Renowned botanist Peter H. Raven is among the 12 scientists to receive the prestigious National Medal of Science. He has made significant contributions to plant systematics and evolution, introducing the concept of coevolution and preserving biodiversity worldwide.
A study by University of Toronto researchers found that repeated exposure to azole drugs can lead to the development of drug-resistant yeast infections. About 75% of women between 18 and 35 will experience at least one yeast infection caused by Candida albicans, a common type of yeast fungus.
The Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center is developing a new strategy for obtaining plants with desirable genetic mutations using the TILLING method. This approach allows for rapid and large-scale analysis of mutations without introducing genetically modified material.
Fossils of fungal spores and hyphae dating back 460-455 million years support the theory that fungi aided in plant invasion, suggesting interdependence between organisms. Fungi have been found in association with modern plants for up to 400 million years.
A new system of planting different varieties of rice plants can significantly reduce problems with the fungal disease 'blast', which causes lesions on rice plants, reduces yields and in severe cases can kill entire crops. This approach has been shown to eliminate losses to blast in some types of glutinous rice.
Researchers analyzed ancient sediments to shed light on ancient drought cycles and their potential link to future aridity. The study found well-defined 80- to 100-year cycles of alternately arid and humid conditions in the region.
A Duke University study found that carbon dioxide-enriched air accelerates pine tree reproduction, resulting in earlier maturation and higher seed production. This trend may have significant implications for forest regeneration and the Southeast's economy, where loblollies are a crucial forest product.
The National Science Foundation has awarded a $1.1 million research grant to the University of Alaska Museum to create the Arctic Archival Observatory, the first NSF-funded observatory of its kind in the U.S. The grant will enhance hands-on opportunities for graduate students and improve access to museum holdings.
New research refutes claims that U.S. forests and vegetation are 'sequestering' enough carbon to offset fossil fuel emissions, suggesting at least 70-90% of emissions stay in atmosphere or be sequestered elsewhere. The study's findings have important implications for the role of the U.S. in combating global warming.
Researchers have confirmed a new, genetically distinct species of Pfiesteria that thrives in waters with high levels of nitrogen, posing risks to fish and potentially human health. The discovery brings the total number of toxic Pfiesteria species to two, shedding light on their life cycles and behaviors.
A new report highlights the significant threat of emerging infectious diseases in wildlife to both human health and global biodiversity. The study reveals that many diseases have spread from domestic animals to wildlife populations through various means, including globalization, animal trade, and environmental changes.
A University of Florida study found that rising sea levels are causing cabbage palms and other coastal trees to die due to saltwater exposure. The phenomenon may be more immediate than thought, with small increases in sea level affecting large areas of flat coastline on the west coast.
A microscopic fungus infecting common eastern US grass, tall fescue, can significantly impact plant diversity and local ecosystems. The fungus alters the host plant's growth, making it more toxic to other herbivores and drought-resistant.
A University of Toronto research team has isolated a gene that allows plants to grow in highly saline conditions. The gene encodes a transport protein called Na+/H+ antiport, which prevents sodium ions from harming the cell and draws water into the plant.
Coral reefs are experiencing extensive bleaching due to gradual warming of ocean temperatures. A new study found that heat damage to symbiotic algae is degrading their ability to convert light into utilizable energy. The damaged algae, including the D1 protein, impair photosynthesis and lead to coral expulsion.
A recent study found that Duke Forest plots experienced a 25% growth increase over two years under high carbon-dioxide conditions. This suggests that forests could serve as a significant carbon sink, potentially offsetting half of the world's expected carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel combustion.
Researchers at the University of Toronto have discovered a 50-million-year-old association between an antibiotic-producing bacterium and fungus-growing ants. The study suggests that this symbiotic relationship may provide valuable new insights into the identification, production, and use of antibiotics.
USGS scientists will present research on rare plants, including soft-leaved Indian paintbrush and island jepsonia, and the effects of invasive species like feral pigs. The symposium aims to inform conservation strategies for California Channel Islands National Park.
Researchers have found a copper ion plays a crucial role in helping plants detect minuscule concentrations of ethylene, a hormone that triggers ripening and aging. The discovery confirms a long-standing hypothesis about protein receptors and their interaction with transition metals.
Researchers May R. Berenbaum and Arthur R. Zangerl found that webworms and parsnips in the Midwest have adapted to each other, with levels of detoxification enzymes matching those of defensive compounds produced by plants. This suggests a reciprocal evolutionary change between interacting species.
A study by Duke University researchers found that selectively logged Indonesian rainforests have comparable levels of tree species diversity to unlogged forests eight years later. The results suggest that these forests are more resilient than previously thought and may hold conservation potential.
The Duke scientists analyzed past climate changes and found that the region rapidly changed with even short-term climate fluctuations, making it susceptible to drastic ecological changes. The researchers expect that global warming will significantly increase temperatures worldwide over the next century, leading to shifts in air masses ...
Scientists at Duke University and colleagues found that high CO2 levels can increase tree growth rates, but the effect is likely temporary. The experiment, which mimics future CO2 levels, shows a 12% increase in forest growth, but growth rates are expected to decline over time as the forest adjusts.
Researchers at Purdue University are conducting a project to count and identify desert plants in Egypt's New Valley region before irrigation begins. The goal is to preserve native plant species and understand the ecological impact of water reclamation on vegetation.
Researchers will describe emerging Pfiesteria detection technologies, including a firefly enzyme-based assay and DNA-based molecular probes, to minimize public exposure to the organism. The University of Delaware's Ocean Lunch and Lecture Series will host expert JoAnn M. Burkholder on March 18.
The AAAS awards recognize individuals who have made significant contributions to science, including Peter H. Raven for his service to ecology and sustainability, and Bert Richard Johannes Bolin for his leadership in international research programs on climate change. The winners of the 1997-1998 AAAS Science Journalism Awards will be an...
JoAnn Burkholder, a North Carolina State University researcher, was awarded the 1998 Scientific Freedom and Responsibility Award for her unyielding pursuit of knowledge about Pfiesteria piscicida, a microbe devastating U.S. rivers and fish. Her research led to the identification of the toxin's chemical structure and faster-acting poiso...
Researchers have found fertile offspring that closely resemble primitive domesticated corn, carrying genetic traits from two wild American grasses. These hybrids exhibit resistance to the corn rootworm and drought tolerance, potentially leading to improved crop yields and reduced pesticide expenses.
A recent study published by Duke researchers has found that the toxic marine organism Pfiesteria piscicida causes severe learning impairment in rats. The toxin was shown to affect spatial learning, with injected rats performing poorly on new tasks even after training had begun.
Researchers have found a way to reduce guesswork and errors in genetic engineering by eliminating unwanted or 'junk' genes from plant chromosomes. This new method allows for targeted gene insertion and excision, enabling more precise control over genetic transformations.
University of Wisconsin-Madison biologists document a staggering decline in native prairie plant diversity over the last 30 to 50 years. The research reveals that short, small-seeded plants like legumes experienced the heaviest losses due to fire suppression and dense growth.
A Duke University study suggests that plants may shunt excess atmospheric carbon dioxide into groundwater to remain stored away for thousands of years. This could help solve the mystery of missing CO2 in the atmosphere and potentially lower predicted impacts of global warming.