Transgenic Cowpea Confers Insect Resistance and Herbicide Tolerance
Reading Time: < 1 minuteA study published in Pest Management Science found that the genetically engineered cowpea line CAP5, expressing a fusion of Cry1Ab-Vip3A and CP4-EPSPS genes, demonstrated strong resistance against major lepidopteran pests and high tolerance to glyphosate. The findings of the study demonstrate the potential of developing insect-resistant and herbicide-tolerant cowpea events. Cowpea is a widely consumed […]
Southeast Asia’s fisheries benefit from small-scale, multispecies capture
Reading Time: 2 minutesFor decades, there have been dire warnings about overfishing and the loss of biomass and biodiversity in the world’s fisheries. Yet one region’s capture fisheries have largely maintained their biodiversity and ecological health while still meeting the food needs of the area’s growing population. In a study published in the journal Fisheries Science, Professor Matsuishi Takashi […]
The potential of low glycemic index (Low GI) rice
Reading Time: 2 minutesLOS BAÑOS: A new paper recently published by scientists from the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and the Max Planck Institute is exploring the potential of low glycemic index (Low GI) rice to combat the growing diabetes epidemic, particularly in Asia. The rise in type 2 diabetes poses a significant global health challenge, with over […]
USM leads marine conservation with tiger prawn re-stocking
Reading Time: 2 minutesUSM PENANG: The Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies (CEMACS) of Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) has taken a leading role in a large-scale marine conservation effort with the recent release of 10,000 tiger prawns (Penaeus monodon) off the coast of Pulau Betong, Penang. As a key scientific partner in the Penang South Island (PSI) Ecology […]
Agriculture is critical to the nation’s economy
Reading Time: 3 minutesAGRICULTURE was for years the mainstay of the nation’s economy. It accounted for a big slice of the country’s development. Much of the nation’s infrastructure was built with money from agriculture then. Many crops contributed to the nation’s coffers. Many had no qualms about working in agriculture. Coffee growing was big in the 50s. I […]
Study: Food insecurity creeping up on Malaysians
Reading Time: 2 minutesMINIMUM-WAGE workers in Malaysia must work significantly longer hours than those in other countries to afford basic food items, a study by the Social Wellbeing Research Centre at Universiti Malaya has revealed. The study found that food affordability was a growing concern for many households, a problem exacerbated by low wages which remain far below […]
Young visionary: Youths must grab opportunities in agriculture
Reading Time: 2 minutesWith the advent of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (IR 4.0), various industries, including agriculture, have undergone significant transformations, especially in terms of techniques and methods that align with modernization trends. An alumnus of the Faculty of Agriculture, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Muhammad Shafiq Saari, 34, emphasized that the agricultural business in Malaysia is vast and that […]
UPM scientists develop gadget to enhance photosynthesis
Reading Time: 2 minutesResearchers from Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) have successfully produced ‘Photosynthesis Enhancer’ using carbon dots technology. The gadget is capable of increasing crop yields between 20 and 30 percent. Through the innovation, the photosynthesis rate increases between 20 and 80 percent depending on the type of crop. Furthermore, the cost to produce carbon dots is about […]
PtBIO offers Japanese biotech models to create a sustainable future
Reading Time: 2 minutesEstablished in Hiroshima, Japan, in 2019, a new wave of biotechnology pioneers has emerged to tackle pressing challenges in agriculture, healthcare, and environmental sustainability. By integrating bio-digital transformation (Bio-DX) and advanced genome editing, innovative solutions are being developed to reengineer biological functions across diverse species. The goal is ambitious yet clear: to harness biotechnology to […]
The environmental impacts of genetically modified crops
Reading Time: < 1 minuteUniversity of Toronto Genetically modified (GM) crops are widely used worldwide, but their environmental effects need to be explored more. New research, published in a recent issue of “Science” looks at common genetic modifications in four crops: soybean, corn, cotton, and canola. Although GM crops can produce more yield and profits, it can lead to […]