News: drought

Climate change is reducing global river water quality

Finniss River in drought in 2009

A review of almost 1000 studies on the effects of climate change and extreme weather events on rivers around the world has found an overall negative effect on water quality in rivers globally.

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Future Fellowships grant supports drought research

A river runs underneath a blue sky.

The University of ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø has received more than $1 million in funding from the Federal Government’s Australian Research Council’s Future Fellowships scheme to quantify the economic and social impacts of drought in rural and regional Australia.

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Straightening out kinky roots captures carbon and avoids drought stress

Barley swaying in the wind.

Researchers have discovered a new gene in barley and wheat that controls the angle of root growth in soil, opening the door to new cereal varieties with deeper roots that are less susceptible to drought and nutrient stress, thus mitigating the effects of climate change

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Blasting the zombie out of water-saving tech

Zombie crawling image from iStock

A team of scientists, including experts from the University of ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø, suggest that reliance on modern irrigation technologies as a water-use efficiency strategy is a ‘zombie idea’ – one that persists no matter how much evidence is thrown against it.

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Funding boost underpins SA Drought Hub expansion

SA Drought Hub Interim Director Professor Chris Preston

The South Australian Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub is being expanded following an injection of additional funding from the Australian Government.

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Finding a future for food crops: Research Tuesdays

Barley plants

Genetically modified crops have been grown and consumed in many countries for over 30 years. Yet, despite the benefits they offer to human health, crop management and humanitarian support, genetically modified (GM) foods remain a controversial topic.

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