Agriculture

Bird Dreams: A Peek into Avian Sleep Patterns

Scientists have converted the silent nocturnal vocalizations of the great kiskadee into an artificial melody. Image credit Depositphotos.The Intriguing World of Avian Dreams. Birds, with their mesmerizing songs and graceful flights, have always intrigued humanity. However, recent research has delved into a lesser-known aspect of avian life: their dreams. Contrary to popular belief, birds...

Navigating Economic Stability in Farming: Challenges and Solutions

In the realm of agriculture, economic instability stands as one of the most formidable challenges faced by farmers worldwide. This instability not only impacts the livelihoods of farmers but also poses a significant barrier to achieving more sustainable food production practices. In this article, we delve into the realities, challenges, and potential solutions related...

Researchers Investigate Leaves for Longer Crop Roots

One of the corn crops utilized in the LEADER studyPenn State. Credit: PixabayA novel method could simplify the selective breeding of crop plants for improved and deeper root systems. This non-invasive technique entails rapidly assessing a plant's leaves to determine the depth of its roots in the soil.Plants possessing extensive root systems demonstrate greater...

EU Emissions Policy Raises PFAS Concern

Safer options to harmful chemicals are already accessible but require greater acceptance in the market. Credit EURONEWSGREENA new EU regulation regarding fluorinated greenhouse gases (F-gases), aimed at reducing artificial emissions from air conditioners, refrigerators, and heat pumps, takes effect today (March 11). However, an NGO has cautioned that this law could potentially increase exposure...

Gabon Rainforest: Supplying Amsterdam’s Gates

Lock gates have always been really important in Amsterdam. The city only became habitable when they built a dam on the River Amstel to stop the salty water from the IJ. Today, Amsterdam has about 200 sets of lock gates, mostly made of wood. They're becoming more crucial as sea levels rise. These well-made...

Rare Gray Whale Spotted After 200 Years

During the period of commercial whaling, this sea creature was nearly brought to extinction by hunting.Scientists have verified that a whale, extinct in the Atlantic Ocean for 200 years, has been sighted off the coast of New England. It's an exciting discovery, but it also highlights the impact of climate change on ocean creatures.Researchers...

Breakthrough: Protein Combatting Aging & Disease

Scientists found a protein that might help treat illnesses linked to getting older. This protein helps remove broken parts of cells called organelles. Organelles do important work in cells and are crucial for their function. Among these organelles are mitochondria, which create energy in cells, and lysosomes, which maintain cell health.Damage to these small...

New Iridescent Bee Species Island-Hopping in Polynesia

On the left is Hylaeus derectus, and on the right is Hylaeus navai, both are among the newly discovered species found in Fiji.Back in the 1930s, a scientist named Elwood Zimmerman found three very small, pretty bees on tahetahe flowers in Polynesia. People were amazed because these bees were so far away from other...

Low-Carbon Footprint Ammonia for Eco-Friendly Fertilizers

Credit: Yale E360Researchers at UNSW Sydney, alongside collaborators, have pioneered an eco-friendly technique enabling ammonia production directly on farms, revolutionizing the traditional high-energy methods.The innovation, highlighted in a recent Applied Catalysis B: Environmental publication, drastically improves energy efficiency, scaling up green ammonia synthesis at an industrial level.Formerly reliant on energy-intensive processes contributing significantly...

Heat Waves Harm Bird Reproduction in Farms, Research Shows

Credit: PixaobayBird populations in North America are rapidly decreasing. Climate change, among various factors affecting these birds, plays a noteworthy role, often interacting with other stressors like habitat loss. Researchers from the University of California, Davis, discovered that extreme temperatures affect avian reproduction differently based on the bird's habitat.Published in the journal Science, the...