https://phys.org/ en-us Latest news from Wageningen University What do Venice, Jakarta, Manilla and Bangkok have in common? They are or were sinking cities. Wageningen researcher Philip Minderhoud studies the causes of subsidence in these cities. Groundwater extraction plays an important part in all cases. The good news is that this can be avoided. https://phys.org/news/2024-09-city.html Earth Sciences Environment Thu, 26 Sep 2024 16:26:04 EDT news646586761 Wageningen researcher Qi Wang has developed a new variant of low-sugar ice cream that mimics the texture and melting properties of traditional ice cream. By replacing half of the sugar with broken-down proteins or the sweetener xylitol, she succeeded in creating a smooth ice cream without the graininess often associated with low-sugar versions. However, the flavor still needs refinement. https://phys.org/news/2024-09-sugar-ice-cream-grainy-texture.html Materials Science Wed, 25 Sep 2024 16:45:17 EDT news646501492 In 2018–2019, researchers of Wageningen Marine Research joined the Japanese research vessel Kaiyo-maru (Fisheries Agency Japan; FAJ) on an Antarctic expedition to sample the upper surface waters with the Surface and Under Ice Trawl. Results showed that a large part of the Antarctic krill population resided in the upper two meters of the water column. https://phys.org/news/2024-09-surface-sampling-reveals-large-juvenile.html Plants & Animals Ecology Tue, 17 Sep 2024 16:55:02 EDT news645810901 The Congo Basin rainforest is the second-largest tropical forest in the world, storing large volumes of carbon and hosting high levels of biodiversity. While these forests have historically stayed mostly intact, road development has recently become a critical threat. https://phys.org/news/2024-09-road-networks-congo-basin-forests.html Environment Mon, 16 Sep 2024 16:37:28 EDT news645723443 Common drugs such as antidepressants enter the environment via sewage. In her PhD research, Toxicologist Merel van der Most has shown that this affects the behavior of nematodes. These drugs may also be harmful to many other aquatic creatures. Van der Most will receive her PhD at Wageningen University & Research on Wednesday 4 September. https://phys.org/news/2024-09-worm-posed-antidepressants.html Environment Wed, 04 Sep 2024 15:49:02 EDT news644683741 Research by Wageningen Marine Research and partners on the relationship between sea ice and the Southern Ocean food web investigates various components of that food web, including the so-called "top predators," or seabirds and marine mammals. To map their numbers and distribution, observers count these animals during Antarctic expeditions. During the latest expedition, on board the German icebreaker Polarstern in the southern autumn of 2022, an unusual species of whale was observed: the Arnoux's beaked whale. https://phys.org/news/2024-08-rare-whale-species-antarctic.html Plants & Animals Ecology Tue, 27 Aug 2024 14:07:04 EDT news643986422 It has long been known that nitrogen deposition, where nitrogen is released from the atmosphere into soil or water, can lead to biodiversity loss on a small scale. New research shows that this effect can also be seen in larger areas of several kilometers. The study is based on data from eight European countries, including the Netherlands. https://phys.org/news/2024-08-nitrogen-deposition-biodiversity-larger-scale.html Ecology Thu, 22 Aug 2024 16:56:03 EDT news643564561 A new study conducted by WUR researchers Muriel Verain and Hans Dagevos reveals that plant-based meat substitutes are popular among dedicated flexitarians who consume very little meat. On the other hand, those who eat meat regularly or in considerable amounts are less enthusiastic about meat substitutes. The paper is published in the Handbook of Plant-Based Meat Analogs. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-08-based-meat-substitutes-popular-mainstream.html Health Wed, 14 Aug 2024 15:03:02 EDT news642866581 A new publication in the Journal of Fish Biology compares the diet of fish caught during different expeditions on board icebreaker Polarstern. This provides a more complete picture of their food sources in the central Arctic Ocean, which can contribute to nature management and fisheries policy in this area. https://phys.org/news/2024-08-diet-young-polar-cod-varied.html Plants & Animals Ecology Mon, 05 Aug 2024 08:56:56 EDT news642067010 mRNA vaccines contain instruction codes for making parts of pathogenic viruses. Can so-called self-amplifying types of such vaccines form unwanted and dangerous connections with other viruses? Yes, say Wageningen virologists Tessy Hick and Gorben Pijlman after experimental research. But the practical dangers are negligible. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-07-amplifying-mrna-vaccines-safe-lab.html Medical research Vaccination Thu, 25 Jul 2024 11:41:02 EDT news641126461 In the winter of 2023–2024, 21.2% of the Dutch population of honeybee colonies died. While this mortality rate is lower than that of the previous winter, it still represents a worryingly high number of bee colonies that did not survive this winter period. https://phys.org/news/2024-07-dutch-winter-bee-mortality-annual.html Plants & Animals Ecology Wed, 10 Jul 2024 17:05:02 EDT news639849901 Lignin, the glue that holds fibers together in trees and plants, is one of the most common yet one of the most complex biocomposites, because there are so many variants and qualities. Its heterogeneous chemical structure makes it difficult to investigate its exact composition. https://phys.org/news/2024-06-green-solvent-boost-lignin-applications.html Biochemistry Thu, 27 Jun 2024 08:07:33 EDT news638694451 Redesigning the European food system will reduce agricultural land by 44% while dramatically reducing greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture by 70%. This reduction is possible with the current consumption of animal protein. If we also reduce the amount of animal protein we eat, replacing it with plant-based protein, land use could be reduced by 60% and emissions by 81%. https://phys.org/news/2024-06-circular-food-greenhouse-gas-emissions.html Ecology Agriculture Fri, 21 Jun 2024 11:00:04 EDT news638186401 A team of Dutch and Indonesian researchers has discovered a great diversity of coral species in extreme seawater temperatures. Through extensive research, published in the journals Diversity and PeerJ, on marine biodiversity in Raja Ampat, Indonesia, the researchers have revealed extraordinary ecosystems, offering insights into coral resilience and adaptation. https://phys.org/news/2024-06-high-coral-diversity-extreme-seawater.html Plants & Animals Ecology Thu, 06 Jun 2024 15:02:04 EDT news636904922 From smart chatbots to apps that can write entire articles, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming an increasingly ubiquitous part of our lives. Michael Schon, a research associate at Wageningen University & Research, is designing an AI tool that can perform comparisons of non-coding RNA on plant genomes. The tool is expected to accelerate and simplify the future development of new plant varieties with greater resistance to drought or diseases, for example. https://phys.org/news/2024-05-ai-unravel-secrets-coding-genes.html Plants & Animals Molecular & Computational biology Wed, 15 May 2024 15:37:59 EDT news635006276 Researchers from Wageningen University & Research (WUR) and Leiden University have engineered a biological barrier that protects plants from diseases and pests. It concerns a sticky substance that is sprayed on leaves, to which pests stick. https://phys.org/news/2024-05-scientists-sticky-pesticide-combat-pest.html Biotechnology Agriculture Tue, 14 May 2024 08:44:04 EDT news634895042 In a recent study published in Deep-Sea Research Part I: Oceanographic Research Papers, researchers of Wageningen University & Research and the University of Bergen have shown that release of deep-sea mining particles can have severe detrimental effects on deep-sea fauna. https://phys.org/news/2024-05-deep-sea-disastrous-marine-animals.html Plants & Animals Ecology Tue, 07 May 2024 14:55:02 EDT news634312501 The North Pole region heats up faster than the rest of the world. Though this is a known fact, climate models underestimate the speed with which the region warms up. Sjoert Barten obtained his PhD on this subject at Wageningen University & Research on 26 April and shares his insights. https://phys.org/news/2024-05-uncovering-rapid-north-pole.html Earth Sciences Environment Fri, 03 May 2024 13:44:10 EDT news633962645 Nitrogen deposition is one of the four main pressures on nature in Europe. Many of the Natura 2000 sites suffer from an excessive input of ammonium and nitrate from farming, industry, traffic and households, leading to the disappearance of many plant species and consequently dependent animal species. https://phys.org/news/2024-04-habitats-vulnerable-nitrogen-deposition-previously.html Ecology Tue, 30 Apr 2024 14:38:03 EDT news633706681 Climate change has an effect on forests and trees. They suffer from heat waves and periods of drought. But although we see tree mortality increase as a result, much is still unknown about the underlying mechanisms. https://phys.org/news/2024-04-trees-survive-dry-hot-summers.html Plants & Animals Ecology Mon, 15 Apr 2024 11:21:03 EDT news632398861 Caterpillars have the ability to consume copious amounts of plant materials in a short time. Caterpillars use their antennae to scan their surroundings in order to eat safely in a hostile environment. Researchers of Wageningen University & Research discovered that the tiny caterpillar 'nose' is also surprisingly advanced. This insight can serve to help protect crops without the use of harmful pesticides. https://phys.org/news/2024-04-caterpillar-noses-sophisticated.html Plants & Animals Ecology Wed, 10 Apr 2024 14:45:48 EDT news631979146 What data needs to be collected for the evidence-based design of strategies to ensure that cocoa farming households substantially progress towards or achieve a living income? Evidence-based strategies have to be designed to ensure cocoa farming households obtain a living income. How can data contribute to designing such strategies? https://phys.org/news/2024-04-standardized-methodology-cocoa-household-income.html Social Sciences Economics & Business Wed, 03 Apr 2024 15:28:03 EDT news631376882 Wild rodents can host a great diversity of zoonotic pathogens. Rodents that live close to humans increase the likelihood of the transfer of such pathogens. "Changes in the environment, such as urban greening, can increase the presence of rodents and result in a higher human disease risk in urban areas," states Marieke de Cock based on her research. She successfully defended her Ph.D. from Wageningen University & Research on March 15, 2024. https://phys.org/news/2024-03-urban-greening-rodent-borne-zoonotic.html Plants & Animals Ecology Mon, 18 Mar 2024 16:46:03 EDT news629999161 The use of mobile clinics to deliver COVID-19 vaccines can significantly increase vaccination uptake. Research by Wageningen University & Research, conducted in rural communities in Sierra Leone and published today in Nature, shows that addressing "last mile" problems such as accessibility has a positive effect on vaccination rates. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-03-mile-solutions-shown-vaccination-coverage.html Medical economics Vaccination Wed, 13 Mar 2024 17:01:16 EDT news629568073 Europe is the fastest-warming continent in the world and governments are too slow in taking action to reduce these climate risks. According to co-authors Robbert Biesbroek and Simona Pedde of Wageningen University & Research, many of these risks, which threaten our food security and financial stability, among other things, have already reached critical levels and could become catastrophic without a change of mindset towards urgent and decisive action. https://phys.org/news/2024-03-europe-rapidly-climate.html Economics & Business Political science Mon, 11 Mar 2024 16:24:37 EDT news629393073 There is the dream of living and working on the moon or planet Mars. But what are the inhabitants going to eat out there, and how are they going to grow their food? A circular and sustainable agricultural ecosystem for food production will be essential. https://phys.org/news/2024-03-human-urine-boosts-green-bean.html Agriculture Thu, 07 Mar 2024 12:58:36 EST news629038711 Salination causes harvests to fail across the globe. Plants die, or their growth is stunted. Researchers of Wageningen University & Research (WUR) have discovered that a local regulator protein encourages root growth in saline soil, which allows the plant to develop under these adverse conditions. https://phys.org/news/2024-02-soil-salinity-discovery-crops-resilient.html Molecular & Computational biology Agriculture Tue, 27 Feb 2024 10:02:38 EST news628250554 There appears to be a significant link between the coffee intake of people with intestinal cancer and mortality, as well as the likelihood of the disease returning after remission. A team in which WUR researchers participated have reached this conclusion. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-02-coffee-consumption-mortality-people-colorectal.html Oncology & Cancer Fri, 16 Feb 2024 13:24:03 EST news627312241 Wageningen researchers have discovered a molecular self-destruct mechanism in a bacterium living on seaweed. With this mechanism the bacteria sacrifice themselves when they are infected, thus protecting their brothers and sisters from infections. By reprogramming this mechanism, researchers aim to utilize it in diagnostic (self-)tests. The study is published in Science. https://phys.org/news/2024-02-newly-bacterial-defense-functions-destruct.html Cell & Microbiology Molecular & Computational biology Fri, 16 Feb 2024 10:10:09 EST news627300602 The genetic differences between pointed cabbage and cauliflower are greater than those between humans and chimpanzees. Nevertheless, they are considered the same species. Researchers from Wageningen and China mapped the extensive genetic variation of cabbage (Brassica oleracea) to enable more targeted breeding, for example, to create crops with a higher nutritional value or that are more resilient against disease. The study is published in Nature Genetics. https://phys.org/news/2024-02-scientists-genes-cabbage-exterior.html Molecular & Computational biology Agriculture Thu, 15 Feb 2024 10:33:04 EST news627215582