https://phys.org/ en-us Phys.org internet news portal provides the latest news on science including: Physics, Nanotechnology, Life Sciences, Space Science, Earth Science, Environment, Health and Medicine. Food scientists at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign identified the optimal fermentation conditions for pulses ― the dried edible seeds of legumes ― that increased their antioxidant and antidiabetic properties and their soluble protein content. https://phys.org/news/2025-06-fermenting-legume-pulses-antioxidant-antidiabetic.html Agriculture Sat, 07 Jun 2025 06:18:38 EDT news668495911 Climate change is already here, and a diverse group of scientists have solutions for California. https://phys.org/news/2024-08-scientists-climate-solutions-sustainability-california.html Environment Wed, 07 Aug 2024 09:39:57 EDT news642242390 A study conducted by the University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment; Bucknell University; Penn State University; and the USDA has shed light on the precarious situation facing firefly populations across North America. The study's results identified multiple factors impacting their numbers, offering a deep dive into how shifting environmental and human factors influence these iconic insects. https://phys.org/news/2024-04-comprehensive-unveils-multiple-threats-north.html Plants & Animals Mon, 29 Apr 2024 11:32:29 EDT news633609144 As urban populations boom, urban agriculture is increasingly looked to as a local food source and a way to help combat inequitable food access. But little is known about how productive urban agriculture is compared to conventional, rural farming. A new study digs in, finding urban gardeners and hydroponics can meet and sometimes exceed the yields of rural farms. https://phys.org/news/2022-08-urban-crops-higher-yields-conventional.html Agriculture Tue, 23 Aug 2022 12:23:03 EDT news580476181 Agricultural pollution comes from the prairie, but its economic impact on humans is a problem for cities. https://phys.org/news/2022-06-agriculture-emissions-pose-health-climate.html Environment Tue, 21 Jun 2022 11:15:19 EDT news575028913 From devastating floods to raging wildfires, climate variability on a global scale is apparent. These extreme weather events, and the world's climate system as a whole, are heavily influenced by the Tropical Pacific, an expanse that stretches from Australia to the Americas. https://phys.org/news/2021-10-decadal-climate-variability-tropical-pacific.html Environment Fri, 01 Oct 2021 09:45:40 EDT news552300335 To minimize negative impacts of agriculture on biodiversity and related ecosystem services, 'biodiversity-friendly' management is needed. Why scientific results are rarely translated into agricultural practice could be explained by their different perceptions of agricultural biodiversity, according to the results of a recent survey of European scientists and farmers. The study was led by Bea Maas of the University of Vienna and published in the journal Biological Conservation. https://phys.org/news/2021-03-international-survey-perceptions-science.html Ecology Mon, 22 Mar 2021 11:59:02 EDT news535633139 In the context of rapidly evolving climate conditions, a new study by Bioversity International and partners addresses the challenge of climate adaptation in a way that is both scalable and targeted. The scientists have demonstrated a unique approach using crowdsourced citizen science that capitalizes on farmers' knowledge. https://phys.org/news/2019-02-citizen-scientists-farmers-important-contributions.html Environment Tue, 19 Feb 2019 06:14:16 EST news469779245 The brown, smog-filled skies that engulf Beijing have earned China a poor reputation for environmental stewardship. But despite China's dirty skies, a study led by Stanford environmental scientists has found that a government-run clean water program is providing substantial benefit to millions of people in the nation's capital. https://phys.org/news/2013-09-china-clean-water-benefits-people-environment.html Environment Thu, 05 Sep 2013 08:52:48 EDT news297589955 The largest harmful algae bloom in Lake Erie's recorded history was likely caused by the confluence of changing farming practices and weather conditions that are expected to become more common in the future due to climate change. https://phys.org/news/2013-04-record-breaking-lake-erie-algae-bloom.html Environment Mon, 01 Apr 2013 15:00:12 EDT news284032425 Bottom trawling is dramatically altering the ocean floor and harming habitats, similar to the way that farming has permanently changed the landscape, a study said on Wednesday. https://phys.org/news/2012-09-trawling-seafloor-habitats.html Ecology Wed, 05 Sep 2012 16:33:58 EDT news266081607 Sunscreens, lotions, and cosmetics contain tiny metal nanoparticles that wash down the drain at the end of the day, or are discharged after manufacturing. Those nanoparticles eventually end up in agricultural soil, which is a cause for concern, according to a group of environmental scientists that recently carried out the first major study of soybeans grown in soil contaminated by two manufactured nanomaterials (MNMs). https://phys.org/news/2012-08-scientists-effects-nanoparticles-soybean-crops.html Environment Mon, 20 Aug 2012 15:22:56 EDT news264694962 University of California, Berkeley, chemists have found a smoking gun proving that increased fertilizer use over the past 50 years is responsible for a dramatic rise in atmospheric nitrous oxide, which is a major greenhouse gas contributing to global climate change. https://phys.org/news/2012-04-fertilizer-responsible-nitrous-oxide-atmosphere.html Earth Sciences Mon, 02 Apr 2012 16:27:31 EDT news252602807 A team of Australian scientists has bred salt tolerance into a variety of durum wheat that shows improved grain yield by 25% on salty soils. https://phys.org/news/2012-03-breakthrough-salt-tolerant-durum-wheat.html Biotechnology Sun, 11 Mar 2012 14:00:01 EDT news250690610