A new study has lifted the lid on five species of root-lesion nematodes living in maize crops across New Zealand - and suggested the existence of a hitherto-unsuspected cryptic species.

A new University of Houston study of hemp microbes may lead to more sustainable farming methods, using nature to boost the growth of the plant which has become increasingly popular for its versatile uses: CBD-rich varieties are in high demand for pharmaceutical products, while fiber-rich varieties are valued for industrial applications like textiles. 

The invasive emerald ash borer, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, was first found in the United States in southeast Michigan in 2002. In the decades since, the wood-boring beetle has spread east and west across the U.S. and Canada, killing tens of millions of ash trees, causing one of the costliest forest insect invasions to date. More than 90% of all ash infested by the insect native to Asia eventually die, threatening to make the tree species functionally extinct in North America. In response, researchers at Penn State are working with the U.S. Forest Service and other partners to identify and develop ash trees genetically able to withstand the beetles’ onslaught and strategize how to restore ash to forests.

Scientists have organized structural barriers to food systems change into a comprehensive framework, with the aim of empowering policymakers, civil society organizations, and researchers to tackle food sustainability challenges more effectively.

Researchers investigated the microwave heating characteristics in a single-mode microwave system by using Multiphysics numerical simulations. The key findings provided a theoretical basis for comprehending microwave-heating processes in single-mode reactors and clarify the common microwave-specific effects encountered in laboratory settings.