Research on repetitive worm behavior may have implications for understanding human disease

Caenorhabditis elegans.

Repetition can be useful if you're trying to memorize a poem, master a guitar riff, or just cultivate good habits. When this kind of behavior becomes compulsive, however, it can get in the way of normal life -- an impediment sometimes observed in psychiatric illnesses like Tourette's syndrome and autism spectrum disorders.

AMBASSADOR OF DENMARK TO NIGERIA / CAMEROON / EQUATORIAL GUINEA / REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO / CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC, Mr. JESPER KAMP

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development

Governor ofKatsina State

Vice Chancellor

NAPRI Director

Your Excellences

-         I do not recall being to a more beautiful place in Nigeria than today.

Kenyan Food Outlets Reel From Acute Shortage of Irish Potatoes

Irish potatoes in Musanze market

Kenya's eateries are reeling from an acute shortage of Irish potatoes with the Agriculture ministry putting the supply gap at 1.7 million metric tonnes.

Phil Hogan: Kilkenny hub to emphasise Ireland's global leadership in agri technology

EU Agriculture Commissioner Phil Hogan has said that a new digital innovation hub in Kilkenny City can drive the digital transformation of Europe's agri-food sector boosting innovation and growth in the region.

STATHS building a legacy of agricultural science

 Sanson, head of the agricultural department at the St Andrew Technical High School (STATHS), is convinced that his school has the best agricultural science programme in the country.

Agricultural Tires Market 2019- Global Industry Analysis, By Key Players, Segmentation, Trends and Forecast By 2025

, MAHARASHTRA, INDIA, May 20, 2019 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Summary:
A new market study, titled “Discover Global Agricultural Tires Market Upcoming Trends, Growth Drivers and Challenges” has been featured on WiseGuyReports.

Statistical study finds it unlikely South African fossil species is ancestral to humans

Statistical analysis of fossil data shows that it is unlikely that Australopithecus sediba, a nearly two-million-year-old, apelike fossil from South Africa, is the direct ancestor of Homo, the genus to which modern-day humans belong.

Irrigation Boost for Buhera Families

Irrigation Boost for Buhera Families

Over 29 000 families in Buhera are set to benefit from the Tarwira Irrigation Scheme, which is expected to boost food security and household income in the district, which is one of the most affected by drought in recent years.

e-Extension for farmers soon says NAERL boss

*  100 workers already trained for operations

The Executive Director, National Agricultural Extension Research Liaison Office (NAERLS) Prof.  Mohahammed Uthman

Agricultural extension services via phones and internet is set for launching, very soon. This was disclosed by the Executive Director, National Agricultural Extension Research Liaison Office (NAERLS) Prof.  Mohahammed Uthman in Zaria, recently.

Pix: FMARD major projects with their coordinators led by Director of project Dr. Maimuna Habib today interface with NIRSAL management on finance collaboration.

 FMARD major projects with their coordinators led by Director of project Dr. Maimuna Habib today interface with NIRSAL management on finance collaboration.

An electric tongue can handle more spicy foods than you can

Spicy food is huge business, and Washington State University researchers have found that an electronic tongue, or e-tongue, is more effective and accurate in taste-testing fiery foods than sensitive human taste buds.

Radical desalination approach may disrupt the water industry

 water that contains high concentrations of dissolved salts and whose saline levels are higher than ocean water -- are a growing environmental concern around the world.

Paper wasps capable of behavior that resembles logical reasoning

A new University of Michigan study provides the first evidence of transitive inference, the ability to use known relationships to infer unknown relationships, in a nonvertebrate animal: the lowly paper wasp.

Radioactive carbon from nuclear bomb tests found in deep ocean trenches

Radioactive carbon released into the atmosphere from 20th-century nuclear bomb tests has reached the deepest parts of the ocean, new research finds.

Hummingbird robot uses AI to soon go where drones can't

What can fly like a bird and hover like an insect?

Your friendly neighborhood hummingbirds. If drones had this combo, they would be able to maneuver better through collapsed buildings and other cluttered spaces to find trapped victims.

Plastic gets a do-over: Breakthrough discovery recycles plastic from the inside out

Light yet sturdy, plastic is great -- until you no longer need it. Because plastics contain various additives, like dyes, fillers, or flame retardants, very few plastics can be recycled without loss in performance or aesthetics.

Phage therapy treats patient with drug-resistant bacterial infection

It was the summer of 2017, and her lungs were struggling to reach even a third of their normal function. She had cystic fibrosis, a genetic disease that clogs lungs with mucus and plagues patients with persistent infections. For eight years, she had been taking antibiotics to control two stubborn bacterial strains.

Pictures speak at the open day of National Animal Production Research Institute(NAPRI) where National discussion on livestock and animals productivity is being discussed.

Pictures speak at the open day of National Animal Production Research Institute(NAPRI) where National discussion on livestock and animals productivity is being discussed. The Governor of Kastina Rt. Hon Mazari and Kaduna Gov. is ably represented and Agric. Minister,  Chief Audu Ogbeh.Host is Exe. Dir. Napri,  Prof. C. A. M. Lakpini

Pictures speak at the open day of National Animal Production Research Institute(NAPRI) where National discussion on livestock and animals productivity is being discussed. The Governor of Kastina Rt. Hon Mazari and Kaduna Gov. is ably represented and Agric. Minister,  Chief Audu Ogbeh.Host is Exe. Dir. Napri,  Prof. C. A. M. Lakpini. See more images below...

Food Sustainability Media Award Seeks Food Writers for Cash Prize

Through May 31, 2017, The Thomas Reuters Foundation and Barilla Center for Food & Nutrition are calling all journalists, bloggers, freelancers, and individuals covering a variety of food issues to enter for a chance to win €10,000 (US$10,743), an all-expenses paid media training program and access to an audience one billion strong.

Excessive rainfall as damaging to corn yield as extreme heat, drought

Recent flooding in the Midwest has brought attention to the complex agricultural problems associated with too much rain.

Yam seeds: Agric Council approves proposal, organization sets for commercialization

 With the proposal's approval, yams:could turn out another inexhaustible source of foreign exchange for Nigeria  

The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture  (IITA)and Association of yam producers, processors and marketers’ proposal on yam improved seeds for commercial production presented to the National Council on Agriculture and Rural Development (NCARD) meeting held in Umuahia, Abia State got a positive nod with an instruction to have it harmonised with the ministry’s yam value chain for its integration into national policy for the economic benefit of all stakeholders including marketers and consumers.

Climate extremes: Impact on global crop yield variations

Researchers from Australia, Germany and the US have quantified the effect of climate extremes, such as droughts or heatwaves, on the yield variability of staple crops around the world.

Nature's dangerous decline 'unprecedented,' species extinction rates 'accelerating'

Nature is declining globally at rates unprecedented in human history -- and the rate of species extinctions is accelerating, with grave impacts on people around the world now likely, warns a landmark new report from the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), the summary of which was approved at the 7th session of the IPBES Plenary, meeting last week (29 April -- 4 May) in Paris.

Experts, farmers canvas for speedy passage of bills

Farmers and experts in the agricultural sector have called on the Federal Government (FG) on the need to pass into law, bills such issues as seed, fertilizer and warehouse receipt system in Nigeria to help boost and reposition the agricultural industry. This position was taken during the Public-Private Dialogue with Agriculture sector stakeholders which took place in Abuja.

Industry ministry wants transparency of commodity associations

The Federal Ministry of Industry Trade and Investment (FMITI) has advised the major commodity associations registered under it to be more proactive and transparent in their dealings so as to enhance more government support with detailed record of accountability in all ramifications. The Director, Commodity Products Inspectorate in the ministry, Mrs. Opelolu Opewe gave the advice during an interface session with major agricultural commodity associations in Abuja.

FG, World Bank work out grants to agric cooperatives

·       Ginger, maize, dairy for Kaduna

The Federal Government and World Bank are working on how 10,000 registered agriculture cooperative groups will be given 200 million dollar grants in the six states of the federation under a programme tagged  Agro Processing Productivity Enhancement (APPEAL)so as to achieve empowerment and economic diversification to agriculture.

Five pillars of FAO’s five-year framework, by country rep

 Minister  warns on desert encroachment..

 

The Country Representative of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO)in Nigeria,  Mr. Suffyan Koroma has highlighted the five pillars of its five-year framework in Nigeria. He stated them at the launch a five-year strategic Country Programme Framework (CPF) toward enhanced food security in Abuja.

Industry minister asks for cotton galvanization

The Minister of State, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI) Hajiya  Aisa Abubakar has admonished stakeholders at the value chains of cotton productivity to itemise steps on how to boost the economic viability of the crop for more financial freedom and job creation for stakeholders.

Biosafety DG says agency not promoter of GMOs

Director-General/Chief Executive Officer, National Biosafety Management Agency. Dr. Rufus E. Ebegba

Director-General/Chief Executive Officer, National Biosafety Management Agency. Dr. Rufus E. Ebegba  has said that his agency was never a promoter of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOS) as generally believed by many Nigerians. He disclosed this during an interactive session with editors of media houses on controversies surrounding the new improved technology in Abuja. 

AFAN women fault presidential fertilizer distribution

 women leader of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Imo State Chapter, Mrs. Ijeoma Nwankuku

A women leader of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Imo State Chapter, Mrs. Ijeoma Nwankuku has decried the presidential fertilizer distribution strategy to farmers as not effective as many could not get the item with all other agricultural inputs. She said this at the 43^rd National Council of Agriculture and Rural Development held in Umuahia, Abia State.

Global crop diversity in decline as just four crops dominate, study

Crop diversity around the world is declining, presenting a challenge for both the environment and food security. This is the result of new study from the University of Toronto Scarborough, published in the journal PLOS ONE on February 6.

Director of Animal Husbandry finally breaks silence, says ‘my experience qualifies me’

Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development, Dr. Mohammed Bello Umar

The new director, Department of Animal Husbandry, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), Mr. Bright Boyowa Watergire whose appointment generated rowdy session during the National Agricultural Council Meeting has finally opened up to say he was qualified for the position, going by the federal civil service law.

Targeting how fungi 'taste' ould be key to developing control

Exploring how a hazardous fungal pathogen 'tastes' its surroundings within a wheat plant to coordinate virulence could be the key to developing new control strategies, scientists believe.

With flower preferences, bees have a big gap between the sexes

For scores of wild bee species, females and males visit very different flowers for food -- a discovery that could be important for conservation efforts, according to Rutgers-led research.

Why you love coffee and beer

Why do you swig bitter, dark roast coffee or hoppy beer while your coworker guzzles sweet cola?

UN: Future of food ‘under severe threat’ from biodiversity loss

The plants, animals, and micro-organisms that are the foundation of food production are in decline, putting the future of our food, livelihoods, health and environment under severe threat.

NGO trains 86 youths on ‘Climate Resilient Agriculture’

A non-governmental organisation, Fresh & Young Brains Development Initiative (FBIN), has disclosed that it has trained 86 young farmers on climate resilient agriculture in seven states and the FCT. The founder of the organisation, Ms Nikiruka Nnaemego-Okonkwo, stated this at a “Mock Parliament on Climate Resilience Agriculture” held in Abuja.

Images speak @ the Youth Farm Project II (Building Resilient Generation)

Images speak @ the Youth Farm Project II (Building Resilient Generation) see more images below

From nitrogen pollution to gene drives: UN highlights five key emerging issues

Urgent action from nations around the world is required to tackle emerging environmental challenges that will have profound effects on our society, economy and ecosystems, the United Nations Environment Programme has warned.

Environmental threats put human health in peril, UN warns

Unsustainable human activities have degraded the Earth’s ecosystems, endangering the ecological foundations of society. Environmental damage to our planet is so dire that human health will be increasingly threatened unless urgent action is taken.

FG embarks on ranching, sign MOU with a market outlet, farm

·         Says will support every other stakeholders

 

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to expedite action with a private market outlet and an incorporated farm towards better animal productivity as President Mohammed Buhari has approved the RUGA model of facilities provision for herdsmen to mitigate incessant clashes with farmers through ranching.

Images speak @ NESG public-private dialogue with Agriculture sector stakeholders held in Abuja

Images speak @ NESG public-private dialogue with Agriculture sector stakeholders held in Abuja, on "strengthen enabling policy environment for fertiliser system, seed system and warehouse receipt system in Nigeria’’ see more images below..

UN report calls for better access to water for small-scale farmers

Access to water and sanitation is a human right. However, billions of people are still living without safe water and sanitation facilities, with wide disparities between the rich and the poor. This is the message of the UN World Water Development Report, launched on 19 March three days ahead of World Water Day. Some 2.1 billion people do not have access to safe drinking water and 4.5 billion people lack safely managed sanitation facilities.

Aquaculture: Expert advocates for more fishes documentation

The Deputy Provost, Fresh Water Fisheries Technology, Bagu, Bornu state, Dr. Olarenwaju Nurudeen 

The Deputy Provost, Fresh Water Fisheries Technology, Bagu, Bornu state, Dr. Olarenwaju Nurudeen has advocated for biological documentation of more economic fishes from the wild to upscale commercial aquaculture production to meet local consumption and checkmate huge import bill.  

Experts canvas for speedy passage of bill...

* Farmers' group fault implementation process

 

Experts in the agricultural sector have called on the federal government on the need to pass in to law, bills such as seed, fertilizer and warehouse receipt system in Nigeria to help boast and reposition the agricultural industry, so as to return to its pride of place.

PATIENCE IS PAINFUL, BUT STILL BEST BET FOR #CORNPLANT19

With each passing day, the wait to plant corn is a little more painful. As of May 6, corn planting is only 23% complete in the nation’s 18 largest corn-producing states, according to USDA’s National Ag Statistics Service. That’s half the progress of corn planting in any other year, NASS reports.

Illegal seeds: Scientists advise farmers on hybrids

·         NASC may soon begin e- certification

Seeds

Farmers have been admonished by agricultural scientists to ensure the use of only certified hybrid seeds as there are many fake of such in circulation that were imported without National Agricultural Seed Council (NASC)‘s approval just as the body reiterated its readiness to ensure certification through electronic means using digital tracking to reduce adulteration.

The advice to the end users by scientists was given chiefly by the Executive Director, Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR), Prof. Ibrahim U. Abubakar during the annual cropping scheme for year 2019, held at Samaru, Zaria.

Rainforests the size of England lost in 2018 due to deforestation

The world lost 12 million hectares of tropical forest in 2018, an area the size of England, new data from the University of Maryland reveals. According to the figures, released on April 25 by Global Forest Watch, this is the fourth-highest annual loss since records began in 2001.

Report: 113 million people worldwide face severe food insecurity

Around 113 million people in 53 countries worldwide faced severe food insecurity in 2018, finds a new report released by the Food Security Information Network (FSIN), an initiative of food security and development institutions, UN agencies and the EU.

Organic farming can drive transition to sustainable food systems

Organic farming can play an important role in triggering a shift towards more sustainable food systems, according to an article published in the scientific journal “Nature Sustainability”. A team of international experts argues that there is broad consensus that we urgently need to change the way we produce and consume food. Only then will we be able to address global challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss and water scarcity and make progress on achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).