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Articles by Saoimanu Sope
International Business Times
By: The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation via GlobeNewswire January 26, 2026 at 10:00 AM EST Los Angeles, Jan. 26, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A new international study published in Nature has identified albumin, the most abundant protein in human blood, as a powerful and previously unrecognized defense against mucormycosis, a rare but often fatal fungal infection.
International Business Times
Los Angeles, CA, Jan. 12, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Scientists at The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation have identified a previously unknown molecular safeguard that protects the heart during pregnancy, shedding new light on the causes of peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM), a rare and life-threatening form of pregnancy-related heart failure. In a study published in Nature Communications, Michelle L.
New research from The Lundquist Institute finds ketogenic diet-induced high cholesterol does not predict heart disease
Los Angeles, CA, April 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, in collaboration with researchers across multiple institutions, has published a new study that challenges the long-held belief that high cholesterol correlates and even directly causes coronary artery disease, or plaque buildup in the arteries in metabolically healthy individuals.
Antibody-based therapy discovered at The Lundquist Institute is several steps closer to treating a lethal fungal infection
Los Angeles, CA, March 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mucormycosis, a fungal infection caused by Mucorales, has high mortality rates in people with weakened immune systems and those suffering from severe trauma like burns, blast injuries or victims of natural disasters. The disease caused serious infection among COVID-19 patients treated with high doses of corticosteroids with mortality rates close to 60 percent.
South Coast REC studies pesto profitability for small-scale basil growers
UC ANR advisors, staff research methods in conserving highly perishable product | Last updated Jan 30, 2025 10:5am Village News/Courtesy photos count If you visited the greenhouse at the University of California South Coast Research and Extension Center in early fall, you would have smelled a sweet aroma with notes of lemon, pepper and licorice.
Virtual fencing a ‘game-changer’ for ranchers
After the Caldor Fire destroyed seven miles of fencing on their cattle ranch in 2021, Leisel Finley and her family needed to replace the fence. Finley, a sixth-generation rancher at Mount Echo Ranch in Amador County, Calif., said reconstruction costs were bid at $300,000 and would take at least a year to build, leaving the family without summer pasture and a herd of hungry cows to feed. Additionally, the U.S. Forest Service mandates that grazing be withheld for two years in postfire landscapes.
Latinos learn to garden on a budget
Since joining the University of California Master Gardeners of Orange County in 2022, Ana Peeks has been on a mission to share all that gardening has to offer, especially for the Latino community in her neighborhood. "We’ve got to empower our Spanish-speaking community. They’re one of the most vulnerable when it comes to food insecurity," said Peeks.
Project to help with land ownership
San Diego County has more than 5,000 small farms but less than 2% are operated or owned by Black, indigenous, or people of color – including those of Asian, Hispanic or Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander descent, according to the 2022 Ag Census. The reasons vary, but historically, multiple marginalized communities of color have not received the same opportunities or support for land ownership or management as their white counterparts.
Hands-on learning promotes irrigation best practices
Working as an irrigator seems straightforward at first: if you're not watering plants by hand, you're building and managing systems that can do the watering. What could be complex about a job like this? University of California Cooperative Extension advisers Bruno Pitton and Gerardo “Gerry” Spinelli can tell you – or better yet, show you.
Ventura County Farm Bureau invests in 4-H
A national youth development organization, 4-H aims to empower young people with leadership skills for personal and professional growth. In California, the 4-H program falls under the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources umbrella and is administered through local UC Cooperative Extension offices based in counties across the state.
Could empty lots be growing food, economic opportunity?
UCCE scientists study feasibility of specialty crops for small urban growers | Last updated Aug 15, 2024 5:22pm The vacant lots around your neighborhood could be growing fruits and vegetables and making local produce more accessible – while reducing energy needed to transport and distribute the food. Could turning those empty lots into small farms also become opportunities for economic development?
Could empty fields be growing food?
The vacant lots around your neighborhood could be growing fruits and vegetables and making local produce more accessible – while reducing energy needed to transport and distribute the food. Could turning those empty lots into small farms also become opportunities for economic development?
4-H, UCCE partner to inspire Orange County kids
Small containers with varying levels of sugar sit next to a row of beverages, including water, fruit juices, soda, a sports drink and chocolate milk. Trying to match each container with the beverage that contains its corresponding amount of sugar, Amore, a fourth grader, reads the nutrition label on the orange juice bottle. “What does the bottle say?” asked a student in the audience, attempting to help Amore.
Educator encourages systemic approach to ag
Agriculture generates $59 billion and employs nearly 400,000 individuals in California. The industry, however, is often threatened by challenges like climate change, land conversion and water scarcity. Motivated to act, Sustain Southern California – an organization associated with UC Irvine Beall Applied Innovation – hosted a roundtable discussion on Feb.
CropsTV returns for 4th season online
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Powered by Iowa State University Extension, CropsTV is returning for a fourth season. This educational program delivers crop production information directly to farmers and ag service providers. The show offers the convenience of crop production education at home, in the office or anywhere with an internet connection. All 35 episodes will be available for on-demand viewing. Episodes are 25 to 60 minutes long. No software or apps need to be installed, nor Zoom invites to keep track of.
By Shelley E. Huguley Verified, Saoimanu Sope, Jennifer M. Latzke Verified, Sarah McNaughton Verified
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Farm Progress
Verified
Calculating what to do with heifers in this market
By Hannah Baker, University of Florida A common question asked each year by cattle producers is, “What should I do with my heifers? Should I raise them as replacements or sell them as weaned heifers?” This question is especially relevant in today’s market of high prices and the inevitability that expansion will have to start at some point. The answer involves penciling out the expenses and deciding which option best suits an operation in the current market.
Montana updates drought management plan
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Nearly three decades after its last update, Montana officials have unveiled the state’s new drought management plan, a framework to improve preparedness from prevention to recovery. A team led by the state Department of Natural Resources and Conservation has been working for the last two years to modernize the plan, which was announced by Gov. Greg Gianforte just before Christmas.
By Shelley E. Huguley Verified, Saoimanu Sope, Jennifer M. Latzke Verified, Sarah McNaughton Verified
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Farm Progress
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5 dates to watch in 2024
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Happy New Year! Here are some key ag policy dates to watch in 2024. January 19 and February 2: Government funding deadlines When lawmakers return from vacation next week, they will once again be tasked with passing 12 budget bills to keep government agencies running. In 2022, Congress approved all appropriations packages in one bill known as the “omnibus.” This time around, Republicans have insisted on voting for each appropriations package separately.
By Shelley E. Huguley Verified, Saoimanu Sope, Jennifer M. Latzke Verified, Sarah McNaughton Verified
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Farm Progress
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2024 Pre-harvest marketing plans
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Happy New Year! Have you made your New Year’s resolutions? Let me add one more to your list. You need a pre-harvest marketing plan for corn and soybeans in 2024. This is not a difficult resolution to act on. All you need is a minimum price objective, a few more price targets and decision dates to make it a real plan for action. Let me show you how I write a pre-harvest marketing plan.
By Shelley E. Huguley Verified, Saoimanu Sope, Jennifer M. Latzke Verified, Sarah McNaughton Verified
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Farm Progress
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New animal science head in students’ corner
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“It is an exciting time to be at SDSU, and there is a good outlook for the future,” says John Jaeger, new head of animal science at South Dakota State University. “I look forward to trying new things and expanding some of our existing programs.” Working from the West Coast to the northern Great Plains, Jaeger brings a vast amount of experience to his position.
By Shelley E. Huguley Verified, Saoimanu Sope, Jennifer M. Latzke Verified, Sarah McNaughton Verified
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Farm Progress
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Look for cookbooks that expand your food horizon
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True confession as we head into 2024: I have an addiction that can’t be overcome. It started when I was food editor of The State Journal-Register in Springfield, Ill. One of the perks was receiving cookbooks to write about. This love for cookbooks may have been inherited from my mom. At any rate, I’ve fed the beast, told my husband there is no book budget and continued my collection. My closest friends recognize this addiction and enable me: I received four cookbooks for Christmas.
By Shelley E. Huguley Verified, Saoimanu Sope, Jennifer M. Latzke Verified, Sarah McNaughton Verified
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Farm Progress
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Rice quality at heart of U.S. market share woes in Latin America
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Southern U.S. rice farmers were cautioned to focus more on rice quality as the industry seeks to expand market share in Latin America and elsewhere. The caveat to this is understanding the word “quality” from the perspective of customers in Central and South America. Latin American customers don’t want sticky rice, according to Amilcar Ybarra Rojas, president, and CEO of Agricorp S.A., a rice marketer from Nicaragua. Neither do they want chalky rice.
By Shelley E. Huguley Verified, Saoimanu Sope, Jennifer M. Latzke Verified, Sarah McNaughton Verified
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Farm Progress
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Kansas State breaks ground on livestock event facility
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GROUNDBREAKING: The groundbreaking ceremony for the Bilbrey Family Event Center on Dec. 15 included several dignitaries.
By Shelley E. Huguley Verified, Saoimanu Sope, Jennifer M. Latzke Verified, Sarah McNaughton Verified
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Farm Progress
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Wheat prices can’t be accurately predicted
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When I started this job as Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Grain Marketing Specialist in 1982, producers told me, “Kim, just tell us what the price and weather will be, and we’ll do the rest.” I attempted to do the price part, but my accuracy was . . . limited.
By Shelley E. Huguley Verified, Saoimanu Sope, Jennifer M. Latzke Verified, Sarah McNaughton Verified
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Farm Progress
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Practices that push cow-calf profitability
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Cow-calf producers are always looking at ways to cut costs and improve profits. Looking at recent data from the University of Minnesota Center for Financial Management’s FINBIN Livestock Analysis for 2022 — representing cow-calf operations from Nebraska, South Dakota and North Dakota — can provide producers with some ideas on ways to improve profitability. The top 20% of producers in terms of profitability had a higher gross margin at $1,183.52 versus $959.74, for a $223.78 difference.
By Shelley E. Huguley Verified, Saoimanu Sope, Jennifer M. Latzke Verified, Sarah McNaughton Verified
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Farm Progress
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New machines mow grass and more
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If you farm, you have grass to cut. In fact, you probably need to mow your yard, the barn lot, fencerows, maybe grass waterways and even pastures. Whatever you need to mow, there is a tool for that. In fact, there are a wide variety of tools to cut grass and weeds depending upon your needs. The companies that make these products all know that the perfect mower, for whatever target use, has yet to be made.
By Shelley E. Huguley Verified, Saoimanu Sope, Jennifer M. Latzke Verified, Sarah McNaughton Verified
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Farm Progress
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A twist in water movement improves irrigation system efficiency
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The GS Vortex Flow Amplifier is like a little tornado meeting an old-school bucket brigade. Making water in irrigation pipes travel faster and farther is the premise of the new GS Vortex Flow Amplifier attachment created by Avi Ghosh, co-founder and CEO of GS Vortex Systems, along with his business partner and director of engineering for the company, Paul Schmidt. The novel concept won the 2023 Agriculture Irrigation Show Pitch Competition in November.
By Shelley E. Huguley Verified, Saoimanu Sope, Jennifer M. Latzke Verified, Sarah McNaughton Verified
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Farm Progress
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Kansas farmers take home sorghum yield awards
YIELD CONTEST: The results are in for the 2023 National Sorghum Producers Yield Contest. Jennifer M. Latzke The results are in for the 2023 National Sorghum Producers Yield Contest, and despite drought across much of the West, farmers were able to bring in some outstanding yields. The Bibb and Nighswonger Partnership from Comanche County, Kan., took top honors in the Irrigated West division with a yield of 218.64 bushels per acre, with their Dekalb DKS44-07 variety.
Should you treat for minor corn pests?
Some people say we’re losing yield to minor pests like physoderma brown spot, nematodes and grape colaspis. We can’t afford to keep adding inputs. Are there minor threats worth managing? The Indiana certified crop advisers panel answering this question includes Andy Like, independent crops consultant, Vincennes; Jeff Nagel, agronomist with Ceres Solutions, Lafayette; Marty Park, agronomist with Gutwein Seed Services, Rensselaer; and Dan Quinn, Purdue Extension corn specialist.
Nebraska Farmer art director honored for infographic
Shelly Jarka, Nebraska Farmer art director, was recently honored — along with three other editorial team members from Farm Progress — by Graphic Design USA’s 60th anniversary American Graphic Design Awards. Jarka won with an infographic she designed on combine fires that was published in the October 2023 issue of Nebraska Farmer. With more than 8,000 entrants across different media, Farm Progress distinguished itself with top-notch design quality, landing in the top 10% of submissions.
Stay safe during calving season
A rancher’s workday is unpredictable, but one thing that you can count on is that the first calf of the year will be born during the worst winter storm of the season. Even if you beat the odds and your calves arrive on warm, sunny days, you may still encounter hazards. From monitoring your herd in the dark of night to assisting with difficult births, each step of the calving process can pose a danger to your safety and health.
Forging the farm CEO’s leadership path in 2024
Right now is a great opportunity to set some goals for the new year. You may have already started on business plans and goals for your farm operation. Maybe you’ve even written them out as part of a larger operating plan for the year. Here’s another big piece of the puzzle when it comes to your farm’s success in 2024: You.
Pencil out profit with a pre-harvest marketing strategy
Could you make more money this year by pricing grain before harvest? Pre- and post-harvesting plans are on the agenda at Farm Futures Business Summit, Jan. 9-11, where I’m speaking. Hot topics for the session include target prices, decision dates and pricing tools. When we dive into post-harvest plans, we’ll consider when and how to make it profitable to store grain.
Slow holiday week as expected
The latest set of grain export inspection data from USDA, out Tuesday morning and covering the week through December 28, held mostly pedestrian numbers for traders to digest, which was largely expected due to the Christmas holiday falling in the middle of the week. Corn, soybean and wheat volume all found rangebound results, with each commodity moving moderately lower week-over-week. Corn export inspections were less than half of the prior week’s tally, with 22.4 million bushels.
More cattle grazing winter wheat in Oklahoma
In the final crop progress report of 2023 at the end of November, the Oklahoma wheat crop was rated 53 percent good to excellent with 7 percent poor to very poor. This compares to one year ago when the Oklahoma wheat crop was rated 31 percent good to excellent and 24 percent poor to very poor. Figure 1 shows that much of the major wheat belt in western and northwestern Oklahoma have received well above average precipitation in the past two months.
Economists provide insight into 2024 ag economy
Welcome to a new year! There’s something about Jan. 1 that flips a restart switch. Truthfully, we can restart any time of the year. The Bible says Christ’s mercies are new every morning. I’m thankful that his mercies aren’t annual but rather daily or by the second if we need it! So, what’s new as we enter 2024? El Niño is expected to be strong and reverse this stinking drought we’ve been battling for years.
How does a bear market punish growers?
Corn transitioned from bull market to bear market in 2023. Beginning stocks for the 2021/22, 2022/23, and 2023/24 marketing years all fell within a tight range from as low as 1.235 billion bushels to as high as 1.377 billion bushels. We are now projected to start the 2024/25 marketing year with beginning stocks of 2.131 billion bushels, roughly 800 million bushels above the previous three marketing years.
Wyoming to offer pesticide safety training
For Wyoming pesticide applicators seeking to recertify their commercial application license or apply for their first commercial license, the University of Wyoming Extension Pesticide Safety Education Program (PSEP) will offer educational programming in Casper Tuesday, Jan. 16, through Thursday, Jan. 18. Commercial pesticide applicator licenses are required for anyone who applies or supervises the application of pesticides on property other than their own, for contract or hire.
Collaboration begets commercialization
Part 1 of a series about the challenges and potential solutions to bringing cutting-edge technology to the agriculture market. This series is based on panel discussions from the first ever Agri-Food Innovation Summit recently hosted by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. Agriculture faces boundless issues, from climate change and irrigation limitations to herbicide resistance and invasive pests. In addition, the growing global population amplifies concern.
Grain marketing 101 with Jacqueline Holland
On this episode of FP Next, Curt and Sarah visit with Farm Futures Grain Market Analyst Jacqueline Holland to find out what’s what with marketing. Are women better marketers? Where is the best place to find market updates? How can you make your marketing strategy better than ever? Holland answers these questions and more in today’s episode. About the Author(s) Editor, Dakota Farmer, Farm Progress Sarah McNaughton of Bismarck, N.D., has been editor of Dakota Farmer since 2021.
The future of on-farm podcasting
Introducing FP Next – the latest offering from the award-winning team at Farm Progress. Co-hosts Curt Arens and Sarah McNaughton dive into all aspects of the agriculture industry from the field to the feedlot, and pasture to policy. What was the first type of tractor Curt drove? Do french fries or the burger need to be eaten first? What’s the earliest these editors have woken up to cover a story? Find out all these answers and more from Curt and Sarah.
Farm Progress America, January 2, 2024 Original
Avian influenza continues to pose a threat to poultry farms worldwide. USDA Health Inspection Service reports fresh HH5N1IP outbreaks in six states: Ohio, Minnesota, Michigan, California, South Dakota and Nebraska. And there are growing concerns in Indiana, Iowa and parts of the southeast region of the United States. Utah was certified bird flu free in late December. There have been 13 million birds killed this year to combat the flu. And a total of 79.3 Billion birds killed since 2022.
Consumer dollar makes way back to cow-calf producer
Tight cattle supply recently allowed the cow-calf segment of the industry to capture 40% of the consumer dollar, but increasing that percentage depends on net returns for processors and feedlots. The cow-calf segment of the cattle industry has been in the driver’s seat recently when it comes to the portion of the consumer dollar spent on beef it is capturing today. However, much happens between when a feeder steer is sold and a consumer walks away from the grocery store with beef from that animal.
Think carefully before cutting nutrients
We might cut back from 210 pounds of nitrogen per acre in corn. My son thinks we could cut zinc and sulfur. We must reduce costs. Could we do one or both? The Indiana certified crop advisers panel answering this question includes Andy Like, independent crops consultant, Vincennes; Jeff Nagel, agronomist with Ceres Solutions, Lafayette; Marty Park, agronomist with Gutwein Seed Services, Rensselaer; and Dan Quinn, Purdue Extension corn specialist.
Industry group aims to ease a farm data challenge
When a farmer sees clouds in the sky, it brings the hope of good news like a welcome rain. When it comes to farm data, seeing a lot of clouds often leads to only one thing — a headache. While storing your farm data in a cloud is great for protecting that data and sharing it, having multiple clouds sharing back and forth isn’t easy. One group is aiming to help solve that problem. The Agricultural Industry Electronics Foundation (AEF) has long worked on connectivity issues for the industry.
Meet the new Wallaces editor: Gil Gullickson
AT THE HELM: Says Gil Gullickson of his new position as Wallaces Farmer editor, “It’s an honor to follow in the footsteps of the incredible legacy the Wallace family started.”Holly Spangler We’re excited to introduce Gil Gullickson as the next editor of Wallaces Farmer. He will be just the 13th editor at Wallaces Farmer, founded in 1855 by Henry Wallace, who was followed as editor by son Henry C. Wallace and grandson Henry A. Wallace.
Register for Ohio’s sustainable ag conference
Registration is open for Ohio’s largest sustainable agriculture conference, a three-day event that brings together hundreds of farm and food advocates. The Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association’s (OEFFA) 45th annual conference, Cultivating Care, is set for Feb. 15-17 at Cherry Valley Hotel and Ohio Event Center in Newark, Ohio. To register, visit conference.oeffa.org. Keynote speakers Two keynote events are planned during the conference. On Feb.
Get ready for Pennsylvania Farm Show
It’s back! The annual Pennsylvania Farm Show kicks off this weekend at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center in Harrisburg. The food court will be open Jan. 5 from noon to 9 p.m., with free parking available. The full show opens Jan. 6 from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., and again Jan. 7 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. From Jan. 8-12, hours are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. The last day of the show, Jan.
What landowners want from farmer tenants
The relationship between a landowner and their tenant farmer is a partnership rooted in mutual respect, shared goals and a deep connection to the land. I’ve navigated the complexities of this relationship from multiple perspectives, starting under the guidance of my father, a dedicated farmer, to overseeing the intricacies of institutional ownership.
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