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| This Week's Titles: |
| Using
DNA To Breed New Wheat Varieties |
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Creating Beautiful Landscapes
On A Budget |
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| Poultry
Products Safe From Asian Bird Flu |
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| Dry
Weather Beginning To Cause Problems |
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| Sleep
Disorder Problems In Children |
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| Using
DNA To Breed New Wheat Varieties |
1:35 |
College scientists are using
DNA technology to speed up the process of breeding new wheat
varieties. |
Every year wheat farmers
struggle to overcome problems with diseases and insects. The
research project that involves the use of DNA will focus on
identifying wheat genes that are resistant to diseases like
powdery mildew and leaf rust. Jerry Johnson, a scientist with
the University of Georgia's College of Agricultural and Environmental
Sciences says the new technology will give scientists a better
understanding of wheat genetics. "In the past we really don't
understand the genetics of insect resistant or particular milling
and baking quality that we work with in wheat, and this research
would allow us to develop some tools to identify important genes
that control these traits and hopefully by having these tools
we can use them to breed improved wheat cultivars." Jerry Johnson
with the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.
Since the work with DNA began in 2000, university scientists
have released more than thirty-five new wheat varieties, that
will help growers fight pests, and produce high quality, and
high yield wheat. Two new varieties were release in 2005, and
Johnson plans to release two more new wheat varieties this year.
John Harrell, University of Georgia College of Agricultural
and Environmental Sciences, reporting from Tifton. |
Links to audio files:
(files include a brief quote from the source for your use.)
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| Creating
Beautiful Landscapes On A Budget |
1:35 |
A metro-Atlanta county is helping
people create and manage beautiful landscape gardens without
spending too much money. |
Citizens in Dekalb County
needed help creating and managing landscape gardens, while managing
a budget. To help people learn about landscape gardening, several
classes were offered in Dekalb County on low-cost landscaping.
Nicole Martini, a county extension agent in Dekalb County says
the classes were very informative. "We covered how the residents
could analyze their site so that they could develop a landscape
plan specific to their home or their property. And we covered
proper installation of plant materials so that they had a good
understanding that they could buy plants in smaller containers
at the nursery and spacing requirements to insure that they
grew healthy plants which would also cut down the cost." Nicole
Martini with the University of Georgia's College of Agricultural
and Environmental Sciences. Those that took part in the Low-Cost
Landscape Series in Dekalb County said the training was helpful,
and they plan to put into practice at least two concepts they
had learned during the classes. John Harrell, University of
Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences,
reporting from Tifton. |
Links to audio files:
(files include a brief quote from the source for your use.)
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| Poultry
Products Safe From Asian Bird Flu |
1:37 |
Many people still think they
will become victims of Asian bird flu after consuming poultry
products in the United States. |
Every day news reports tell
there is a major outbreak of Asian bird flu in several countries
in Asia. This causes a red light to go off for a lot of people,
as they assume the disease is spreading, and will soon find
it's way to the United States. Jim Crawford, a county extension
agent in Jefferson County says despite the reports, eating eggs
and other poultry products is safe. He adds the U.S. poultry
industry has been taking steps, and is ready to respond if the
virus enters the U.S. "We have the safeguards in place, we know
it works if something's found, the latches go down, the doors
are closed, it's isolated and it's taken care of, and we don't
import any chicken, turkey, or poultry products from Asia, or
any of those countries where these things are." Jim Crawford
with the University of Georgia's College of Agricultural and
Environmental Sciences Most of the poultry in Asian countries
is produced in small backyard or village flocks, and producers
have to physically catch the birds, butcher, and pluck before
taking them down to the market. This puts people in frequent
contact with these birds, some of which were infected with the
Asian bird flu virus. So take comfort. Every effort has been
made to prevent the introduction of Asian bird flu into U.S.
poultry. John Harrell, University of Georgia College of Agricultural
and Environmental Sciences, reporting from Tifton. |
Links to audio files:
(files include a brief quote from the source for your use.)
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| Dry
Weather Beginning To Cause Problems |
1:42 |
Soils and streams in Georgia
are thirsty, and need a drink of water from mother nature. |
Rainfall across most of
Georgia has been below normal for the last six months. This
has caused fields to become dry and dusty, and water levels
to drop in rivers and streams. David Stooksbury, the State Climatologist
and Professor of Engineering at the University of Georgia says
dry soils are the major concern now, especially with farmers
getting ready to plant their crops. "The immediate concern involves
dry soils. Soils are particularly dry in Southwest Georgia,
in West Central Georgia, and across middle Georgia, particularly
along the Fall Line. But soils across the majority of the state
are abnormally dry for this time of year. If the climate pattern
that we have seen over the last two months continues, we could
be talking about drought in a few weeks." David Stooksbury with
the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, who
adds the chances of a good soaking, general rain decrease in
May, since most cold fronts stall out or weaken before they
move through the state. Records show May is also one of the
driest months of the year, as the climate continues to shift
from spring into summer, and scattered, hit and miss afternoon
thunderstorms become the main hope for rain. John Harrell, University
of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences,
reporting from Tifton. |
Links to audio files:
(files include a brief quote from the source for your use.)
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| Sleep
Disorder Problems In Children |
1:35 |
It seems more children are
sluggish and groggy, because they don't get enough sleep. |
Most of us have heard reports
of adults being diagnosed with sleep disorders, especially sleep
apnea. But a nutrition and health specialist with the University
of Georgia's College of Family and Consume Sciences says most
children and teenagers don't get the nine hours of sleep per
night they need. Not enough sleep can cause grades to tumble,
increase the chances of accidents, and behavior problems. She
adds there are signs of sleep disorders in children and teenagers.
"Well, a real sleep disorder usually the person will have snoring,
and it may get very loud at times. They may actually stop breathing
for a short period of time while they're sleeping, and then
they usually will have problems staying awake during the day,
they may fall asleep in class or sleep in front of the TV very
easily." Connie Crawley with the College of Family and Consumer
Sciences. To help children get the sleep they need, set a regular
bedtime and stick to it, even on weekends. The room may have
to be darkened during the summer months, since it won't get
completely dark outside until after nine o' clock. Avoid big
meals near bedtime, and avoid soft drinks, tea, and chocolate
at least six hours before going to bed, since they contain caffeine.
John Harrell, University of Georgia College of Agricultural
and Environmental Sciences, reporting from Tifton. |
Links to audio files:
(files include a brief quote from the source for your use.)
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