A study in Nature Communications, led by UVM Professor Eric Bishop von Wettberg, demonstrated a promising approach for how to improve the genetics of one of the world's most important and imperiled crops: chickpeas, the primary source of protein for 20 percent of the world's population. The research attracted attention from influential national and global media outlets, including stories in Newsweek, the Israeli newspaper Haaretz ("Hummus in Danger"), the Japan Times, and many other outlets. Reuters featured the story as one their "Big Story—Ten Headlines" offerings on their global wire service: "Wild crops could save chickpeas from being blitzed, scientists say."