$5M grant aims to develop roundworm-resistant sweet potatoes
A team of LSU AgCenter researchers, along with those from four other universities, have been awarded a U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture grant of more than $5 million to develop sweet potato varieties resistant to the invasive guava root-knot nematode.
The AgCenter team, spearheaded by nematologist Tristan Watson, received a subgrant of nearly $1 million to support research on sweet potato breeding and characterization of resistance mechanisms and associated genes as well as extension of research findings to regional and national stakeholders. The funds were awarded as part of the NIFA Specialty Crop Research Initiative.
Bollinger Shipyards delivers ocean transport barge to General Dynamics-Electric Boat
Bollinger Shipyards has delivered the Ocean Transport Barge Holland to General Dynamics-Electric Boat’s Groton Shipyard.
The Holland will support the construction and maintenance of the United States’ Columbia Class Ballistic Missile Submarines and Virginia Class Fast Attack Submarines. The vessel will play an important role in the construction of the Columbia class of submarines, which will carry nearly 70% of the nation’s nuclear arsenal.
The 400-foot-long ship was designed and engineered at Bollinger’s Lockport facility and built at its marine fabrication facility in Amelia.
Baton Rouge General Physicians Group opens Central clinic
The Baton Rouge General Physicians Group is open at 11111 Park Place Drive Suite B in Central.
Dr. Shaun Spinks is seeing patients from infants to geriatric and can provide a full range of medical services including labs, vaccinations and minor procedures.
To find out more or to schedule an appointment, call (225) 333-3636.
LSU researchers find climate change record in clam shells
For the first time, LSU researchers have been able to identify the monthly, and even weekly, ocean temperatures recorded in surf clam shells.
Because ancient civilizations consumed these fingernail sized clams and left the shells at archeological sites, researchers now have a new way to reconstruct climate and its fluctuations from nearly 3,000 years ago.
LSU Department of Geography & Anthropology doctoral candidate Jacob Warner is the lead author on this new research published in Chemical Geology.
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Warner and colleagues are focused on tracking a climate phenomenon that affects a large part of the world called the El Niño Southern Oscillation, which is characterized by warmer than normal ocean temperatures, increased rainfall and more tropical storms and hurricanes in the southern U.S.
Warner’s study sites are in northern Peru.
Baton Rouge Coca-Cola breaks ground on $42 million expansion
Baton Rouge Coca-Cola Bottling Co. has broken ground on a $42 million expansion of its Plank Road distribution and production center.
The work involves building 120,000 square feet of warehouse space and installing new case picking equipment that makes the work less physically demanding for warehouse staff. The expansion will create 15 new jobs to go along with the current 558 employees.
The work should be completed by summer 2023.
Bombshell Boutique under new ownership
Bombshell Boutique in Central is now under the ownership of Olivia Viccellio.
Bombshell, 14790 Wax Road, is a fashion forward women’s boutique with clothing, shoes and accessories.
Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Institute opens new facilities
Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Institute has moved into its newly renovated facilities and started seeing patients.
The 19,500 square feet of renovated space will serve patients for imaging, nononcology infusion, palliative care, oncology infusion and Our Lady of the Lake Physician Group Medical Oncology.
Cancer patients will enter at the newly designated Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Institute entrance at 7777 Hennessy Blvd., parking lot C.
The newly renovated facilities will be the home of the cancer institute until the freestanding facility is constructed. The institute is expected to break ground later this year.
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