Feeding a Growing Population Content

National Academy of Sciences Elects UC Davis Maize Geneticist Jeffrey Ross-Ibarra

Andy Fell — April 29, 2026 - 8:45am

The National Academy of Sciences has elected Jeffrey Ross-Ibarra, professor in the Department of Evolution and Ecology at University of California, Davis, as a member. His election was announced April 28.

Ross-Ibarra is one of 120 members and 25 international members elected this year in recognition of distinguished and continuing achievements in original research. Membership in the academy is considered one of the highest honors a scientist can achieve.

Tomato Industry Taking Steps to Stop Spread of Parasitic Weed

Amy M Quinton — April 15, 2026 - 9:51am

UC Davis researchers are playing a key research role in the battle against branched broomrape, developing in-field sanitation guidelines for tomato harvesters.

Plant Cell Structure Could Hold Key to Cancer Therapies and Improved Crops

Andy Fell — March 05, 2026 - 5:22pm

Can the bend of a banana give us insight into cancer? What does the shape of a rice grain have to do with infertility? The proteins that give plants their shape and structure are also involved in human disease. A team led by researchers at the University of California, Davis, has mapped out the structure of a key player, augmin, in exhaustive detail.

Study Improves Understanding of Food Safety Risks in California Central Coast Produce

Amy M Quinton — March 05, 2026 - 10:05am

UC Davis researchers found harmful strains of E. coli, including types that can cause serious human illness, in animal and environmental sources in the Salinas Valley.

Introducing the ‘Bloom’ Cycle, or Why Plants Are Not Stupid

Andy Fell — March 02, 2026 - 10:47am

For decades, the basics of plant growth have been taught in grade-school: Plants make their food out of water from the soil, light from the sun and carbon dioxide from the air in a process called photosynthesis.

Can a Simple Calcium Spray Protect Grapes from Wildfire Smoke?

Andy Fell — February 24, 2026 - 3:39pm

Smoke from wildfires can alter grapes and affect the taste and sensory experience of wine, threatening California’s $88 billion industry as it faces an increase in fires on the horizon. Researchers from the University of California, Davis, and U.S. Department of Agriculture spent last summer applying a calcium spray to grapes to see if the treatment can protect the fruit from smoke exposure.

A Gene Editor That’s a Better Fit for Plants

Andy Fell — February 20, 2026 - 12:09pm

Gene editing has enormous potential to help feed the world’s growing population, but it’s currently difficult, time-consuming, and only works in some plant species. A big part of the problem is CRISPR/Cas9’s size: it’s too large to be delivered into plant cells.

Helping Beekeepers Fight Mites Through More Effective Treatments

Katherine E Kerlin — February 19, 2026 - 2:18pm

Researchers from the USDA and UC Davis are helping beekeepers protect their colonies from destructive varroa mites through a promising new line of research.

Mirror Image Pheromones Help Beetles Swipe Right

Andy Fell — February 18, 2026 - 5:26pm

There are many ways to communicate with prospective romantic partners: If you are a Japanese scarab beetle, it’s a matter of distinguishing left from right. New work from U.S. and Chinese scientists, published this week in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, shows how these beetles use mirror-image pheromones to find a mate. The work could lead to better monitoring and control of significant agricultural pests.

What is Gut Health?

Amy M Quinton — February 18, 2026 - 8:51am

An international panel led by UC Davis professor Maria Marco defines “gut health” for the first time, offering a scientific framework for medicine, research and consumer claims.