Two cicada "broods" are set for a rare double emergence that last occurred in 1803, when Thomas Jefferson was president and the United States purchased Louisiana from France.
Antimicrobial resistance is becoming a greater issue; thus, researchers are looking everywhere for new substances. A global research team in Europe reports the discovery of the novel antifungal drug solanimycin this week in mBio. A wide range of closely related plant pathogenic bacteria appear to manufacture the chemical, which was first discovered from a pathogenic bacterium that infects potatoes.
Wish to cultivate plants on Mars? An effort by a high school student uncovers two Red Planet hacks. Alfalfa plants and photosynthetic bacteria may help make Martian soil and water suitable for farming, according to research conducted by a then-high school sophomore. Normally, the soil and water on Mars are too harsh for crops to flourish.
A French farmer beats the drought with a resilient crop. Due to the intense heat of 2022, the soil of harvested wheat fields is completely dry, but on the sorghum plot, the leaves are green, and the plants bear a full ear of grains.