2009

18 Dec 2009	Fish fatty acids don’t make you cleverer or happier
	A diet rich in fish fatty acids has no effect on cognitive functions such as memory and concentration in the elderly. Nor does it affect their level of wellbeing. This is the conclusion drawn by... more
	Biodiversity treaty blocks organic pest control
	Integrated plant protection, in which pests are controlled using their natural enemies, is seriously hindered by the international biodiversity treaty, according to Wageningen entomologist Joop van... more
17 Dec 2009	Innovation boost to tackle Climate Change
	While Heads of State are negotiating to reach a substantial climate agreement in Copenhagen, the EU is stepping forward to take the lead in developing innovations to tackle climate change. The... more
	‘ClimateGate does not affect IPCC-conclusions’
	Rik Leemans, professor Environmental System Analysis at Wageningen University: Term ‘trick’ in personal e-mails does not indicate misconduct or fraud. Valid science should be discussed and... more
	Delta Alliance for the resilience of riverdeltas worldwide
	Today the Delta Alliance, an emerging international network for the resilience of river deltas worldwide, was officially announced by dignitaries of Indonesia, Bangladesh, California and the... more
	Research on food safety more efficient
	Joint Press Release: RIKILT - Institute of Food Safety and the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM)RIKILT no. 07 – 2009 With effect from 1 January 2010, policy-oriented... more
15 Dec 2009	Towards a circular economy: Louise Vet on the marriage between economy and ecology
	Prof dr Louise Vet, professor of Evolutionary Ecology at Wageningen University and director of the Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), gave in her TEDxAmsterdam talk various examples of... more
	Marcel Dicke at TEDx: ‘Why not eat insects?’
	Prof. dr. Marcel Dicke, of Laboratory of Entomology at Wageningen UR, explained in his TEDxAmsterdam talk, why we should all eat insects! Marcel Dicke is an ecologist working with a special interest... more
14 Dec 2009	Organic sector benefits from better communication on the food safety risks of organic products
	Scientists from Wageningen UR Livestock Research and Plant Research International (both part of Wageningen University and Research Centre) are advocating better communication on the possible food... more
	Fisheries advisory panel offers recommendations on CITES proposals
	Atlantic Bluefin tuna, several shark species, corals reviewed Photo: An Oceanic Whitetip Shark. (Photo by J. Quinn)An advisory panel of independent experts convened by FAO has issued recommendations... more
11 Dec 2009	China wasting money on sustainable energy
	China would get a better return on its investments in sustainable energy if it opted for the private sector and set up a Ministry of Energy, according to a Chinese researcher.In Copenhagen, Chinese... more
	Cloning plants from seeds
	Wageningen geneticists are developing a method to replicate the parents of a chosen plant. Known as 'reverse breeding', this will have a big impact for the breeding industry.Just as humans have no... more
	LANMAP in EU headline news
	The European Commission has published some headlines on the publication of Sander Mücher on a European Landscape Classification (LANMAP), with reference: Mücher, C.A., Klijn, J.A., Wascher, D.M.,... more
7 Dec 2009	PhD student develops fast method for preparing flu vaccine
	A shortage of flu vaccines may soon become a thing of the past. Researcher Manon Cox has designed an alternative process for producing large quantities of safe and effective vaccines at twice to four... more
3 Dec 2009	Are plants going to save the world?
	Don't be too quick to promote biofuels - they are supplanting world food supplies. Encourage the production of biofuels by making better use of residual waste and crops on marginal soil. Wageningen... more
	Wageningen at the CO2penhagen fair
	Some call the climate summit in Copenhagen a circus. Others call it a knowledge exchange. Professor Pier Vellinga talks about it almost affectionately as a fair. A fair you have to go to if you are a... more
30 Nov 2009	Intensive fungicide use may lead to azole resistance in humans
	A team of scientists from the Netherlands, including Gert Kema of Plant Research International, published an article in the Lancet Infectious Diseases about the relationship between fungicide use in... more
26 Nov 2009	Case for transgenic plants
	Put genetic modification to work for integrated plant protection. Equip plants with Bt genes and extra scents to keep particular insects off them. Then you can cut down on harmful pesticides. So say... more
	No two geese are the same
	Geese have personalities. And their personalities influence how they forage. Ralf Kurvers of the Resource Ecology Group has demonstrated this.What's good for the goose is not necessarily good for the... more
	Burning coal worse for climate than clearing rain forests
	Deforestation has had a big influence on the increase of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in the past three centuries, but its impact is tapering off relatively. Nowadays, the burning of fossil fuels... more
	QBOL project publishes lists with sampled species of quarantine organisms
	QBOL is generating barcode sequences for quarantine species and closely related species (look alikes). These barcode sequences will be collected in central and public databases. As a first step QBOL... more
25 Nov 2009	Whiteflies sabotage alarm system of plant in distress
	When spider mites attack a bean plant, the plant responds by producing odours which attract predatory mites. These predatory mites then exterminate the spider mite population, thus acting as a type... more
	Wageningen University wins the Dow Energy Dissertation prize
	On 25 November, René Rozendal won the Dow Energy Dissertation prize. He received this prize for his thesis, written under the auspices of Wageningen-Wetsus, on ‘Hydrogen Production through... more
23 Nov 2009	Youth Engagement in Agricultural Research - A focus on Sub-Sahara Africa
	Wageningen International has commissioned a study ‘Youth engagement in agricultural research’ with a special focus on Sub-Sahara Africa. The report of this study, which was compiled by Ms Ir.... more
20 Nov 2009	Termite creates sustainable monoculture fungus-farming
	Food production of modern human societies is mostly based on large-scale monoculture crops, but it now appears that advanced insect societies have the same practice. Our societies took just ten... more
19 Nov 2009	Sponges against cancer
	The Bioprocess Technology chair group is going to look for Red Sea sponges which defend themselves with special chemicals. Back in Wageningen, the sponges will have to be trained to produce medicines... more
	Chickens don’t care whether their food is organic
	A varied diet keeps the immune system alert, but it doesn't matter whether the feed was grown organically or in the usual manner. Variation in the diet means variation in mild stress. And because... more
	Low-fat mayonnaise that tastes good
	Emulsions such as mayonnaise are becoming low-fat, tastier and more sustainable thanks to a promising new technology. This has been developed by Koen van Dijke, who until recently worked in the Food... more
18 Nov 2009	Holland Climate House Side Event at CoP15 Copenhagen
	The Climate changes Spatial Planning Programme and Knowledge for Climate Programme initiated to organise the Holland Climate House during the CoP15 at Copenhagen. The CoP15 is the United Nations... more
17 Nov 2009	Sample of Dutch FADN 2007
	The EU Farm Accountancy Data Network (FADN) requires the Netherlands toyearly send bookkeeping data of 1,500 farms to Brussels. This task is carried out by LEI and CEI. The data sent to Brussels... more
16 Nov 2009	Rapid development of gene technology in livestock
	Press release 05/2009RIKILT- Institute of Food Safety, part of Wageningen UR has published a report claiming that gene technology in livestock is now at an advanced stage. In the report entitled... more
13 Nov 2009	Van Gorcom new director of RIKILT
	Press release 068 from Wageningen UR – 11 November 2009Dr. Robert van Gorcom (53) has been appointed director of the food safety institute RIKILT as of 1 January 2010. RIKILT operates as part of... more
	Management and recovery costs of Natura 2000 sites
	As part of a European study organised by BirdLife International, LEI Wageningen UR has calculated the management and recovery costs of the Natura 2000 sites in the Netherlands. Until 2020, around €2... more
12 Nov 2009	Cows fall sick to the tune of farmer’s attitude
	Why do cows suffer from udder infection more often in some dairy farms and not in others? The attitude of the dairy farmer has a lot to do with this, communication scientist Jolanda Jansen has... more
	Less trans fatty acids could improve fertility of cows
	The dairy industry in the Netherlands could breed Holstein-Friesian cows that produce less trans fatty acids in their milk. A lower concentration of trans fatty acids does not only improve the... more
	Ethiopia: Collaboration on Science for Impact
	On June 19, 2009 the Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR), the Universities of Addis Ababa, Jimma, Haramaya, Hawassa and Mekelle and Wageningen UR (University and Research centre)... more
11 Nov 2009	Accelerated building construction for Wageningen University’s Agrotechnology and Nutrition groups
	Wageningen UR (University & Research centre) will execute accelerated construction of the new buildings on Wageningen Campus for the groups in the department of Agrotechnology and Nutrition... more
10 Nov 2009	Ethiopian and Dutch Ministers launch Business Opportunities Report Oilseeds
	On november 4th the Dutch Minister of Agriculture Gerda Verburg and two Ethiopean State Ministers for Agricultural and Rural Development, Aberra Deresa and Yaekob Yalla, handed out the first copy of... more
	Blue services in a European perspective
	Land owners who offer blue services make their land available for activities such as water conservation, peak-flow storage or the containment of the rise of the groundwater level, and receive... more
9 Nov 2009	MoU signed between IMARES and SINTEF
	The chief executives of the research institutes IMARES, Wageningen and the Norwegian SINTEF Fisheries and Aquaculture signed a Memorandum of Understanding on 6 November which relates to the synergy... more
	Green light for advanced centre for agri-food research in Food Valley
	On Friday 6 November, the council of ministers decided to jointly invest 18.8 million euros together with the province of Gelderland in a centre for advanced research facilities in Gelderland's... more
6 Nov 2009	Collaboration with Japan on algae
	Wageningen UR wants to work with Japanese universities and companies on generating knowledge about algae and seaweed.A lot of knowledge on algae and seaweed was gained in Japan in the nineteen... more
3 Nov 2009	Exploratory Study to Illuminate the Spread of the System of Rice Intensification
	A team of researchers from Wageningen University, the Netherlands, will investigate the adoption, spread and potential benefits of the System of Rice Intensification (SRI). SRI comprises a set of... more
2 Nov 2009	Higher carbon content of the soil increases yield
	"Increasing the carbon content of the soil increases yields." This is the conclusion of Steven Groot, Research Coordinator Organic Propagation Material at Plant Research International, after the... more
30 Oct 2009	Blue energy seems feasible and offers considerable benefits
	Generating energy on a large scale by mixing salt and fresh water is both technically possible and practical. The worldwide potential for this clean form of energy – ‘blue energy’ or ‘blue... more
	Abolition of organic boar castration not feasible at present
	The Dutch organic pig sector is keen to put an end to the castration of boar piglets as soon as possible. The developments surrounding castration in the conventional pig-farming sector accelerated... more
	Drought tolerant cowpea can improve crop yield in arid West Africa
	Even the highly drought-resistant cowpea (a long type of legume) now has an increasingly difficult time surviving in the Sahel countries where climate change has resulted in shorter and less frequent... more
29 Oct 2009	West European dairy plants support East European farmers
	With western dairy companies offering a helping hand, dairy farmers in Central and East Europe have been able to improve and expand their businesses in the last ten years. Companies such as Friesland... more
	Natural resources not a curse for developing countries
	Dependency on natural resources does not lead to armed conflicts, as claimed by a group of economists. The 'resource curse' is a misnomer, says Wageningen economist Erwin Bulte. According to him,... more
	New agricultural atlas of the Netherlands
	The Agricultural Atlas of the Netherlands (Landbouwatlas) from 1959 will finally have a sequel. Rye and land re-allotment make way for the Black-tailed Godwit. Fifty years have taken their toll. The... more
27 Oct 2009	Double Degree Programme should draw Consumer studies students
	On 29 October, the European Commissioner for Consumers Meglena Kuneva and the Bavarian Minister of Justice and Consumer Protection Beate Merk will officially open the new Double Degree Programme... more
	American Researchers Too Pessimistic about Consequences of Climate Change
	Expectations are that climate change will not cause serious shortages in American agriculture. In Brazil, substantially higher agricultural yields have been found possible in areas warmer than the... more
26 Oct 2009	‘On the origin of nematodes’ – A phylogenetic tree of the world’s most numerous group of animals
	Wageningen UR publishes phylogenetic tree of nematodes Scientists from Wageningen University and Research Centre have published the largest nematode Phylogenetic Tree to date in cooperation with... more
22 Oct 2009	Grey seal boom in the Wadden Sea
	The population of grey seals in the Wadden Sea has increased by a quarter, with baby seals even doubling their numbers, according to the latest count made by Wageningen Imares.The seal count, carried... more
	Fishermen’s practical knowledge at variance with researchers’ models
	Fishing researchers often produce information that does not fit in with the perceptions of fishermen. Basic information about fish population levels is hidden in complex models that fishermen do not... more
	Bio air scrubbers do not trap enough ammonia
	The European Union should give chemical air scrubbers the status of 'Best Available Technique' in order to reduce ammonia emissions from pig pens. Bio-scrubbers do not deserve this title.This is the... more
	Sustainable dehumidification of greenhouse air
	Controlled dehumidification using outside air offers major energy savings The best way for Dutch greenhouse horticulturists to dehumidify greenhouse air is to let outside air in. Heating up this... more
	Wageningen UR involved in research slippery rails
	The chair groups Plant Physiology and Mathematical and Statistical Methods (Biometris) of Wageningen University have for four years been involved in research into slippery train rails in the... more
20 Oct 2009	Biophysicists from Wageningen UR awarded
	During the NMR-Discussion Group meeting of Friday 16 October the annual C.J. Gorter NMR-DG thesis prize has been awarded to Dr. Carel Windt. This award is yearly given to the best Ph.D. thesis in the... more
19 Oct 2009	Changing smell of plants announces fungus attack
	Tomato plants under attack from the Botrytis fungus give off an aromatic substance that can be measured in greenhouses. This is the result of research performed by Roel Jansen with which he obtained... more
16 Oct 2009	Wageningen University Launches Project To Improve Food Production and Soil Fertility in Africa
	Press release Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation & Wageningen University Wageningen University has launched a new initiative to improve food production and soil fertility in Africa through expanding... more
15 Oct 2009	Horticulture struggles with CO2 emission pricing
	Last year, a directive came into force for trading CO2 emission rights. On behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality (LNV), LEI Wageningen UR studied the financial consequences... more
	Bacterium with grabber arms stops intruders
	Bacteria in drinks such as Vifit stop pathogens by using grabber-like arms to cling onto intestinal walls. This discovery is made by a group of Finnish, Belgium and Dutch researchers, under the... more
14 Oct 2009	WEFTA award 2009 for IMARES scientist Joop Luten
	Joop Luten (Senior scientist, advisor European collaboration at IMARES) received at the 3rd Trans Atlantic Fish Technologist (TAFT) meeting in Copenhagen the WEFTA award 2009. This prestigious award... more
	Lifetime award for Peter Reijnders
	Professor Peter Reijnders received an international lifetime award in Bonn (Germany) on September 16 2009. He was honoured for his contribution to the conservation of marine mammals all over the... more
13 Oct 2009	Pricing in the greenhouse horticulture sector
	Nowadays, the auction clock no longer plays a significant role in the marketing of fresh vegetables in the Netherlands. Cooperative auction organisations transformed themselves into cooperative... more
8 Oct 2009	Biofuels mean less raw material available for animal feed
	Due to the increasing production of green energy from biomass, in the future fewer raw materials will be available for the animal feed sector. On behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and... more
	Film is a catalyst for change
	The doctoral thesis committee lost Loes Witteveen's thesis. The committee members were looking for a book, not a large box containing 46 DVDs and a book in tissue paper. We've never seen that before... more
	Termites travel with fungi as take-away food
	Fungi travelled to Madagascar in the intestines of termites. Fungus serves as a source of food and helps in cellulose conversion. Termites which formed colonies on the island of Madagascar took with... more
	Micro-credit needs more down-to-earth measures
	When micro-credit fails to reach the poorest in Ethiopia, small banks have to break fresh ground.Micro-credit is fast becoming popular in the last few years, including in the Ethiopian countryside.... more
	Quick test for antibiotics
	RIKILT - Institute for Food Safety and the Laboratory of Physical Chemistry and Colloid Science, both part of Wageningen UR, have developed a new, real-time test to detect antibiotics in the food... more
7 Oct 2009	Rutgerd Boelens designated Visiting Professorship in Peru
	The Academic Board of the Catholic University of Peru, internationally recognized as one of the most prestigious, high-quality universities of Latin America, has awarded Dr. Rutgerd Boelens the title... more
6 Oct 2009	Nitrogen deposition limits climate change impacts on carbon sequestration
	Forests are important in reducing the green house gas CO2. For the period 2000-2007, it has been estimated that from the 8.9 billion ton of carbon released by man, approximately 46% is found back in... more
	Eating fish has no effect on health of large intestine
	It appears that eating more fish has no effect on the health of the large intestine. Neither was there any difference between eating salmon and cod. In other words, there are no additional... more
5 Oct 2009	Storing carbon in tropical forests: Feasible
	Trees sequester large amounts of carbon from the atmosphere. Keeping that fact in mind, researchers at Wageningen UR approach the restoration of tropical forests from various sides and on several... more
	Cooperate in a pleasant and respectful manner
	Have the patience to try and understand what another specialist means and be inquisitive and respectful. That is the core of the interdisciplinary approach of aquatic ecologist Marten Scheffer, to... more
2 Oct 2009	Income fluctuations in European agriculture on the increase
	As a result of the liberalisation of the EU’s common agricultural policy, the agricultural sector will need to work with less predictable prices. LEI Wageningen UR has taken part in a European... more
1 Oct 2009	Symbiotic crops improve their photosynthesis
	Legumes that grow symbiotically with rhizobial bacteria, produce the same amount of food as fertilized crops. PhD student Glaciela Kaschuk explains why, and improves the theory and models of... more
	Chinese want their say in water prices
	Water wasting in China has been reduced ever since water came with a price tag. State control makes way for involvement from occupant groups. Just like in the west, Chinese companies and citizens... more
	Fruit & veg better than pills
	Our diet is woefully inadequate, and puts us at risk from illnesses such as cardiovascular disease and cancer. Or so the dietary supplement industry would have us believe. Two Wageningen professors... more
29 Sep 2009	Scientists argue for establishing safe boundaries to the Earth system
	For the first time, a group of 28 scientists – including researchers from Wageningen University – has estimated what the safe boundaries are for the human effect on the global environment. This... more
	Developing countries vulnerable to climate change
	In developing countries droughts have significant impacts on rainfed agriculture and remaining rainforests are under continuous threat caused by a strong and increasing world demand for livestock... more
28 Sep 2009	89% of consumers purchase out of habit
	More knowledge about health and sustainability does not automatically lead to different consumer purchasing behaviour. Increased knowledge has a positive impact only on the small group of people who... more
24 Sep 2009	Allergen-free foods don't help allergy sufferers
	New allergen-free foods do little to solve food allergy problems. Food can never be guaranteed absolutely allergy-free, and allergy patients are often extremely cautious.This is the conclusion of Dr.... more
	‘Not enough protection for hundreds of nature reserves'
	There are not enough areas on the current Natura-2000 list. As a result, much of the nature in the Netherlands is not getting proper protection, in the opinion of the Wageningen professor for nature... more
	Separate waste collection for beverage cartons is costly and the environmental benefits are inadequate
	Separate waste collection of beverage cartons is expensive and provides limited environmental benefits with high societal costs. This is the conclusion of a report compiled by FNLI and CBL, which... more
23 Sep 2009	Potato Genome Sequence Released by International Group of Scientists
	The Potato Genome Sequencing Consortium (PGSC), an international group of scientists has announced that it has released the first draft sequence of the potato genome. The PGSC started work on the... more
22 Sep 2009	Fungus enhances susceptibility of resistant malaria mosquito to pesticides
	In areas where malaria mosquitoes have become resistant to chemical pesticides, mosquito-killing fungi can be an effective tool. Fungal spores can effectively infect and kill malaria mosquitoes, even... more
17 Sep 2009	Wageningen Doctor Receives Prize for Best Dissertation on International Development
	Dr Rutgerd Boelens from Wageningen University has won the "Thesis Award Competition". The price is being awarded for the best dissertation that appeared at one of the Dutch universities in the field... more
15 Sep 2009	Agricultural expertise system is robust
	The agricultural expertise system and the powerful agricultural interests that characterise the Netherlands have changed a great deal during the past 20 years. In a report published today, Wageningen... more
14 Sep 2009	Early detection Opogona now possible
	Pheromone traps available for use in practice Researchers of Wageningen UR have discovered a new sex pheromone for easy and specific detection of infestations and contaminations of the banana borer... more
11 Sep 2009	Wageningen UR partners French sister institute INRA in Europe
	Wageningen UR (University and Research Centre) and French research institute INRA (l’Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique) are planning intensive future collaboration. In the framework of... more
	Future of the agricultural sector in the Netherlands
	Scale increase in the agricultural sector is set to continue apace in the long term. In this context, technological innovation offers opportunities to meet rising social demands. This is the... more
	Alternative futures of rural areas in the EU
	In this study alternative futures of rural areas in the EU are explored. For this purpose, a comparative analysis of seven scenario studies of rural areas in the EU was conducted. Often, these... more
	GLOBALGAP and standards in Kenya, Malaysia, Mexico and Chile
	GLOBALGAP is a private sector organisation which sets voluntary standards for the certification of agricultural products around the globe, with respect to food safety and sustainability among others.... more
	Eels in Dutch rivers remain highly contaminated
	A report published by RIKILT – Institute of Food Safety and IMARES, both part of Wageningen UR – reveals that red eels from Dutch rivers are still highly contaminated. However, this is not applicable... more
10 Sep 2009	Genome of potato pathogen sequenced
	Scientists have unravelled the genome of Phytophthora infestans, the pathogen that poses the most serious threat to the world’s potato crop. Nearly one hundred researchers from 34 institutes in six... more
	Molecular trampoline replaces duster
	Dirt is an inevitable part of life but there is new hope for those who would prefer to leave their dusters in the cupboard. Daily life could become a good bit cleaner thanks to the discovery of Wiebe... more
	Pigs to get jab against human flu
	The Central Veterinary Institute (CVI) in Lelystad is testing its own vaccine to protect pigs against the Mexican flu. Without it the epidemic could spread to the pig population. Researcher Guus Koch... more
	Novel breeding strategy for plant resistance
	Disabling certain plant genes instead of adding resistance genes is a promising strategy for giving crops long-term resistance to diseases. Researcher Yuling Bai and professors Evert Jacobsen and... more
	Wageningen UR Participates in Salvation Army Food Project
	Under the authority of the Salvation Army, the project 'Food Saving and Food Usage in Focus' officially started on Wednesday, 9 September. Wageningen University and Research Centre is participating... more
9 Sep 2009	Unique collaboration of European knowledge institutes and corporations
	Leading role for the Netherlands in the knowledge cluster on climate and innovation Next year the new European Institute of Technology (EIT) will become operational. This initiative of the European... more
	Transitions towards sustainable agriculture
	The greatest current challenge to the agricultural sector is for it to become sustainable in all three of the dimensions profit, people and planet. This challenge is even more urgent in highly... more
	Management of agricultural genetic resources
	LEI Wageningen UR analyses the developments in the institutional environment of the statutory research tasks for conservation and use of agricultural genetic resources (WOT-GB ) in the Netherlands.... more
8 Sep 2009	Digital soil map of the entire world being produced
	Soil experts from 11 institutes, including the ISRIC, are producing a digital soil map of the entire world. It is an important project, because the availability of reliable soil information is... more
	Dutch agriculture through the eyes of a Chinese economist
	Professor Li Weimin, an economist of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) described the performance of Dutch agribusiness. How is it possible, he asked himself, that such a small... more
	Trade with South Africa can boost organic sector
	Despite increasing interest in organic products in the Netherlands, the growth of this market is hampered due to the difficulty in guaranteeing a constant supply of fresh products. Due to its... more
	Research and knowledge in new ‘Centre for Marine Policy’
	Wageningen UR Centre for Marine Policy is a new European research centre that supports the development of integrated maritime and marine policies. The centre brings together research and knowledge by... more
7 Sep 2009	Rijnaarts Appointed Professor of Water Technology
	As from 1 September 2009, Prof. Dr ir Huub Rijnaarts will work as a professor of Water Technology in the Sub-department of Environmental Technology. His research focuses on the re-use and... more
4 Sep 2009	Universal warning signals for critical transitions
	Sudden shifts in complex systems such as the climate, financial markets, ecosystems and even the human body can be preceded by surprisingly comparable warning signals. It is crucial to be able to... more
3 Sep 2009	Dieter Luetticken Award 2008 for Alternatives in Animal Testing Presented to Dr. Ivo Claassen
	ROME, Sep. 03 /CSRwire/ - The Dieter Luetticken Award 2008 for alternatives in animal testing was presented today to Dr. Ivo Claassen for developing an alternative quality control method for... more
2 Sep 2009	Best farming regions outside Netherlands
	Dutch farmers face high land prices and environmental costs. The liberalization of agricultural policy is causing Dutch agriculture to lose out to some neighbouring countries. The reason is high... more
	Smelly ointments stop pigs biting tails
	Stockholm tar and antler oil definitely help to stop pigs biting their tails. But you can also avoid using these smelly ointments by giving them plenty of toys instead. These suggestions came from... more
27 Aug 2009	Scientists investigate urban climate in Rotterdam and Arnhem
	Researchers from Wageningen University used the warm days in August to map out the urban climate in the cities of Rotterdam and Arnhem. During four time intervals on a 24 hours’ day, mobile traverse... more
	Price drop solar cells results in savings for Elkas
	The drastic price reduction of solar cells saves 8 per cent on the cost price of the electricity producing greenhouse (Elkas). This is what Piet Sonneveld, project leader of Elkas and connected to... more
24 Aug 2009	Keygene and Wageningen UR sign a licensing agreement and strengthen their collaboration
	Keygene N.V. and Wageningen University and Research Centre (Wageningen UR) signed a licensing agreement that strengthens and expands their long lasting relationship on August 17, 2009. The agreement... more
20 Aug 2009	Dutch Delta Design 2012 sets ambitious targets
	Wageningen UR stood at the cradle of Dutch Delta Design 2012, an initiative to put Dutch water expertise on the map, nationally and internationally. Since its establishment, dozens of parties from... more
	Weed ever growing problem, also in agriculture in the Netherlands
	Weed is not only a major problem for farmers in developing countries but farmers in rich countries are also facing increasing weed problems. This is the view of Bert Lotz of Plant Research... more
17 Aug 2009	Cut flowers enhance positive feelings and moods
	It has been commonly assumed that cut flowers have a positive influence on people. For example cut flowers are used to cheer up the sick or as a symbol of joy on the occasion of birthdays and births,... more
14 Aug 2009	High food prices and multinationals
	LEI Wageningen UR has been commissioned by Oxfam Novib to carry out a study into the role of multinationals (in the grain sector) within the framework of the high food prices. While riots broke out... more
	EU dairy industry is losing market share
	The EU dairy industry can be characterised as innovative and a global player, but it is losing market share since the world market is growing faster than European exports. The improvement in labour... more
11 Aug 2009	How adventurous is your lunch?
	Ever since the opening of the Restaurant of the Future in 2007, food selection behaviour in a group of registered lunch users has been systematically recorded. René de Wijk, Senior Sensory Scientist... more
10 Aug 2009	Bacterial leaf spot infestation visible in strawberry
	Bacterial leaf spot disease is caused by Xanthomonas fragariae. This disease causes much damage in strawberry propagation and production. This slow-growing bacterium is difficult to trace. Infested... more
31 Jul 2009	Micro flying robots can fly more effectively than flies
	There is a long held belief among engineers and biologists that micro flying robots that fly like airplanes and helicopters consume much more energy than micro robots that fly like flies. A new study... more
	Scientists Say Vanishing Species must be Key Part of International Carbon Trading
	Two leading scientific organizations today urged international carbon traders to help save some of the world’s most endangered forests and wildlife. Meeting this week in Marburg, Germany, the... more
14 Jul 2009	Good Agricultural Practices in the vegetable supply chain in Thailand
	Traceability systems are mostly installed by the private sector for economic incentives and can have different purposes, such as to improve supply management; to increase safety and quality control,... more
13 Jul 2009	Darwin’s mystery explained
	The appearance of many species of flowering plants on Earth, and especially their relatively rapid dissemination during the Cretaceous (approximately 100 million years ago) can be attributed to their... more
10 Jul 2009	25 Million euros for unique research into photosynthetic energy from plants and algae
	‘Artificial leaves can generate energy’ On Friday 10 July the research programme Towards Biosolar Cells was granted a budget of 25 million euros by the Dutch Government. The Ministry of Agriculture,... more
	Soy sauce may help with salt reduction
	Adding soy sauce to certain foods may enhance perception of saltiness and enable food manufacturers to cut salt content without affecting taste, according to research from the Centre for Innovative... more
8 Jul 2009	New website: QBOL - Quarantaine Barcoding of Life
	Wednesday 8 July 2009 the new www.qbol.org has been launched. The site offers information about the on going process of DNA barcoding of plant pathogenic quarantine organisms. The site has been built... more
	Bacteria from manure may get into crops
	Bacteria in manure that are harmful to humans may reproduce around the roots of plants and get into the groundwater. This has been demonstrated by Dr. A.V. Semenov, researcher at the chair group... more
6 Jul 2009	Quantifying carbon as a global environmental benefit in resource management projects
	Rural communities in developing countries could become part of the multi-billion dollar carbon-offset market if a project to assess the amount of carbon stored in vegetation and soils proves... more
3 Jul 2009	Business opportunities in the Turkish biodiesel sector
	Turkey is interested in developing its biofuel sector, to improve its security of energy supply. Currently Turkey is importing most of its energy needs. About 50% of oil is used for transportation.... more
2 Jul 2009	Smarter wasps die sooner
	Wasps that learn quickly have larger brains than members of their species that learn more slowly. But this fast learning has a price: smarter wasps have shorter lives. This discovery was made by... more
	Marten Scheffer's book - Spinoza Prize 2009 - Critical Transitions in Nature and Society
	Marten Scheffer, professor of aquatic ecology at Wageningen University, will receive this year's Spinoza Prize for his work on the stability of complex systems, ranging from ponds and coral reefs... more
	Cultivation of biofuels is harmful to sustainable development
	If the Netherlands aims to supply 10% of the total demand for fuel with biofuels by 2020, it will be unable to satisfy the criteria established by the commission for sustainable biomass production.... more
30 Jun 2009	Delta Committee with article "Dutch coasts in transition" in Nature GeoScience
	In Nature Geoscience (30 June 2009), the article Dutch coasts in transition has been published. Prof.dr. Pavel Kabat, chair holder of the ESS CC Group and member of the Dutch Delta Committee, was the... more
25 Jun 2009	Worms expose aging genes
	Dr. Jan Kammenga of the Laboratory of Nematology at Wageningen University has discovered genes that determine the lifespan of nematodes. The research results were published in the journal Nucleic... more
	Antibiotics monitoring in Europe is inadequate
	The microbial screening methods to detect antibiotics residues in meat are inadequate in many European countries. The methods do not detect all instances of contamination with antibiotics, and they... more
23 Jun 2009	European climate change reports launched in Brussels
	Two new reports examining climate change adaptation and policy making across Europe will be launched today in Brussels in the presence of Peter Gammeltoft, Head of Unit 'Protection of Water & Marine... more
20 Jun 2009	Collaboration with Ethiopian organisations
	On June 19, 2009 the Rector Magnificus of Wageningen University, prof dr Martin Kropff signed, on behalf of Wageningen UR, a Memorandum of Understanding for structural cooperation in agricultural... more
19 Jun 2009	ECART and Natura join hands in AGRINATURA
	During the Science Forum 2009 which took place in Wageningen on 16-17 June 2009, the launch was announced of AGRINATURA, the European Alliance on Agricultural Knowledge for Development. AGRINATURA is... more
18 Jun 2009	Wageningen sets example for international agricultural research
	The formation of Wageningen UR is a good example of reform in international agricultural research. This came out of a meeting of the Science Council, an advisory body to the CGIAR, the international... more
	Region of Ecuador victim of modern agriculture
	What began as a textbook example of modernized agriculture has ended in economic decline and serious health problems among the people of Carchi province in northern Equador. Dr. Stephen... more
	Airways of enzymes unravelled
	(This article is based on information from Technology Foundation STW) Researchers from the United States, Thailand, the Netherlands (including the Laboratory of Biochemistry at Wageningen... more
	Protein tubes bring enzymes to the starting line
	The enzymes that create cellulose in plants are transported to their ‘workplace’ through a network of protein tubes and threads. This was shown by researchers Professor Anne Mie Emons and PhD... more
	Physiological studies of fat tissue create opportunities for tackling obesity
	In obesity, the energy balance in the body is disturbed. This often leads to reduced immunity and health problems. It is not entirely clear how these aspects are linked together at the levels of... more
	GSM base stations can also be used to measure rainfall
	GSM base stations are susceptible to interference caused by rain. The Hydrology and Quantitative Water Management Group of the Wageningen University wants to exploit this property by using the... more
17 Jun 2009	New research uses the world’s driest areas to protect global food supplies
	June 17 is Desertification Day, a day to focus on desertification problems around the world, and this year researchers are joining hands with farmers around the world to stand up to one of the... more
15 Jun 2009	Can biofuels be sustainable by 2020?
	A joint study of Wageningen University and Research Centre, Ecofys, ECN and the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency (PBL) concludes that not all the sustainability criteria as set by the... more
	Basis for potato blight control becomes visible
	Potato blight, downy mildew, sudden oak death and a disease in salmon are all caused by a group of miniscule, yet destructive, organisms called Oomycetes. Because of their flexibility and huge... more
	Organic livestock naturally healthy
	RIKILT – Institute for Food Safety, part of Wageningen UR, recently launched the research project “Naturally healthy”, a study into keeping organic livestock naturally healthy. Relatively little is... more
12 Jun 2009	Plant seeds and animals exploit the same trick to fly
	Nearly every child has played with the twirling seeds of maple trees, which spin to the ground like a helicopter when they are thrown in the air. The aerodynamic mechanisms allowing the spinning... more
	Companies don’t want to exchange European regulations for less safety
	The European food industry would not want to exchange the substantial administrative burden for a lower level of food safety and product quality. Dairy farms give preference to the European... more
	Rhine river discharge could fall by 30% in this century
	The water discharge of the Rhine river could increase by 30% in the winter and spring by the end of the century. Even more remarkable, however, is that during the summer and autumn, the discharge... more
11 Jun 2009	Diseases and pests can be detected in greenhouse atmosphere
	The alarm substances that plants emit when they are attacked by pests or diseases can be measured in the greenhouse atmosphere. This effect has been used to design a system to promptly detect... more
	Sewage worms become fish feed
	During his PhD research, Tim Hendrickx of the Sub-department of Environmental Technology of Wageningen University discovered that native freshwater worms from the Netherlands like to eat sewage... more
	‘A glass plate makes a excellent microreactor test setup’
	The microreactor is not always easier to use than a large reactor vessel. But in many cases it is an excellent test reactor that can save time and money. This was shown by Dr Jan Swarts of... more
	Fish is good for your hearing
	A diet that is high in fish oil could possibly be good for the brain. Carla Dullemeijer of the Division of Human Nutrition of Wageningen University reached this conclusion in her doctoral... more
9 Jun 2009	South Africa seeks research collaboration with Wageningen UR
	The South African Department of Science and Technology aims pro-actively to strengthen collaboration linkages between South African and European knowledge institutions, including Wageningen UR. One... more
	Spinoza prize for Marten Scheffer
	It is with great pleasure and pride that the Wageningen University has learned of the award of the 2009 NWO/Spinoza Prize to Marten Scheffer, Professor of Aquatic Ecology and Water Quality... more
4 Jun 2009	Turbot grows faster in fresh water
	Young turbot grow a lot faster if more water runs through their ponds. The growth rate of the fish can be increased by up to thirty percent in this way. Little is known yet about the underlying... more
	Horses less stressed when broken in sensitively
	Young horses that are broken in sensitively experience less stress than those raised in the conventional way.This has emerged from research by the Wageningen Animal Sciences Group and the Utrecht... more
3 Jun 2009	Presentation of Dr. Daan du Toit, Sr. Science & Technology Representative of SA to the EU
	Wageningen International and the Environmental Sciences Group of more
29 May 2009	Dutch Zoology Prize 2009 for David Lentink at Wageningen University
	The Royal Dutch Zoological Society (KNDV) has awarded dr. David Lentink the Dutch Zoology Prize 2009 at a special symposium held in Wageningen, Netherlands. The researcher, who is temporarily as a... more
28 May 2009	African farmers develop new type of rice
	Rice farmers in West Africa have developed a new type of rice in the last few years, Wageningen researchers have found out. This has come about through spontaneous cross-breeding in the field between... more
	Release of book on The food economy
	The food economy is increasingly shaped by such new issues as sustainability, safety and quality standards, consumer health, and industry concentration. Cultural and ethical arguments gain momentum... more
	Gradual liberalisation of milk quota has contrary effect
	The gradual liberalisation of the milk quota, which was decided upon by the European commission last year, will lead to a milk surplus and a sharp price decline on the world market in the years to... more
	'When elephants fight, the grass is trampled'
	The African saying 'when elephants fight, the grass is trampled' refers to the position of regular people when political leaders argue. Prof. Henk Jochemsen used this metaphor to begin his... more
26 May 2009	Mediterranean diet increases 'good' cholesterol in the blood
	People who eat a Mediterranean diet have more 'good' cholesterol in their blood than people who eat a Western diet. It has been known for some time that the Mediterranean diet results in lower LDL... more
19 May 2009	Wageningen University is once again given the European quality label
	The European Commission has once again awarded the ECTS quality label to Wageningen University. In the past, the University had received this European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System label in... more
	First fish from the pulse cutter TX 68 officially on the market
	On Friday 15 May, the TX 68 brought the first commercially-caught “pulse fish” to the auction in IJmuiden. This fish was caught using pulse trawling equipment, an alternative to beam trawling.... more
	Research for Policy Impact in Turkey
	Turkey is preparing for EU membership. Agriculture is an important economic sector and policy area in both Turkey and the EU. In-depth analyses of the present situation are essential for identifying... more
	South Korean agriculture and horticulture very intensive
	South Korea has approximately the same population density as the Netherlands, but the intensity with which land is used for agriculture and horticulture is much higher. The average income per hectare... more
	Flat rate: lessons to be learned from other countries
	With respect to the distribution of company-specific European subsidies to the agricultural sector, some countries chose to adopt the regional model (the ‘flat rate’ model), in contrast to the... more
18 May 2009	German Institute: Wageningen best Biology programme in the Netherlands
	In a comparison of 58 Biology university programmes in Germany and the Netherlands, the programme at Wageningen University scored very high, coming, on average, in third place. They achieved the top... more
14 May 2009	Sahel should prepare for new drought
	Since the extreme droughts of 1983 and 1984, rainfall in the Sahel has gradually increased, and farming has gone better. This trend will not continue in the coming decades, however – according to the... more
	Closer ties between Chile and Wageningen
	At the end of May the president of Chile, Michelle Bachellet, will pay a three-day state visit to the Netherlands. On 27 May, she will visit Wageningen together with Queen Beatrix. The Chilean... more
13 May 2009	Rational design of vaccines: a long but essential journey
	Inauguration of Professor Schijns The holy grail of the defence mechanism against infectious diseases and tumours has not yet been discovered. In the search for a ‘master switch’ in the immune ... more
	Letter of Intent signed with South Africa on Skills development in Higher Education
	On 12 May 2009 VU University Amsterdam’s Rector, Professor Lex Bouter, signed a Letter of Intent with Dutch Minister for Development Cooperation, Bert Koenders, at Stellenbosch University for a... more
11 May 2009	Knowledge transfer for restoration of tropical peatlands in Indonesia
	This year the World Wide Fund for Nature of Indonesia began a project to restore part of a large peatswamp forest area in Kalimantan, Indonesia. Alterra provided the necessary soil science and... more
8 May 2009	Release of book on Multifunctional Rural Land Management
	The book ‘Multifunctional rural land management; economics and policies’ edited by Floor Brouwer and Martijn van der Heide is published by Earthscan. The book provides inside into viable strategies... more
7 May 2009	Sustainable tea production: approach is successful
	In recent years, the consumer has become familiar with the concept of sustainable and responsibly produced coffee. Less well known are the developments regarding the production of tea. In 2006, the... more
	It's crowded under the polar ice
	Just below the floating ice of Antarctica there are vast numbers of tiny sea creatures that play a key role in the food chain. PhD graduate Dr. Hauke Flores discovered that the density of the tiny... more
	New evidence: a little wine does you good
	Half a glass of wine a day raises your life expectancy, claims Dr. Martinette Streppel in The Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health. Although it has been known for some time that moderate... more
	Tanzanian chickens have a bellyful of sand
	Tanzania’s 31.5 million free-range village chickens are malnourished. As a result, they lay few eggs, grow slowly and often die an early death due to disease or predators. Simple measures could... more
4 May 2009	Toxicology research can be faster, more efficient and require less animal testing
	Toxicology research for approving new products for the market can take place more quickly and efficiently by largely replacing laboratory animal testing with a combination of in-vitro research and... more
29 Apr 2009	Unique DNA barcode to identify harmful organisms
	A customs official at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport identifies the DNA barcode of an unknown insect in a batch of roses he is checking. He then looks this DNA barcode up in a database to check whether... more
28 Apr 2009	Analysis of the effects of a cow’s genetic predisposition on the composition of its milk
	The genetic predisposition of cows has an effect on the fat and protein content of their milk. Researchers at Wageningen University have spent the past few years examining the scope and significance... more
	Usage of antibiotics in food animals is still increasing
	Both usage and resistance shows increasing trends. Therapeutic usage of antibiotics in food animals in The Netherlands has almost doubled in the past decade. Resistance levels in animal bacteria show... more
27 Apr 2009	Sequencing the full genome of banana
	The international public consortium for the genomics of the banana, in which Plant Research International of Wageningen UR is one of the partners, has decided to sequence the full genome of banana.... more
16 Apr 2009	Younger people more anti-animal slaughter
	Is it OK to slaughter animals to prevent diseases from spreading? People who see human beings as higher than animals usually say yes. People who see human beings and animals as equal more often say... more
15 Apr 2009	Wageningen UR and KeyGene to develop a superior genome
	This press release has been issued by Keygene on 15 April 2009The Plant Sciences department of Wageningen UR will apply KeyGene’s ‘Whole Genome Profiling’ technology to construct a high quality... more
14 Apr 2009	Prof. Daan Kromhout appointed Academy Professor
	The Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) has appointed Prof. Daan Kromhout of Wageningen University Academy Professor. Daan Kromhout is happy with his appointment: "This appointment... more
7 Apr 2009	Dieter Lütticken award 2008 for CVI scientist
	Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health today announces that the Dieter Lütticken Award 2008 for alternatives in animal testing goes to Dr. Ivo Claassen for a project that he has managed at the... more
3 Apr 2009	Production costs of poultry increasing due to extra regulations
	The production costs of poultry in the Netherlands and a number of other EU member states are set to increase further in the coming years as a result of regulations pertaining to animal welfare, the... more
	SEAMLESS – Linking European Science and Society concluded
	SEAMLESS (System for Environmental and Agricultural Modelling; Linking European Science and Society) is an integrated software system for ex-ante assessment of agricultural and environmental... more
2 Apr 2009	The Ethiopian fruit and vegetable sector
	Within four years the floriculture sector in Ethiopia has developed from almost nothing to a sector with 1,000ha and more than 80 farms. This can be attributed to the favourable climate, an... more
	A half-empty shelf is irresistible
	Half-empty shelves in the supermarket work like magnets, Wageningen consumer research has shown. That last bottle of wine left on the shelf must be good, mustn’t it? Otherwise it wouldn’t be the only... more
31 Mar 2009	New publication: Green Knowlegde Exchange Turkey - The Netherlands
	Priority issues identified for cooperation in the field of biodiversity protection and conservationAuthors: Klok, C. , E. KoopmanschapWageningen University & Research Centre, the NetherlandsISBN:... more
26 Mar 2009	Mitigation of nitrogen losses from agriculture demands for an integral approach
	Measures taken to decreasing N losses often focus at one specific nitrogen species (e.g., nitrate to water, ammonia to air, nitrous oxide to air). Such single-species policy measures may have both... more
	Climate change needs to be integrated into overall policy
	Specific measures to tackle climate change, such as emissions trading, will only be successful if they are coherently supported by other government policies addressing economic and social issues,... more
	The promise of blue energy
	In 2030 the afsluitdijk – the long dyke that separates the IJsselmeer from the sea – will supply ‘blue energy’ to almost a million households. At least, that is if it’s up to PhD researcher Jan Post,... more
	Using worms to predict cancer
	Wageningen nematologist Dr. Jan Kammenga expects to be a step nearer to being able to predict cancer in humans in a few years’ time. Thanks to the worm Caenorhabditis elegans. At the beginning of... more
25 Mar 2009	Third Edition European Food & Agribusiness Seminar (EFAS)
	The Third Edition of the European Food & Agribusiness Seminar (EFAS) will be held in Rome from 18 - 21 October 2009. EFAS is the only executive seminar of its kind in Europe that offers top-ranked... more
23 Mar 2009	Negligible proportion of artificial carbon-based nanoparticles in aquatic sediments
	The quantity of artificial carbon-based nanoparticles in lake and river-beds, originating from new products, is negligible compared to the concentration of natural carbon-based nanoparticles that are... more
19 Mar 2009	Negligible proportion of artificial nanoparticles in the environment
	The quantity of artificial nanoparticles in the environment, originating from new products, is negligible compared to the concentration of natural nanoparticles that are present in lake and river... more
	Miracle tree beats blue-green algae
	You can get rid of blue-green algae using an extract from the seeds of the tropical ‘miracle tree’ Moringa oleifera. This was discovered by high school students in Eindhoven. Wageningen UR’s... more
	From scholarship to research prize
	Wageningen graduate Peter Msimuko has won the Rijk Zwaan Plant Sciences Award for 2009. The Zambian student did his Masters research on the genetic variation of Phytophthora infestans, which causes... more
13 Mar 2009	One virus particle is enough to cause infectious disease
	Can exposure to a single virus particle lead to infection or disease? Until now, solid proof has been lacking. Experimental research with insect larvae at Wageningen University and Simon Fraser... more
12 Mar 2009	Rodents cause hunger
	Rodents cause massive global harvest losses. If they are properly dealt with, 280 million more people can be fed, which is one third of the number currently suffering from hunger. This is the claim... more
	Thin outside but fat inside
	For years, scientists have believed that the body mass index – weight divided by height squared – was a reliable indicator of overweight and health. New insights are now rapidly undermining this... more
	Potato farmers in the Andes maintain biodiversity
	Farmers in the Andes are keeping the genetic variety of the potato going by cultivating up to one hundred different local cultivars. So says Stef de Haan, who did field research between 2003 and 2006... more
11 Mar 2009	Wageningen scientists develop plants that sustainably produce ‘platform chemicals’
	Plant Research International and the Microbiology group, both part of Wageningen UR, have jointly developed potato plants that are capable of producing itaconic acid. Itaconic acid is a... more
	International award for retired Wageningen professor
	Dr. Gatze Lettinga, retired Professor in ‘Anaerobic Treatment Technology and Re-use’ at Wageningen University, has been awarded this year’s Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize 2009 for his... more
10 Mar 2009	Computer model SEAMLESS brings out the best in agriculture and environment in Europe
	What effects are the negotiations on the deregulation of world trade having on European farmers, farm income, the landscape and European consumers? What influence is the European Nitrates Directive... more
9 Mar 2009	Wageningen University honours remarkable alumni
	Alumnus awards for Dr Paul Kibwika and Dr Ruud Kleinpaste The Alumnus Award for Innovative Development went to Dr Paul Kibwika from Uganda and the Outstanding Alumnus award went to Dr Ruud... more
5 Mar 2009	Wageningen scientists develop plants that sustainably produce ‘platform chemicals’
	Plant Research International and the Microbiology science group, both part of Wageningen UR, have jointly developed potato plants that are capable of producing itaconic acid. Itaconic acid... more
	Agreement signed on cooperation and exchange programme with University of Nagoya
	Wageningen UR and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam signed an agreement with the University of Nagoya, Japan for the exchange of Global Change students and researchers. Eddy Moors and Pavel Kabat,... more
	Evolution is both predictable and random
	Is evolution predictable or does the emergence of new species depend on chance? Both, concluded Wageningen biologists after an evolutionary experiment. In a new environment, chance still plays a... more
3 Mar 2009	Evolution is the theme of Wageningen University foundation day (Dies natalis)
	With the evolutionary biologist and ecologist Prof. Stephen C. Stearns as keynote speaker, Wageningen University will be celebrating its 91st birthday (Dies natalis or foundation day) on 9 March. The... more
27 Feb 2009	Happy fish thanks to Big Brother
	If you want politically correct coffee (whether organic or fair trade), there is plenty of choice at the supermarket. But if you are concerned about the fish you eat, it gets a bit harder. A welfare... more
26 Feb 2009	Experimental fire provides knowledge about damage after forest fires
	An experimental fire that was deliberately set in Portugal last Friday has provided Wageningen University researchers with the first information about the soil erosion that occurs after forest fires.... more
	Fogo experimental aumenta conhecimentos sobre os prejuízos provocados por incêndios florestais
	Um fogo experimental levado a cabo na passada sexta-feira em Portugal permitiu aos investigadores da Universidade de Wageningen, Holanda, conseguir mais informações sobre a erosão do solo que ocorre... more
25 Feb 2009	Conventional agriculture is more sustainable with more soil fungi
	Soil fungi reduce the leaching of fertiliser to the groundwater, and consequently help to alleviate the environmental problems of conventional agriculture. This was shown in a PhD study by... more
	Erwinia bacterium causes more damage in potatoes
	The Erwinia bacterium seems to have become more aggressive in recent years and causes more damage in infested potato plants. This is the conclusion of researcher Jan van der Wolf of Plant Research... more
24 Feb 2009	Market Information System in Ethiopia
	From 24 to 31 January, Olga van der Valk and Monika Sopov (Wageningen International) visited Ethiopia (Ziway and Meki in the Rift Valley south of Addis Ababa) to develop a Market Information System... more
	Brochure on research for water management
	Clean water is one of life’s essentials, and it is becoming scarcer and scarcer. LEI is carrying out research in a number of different places into measures that are aimed at preserving good stocks of... more
	Food consumer science in the Balkans
	LEI, together with Wageningen University (Marketing and Consumer Behaviour Group and Division of Human Nutrition), is joining forces within a European collaborative project to train the West Balkan... more
	Robotised roguing in tulip
	Virus detection in tulips: first step towards robotised roguingFinding virus-diseased tulips in a field is a difficult job. Even experienced hand-roguers find it difficult, in particular in yellow... more
23 Feb 2009	Constraints for smallholder farmers in Ghana
	In a public lecture on Tuesday 17th of February 2009 Hans Eenhoorn, Associate Professor Food Security and Entrepreneurship at Wageningen University, reported the main conclusions of an... more
17 Feb 2009	Fighting salmonella in pork chains
	The European Union wants to formulate objectives regarding the presence of salmonella in beef cattle and meat. Pork chains in most European countries currently have no formal control system covering... more
16 Feb 2009	Researchers Discover Molecular Gatekeeper in Enzyme
	Researchers from Wageningen University, along with colleagues from the University of Groningen and the University of Pavia (Italy), have unravelled the mechanism that plays a role in the natural... more
	Planning for offshore wind turbine parks disregards ecology
	During the spatial planning and construction of offshore wind turbine parks, the effects on marine ecosystems are not taken sufficiently into account. According to Prof. Han Lindeboom of Wageningen... more
14 Feb 2009	What nanotechnology can do for your average donut
	Lecture Dr. Frans W. H. Kampers of Wageningen University at the AAAS-meeting in Chicago, 14th Februari 2009 Nanotechnology is a rapidly developing innovative technology with applications in very... more
13 Feb 2009	Low production costs in the Dutch pig-farming sector coming under pressure
	The production costs in the Dutch pig farming sector will continue to increase in the coming years, primarily as a result of regulations pertaining to animal welfare and the environment. In several... more
	Collaboration with Ethiopia
	At the invitation of the Ethiopian Institute for Agricultural Research (EIAR), André de Jager and a delegation from Wageningen UR visited Ethiopia on 19 and 20 January this year. The goal of this... more
10 Feb 2009	International Humanitarian Studies Association launched
	On Friday 6 February the International Humanitarian Studies Association has been launched during the world conference of humanitarian studies in the city of Groningen, Netherlands. This conference, ... more
9 Feb 2009	Wageningen University appoints Professor of Plant Production in Energy-efficient Greenhouses
	Wageningen University has appointed Dr Leo Marcelis as Professor by special appointment of Plant Production in Energy-efficient Greenhouses, effective 1 February. The chair is funded by Westland... more
6 Feb 2009	New European Food Law Handbook
	Bernd van der Meulen, professor Law and Governance and Menno van der Velde, associate professor both at Wageningen University. European food law has fundamentally been reformed in the last decade.... more
5 Feb 2009	Fish tastes better with 'wild' label
	Wild mackerel tastes better than the farmed variety. At least, it does if the origin is on the label. But a consumer who doesn’t know where it’s from will taste no difference. This is the claim made... more
	Intensive agriculture better for environment
	Extensive agriculture with fewer inputs such as fertilizer and pesticides is less sustainable than intensive agriculture. Even the researchers who came to this conclusion are surprised by it.With the... more
4 Feb 2009	Clear effect of probiotics demonstrated in gut of healthy adults
	For the first time, scientific evidence has been obtained on how probiotics affect the activity of our genes in the gut wall. These vital results give insight into the mechanism by which probiotics... more
3 Feb 2009	Appointment professor Sensory Perception and Eating Behaviour
	Wageningen University has appointed Professor Kees de Graaf as professor of Sensory Perception and Eating Behaviour. He already held the position of professor (by special appointment) of Eating... more
2 Feb 2009	Wageningen UR Alumni meet in Addis Ababa
	On the occasion of the visit of a Wageningen UR mission to Ethiopia (17-20 January 2009), the Wageningen Alumni Office, jointly with Wageningen International and the Office of the Netherlands’... more
30 Jan 2009	Excessive speculation?
	LEI has carried out a study for Oxfam Novib on the recent price trends in the international grain market and the trends in market concentration in grain trading and processing. Oxfam Novib had two... more
29 Jan 2009	Hope for Africa in baobab
	The baobab tree produces fruit that is rich in vitamin C, antioxidants and minerals. ‘The pulp of the fruit has the most vitamin C of all the natural foods in the world’, says Flora Chadare in... more
26 Jan 2009	New report: Wise use of wetlands in China
	Funded by the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality, Alterra, Wageningen UR has taken the initiative to search for solutions on the competing claims of the wetlands in China. As a... more
	Significant genetic variation, same looks
	The genetic variation within a species can be significant, but very little of that variation results in clear differences in morphology or other phenotypes. Much of the diversity remains hidden... more
22 Jan 2009	Poor drainage makes poor farmers
	Irrigation must be drained. If this stage is skipped, soils become salinated and harvest suffer, says Dr. Henk Ritzema, who has 28 years of experience in water management, mainly in South Asia.... more
15 Jan 2009	Biotechnology down on the farm
	Don’t make the farmer fit the technology; make the technology fit the farmer. That is the idea behind alternative applications of biotechnology in developing countries that Professor Guido Ruivenkamp... more
13 Jan 2009	Minute insect develops long-term memory
	Parasitic wasp – Cabbage Butterfly interaction If a specific butterfly anti-sex scent is coupled with a pleasant experience, then parasitic wasps are able to develop long-term memory and respond to... more
	Risk management: ad hoc measures still necessary
	LEI studied the effectiveness of risk management instruments in the agricultural sector, such as animal disease insurance or harvest insurance to cover crop losses caused by bad weather. Thirteen... more
8 Jan 2009	Stricter climate policy cheaper than believed
	Policymakers incorrectly assume that the costs of climate policy rise exponentially as its targets get more ambitious. This is the view expressed by climate scientist Michiel Schaeffer in PNAS... more
5 Jan 2009	Open spaces in tropical rain forests are not ‘contagious’
	According to conventional wisdom, open spaces (canopy disturbances) in the leaf canopies of tropical rainforests are ‘contagious’; trees around existing open spaces are more likely to fall over.... more
10 Jul 2008	Less food poisoning due to bacteriophages
	Bacteriophages can help to reduce the number of cases of food poisoning. The phages kill pathogenic bacteria such as Campylobacter, thereby reducing the risk of infection. This was shown from... more
	Heated discussion about the origin of blue tongue virus
	Did the blue tongue virus strain that is currently spreading through Northern Europe (BTV-8) escape from a laboratory? There are scientists who believe this. Molecular biologist Dr. Piet van Rijn of... more
8 Jul 2008	Research plan of six Dutch universities for revolution in photosynthesis
	Centre for Photosynthesis Research, 'Towards BioSolar Cells’ Six Dutch universities have formulated an ambitious research plan that is intended to lead to a revolution in photosynthesis. The... more
26 Jun 2008	Ideal picture is obstacle to peace-building
	For building peace after a war, international development organisations have relied on local NGOs since the 1990s. But the NGOs cannot always fulfil the expectations of the development organisations,... more
25 Jun 2008	Launch of INSTAPA research to help attain millennium goal of reducing world hunger
	INSTAPA, a major research project in Africa, was launched on 25-27 June at Wageningen University. The project is financed as part of the 7th Framework Programme of the European Commission.The INSTAPA... more
	European assessment of water quality is too time-consuming
	The water quality assessments of surface water in Europe conducted by experts are time-consuming and costly. Researchers from Wageningen University published the results of a major study in which... more
23 Jun 2008	European forests slow global warming
	Despite their intensive use, European forests absorb a significant portion of the CO2 emissions in Europe. As a result, they help to slow global warming. During the past 50 years, the European... more
19 Jun 2008	Prenatal iodine deficiency does not cause enlarged testes
	If pregnant women produce too little thyroid hormone, then their sons will have enlarged testes as they mature. In any case, this is reported in medical manuals with great authority. But Dr. Eddy... more
	CVI seeks improved test for Q fever
	The Central Veterinary Institute (CVI) of Wageningen UR in Lelystad is going to try to acquire a better perspective on various types of the bacterium Coxiella burnetii, which causes Q fever. The... more
17 Jun 2008	Artificial hormone tricks potato pathoge
	Researchers from the University of Groningen and Wageningen University have succeeded in artificially imitating sex hormones from the pathogen Phytophthora, which causes potato blight. The... more
12 Jun 2008	Technological projects are essential for producing sufficient food in Africa.
	Inaugural address of Prof. Harro BouwmeesterAfrican agriculture is afflicted with a stubborn parasitic plant, known as Striga, which greatly reduces the yields of maize, millet and sorghum. A... more
11 Jun 2008	CVI and the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine develop vaccines against Rift Valley fever
	The Central Veterinary Institute of Wageningen UR (CVI) and the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of Utrecht University are jointly developing modern vaccines against Rift Valley fever. This viral... more
	Eating carrots reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease
	Carrots are not only good for your eyes. People who eat plenty of vegetables have a reduced risk of dying from cardiovascular disease. The reduced mortality is correlated with the consumption of the... more
2 Jun 2008	Spinoza prize for the second year in a row in Wageningen
	Wageningen University and Research Centre is very pleased with the award of the NWO Spinoza prize 2008 to Prof. dr. Willem de Vos, Professor of Microbiology at Wageningen University. Moreover, we are... more
29 May 2008	Bird DNA changes slowly
	The genetic material of birds, i.e. the number of chromosomes and the mutual position of the various genes, changes much more slowly than that of mammals. The similarities between birds are... more
	Costly metal extracted from power plant waste
	A PhD student of Wageningen University has developed a technology that recovers the costly mental selenium from the waste streams of power plants. ‘In this way, you kill two flies with one blow’,... more
22 May 2008	Toilet without sewer is also useful outside the slums
	A water-free mobile toilet, which was presented this week in Wageningen during a sanitation conference, can be a solution for slums and refugee camps. But in the industrialised countries as well, the... more
	The rubber of the future will be extracted from dandelions
	An international consortium is going to study whether it will be economically feasible In Europe to extract rubber from new crops such as the Mexican desert shrub guayule or the Russian dandelion. On... more
19 May 2008	Europe will produce food for a growing world population
	Europe will begin to produce more and more food for other parts of the world. This was one of the conclusions of the report ‘Landbouwgronden in Europa; analyse van en visie op gewasopbrengsten,... more