Samples from the 1700s could reveal more resilient varieties of wheat: Scientists are analyzing 12k specimens of centuries-old wheat collections from Britain’s Natural History Museum and more from the John Innes Center in Norwich to understand their genetic makeup, the BBC reports. The John Innes team is cross-breeding older varieties with modern ones to engineer more resilient and nutritious wheat varieties.

Why is this important? Scientists calculate that a 1°C rise in temperatures could cause a 6.4% drop in the amount of wheat grown around the world, the BBC says. The world will need more wheat as the population grows — an estimated 60% more by 2050 — so finding wheat varieties able to survive in hot and dry climates like the GCC and MENA will help increase food supply, the outlet reports.