Tomato’s Hidden DNA Mutations Revealed in Genetic Study of 100 Varieties
Human appetites have transformed the tomato — DNA and all. After centuries of breeding, what was once a South American berry roughly the size of…
Agriculture
MIT Chemical Engineers Develop Technique to Enable Cheaper Fertilizer Production
Chemical engineers take a step toward generating ammonia with small-scale, electrochemical reactors. Most of the world’s fertilizer is produced in large manufacturing plants, which require…
Chicken Whisperer: Simple Way of “Listening” to Chicks Could Dramatically Improve Welfare
A simple and low-cost method of ‘listening’ to chicks may allow welfare issues to be picked up at the earliest possible opportunity, according to new…
“Unparalleled Discovery” of Ancient Skeletons Reveals First Use of Maize in Mesoamerica
Almost any grocery store is filled with products made from corn, also known as maize, in every aisle: fresh corn, canned corn, corn cereal, taco…
How Some Crops Replenish Their Own Fertilizer Through Bacteria in Their Roots – A Surprisingly Complex Interaction
Plants need nitrogen in the form of ammonium if they are to grow. In the case of a great many cultivated plants, farmers are obliged…
‘Bee’ Thankful for the Evolution of Pollen – Discovery Made With Highly Detailed Electron Scanning Microscope
University of Missouri researchers discover wildflower’s spiny pollen adapts to help plants reproduce. Have pollen. Must travel. Over 80% of the world’s flowering plants must…
Should Ripe Tomatoes Go in the Fridge? Scientific Testing Seeks to Resolve the Debate
Research team from the University of Göttingen investigates the influence of storage on the flavor of ripe tomatoes. There is much debate about the correct…
Garden of Eden for Ancient Humans and Animals Revealed by Migration Patterns
Pinnacle Point, a series of archaeological sites that overlook a now submerged section of South Africa’s coastline and one of the world’s most important localities…
Key to Past & Future Habitat of West Coast Marine Species Is Ocean ‘Breathability’
Marine life off the West Coast, from Mexico up through Canada, inhabit the California Current. The cool, nutrient-rich water supports life from invisible phytoplankton to…
Innovative Virus Research May Save Wheat and Other Crops
University of California Riverside scientists have solved a 20-year-old genetics puzzle that could result in ways to protect wheat, barley, and other crops from a…
Underwater Sound Devices Called “Pingers” Could Save Porpoises From Fishing Nets
Underwater sound devices called “pingers” could be an effective, long-term way to prevent porpoises from getting caught in fishing nets with no negative behavioral effects,…
Bumble Bee Disease & Reproduction Is Shaped by Flowering Strip Plants
Flowering strips – pollinator-friendly rows of plants that increase foraging habitat for bees – can help offset pollinator decline but may also bring risks of…
The Secret – But Vital – Role Moths Serve at Night
Moths are important pollen transporters in English farmland and might play a role in supporting crop yields, according to a new University College London study….
How Lasers and Vibrations Could Guarantee the Perfect Avocado
Lasers and vibrations reliably assess individual fruits’ ripeness Test could reduce waste by 10% and help meet consumer demands for ‘ready to eat’ avocados A…
How to Boost Plant Biomass: Genetic Biologists Uncover Molecular Link to Growth
Findings have implications for increasing plant nitrogen use efficiency, reducing reliance on fertilizers. Plant scientists have long known that crop yield is proportional to the…
Mysterious Red Circles in Satellite Image of Southern Ukraine Explained
Southern Ukraine is featured in this false-color image captured by the Copernicus Sentinel-2 mission. This image was processed in a way that included the near-infrared…
Revealed: Plants Molecular ‘Alarm’ System That Protects Them From Predators
Scientists uncover how oral secretions of the cotton leaf worm trigger defense responses in a plant. In nature, every species must be equipped with a…
Scientists Improve Photosynthesis in Quest to Create Heat-Tolerant Wheat
Researchers working on molecular-level responses in crops have taken a step closer to their goal of producing heat-tolerant wheat. Smart thermostats tell air conditioners to…