Food security
Millions of people are undernourished globally and with the population growing, food security is a major concern. Food security is multifaceted, requiring advancements in food safety, ensuring products have a good shelf life, reducing spoilage and providing dietary additions to improve the nutrient intake of the population. The application of microbiology is far reaching, and new approaches are required to maintain food security. Through an improved understanding of plant-microbe interactions, it is possible to forecast and mitigate food shortages.
News
Graphitized biochar rewires soil microbes to accelerate pollutant breakdown in rice paddies
A new study reveals that a specially engineered form of biochar can dramatically enhance the natural ability of soil microbes to break down pollutants in rice paddies, offering a promising strategy for cleaner and more sustainable agriculture.
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NewsPoor hygiene and food handling practices increase the risk of bacterial outbreaks in Brazilian households
A significant number of Brazilians engage in improper food hygiene and handling practices at home. Examples include washing meat in the kitchen sink and failing to properly wash vegetables.
NewsAfrican swine fever is quietly spreading across Nepal’s pig sector
A new study provides the first comprehensive analysis of African swine fever outbreaks in Nepal, revealing a disease that has quietly dismantled livelihoods, disrupted food security, and exposed deep gaps in the country’s animal health system — with no vaccine in sight.
NewsMolecular biologist Li-Jun Ma wins 2026 Mahoney Life Sciences Prize
Li-Jun Ma has been chosen as this year’s winner of the Mahoney Life Sciences Prize for her work toward mitigating the effects of a fungal pathogen that is causing the functional extinction of the bananas most commonly found in U.S. supermarkets.
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News
Global strategy to combat drug‑resistant fungi is about to change
An increasing number of fungi are becoming resistant to medication, posing serious risks for patients with weakened immune systems. That is why fifty researchers from around the world are calling for action against drug‑resistant fungi.
NewsA bacterium from bumblebees can produce vitamin B2 in soya drinks
Researchers have developed a new method that can reduce the time needed to find new bacteria for fermentation. They have now identified a bacterium that can be used both for acidification and to increase the vitamin B2 content of soya drinks.
NewsIntegration of two genes: A valuable strategy for developing virus-resistant tomatoes
Researchers have demonstrated that integration of Ty-1/Ty-3 and Ty-6 resistance genes in tomato plants can confer highly robust resistance to begomoviruses.
NewsNew biodegradable wash removes pesticides and extends produce shelf life
Researchers have developed a natural, biodegradable wash that removed up to 96 per cent of pesticide residue from fruit and slowed browning and moisture loss.
NewsTiny plankton have big impact on harmful algal bloom predictions
While some computer models can forecast potential algal blooms, their accuracy is limited.. A new study shows that coupling three models and accounting for how different algae species interact can significantly improve predictions.
NewsAfrican swine fever: a novel model for assessing transmission between domestic pigs and wild boar
Researchers have developed an innovative multi-host epidemiological model for African swine fever incorporating both pig farms and wild boar habitats and calibrated using empirical outbreak data. The model uses detailed data from the first phase of the Romanian epidemic.
NewsDrones, DNA, and weather: A phase-oriented hybrid engine to predict sugar beet disease
A fungus that can wipe out up to 50% of a sugar beet crop may soon meet its match in a new generation of smart disease forecasting. Combining drone imagery, weather data, and qPCR-based airborne spore monitoring can reveal where disease is present and what the pathogen is likely to do next.
NewsNew biochar composite tackles arsenic pollution and methane emissions in rice paddies
Rice paddies feed more than half of the world’s population, yet they are also hotspots for toxic arsenic contamination and greenhouse gas emissions. A promising solution that addresses both problems at once uses an engineered biochar material enhanced with titanium dioxide.
NewsMicroscopic coils and coffee trees lead to an amazing new fungal discovery
A new study has revealed two novel species of Neohelicomyces fungi: Neohelicomyces coffeae and Neohelicomyces puerensis. While studying the fungi that live on Coffea arabica, researchers spotted these unique organisms growing on dead coffee branches.
NewsNew strategy to break resistance-yield trade-off in rice by pathogen-inducible gene expression
A research team has developed a genetic strategy to enhance broad-spectrum disease resistance in rice without compromising plant growth and yield, a major challenge in crop breeding.
NewsBiochar triggers long-term soil recovery by reshaping microbes and metabolism
A five-year field study reveals that biochar can do far more than improve soil chemistry. It can reorganize entire soil ecosystems, creating lasting benefits for agriculture and environmental sustainability.
NewsOregano, rosemary and ‘time’: Long-term swine study shows natural-compound benefits
In a rare long-term public study that compared the effects of phytochemicals from rosemary and oregano with antibiotic growth promoters, animal scientists found that the natural agents given to weaned pigs supported favorable gut health and growth performance later in their lives.
NewsBiochar offers climate-smart pathway to healthier soils and safer tea production
A new scientific review highlights how biochar, a carbon-rich material produced from biomass, could transform tea farming by restoring soil health, reducing pollution risks, and improving both yield and quality.
NewsHow fermentation reshapes golden flower white tea aroma
Golden flower white tea is a relatively new tea product made by applying the traditional Fu brick tea flowering process to white tea. That process includes steaming, pressing, microbial fermentation, and drying, and it is known to trigger complex biochemical changes associated with the growth of Eurotium cristatum.
NewsUnexpected potential bacterial symbiosis found in fungus that causes angular leaf spot
Scientists have uncovered an unexpected microbial relationship that could help explain differences in the severity of a major disease affecting common beans. The discovery sheds light on how the pathogen evolves and may point to new strategies.
NewsBiochar–microbe partnership unlocks soil phosphorus and boosts tomato yields
A new study reveals that combining biochar with beneficial soil bacteria can significantly improve phosphorus availability, reshape plant development, and increase crop yields in greenhouse-grown cherry tomatoes.
NewsHow plants fight back against bacteria that promote waterlogging in leaves
Researchers clarify a humidity-driven plant defense against bacteria that limits water buildup, with potential implications for future crop protection strategies.
NewsBiochar from peanut shells boosts soil health and crop quality over the long term
A long-term field study across major agricultural regions in China has revealed that biochar made from peanut shells can significantly improve soil fertility and enhance crop quality by reshaping soil microbial communities.
NewsInto the fungal unknown: New tool maps fungal gene functions without reference genomes
Researchers have created a fungal-specific workflow that supports downstream functional analysis regardless of whether a reference genome is available.