news 2026

Cattle grazing at a nature reserve in the Yorkshire Dales has increased plant diversity by over 40% according to research by the University of Leeds. Allowing native cattle breeds to roam large areas of the landscape at Ingleborough has also led to a five-fold increase in the number of butterflies. Researchers conducted two studies into the relative effects of cattle and sheep grazing on the 1500-hectare landscape restoration project.

Researchers at the University of Bonn have conducted a review study to examine the methods used to research consumer behaviour in supermarkets. WHAT IS IT ABOUT? Researchers from the University of Bonn have taken a comprehensive look at how scientists study consumer behavior in supermarkets. Their review covers everything from real-life grocery stores to lab-based shelves, online supermarkets, and virtual reality environments.

Children who eat healthily often continue to do so as adults. That is why Gertrude Zeinstra is studying programmes that help schools and parents to teach children healthy eating habits. These are programmes where they try fruits and vegetables, cook and grow them and are surrounded by good examples.

A compound that maize plants use to defend themselves against pests can unintentionally help parasitic nematodes locate their host. This is shown by new research accepted for publication in Nature Plants. The key lies not with the plant or the nematode alone, but in a subtle interaction with soil bacteria.

To manage harmful nematodes in agriculture effectively and sustainably, it is essential to know exactly which species is present. Identifying nematode species is complex, costly and requires highly specialized expertise, which is available only in a limited number of places worldwide. Researchers at Wageningen University & Research (WUR) are contributing to the development of an AI-based identification system for nematodes.

New research from the Royal Veterinary College has uncovered how the way chickens are produced, traded and transported in northern Viet Nam can contribute to the spread of avian influenza viruses. As chickens move through farms, markets and slaughter points, they mix at multiple stages, creating hotspots for viral transmission.

Archaeology Using advanced machine-learning and climate models, researchers have shown that the ancestors of crops like wheat, barley, and rye probably were much less widespread in the Middle East 12,000 years ago than previously believed. This challenges traditional assumptions about the geography of early plant domestication and agriculture.

Trinity research shows that depending on how schemes are designed and delivered, wellbeing impacts can be positive or negative. Time spent in nature and peer discussion groups are key to fostering positive wellbeing outcomes. While AESs are a familiar part of modern farming they typically focus on environmental outcomes such as biodiversity and climate action.

Removing sheep and other livestock entirely from upland grasslands - a strategy often promoted as a way to boost carbon storage and tackle climate change - may actually reduce the most stable forms of soil carbon, according to new research. The study, led by The University of Manchester, suggests that while removing livestock from upland grasslands can increase fast-cycling carbon stored in plants and dead vegetation, it can also lead to losses of a more stable form of soil carbon.

Seventy percent of soils in Europe are contaminated with pesticides. A Europe-wide study co-led by researchers of the University of Zurich now shows that their effects on soil life are substantial, as pesticides suppress various beneficial soil organisms. To protect soil biodiversity, the findings should be taken into account in current pesticide regulations.

Researchers have deciphered the diet of an important nomadic people in Eastern European history. By analyzing dental calculus, they have provided the first direct evidence that the diet of the Scythians included milk from various ruminants and horses. For centuries, the Scythians have been regarded as a nomadic horsemen people who roamed the vast steppes of Eurasia during the Iron Age.

Researchers at the University of Bonn investigated the beliefs that influence consumers' willingness to buy animal-free Gouda. An increasing number of people are turning to vegan products. However, when it comes to cheese, this transition is proving difficult. One alternative is precision fermentation, in which microorganisms produce milk proteins to enable the production of genuine dairy products, such as cheese, without the need for cows.

Research team examines farmers' protest motivations and political responses in four EU countries Farmers' protests that swept across Europe in 2024 were driven by a wide range of concerns that differ markedly between countries, according to a new study led by researchers at the University of Göttingen.

Tropical forests can recover twice as quickly after deforestation if they have adequate soil nitrogen, according to new research published today. A team of scientists led by the University of Leeds established the world's largest and longest experiment to see how nutrients affect forest regrowth in areas cleared for activities such as logging and agriculture.