Dan Charles
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A jumping gene called "Hopscotch" rejiggered corn's ancestor, teosinte, so instead of bushy branches, the plant started producing one strong central stalk, much like today's modern corn.
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In sub-Saharan Africa, where agricultural productivity is lowest and food shortages are most common, "huge volumes of rainwater are lost or never used," says Alain Vidal, director of the Challenge Program on Water and Food, which commissioned the studies.