News Stories - Page 47

An arched iceberg located along the Antarctic Peninsula, taken June 17. Last month Antarctic sea ice extent reached a record low for June, at 4.68 million square miles — or about 471,000 square miles below average. (Photo by Dan Costa/National Science Foundation/Creative Commons) CAES News
Rising temperatures mean significant impacts for Georgia
Halfway through 2022, Earth is on course for another top-10 finish in global temperature. After six months, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reported that the period from January through June 2022 was the planet’s sixth warmest on record, with observations that go back to 1880. Antarctica also saw its lowest June ice coverage on record.
Georgia 4-H'er Mia Burnett, the first grand marshal for the Great Georgia Pollinator Census, stands in front of her bee mural displayed at the Flint River Arts Council building in Camilla. CAES News
Mitchell County 4-H'er named grand marshal for 2022 Great Georgia Pollinator Census
Mitchell County 4-H member Mia Burnett has been named the 2022 Great Georgia Pollinator Census Grand Marshal in honor of dedication to pollinator preservation and awareness. A rising ninth grader at at Westwood School in Camilla, Georgia, Burnett will open the fourth annual census on Aug. 19 with a social media announcement inviting Georgians and South Carolinians to begin counting pollinators.
Robin Buell, GRA Eminent Scholar Chair in Crop Genomics, works in a plant growth chamber. Buell received nearly $800,000 in funding to study the genome of tepary bean in an effort to address climate-related difficulties faces in production of common bean. CAES News
UGA genomicist seeks to offset climate impacts on important food crop
The common bean — which includes many varieties of dry beans, from navy and black beans to red, pinto and green beans — are an important nutritional source for many world populations. However, rapidly changing climate conditions are making them increasingly difficult to grow in many locations due to high temperatures and susceptibility to diseases and pests.
Palmer amaranth can reach heights of up to 7-10 feet. UGA Extension weed specialist Eric Prostko encourages farmers to continue to control Palmer amaranth even after their corn is harvested. CAES News
UGA Extension tests peanut herbicide for 2023 registration
Peanuts, although a major crop in Georgia, are a minor crop in the U.S., with only about 1.5 million acres planted. Due to its limited acreage, there are not many herbicides solely developed for peanuts. Emerging herbicide resistance is an increasing concern in peanut-producing states, and growers need more tools to combat pernicious weeds like Palmer amaranth.
As the inaugural class of Rising Scholars, ten Fort Valley State University students have spent the summer on UGA's Athens campus conducting research in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. CAES News
Inaugural class of Rising Scholars spends summer conducting research with CAES
In a lab on the bottom floor of the Miller Plant Sciences building, Dakota Walker pulled a sample of plant tissue to further examine gene expression under the microscope — an experience she never foresaw having at the University of Georgia, having originally applied to Fort Valley State University as a marketing major.
The 79th annual 4-H State Congress, held July 18-22 at Crowne Plaza Atlanta Perimeter at Ravinia, included the state-level Project Achievement and Leadership in Action contests and recognized youth development professionals, supporters and public officials for their contributions to the success of 4-H in Georgia. CAES News
Georgia 4-H celebrates excellence at 79th annual 4-H State Congress in Atlanta
Last month, top 4-H’ers from around the state gathered in Atlanta to celebrate the 79th annual 4-H State Congress, an event packed with competition and recognition. State Congress, which took place from July 18-22, includes the state-level Project Achievement and Leadership in Action contests and acknowledges youth development professionals, supporters and public officials for their contributions to the success of 4-H in Georgia. 
Doctoral student Taylor Miller checks on one of more than 50 bluebird boxes at the UGA Golf Course for a study tracking baby bluebirds' immune response to pre-hatch stress. CAES News
Prenatal exposure to stress hormone could impact bluebird immune function
Many studies have shown that prenatal stress in mothers can be linked to adverse outcomes in the physical, emotional, cognitive and behavioral well-being of children. Now a study at the University of Georgia is examining how pre-hatch exposure to the stress-associated hormone corticosterone influences immune function in baby bluebirds.
A sign for the Rosalynn Carter Butterfly Trail at the Visitor Center in Plains. CAES News
UGA Extension celebrates pollinator advocate Rosalynn Carter’s 95th birthday
University of Georgia Cooperative Extension is partnering with the Rosalynn Carter Butterfly Trail to honor the former first lady’s work in pollinator conservation with a unique 95th birthday initiative.
UGA's Southeast Research and Education Center will host its annual field day from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 10. The 720-acre facility has over 60 ongoing research projects, with an emphasis on the efficient use of water. CAES News
UGA Southeast Research and Education Center to host Midville Field Day Aug. 10
The University of Georgia Southeast Research and Education Center will host its annual field day from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 10. The annual event is an open house tour of current research projects taking place at the center where College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences faculty will highlight the work they are doing in cotton, peanuts, soybeans, corn, small grains and cover crops.