Food and Agricultural Sciences News and Research

Latest Food and Agricultural Sciences News and Research

Exploring the Potential of Bacteriophages

Bacteriophages, viruses that target and destroy bacteria, are ubiquitous in the natural world. They play a crucial role in controlling microbe populations, though the mechanisms behind this regulation are not yet fully understood.

14 Jun 2024

Innovative Gene Editing Elevates Photosynthetic Efficiency in Food Crops

A team from the Innovative Genomics Institute at the University of California, Berkeley (UCB) has produced an increase in gene expression in a food crop by changing its upstream regulatory DNA.

10 Jun 2024

Genetic Insights into Salt Gland Formation and Stress Responses in Sea Lavender

Basic helix–loop–helix (bHLH) transcription factors are essential for various plant processes, including growth, development, and stress responses.

7 Jun 2024

CRISPR/Cas Biosensors Address Sensitivity and Specificity Challenges in Detection

The mechanisms of CRISPR-Cas-based biosensors.

5 Jun 2024

Understanding the Chemistry of Chocolate and Genotoxic Compounds

What makes chocolate taste and smell so delicious? Chemistry, of course! A variety of molecules work together to create that unmistakable aroma, but those same molecules might carry some unwanted health effects if there are too many around.

30 May 2024

Study Reveals Allele-Specific DNA Methylation in Hybrid Poplar Regeneration

Understanding plant regeneration at the molecular level is pivotal for advancements in genetic transformation and genome editing.

27 May 2024

Insights Into Adaptation of Aspergillus flavus in Honey Bee Colonies

The past attempts of honey bee researchers to inventory the fungal diversity in honey bee colonies revealed that Aspergillus flavus is frequently found in hives.

22 May 2024

Upgraded Nipponbare Genome Assembly Paves the Way for Enhanced Rice Research

A research team has achieved a groundbreaking improvement in the haplotype-resolved genome sequence of the japonica rice cultivar Nipponbare.

21 May 2024

Metrovate is Developing Precision Biostimulants for More Effective and Sustainable Farming Outcomes

Metrovate has announced a $1 million capital raise by Sprout Agritech LP to fund the development of New Zealand’s first precision biostimulant for agriculture.

From Metrovate 14 May 2024

Unraveling the Rhizobia-Diatom Relationship in the Ocean

Nitrogen is an essential component of all living organisms. It is also the key element controlling the growth of crops on land, as well as the microscopic oceanic plants that produce half the oxygen on our planet.

10 May 2024

AI Models Predict Plant Gene Activity with Unprecedented Precision

Genome sequencing technology provides thousands of new plant genomes annually. In agriculture, researchers merge this genomic information with observational data (measuring various plant traits) to identify correlations between genetic variants and crop traits like seed count, resistance to fungal infections, fruit color, or flavor.

30 Apr 2024

Research Reveals Surprising Insights Into Yeast Evolution

University of North Carolina at Charlotte Assistant Professor of Bioinformatics Abigail Leavitt LaBella has co-led an ambitious research study -; published this week in the widely influential journal Science -; that reports intriguing findings made through innovative artificial intelligence analysis about yeasts, the small fungi that are key contributors to biotechnology, food production and human health.

29 Apr 2024

Expert Insights: HiMedia Labs on Advancing Nucleic Acid Extraction Across Industries

An interview with Dr. Rajas Warke, HiMedia Laboratories' youngest director.

From Himedia Laboratories Private Limited 29 Apr 2024

Researchers Make Fundamental Discovery to Combat Fusarium Head Blight in Wheat

Fungal disease Fusarium head blight (FHB) is on the rise due to increasingly humid conditions induced by climate change during the wheat growing season, but a fundamental discovery by University of Adelaide researchers could help reduce its economic harm.

26 Apr 2024

Unlocking the Secrets of Lipid Droplet Proteins in Arabidopsis Thaliana Leaves

Lipid droplets (LDs) serve as storage organelles found in plant leaves and seeds. While the functions of seed LD proteins in lipid metabolism are well understood, many leaf LD proteins remain unidentified.

24 Apr 2024

Soil Bacteria Use Umbrella Toxins to Fight Back

Scientists have found that soil bacteria called Streptomyces secrete toxic protein particles in the shape of umbrellas that are meant to suppress competitors, particularly those that belong to their species.

18 Apr 2024

Review Explores Genetic Basis of Flower Color Diversity in Rhododendron

A research team has made strides in uncovering the genetic foundations of flower color variation within the Rhododendron genus.

17 Apr 2024

Researchers Advocate for “Pathogen Prospecting” to Fight Malaria

A team of scientists is urging colleagues worldwide to participate in what they refer to as “pathogen prospecting,” which involves locating archival mosquito specimens in collections and museums and examining them for pathogens that could have transmitted malaria to humans while feeding on their blood.

2 Apr 2024

Viruses Pose Unforeseen Threat to Native Desert Ecosystems

Just as many people battle seasonal colds and flu, native plants face their own viral threats. People have long known that plants can succumb to viruses just like humans.

29 Mar 2024

Landmark Achievement: Completion of First Sugarcane Genome Sequencing

The first comprehensive reference genome for 'R570', a widely cultivated modern sugarcane hybrid, has been completed in a landmark advancement for agricultural biotechnology.

28 Mar 2024