A team of cell biologists at the University of California-Riverside has discovered how to engineer crops to give them a better chance at surviving drought conditions. The breakthrough was published in last month's issue of The National Academy of Sciences.
The next step for the research team is to take the science from the lab and into the field for further development. The process could take several years.
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Scientists have created a new kind of strawberry.
Researchers in Florida have developed a sweeter, earlier-blossoming strawberry variety which has farmers excited about future growing seasons. Florida farmers like the "Winterstar" strawberry because it can survive in severe weather.
The plant was grown last year by a trial of 20 farmers. University of Florida researchers say millions of Winterstar plants will leave nurseries for commercial farming this year.
