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. A new smart platform invented by Purdue University researchers to wirelessly monitor subsoil health could change the landscape of agricultural sensing systems. The invention addresses a critical need in agriculture nationwide: the efficient use of water, fertilizers and pesticides. Due to the variability of soil conditions across large fields, applying uniform amounts of these inputs can lead to significant waste, increasing costs for farmers and causing environmental harm if nutrient runoff reaches water systems. https://phys.org/news/2026-02-wireless-sensor-subsoil-health-effort.html Biotechnology Mon, 09 Feb 2026 15:01:51 EST news689871662 Rising sea levels along coastlines not only threaten populations, but also pose a danger to agricultural crops, which may be damaged by surging amounts of saltwater. Researchers have, in response, sought to improve salt-tolerance in plants. https://phys.org/news/2026-02-video-science-saltwater-tolerating-coastlines.html Plants & Animals Fri, 06 Feb 2026 15:00:09 EST news689607782 Rising day and night temperatures are threatening rice, wheat, and maize production by disrupting plant growth, grain filling, and grain quality, putting global food security at risk. Precision breeding and genome editing offer ways to reprogram plant clocks, optimize flowering and panicle architecture, and protect grain quality under heat stress. https://phys.org/news/2026-02-tolerant-high-yield-rice-planet.html Biotechnology Fri, 06 Feb 2026 09:58:01 EST news689594222 A combination of weakened atmospheric removal and increased emissions from warming wetlands, rivers, lakes, and agricultural land increased atmospheric methane at an unprecedented rate in the early 2020s, an international team of researchers report today in the journal Science. https://phys.org/news/2026-02-scientists-methane-spiked-early-2020s.html Earth Sciences Thu, 05 Feb 2026 14:00:03 EST news689519755 Florida's coastal and urban counties continue to see the spread of two invasive termite species beyond South Florida. The species are now threatening structures statewide, according to a new University of Florida study. https://phys.org/news/2026-02-invasive-termites-threatening-homes-florida.html Plants & Animals Thu, 05 Feb 2026 11:29:25 EST news689513342 Florida's Indian River Lagoon (IRL), one of the state's most ecologically productive estuaries, is facing a growing but invisible threat that could reshape its marine ecosystems. Over the past decade, the lagoon has suffered severe degradation caused by nutrient pollution, excessive freshwater runoff, harmful algal blooms (HABs), and declining water quality. These changes have led to the loss of tens of thousands of acres of seagrass and have negatively impacted shellfish, fish, dolphins, manatees and other key species. https://phys.org/news/2026-02-shellfish-uncovers-acidic-indian-river.html Plants & Animals Tue, 03 Feb 2026 09:59:39 EST news689335141 Water powers our lives. It feeds our crops, keeps factories running, generates electricity, and fills our taps. But until now, no one had a clear, national picture of how much water we're using—and for what. https://phys.org/news/2026-02-database-reveals-americans.html Environment Mon, 02 Feb 2026 14:11:09 EST news689263809 A recent satellite-based study has uncovered alarming declines in groundwater storage across High Mountain Asia (HMA), widely known as the "Asian Water Tower." This critical water source, which sustains agricultural irrigation, urban water supplies and ecological security for hundreds of millions of people in more than a dozen downstream countries, is depleting at a staggering rate of approximately 24.2 billion tons per year. https://phys.org/news/2026-01-satellite-reveals-billion-ton-annual.html Earth Sciences Sun, 01 Feb 2026 17:30:01 EST news689002219 Dangerous concentrations of algae such as "red tides" have been consistently emerging in locations around the world. A region in Southern Australia is experiencing a nine-month toxic algae bloom that spans thousands of miles and has caused thousands of deaths across marine species. Such harmful algal blooms (HABs) produce toxins that can force municipalities to close beaches and lakes due to public health risks. https://phys.org/news/2026-01-plastic-pollution-hazardous-conditions.html Environment Sun, 01 Feb 2026 11:10:01 EST news688925028 Agricultural waste that is usually burned or left to rot could play a far bigger role in tackling climate change if it were instead used in long-lasting building materials, according to new research from the University of East London (UEL). https://phys.org/news/2026-01-farm-carbon-decades.html Environment Sat, 31 Jan 2026 11:30:01 EST news688822102 Using a new method to track groundwater levels and greenhouse gas emissions, researchers uncover the climate impact of Southeast Asia's peatlands. In Indonesia, Malaysia, and other parts of Southeast Asia, vast areas spanning up to 300,000 square kilometers have emerged over thousands of years as plants grow and thrive in dense tropical peat swamp forests, then die and slowly decompose in waterlogged, low-oxygen conditions. https://phys.org/news/2026-01-tropical-peatlands-major-source-greenhouse.html Earth Sciences Fri, 30 Jan 2026 11:11:43 EST news688993861 In the first days of 2026, the Brazilian Association of Vegetable Oil Industries (ABIOVE), which represents the largest soybean traders in Brazil, announced its withdrawal from the Amazon soy moratorium. https://phys.org/news/2026-01-weakening-soy-moratorium-brazil-political.html Ecology Thu, 29 Jan 2026 12:25:26 EST news688911781 Seventy percent of soils in Europe are contaminated with pesticides. A Europe-wide study co-led by researchers of the University of Zurich now shows that their effects on soil life are substantial, as pesticides suppress various beneficial soil organisms. To protect soil biodiversity, the findings should be taken into account in current pesticide regulations. https://phys.org/news/2026-01-pesticides-significantly-affect-soil-life.html Ecology Wed, 28 Jan 2026 15:28:39 EST news688836482 Polluted air causes an estimated 7 million deaths worldwide each year, according to the World Health Organization. Much of the mortality comes from PM2.5, particulate pollution smaller than 2.5 micrometers in diameter that can enter the lungs and bloodstream and cause respiratory and cardiovascular problems. In addition to particles emitted directly into the atmosphere, ammonia (NH3), nitrogen oxides (NOX), and sulfur dioxide (SO2), which are emitted by factories, ships, cars, and power plants, are all precursors that can contribute to the formation of PM2.5. The effects of particulate pollution are not evenly distributed, however. https://phys.org/news/2026-01-countries-paying-highest-price-particulate.html Environment Wed, 28 Jan 2026 12:49:58 EST news688826920 A new University of Virginia study led by environmental scientist Justin Richardson shows that phosphorus pollution driving algae blooms in Virginia's Lake Anna may come from residential areas as well as farms, but a more significant source of these toxins are legacy mines that continue to release toxic metals like arsenic and lead into local waterways. https://phys.org/news/2026-01-lake-anna-analysis-multiple-pollution.html Environment Wed, 28 Jan 2026 12:49:06 EST news688826857 Record forest fires, under-utilized agricultural residues like straw and husks and struggling sawmills have left Canada with an abundance of undervalued biomass. If carefully and strategically managed, this resource could become a powerful ally in the fight against climate change. https://phys.org/news/2026-01-biomass-play-key-role-canada.html Environment Tue, 27 Jan 2026 13:22:26 EST news688742522 Incidents that make us consider the relationship between humans and wild animals are happening all over Japan, from bear attacks to crop damage by wild animals. How should we interpret the current situation, and how should we respond? Kiyono Mieko, associate professor at the Graduate School of Human Development and Environment, primarily performs research on the ecology of the Japanese macaque, a species of monkey, via surveys and practical activity in agricultural regions. She spoke about coexistence between humans and wild animals with https://phys.org/news/2026-01-qa-coexistence-humans-wild-animals.html Plants & Animals Mon, 26 Jan 2026 11:24:34 EST news688649041 Nitrogen pollution is a serious concern for the agriculture industry. Agricultural fertilizers contain nitrogen, an essential nutrient for plant health. However, these fertilizers also produce nitrogen runoff, which occurs when excess nitrogen seeps into the surrounding environment, like waterways. This causes toxic algal blooms, which disrupt aquatic ecosystems and pollute drinking water. Further, nitrogen from agricultural processes can pollute the air in the form of nitrous oxide (N2O), a greenhouse gas 300 times more potent than carbon dioxide. https://phys.org/news/2026-01-manganese-agricultural-nitrogen-pollution-air.html Ecology Mon, 26 Jan 2026 10:35:34 EST news688646102 In Europe, it is well documented that bird species associated with agricultural landscapes have experienced a sharp decline over several decades. Since 1980, populations have been reduced by around 60%. New Norwegian figures show that the same negative trend is also evident in Norway. https://phys.org/news/2026-01-birds-norway-agricultural-landscape-deeper.html Ecology Sun, 25 Jan 2026 17:40:01 EST news688296934 With already thin profit margins and increasingly uncertain farm labor and other input costs, precision agriculture technology could improve New England's small and medium-sized farms' efficiency, productivity, and resilience. Unfortunately, factors such as up-front costs and validation of the technology's accuracy in the region remain a barrier to adoption. https://phys.org/news/2026-01-insights-drones-corn-small-farms.html Ecology Fri, 23 Jan 2026 06:55:09 EST news688373542 Africa confronts escalating internal migration and displacement crises fueled by intensifying climate hazards—particularly prolonged droughts—and persistent armed conflicts, which compound vulnerabilities across the continent. https://phys.org/news/2026-01-climate-ease-migration-pressures-africa.html Economics & Business Thu, 22 Jan 2026 17:02:24 EST news688323721 Flowers emit scented chemicals to attract pollinators, but this perfume—and how pollinators interact with the plant—can go through profound changes as a crop becomes domesticated. https://phys.org/news/2026-01-domestication-chemicals-bees.html Plants & Animals Thu, 22 Jan 2026 16:40:01 EST news688322328 Corn is a colossal grain in the global food and feed chain, with the U.S. producing roughly 30% of the world's supply, or nearly 278 million metric tons in the 2024–25 growing season alone. But its journey from wild grass to staple crop began in central Mexico with teosinte (from the Nahuatl word "teocintli," meaning "sacred corn"). Over thousands of years, domestication and selective breeding transformed teosinte into the corn we enjoy at backyard barbecues today. https://phys.org/news/2026-01-rewilding-corn-reveals-roots-forgot.html Plants & Animals Thu, 22 Jan 2026 14:20:02 EST news688313941 One of the major challenges facing the agricultural sector is reserving the post-harvest quality of fruits. Significant economic losses can be caused by rapid ripening and deterioration in tropical fruits, such as bananas, which are among the world's most important staple crops. Bananas are highly prone to spoilage during transportation, storage, and marketing because of their high sensitivity to post-harvest degradation. https://phys.org/news/2026-01-experimental-reveals-role-natural-oils.html Agriculture Tue, 20 Jan 2026 16:32:16 EST news688149121 President Donald Trump appears to have upended an 85-year relationship between American farmers and the United States' global exercise of power. But that link has been fraying since the end of the Cold War, and Trump's moves are just another big step. https://phys.org/news/2026-01-american-farmers-fed-world-volatile.html Economics & Business Mon, 19 Jan 2026 10:44:21 EST news688041842 A new study shows that increasing production on farms and reducing emissions can go hand-in-hand, with researchers finding that improved farm productivity has been the driving force in keeping greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture in check. https://phys.org/news/2026-01-higher-farm-productivity-linked-slower.html Environment Sat, 17 Jan 2026 07:48:26 EST news687858459 Victoria has just suffered some of its worst bushfires since the Black Summer fires of 2019–20. Over 400,000 hectares are estimated to have burnt so far, an area more than five times larger than Singapore. https://phys.org/news/2026-01-state-australia-victoria-native-wildlife.html Plants & Animals Fri, 16 Jan 2026 10:36:39 EST news687782161 A recent study shows that viruses in wild bees are closely linked to the flowers they visit and the availability of floral resources across the landscape. Researchers found that certain floral communities increase the likelihood of virus presence, and that flowers can serve as hubs for virus transmission between wild bees and honey bees. The findings suggest that pollinator conservation efforts must consider disease dynamics alongside habitat restoration. https://phys.org/news/2026-01-viruses-wild-bees.html Plants & Animals Thu, 15 Jan 2026 12:48:40 EST news687703682 Luo Han Guo (Siraitia grosvenorii), also known as monkfruit, is a perennial vine in the gourd family that has substantial antioxidant levels and is native to China. https://phys.org/news/2026-01-ingredients-monkfruit-affect-health.html Molecular & Computational biology Thu, 15 Jan 2026 10:00:04 EST news687693126 The agricultural industry may be producing more food than ever before, but it is also damaging the climate, harming the soil and eroding biodiversity. https://phys.org/news/2026-01-urge-approach-sustainable-agriculture-policy.html Biotechnology Tue, 13 Jan 2026 12:41:24 EST news687530461