Cryptic mutation is cautionary tale for crop gene editing

Without the nubby joints that are normally present on the stems of tomato plants, the fruit is much easier to harvest. However, researchers have discovered how a cryptic mutation can get in the way of this otherwise desirable trait.

Even in this "age of the genome," much about genes remains shrouded in mystery. This is especially true for "cryptic mutations" -- mutated genes that are hidden, and have unexpected effects on traits that are only revealed when combined with other mutations. Learning from one infamous cryptic mutation in particular, researchers from CSHL share important lessons for breeding or gene editing in crops.

600 households rescued from poverty, says project coordinator

Over 600 households negatively affected by the Boko haram have been uplifted from poverty, after rehabilitations, through the 50-million dollar   Federal Government (FG)-World Bank intervention Fadama 111 Additional Financing (AF) project.

New avenues for improving modern wheat

Since the Agricultural Revolution about 12,000 years ago, humans have been selectively breeding plants with desirable traits such as high grain yield and disease resistance.

Opening remarks at Dissemination workshop on Impact of Fadama III–AF II on Food Security and Livelihood Restoration in Northeastern Nigeria. Presented by Kwaw Andam on behalf of IFPRI Nigeria office

Kwaw Andam

     Good morning, distinguished ladies and gentlemen. I am delighted to offer a few welcome remarks on behalf of the Nigeria office of the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).

Detection of unusual hybrid schistosomes in Malawi

LSTM's Professor Russell Stothard is senior author on a new paper in which researchers from the UK and Malawi have described the unusual occurrence of novel schistosome hybrids infecting children along the Shire River Valley.

Images speak @ the Dissemination Workshop for Fadama III Additional Financing II Impact Assessment Report , held in Abuja.

Images speak @ the Dissemination Workshop for Fadama III Additional Financing II Impact Assessment Report , held in Abuja. See more images below...

Wild red deer contribute to the preservation of open landscapes

Red deer (Cervus elaphus) mother and calf.

Similar to farm animals such as cattle or sheep, wild red deer grazing in open landscapes can also contribute to the conservation of protected habitats.

FG concessions 19 silos, to earn N6b annually from deal

There Federal Government (FG) has handed over 19 silos located in 18 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to six concessionaires for storage of food at a sum of six billion naira annually. The handover of the silos was done by the former Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, in Abuja, recently.

Ministry sets up committee to review project performance

* Director commends Fadama programme

The Director, Project Coordinating Unit (PCU), Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) Dr. Maimuna Habib 

·    A 40-man committee has been set up by the government to review the Climate Change Adaptation and Agric Business Support Project (CASP).

Scientists determine four personality types based on new data

Northwestern University researchers have sifted through data from more than 1.5 million questionnaire respondents and found at least four distinct clusters of personality types exist: average, reserved, self-centered and role model. The findings challenge existing paradigms in psychology.