Muddy secrets of the Humber

Article Abstract:

The University of Hull has set up the Humber Observatory project, which aims to measure significant environmental factors relating to the Humber estuary and nearby areas. The estuary is a key environmental resource, draining almost 30% of the land area of England. Rapid environmental changes now make it vital to obtain detailed information about how the estuary is responding. Information is obtained from a number of remote outstations in the estuary linked by radio to the university.

Environmental aspects, Estuaries

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The path of least resistance

Article Abstract:

Pest control by insertion of genes into plants is much cleaner and more environmentally friendly. However, crop pests usually become resistant to pesticides after continual use, so tests are trying to prolong the period of effectiveness. The cheapest, most successful method would be to have completely untreated fields - refugia - next to totally toxic ones. This would weaken the surviving resistance genes, but would be unpopular.

Natural history, Pests, Biological control, Control, Molecular biology, Pest control, Agricultural pests

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Mutated genes on toast for breakfast

Article Abstract:

The Ministry of Agriculture appointed botanists at Leicester University to study pollen in honey. Genetically modified plants have foreign genes in their pollen. The researchers insert a marker gene into a tobacco or Arabidopsis plant's DNA to create an enzyme which proves that a foreign gene is present. Hydrated pollen loses viability quickly when added to honey, but the marker enzyme remains for about a week.

United Kingdom, Research, Genetic aspects, Food and nutrition, Botanical research, Honey, Bees, Pollen, Palynology

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