direct implications for more sustainable agriculture and significant yield improvements for Australian grain production.

17 Mar 2025

Can We Engineer Crops to Withstand Climate Change and Increasing Temperatures?

Investigating heat stress in crops, this review highlights genetic adaptations and CRISPR techniques to develop resilient varieties for sustainable agriculture.

12 Mar 2025

New Genetic Discovery Could Lead to Larger Tomatoes and Eggplants

Bigger, tastier tomatoes and eggplants could soon grace our dinner plates thanks to Johns Hopkins scientists who have discovered genes that control how large the fruits will grow.

6 Mar 2025

Neural Mechanism Involved in Leptin Resistance Revealed

Worldwide obesity rates have more than doubled since 1990, with nearly a billion people now falling into the category.

5 Mar 2025

Unraveling PDMA's Influence on Rhizosphere Microbial Communities

The rhizosphere is influenced by a range of exudates released by plant roots. These root exudates serve as an “intermediary” between the plant and the soil, modifying the root's immediate environment.

3 Mar 2025

Scientists Use DNA Barcodes to Track Banana Skipper Butterfly's Global Spread

CABI has led a team of scientists who have used DNA barcodes to narrow down the possible sources of introductions of an invasive banana skipper butterfly, with implications as to the threat of it spreading to Africa and tropical America.

28 Feb 2025

Novel Genetic Mechanism Controlled by Leaf Microbiota

A recent investigation has uncovered a genetic network within plants that regulates the growth of individual leaves and enables adaptation to environmental conditions. This discovery holds the potential for creating crops with enhanced drought tolerance.

28 Feb 2025

Unveiling the Role of NUDIX Hydrolase in Fungal Infection

Researchers from The Australian National University (ANU), in partnership with scientists from Germany and the United States, have identified a potent “weapon” employed by numerous pathogenic fungi to infect staple food crops like rice and corn. This discovery may lead to novel approaches for enhancing global food security.

28 Feb 2025

Advanced Molecular Tools Help Wildlife Researchers Assess Bat Health

How do wildlife researchers know when an endangered population is sick? They can detect infectious microbes in animal waste, but the presence of a microbe doesn't always equate to impactful symptomatic infections.

27 Feb 2025

New Strategy Targets Bacterial Communication to Combat Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is notorious for its role in food spoilage and infections, posing a significant threat to both food safety and human health.

26 Feb 2025

Bacterial Cellulose Boosts Plant Healing, Opening New Frontiers in Agricultural Regeneration

Research shows bacterial cellulose stimulates plant tissue regeneration, activating key genes and signaling pathways for improved wound healing in agriculture.

24 Feb 2025

Global Review Shows Alarming Impacts of Pesticides on Biodiversity and Ecosystems

The study highlights pesticides' widespread effects on non-target species, urging a reevaluation of risk assessments and farming practices for biodiversity.

19 Feb 2025

New Study Uncovers Evolutionary Link in B6 Metabolism

An investigation conducted by a group of scientists at the University of Kentucky’s Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment has uncovered an unexpected biochemical link between the immune responses of plants and the neurological health of humans.

18 Feb 2025

Bacterial Cellulose Triggers Plant Regeneration Mechanism

A groundbreaking study, co-led by researchers from the Center for Plant Biotechnology and Genomics (CBGP) and Centre for Research in Agricultural Genomics (CRAG), has elucidated the mechanism by which bacterial cellulose mediates plant tissue regeneration.

13 Feb 2025