Articles tagged with Grasses
A recent study by Dr. Peter Wilf reveals that the 'oldest bamboo' fossil from Eocene Patagonia is actually a conifer, not a bamboo. The fossil, Chusquea oxyphylla, does not resemble any bamboo features and matches the distichous foliage form of the conifer genus Retrophyllum.
Scientists create 'DNA of Things' technology, storing 3D-printing instructions and other data in everyday objects like plastic rabbits. The method uses DNA molecules, allowing for secure information transfer and hiding in everyday items like glasses or construction materials.
Non-native invasive grasses increase fire occurrence and frequency across multiple ecoregions in the United States. Eight species showed significant increases in fire size and six in fire frequency, posing a risk to vulnerable ecosystems.
A recent national-scale analysis found that invasive grasses can significantly increase wildfire risk, with some doubling fire frequency in affected areas. Eight non-native grass species, including cheatgrass and buffelgrass, were identified as major contributors to increased fire occurrence.
Early rice growers unwittingly selected for barnyard grass, which later evolved to mimic rice plants, allowing it to escape detection and spread globally. The study sequenced the genomes of rice-mimic and non-mimic forms of the weed to understand this process.
Research suggests green turtles favour narrow lengths of plastic in natural colours like green and black over debris of other shapes and colours. Plastic was found in all examined turtles, with smaller ones containing more pieces.
A new study by University of Würzburg researchers found that five out of 13 German grass species contain poisonous toxins produced by fungal endophytes. The risk of mass poisoning for grazing animals is low, but farmers are advised to increase pasture diversity and avoid monocultures, especially of perennial ryegrass.
This observational study found that exposure to more tree canopy was associated with a lower likelihood of psychological distress and better self-rated general health. However, no green space indicator was consistently linked to depression or anxiety, and low-lying vegetation had mixed results.
A new study suggests converting farmland to grasslands near existing natural areas for maximum environmental benefits. The conversion should consider balancing multiple goals, including improvement of nature and aquatic environments, biomass production, and land usage.
Researchers elucidate genetic isolation mechanisms that prevent hybridization between maize and teosinte, enabling two distinct species to form. A specific gene cluster, Tcb1-s, plays a crucial role in this process.
Researchers at the University of Göttingen advocate coordinated approaches that combine nature conservation and agricultural production in sustainably managed landscapes. This approach enables the highest species diversity, promotes ecosystem services such as pollination and biological pest control, and benefits people.
The study reveals that restoration of marsh vegetation is crucial for overall recovery after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The research found that planting foundation species like Spartina alterniflora can facilitate colonization by burrowing invertebrates and fuel the food web, leading to a faster recovery.
Researchers discovered genes responsible for asexual reproduction in tropical grass, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving cattle health. This breakthrough enables faster and cheaper breeding of environmentally friendly forage grasses.
Researchers tracked grass pollen for seasonal variations and found it was released into the atmosphere later in areas further from the equator. The study aims to create a unique profile of each grass pollen species to determine the most harmful strains.
The study reveals that different grass pollens can cause varying reactions in allergy sufferers and people with asthma. By analyzing environmental DNA, researchers identified links between certain pollen types and days with increased asthma attacks or intense hay fever symptoms.
A study by Lerman and D'Amico found that less frequent lawn mowing in suburban areas has no detectable effect on blacklegged tick populations. In fact, the researchers documented 111 bee species across 16 lawns, highlighting a viable habitat for native bees.
Researchers have discovered that growing grasses alongside blueberry plants corrects iron deficiency, leading to increased antioxidant content and improved berry quantity. Intercropping with grass species has been shown to provide a natural source of iron chelators, comparable to synthetic treatments.
Scientists discovered grasses are genetically modifying themselves by taking genes from neighbors, gaining a competitive advantage and breaking the rules of evolution. This process, called lateral gene transfer, allows them to adapt to their environment without millions of years of natural selection.
A recent study found that grasses can acquire genes from at least nine donor species, including those involved in photosynthesis and disease resistance. This mechanism allows certain plants to adapt quickly to environmental changes.
A previously believed pathway for sRNA production has been found to be present widely in flowering plants, evolved over 200 million years ago. This discovery could improve crop yields and breeding better varieties.
A study by UC Santa Barbara found that moderate fertilizer and irrigation treatments resulted in the best biomass yields and carbon storage for prairie grasses. This approach also minimized competition with food crops and greenhouse gas emissions. The findings suggest a more tailored, ecologically friendly approach to biofuel productio...
Russian scientists discovered that abandoned arable land is immediately overgrown with forest if there are no grass fires, contradicting the previous assumption of a five-year wait period. Grass fires significantly influence vegetation growth and density on former agricultural fields.
Research team finds that plant phytolith and water content cause differing degrees of tooth enamel abrasion in vertebrates. The study suggests that tooth wear can be used to reconstruct the dietary behavior and habitats of extinct animals, with implications for paleontology.
Grasses have multiple copies of a gene that induces flowering during long days, but one duplicate has been repurposed to be expressed during short days, giving some grasses a new way to prepare for spring. This adaptation allows them to flower quickly in spring, providing an edge in the race to produce seeds.
Researchers at Ohio State University have discovered ways to gather water from nighttime fog and condensation using surfaces with conical shapes and grooved patterns. These designs can efficiently collect water droplets, similar to how cacti and desert grasses do in nature.
Geochemical analysis of fossil teeth reveals that prehistoric horses in coastal Florida lived and died within a small area, suggesting they were relatively sedentary. The study used strontium isotopes to track the animals' wanderings and found no evidence of epic migrations.
The Dauphin Island Sea Lab is leading a five-year project to map and restore SAV in coastal Alabama, aiming to cut the frequency of mapping from every six years to twice within a six-eight year period. The project will also enhance educational resources and cover the restoration of three zones, including areas prone to erosion.
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.
Researchers have found that planting shrub willow and switchgrass in marginal lands reduces fertilizer nitrate levels, controlling erosion and improving water quality. This integrated land management approach also generates biomass for biofuel and supports pollinators and other wildlife.
A recent study found that invasive cattle forage grass, tall fescue, is associated with nest failure in dickcissels, small grassland birds. The researchers identified tall fescue as a key factor influencing nest survival, and suggested that removing the invasive species could benefit wildlife and people's livelihoods.
A new study from the University of Illinois suggests that school greening could be a solution to improving academic performance in disadvantaged schools. The research found that schoolyard tree cover positively predicted math scores, with more trees leading to better performance, while grass had no impact on learning.
A new grass species, P. laegaardiana, has been described after 28 years of collection, raising concerns about its survival due to habitat loss and agricultural use. Further studies are needed to search for the species in different locations.
Researchers at QUT have developed a new grass pollen allergy test using Swiss nanotechnology, which can quickly identify individuals at risk of allergic diseases. The test, supported by the National Foundation for Medical Research and Innovation, uses a finger prick blood sample and provides results within 15 minutes.
A new study revealed that ancient elephant relatives, such as Gomphotherium connexum and G. steinheimense, primarily ate soft foliage and grasses 17 million years ago. The team found phytoliths stuck to their teeth and analyzed wear patterns on fossil tooth surfaces to confirm these results.
Researchers discovered that two amino acids in the guard cells' protein SLAC1 enable grasses to quickly close their stomata and prevent water loss. This mechanism allows grasses to adapt better to drought, making them more suitable for water-scarce regions.
A recent study by the Technical University of Munich found that trees with grassy areas can significantly cool urban environments, particularly on hot summer days. The research showed that black locust trees provide a higher cooling effect compared to linden trees, making them a promising option for cities like Munich.
Researchers found that C4 plant species grew more in elevated CO2 conditions than C3 plants, contradicting initial expectations. This unexpected shift has significant implications for grassland conservation and restoration planning.
A 20-year study found that C3 grasses actually lose biomass under elevated CO2 levels, while C4 species gain significantly, contradicting previous expectations. This reversal has significant implications for modeling future climate and accurately estimating the distribution of these plant species globally.
A new study suggests that warmer temperatures will speed up the transition from field to forest in the eastern US, leading to increased carbon sequestration. This could result in more rapidly growing forests replacing weeds and grasses, but also raises concerns about the impact of droughts on tree growth.
Scientists confirm the 100th meridian as a real divide between population and agriculture on opposite sides. Climate change is pushing this boundary eastward, expanding aridity into the Midwest, with significant implications for farming and land use.
A new study finds that maintaining a forest's natural shape is crucial in preventing its collapse. The research uses high-resolution satellite data to show that the shape of forests follows a predictable mathematical relationship between perimeter and area, which can help predict stability.
Studies by Cornell University professors Stephen Ellner and Robin Snyder show that trait variation influences but is often overshadowed by luck in determining lifetime reproductive success. The research suggests that being above average can be more important than possessing exceptional traits to achieve reproductive success.
The Brazilian savanna has significant natural regeneration potential, but its resilience is limited to tree regrowth. Human management, including exotic grass eradication and native plant reintroduction, is necessary to restore degraded areas to typical Cerrado with rich biodiversity.
A new study analyzing the impact of long-term nutrient reductions reveals a four-fold increase in Submerged Aquatic Vegetation (SAV) abundance in the Chesapeake Bay. This unprecedented event suggests that conservation efforts, including EPA's Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL), are supporting ecosystem recovery.
A recent study by Colorado State University found that biofuels produced from switchgrass can store carbon in the soil, sequestering it and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The research used a simulation model to analyze various growing scenarios, finding a climate footprint ranging from -11 to 10 grams of carbon dioxide per mega-joule.
Brown University researchers demonstrate that terahertz frequency data links can maintain acceptable bit-error-rates after bouncing off objects, enabling the possibility of non-line-of-sight links. The study's findings support the idea of terahertz local-area networks and could pave the way for future wireless networks with increased b...
The Diplachne genus, consisting of two species, exhibits remarkable features such as high salt tolerance and the presence of nitrogen-fixing bacteria. This discovery has significant implications for the reclamation of salinized agricultural soils.
Researchers at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center have discovered a genetic mechanism that controls developmental traits related to grain production in cereals. The study found that precise regulation of plant hormones, specifically brassinosteroids, can modulate growth and differentiation of unique inflorescence morphology.
Pinyon pine trees rely on specific microclimates to recover from drought events. Cooler and wetter climates with high tree cover, abundant juvenile trees, and mature seed-producing trees are essential for regeneration. Microsites under shaded canopies also provide favorable conditions for young pinyon pine growth.
Researchers found that artificial lighting near waterways attracts more flying insects and changes the predator community living beneath the lights. The study highlights the importance of considering ecological impacts when designing new lighting concepts.
A new study by the University of Minnesota reveals that warm-season annual grasses have good potential for use in horse pastures. These grasses provide horses with more summer grazing options and offer improved nutritional profiles compared to cool-season grasses.
A study predicts that climate change will reduce the growth and stature of big bluestem grass by up to 60 percent in the next 75 years. The change is mainly attributed to altered rainfall patterns, which could lead to a fundamental shift in the Midwestern ecosystem.
A team of researchers, farmers and scientists collaborated to develop a successful control method for African lovegrass. Local knowledge was found to be key in tackling the invasive species.
Research finds that intercropping corn with chili peppers reduces soil erosion, improves economic return, and increases biodiversity. This method is particularly beneficial for farmers in southern China's hilly areas, where it can bring in an extra $1,000-$2,000 per year.
A three-year NSF grant will fund a comprehensive assessment of how invasive non-native grasses alter fire patterns and carbon storage across the contiguous US. The researchers aim to quantify changes in carbon stocks associated with invasion and fire, providing new insights on managing fire-prone invasive grasses.
A new record of the Oriental eye fly transmitting conjunctivitis has been discovered in China. Three new species from the same genus were also identified, adding to the understanding of these disease-causing insects.
Researchers at UMD developed a new battery type that produces ionic electrical energy used by humans, powering brain functions and muscle movements. The battery uses grass to store energy and can be run at any voltage, making it suitable for medical devices and potential applications in neuroscience.
A new computational method called GRASS uses machine-learning techniques and artificial intelligence to automate the creation of plausible 3D shapes. The research paper showcases a generative recursive autoencoder for shape structures that can generate novel shapes without manual input.
Biologist Madelaine Bartlett aims to uncover the molecular underpinnings of floral diversification in flowering plants. Her research has the potential to improve grass crop yields and understand evolutionary development.
Researchers have created a whole-genome sequenced rice mutant resource to accelerate functional genetic research in plants. The new collection, KitBase, contains 1,504 lines with 45-fold coverage and identified 91,513 mutations affecting 32,307 genes.