ARS Newslink

ARS News Service
USDA Agricultural Research Service
July 26, 2013
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Turning invasive trees into jet fuel:
USDA scientists are exploring options for using invasive trees to develop U.S. Navy fighter jet fuel. Researchers at several locations in the western United States are contributing to a project called "Accelerated Renewable Jet Fuel Supplies from Invasive Woody Species." (7/22) http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2013/130722.htm

Studying bee health:
Honey bees that consume pollen that contains amounts of commonly used fungicides at levels too low to cause the bee's death still may leave them more susceptible to infection by a gut parasite, according to research by USDA scientists and cooperators. (7/24) http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2013/130724.htm

Identifying disease-causing fungi:
A collection of fungi maintained by USDA played a crucial role in helping scientists identify the specific fungus causing an anthracnose disease discovered in a southern turf grass, and another fungus destroying trees of edible fruits in Honduras. (7/25) http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2013/130725.htm

Infrared heat and French fries:
French fries typically soak up a lot of oil while they're in the deep-fat fryer. But USDA scientists have shown that prepping the raw fries for three minutes with infrared (IR) heat, before the fries are dunked in the fryer, can reduce oil uptake by about one-third, as compared to raw fries not treated with IR. (7/26) http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2013/130726.htm







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ARS News Service, Information Staff, Agricultural Research Service
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