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New modified wheat could help tackle global food shortage

Researchers at the University of York have created a new modified wheat variety that produces grains up to 12% bigger than conventional varieties without decreasing grain numbers. This breakthrough could help meet the increasing global food demand, especially considering the need for a 50% increase in production by 2030.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalNew Phytologist·DateNov 25, 2020

Waiter! This soup is not fly

New research highlights barriers to adopting insect-based food, including Western consumer acceptance and safety concerns. The larvae offer a high-quality protein source with zinc, iron, and calcium content comparable to meat.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalComprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety·DateOct 28, 2020

Phytoplasma effector proteins devastate host plants through molecular mimicry

A team of biologists discovered that phytoplasma effector proteins interact with specific molecules in plant hosts, causing developmental abnormalities and devastating changes. The research found that the effector proteins adopt a structure similar to their target host molecules, allowing them to bind and cause harm.

SourceAmerican Phytopathological Society·JournalMolecular Plant-Microbe Interactions·DateOct 26, 2020

Dueling proteins give shape to plants

In a new study, researchers have identified the molecular mechanism behind two key proteins that influence plant form and timing of developmental transitions. The study reveals an antagonistic relationship between Terminal Flower 1 (TLF1) and Flowering Locus T (FT) proteins, which promote branch formation and flowering, respectively.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 12, 2020

RAP tag: A new protein purification approach

Researchers from the University of Tsukuba have developed a new tagging system for detecting and purifying proteins in plant cells, using a short sequence called RAP tag. The approach shows high affinity and specificity, making it a powerful tool for protein purification, particularly at low expression levels.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalFrontiers in Plant Science·DateSep 25, 2020

Creating 'green' protein from the air

Gas-to-protein technology uses bacteria to ferment gases, producing up to 70% protein-rich biomass that can reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This process has the potential to transform agriculture and food production, making it a game-changer for sustainable food options.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalChemical & Engineering News·DateSep 23, 2020

Texas Tech, Nanjing Agricultural Research teams make plant nutrient delivery breakthrough

Scientists discovered that arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi supply nitrogen to plants through a newly identified protein, enabling crops like rice to thrive with reduced fertilizer use. The finding could lead to more sustainable agricultural practices and reduce environmental impact by minimizing agrochemical use.

SourceTexas Tech University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 17, 2020

More than just genetic code

A team of scientists has made a breakthrough in understanding the complex process of photosynthesis by discovering that mRNAs transport proteins to thylakoid membranes. This finding opens up new avenues for research into photobiotechnology.

SourceUniversity of Freiburg·JournalNature Plants·DateSep 8, 2020

How plants shut the door on infection

A new study reveals a protein called OSCA1.3 forms a channel that triggers calcium entry into plant cells, triggering the closure of stomata as a defense response to pathogens. This finding is crucial for understanding plant immune mechanisms and could lead to more resilient crops.

SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalNature·DateAug 26, 2020

Improving protein digestibility in sorghum

Scientists have identified three genes linked to high protein digestibility in sorghum, which could lead to breeding programs to enhance the crop's nutritional value. This breakthrough aims to improve the lives of people in third-world countries and US livestock producers by increasing the protein content of sorghum.

SourceAmerican Society of Agronomy·JournalCrop Science·DateAug 19, 2020

Research gets to the heart of organ shape in nature

A new study by John Innes Centre researchers sheds light on the evolution and function of diverse shapes in nature, using Capsella seed pods as a model. The discovery reveals a post-translational effect beyond gene expression, controlling organ-shape formation through protein modification.

SourceJohn Innes Centre·JournalCurrent Biology·DateAug 13, 2020

The amazing travels of small RNAs

A recent study published in Nature Plants reveals that short double-stranded small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) are the primary messengers responsible for RNA interference in plants. These siRNAs can travel vast distances, enabling plants to modulate gene expression at a distance and adapt to their environment through phenotypic plasticity.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Plants·DateJul 28, 2020

Slow growth the key to long term cold sensing

Researchers have found a new temperature sensing mechanism in plants that uses slow growth to measure long-term changes in temperature. The study reveals that the protein NTL8 plays a crucial role in this process, accumulating slowly over time and being diluted by faster growth rates.

SourceJohn Innes Centre·JournalNature·DateJul 15, 2020

Association of plant, animal protein with long-term mortality

A study of over 400,000 US adults found that higher long-term consumption of both plant and animal proteins was associated with increased risk of death. The researchers discovered a non-linear relationship between protein intake and mortality risk, suggesting that moderate levels of protein may be protective against mortality.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateJul 13, 2020

Green is more than skin-deep for hundreds of frog species

Hundreds of frog species have a green coloration due to a biochemical workaround that combines a virus-fighting protein with a toxic bile pigment, not relying on traditional skin chromatophores. This adaptation ensures good camouflage in leafy environments and has evolved over 40 times across different families of treefrogs.

SourceDuke University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 13, 2020

Virus protein discovery reveals new plant-animal class of cell division disruptors

Researchers have identified a novel plant-animal class of cell division disruptors, including the 17K protein from cereal-infecting viruses. The discovery reveals that these proteins can inhibit host cell growth by disrupting cell division, making them potential targets for controlling viral diseases in humans and crop plants.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalScience Advances·DateMay 13, 2020

Good news for the wheat-sensitive among us

Researchers at Edith Cowan University have developed a way to detect and quantify wheat proteins that trigger intestinal inflammation and chronic ailments. This breakthrough has resulted in a reference map of wheat proteins across diverse varieties and an innovative technique to measure specific proteins.

SourceEdith Cowan University·JournalJournal of Proteome Research·DateApr 23, 2020

Healthy climate news: Fava beans could replace soy

Researchers at the University of Copenhagen found that fava beans can be processed into a concentrated protein powder using a unique method called wet fractionation, which increases protein content and improves digestibility. Fava beans are also more climate-friendly than soy due to local cultivation and reduced genetic modification.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalFoods·DateApr 16, 2020

Mutation reduces energy waste in plants

Researchers identified mutations that improve photosynthesis in Arabidopsis thaliana by reducing protein degradation and increasing chlorophyll production. The findings suggest a potential mechanism to enhance plant energy efficiency and biomass production.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 8, 2020