GLOBAL
The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) reported that 114 new outbreaks of African swine fever (ASF) were recorded worldwide between 25 December last year and 7 January this year, compared to 218 cases verified in the previous survey.
GLOBAL
Food and beverage giant PepsiCo plans to more than double its science-based climate goal, targeting a reduction of absolute greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across its value chain by more than 40% by 2030. In addition, the company has pledged to achieve net-zero emissions by 2040, one decade earlier than called for in the Paris Agreement.
GLOBAL
For years, conventional wisdom has held that roots don't grow as deep in hard soil because it's just too difficult for them to physically push through it. But our new research has unearthed another reason: their growth is controlled by a biological signal which can be "switched off", enabling them to punch through compacted earth. It's a discovery that could help crops to grow in even the most damaged of soils.
Malcolm Bennett, Bipin Pandey and Sacha Mooney 18 Jan 2021