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It's a gas: New discovery may lead to heartier, high-yielding plants

November 20, 2009

In a research report published in the November 2009 issue of the journal GENETICS (http://www.genetics.org), scientists show how a family of genes (1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate synthase, or ACS genes) are responsible for production of ethylene.

Delft breakthrough in bioethanol production from agricultural waste

November 20, 2009

With the introduction of a single bacterial gene into yeast, researchers from Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands achieved three improvements in bioethanol production from agricultural waste material: 'More ethanol, less acetate and elimination of the major by-product glycerol' This week the invention was published in the scientific journal Applied and Environmental Microbiolog

New maize map to aid plant breeding efforts

November 19, 2009

In a massive survey of genetic diversity in maize, also known as corn, researchers across the United States, have developed a gene map that should pave the way to significant improvements in a plant that is a major source of food, fuel, animal feed and fiber around the world.

Reference genome of maize, most important US crop, is published by team co-led by CSHL scientists

November 19, 2009

Cold Spring Harbor, NY -- A four-year, multi-institutional effort co-led by three Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) scientists culminated today in publication of a landmark series of papers in the journal Science revealing in unprecedented detail the DNA sequence of maize (Zea mays).

Smithsonian scientists find the frog legs trade may facilitate spread of pathogens

November 19, 2009

Most countries throughout the world participate in the $40-million-per-year culinary trade of frog legs in some way, with 75 percent of frog legs consumed in France, Belgium and the United States. Scientists at the Smithsonian Institution and colleagues have found that this trade is a potential carrier of pathogens deadly to amphibians.

BoarCroc, RatCroc, DogCroc, DuckCroc and PancakeCroc

November 19, 2009

WASHINGTON -- A suite of five ancient crocs, including one with teeth like boar tusks and another with a snout like a duck's bill, have been discovered in the Sahara by National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence Paul Sereno.

Spanish biotechnology should focus on food and plant sectors to be more competitive

November 19, 2009

Spain and Latin American countries have an opportunity to take the lead in two small biotechnology sectors. Researchers from the University of Valencia (UV), working together with the IDICHUS Foundation, have studied the productive fabric of the Spanish biotechnology industry. Their conclusion is that Spain's food and plant sectors have more clout than those in English-speaking countries.

Experts: Failure to focus on farming will undermine global climate agreement and increase hunger

November 17, 2009

ROME, ITALY (18 November 2009) -- Alarmed by a substantial oversight in the global climate talks leading up to the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen next month, more than 60 of the world's most prominent agricultural scientists and leaders underscored how the almost total absence of agriculture in the agreement could lead to widespread famine and food shortages in the year

To eat or not to eat? Mental budgets help control consumption

November 17, 2009

If you feel like you're in a losing battle with a triple-chocolate cake, a "mental budget" can help, according to a new study in the Journal of Consumer Research.

Go Climb a tree

November 17, 2009

jcasimir's picture
The Killers

Well if your like me you live to be outside and just enjoy the outdoors. Well when I was young I enjoyed climbing trees and now that I'm older I still enjoy climbing trees haha. When your hanging on those branches or sitting on those branches you can care less about the cork your scraping off.
What is cork?

4 in 10 US families lack money for essential household expenses when unemployed

November 17, 2009

Waltham, MA -- Today the Institute on Assets and Social Policy (IASP) at Brandeis University's Heller School released a new research and policy brief which reports that four in ten U.S. families lack sufficient assets to pay for essential expenses in the face of unemployment.

Canadians finding it tough to shake the salt habit

November 17, 2009

Canadians know that too much salt isn't good for their diets, but half still continue to shake it on, according to a new study by University of Alberta researchers.

Study finds bees can learn differences in food's temperature

November 17, 2009

Biologists at UC San Diego have discovered that honeybees can discriminate between food at different temperatures, an ability that may assist bees in locating the warm, sugar-rich nectar or high-protein pollen produced by many flowers.

Nanoparticles used in common household items caused genetic damage in mice

November 16, 2009

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles, found in everything from cosmetics to sunscreen to paint to vitamins, caused systemic genetic damage in mice, according to a comprehensive study conducted by researchers at UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Penguins and sea lions help produce new atlas

November 16, 2009

NEW YORK (NOVEMBER 16, 2009) -- Recording hundreds of thousands of individual uplinks from satellite transmitters fitted on penguins, albatrosses, sea lions, and other marine animals, the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and BirdLife International have released the first-ever atlas of the Patagonian Sea -- a globally important but poorly understood South American marine ecosyste



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