Botulism-causing toxins detected by ARS

An electronic tongue can identify brands of beer

Spanish researchers have managed to distinguish between different varieties of beer. The discovery is accurate in almost 82% of cases

Common crop pesticides kill honeybee larvae in the hive

Four pesticides commonly used on crops to kill insects and fungi also kill honeybee larvae within their hives, according to Penn State and University of Florida researchers

Reading the tea leaves: impact of climate change

Research unveils clues about protein mechanism critical to plant growth and yield

Scientists at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center have made several scientific discoveries demonstrating the significant roles Heterotrimeric G proteins play in plant development and yield

What makes a tasty tomato

The findings show that although thousands of compounds go into determining flavor and other characteristics, two components play a key role: the amounts of sugar and acid

Cilandro, also known as coriander, is a “biosorbent”

The need for lower-cost, sustainable alternatives has fostered research on biosorbents. These natural materials, which range from microbes to plants, latch on to heavy metals in ways that include both absorption and adsorption

Grapefruit may be heading for a new use in battling mosquitoe

Nootkatone is a component of the oil in grapefruit, and has been on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s list of substances generally recognized as safe for use in food

China and United States continue di believe in GM crops?

Further research is needed to examine which glyphosate-resistant crops and weeds may have acquired enhanced levels of gene Epsps and, if so, the extent to which overproduction of this gene affects crop yields and weed fitness

Environment alert in US and Europe: pollution and intensifying agriculture kill

In EU the populations of grassland butterflies decline almost 50% over two decades. Pesticides commonly used in California's Central Valley have been found in frog species who live in State National Parks

Fungicides could kill bees

A suite of smart power management capabilities for food production facilities

The flavor of foods involves taste, odor, touch and vision

The eyes have such a powerful role that they can trump the tongue and the nose. The human desire for novelty and new experiences also is a factor in the human tendency to ignore what the eyes may be tasting and listening to the tongue and nose

High levels of carbon dioxide increase water efficence use of sorghum and winter wheat

Between 1958 and 2011 the carbon dioxide concentration has increased and higher carbon dioxide compensated for reductions in growth of winter wheat due to drought

Butanol is the next generation of biofuel

Butanol has several advantages over ethanol, including a higher energy content that is closer to gasoline. Unlike ethanol, butanol can be used in cars directly, without mixing or altering the vehicle

Biomass for perfume, cosmetic, personal-care products

The scientists transform plant “essential oils”, substances with the characteristic fragrance of the plant, into high-value ingredients

Leaves of carob tree fight food-poisoning bacteria

Extracts of carob leaves proved effective in inhibiting the growth of Listeria bacteria. Carob may be best-known as a substitute for chocolate that does not contain caffeine or theobromine, which makes chocolate toxic to dogs

Waste to taste: feeding the world's population in the next century

Through composting, vermiculture and high density vertical growing it is possible to grow 14 times more using 90% less water, energy and labor