A research team has traced five water-insoluble pesticides through the full production chain of jasmine tea, from their dissipation on freshly grown jasmine buds to their transfer during scenting and eventual presence in brewed tea.

A research team has identified CsBZS1, a cucumber gene associated with fruit development without pollination. 

A research team has identified YYH-6, a newly synthesized pyrimidine–guanidine derivative, as a promising antiviral candidate for protecting tomato plants from tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV). 

A study published in the Journal of Bioresources and Bioproducts reports a room-temperature hydroplasticization strategy for transforming porous wood into ultra-strong, shapeable and water-stable materials. By partially removing lignin, introducing a cellulose crosslinking network and allowing the structure to densify during drying, the researchers achieved a tensile strength of 405.5 MPa and a wet tensile strength of 86.7 MPa. The resulting material can be shaped into products such as forks, plates and drinking straws. Life-cycle assessment also indicated a lower carbon footprint than several conventional petroleum-based plastics. Although the findings highlight the potential of hydroplastic wood as a sustainable alternative, further work is needed to simplify processing and support industrial-scale production.

A research team has found that postharvest ethylene treatment reddened ‘Guifei’ mangoes from Guangxi, China, but produced little color change in fruit from Hainan. 

A research team has found that treating apples with salicylic acid before fungal infection slows the spread of postharvest blue mold and changes how the fruit produces defensive compounds.

A research team has found that spraying harvested blueberries with melatonin helps them stay firm during storage.

A research team has found that spraying harvested blueberries with melatonin helps them stay firm during storage.