ARS and cooperators have conducted the firstanalysis of immunity-related genes in a solitary bee. Click the image formore information about it. Scientists Uncover Immunity-Related Genes in AlfalfaLeafcutting Bee By November 27, 2009 The first analysis ofimmunity-related genes in a solitary

Forty-six new populations of switchgrass from manydifferent environments in Florida such as from swampy areas, oak forests, pinescrubs, weedy areas along roadsides, and back dune areas along the coast havebeen added to the ARS germplasm collection. Photo courtesy ofNRCS. New

It may be more cost-effective, energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable to use corn stover for generating an energy-rich oil called bio-oil and for making biochar to enrich soils and sequester carbon than to turn it into cellulosic ethanol, according to a

Mild dehydration appears to affect mood andcognitive ability of young athletes in addition to impacting physicalperformance, according to a new ARS study. Click the image for moreinformation about it. Dehydration Affects Mood, Not Just Motor Skills By November 23, 2009

Read the to find out more. ARS researchers have been studying plant reactionsto changes in C02 levels, from the Ice Age—13,000 to 18,000 B.C.—tothe year 2050 A.D. by growing them in long, plastic-covered "timetunnels." Time-Tunneling for Climate Change Clues By

ARS computational biologist Doreen Ware andcolleagues have completed a four-year effort to sequence the genome of corn.Click the image for more information about it. USDA Scientists, Colleagues Sequence Corn Genome By November 19, 2009 WASHINGTON, November 19,2009—(USDA) scientists and their

ARS scientists have developed a microwave meter that measures moisture and density of in-shell peanuts faster and easier, both important quality indicators. Image courtesy of Microsoft clipart. Microwave Meter Measures Moisture and Density of In-Shell Peanuts By November 19, 2009

Nettle moth caterpillar (Darna pallivitta).Click the image for more information about it. Invasive Nettle Moth Triggers Hawaii Research By November 18, 2009 Like children everywhere, kids inHawaii love to run barefoot through tall grass. But an invasive pest called thenettle

Read the to find out more. ARS scientists have found that using alternativetypes of fertilizers can cut back on greenhouse gas emissions from cropproduction, at least in one part of the country. Click the image for moreinformation about it. Studying

ARS scientists have found that certain fungi canprevent compounds in grapefruits from interfering with some prescriptionmedicines. Photo courtesy of Florida Department of Citrus. Fungi May Hold Key to Reducing Grapefruit JuiceInteractions with Medications By November 16, 2009 A fungus may

Read the to find out more. Current atmospheric ozone levels are alreadysuppressing soybean yields, according to a new study from ARS and cooperators.Photo courtesy of the Department of Energy. Scientists Find Ozone Levels Already Affecting SoybeanYields By November 13, 2009

A new study by ARS has demonstrated that carefully controlled laboratory tests can accurately detect toxicological risks that might emerge in the field from genetically engineered corn. Photo courtesy of the Department of Energy. Predicting the Environmental Effects of Transgenic

Read the to find out more. ARS scientists are studying how higher CO2 levels associated with global climate change could affect corn, soybean, and rice production. Photo courtesy of Natural Resources Conservation Service. Crops and Weeds: Global Climate Change's First

ARS scientists have found that compounds incinnamon extract (not table cinnamon) prevent isolated brain cells fromswelling, which can occur in traumatic brain injury and stroke. Photocourtesy of Microsoft clipart. Researchers Study Effect of Cinnamon Compounds on BrainCells By November 9,

Read the to find out more. ARS meteorologist Jeanne Schneider and hydraulicengineer Jurgen Garbrecht are working with the National Oceanic and AtmosphericAdministration to translate seasonal climate forecasts into possible dailyweather outcomes for farmers. Click the image for more information aboutit.

ARS computational molecular biologist BrianScheffler is heading an effort to create a genomics toolkit to help plantbreeders develop new varieties of sweetpotato, the world's seventh mostimportant food crop. Click the image for more information aboutit. Sweetpotatoes Get High-Tech Help By

ARS ecologist William S. Longland is trying to determine what gives western juniper a competitive advantage in the environment. Photo courtesy of Joseph M. DiTomaso, University of California - Davis, Bugwood.org Spread of Western Juniper Seeds Studied By November 4,

Read the to find out more. ARS soil scientist Jane Johnson is looking forpractical ways to keep carbon in the soil and reduce greenhouse gas emissionsfrom agricultural production. Click the image for more information aboutit. Searching for Ways to Reduce

Read the to find out more. Red flour beetle (Triboliumcastaneum).Click the image for more information about it. Scientists Plot Genetic Ploy Against Grain Pest By November 2, 2009 Aided by a genomic map of the redflour beetle, Tribolium castaneum, (ARS)

Nocturnal predators like the carabid beetle,Cyclotrachelus alternans, have a large appetite for corn rootworms, themost costly pest of corn in the world. Click the image for more informationabout it. Spying on Corn Rootworm Predators’ NightlifeBy October 30, 2009 (ARS)entomologist, while