Why polar bears at sea have higher pollution levels than those staying on land

As the climate changes, myriad animal populations are being impacted. In particular, Arctic sea-ice is in decline, causing polar bears in the Barents Sea region to alter their feeding and hunting habits. Bears that follow sea-ice to offshore areas have higher pollutant levels than those staying on land -- but why? A new study in ACS' Environmental Science & Technology reports the likely reasons.

Plant researchers examine bread aroma: Modern and old wheat varieties taste equally good

The scientists compared taste and aroma of different breads baked in close cooperation with an artisan baker and a miller using flour from old as well as modern wheat varieties. In the journal Food Research International the research team now also describes how it can predict not only the taste but also other characteristics of bread using molecular biological approaches.

Large atmospheric waves in the jet stream present risk to global food production

In a new study published today in Nature Climate Change, scientists show how specific wave patterns in the jet stream strongly increase the chance of co-occurring heatwaves in major food producing regions of Northern America, Western Europe and Asia.

Trashed farmland could be a conservation treasure

Low-productivity agricultural land could be transformed into millions of hectares of conservation reserve across the world, according to University of Queensland-led research.

EXCLUSIVE: Researchers want trade incentive, others for organic farming in WA

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and National Ministries of Trade in the member countries have been called upon by economic researchers to give special incentive to export of organic produce in Africa with other supportive measures.

Experts unlock key to photosynthesis, a find that could help us meet food security demands

Scientists have solved the structure of one of the key components of photosynthesis, a discovery that could lead to photosynthesis being 'redesigned' to achieve higher yields and meet urgent food security needs.

Ancient Egyptians gathered birds from the wild for sacrifice and mummification

In ancient Egypt, Sacred Ibises were collected from their natural habitats to be ritually sacrificed, according to a study released November 13, 2019 in the open-access journal PLOS ONE by Sally Wasef of Griffith University, Australia and colleagues.

Organic: Finding reveals neem oil as cowpea repellent

Contrary to the general belief that organically produced crops cannot match with the pace of our growing population toward sustainable food security, a research finding has confirmed that cowpea now got an organic pesticide to combat the devastating disease impeding its commercial production. This was contained in a number 8 monograph, 2018 of the best practices in Organic Agriculture production system.

A new tomato ideal for urban gardens and even outer space

Farmers could soon be growing tomatoes bunched like grapes in a storage unit, on the roof of a skyscraper, or even in space. That's if a clutch of new gene-edited crops prove as fruitful as the first batch.

Children allergic to cow's milk smaller and lighter

Children who are allergic to cow's milk are smaller and weigh less than peers who have allergies to peanuts or tree nuts, and these findings persist into early adolescence.