Scientists identify the specific chromosomal regions in the wheat genome that help detoxify synthetic auxin herbicides
Since the 1960s, wheat has been known to have a natural ability to detoxify certain herbicides. It’s a genetic trait, and if scientists could identify the genes involved, the ability could be amplified. The problem lies with the complex wheat genetic map. Wheat contains 16 billion genes organized in three semi-independent genomes, which can overlap […] Read moreAuthor Archives
Cattle temperament genes linked to autism
Advocacy groups have criticized the study, but researchers hope findings will shed new light on genetic aspects of autism
Australian researchers have discovered a strong association between the genes influencing cattle temperament and autism in humans. Dr. Roy Costilla, postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Queensland’s Centre for Animal Science, said researchers tested the association of cattle temperament with temperament-like traits in humans, including four behavioural and psychiatric disorders: neuroticism, schizophrenia, developmental delay […] Read more
Certain pesticides shorten honeybee lives
Oregon State University researchers determine sulfoxaflor and flupyradifurone can shorten lives and cause stress
Western honeybees, major pollinators of fruit, nut, vegetable and seed crops, face many stresses today. That can sometimes can make them incapable of smoothly performing their tasks. Environmental stressors can include varroa mites, viruses and poor nutrition. Pesticide exposure adds to those threats. Research from Oregon State University has shown that two pesticides in particular […] Read more
Barley gene-edited for improved quality
Australian and Scottish researchers say modifying beta-glucan levels in barley may help contribute to lower cholesterol
A team of scientists has shown the potential to rapidly improve barley quality through the gene editing technique called CRISPR. Researchers at the University of Adelaide’s Waite Research Institute, working with colleagues at the James Hutton Institute in Scotland, recently showed how the levels of beta-glucan, a source of fermentable dietary fibre that may contribute […] Read more
Sperm discovery may improve hog breeding
Sugar slows the maturation rate of sperm in pigs, which could extend its storage time inside the sow’s reproductive tract
In a variety of mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians, after mating sperm is stored in a portion of the female reproductive tract called the sperm reservoir. This reservoir in the mammalian lower oviduct, known as the isthmus, regulates sperm function and extends the cells’ viability and lifespan, which are traits necessary for fertility in species […] Read more
Enzyme research may lead to flood resistance
Scientists discover that manipulating plant cysteine oxidases may help enhance crops’ flood-resistance capabilities
The recent discovery of the molecular structure of plant enzymes that control a plant’s response to lower oxygen levels could to lead to ways to manipulate the enzyme function and produce flood-resistant crops. The research was conducted at the University of Sydney in Australia and the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom. Crops such […] Read moreBlack mustard genome breakthrough applauded
Researchers say the accomplishment will provide valuable information to advance breeding of oilseed mustard crop
Black mustard (Brassica nigra), commonly used as a cooking spice, is grown in India and is closely related to mustard and canola. Recently, an international team of researchers with the Plant Phenotyping and Imaging Research Centre (P21RC) at the University of Saskatchewan and Agriculture Canada decoded the full genome of the black mustard plant, which […] Read more
Sulfur pollution finger pointed at agriculture
American researchers say they have found that modern farming is the largest human source of sulfur in the environment
Sulfur pollution has reached levels of up to 10 times higher than the peak sulfur loads of the acid rain days of the 1960s and 1970s. The source appears to be additions of sulfur to agricultural crops. “For several years, my research group has been studying the fate of high sulfur loads applied to California […] Read more
Cropping methods can mislead ducks
Some of the best waterfowl breeding wetlands in the world are found right in our backyard. During the last Ice Age, kilometre-high glaciers pressed down on much of North America. When the ice melted, millions of shallow pools were left behind. These pothole wetlands became home to hundreds of species and millions of waterfowl. Today, […] Read more
Genome-edited bull can produce more males
American researchers inserted a gene that is involved in male sexual development into one of the calf’s chromosomes
Scientists at the University of California, Davis, have successfully produced a bull calf that has been genome-edited to produce more male offspring. They did this by inserting the SRY gene into the bovine chromosome 17. But what does that mean? On March 30, a black 50 kilogram calf was born at the UC Davis barn. […] Read more
