A systematic review of multi-actor sociocultural perceptions of regenerative agriculture

Jones, H. E., Kemper, J. A., Conroy, D. M., Veer, E., & White, S. (2026). A systematic review of multi-actor sociocultural perceptions of regenerative agriculture. Outlook on Agriculture, 1. https://doi.org/10.1177/00307270261446290

Vibrational duetting and mating behaviour of the passion-vine hopper Scolypopa australis (Walker) (Hemiptera: Ricaniidae)

MacDougall, M. S., Stringer, L. D., & Nelson, X. J. (2026). Vibrational duetting and mating behaviour of the passion-vine hopper Scolypopa australis (Walker) (Hemiptera: Ricaniidae). Journal of Natural History, 60(13-16), 891-903. https://doi.org/10.1080/00222933.2026.2631722

Impacts of climate change on land suitability of key crops in New Zealand

Hamon, B., Quénol, H., Vannier, C. et al. Impacts of climate change on land suitability of key crops in New Zealand. Sci Rep (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-49178-8

Multi-gene phylogeny and morphology of Pleurotus in Aotearoa New Zealand reveal a new variety of Pleurotus pulmonarius

Hera, D., Cooper, J., Buchanan, P. K., Dhami, M. K., Dickie, I. A. (2026). Multi-gene phylogeny and morphology of Pleurotus in Aotearoa New Zealand reveal a new variety of Pleurotus pulmonarius. Fungal biology, 130(3), 101747. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.funbio.2026.101747

Abstract

Increased demand of cultivated oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus species) in Aotearoa New Zealand has led to the importation of exotic species, which pose potential invasion risks. Gaps in taxonomic knowledge of this genus have complicated biosecurity decisions and cultivation efforts. To address this, we collected 84 wild and cultivated New Zealand Pleurotus specimens for multi-locus phylogenetic analysis (ITS, LSU, RPB1, RPB2, and Tef) and morphological examination. We describe P. pulmonarius var. aotearoa as a new variety indigenous to New Zealand, distinct from imported P. pulmonarius sens. str. We establish that P. purpureo-olivaceus has no anamorphic stage and falls outside the subgenus Coremiopleurotus, unlike P. australis, a species sometimes found on living trees. The close monophyletic relationship between P. parsonsiae and P. djamor underscores the need to reconsider the presence of the exotic P. djamor in the country. The refined species boundaries between the indigenous P. australis, P. parsonsiae, P. pulmonarius var. aotearoa and P. purpureo-olivaceus have important implications for conservation and biosecurity, and support the potential of using indigenous strains for cultivation in New Zealand.

Altered levels of known allergens in cultured primary bovine myoblasts for cultivated meat

Trlin, H. J. F., Bennie, R. Z., Ogilvie, O. J., Oh, J. K., Jin, A., America, A. H. P., Schols, H. A., de Ram, C., Bastiaan-Net, S., Boudewijn, A., Maes, E., Kleter, G., Domigan, L. J., & Dobson, R. C. J. (2026). Altered levels of known allergens in cultured primary bovine myoblasts for cultivated meat. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 74(8). https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jafc.5c10735

Chemical Composition and In Sacco Degradation Kinetics of Four Common Biowastes in Canterbury

Olszewski, A. S. E., Mangwe, M., Robinson, B., Whitehead, D., & Bryant, R. H. (2026). Chemical composition and in sacco degradation kinetics of four common biowastes in Canterbury. New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research, 69, e70010. https://doi.org/10.1002/jag2.70010

Volatile sulfur compounds in New Zealand Sauvignon blanc: An inter-regional survey

Manners, S. H., van Leeuwen, K. A., Gaw, S., Panicker, K., Gill, S., Dhami, M. K., . . . Stott, M. B. (2025). Volatile sulfur compounds in New Zealand Sauvignon blanc: An inter-regional survey. Food Chemistry, 495(Part 1), . https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2025.146369

Harshing the Vibes: Behavioural Responses to Predation and Deterrent Vibrational Playback in Scolypopa Australis (Hemiptera: Ricaniidae)

MacDougall, M.S., Nelson, X.J. and Stringer, L.D. (2025). Harshing the Vibes: Behavioural Responses to Predation and Deterrent Vibrational Playback in Scolypopa Australis (Hemiptera: Ricaniidae). J Appl Entomol. https://doi.org/10.1111/jen.13412

ABSTRACT

The use of substrate borne vibrational playback to control insect pests is a rapidly growing line of research targeting many problematic species. Among the control approaches currently being tested, vibrational deterrent playbacks that aim to prevent feeding and to drive pests away from the target area are comparatively under-explored. In experiments involving an introduced pest of New Zealand orchards, the passion vine hopper (PVH, Scolypopa australis), we investigated PVH anti-predator behaviour and alarm call responses and the potential use of alarm calls as vibration-based deterrent stimuli. We used laser-Doppler vibrometry and video recordings to assess the vibrational and behavioural responses of PVH to the presence of a predator (Maratus griseus jumping spider), serendipitously discovering a new female call possibly involved in mate rejection. In our tests, we did not find evidence of any vibrational alarm calls in PVH, which showed a significantly reduced rate of general vibration-based signalling and reduced propensity to call overall compared to control recordings. Instead, PVH responded to a predator threat with a rapid jumping escape response in 87.5% of attacks. We also tested the efficacy of three deterrent vibrational playbacks on driving PVH movement away from a source point, finding that a broad-band white noise playback spanning 301–688 Hz induced significant movement away from the playback source compared with silent controls. As preliminary proof of concept, we hope these results will assist in developing successful vibrational deterrence for PVH.

Mobile species' responses to surrounding land use generate trade-offs among nature's contributions to people

O'Brien, S. A., Tylianakis, J. M., Anderson, D. P., Boesing, A. L., Lai, H. R., Le Provost, G., Manning, P., Neyret, M., Blüthgen, N., Jung, K., Magdon, P., Müller, S., Schenk, N. V., Scherer-Lorenzen, M., & Lavorel, S. (2025). Mobile species' responses to surrounding land use generate trade-offs and synergies among nature's contributions to people. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 122(45), e2505401122. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2505401122

Abstract

Agricultural landscapes provide material, non-material and regulating contributions that affect human wellbeing. The responses of these nature’s contributions to people (NCP) to land-use patterns depend on supporting biota with different habitat requirements, generating trade-offs and synergies. Predictions of NCP trade-offs could inform land-use decisions, but these do not typically account for the effects of land-use patterns on the movement of NCP-providing species, nor for interactions among NCP providers. To explore spatial trade-offs and synergies in eight indicators of NCP, we used Bayesian models that allow for interactions among land uses and among NCP using data from 150 grassland sites across rural Germany. We found that spatial arrangements of forest and open habitat influenced many NCP: acoustic diversity, birdwatching potential, natural enemy abundance and pollination. In particular, the amount and proximity of land uses in the surrounding landscape, especially forest and open habitat, drove the supply of most NCP. However, NCP provided by smaller-bodied taxa (herbivory and pathogen infection) responded weakly to landscape factors. Multiple NCP provided by a given taxon responded differently to their surrounding landscape (e.g. bird-provided caterpillar predation and seed predation), leading to trade-offs among NCP over short distances (≤60 m). These were caused by different rates and directions of response to amount and location of land uses. Resulting spatial predictions revealed that grassland-dominated or mixed forest-grassland areas better maximize beneficial NCP and minimize detrimental NCP across landscapes than purely forest-dominated areas. This suggests promoting semi-natural vegetation in agricultural landscapes to provide greater-than-additive benefits to net NCP supply.

A risk-based approach can guide safe cell line development and cell banking for scaled-up cultivated meat production

Bennie, R.Z., Ogilvie, O.J., Loo, L.S.W., Zhou, H., Ng, S.K., Jin, A., Trlin, H.J.F., Wan, A., Yu, H., Domigan, L.J., and Dobson, R.C.J. (2025). A risk-based approach can guide safe cell line development and cell banking for scaled-up cultivated meat production. Nature Food, 3 January 2025; 6: 25-30. https://doi.org/10.1038/s43016-024-01085-9

Abstract

For commercial viability, cultivated meats require scientifically informed approaches to identify and manage hazards and risks. Here we discuss food safety in the rapidly developing field of cultivated meat as it shifts from lab-based to commercial scales. We focus on what science-informed risk mitigation processes can be implemented from neighbouring fields. We case-study pre-market safety assessments from UPSIDE Foods, GOOD Meat and Vow Group using publicly available dossiers. Quality control and safety assurance practices need to be established and standardized for cell lines and food-grade cell banks.

Vibrational communication in Scolypopa australis: characterising spontaneous and intrasexual calls in an invasive orchard pest

MacDougall, M. S., Borthwick-Taylor, G., Nelson, X. J., & Stringer, L. D. (2024). Vibrational communication in Scolypopa australis: characterising spontaneous and intrasexual calls in an invasive orchard pest. Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata. https://doi.org/10.1111/eea.13460

Draft genome sequence of Thermococcus waiotapuensis WT1 T, a thermophilic sulfur-dependent archaeon from the order Thermococcales

Manners, S. H., Dobson, R. C. J., Stott, M. B., Carere, C. R., & Dhami, M. K. (2024). Draft genome sequence of Thermococcus waiotapuensis WT1 T, a thermophilic sulfur-dependent archaeon from the order Thermococcales. Microbiology Resource Announcements, 13(1). https://doi.org/10.1128/mra.00815-23

Effects of Winery Wastewater to Soils on Mineral Properties and Soil Carbon

Nightingale-McMahon, M., Robinson, B., Malcolm, B., Clough, T., & Whitehead, D. (2024). Effects of Winery Wastewater to Soils on Mineral Properties and Soil Carbon. Land, 13(6). https://doi.org/10.3390/land13060751

Landscape patterns drive provision of nature's contributions to people by mobile species

O’Brien, S. A., Anderson, D. P., Lavorel, S., Lai, H. R., de Burgh, N., & Tylianakis, J. M. (2024). Landscape patterns drive provision of nature's contributions to people by mobile species. Journal of Applied Ecology, 00, 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.14764

Sculpting the future of meat: Biomaterial approaches and structural engineering for large-scale cell-based production

Jin, A., Bennie, RZ., Ogilvie, OJ., Trlin, HJF., Kong, NS., Yu, H., et al. (2024). Sculpting the future of meat: Biomaterial approaches and structural engineering for large-scale cell-based production. Sust Food Prot., 2(1): 3–20. https://doi.org/10.1002/sfp2.1023

Interdisciplinary methods for analysing food matrix structures of hybrid cell-based meats: A review

Ogilvie, O. J., Bennie, R. Z., Trlin, H. J. F., Loo, L. S. W., Zhou, H., Jin, A., Oh, J. K., Dobson, R. C. J., Yu, H., & Domigan, L. J. (2024). Interdisciplinary methods for analysing food matrix structures of hybrid cell-based meats: A review. Food Structure, 39. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foostr.2023.100361

Fermentation of plant‐based dairy alternatives by lactic acid bacteria

Harper, A. R., Dobson, R. C. J., Morris, V. K., & Moggré, G. (2022). Fermentation of plant‐based dairy alternatives by lactic acid bacteria. Microbial Biotechnology, 15(5), 1404–1421. https://doi.org/10.1111/1751-7915.14008

Revisiting the crucial roles of oxygen vacancies in photo/electro-catalytic degradation of aqueous organic pollutants

Zeng, C., Tsui, L. S., Lam, F. L., Wu, T., & Yip, A. C. (2024). Revisiting the crucial roles of oxygen vacancies in photo/electro-catalytic degradation of aqueous organic pollutants. Applied Catalysis O: Open, 190, . https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apcato.2024.206930