Research reveals sagebrush's response to 2017 solar eclipse showed significant reductions in photosynthesis and transpiration. The study also found that the circadian rhythm was interrupted by sudden changes in sunlight, triggering a response beyond what happens when clouds block sunlight.
Current research in belowground botany is advancing our understanding of plant root systems, their structure, and function. New technologies like digital imaging of root traits are enabling scientists to study root systems more effectively.
A new mathematical model, EDC2, explains the peculiar 'orixate' leaf arrangement pattern of a Japanese plant, suggesting that older leaves have stronger inhibitory signals. The findings support the accuracy of the formula and shed light on the genetic and cellular machinery behind plant development.
Researchers discover parvifoline AA, a natural compound, stimulates NKG2D ligands on cancer cells, making them more recognizable and targetable by NK cells. This increases the effectiveness of NK cell-based tumor immunotherapy.
A Rutgers study found that striped maple trees can switch sex from year to year, with 54% of trees changing sexes over a four-year period. Female trees are more likely to die, which could lead to reduced populations and a decrease in seed production.
A new species of medicinal mushroom, Ganoderma tropicum, was recorded in Thailand for the first time. The study found optimal growth conditions for mycelia production at specific temperatures and pH levels.
Researchers have discovered that desert plants like the colocynth use a special wax to prevent their leaves from drying out in extreme heat. This wax reduces water permeability, enabling plants to conserve water and survive. In contrast, date palms have a different type of wax that helps them thrive in hot conditions.
In a two-year greenhouse experiment, plants pollinated by bumblebees without herbivory evolved more attractive flowers, while those with herbivory had higher concentrations of defensive toxic metabolites. Plants developed a tendency to spontaneously self-pollinate when damaged by caterpillars.
Researchers at MIT's Media Lab have created basil plants with enhanced flavor and potential health benefits using computer algorithms. The team used hydroponic containers with controlled environmental conditions to grow the plants, which were then analyzed for volatile compounds. Machine learning algorithms evaluated millions of possib...
Researchers found that the carnivorous waterwheel plant catches a wide variety of prey, including fast-swimming animals and slow-moving snails. The plant's diverse diet may be an adaptation to its fragmented habitats.
A recent study reveals that transposable element insertions drive rapid phenotypic variation in plants, enabling them to adapt to novel environments. Researchers found that transposable elements are enriched in the gene promoter regions of a plant species with limited genetic variation, associated with changes in gene expression.
Scientists have successfully transferred a key part of the plant's RNA editing mechanism into a bacterium, confirming a long-held theory about its functioning. This breakthrough improves our understanding of this widespread mechanism and opens up new avenues for research.
A new method using quantum dots tracks individual pollen grains, providing insights into the mysterious journey of pollen. Researchers can now observe where most pollen grains land up once they leave flowers.
A recent study reveals the crystal structure of diatom fucoxanthin chlorophyll a/c-binding proteins, which have exceptional light harvesting and photoprotection capabilities. The findings indicate that these proteins utilize a unique arrangement of pigments to efficiently harness blue-green light.
Prof Dave Richardson from Stellenbosch University has received the Kwame Nkrumah Award for Scientific Excellence, recognizing his significant contributions to the field of invasion biology. The award acknowledges his research on biological invasions and their impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem functioning in Africa.
A team of researchers studied the evolution of plants and fungi over 1 billion years to find that their coexistence played a key role in shaping their biodiversities. The study found that fungal colonization of land was associated with the emergence of terrestrial green algae, which preceded the origin of land plants.
Plant biologists at HHU and WWU have discovered a key mechanism that enables plants to regulate their responses to iron deficiency, ultimately controlling iron uptake in roots and seed storage. This finding has significant implications for understanding plant biology and agricultural research.
The Threatened Species Recovery Hub has identified the top 100 Australian plant species facing extinction, with ground orchids topping the list. Urbanization, inappropriate fire regimes and introduced plant diseases are major drivers of these extinctions, highlighting the need for urgent conservation efforts to save these unique species.
International research teams identify key regulatory networks controlling radial growth in plants, enabling the development of more efficient carbon sinks and increased vegetable crop yields. The study reveals complex mechanisms behind plant stem cell activity and vascular tissue formation.
Researchers have discovered a way to produce environmentally friendly oleoresins from loblolly pine trees, valued at $1.7 billion by 2022. This breakthrough could lead to new engineering approaches for the production of renewable chemicals and inspire alternative technologies.
A study by the University of Plymouth found that snails are attracted to seedlings based on their volatile scent preferences, while those with repellent chemicals avoid damage. This discovery provides insights into the complex interactions between slugs and snails in natural habitats.
Researchers created high-quality 3D digital representations of plant structures to answer questions about taxonomic classification, wind pollination, and seed production. The technique has the potential to revolutionize botany education and inform macroevolutionary studies, highlighting the beauty of grass flowers.
A new study by the University of Illinois and Massachusetts Institute of Technology refutes the idea that C4 crops like corn and sugarcane are limited in their ability to produce Rubisco, an enzyme essential for photosynthesis. The researchers found that these crops' chloroplasts have sufficient space to house more than enough Rubisco ...
A new study reveals that insects can transport pollen from one continent to another, enabling the mixing of plant species across vast distances. By analyzing the DNA sequences in this pollen, researchers were able to identify 157 species of plants from Africa and Europe.
Researchers find increased TC activity at northern sites after 1920, posing a threat to regions currently outside the impact zone. Younger trees are more likely to experience disturbance at high latitudes, supporting a poleward shift in tropical cyclone hazards.
Researchers at CIRAD found an incoherence in a conversion factor for calculating basic wood density, leading to potential errors in estimating forest carbon stocks. The corrected formula will improve the accuracy of forest carbon assessments and understanding of forests' role in climate regulation.
A genetic map of garden asparagus has been created, allowing researchers to identify the chromosome that determines the plant's sex. The map is a significant breakthrough in understanding this dioecious species and will enable the development of new varieties with improved characteristics.
A large-scale forest biodiversity experiment in China found that species-rich forests stored an average of 32 tons of carbon per hectare, while monocultures averaged only 12 tons. The study suggests that a mix of tree species is necessary for optimal carbon sequestration and climate protection.
Leaf fossils of Lilly Pilly trees found in the Snowy Mountains suggest a warmer climate with no winter snow around 20 million years ago. The discovery provides insight into the region's past vegetation and climate, with implications for understanding Australia's future weather patterns.
Researchers have identified a rice strain with improved nutritional profile by thickening its aleurone layer. The mutation of the OsROS1 gene responsible for this change offers a strategy to enhance nutritional value in rice and other cereal crops.
Researchers found that Amanita fungi lost genetic material to form a closer bond with plants, allowing them to thrive in forest ecosystems. The study suggests that symbiosis may be easier to develop than previously thought.
Researchers at UNIGE have identified a protein called RUP2 that blocks the effect of UV-B radiation on plant flowering, allowing plants to regulate their growth in response to seasonal changes. This discovery has significant implications for agriculture and our understanding of plant development.
Scientists used ecological niche models to predict habitat suitability and invasion risk for over 900 lakes in Minnesota and Wisconsin. The models found relatively high risk of invasion in central Minnesota and eastern Wisconsin waters.
Researchers discover that glutamate activates a wave of calcium in plant tissues, triggering a defense response. The study uses fluorescent imaging to visualize the calcium signaling system, showing that it moves quickly through the plant to prepare distant tissues for future threats.
Researchers found gene cassettes transfer across generations in strawberry plants, leading to sex chromosome changes and homomorphic female heterogametic inheritance. The discovery sheds light on the mechanisms behind sex chromosome evolution and has implications for creating new crop varieties.
Researchers have identified KIN3 as a crucial enzyme connecting cellular signalling pathways involved in fungal developmental processes. The study found that mutants lacking this enzyme were sterile and exhibited developmental disorders.
A new genome-wide analysis of the rock gnome lichen reveals its genetic distinctiveness across different locations and informs conservation efforts. The research highlights the importance of preserving habitat and geography in maintaining biodiversity.
Research reveals that pitcher plant communities converge in terms of microbial life and small animal populations, even across different continents. The study found that Asian and North American pitchers house similar species, such as bacteria and insects, and can even mimic each other's ecosystems.
Researchers sequenced eggplant and wild relative plastomes, finding a single event led to two lineages: one in Africa and the other in Asia. This dispersal resulted in the current wide distribution of eggplant relatives across Africa, linked to African elephant and impala seed dispersal.
Research by an international team from the University of Vienna reveals that remote islands have higher numbers of non-native species, which can lead to extinction events and threaten unique island species. The study found that isolation from the mainland increases the number of non-native species, while native species decline.
Researchers from Australia and the UK have isolated three related rust resistance genes that confer distinct recognition specificities to the stripe rust pathogen. This breakthrough could enable accurate monitoring and integration of these genes into breeding programs to combat evolving pathogens.
UBC researchers have discovered an internal messaging system in plants that regulates cell growth and division, enabling them to survive harsh conditions and compete successfully under favorable conditions. The system is driven by a protein called CLASP, which plays a crucial role in cell growth and division.
Researchers at Université de Genève reveal the mechanism of seed germination, where proplastids differentiate into chloroplasts within 48 hours. The process is controlled by growth hormone gibberellic acid and protein TOC159, ensuring rapid transition to autonomous growth.
Scientists sequenced the dodder genome, shedding light on the evolution of plant parasitism. The study found significant gene losses, including those related to photosynthesis and flowering time control, which underlie the parasite's unique body plan.
The journal features two rare species, Poa laegaardiana and Sindora stipitata, and an extensive taxonomic review of genus Ceratozamia. PhytoKeys has accelerated research in botany with its innovative publishing workflow and open access platform.
Researchers used super-resolution microscopy to study GLUT1 distribution on cell membranes, revealing clusters with an average diameter of ~250 nm. The transporter's clustering is linked to lipid rafts, actin cytoskeleton, and N-glycosylation.
A global temperature increase of 2°C would double risks for plants, animals, and insects, leading to widespread biodiversity loss. If left unchecked, warming could trigger systemic ecological simplification, threatening ecosystem services crucial for human well-being.
A recent study by University of British Columbia researchers found that the Jerusalem artichoke's ability to produce a large number of tubers is a major driver of its invasive success. The trait evolved independently multiple times in invasive populations, highlighting the potential for invasiveness to evolve repeatedly.
The digitization of botanical collections data is revolutionizing the field of botany, making valuable information accessible for computational analysis. Methods and challenges for extracting data from specimens have been discussed, as well as applications for collections data once digitized.
Scientists studied China's terrestrial ecosystems, revealing significant carbon stock changes driven by climate change, ecological restoration projects, and land-use practices. The study identified four major ecosystems with varying carbon sink or source capabilities.
Crab spiders aid buckler-mustard plants by eliminating plant-eating insects and their larvae. This unexpected alliance benefits the plant, as it increases the production of floral volatile that attracts beneficial spiders.
The Protein Society has awarded Minfei Su and Chang-Ting Lin the 'Best Paper' award for their research on autophagy, a critical process in eukaryotic cells. The winners' work investigates the structural and thermodynamic details of protein interactions, shedding light on cellular homeostasis and evolution.
Research found that older tropical forests can access deeper soil layers during droughts, while younger forests struggle to survive due to shallower root systems. This study has implications for reforestation efforts and understanding forest responses to climate change.
Researchers discovered that grapes experience internal oxygen shortage during ripening, leading to cell death and potentially affecting wine quality. The study's findings suggest that manipulating oxygen supply can reduce cell death, and may lead to new ways of selecting grape varieties for warmer climates.
Researchers propose two distinct floras, Rhododendron Flora and Metasequoia Flora, to represent core regions of the Sino-Japanese and Sino-Himalayan flora. The study suggests East Asian flora is relatively young, with most clades originating since the Miocene, and may be a refugial area for ancient relict plants.
Researchers discovered that Pseudomonas aeruginosa rapidly overexpresses genes coding for proteins capturing host's iron and uses lactate, lipids, and collagen as nutrients. This knowledge opens the way to develop innovative treatments to counter its strategies.
Research shows that plants evolve to stop producing toxic chemicals in response to immune herbivores. The study found genetic evidence of a gene's evolution and loss in multiple plant lineages, supporting the 'defense de-escalation' hypothesis.
A Rutgers study found that striped maples change sex periodically, prompted by physical damage, and can wait up to three weeks before flowering. The research suggests that the trees' ability to delay reproduction may be an adaptation to their perilous environment.
Researchers at UCR discovered that tropical trees in the Amazon Rainforest have developed an unusual way to conserve and redistribute water during drought, using a layer of living cells around their xylem. This unique method may alleviate concerns about the impact of drought on these critical climate regulators.
Researchers discovered molecular evidence of obligate symbiosis in lichens, where fungal organisms streamline their genomes to coexist with algae. This finding suggests a genetic division of labor that makes the resulting lichen more efficient, potentially conferring an ecological advantage.