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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.

New sunflower family tree reveals multiple origins of flower symmetry

A new analysis of the sunflower family tree shows that flower symmetry evolved multiple times independently among its members. The research, led by Penn State biologist Hong Ma, used low-coverage genome sequences to increase the number of species available for comparison and resolved more of the finer branches of the family tree.

SourcePenn State·JournalPlant Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 3, 2024

Understanding jasmonic acid: A switch that activates autophagy in Arabidopsis petals

A team of researchers from Nara Institute of Science and Technology discovered a phytohormone-mediated switch controlling autophagy, leading to terminal cell differentiation for petal abscission. They found that jasmonic acid promotes petal abscission by activating autophagy at the base of petals.

SourceNara Institute of Science and Technology·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 7, 2024
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.

Identifying a silicon transporter to improve the yield of rice

Scientists at Okayama University have identified a membrane transporter, SIET4, in rice leaves that facilitates the localization of silicon. This discovery reveals intricate processes involved in Si deposition, enabling plants to accumulate high levels of silicon and survive environmental stresses.

SourceOkayama University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 8, 2023

Demystifying the role of plant x- and y-type thioredoxins

X- and y-type thioredoxins play a crucial role in maintaining the redox balance of photosynthesis during fluctuating light conditions. The study found that these proteins facilitate electron transport through the electron transport chain, preventing photoinhibition and promoting plant growth.

SourceOkayama University·JournalPLANT PHYSIOLOGY·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 4, 2023

Gene required for root hair growth, nitrate foraging found in grasses

A team of researchers led by Karen Sanguinet identified a plant gene called 'BUZZ' that drives the growth of root hairs, helping plants find water and nutrients. The gene also plays a role in nitrate uptake and signaling, which could lead to more sustainable crop production.

SourceWashington State University·JournalNew Phytologist·DateSep 19, 2023
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Gene grants powerful resistance to resurging plant disease

Researchers have discovered a gene, B5, in Egyptian cotton that confers powerful resistance to bacterial blight. The gene enables strong resistance to the disease under Oklahoma field conditions and accumulates high amounts of defense chemicals.

SourceAmerican Phytopathological Society·JournalPhytopathology·DateAug 7, 2023

Study reveals how a tall spruce develops defense against hungry weevils

A study by North Carolina State University researchers identified genes involved in the development of stone cells, which can block weevil feeding on budding branches. The findings could help breed genetically improved Sitka spruce trees resistant to the spruce weevil, a significant pest affecting forest giants.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalNew Phytologist·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 10, 2023

Seeing the insides of plants in 3D

A new technology called PHYTOMap allows researchers to study dozens of genes simultaneously without genetic manipulation, providing insights into plant responses to climate change. The method has the potential to improve crop resiliency and inform agriculture optimization.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalNature Plants·TypeImaging analysis·DateJun 12, 2023

Refining surge protector in crops could boost yields

Researchers at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln have identified new genes that regulate the surge protector in plants, which can help increase photosynthesis efficiency and boost corn yields. The discovery could lead to breeding plants better equipped to capitalize on yield-boosting sunlight.

SourceUniversity of Nebraska-Lincoln·JournalNew Phytologist·DateJun 5, 2023
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.

Pitch-perfect: Study of World Cup’s turfgrass may help crops yield more from less

Researchers discovered a species of grass, seashore paspalum, that can tolerate diverse stresses and aid in crop development. The study revealed the plant responds to nutrient deprivation by doubling its production of a sugary molecule called trehalose, which helped corn seedlings grow faster and larger without added nutrients.

SourceUniversity of Nebraska-Lincoln·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 15, 2022

Finding genes to help fruit adapt to droughts

A study by researchers at Boyce Thompson Institute has identified genes that can help plant breeders develop fruit crops that can adapt to drought conditions. The research found that water stress triggers physiological disorders and fruit loss, but also has positive effects such as increasing lycopene levels in ripe fruit.

SourceBoyce Thompson Institute·JournalPLANT PHYSIOLOGY·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 30, 2022

An insect pest acquires multiple plant genes

Researchers identified 49 plant genes transferred to the silverleaf whitefly genome, including genes neutralizing toxins produced by plants as a defense mechanism. This discovery opens up new research opportunities for innovative pest control methods based on plant breeding, potentially reducing pesticide use.

SourceINRAE - National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment·JournalGenome Biology and Evolution·DateOct 11, 2022
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.

When mothers shut down the fathers’ genes in the embryo

Researchers found that Marchantia liverworts completely inactivate paternal genes in embryos, ensuring proper development. The mechanism involves Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 and maintains haploid dosage despite the short diploid phase.

SourceGregor Mendel Institute of Molecular Plant Biology·JournaleLife·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 23, 2022

The circadian clock makes sure plant cells have the time of their lives

Researchers at Nara Institute of Science and Technology found that the circadian clock regulates cell cycle progression and differentiation in Arabidopsis. The study used single-cell analysis to show that clock genes directly trigger cell differentiation, revealing a guiding role for the plant circadian clock in cell fate determination.

SourceNara Institute of Science and Technology·JournalCell Reports·DateAug 12, 2022

New research reveals mutation responsible for disease resistance in Cassava

A team of researchers has identified a single nucleotide mutation that confers resistance to cassava mosaic disease, which causes significant yield losses worldwide. This discovery has implications for improving cassava yields and sustaining farmer income, and could also shed light on disease-resistance in other major crops.

SourceDonald Danforth Plant Science Center·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 13, 2022

Illinois project takes on quantitative disease resistance in corn

Quantitative disease resistance is a promising approach to combat plant diseases, which cause an estimated 13% loss of global crop yields annually. Researchers aim to identify disease resistance mechanisms for important corn diseases and develop genetic resources for the broader maize genetics community.

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·DateJul 11, 2022
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

Gametophytes are ready for their close up: Methods used to study obscure sexual portion of plant life cycle focus of Applications in Plant Sciences special issue

A new special issue of Applications in Plant Sciences explores techniques for studying gametophytes, essential for understanding biodiversity and conservation. The study reveals the complexity of gametophyte biology, including their limited size and invisibility in some plants.

SourceBotanical Society of America·JournalApplications in Plant Sciences·DateMay 10, 2022

A single gene controls species diversity in an ecosystem

A team of researchers discovered that a single gene, AOP2, plays a critical role in maintaining species diversity in an ecosystem. The study found that mutations at this gene can dramatically alter the structure and function of an ecosystem.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 31, 2022

Nanocarrier spray: Better crops without genetic modification

Researchers at RIKEN CSRS have developed a non-transgenic method to modify plant genes using a bioactive molecule spray, which can be used to improve crop yield and resistance to pests. The technique has shown promising results in improving economically desirable quality traits in crops.

SourceRIKEN·JournalACS Nano·DateFeb 23, 2022

Rice production depends on TAB1 gene, researchers find

A study published by Hiroshima University researchers reveals that the TAB1 gene is essential for rice grain formation. The gene plays a critical role in maintaining stem cells until the last stage of flower development, leading to ovule formation and seed production.

SourceHiroshima University·JournalDevelopment·DateFeb 4, 2022
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

Healthier tapioca starch is on the way

Researchers at RIKEN have developed a healthier form of tapioca starch by suppressing multiple genes that increase its resistance to digestion. The resulting starch is composed of longer chains with fewer branches, making it harder to digest and potentially improving intestinal function and blood sugar control.

SourceRIKEN·JournalPlant Molecular Biology·DateDec 16, 2021

For a fungus, the right “accessories” can make or break a relationship with a plant

A new study explores how plants respond differently to useful and harmful microbes, revealing that accessory chromosomes from fungal strains dictate these responses. Most plant genes are expressed similarly in response to both beneficial and pathogenic fungi, but with key differences occurring just 12 hours after interaction.

SourceAmerican Phytopathological Society·JournalMolecular Plant-Microbe Interactions·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 23, 2021

Breeding plants with genes from one parent

Researchers at the University of California, Davis, have discovered a mechanism to eliminate half the genome in plants, making it easier to breed crops with desirable traits like disease resistance. This breakthrough could shorten breeding times by several generations.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 19, 2021
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.

Largest plant genome sequencing effort yields a pan-genome for chickpea

An international team sequenced 3,366 chickpea lines from 60 countries, identifying 29,870 genes, including 1,582 novel ones. The study provides a complete picture of genetic variation within chickpea and validated roadmap for improvement.

SourceInternational Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT)·JournalNature·DateNov 10, 2021

Decoding crop genetics with artificial intelligence

A team of scientists from Michigan State University is using artificial intelligence to analyze plant genomes and predict the functions of unknown genes. With a $1.4 million NSF grant, they aim to help farmers grow crops that can withstand drought and disease.

SourceMichigan State University·DateJul 13, 2021

Broad Institute researchers use novel field-ready CRISPR platform to detect plant genes

Researchers have developed a novel CRISPR-based platform called SHERLOCK that enables the detection and quantification of plant genes. The platform is rapid, portable, and low-cost, with high multiplexing capability, making it an important tool for agriculture in detecting pathogens or pests and in plant breeding.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalThe CRISPR Journal·DateJun 24, 2019

Harm and response

A comprehensive study reveals that plants respond uniquely to different insects, activating specific genes to defend against attacks. The research shows that plants can distinguish between closely related insect species, leading to targeted defense responses.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalFrontiers in Plant Science·DateFeb 12, 2015
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.

Iowa State University researchers develop process for 'surgical' genetic changes

Researchers at Iowa State University have developed a new technique for making genetic changes in plant genes, allowing for targeted manipulations with high efficiency. This process harnesses homologous recombination to precisely introduce DNA at predetermined locations, enabling faster and safer gene editing for various crops.

SourceIowa State University·JournalNature·DateJul 20, 2009