A Newcastle University study has developed a machine learning tool that can predict the performance properties of land plant Rubisco proteins with high accuracy. This prediction will enable researchers to identify and engineer 'supercharged' Rubisco proteins that can increase atmospheric CO2 uptake and store in crops such as wheat.
Researchers have identified four genes in corn and Arabidopsis that regulate root growth in response to gravity, a trait essential for drought tolerance and efficient water use. The study's approach, leveraging genomic comparisons between distantly related species, has the potential to be applied to other traits.
This study found that adult trees inhibit offspring recruitment by accumulating enemies, promoting species coexistence. The strength of this effect depends on genetic relatedness and distance to conspecific adults.
Researchers studied 28 clades with 1,437 species in subtropical East Asian caves to understand biotic colonization. They found that climate changes and forest evolution drove colonization over time.
Researchers provide a fresh analysis of grassland soil carbon sequestration, highlighting the importance of microbial transformations and necromass. They found that 80% of European grasslands have unmet potential for carbon storage, while high biodiversity promotes carbon storage.
A team of researchers has discovered a way to improve the water-use efficiency of field-grown plants by overexpressing a sugar-sensing enzyme in their leaves. This breakthrough could lead to increased crop yields and reduced reliance on irrigation, making it an attractive solution for farmers struggling with water scarcity.
A team of scientists has discovered the genetic mechanism behind the emergence of highly resistant fungal strains, such as Cryptococcus neoformans. The researchers found that transposon mobility is controlled by small interfering RNA (siRNA), and that disabling siRNA can lead to resistance.
Researchers found that a species of red seaweed uses an isopod crustacean to transfer its male gametes for fertilization, presenting a new class of animal-mediated male gamete movement. This discovery expands the concept of 'pollination' beyond seed plants.
Researchers have updated V.PhyloMaker to incorporate two new botanical nomenclatures, generating more robust evolutionary trees. The new package retains The Plant List's botanical nomenclature while including the Leipzig Catalogue of Vascular Plants database and World Plants database.
A decline in botany education is hindering environmental improvements and exacerbating climate crises. Basic plant identification skills are lacking among scientists and professionals.
Research from Washington University in St. Louis reveals that camelina, an ancient oilseed crop, may have been more important and widespread than previously thought, with origins in the Caucasus region near present-day Armenia. The study's findings support breeding programs to improve this crop for biofuels applications, highlighting i...
Researchers at Cornell University named a new green alga species after poet Amanda Gorman, who inspired them during a challenging year. The discovery was made by accident while studying hornwort plants and contains unique DNA from fungi and bacteria.
A group of researchers discovered a new species of green algae, Gormaniella terricola, in Central New York State. The alga's unique chloroplast genome was found to contain DNA from fungi and bacteria, highlighting the importance of horizontal transfer.
Researchers tested ictB transformants in field-grown tobacco and found no significant improvement in photosynthesis or biomass production. Despite previous studies suggesting potential benefits, the current study suggests that ictB overexpression may only be beneficial in controlled environments.
A fungus, Moniliophthora perniciosa, causes witches' broom disease in cocoa trees by releasing cytokinin, altering plant hormone balance. The fungus then consumes lignin produced by the tree's vascular tissue after its death.
China's terrestrial carbon sequestration is expected to increase significantly over the next few decades, with estimates suggesting it can offset a substantial portion of the country's energy-related CO2 emissions. By 2060, China's terrestrial carbon sequestration could account for 13-18% of peak CO2 emissions.
Researchers from ANU increased CO2 channels in tobacco plants to enhance photosynthesis, but found no significant impact. The study used computer modeling to predict how changes would affect mesophyll conductance.
A global study found that Indigenous oyster fisheries were highly productive and sustainably managed, with evidence of harvests spanning hundreds to thousands of years. The research highlights the importance of restoring and managing estuaries and involves long-overdue Indigenous communities in decision-making.
The study found that cryptochromes are conserved across various green organisms, influencing cell structures responsible for photosynthesis. The researchers discovered that a specific cryptochrome can actually lead to increased growth despite appearing darker green due to denser packed cell membranes.
Researchers discovered that redwood trees have two functionally distinct leaves: one type specializes in converting sunlight into sugar through photosynthesis, while the other absorbs water. This adaptation allows the world's tallest trees to survive in a range of conditions, from wet forests to dry environments.
Silage maize yield and quality properties were studied across China, revealing the impact of management practices and climatic factors on yield and nutritive value. Optimal planting density, fertilization, and growth duration were identified as key controlling factors.
A new analysis by Smithsonian researchers categorized over 86,000 plant species as winners or losers according to their ability to survive in the age of humans. The study found that more than 20,000 plant species are at risk of extinction due to human activities, with many species deemed 'losers' rather than 'winners',
Researchers found that forest trees with a mix of both ectomycorrhiza and arbuscular mycorrhiza had the greatest tree diversity, contradicting previous beliefs. This discovery highlights the importance of considering the coexistence of different mycorrhizal strategies in promoting plant biodiversity.
Researchers discovered a bZIP23-PER1A module that regulates rice seed vigor, improving crop quality. They found two cultivars with huge phenotypic differences, Kasalath and Jigeng88, and identified a novel detoxification pathway to enhance seed vigor.
A special issue in Botany journal explores relationships among plants, people, science, and medicine, promoting decolonial approaches to ethnobotanical research. The collection highlights the healing potential of plants and emphasizes Indigenous-led projects on medicinally useful plants.
Researchers at TUM explore the use of living trees in architecture, using photogrammetry and skeleton extraction to design structures that adapt to tree growth. They demonstrate a pavilion with a roof structure optimized to follow the shape of supporting branches.
Researchers outline a roadmap to sequence plant genomes worldwide, aiming to decipher the secrets of plant DNA and advance understanding of ecosystems. The effort is part of the Earth BioGenome Project's 'moonshot' for biology, sequencing all eukaryotic biodiversity over ten years.
Researchers found that sunflowers with larger UV bullseyes retain water more efficiently in drier environments, suggesting a dual role for floral pigmentation in adaptation. The discovery may help increase crop yields and improve pollinator attraction.
New research reveals that gene exchange between viruses and their hosts plays a major role in shaping the tree of life. The study found that viruses acquire genes from their hosts to hone their infection process, while also co-opting useful viral genes from hosts.
Researchers found that local gravitational tides modulate the cyclical behavior of organisms, even in the absence of other rhythmic influences. The study questions the validity of free-run experiments and highlights the importance of considering gravitational oscillations in biological research.
Researchers found that species-rich forests produce more wood and are less affected by extreme weather conditions. The main reason for this stability is the diversity of functional characteristics among tree species, which helps counterbalance fluctuations in climate.
Researchers discovered that humidity-driven movement in spore-bearing leaves is the key mechanism behind the unique timing of spore dispersal in the sensitive fern. The study found that dead fronds open when dry and close when wet due to differential cell expansion, a process also observed in pine cones.
A new species of green microalgae was identified in a reservoir in northwest São Paulo, Brazil, and reclassified into the genus Nephrocytium. The discovery was made through phylogenetic analysis and molecular sequencing, confirming that the microalga is distinct from other known species.
A team of researchers from UC Riverside has discovered how a small molecule called auxin triggers the growth process in plants. By analyzing cell walls, they found that auxin lowers pH levels, causing cells to become acidic and soften, allowing them to expand and grow.
The study reveals that Arabidopsis carboxylesterase 15 (AtCXE15) and its orthologues efficiently hydrolyze plant hormone strigolactones (SLs), regulating shoot branching and plant architecture. This discovery provides a rational approach to manipulating endogenous SLs for crop improvement.
A study by Prof. MA Keping and colleagues found that older forests with high functional diversity achieve higher productivity than those with low diversity or specific high average traits. This reliable tool helps forest managers connect restoration actions to goals, essential for mitigating climate change and biodiversity loss.
A UNIGE team discovered that the endosperm's role extends beyond nutrition to influence seedling development, including cuticle formation. In its absence, seedlings fail to develop normally, highlighting the tissue's crucial protective function.
A new onion species, Allium negianum, has been discovered in the western Himalayas, characterized by its unique growth habits and distribution. The species is currently under threat due to indiscriminate harvest for seasoning, highlighting the need for conservation efforts.
A new study explores maize diversity for fall armyworm resistance, revealing clear evidence of FAW resistance in diverse mechanisms across various landraces and crop wild relatives. The research calls for strategies to develop FAW-resistant maize varieties as a way forward to secure maize production and smallholder farmers' livelihoods.
Researchers have identified a key component of plants' light response, allowing them to regulate gene expression and control stem growth. By reducing PIF protein activity, they can slow down stem growth and promote leaf and seed production, leading to increased crop yields and improved food supply.
Researchers have identified four molecular factors controlling the formation of suberin in plant roots, allowing for the development of more resistant plants. These modifications optimize nutrient acquisition while protecting against environmental stresses like salt and toxic elements.
Researchers aim to produce enough mRNA vaccines from spinach and lettuce to rival traditional shots. They're exploring chloroplasts as a key to making plant-based mRNA vaccines that can be stored at room temperature.
Researchers from Pusan National University have compiled a comprehensive review of ginsenosides, the main component of ginseng, which can prevent inflammation, diabetes, and cancer. The study provides insights into how to improve ginsenoside production through chemical and enzymatic treatments, as well as microbial action.
The study provides a high-quality genome sequence of Aristolochia fimbriata, shedding light on angiosperm evolution, floral development, and chemical biosynthesis. The researchers identified two overlooked whole-genome duplications in Piperales and clarified the time of previously reported WGDs in Magnoliales and Laurales.
A study by Stellenbosch University and conservationists reveals a high number of Cape Fur seals are entangled in fishing lines and nets annually, with most affected being pups and juveniles. The researchers found that disentanglement efforts have been successful, but the problem remains urgent, emphasizing the need for policy changes t...
Researchers found that many collectors are planting seeds in forests to conserve wild populations, but also using commercially acquired seeds from online purchases, threatening the plant's gene pool. The study aims to better understand ginseng forest farming and promote conservation efforts in Pennsylvania.
Researchers discovered a new carnivorous plant species on the West Coast of North America, Triantha occidentalis, which traps insects with sticky hairs on its flowering stem. The plant balances carnivory and pollination by only trapping small midges and not harming its pollinators.
Researchers have discovered a new carnivorous plant, Triantha occidentalis, that traps insects near its insect-pollinated flowers, avoiding the death of potential pollinators. The plant's sticky hairs only entrap small midges and insects, allowing larger bees and butterflies to act as pollinators.
Paleobotanists describe two new genera of ancient conifers based on beautifully preserved fossil seed cones from the Upper Cretaceous of Hokkaido, Japan. The discovery sheds light on the diversity and decline of cunninghamioid conifers during the Cretaceous period.
International collaboration has led to a new understanding of the evolutionary history of flowering plants, using a standardized set of genes. This allows for more efficient comparison of genetic sequences across multiple studies and enables researchers to piece together relationships among species.
A study on gymnosperm diversification reveals that gene duplications are linked to major pulses of phenotypic evolution. The researchers found that ecological opportunity and environmental heterogeneity drove a resurgence of gymnosperm diversification since the rise of angiosperms.
Researchers discovered a sophisticated deception mechanism in Aristolochia microstoma flowers, emitting foul scents similar to rotting arthropods. The deception attracts phorid flies for pollination, with the flies trapped inside before depositing pollen.
A new study published in Nature Ecology & Evolution reveals that root traits can explain plant species distributions across the planet, challenging the nature of ecological trade-offs. The research found that thick and dense roots are more common in warm climates, while thin and low-density roots are more common in cold climates.
A new study has identified the genetic root of bitter taste in greens like broccoli rabe and bok choy. The research team reconstructed an evolutionary tree from DNA sequences analysis of over 400 Brassica rapa varieties, revealing that Central Asian turnips were the most genetically diverse crops.
The researchers reported a reference sequence for the supernumerary B chromosome in maize, with key properties such as its origin and molecular mechanism remaining unclear. The study found that the current gene content is a result of continuous transfer from the A chromosomal complement over an extended evolutionary period.
Researchers at Penn State have identified a gene controlling flowering in cacao, which may accelerate breeding efforts for disease-resistant trees. The Flowering Locus T gene's similarity to Arabidopsis' florigen protein suggests it can be used to develop new varieties with improved yields and quality traits.
A team of scientists from China has sequenced the genome of Lavandula angustifolia to understand the genetics behind its distinctive fragrance. The study revealed that gene duplications and terpenoid diversification led to the evolution of unique compounds, with potential applications in stress relief, skin conditioning, and pollination.
PIF proteins play organ-specific roles in regulating cell division in apical hooks and cotyledons, but not in hypocotyls. Cytokinesis is involved in the apical hook opening, and PIF proteins directly bind to the promoter of BUB3.1, a key regulator of microtubule reorganization during cytokinesis.
Scientists have successfully identified the complete avenacin biosynthetic pathway in oats, which provides resistance to soil-borne diseases like take-all. This discovery has implications for creating disease-resistant lines of wheat using modern technologies.
UC Riverside researchers identified a gene, RCB, that enables plants to sense heat and respond accordingly. This discovery is crucial in developing heat-tolerant crops to address the impact of global warming on crop yields by one-third by 2050.