Researchers from École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) in Switzerland successfully engineered Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria to generate electricity from wastewater through extracellular electron transfer (EET). In this process, the bioengineered bacteria produces electricity by metabolizing a variety of organic substrates. E. coli is a type of bacteria that is commonly found in the intestines of humans and animals.

A new study led by Benjamin Z. Houlton, the Ronald P. Lynch Dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell University, and Maya Almaraz, associate research scholar at Princeton University shows that state-of-the-art agricultural technology and management can not only reduce greenhouse gas emissions but eliminate it altogether by producing net negative emissions, reducing more greenhouse gas than food systems add.

A new study by the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research - All India Coordinated Research Project on Pearl Millet (ICAR-AICRP) suggests a re-evaluation of how and where pearl millet is grown in India due to changing climate conditions. Pearl millet, an essential cornerstone of India's food security, finds itself at a critical juncture.

 International food commodity prices declined in August, led by staples other than rice and sugar, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) reported today. The FAO Food Price Index, which tracks monthly changes in the international prices of globally-traded food commodities, averaged 121.4 points in August, down 2.1 percent from July and as much as 24 percent below its March 2022 peak.

As concerns for climate change and the rising global population increase, providing European consumers with safe, affordable, and high-quality food has become crucial. According to Czech Agriculture Minister Marek Výborný, the answer to these challenges might come from advanced scientific techniques such as gene editing.

Researchers from Shimane University in Japan developed GABA-fortified rice plants by editing the OsGAD4 gene. The findings are indicated in the preprint published in Research Square. GABA, or gamma-aminobutyric acid, is a non-protein amino acid important for many biological processes, including regulating plant stress responses. GAD enzymes are responsible for producing GABA from glutamate

Researchers from the Duke University Medical Center developed a blood-based diagnostic test to assist early detection of Parkinson's Disease. The researchers utilized the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology in detecting levels of DNA damage in mitochondria. Parkinson's Disease is a neurodegenerative disorder that affects millions of people worldwide, causing slow movements, tremors, and balance problems.

Biotech Company Pureture launched a plant-based casein that can be used for cheeses and other dairy products. This development will help reshape the alternative dairy industry.Casein is a crucial part of animal-based dairy products. This protein produces a stable emulsion to prevent the separation of water and fat, which provides milk with a smooth texture. Due to the lack of casein, the majority of vegan cheeses lack certain aspects, such as stretchiness and meltability.

The fight against misinformation on agricultural bio-innovations in Africa has received a major boost following the launch of the Africa Science Dialogue hub, an inclusive and interactive platform that will serve as a one-stop source of verifiable and credible information about trends in advanced innovations on agriculture, health, and the environment. The launch formed one of the key outcomes from the 5th edition of the Africa Biennial Biosciences Communication (ABBC) symposium held in Nairobi, Kenya, August 22-24, 2023

The Philippine Bureau of Plant Industry issued a Biosafety Permit for the Commercial Propagation of Bt cotton (GFM cry1A) developed by the Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA). The permit was granted to PhilFIDA after completion of the biosafety evaluation and the requirements for commercial propagation based on the DOST-DA-DENR-DOH-DILG Joint Department Circular (JDC) No. 1, Series of 2021. BPI issued the permit on August 24, 2023, and announced the approval on their website.