Latest news with #USEnvironmentalProtectionAgency
Techday NZ
3 days ago
- Science
- Techday NZ
Gene study could cut chemical use by 80% in NZ wine sector
Researchers at Lincoln University are conducting a genomic study aimed at reducing chemical use in New Zealand's agriculture and viticulture industries by identifying naturally disease-resistant grapevines through genome sequencing. The study, which utilises the MGI DNBSEQ-G400 genome sequencer, has made it possible for scientists to carry out large-scale testing of grapevines at a considerably lower cost and in significantly less time compared to conventional methods. This approach marks the first use of this sequencing platform for wine-related research in New Zealand. New Zealand's wine industry is valued at USD $2.1 billion in export revenue annually, making it the country's sixth-largest export industry and a significant employer across main winegrowing regions. However, the sector faces increasing challenges related to sustainability and environmental impact, particularly concerning the extensive use of chemical sprays to combat disease. According to statistics cited in the study, New Zealand farmers currently use about 3,400 tonnes of pesticides each year. Notably, under US Environmental Protection Agency classifications, a substantial proportion of these chemicals are suspected carcinogens - 5% of herbicides, 60% of fungicides, 8% of insecticides, and 72% of plant growth regulators. Early results from the genome sequencing project suggest that chemical spray use could potentially be reduced by as much as 80%. For producers contending with the effects of climate change and mounting scrutiny over chemical inputs, this could represent significant cost savings and a move towards more sustainable practices. The research is focused on detecting natural genetic traits that confer disease resistance in grapevines. With this technology, scientists are now able to test in excess of 50,000 grapevines annually, an increase from the hundreds typically screened using previous methods. "The wine industry is a major contributor to the New Zealand economy, but it's also facing huge challenges around sustainability. Vineyards are heavily reliant on chemicals to fight fungal disease and that can come at a cost to the soil microbiome, long-term crop health and the environment. With this technology, we're now able to scale up our studies dramatically and look for grape varieties that are naturally resistant to disease. You're never going to get to zero but by identifying and cultivating naturally disease-resistant vines, and by targeting interventions only where they're truly needed, we can massively reduce chemical input. Even removing a single spray late in the season has multiple benefits; it lowers costs, reduces residue risks in wine and lessens the environmental burden." In the past, researchers were limited to sampling only a few hundred vines per year. The new sequencing system has increased lab capacity 100-fold, with processing times and costs both reduced due to the local availability of the advanced technology. The genomic platform enables real-time detection and monitoring of diseases such as powdery mildew and mealy bug. Associate Professor Winefield explained the significance for growers: "What this unlocks is a move from broad-spectrum, scheduled spraying to data-driven, localised treatment. That means fewer chemicals in the environment, lower resistance pressure on pests and pathogens and a better product at the end of the day, whether that's milk, grapes or meat." Lincoln University's lab is currently gathering genetic data from a range of grape and hop varieties to evaluate responses to various stresses and diseases. Winefield highlighted that the research does not constitute genetic modification: "We're looking for the vines that can handle more with less spray, less water and fewer inputs. Genomics allows us to do that with unprecedented precision. What we're doing isn't genetic modification it's about identifying and working with natural variation to breed better and more resilient plants." The partnership includes MGI Australia, whose director Dr. Bicheng Yang commented on the broader implications: "This is a powerful example of how cutting-edge genomics can support the long-term sustainability of key industries. By helping researchers understand the genetic factors that improve disease resistance and fruit quality, we're enabling a future where viticulture relies less on chemicals and more on the natural resilience of the plant." The team at Lincoln University is now working to establish a commercial venture that would make genomic testing accessible to individual farmers and growers across viticulture, horticulture, and dairy sectors. The aim is to provide affordable real-time genomic insights to help detect disease early, lower input costs, and reduce environmental impacts. Winefield believes the project will contribute not just to viticulture but to a wider range of crop industries, serving as a model that could be replicated internationally. He outlined the future vision: "Our goal is to bring the cost of genomic tests down to a level where individual growers and farmers can routinely use them to make better, more targeted decisions. This is about taking world-class science out of the lab and into the field - and transforming how primary industries manage disease and productivity at the grassroots level." "Ultimately, this kind of science supports the future of New Zealand's primary industries, higher-value, lower-impact and globally competitive." The planned venture intends to process over one million samples per year initially, potentially expanding to 10 million samples annually within five years. The variability and unpredictability of climate conditions in New Zealand are providing a unique testing environment for these new techniques. Winefield summarised the national potential for this infrastructure: "We're not just building a lab, we're creating a national infrastructure for precision agriculture, one that allows growers and vets to test for multiple pathogens or productivity issues at once, at a cost that's viable for everyday use."
The Star
5 days ago
- General
- The Star
Sunken secrets of the Great Lakes
A view of the wreck of the 'Philip Becker', a steam-powered tugboat that sank to the bottom of Lake Ontario on Nov 17, 1879. — The New York Times THE Lake Guardian slipped out of the port of Oswego, New York, and into the country's maritime past. The research vessel, operated by the US Environmental Protection Agency, is surveying the Lake Ontario National Marine Sanctuary – a 4,500sq km stretch of water reaching from New York's shoreline to the Canadian border. Cancel anytime. Ad-free. Full access to Web and App. RM 13.90/month RM 9.73 /month Billed as RM 9.73 for the 1st month, RM 13.90 thereafter. RM 12.39/month RM 8.63 /month Billed as RM 103.60 for the 1st year, RM 148 thereafter. Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!
Time of India
6 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Biofuel demand to soak up more than half of US soyoil production next year
US biofuel makers will consume more than half of all soybean oil produced in the United States next year as a recent flurry of federal policy moves has transformed the sector, including higher blending mandates and curbs on foreign biofuel imports and feedstocks, the US Department of Agriculture said on Friday. In a monthly supply-and-demand report, the USDA sharply raised its outlook for soybean oil use by biofuel producers in the 2025/26 marketing year, which begins October 1, to a record 15.5 billion pounds, up 11.5 per cent from its forecast a month ago and 26.5 per cent higher than the current marketing year. US soyoil exports were seen tumbling to 700 million pounds in 2025/26 as more oil is consumed domestically, down from 2.6 billion pounds in the current season. The US Environmental Protection Agency last month proposed to increase the amount of biofuels that oil refiners must blend into the nation's fuel mix in 2026 and 2027, driven by a surge in biomass-based diesel mandates, along with measures to discourage biofuel imports. The moves were welcomed by the nation's fast-growing biofuels industry after months of policy uncertainty that had hobbled output of fuels made from vegetable oils like soyoil, canola oil and used cooking oil. Under the Renewable Fuel Standard , refiners are required to blend large volumes of biofuels into the U.S. fuel supply or purchase credits known as RINs from those that do. "EPA not only significantly raised the mandates but also proposed to reduce the number of Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs) generated for imported renewable fuels and renewable fuels produced from foreign feedstocks starting in 2026, which increases demand for domestically produced feedstocks like soybean oil," the USDA said on Friday. Additional incentives via state biofuel mandates and the federal 45Z clean fuel production tax credit in US President Donald Trump's recently enacted budget law further fueled the outlook for soyoil use in biofuel, the USDA said. Benchmark Chicago Board of Trade soyoil futures firmed on Friday, hovering just below a 7-1/2-month peak hit on June 23.
Time of India
04-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Is it safe to drink rainwater? Scientists reveal the answer
As the monsoon season arrives in India, people across the country begin to store, use, or simply enjoy the rain and the refreshing feel of rainwater. Remember your childhood, standing in the rain with arms wide open, face tilted to the sky, mouth open to catch those cool drops straight from the clouds? It felt pure and magical. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now But is rainwater really safe to drink today? Environmental scientists say the answer is more complicated than it seems. While rainwater may look clean, it can contain pollutants like dust, ash, heavy metals from rooftops, or more concerning, invisible 'forever chemicals' that never break down and now appear even in the most remote rainwater samples worldwide. What are PFAS and why are they a concern? According to Dr. Ian Cousins, an environmental scientist at Stockholm University, PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a group of synthetic chemicals that have been used for decades in firefighting foams, non-stick cookware, food packaging, and water-repellent fabrics. These chemicals are known as 'forever chemicals' because they do not degrade naturally and persist in the environment for generations. In a global study co-authored by Cousins, Dr. Bo Sha, Dr. Jana H. Johansson, Dr. Martin Scheringer, and Dr. Matthew Salter, PFAS were detected in rainwater from regions as isolated as the Tibetan Plateau and Antarctica. Their findings indicate that due to widespread atmospheric contamination, rainwater across the planet may now contain PFAS levels that exceed safety guidelines set by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Health risks linked to PFAS exposure Only four PFAS compounds—PFOS, PFOA, PFHxS, and PFNA—have been extensively studied, yet these alone are linked to serious health risks. Dr. Cousins and his team note that elevated exposure to these chemicals has been associated with increased risks of thyroid disease, liver enlargement, high cholesterol, immune suppression, pregnancy complications, and even certain cancers. One particularly concerning effect is the reduced effectiveness of vaccines in children, a risk that prompted the EPA to drastically lower its recommended PFAS limits for drinking water. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now While the overall levels of these chemicals in the environment have not increased in recent years, their extreme stability means that they have remained above health advisory thresholds since the early 2000s and are unlikely to decline significantly for decades. What can be done and is rainwater still drinkable? When asked whether rainwater is safe to drink, Dr. Cousins and colleagues expressed caution. 'We are uncertain,' they wrote. While extremely low PFAS levels (in picograms or nanograms per liter) may not cause noticeable harm immediately, the cumulative risks remain. Current health advisories are based on precautionary principles designed to protect public health even in worst-case exposure scenarios. Although technologies exist to filter PFAS from water, removing them to levels below current safety standards is difficult and expensive. There is no way to eliminate PFAS from food, and they are present even in indoor dust. As Dr. Cousins emphasizes, 'Humans will have to live with some level of PFAS exposure,' but unnecessary uses must be restricted. The team concludes that all PFAS uses should be critically evaluated for essentiality. 'PFAS have no place in the natural environment,' said Dr. Martin Scheringer, co-author of the study, adding that policy must shift toward minimizing their spread and use wherever possible. The final takeaway So, is it safe to drink rainwater during this monsoon? Not without proper treatment. While it may feel nostalgic and pure, the reality is that even rain falling in remote corners of the world can carry microscopic chemical residues that could pose risks over time. Experts like Dr. Ian Cousins and his colleagues urge caution and suggest relying on filtered or regulated water sources for drinking, while pushing for global reforms in PFAS usage. The rain still brings joy but when it comes to your drinking water, science says it's better to be safe than sorry.
Time of India
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
139 employees put to leave: US environmental agency EPA puts employees on administrative leave for critising Trump policies
US environmental agency EPA puts employees on administrative leave for critising Trump policies The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Thursday(local time) placed 139 employees on administrative leave after they signed a public letter sharply criticising President Donald Trump's environmental policies. The letter, titled 'Declaration of Dissent,' signed by the EPA employees accused the federal government of harmful deregulation, ignoring scientific consensus to benefit polluters, and promoting a culture of fear within the agency. The employees were soon informed that they had been moved to a 'temporary, non-duty, paid status' for the next two weeks, pending an administrative investigation. In an internal email, the agency clarified that the measure was not a disciplinary action as reported by Associate Press. However, the EPA defended its decision by citing a 'zero-tolerance policy for career bureaucrats unlawfully undermining, sabotaging and undercutting' the Trump administration's agenda. More than 170 current and recently terminated EPA employees added their names to the letter, while nearly 100 others signed anonymously, citing fears of retaliation. The public version of the letter later removed the names of the signatories. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo The letter emerged amid an expected new round of staff reductions at the EPA and a major internal reorganisation, which includes the dismantling of the agency's research office and the cancellation of billions of dollars in grants. An earlier version of the letter had been sent directly to EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin before being made public. In a statement issued Thursday, the agency reiterated its stance, saying it would not tolerate actions that undermine the administration's goals, and defended the leave of the employees as part of its commitment to upholding agency integrity.
