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The antibiotic resistance study focused on soils in the Waikato region that are rich in cadmium and zinc. Photo: Pixabay lylsharain Content License Free usePixabay lylsharain Content License Free use

Heavy metals in soil promote antibiotic resistance in bacteria

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Bacteria isolated in contaminated soils appear to be more antibiotic resistant, says a study from New Zealand. A phenomenon that is still unclear and worrisome because of the risks to human health
Biofortification appears to be very effective in microgreens, referred to by researchers as "mature miniature plants." Photo: Penn State. Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0)Penn State. Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0)

Microgreens biofortification is a tool to counter malnutrition

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The biofortification process does work with smaller vegetables. According to Penn State University researchers,  soaking seeds in a zinc-based solution provides excellent results
In the Amazon, in the absence of landowner exemptions, natural vegetation could have retained 2.4 billion tons of carbon. Photo: Rawpixel Public Domain Free CC0 ImageRawpixel Public Domain Free CC0 Image

Landowner amnesty has hampered land restoration in the Amazon

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Since 2012, more than 50 percent of deforestation in the Amazon has occurred in "protected" areas in private hands, a U.S. study has found. Amnesty that excluded managers from restoration obligation was crucial
Drip irrigation is a practice of great importance for smart agricultural management. Photo: H. Gomez/CIMMYT Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)H. Gomez/CIMMYT Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)

Algorithms drive irrigation in smart agriculture

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In an attempt to make irrigation more efficient, Stanford University has developed a new and more accurate system for calculating evapotranspiration. Measurement is shortened by 100 times
Nitrogen, contained particularly in fertilizers, produces variable effects on plants and soil microfauna. Photo: Michael Trolove Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-SA 2.0)Michael Trolove Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Excess nitrogen also impacts soil invertebrates and insects

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A Dutch meta-analysis of 126 studies conducted worldwide illustrates the consequences of nitrogen accumulation for soil microfauna. Effects vary across species. Climate factor
Carbon detection project takes place in Moosomin, in the southeastern area of the Canadian state of Saskatchewan. Photo: Jimmy Emerson Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)Jimmy Emerson Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Canadian researchers start a soil carbon measurement project

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An annual project in the state of Saskatchewan will collect data on soil carbon occurrence. The goal is to assess soil effects and generate measurable and verifiable emission credits
The decline in pollinating insects has negative effects on the availability and price of healthy foods such as nuts, legumes, fruit and vegetables, causing an increase in premature deaths. PHOTO: Pixabay

500,000 deaths a year linked to the decline in pollinators

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The "prudential" estimate is contained in a new international study published in Environmental Health Perspectives. Premature deaths are thought to be caused by decreasing availability and rising prices of healthful foods, which are in turn linked to the global decline of bee and pollinators
Between 2010 and 2018, commitments made by companies to tackle deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon ensured the protection of about 7,000 square kilometers of forest. But it could have been 24,000. Photo: Neil Palmer (CIAT) Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-SA 2.0)Neil Palmer (CIAT) Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Cattle-related deforestation in the Amazon could have been halved

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If anti-deforestation agreements had been fully implemented, 24 thousand km2 of land could have been saved in the Amazon compared to the 7 thousand actually protected between 2010 and 2018, according to a study from U.S.
India is the world's sixth largest producer of bauxite. Photo: Yercaud-elango Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0)Yercaud-elango Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0)

From India to Australia: the bauxite paradox

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In India, the mining of bauxite, a rock needed for aluminum production, takes land away from agriculture, producing permanent soil damage. But this same resource, paradoxically, may carry with it a solution
The application of statistical models in combination with spectroscopy makes it possible to assess the concentration of different elements in the soil. Photo: Marco Verch Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)Marco Verch Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)

Spectroscopy offers new opportunities for soil analysis

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A research from the University of Katowice opens new perspectives in the field of soil analysis. Through spectroscopy, researchers were able to determine the presence and concentration of key elements in soil

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