Agriculture
Ex-Walmart employee aims to solve America’s food waste problem with AI
In partnership with Ford
Food waste makes up nearly a quarter of landfill material. A new startup aims to change that by automating the process of trucking produce with artificial intelligence.
Space bacteria could help astronauts grow plants on Mars
A brand new species of bacteria has been discovered on the International Space Station — and it could one day help astronauts grow plants on Mars.
This insect swiped a gene from plants to help itself survive
A plant gene has been discovered in whiteflies, marking the first known example of horizontal gene transfer of a functional gene between plants and insects.
This Kenyan startup is turning locust swarms into animal feed
The locust swarms in East Africa are destroying crops, but The Bug Picture plans to transform them into profits.
Plants make their own mini weapon launchers to fight off fungus
Scientists engineered plants to stop fungus that causes grey mold. This could lead to natural fungicides that protect food crops without toxins.
The world’s fastest-growing plant could help solve food scarcity and climate change
Scientists have uncovered the genetic underpinnings of the duckweed, the fastest growing plant, and it could help optimize future crops.
Series|
Coded
Tractor-hacking farmers take on John Deere
Tractor hacking is a fast-growing trend in the farming community — but it’s not outsiders breaking in.
Science and art collide over a giant field of leeks
Dutch artist Daan Roosegaarde’s new GROW installation features multicolored LED lights dancing over a field of leek plants.
Lab-grown wood is taking shape at MIT
A newly demonstrated technique for making lab-grown wood could overcome several shortcomings of traditional logging, if it's scalable.
Nematode worm could liquify slugs for US farmers
A parasitic nematode used in Europe to kill slugs was just discovered in Oregon, supporting calls to have its use for pest-control approved Stateside.