News & Events

The Domain of Unknown Function 506 (DUF506) family, part of the PD-(D/E)XK nuclease superfamily, has been shown to play a vital role in plant development and responses to abiotic stresses. However, the function of the DUF506 family in cultivated peanuts remains unknown. This study identified 23 AhDUF506 genes using bioinformatics approaches; these genes are spread across 15 chromosomes and grouped into 4 subfamilies.

Researchers from Qiqihar University in China reported the successful transformation of a wheat gene that confers low-temperature tolerance into Arabidopsis. Their findings are published in the journal Transgenic Research.Low temperature hampers normal plant growth and development. This led the research team to isolate and characterize the wheat cold-regulated gene 80 (Wcor80) from Dongnongdongmai 1, a variety of winter wheat.

Ships carrying critical agricultural inputs must start moving through the Strait of Hormuz as soon as possible to ward off the risks of a dangerous spike in food price inflation later this year that could trigger a cascade of effects similar to the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic crisis, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is a globally important oilseed and food legume, yet its productivity is persistently constrained by devastating diseases and insect pests that thrive under changing climates. This review aims to provide a comprehensive synthesis of advances in precision breeding and molecular approaches for enhancing disease and pest resistance in peanut. Traditional control measures ranging from crop rotation and cultural practices to chemical protection have delivered only partial and often unsustainable relief.

You may not see them with the naked eye, but bacteria are among the most influential organisms on Earth. Often feared as agents of disease, bacteria are now being used as essential tools in biotechnology to transform the way we produce food, protect crops, treat illnesses, and conserve the environment. From fermenting everyday staples like yogurt and cheese, bacterial applications are quietly evolving in many ways to address global challenges such as food security, climate change, and public health.

Forests employ approximately 42 million people worldwide, with women accounting for one quarter of the workforce, according to new research from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Thünen Institute of Forestry. Published on Tuesday, Updated methodology to quantify forest-sector employment: Global and regional estimates presents fresh estimates that help close critical data gaps in global and regional forest-sector employment between 2011 and 2022.

Cassava brown streak disease (CBSD) poses a major threat to cassava production in Africa. Identifying cassava proteins that interact with cassava brown streak virus (CBSV), the major causal virus, can help elucidate the mechanisms of infection and resistance. Here we constructed a cassava cDNA library and screened for proteins interacting with CBSV viral genome-linked protein (VPg) using yeast two-hybrid assays, identifying 36 interactors.

A new study published in the Journal of Science Communication (JCOM) reveals that images used in media coverage of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) often deepen existing public polarization rather than changing minds. Researchers found that visual cues—ranging from simple fruit to evocative "frankenfood" imagery—frequently reinforce a person's prior beliefs, making supporters more positive and skeptics more wary.

The Director‑General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), QU Dongyu called for accelerated action to advance the One Health agenda, warning that persistent capacity gaps and insufficient sustainable financing continue to undermine progress. Qu delivered opening remarks at the fourth executive meeting of the Quadripartite - an agreement between FAO, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the World Health Organization (WHO)

We analyzed high-quality data comprising single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) using RAxML, a phylogenetic network approach, and coancestry analyses to examine phylogenetic relationships. We included two putative parental species of the hypothesized allotetraploid P. nigrum (P. galeatum and P. trichyostachyon) and a set of Sri Lankan endemic species. We also determined genome sizes of several species.

Led by Dr. Isabel Kim and Leqi Tian, researchers from Cornell University found that seed banks could significantly affect the success of gene drives designed to control weeds. In a new study published in Nature Plants, the research team modeled how gene drives would behave in plant populations and identified key challenges.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) announced three initiatives to help enterprising youth in the field of One Health, and outlined the three pillars undergirding the integrated approach that aims to sustainably balance and optimize the health of people, animals and ecosystems.