MIT College of Agriculture and Technology Presents MITCAT Trends
Update: the Land Institute and Alternative Forages
SPEAKER: Hunter Doyle, The Land Institute, Intermountain West Agronomy Specialist
This session is a grand overview of the Land Institute and an update on the Alternative Forages project in the Colorado River Basin from last year.
The Origins of the “Dinosaur Renaissance”
At the end of a summer day in 1964, John Ostrom and his team of paleontologists found a set of claws buried in the hills of Montana. They returned the next morning to find a fierce talon connected to the well-preserved foot bones of a new dinosaur. Ostrom called the site “The Shrine,” and his fieldwork there would help reshape the way the world thought about dinosaurs.Ostrom named the creature Deinonychus antirrhopus, meaning “counterbalancing terrible claw.” He believed that the talon implied a
The Importance of Organic Fertilizers in Modern Agriculture
The Importance of Organic Fertilizers in Modern Agriculture
Potential new pathway to fight viruses
Scientists have identified genetic components in bats that provide insight into their immune systems.
Mitochondria may hold the key to curing diabetes
Mitochondria are essential for generating energy that fuels cells and helps them function.
Scientist discovers 16 new grasshopper species, champions desert biodiversity
A scientist has discovered a hopping treasure trove -- 16 new species of grasshoppers living in the thorny scrubs of U.S. and Mexican deserts.
Northeast tea body names two nonagenarians associated with beverage industry for first lifetime achievement awards
The awards are scheduled to be conferred upon 96-year-old Sagar Mehta and 93-year-old Apurba Kumar Barooah
Capt. Chowta seeks opening of satellite office of Coffee Board in Mangaluru
MP tells the Union Commerce Minister that it would strengthen coffee cultivation in DK. He also sought protection to arecanut growers from unfair price competition
DNA barcodes and citizen science images map spread of biocontrol agent for control of major invasive shrub
New research using publicly-shared DNA barcodes and citizen science images have provided new evidence on the establishment and spread of a biological control agent used for the control of the major invasive shrub Lantana camara.
Soft tissue from a 183 million-year-old Jurassic plesiosaur analyzed
Researchers have analyzed the soft tissue from a fossilized plesiosaur for the first time. The results show that the long-necked marine reptile had both smooth and scaly skin. This was likely so it could both swim rapidly and move along rough seabeds.
Spliceosome: How cells avoid errors when manufacturing mRNA
A complex molecular machine, the spliceosome, ensures that the genetic information from the genome, after being transcribed into mRNA precursors, is correctly assembled into mature mRNA. Splicing is a basic requirement for producing proteins that fulfill an organism's vital functions. Researchers have succeeded for the first time in depicting a faultily 'blocked' spliceosome at high resolution and reconstructing how it is recognized and eliminated in the cell.
Tracking algae species interactions to help predict harmful algae blooms
Because of climate change, harmful algal blooms are increasing in frequency and intensity. New science helps demystify the frequent harmful algal blooms in the Pacific off the coast of Chile by studying how algae species interact with each other and their environment.
Do embedded counseling services in veterinary education work? A new study says 'yes'
Embedded counseling services are becoming increasingly common in veterinary medical programs, but their effectiveness has not historically been measured. A new study revealed that these programs may not only enhance access to mental health care but also lead to significant reductions in psychological distress among veterinary trainees.
Researchers achieve total synthesis of ibogaine
Researchers have achieved total chemical synthesis of the psychoactive compound ibogaine and its analogs from pyridine. The discovery will make it easier to explore the therapeutic possibilities of ibogaine.
Some species of baleen whales avoid attracting killer whales by singing too low to be heard
New research finds some baleen whale species call at such deep frequencies that they're completely undetectable by killer whales, which cannot hear sounds below 100 hertz. These also tend to be the species of baleen whales that flee in the face of attack from killer whales.
Gaza: we analysed a year of satellite images to map the scale of agricultural destruction
Part of North Gaza in November 2023, and again in July 2024. SkySat imagery © 2025/Planet Labs PBCThe ceasefire agreed between Israel and Hamas makes provisions for the passage of food and humanitarian aid into Gaza. This support is much needed given that Gaza’s agricultural system has been severely damaged over the course of the war. Over the past 17 months we have analysed satellite images across the Gaza Strip to quantify the scale of agricultural destruction across the region. Our newly pu
New technology lights way for accelerating coral reef restoration
Scientists have developed a novel tool designed to protect and conserve coral reefs by providing them with an abundance of feeding opportunities.
Multinational research project shows how life on Earth can be measured from space
Measurements and data collected from space can be used to better understand life on Earth. An ambitious, multinational research project has demonstrated that Earth's biodiversity can be monitored and measured from space, leading to a better understanding of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.
Novel 'living' biomaterial aims to advance regenerative medicine
A biomaterial that can mimic certain behaviors within biological tissues could advance regenerative medicine, disease modeling, soft robotics and more, according to researchers.
Warding off superbugs with a pinch of turmeric
The researchers showed that when curcumin is intentionally given to bacteria as food and then activated by light, it can trigger deleterious reactions within these microbes, eventually killing them. This process, they demonstrated, reduces the number of antibiotic-resistant strains and renders conventional antibiotics effective again.