Crop Biotech Update (October 30, 2013)

In This Issue October 30, 2013 NEWS Global  • Certain Policies Affect the Use of Plant Genetic Resources, Study Reveals  Africa  • Africa Rice Congress Ends with Call for Increased Investment, Benefits for Smallholders  Americas  • Scientists Studying Pathways that Control Plant Growth  • 2013 WFP Laureate Donates Award to Women Plant Science Scholars  Asia and the Pacific  • Malaysians' Attitude to GM Foods and Medicine  • Farmers Need to Use Latest Technologies to Increase Yield  • 60th Anniversary of DNA Structure Discovery Focuses on GM Technology  • Chinese University Holds GM Rice Taste Testing  • ICRISAT Launches Projects to Develop Improved Varieties of Legumes in India  Europe  • Report Shows Spain Continues Expansion of GE Corn Plantings  • Study Shows How Plants Tell Time  • Role of Wild Grasses on Initiating Leaf Blotch in Barley Crops Revealed  • EFSA Still Validates Previous Opinions on GM Potato EH92-527-1  • Leeds Scientists Finds Anomaly in Model Plant Arabidopsis  Research  • Dissipation of Cry1Ac and its Toxicity to NT Aquatic Organisms  • Construction of Calibrator Plasmid and Nested PCR Assay for HT Soybeans  Beyond Crop Biotech  • Genetics for Saving Coral Reefs from Climate Change  • USDA Discovers Safer FMD Vaccine  Announcements  • Plant Genomics Congress  Document Reminders  • 40 Chances: Finding Hope in a Hungry World  Biofuels Supplement (October 30, 2013 Issue)  Research and Development  • Researchers Speed Up Wood-to-Fuel Conversion • Potential Pests of Future Ethanol Crops Rediscovered • Scientists Find Key Genes for Oil Surge in Plant Leaves • Work on Perennial Grain Crop to Boost Potential Biofuel Use • Mold Research Project to Receive Support from Energy Department Production and Trade  • Partnership Boosts Use of Jet Biofuel in 2014 • Thailand Promotes Cassava-Based Ethanol Production • Ukraine Needs Additional Sources of Bioethanol • UAE to Produce Aviation Biofuel With Sustainable Farming Policy and Regulation  • Biofuel Maker Calls for Blending Mandate in Hong Kong Latest Communication Products Can Mother Earth Feed 9+ Billion in 2050?  Coinciding with the celebration of the World Food Prize (WFP) Foundation 16-19 October 2013 to honor three distinguished crop biotechnologists, ISAAA launches a new infographic on food and agricultural biotechnology to raise public understanding on challenges of feeding the world of tomorrow. Farmers First: Feedback from the Farm  A collection of farmers' testimonies from China, India, and the Philippines, about how they started adopting biotech crops, how they benefited from the technology, and why they continue planting biotech crops. Biotech Traits Annual Updates  A summary of traits deployed in biotech crops which includes short discussions about the trends in biotech traits adoption and benefits of biotech crops with such traits. Pocket K 45: Biotechnology for Sugarcane  This PK covers short discussions about the many uses of sugarcane aside from being a sugar crop; how genetic manipulation can boost its yield and enhance its productivity; how cellulosic biofuel is made; niche products; and the key challenges. Beyond Promises: Top 10 Facts about Biotech/GM Crops in 2012  A visual presentation of the 10 important highlights about biotech crops in 2012, taken from the ISAAA Brief 44 Global Status of Commercialized Biotech/GM Crops: 2012