Leite et al. (1) conclude that isolation according to the forest refuge hypothesis (FRH) may have had a minor, if any, role on Atlantic Forest (AF) biotic evolution based on genetic data from five mammal species. Their evidence comes from signatures of population expansion during both glacial and interglacial periods, and fragmentation of reconstructed distributions during interglacial periods. Despite its novelty (i.e., the influence of sea-level changes in AF phylogeography), Leite et al.’s study presents many issues that need a critical appraisal.

Looking down a microscope at dead fish for eight months can change an artist’s perspective on nature—and even influence her art. Textile artist Annet Couwenberg discovered such anatomical insights first hand when, in the summer of 2014, she embarked on a stint in the laboratory as part of the Smithsonian Artist Research Fellowship, a program that lets artists access the museum’s vast collections.

FAO 12 April 2016, Rome - The presence of recently discovered Desert Locust infestations in Yemen, where conflict is severely hampering control operations, poses a potential threat to crops in the region, FAO warned today. FAO urged neighbouring countries, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Iran, to mobilize survey and control teams and to take all necessary measures to prevent the destructive insects from reaching breeding areas situated in their respective territories.

Today, the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-Biotech Applications (ISAAA) released its annual report detailing the adoption of biotech crops, “20th Anniversary of the Global Commercialization of Biotech Crops (1996-2015) and Biotech Crop Highlights in 2015,” showcasing the global increase in biotech hectarage from 1.7 million hectares in 1996 to 179.7 million hectares in 2015. This 100-fold increase in just 20 years makes biotechnology the fastest adopted crop technology in recent times, reflecting farmer satisfaction with biotech crops.

Myanmar is a Southeast Asian nation where 61% of its 53 million people depend on agriculture for their livelihood. This livelihood, however, is being constantly threatened as the region experiences prolonged droughts, frequent floods, sea-level rise, and other weather-related natural disasters.

Through the consultation workshop with the participation of Department of Animal Health - Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (DAH-MARD), Department of Preventive Medicine - Ministry of Health (GDPM-MOH), National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology (NIHE), FAO Animal Health expert from Asia Pacific Regional office, USCDC, RAHOs, Regional public health institute, Sub-Department of Animal Health and Preventive Medicine Centre from the 12 provinces with high incidence of rabies

FAO 8 April 2016, Abidjan - Results achieved through Africa Solidarity Trust Fund (ASTF) financed projects are adding momentum to the vision of Africa- Africa cooperation to achieve food security across the continent.
 

Scientists from The University of Queensland (UQ) in Australia are undertaking a world-first research into ancient wheats to ensure the crop's future. Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation's Dr. Lee Hickey said "Modern breeding and a switch to monoculture cropping has greatly improved yield and quality, but the lack of genetic variation has caused crops to become more vulnerable to new diseases and climate change."

Researchers from Purdue University have developed a technology that could enable specific crops to survive severe drought conditions, while significantly decreasing water consumption. The technology utilizes a gene that causes the plant to have rapid leaf pore closure, a reduced rate of water loss due to evaporation, alleviated cell membrane damage and improved photosynthesis that results in an improved reaction to drought conditions.

FAO 7 April 2016, Rome - World cereal production in 2016 is set to amount to 2 521 million tonnes, just 0.2 percent off last year's large output and the third-highest global performance on record, according to FAO's first forecast for the new season, released today.