Using a combination of protein engineering and computational design, researchers from NYU Tandon School of Engineering present a new method in addition to an array of treatment modalities against COVID-19. Their research is published in the Biochemical Engineering Journal. The study, led by Dr. Jin Kim Montclare, aimed to develop an engineered protein that can attach to the spike proteins on the surface of the coronavirus and small molecules, such as the antiviral drug Ritonavir.

Scientists generated a transgenic cow that produces milk with human insulin. Their research may help patients with diabetes. Insulin deficiency or resistance may cause diabetes, which is a disease that can severely damage various body organs. In order for their body to function properly, diabetics need to inject insulin for their whole lives. Researchers need to find better alternatives to address this disease. Scientists from various institutions in Brazil and the USA produced transgenic cattle that give milk with proinsulin and insulin.

Women farmers in the Kalahandi and Bargarh districts of Odisha were celebrated as key change agents for the transformation of the drylands during ICRISAT's International Women's Day celebrations in the state. These women play a vital role in the Rice Fallow Management project, a prominent initiative led by the Government of Odisha, and their contributions are immensely valuable. The celebration primarily aimed to honor the leading women farmers who are spearheading change in rice fallows and sharing knowledge with fellow farmers from self-help groups.

The FRESH Initiative, in collaboration with the ClimBeR initiative, is providing Sri Lankan farmers with climate information and agronomic advisories straight to their mobile phones. In recent years, Sri Lanka has experienced the impacts of climate change with recurrent extreme droughts and intense rainfall events. Vegetable farmers in the upcountry areas traditionally rely on predictable seasonal rainfall patterns. However, climate change has disrupted these patterns, leading to erratic precipitation and an increasing number of extreme weather events like droughts and heavy rainfall.

FAO Director-General QU Dongyu met today with H.E. Danilo Palacios, Minister for Agriculture and Livestock of Ecuador, at FAO headquarters in Rome, on the sidelines of the 4th Global Conference of the World Banana Forum, taking place on 12-13 March 2024. The Minister highlighted the importance of the agrifood system in Ecuador and the role of FAO in supporting productive innovation and inclusive rural development, agriculture digitalization and sustainable ecosystems management. The Minister also reaffirmed the commitment of Ecuador to further strengthen collaboration with FAO.

There is an urgent need to transform agrifood systems and leverage their climate solutions, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has said in light of the findings of the latest UN State of the Global Climate Report. The World Meteorological Organization-(WMO)-led report in collaboration with other UN agencies including FAO, shows how climate change indicators records including surface temperatures and greenhouse gas levels were once again broken in 2023.

China Agricultural University researchers reported a key gene, SlWRKY37, which plays a vital role in tomato seed dormancy and germination. Their findings are published in the Social Science Research Network (SSRN). Seed germination, the process involved in transforming seeds into a new plant, is important for the survival and propagation of plants. Thus, the researchers explored the role of SlWRKY37 in this process.

Scientists used multiplex gene editing to produce barley mutants that have higher grain weight or dietary fiber content. Their research may help breed barley with better health benefits. Barley is a widely cultivated cereal around the world. Barley and other cereal grains contain resistant starch (RS) that boosts gut health and minimizes glycemic index. RS is positively associated with amylose, but increasing the amylose levels in crops is difficult.

The Swiss Federal Office for the Environment has approved Agroscope's field trial of spring barley. The field trial is focused on a barley gene that has been disabled by using CRISPR-Cas9 technique to determine whether yields can be increased in this manner. The CKX2 gene is involved in seed formation. Disabling this gene using CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing increases yields in rice and oilseed rape.

Chinese scientists genetically engineered succulents using a recently developed technique that does not involve tissue culture. Their results showed that the technique may be used to various plant species. Succulents are an essential part of the floriculture market due to their ornamental appeal and drought tolerance. However, only a few succulent species can undergo genetic engineering. Researchers from various institutions in China utilized a cut-dip-budding (CDB) gene delivery system to modify three succulent varieties,