Earth

Agriculture

A Dairy Solution to Mildew Woes

Milk may prove the savior of some organic wines. Gray areas on these untreated grapes at Temple Bruer Wines reflect heavy powdery mildew damage. The grapes show splitting and “are useless,” notes Peter Crisp. Crisp This vine, treated with whey sprays, shows minimal mildew. Its grapes are acceptable for winemaking. Crisp This milk-sprayed vine also […]

Earth

Cancer Causer? Researchers zero in on leukemia risks

Researchers add to mounting evidence that household pesticide exposure may be a significant risk factor for childhood leukemia.

Earth

Leaden impacts of gum disease, smoking

Subtle bone loss associated with advanced gum disease can be linked to elevated lead concentrations in the blood.

Earth

Ice age forest spruces up ecology record

Scientists have recently discovered a 10,000-year-old forest buried in the sand in Michigan.

Earth

Undersea volcano: Heard but not seen

The search is on for an undersea eruption near the Japanese volcanic island chain.

Agriculture

Apple pests stand up to antibiotics

Scientists are concerned about new forms of antibiotic resistance cropping up in fire blight—a deadly disease of apple trees.

Agriculture

Cocoa yields are mushrooming—downward

A mushroom epidemic in Brazilian cacao trees, which has cut the production of cacao by 25 percent in 5 years, may be treatable with another fungus.

Earth

Plants seen as unpredictable carbon sponge

Changing land-use practices—especially in forests, croplands, and fallow areas—appear to play a far bigger role than anticipated in determining how much carbon gets removed from the air by vegetation.

Earth

Hey polluters! This billboard’s for you

Motorists generally like and respond to personalized billboard messages about when an engine tune-up may be warranted.

Earth

Pollution Keeps Rain up in the Air

New satellite data indicate that aerosol pollution can break up water droplets in clouds and stop rain.

Agriculture

Afghanistan’s Seed Banks Destroyed

On Sept. 10, scientists in Kabul reported the loss of Afghanistan’s principal agricultural insurance policy: two stores of carefully collected seeds, materials selected to represent the genetic diversity of native crops. Here, some of the wheat seed brought into the country by a convoy, this spring, is being stored pending redistribution to Afghan farmers. USAID […]

Agriculture

Sprawling over croplands

Satellite imagery indicates that sprawling urban development has been disproportionately gobbling up those lands best able to support crops.