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Identification of a key gene that enables tomato seed germination under high-temperature conditions

Tomatoes have difficulty germinating under prolonged heat stress, but two mutant lines with the loss-of-function mutation in SlIAA9 showed little decline in germination and normal seedling development. The mutants exhibited elevated expression of antioxidant enzymes and heat shock proteins, leading to enhanced resilience to heat stress.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalPlant Physiology and Biochemistry·DateApr 28, 2026
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

How do plant roots grow in unpredictable temperatures?

Researchers found that auxin's partner proteins serve as internal plant 'thermostats' that directly sense temperature and change genetic programs to direct root growth accordingly. This discovery could lead to engineering plants that withstand extreme temperatures, protecting crop productivity under challenging conditions.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 8, 2026

Researchers elucidate mechanism of auxin influx in plants

The study elucidates the molecular mechanism of AUX1/LAX protein family-mediated auxin transport, highlighting the role of His249 residues in substrate recognition. This breakthrough sheds light on plant growth and development processes.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalCell·DateMay 15, 2025

Study shows how plant roots access deeper soils in search of water

Plant scientists have discovered how abscisic acid (ABA) and auxin influence root growth angles in cereal crops like rice and maize to seek deeper water reserves. This mechanism could lead to developing drought-resistant crops with improved root system architecture, addressing global food security concerns.

SourceUniversity of Nottingham·JournalCurrent Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 10, 2025
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

Researchers decipher mysterious growth habit of weeping peach trees

A new study published in Plant Physiology reveals the mysterious growth habit of weeping peach trees by identifying a protein called WEEP. The study shows how the protein establishes asymmetric auxin gradients, leading to shoots growing downwards like roots.

SourceAmerican Society of Plant Biologists·JournalPLANT PHYSIOLOGY·DateFeb 28, 2024

Roots are capable of measuring heat on their own, new study shows

Plant roots detect temperature changes and adjust their growth accordingly. Researchers found that root cells produce more auxin in response to elevated temperatures, stimulating cell division and allowing roots to grow deeper into the soil. This discovery could help develop new approaches for plant breeding against climate change.

SourceMartin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg·JournalThe EMBO Journal·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 10, 2023

Investigating the intricacies of auxin signaling mechanisms in algae

Researchers discovered a TIR1/AFB-independent auxin signaling mechanism in Klebsormidium nitens, a primitive alga. They identified KnRAV as a key transcription factor that activates auxin-inducible genes and binds to promoter sequences.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalScientific Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 26, 2023
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

Motile sperm and frequent abortions in spreading earthmoss

A study by the University of Freiburg has found that auxin influences the fertility of spreading earthmoss, with PINC protein playing a crucial role. The research reveals that sperm swim better without PINC and that its absence leads to increased abortions in Physcomitrella moss.

SourceUniversity of Freiburg·JournalNew Phytologist·DateJan 27, 2023

Hormonal domino

A team of scientists from Nicolaus Copernicus University and international partners found that plant receptors have intracellular adenylate cyclase activity, which affects root growth and gravitropism. This discovery sheds light on the mechanism of transduction signals in plants.

SourceNicolaus Copernicus University in Torun·JournalNature·TypeNews article·DateNov 18, 2022

USTC reveals the mechanism of auxin transport

A USTC research team has elucidated the high-resolution structures of the PIN1 protein and its interaction with auxin and inhibitor NPA, shedding light on the mechanism of auxin transport. The study provides a new method for studying auxin transport using mammalian HEK293F cells.

SourceUniversity of Science and Technology of China·JournalNature·DateAug 3, 2022
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Molecular feedback-loop for plant growth

A molecular feedback-loop regulates plant growth by balancing high auxin levels, which stimulates cell division and elongation. The discovery involves PILS proteins that transport auxin into the endoplasmic reticulum, modulating its effect on plant development.

SourceUniversity of Freiburg·JournalDevelopment·DateJul 12, 2022

What makes a plant grow towards light?

Researchers have identified a family of proteins called PIN-FORMED as essential for auxin transport, guiding plant growth and development. The discovery provides the first structural basis of auxin transport by PIN proteins and sheds light on how herbicides can be recognized by these proteins.

SourceAarhus University·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 29, 2022
Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

First dicamba-resistant waterhemp reported in Illinois

Researchers have confirmed a Champaign County waterhemp population is resistant to dicamba, with a 65% control rate. The population shows signs of metabolic resistance, activating detoxification genes before the chemical can harm. This finding raises concerns about the potential for broader herbicide resistance.

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalWeed Science·DateNov 29, 2021

Scientists solve 50-year-old mystery behind plant growth

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.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalNature·DateNov 18, 2021

Auxin makes the spirals in gerbera inflorescences follow the Fibonacci sequence

Researchers have found that the spirals in gerbera inflorescences follow the Fibonacci sequence, with the number of left- and right-winding spirals determined by consecutive Fibonacci numbers. The study used X-ray tomography and confocal microscopy to examine how auxin levels influence the patterning of floral primordia.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 14, 2021

Auxin visualized for the first time

The new biosensor, AuxSen, enables scientists to observe spatial and temporal redistribution dynamics of auxin in plants, revealing rapid uptake and slower export. It also shows rapid auxin redistribution after root tip rotation, a response not previously measurable.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature·DateApr 10, 2021
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

New biosensor makes control hormone auxin visible in cells

Scientists have developed a novel sensor that makes auxin visible in living plants, providing new insights into plant development and growth. The sensor allows for real-time detection of changing environmental conditions and the influences of external stimuli.

SourceUniversität Bayreuth·JournalNature·DateApr 7, 2021

How a plant regulates its growth

Researchers studied how the herbicide naptalam affects plant growth by inhibiting auxin transport proteins. Naptalam disrupts polarity in plants by blocking the directional flow of auxin, leading to inhibited root growth and altered flower and seed formation.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·DateMar 1, 2021

A plant's way to its favorite food

Researchers found that Arabidopsis seedlings adapted by increasing cell division and reducing cell elongation on ammonium, but reversed this balance on nitrate. The key hormone auxin regulated the balance between cell proliferation and cell expansion.

SourceInstitute of Science and Technology Austria·JournalThe EMBO Journal·DateJan 5, 2021
Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Plants on aspirin

A new study published in Cell Reports found that painkillers such as Aspirin and Ibuprofen interfere with the auxin flow in plants, leading to abnormal root growth. The drugs also suppress the movement and trafficking of substances within plant cells, impairing their ability to develop properly.

SourceInstitute of Science and Technology Austria·JournalCell Reports·DateDec 1, 2020

Trehalose 6-phosphate promotes seed filling by activating auxin biosynthesis

Researchers found that trehalose 6-phosphate activates auxin biosynthesis, leading to increased embryo growth and reserve starch accumulation. The study used pea seeds, where a reduction in embryonic T6P content resulted in wrinkled seeds with impaired storage product accumulation.

SourceLeibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research·JournalNew Phytologist·DateNov 5, 2020

Molecular compass for cell orientation

Scientists at IST Austria identified a molecular compass that perceives auxin concentration and allows cells to synchronize their behavior for coordinated vein formation and regeneration. This phenomenon also applies to wound healing, enabling the growth of more mechanically resistant plants.

SourceInstitute of Science and Technology Austria·JournalScience·DateOct 29, 2020
Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

Ammonium triggers formation of lateral roots

The study reveals that ammonium uptake by roots provokes pH changes that bring auxin into a protonated form, triggering lateral root emergence. This process allows plants to adapt to fluctuating nutrient availabilities and optimize nutrient acquisition in agricultural settings.

SourceLeibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research·JournalNature Plants·DateSep 11, 2020
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

Study sheds new light on vein formation in plants

A study published in Nature Communications has found that plant hormones strigolactones reduce the transport of auxin, a key hormone involved in vein formation. This slowdown allows for more focused and efficient vein development, which can lead to improved crop yields and better adaptation to challenging climate conditions.

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 5, 2020
Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

Sticky proteins help plants know when -- and where -- to grow

Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have discovered a mechanism by which plants regulate the hormone auxin, affecting growth and development. The sticky properties of Aux/IAA repressor proteins allow them to bind to DNA-binding domains, controlling transcription.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalMolecular Cell·DateAug 14, 2019

Putting the brakes on lateral root development

New research from Washington University in St. Louis identifies a critical regulator of lateral root production, showing how auxin and cytokinin hormones interact to control root growth. The study reveals that the transporter TOB1 can limit auxin's root-promoting capabilities, promoting a slow but steady approach to root development.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalDevelopmental Cell·DateJul 23, 2019

Newly discovered mechanism of plant hormone auxin acts the opposite way

Researchers have discovered a novel gene expression pathway triggered by auxin accumulation at the inner bend of seedling, leading to growth inhibition rather than stimulation. This finding helps explain the formation of apical hooks that aid seedlings in breaking through the soil.

SourceInstitute of Science and Technology Austria·JournalNature·DateApr 3, 2019

McSteen lab finds a new gene essential for making ears of corn

A team of scientists led by Paula McSteen identified a new gene called barren stalk2 (ba2) that affects the development of axillary meristems in corn plants. The ba2 gene interacts with another gene, barren stalk1 (ba1), to regulate ear formation.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalMolecular Plant·DateMar 29, 2019
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

How Capsella followed its lonely heart

Researchers found that the gene INDEHISCENT plays a crucial role in shaping Capsella's distinctive heart-shaped fruits by upregulating auxin biosynthesis. This discovery may lead to improved crop yields and denser oilseed rape canopies through genetic modification.

SourceJohn Innes Centre·JournalCurrent Biology·DateFeb 28, 2019

Local hormone production is root of issue for plant development

The study reveals that local auxin production in plant roots is crucial for maintaining healthy roots and preventing degeneration. Auxin production must be made locally, as transported auxin cannot compensate for its absence in certain tissues, such as the root meristem.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalDevelopmental Cell·DateOct 25, 2018

Hijacking hormones for plant growth

Researchers have designed synthetic compounds similar to auxin, a hormone controlling plant growth, development and behavior. These compounds could be used for agricultural purposes, such as manipulating fruit ripening or preventing transgene spread.

SourceWiley·JournalNew Phytologist·DateAug 8, 2018
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

Mother-child communication in plants

Researchers at the University of Freiburg discovered that mother plants use the auxin hormone to guide embryo development. This communication may help breeders create more resilient plants in response to environmental challenges.

SourceUniversity of Freiburg·JournalNature Plants·DateJul 20, 2018

Plant mothers talk to their embryos via the hormone auxin

Researchers find that a plant hormone called auxin from the mother plays a crucial role in regulating early embryo development in plants. The study, published in Nature Plants, reveals that increased maternal auxin production is necessary for normal embryo development and that auxin from the mother is essential for correct embryo growth.

SourceInstitute of Science and Technology Austria·JournalNature Plants·DateJul 16, 2018

New mechanism for the plant hormone auxin discovered

Scientists have identified a new mechanism for the plant hormone auxin that enables rapid adaptation of root growth direction in response to gravity. This mechanism allows roots to quickly bend and grow deeper into the soil, where they can anchor themselves and find water and nutrients.

SourceInstitute of Science and Technology Austria·JournalNature Plants·DateJun 25, 2018

How plants work on the inside

Researchers at Technical University of Munich discovered a new regulator called PAX that helps cells determine their respective cell types in vascular tissue. The discovery sheds light on how plants develop new leaves, branches, and roots over weeks, months, and years.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalNature·DateJun 6, 2018
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

The plant hormone auxin coordinates wood formation

Researchers found that auxin hormone controls stem cell division and WOX4 gene expression, essential for wood formation. The study revealed a direct regulation of WOX4 by auxin signaling factors, shedding light on the complex mechanism behind plant growth.

SourceAKSON Russian Science Communication Association·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 3, 2018

Communication via calcium wave

Scientists have identified a complex signal chain involving the auxin hormone and calcium channels in plant cells. Calcium waves are used to communicate local auxin signals over long distances, influencing root architecture and differentiation processes.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 28, 2018

Signaling pathways to the nucleus

The University of Freiburg team found that auxin-mimicking molecules accumulate primarily in the endoplasmic reticulum before entering the nucleus, regulating gene expression. This signaling pathway helps control various plant processes, including development and responses to environmental changes.

SourceUniversity of Freiburg·JournalCell Reports·DateMar 16, 2018

Lab-made hormone may reveal secret lives of plants

Researchers at Howard Hughes Medical Institute have developed a synthetic version of the plant hormone auxin and an engineered receptor to recognize it, enabling precise control over plant growth and development. This breakthrough system, called

SourceHoward Hughes Medical Institute·JournalNature Chemical Biology·DateJan 22, 2018

Auxin tells the stem cells to stop growing and the gynoecium to start forming in flowers

Researchers at Nara Institute of Science and Technology identified CRABS CLAW as a key molecule that controls the termination of stem cell growth and the formation of gynoecium in flowers, promoting floral reproduction. The study also shows auxin homeostasis is regulated by TORNADO2, providing insight into flower development.

SourceNara Institute of Science and Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 24, 2017
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

Auxin drives leaf flattening

Researchers discovered that auxin signaling defines the expression of genes WOX1 and PRS, which enable leaf blade expansion and flattening. This finding refines our understanding of auxin signaling in leaf development.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalCurrent Biology·DateSep 25, 2017

Hormonal tug-of-war helps plant roots navigate their journey through the soil

A sophisticated mechanism allows plant roots to quickly respond to changes in soil conditions via the interactions of two antagonistic hormones, auxin and cytokinin. Cells sense relative changes in auxin levels to determine their location within the root and trigger a switch from cell division to elongation.

SourceJohn Innes Centre·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 22, 2017
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

A better dye job for roots -- in plants

A researcher at Salk Institute has discovered a fluorescent dye that reveals root growth is more influenced by auxin than thought, shedding light on the acidification theory and its role in plant growth. The study could inform faster-growing crop production or mitigate climate change effects.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 1, 2017

Electronics to control plant growth

Scientists from Linköping University successfully applied an ion pump device to a small flowering plant, Arabidopsis thaliana, allowing them to control root growth and auxin response. This breakthrough enables localized application of hormones to study their impact on plant growth and development at tissue and cellular resolution.

SourceLinköping University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 17, 2017

ERC advanced grant for Jiri Friml

Jiri Friml, a plant biologist at IST Austria, has received an ERC advanced grant to investigate the evolution of auxin transport and polarity in plants. His research will focus on understanding how plants adapt to environmental changes through the dynamic regulation of PIN transporters.

SourceInstitute of Science and Technology Austria·DateApr 7, 2017
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

Single enzyme controls 2 plant hormones

Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis isolated an enzyme GH3.5 that regulates the levels of two plant hormones, auxin and salicylic acid, simultaneously. The study reveals how this single enzyme controls distinct classes of hormones, providing new insights into the molecular pathways for growth and defense.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 22, 2016

Picture release: Spiral growth

Researchers at EMBL discovered a molecular feedback loop that creates regular spacing between leaves, resulting in spiral patterns. This loop involves cells coordinating with neighbors to transport auxin hormone, which builds up and triggers the formation of new hotspots.

SourceEuropean Molecular Biology Laboratory·JournalCurrent Biology·DateNov 3, 2016

Researchers modify yeast to show how plants respond to a key hormone

Researchers have developed a novel toolkit based on modified yeast cells to tease out how plant genes and proteins respond to auxin, the most ubiquitous plant hormone. The system revealed the basic 'code' of auxin signaling, including how specific combinations of repressing or activating proteins can bind to auxin, DNA, and one another.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 5, 2016

Unlocking the mystery on how plant leaves grow their teeth

Researchers have discovered a key substance called EPFL2 that creates plant teeth and found out how they work. The peptide inhibits the accumulation of auxin at the skirts of tooth tips, preventing the generation of leaf teeth in plants that are unable to make EPFL2.

SourceInstitute of Transformative Bio-Molecules (ITbM), Nagoya University·JournalCurrent Biology·DateSep 1, 2016
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Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.