https://www.sciencedaily.com/news/plants_animals/organic/ Organic food, organic farming and organic gardening. Learn the ecological and health benefits of organic farming as well as some surprising recent research findings. en-us Sat, 07 Mar 2026 06:24:22 EST Sat, 07 Mar 2026 06:24:22 EST 60 https://www.sciencedaily.com/images/scidaily-logo-rss.png https://www.sciencedaily.com/news/plants_animals/organic/ For more science news, visit ScienceDaily. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260124073929.htm Locust swarms can wipe out crops across entire regions, threatening food supplies and livelihoods. Now, scientists working with farmers in Senegal have shown that improving soil health can dramatically reduce locust damage. By enriching soil with nitrogen, crops become less appealing to the insects, leading to fewer locusts, less plant damage, and harvests that doubled in size. Sat, 24 Jan 2026 08:08:59 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260124073929.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260115220612.htm New research shows tropical forests can recover twice as fast after deforestation when their soils contain enough nitrogen. Scientists followed forest regrowth across Central America for decades and found that nitrogen plays a decisive role in how quickly trees return. Faster regrowth also means more carbon captured from the atmosphere. The study points to smarter reforestation strategies that work with nature rather than relying on fertilizers. Thu, 15 Jan 2026 22:31:47 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260115220612.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260104202809.htm CO2 can stimulate plant growth, but only when enough nitrogen is available—and that key ingredient has been seriously miscalculated. A new study finds that natural nitrogen fixation has been overestimated by about 50 percent in major climate models. This means the climate-cooling benefits of plant growth under high CO2 are smaller than expected. The result: a reduced buffer against climate change and more uncertainty in future projections. Mon, 05 Jan 2026 04:46:45 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260104202809.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251210092024.htm Researchers have uncovered surprising evidence that the deep ocean’s carbon-fixing engine works very differently than long assumed. While ammonia-oxidizing archaea were thought to dominate carbon fixation in the sunless depths, experiments show that other microbes—especially heterotrophs—are doing far more of the work than expected. This discovery reshapes our understanding of how carbon moves through the deep ocean and stabilizes Earth’s climate. Wed, 10 Dec 2025 11:23:29 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251210092024.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251209043038.htm Scientists discovered a small protein region that determines whether plants reject or welcome nitrogen-fixing bacteria. By tweaking only two amino acids, they converted a defensive receptor into one that supports symbiosis. Early success in barley hints that cereals may eventually be engineered to fix nitrogen on their own. Such crops could dramatically reduce fertilizer use and emissions. Tue, 09 Dec 2025 10:39:24 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251209043038.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251123115435.htm UC Davis researchers engineered wheat that encourages soil bacteria to convert atmospheric nitrogen into plant-usable fertilizer. By boosting a natural compound in the plant, the wheat triggers bacteria to form biofilms that enable nitrogen fixation. This breakthrough could cut fertilizer use, reduce pollution, and increase yields. It also offers huge potential savings for farmers worldwide. Mon, 24 Nov 2025 05:00:24 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251123115435.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251118220054.htm Massive Sargassum blooms sweeping across the Caribbean and Atlantic are fueled by a powerful nutrient partnership: phosphorus pulled to the surface by equatorial upwelling and nitrogen supplied by cyanobacteria living directly on the drifting algae. Coral cores reveal that this nutrient engine has intensified over the past decade, perfectly matching surges in Sargassum growth since 2011. By ruling out older theories involving Saharan dust and river runoff, researchers uncovered a climate-driven process that shapes when and where these colossal seaweed mats form. Wed, 19 Nov 2025 03:56:56 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251118220054.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251111005947.htm Japanese researchers uncovered a universal rule describing why life’s growth slows despite abundant nutrients. Their “global constraint principle” integrates classic biological laws to show that multiple factors limit cellular growth in sequence. Verified through E. coli simulations, it provides a powerful new lens for studying living systems. The work could boost crop yields and biomanufacturing efficiency. Tue, 11 Nov 2025 05:28:34 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251111005947.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251104013006.htm A collaboration between Brazilian and German researchers has led to a sunflower-based meat substitute that’s high in protein and minerals. The new ingredient, made from refined sunflower flour, delivers excellent nutritional value and a mild flavor. Tests showed strong texture and healthy fat content, suggesting great potential for use in the growing plant-based food sector. Tue, 04 Nov 2025 07:40:46 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251104013006.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251101000348.htm Researchers discovered that soil microbes in Kansas carry drought “memories” that affect how plants grow and survive. Native plants showed stronger responses to these microbial legacies than crops like corn, hinting at co-evolution over time. Genetic analysis revealed a key gene tied to drought tolerance, potentially guiding biotech efforts to enhance crop resilience. The work connects ecology, genetics, and agriculture in a novel way. Sun, 02 Nov 2025 00:47:40 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251101000348.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251027224841.htm Fungi’s evolutionary roots stretch far deeper than once believed — up to 1.4 billion years ago, long before plants or animals appeared. Using advanced molecular dating and gene transfer analysis, researchers reconstructed fungi’s ancient lineage, revealing they were crucial in shaping Earth’s first soils and ecosystems. Tue, 28 Oct 2025 12:11:34 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251027224841.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251026021737.htm A team of researchers has developed a floral-scented fungus that tricks mosquitoes into approaching and dying. The fungus emits longifolene, a natural scent that irresistibly draws them in. It’s harmless to humans, inexpensive to produce, and remains potent for months. This innovative biological control could be crucial as mosquitoes spread with climate change. Mon, 27 Oct 2025 00:32:43 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251026021737.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251008030934.htm Kobe University researchers found that orchids rely on wood-decaying fungi to germinate, feeding on the carbon from rotting logs. Their seedlings only grow near deadwood, forming precise fungal partnerships that mirror those seen in adult orchids with coral-like roots. This discovery highlights a hidden carbon pathway in forest ecosystems and explains the evolution of fully fungus-dependent orchid species. Wed, 08 Oct 2025 03:09:34 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251008030934.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251002074009.htm Billions of years ago, Earth’s atmosphere was hostile, with barely any oxygen and toxic conditions for life. Researchers from the Earth-Life Science Institute studied Japan’s iron-rich hot springs, which mimic the ancient oceans, to uncover how early microbes survived. They discovered communities of bacteria that thrived on iron and tiny amounts of oxygen, forming ecosystems that recycled elements like carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur. Thu, 02 Oct 2025 07:40:09 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251002074009.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251001092208.htm Fungi may have shaped Earth’s landscapes long before plants appeared. By combining rare gene transfers with fossil evidence, researchers have traced fungal origins back nearly a billion years earlier than expected. These ancient fungi may have partnered with algae, recycling nutrients, breaking down rock, and creating primitive soils. Far from being silent background players, fungi were ecosystem engineers that prepared Earth’s surface for plants, fundamentally altering the course of life’s history. Wed, 01 Oct 2025 10:53:40 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251001092208.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250925025336.htm New studies show that a bacterial molecule, peptidoglycan, is present in the brain and fluctuates with sleep patterns. This challenges the idea that sleep is solely brain-driven, instead suggesting it’s a collaborative process between our bodies and microbiomes. The theory links microbes not only to sleep but also to cognition, appetite, and behavior, pointing to a profound evolutionary relationship. Thu, 25 Sep 2025 03:48:24 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250925025336.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250924012230.htm Rice, a staple for billions, is one of the most resource-hungry crops on the planet—but scientists may have found a way to change that. By applying nanoscale selenium directly to rice plants, researchers dramatically improved nitrogen efficiency, boosted yields, and made grains more nutritious while reducing fertilizer use and cutting greenhouse gas emissions. Wed, 24 Sep 2025 01:22:30 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250924012230.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250916221823.htm Heating alone won’t drive soil microbes to release more carbon dioxide — they need added carbon and nutrients to thrive. This finding challenges assumptions about how climate warming influences soil emissions. Wed, 17 Sep 2025 02:08:51 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250916221823.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250908175430.htm Tiny diatoms and their bacterial partners act as nature’s nutrient factories, fueling insects and salmon in California’s Eel River. Their pollution-free process could inspire breakthroughs in sustainable farming and energy. Mon, 08 Sep 2025 18:26:15 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250908175430.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250827010724.htm Bumble bees aren’t random foragers – they’re master nutritionists. Over an eight-year field study in the Colorado Rockies, scientists uncovered that different bee species strategically balance their intake of protein, fats, and carbs by choosing pollen from specific flowers. Larger, long-tongued bees seek protein-rich pollen, while smaller, short-tongued species prefer carb- and fat-heavy sources. These dietary preferences shift with the seasons and colony life cycles, helping bees reduce competition, thrive together, and maintain strong colonies. Wed, 27 Aug 2025 01:07:24 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250827010724.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250818103000.htm MSU researchers discovered that microbes begin shaping the brain while still in the womb, influencing neurons in a region critical for stress and social behavior. Their findings suggest modern birth practices that alter the microbiome may have hidden impacts on brain development. Tue, 19 Aug 2025 09:54:37 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250818103000.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250816113528.htm Roughly two-thirds of all atmospheric methane, a potent greenhouse gas, comes from methanogens. Tracking down which methanogens in which environment produce methane with a specific isotope signature is difficult, however. UC Berkeley researchers have for the first time CRISPRed the key enzyme involved in microbial methane production to understand the unique isotopic fingerprints of different environments to better understand Earth's methane budget. Sun, 17 Aug 2025 23:27:32 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250816113528.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250709091658.htm Climate change is silently sapping the nutrients from our food. A pioneering study finds that rising CO2 and higher temperatures are not only reshaping how crops grow but are also degrading their nutritional value especially in vital leafy greens like kale and spinach. This shift could spell trouble for global health, particularly in communities already facing nutritional stress. Researchers warn that while crops may grow faster, they may also become less nourishing, with fewer minerals, proteins, and antioxidants raising concerns about obesity, weakened immunity, and chronic diseases. Wed, 09 Jul 2025 09:16:58 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250709091658.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250615020607.htm Underground fungi may be one of Earth s most powerful and overlooked allies in the fight against climate change, yet most of them remain unknown to science. Known only by DNA, these "dark taxa" make up a shocking 83% of ectomycorrhizal species fungi that help forests store carbon and thrive. Their hotspots lie in tropical forests and other underfunded regions. Without names, they re invisible to conservation efforts. But scientists are urging more DNA sequencing and global collaboration to bring these critical organisms into the light before their habitats, or the fungi themselves, disappear forever. Sun, 15 Jun 2025 02:06:07 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250615020607.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250608071743.htm In a paper published in National Science Review, a Chinese team of scientists highlights the discovery of well-preserved blue-stain fungal hyphae within a Jurassic fossil wood from northeastern China, which pushes back the earliest known fossil record of this fungal group by approximately 80 million years. The new finding provides crucial fossil evidence for studying the origin and early evolution of blue-stain fungi and offers fresh insights into understanding the ecological relationships between the blue-stain fungi, plants, and insects during the Jurassic period. Sun, 08 Jun 2025 07:17:43 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250608071743.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250602155328.htm Some microbes living on sand grains use up all the oxygen around them. Their neighbors, left without oxygen, make the best of it: They use nitrate in the surrounding water for denitrification -- a process hardly possible when oxygen is present. This denitrification in sandy sediments in well-oxygenated waters can substantially contribute to nitrogen loss in the oceans. Mon, 02 Jun 2025 15:53:28 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250602155328.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250530123818.htm To achieve the European Green Deal's goal of 25% organic agriculture by 2030, researchers argue that new genomic techniques (NGTs) should be allowed without pre-market authorization in organic as well as conventional food production. NGTs -- also known as gene editing --- are classified under the umbrella of GMOs, but they involve more subtle genetic tweaks. Fri, 30 May 2025 12:38:18 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250530123818.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250529140125.htm A new study reveals that the aerobic nitrogen cycle in the ocean may have occurred about 100 million years before oxygen began to significantly accumulate in the atmosphere, based on nitrogen isotope analysis from ancient South African rock cores. These findings not only refine the timeline of Earth's oxygenation but also highlight a critical evolutionary shift, where life began adapting to oxygen-rich conditions -- paving the way for the emergence of complex, multicellular organisms like humans. Thu, 29 May 2025 14:01:25 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250529140125.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250527124319.htm Alterations to the diet of pests could impact how quickly they can adapt to biopesticides. Tue, 27 May 2025 12:43:19 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250527124319.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250521131630.htm A study has uncovered a surprising link between diet, intestinal microbes and the efficacy of cancer therapy. Wed, 21 May 2025 13:16:30 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250521131630.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250519131556.htm People have assumed climate change solutions that sequester carbon from the air into soils will also benefit crop yields. But a new study finds that most regenerative farming practices to build soil organic carbon -- such as planting cover crops, leaving stems and leaves on the ground and not tilling -- actually reduce yields in many situations. Mon, 19 May 2025 13:15:56 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250519131556.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250515132021.htm When trees and soil fungi form close associations with each other, both partners benefit. Many tree species have further enhanced this cooperation by forming a concurrent symbiosis with two different groups of mycorrhizal fungi. Those trees cope better with water and nutrient scarcity, which is an important trait for forestry in the face of climate warming. Thu, 15 May 2025 13:20:21 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250515132021.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250514164325.htm Scientists are using artificial intelligence to determine which genes collectively govern nitrogen use efficiency in plants such as corn, with the goal of helping farmers improve their crop yields and minimize the cost of nitrogen fertilizers. Wed, 14 May 2025 16:43:25 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250514164325.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250512105202.htm A team of researchers investigated a sequence of coastal dunes of different ages (from 0-700,000 years old) in Cooloola National Park near Rainbow Beach to understand how soil microorganisms coped with severely declining levels of nutrients such as phosphorus in soil as the dunes got older. They found microbes -- such as fungi and bacteria -- acted is 'phosphorus gatekeepers' to deal with low phosphorus levels. Mon, 12 May 2025 10:52:02 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250512105202.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250507130753.htm A new technique to extract tiny cellulose strands from cow dung and turn them into manufacturing-grade cellulose, currently used to make everything from surgical masks to food packaging, has been developed. Wed, 07 May 2025 13:07:53 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250507130753.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250506224350.htm Termites -- infamous for their ability to destroy wood -- are rarely welcomed into rainforests that have been painstakingly replanted. But a new paper suggests that termite transplants may be necessary to help regenerating forests to thrive. Scientists found that termites are not thriving in replanted rainforests in Australia. Because decomposers like termites are essential for recycling nutrients and carbon, the researchers worry that the insect's slow recovery could hinder the growth and health of the young forests. Tue, 06 May 2025 22:43:50 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250506224350.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250506131151.htm Researchers show how mice fed a Western-style diet are not able to rebuild a 'healthy,' diverse gut microbiome following antibiotic treatment. These mice were also more susceptible to infection by pathogens like Salmonella. However, mice given food loosely mimicking a Mediterranean diet -- high in plant-based fiber from fruits, vegetables, and whole grains -- were able to quickly restore a healthy and resilient gut microbiome after antibiotics. Tue, 06 May 2025 13:11:51 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250506131151.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250505121752.htm Vertical farming can do more than lettuce. A research team has investigated the cultivation of six food groups in vertical farming: Crops, algae, mushrooms, insects, fish and cultivated meat. In this study, the researchers show the positive effects of vertical farming on both yield and environmental impact and underline its role in future food security. Mon, 05 May 2025 12:17:52 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250505121752.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250505121750.htm A study has demonstrated that pesticides can negatively affect non-target species living in agricultural environment. However, the effects varied greatly depending on the substance tested. Mon, 05 May 2025 12:17:50 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250505121750.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250425230526.htm The less intensively you manage the soil, the better the soil can function. Such as not plowing as often or using more grass-clover mixtures as cover crops. Surprisingly, it applies to both conventional and organic farming. Fri, 25 Apr 2025 23:05:26 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250425230526.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250423164047.htm In the soils of Earth's wetlands, microbes are in a tug-of-war to produce and consume the powerful greenhouse gas methane. But if the Earth gets too hot, it could tip the scale in favor of the methane producers, according to a new study. Scientists made the discovery as part of a futuristic climate experiment that raised carbon dioxide and temperature in a Maryland marsh. Wed, 23 Apr 2025 16:40:47 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250423164047.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250417144856.htm A new study has investigated how the relationship between mean annual precipitation (MAP) and grassland biomass changes when one or more nutrients are added. The authors show that precipitation and nutrient availability are the key drivers of plant biomass, while the effects of plant diversity are minimal. Thu, 17 Apr 2025 14:48:56 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250417144856.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250414162051.htm Scientists use small peptides to enhance symbiosis between plants and fungi, offering a sustainable alternative to artificial fertilizers. Plant biologists discover new plant molecule, CLE16, as well as a fungal CLE16 mimic, that encourage the beneficial symbiotic relationship between plants and fungi. CLE16 supplementation in crop fields could help reduce harmful chemical fertilizer use by replacing it with sustainable, long-lasting symbiotic plant-fungus relationships for important crops like soy, corn, and wheat. Mon, 14 Apr 2025 16:20:51 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250414162051.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250411110037.htm Earth's rocky layers are mysteriously low in nitrogen compared with carbon and argon. A scientific team explored our planet's molten youth using advanced quantum mechanical simulations, revealing nitrogen's secret: under extreme pressure, it chose to hide in the iron core 100 times more than the mantle. This solved why Earth's volatile ratios involving nitrogen look odd. The findings suggest the necessary ingredients for developing a habitable world may have been settled in the early Earth. Fri, 11 Apr 2025 11:00:37 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250411110037.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250408121847.htm A new study maps how specific lactic acid bacteria can enhance both the flavor and nutritional quality of plant-based dairy alternatives. The findings may have wide-reaching perspectives for the further development of sustainable foods. Tue, 08 Apr 2025 12:18:47 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250408121847.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250407173023.htm Scientists have discovered a new phylum of microbes in the Earth's Critical Zone, an area of deep soil that restores water quality. Ground water, which becomes drinking water, passes through where these microbes live, and they consume the remaining pollutants. This zone is crucial for supporting life, as it regulates essential processes like soil formation, water cycling and nutrient cycling, which are vital for food production, water quality and ecosystem health. Mon, 07 Apr 2025 17:30:23 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250407173023.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250403143837.htm In the fight against bacterial pathogens, researchers are combining vaccination with targeted colonization of the intestine by harmless microorganisms. This approach could potentially mark a turning point in the antibiotics crisis. Thu, 03 Apr 2025 14:38:37 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250403143837.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250402122451.htm Buzzing insects may be seen as pests -- but globally, hundreds of fly species migrate over long distances, with major benefits for people and nature, new research shows. Wed, 02 Apr 2025 12:24:51 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250402122451.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250401131532.htm Lead, pesticides, brominated flame retardants, plastic additives, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and heavy metals. This is what researchers found when they collected dead hedgehogs to investigate the environmental pollutants found in urban environments. Tue, 01 Apr 2025 13:15:32 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250401131532.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250327141734.htm The reuse of human urine would allow for the production of sustainable fertilizers for urban agriculture, with significant environmental benefits, a new study concludes. The research evaluates the environmental impact of nitrogen recovery from the yellow waters of buildings. In addition to promoting sustainable agriculture, it would reduce carbon dioxide emissions and water consumption. Thu, 27 Mar 2025 14:17:34 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250327141734.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250325141716.htm Exposure to antibiotics during a key developmental window in infancy can stunt growth of insulin-producing cells in the pancreas and may boost risk of diabetes later in life, new research in mice suggests. The study also pinpoints specific microorganisms that may help those critical cells proliferate. Tue, 25 Mar 2025 14:17:16 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250325141716.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250325115433.htm Nitrate, pesticides, metals, plastic -- agricultural soils often contain pollutants. But are there sustainable and climate-friendly ways to restore and promote soil health in agricultural land? Yes, says a research team. Specific plant species could be used as cover plants for phytoremediation, i.e. to relief agricultural land from adverse pollutant impacts. In their article, the researchers summarize the results of more than 100 scientific studies and present which plants, according to current knowledge, are suitable for removing pollutants from agricultural soils or trapping them in their root systems. Tue, 25 Mar 2025 11:54:33 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250325115433.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250325114922.htm Technology makes pesticides stick to plant leaves. With the system, farmers could significantly cut their use of pesticides and fertilizers, saving money and reducing runoff. Tue, 25 Mar 2025 11:49:22 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250325114922.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250318141404.htm A significant amount of the milk used in a popular cooking cheese can be substituted with plants, all while maintaining its taste and texture. Researchers have demonstrated this by creating a hybrid version of paneer, a popular South Asian cheese, with twenty-five percent pea protein. The result is a solid step towards more sustainable dairy products with nutritional benefits. Tue, 18 Mar 2025 14:14:04 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250318141404.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250317163532.htm Researchers have demonstrated a technique for successfully encapsulating bacteria that can then be stored and applied to plants to improve plant growth and protect against pests and pathogens. The technique opens the door to creating a wide range of crop applications that allow farmers to make use of these beneficial bacteria in conjunction with agrochemicals. Mon, 17 Mar 2025 16:35:32 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250317163532.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250310134206.htm Scientists have discovered that whales move nutrients thousands of miles -- in their urine -- from as far as Alaska to Hawaii. These tons of nitrogen support the health of tropical ecosystems and fish, where nitrogen can be limited. They call this movement of nutrients a 'conveyor belt' or 'the great whale pee funnel.' In some places, like Hawaii, the input of nutrients from whales is bigger than from local sources. It's critical to tropical ocean health, therefore, to protect and restore whales. Mon, 10 Mar 2025 13:42:06 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250310134206.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250307125731.htm Researchers found that climate change induced glacial melt increases the heavy metal content and changes the microbiome of habitat-forming brown algae in Arctic fjords. As algae are at the basis of the food web, this will likely have cascading ecological and economic consequences. Fri, 07 Mar 2025 12:57:31 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250307125731.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250304164408.htm Scientists examined the bitterness intensity of five medicines and two bitter modifiers in 338 adults of European descent and recent US and Canadian immigrants from Asia, South Asia, and Africa. Bitterness ratings differed by ancestry for two of the five drugs and the effectiveness of some modifiers. They also found genetic variants that explain some population differences in reaction to bitter tastes. Tue, 04 Mar 2025 16:44:08 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250304164408.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250303191256.htm The amount of nitrogen fertilizer needed to maximize the profitability of corn production in the Midwest has been increasing by about 1.2% per year for the past three decades, a trend driven by higher yields and wetter springs, according to a new study. Mon, 03 Mar 2025 19:12:56 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250303191256.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/02/250228214827.htm Novel technology intends to redefine the virtual reality experience by expanding to incorporate a new sensory connection: taste. Fri, 28 Feb 2025 21:48:27 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/02/250228214827.htm