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Topic Review
Digital Agriculture Food and Wine
Digital Agriculture, Food, and Wine deals with the implementation and integration of digital data, sensors, technology, and tools on agricultural applications from the farm to consumers. These technologies can range from big data, sensor technology, sensor networks, remote sensing, robotics, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV). Data processing is performed using new and emerging technologies, such as computer vision, machine learning, and artificial intelligence, among others. The latest advances made by the Digital Agriculture Food and Wine Sciences group (DAFW) from The University of Melbourne deals with crop monitoring/decision making, assessment of quality of produces, non-invasive sensory analysis for consumer perception assessment, and animal stress and welfare assessments.
  • 1.4K
  • 18 Feb 2021
Topic Review
Milk Production in OECD Countries
Since the beginning of the industrialization of the dairy cattle sector (1950s), driven by the need to feed the rapidly growing urban areas, this industry has experienced several improvements, evolving in management and technology. These changes have been felt above all in the terms of milking, rearing, nutrition, reproductive management, and design of facilities. Shortage of labor, emphasis on increasing farm efficiency, and quality of life of the farmers were the driving factors for these changes. To achieve it, in many areas of the world, pasture production has been abandoned, moving to indoor production, which allows for greater nutritional and reproductive control of the animals. To keep pace with this paradigm in milk production, animal health management has also been improved. Prevention and biosecurity have become essential to control and prevent pathologies that cause great economic losses. As such, veterinary herd health management programs were created, allowing the management of health of the herd as a whole, through the common work of veterinarians and farmers.
  • 1.4K
  • 21 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Brown Bear
The Brown Bear (Ursus arctos), a formidable and iconic member of the Ursidae family, is one of the most widespread bear species, exhibiting a remarkable adaptability to diverse habitats across the Northern Hemisphere. Renowned for its distinctive hump on the shoulders, powerful build, and a range of fur colors from light brown to nearly black, the Brown Bear is a symbol of strength and resilience in the wild. This large carnivore plays a crucial role in shaping ecosystems, influencing prey populations, and contributing to the overall biodiversity of its habitats.
  • 1.4K
  • 08 Feb 2024
Topic Review
Six Papaya Cultivars Grown
Six papaya (Carica papaya L.) cultivars, grown in a Mediterranean climate under greenhouse conditions, were screened for physicochemical properties, antioxidant capacity, nutritional and sensory characteristics. The fruits, harvested with more than 50% of yellow surface (between 60% and 77%) were tested for carotenoids content, phenolic content, reducing activity (ABTS), and cellular antioxidant activity (CAA50). The physicochemical traits were measured in terms of the titratable acidity and soluble content whereas proximal composition along with moisture, fats, total sugar, ash, vitamin A, C, and E content. Moreover, the sensory profile was analyzed by a semi-trained panel. Although the six analyzed cultivars reached qualitative characteristics to satisfy market needs, significant differences among them were found in a genotype-dependent manner. In particular, Cartagena and Maradol cultivars evidenced the highest values of minerals and vitamins, carotenoids, polyphenols, ABTS and CAA50 and reached the best commercial requisites (size, total soluble solids content/titratable acidity ratio). As for sensory analysis, we observed significate differences only for sweetness, juiciness, odor, and flavor of peach and exotic fruits whereas descriptors related to unpleasant defects or sensations always have very low scores in all the observed cultivars. These results highlight the possibility of obtaining quality papaya fruits in a Mediterranean climate using greenhouse growing.
  • 1.4K
  • 03 May 2021
Topic Review
Rumex dentatus L.
Herbicide resistance in weeds is a global threat to sustaining food security. In India, herbicide-resistant Phalaris minor was the major problem in wheat for more than two decades, but the continuous use of metsulfuron-methyl (an ALS inhibitor) to control broadleaf weeds has resulted in the evolution of ALS inhibitor-resistant Rumex dentatus L. This review summarizes the current scenario of herbicide resistance in R. dentatus, along with its ecology and management perspectives. Studies have provided valuable insights on the emergence pattern of R. dentatus under different environments in relation to tillage, cropping systems, nutrients, and irrigation. Moreover, R. dentatus has exhibited higher emergence under zero tillage, with high infestation levels in rice-wheat compared to other wheat-based cropping systems (sorghum-wheat). Alternative herbicides for the management of resistant R. dentatus include pendimethalin, 2,4-D, carfentrazone, isoproturon, and metribuzin. Although the pre-emergence application of pendimethalin is highly successful in suppressing R. dentatus, but its efficiency is questionable under lower field soil moisture and heavy residue load conditions. Nevertheless, the biological data may be utilized to control R. dentatus. Therefore, herbicide rotation with suitable spray techniques, collecting weed seeds at differential heights from wheat, crop rotation, alternate tillage practices, and straw retention are recommended for addressing the resistance issue in R. dentatus in North India conditions. Overall, we discuss the current state of herbicide resistance in R. dentatus, the agronomic factors affecting its population, its proliferation in specific cropping systems (rice-wheat), and management strategies for containing an infestation of a resistant population. 
  • 1.4K
  • 29 Jun 2021
Topic Review
Flat-headed Cat
The Flat-headed Cat (Prionailurus planiceps) is a small and elusive felid species native to the wetlands of Southeast Asia, particularly found in countries like Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand. Its unique name is derived from its distinctive flattened head shape, which aids in navigating through dense vegetation and hunting aquatic prey. Despite its secretive nature, the Flat-headed Cat is classified as endangered due to habitat loss, pollution, and hunting, highlighting the urgent need for conservation efforts to protect this rare and elusive feline species.
  • 1.4K
  • 08 Mar 2024
Topic Review
Ribozymes and Riboswitches in S.cerevisiae
Among noncoding RNA sequences, riboswitches and ribozymes have attracted the attention of the synthetic biology community as circuit components for translation regulation. When fused to aptamer sequences, ribozymes and riboswitches are enabled to interact with chemicals. Therefore, protein synthesis can be controlled at the mRNA level without the need for transcription factors. Potentially, the use of chemical-responsive ribozymes/riboswitches would drastically simplify the design of genetic circuits. 
  • 1.3K
  • 04 Jun 2021
Topic Review
Genomics and Crop Domestication
Most domesticated crop species share common traits such as increased yield and seed size and decreased dormancy and seed shattering. Though crop domestication is long and slow, only a few genes are involved in it, and some of them are conserved in various species. Hence, both targeted re-domestication and de novo wild species domestication are feasible. In these processes, targeted genes are identified, introgressed, or modified to produce new cultivars. Unlocking the potential of wild crop species domestication will improve global food security and help realize certain sustainable development goals of the United Nations such as zero poverty (No. 1) and zero hunger (No. 2). Targeted domestication, crop improvement, and mass crop cultivation are generally cost-effective approaches towards these objectives.
  • 1.3K
  • 03 Aug 2021
Topic Review
Marine Otter
The Marine Otter, also known as Lontra felina, is a charismatic marine mammal native to the coastal regions of South America, particularly Chile and Peru. Renowned for its playful behavior and sleek appearance, the Marine Otter boasts a dense, waterproof fur coat and webbed feet, enabling it to thrive in its coastal habitat. Despite its small size and elusive nature, the Marine Otter plays a vital role in coastal ecosystems as a top predator, primarily feeding on fish, crustaceans, and mollusks.
  • 1.3K
  • 15 Mar 2024
Topic Review
Bacteria and Boar Semen Storage
Artificial insemination (AI) is a widely used technique in swine production. Advances in the technique have made it possible to store spermatozoa at temperatures of 15–20 °C for short periods, up to ten days. Unfortunately, it is currently associated with bacterial contamination of semen during collection and dilution. Although the temperature is reduced to induce sperm inactivity during storage, bacterial growth can still occur. Bacterial growth has been associated with deleterious effects on semen quality and shelf life, such as sperm agglutination, decreased sperm motility and viability. In addition, reproductive output after AI can also be affected by bacteriospermia.
  • 1.3K
  • 19 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Cows and Pain
The main conditions and diseases considered painful in dairy cows are mastitis, lameness, calving (including dystocia and caesarean section) and metritis. The cattle literature reports that deviation from normal daily activity patterns (both increased and/or reduced daily lying time) can be indicative of painful conditions and diseases in cows. This entry discusses on how pain due to several health conditions in dairy cows modifies its activity pattern and explores if non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are capable of restoring it. Divergent outcomes may differ depending upon the painful cause, the severity and the moment, and consequently its interpretation should be properly explained. For instance, cows with clinical mastitis reduced their time lying and increased the number of lying bouts and stepping due to pain caused by the swollen udder when cows are lying. However, lame cows show longer lying times, with a lower number of lying bouts and longer and more variable lying bouts duration, as compared to non-lame cows. When the relationship between painful disorders and daily activity patterns is studied, factors such as parity, bedding type and severity of disease are important factors to take into consideration. The potential benefits of the NSAIDs treatment in painful health disorders depend upon the type of drug administered, its dosage and administration mode, and the time of administration relative to the painful health disorder. 
  • 1.3K
  • 19 Jan 2022
Topic Review
Fermented Foods and Gut Microbiota
Fermented foods and beverages are generally defined as products made by microbial organisms and enzymatic conversions of major and minor food components. Further to the commonly-recognized effects of nutrition on the digestive health and well-being, there is now strong evidence for the impact of fermented foods and beverages, produced or preserved by the action of microorganisms, on general health, namely their significance on the gut microbiota balance and brain functionality. 
  • 1.3K
  • 19 May 2021
Topic Review
Rheumatoid Arthritis Diagnosis
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune disease that preferably affects small joints. As the well-timed diagnosis of the disease is essential for the treatment of the patient, several works have been conducted in the field of deep learning to develop fast and accurate automatic methods for RA diagnosis.
  • 1.3K
  • 29 Dec 2021
Topic Review
Higher Plants and Macro-Fungi
The Kingdom of Plantae is considered the main source of human food, and includes several edible and medicinal plants, whereas mushrooms belong to the Kingdom of fungi. Higher plants and macro-fungi (mushrooms) are important species, which have many common attributes (e.g., the nutritional and medicinal ones), although they have many differences. Higher plants can form their own food (which contains chlorophyll as autotrophic) from sunlight, water, and CO2, whereas mushrooms as saprophytes can biodegrade dead organic matter by extracting enzymes. Fungi are considered, in general, decomposers, pathogens, parasites, or mutualists. There are a lot of similar characteristics between mushrooms and higher plants, but there are also many differences among them, especially from the human health point of view. 
  • 1.3K
  • 06 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Cucurbits
Cucurbit viruses cause considerable economic losses worldwide. The most common viral diseases affecting this crop family are Potyviruses, Cucumoviruses, Criniviruses, Ipomoviruses, Tobamoviruses, and the emerging Begomoviruses. Four main cucurbit crops are grown worldwide, namely melon, cucumber (Cucumis), watermelon (Citrullus), and squash (Cucurbita). Huge natural variation is also available within each genus, providing valuable sources of genetic resistance to these diseases. Intraspecific and intrageneric diversity and crossability are key factors to select the optimum breeding strategies. Melon and cucumber are diverse species for which intraspecific resistance is available. Conversely, in Citrullus and Cucurbita, wild relatives provide the resistance diversity absent in watermelon and in C. pepo. Some of the classical sources used by breeders, many of which are multi-resistant, come from corresponding origin centers in Asia, Africa, and America, as well as from secondary centers of diversity. Genetic studies have identified dominant and recessive and often complex resistance. Many of the genes identified have been mapped and markers for MAS are available, but higher mapping resolutions are required to identify the corresponding genes. Only a few genes could be cloned and functionally characterized. Efforts are underway to use genome mapping and functional genomics to advance toward a genomic-assisted breeding against viral diseases in cucurbits.
  • 1.3K
  • 14 Jan 2021
Topic Review
Fragmentation of Human Embryos
Embryo fragmentation represents a phenomenon generally characterized by the presence of membrane-bound extracellular cytoplasm into the perivitelline space. 
  • 1.3K
  • 18 Feb 2022
Topic Review
Estrogens and Androgens in Plants
Steroids are a group of compounds to which a number of crucial metabolism-controlling hormones belong. The group of steroid hormones that are present and active in animals and humans (mammalian steroid hormones) is large and includes, among others, corticosteroids, which control, for example, water and mineral management and sex hormones—i.e., androgens, estrogens, progesterone, which are responsible for development and reproduction.  Ecdysteroids are mainly known as being the steroid hormones of arthropods that regulate ecdysis and development. In plants, the steroid regulators include the brassinosteroids, which are hormones that have a multidirectional activity and are engaged in plant growth, development, and its response to environmental stresses.
  • 1.3K
  • 11 Jan 2022
Topic Review
Food Security and Intercropping Systems
Various environmental, food security and population health problems have been correlated with the use of intensive agriculture production systems around the world. This type of system leads to the loss of biodiversity and natural habitats, high usage rates of agrochemicals and natural resources, and affects soil composition, human health, and nutritional plant quality in rural areas. Agroecological intercropping systems that respect agrobiodiversity, on the other hand, can significantly benefit ecosystems, human health, and food security by modifying the nutritional profile and content of some health-promoting bioactive compounds in the species cultivated in this system.
  • 1.3K
  • 26 Jan 2024
Topic Review
Wild Boar Hunting Methods
High wild boar population densities lead to demands for a population reduction to avoid crop damages or epidemic diseases. Along with biological studies, a better understanding of the human influence on wildlife and on wildlife management is important. We conducted inquiries on hunting methods and on hunters’ attitudes in the Federal State of Lower Saxony, Germany, to better understand hunting strategies and the influence on increasing wild boar population, as well as to underpin game management concepts. Single hunt, especially at bait, is still the most widely used method for hunting wild boar. The proportion of drive hunts within the hunting bag is increasing. The proportions of hunting methods vary regionally due to wild boar densities, geographical features (vegetation, terrain, etc.) and hunters’ practices. Hunters increased the proportion of conjoint hunts on wild boar. Baiting remains an important hunting method in wild boar management and the proportion of drive hunts should be fostered. Private hunting is important for wild boar management, although it is just insufficient. Additionally, administrative wildlife managers are recommended for the near future as coordinators of wild boar management, and as such, could manage hunting, the incorporation of regional conditions and investigating hunters’ attitudes and abilities. 
  • 1.3K
  • 17 Sep 2021
Topic Review
CRISPR/Cas Systems
Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) and CRISPR-associated (Cas) proteins is a natural adaptive immune system that some bacterial and most archaeal species present to defend themselves against invading bacteriophages, which works on the basis of sequence complementarity via cleavage. Genetic engineering using CRISPR/Cas systems enables accurate and precise genomic modifications. The easiness and rapidity of execution, low cost, reproducibility and efficiency turns understandable why it is the system of choice for many genome engineering applications in several fields using different organisms. 
  • 1.3K
  • 18 Mar 2021
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