Pesticide-free farming would do wonders for the world’s declining insect populations, but not all farmers are willing to take the risk of switching to more sustainable farming techniques. In an attempt to create a safer strain of pesticides that will do less harm to the planet, researchers at the Cardiff University have managed to modify a strain of bacteria to create a natural alternative that could protect crops and replace man-made chemical compounds. Their work focused on a group of bacteria, called Burkholderia, which has long been known to work as a pesticide alternative, but has also been linked to serious lung infections in people with cystic fibrosis. By modifying the bacteria, the scientists were able to remove the risk of lung infections from the bacteria while still maintaining its ability to protect crops. With further improvements, the researchers hope their pesticide alternative can play a key role in ensuring a sustainable future.
Scientists are honing in on a safer, natural alternative to pesticides
More of Today's Solutions
Southern Sierra Miwuk Nation regains ancestral lands near Yosemite in major c...
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Nearly 900 acres of ancestral territory have been officially returned to the Southern Sierra Miwuk Nation, marking a ...
Read More8 fermented foods that your gut will love (and that taste great, too!)
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Fermented foods have been a dietary staple in many cultures for centuries, but in the U.S., they’re only ...
Read MoreBreaking the silence: empowering menopausal women in the workplace
Addressing menopause in the workplace is long overdue in today's fast-changing work scene, where many are extending their careers into their 60s. According to ...
Read MoreInsect migration: the hidden superhighway of the Pyrenees
Insects, while frequently disregarded, are critical to the planet's ecosystems. They make up about 90 percent of all animal species and play important functions ...
Read More
