Articles tagged with Photosynthesis
Researchers from the Academy of Finland discovered that photoinhibition, a previously believed detrimental reaction, actually protects photosynthetic apparatus by altering function to dissipate excess energy. This finding challenges previous understanding of photosynthesis' different photosystems and their roles.
A new study reveals that a more primitive form of photosynthesis evolved in much older bacteria than previously thought, dating back to around 3.5 billion years ago. This type of photosynthesis does not produce oxygen and uses molecules such as hydrogen or iron as fuel.
Researchers at Kobe University discovered a gene that neutralizes toxic byproducts of photosynthesis, enabling plants to 'breathe' and grow under stress. The AOR gene protects nighttime respiration, allowing plants to reach normal size and weight in stressful conditions.
Researchers found that giant reed uses C3 photosynthesis despite being more productive than other crops, with exceptionally high Rubisco activity and efficient water use. This discovery could help improve C3 photosynthesis in other plants.
Scientists have identified a protein crucial to assembling the photosynthetic apparatus, which protects it from oxygen's disruptive effects. This discovery sheds light on the early history of photosynthesis and its adaptation to changing atmospheric conditions.
Researchers discovered that Amazon forests' annual increase in photosynthesis is caused by synchronization of old leaf loss and new leaf growth, contradicting assumptions about constant canopy greenness. This finding will help improve predictions of forest responses to climate change.
A new study reveals that leaf quality, rather than leaf abundance, plays a crucial role in forest carbon cycles. The research finds that varying leaf quality can explain twice as much seasonal variation in ecosystem productivity as leaf quantity alone.
A team of plant scientists has identified two superior forms of a naturally occurring enzyme known as Rubisco, which could improve photosynthesis and increase wheat yields by up to 20%. The researchers found variation in the enzyme's catalytic properties among closely related genotypes, including wild relatives of bread wheat.
Researchers induce self-photosensitization of M. thermoacetica with cadmium sulfide nanoparticles, enabling photosynthesis and synthesis of semiconductor nanoparticles for efficient solar-to-chemical production.
Researchers found that warming ponds had 70% more species and higher rates of photosynthesis in phytoplankton, which could remove more CO2 from the atmosphere. Phytoplankton communities were more species-rich and dominated by larger species, with increased biodiversity and evenness.
Researchers at Umeå University discovered that increased CO2 levels shifted photosynthetic metabolism in plants towards photosynthesis, contributing to global vegetation's ability to dampen climate change. The study used historic plant samples to quantify the impact of atmospheric CO2 levels on plant metabolism.
Researchers at University of Edinburgh discover key components in algae that enable efficient photosynthesis, leading to potential breeding of high-yield crops. By understanding and replicating these mechanisms, scientists aim to create more productive varieties of wheat, rice, and barley.
The project aims to enhance wheat crop yields by understanding the genetic basis of more efficient photosynthesis. By combining diverse expertise and next-generation DNA sequencing, researchers will identify key genes responsible for improved crop performance.
Researchers discovered the 'off' switch for starch production in plants, which rapidly shuts down production at night to prevent energy waste. The discovery suggests that the seemingly wasteful approach holds a clever adaptation strategy to adjust metabolism in response to fluctuating light intensity.
Scientists sequenced the pineapple genome to understand its unique photosynthetic pathways, such as crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM), which allows it to thrive in water-limited environments. The study also sheds light on the evolutionary history of grasses and their ability to survive drought.
Michigan State University has partnered with ExxonMobil to improve the efficiency of photosynthesis in microalgae to produce biofuels and bioproducts. The project aims to determine which algae are most efficient under various conditions, leveraging new technologies developed by MSU researchers.
A team of researchers has achieved an unprecedented 14% efficiency in solar hydrogen production, breaking a 17-year-old record. The breakthrough involves a patented photo-electrochemical process that enhances long-term stability and boosts energy output.
Research suggests oxygen in atmospheres of habitable extrasolar planets might not necessarily come from biological processes, potentially expanding the search for life. Scientists have proposed alternative explanations for oxygen formation, including abiotic reactions on planetary surfaces.
Researchers have created artificial plants that can produce methane and butanol using semiconducting nanowires and bacteria. This technology has the potential to replace fossil fuels with a sustainable and efficient alternative.
Scientists at Argonne National Laboratory have made breakthroughs in manipulating photosynthesis to create a robust and renewable energy source. By storing sunlight in chemical bonds, they can produce hydrogen, a clean-burning fuel that could power cars and households.
Scientists have successfully simulated significant parts of the LHC-II molecule using supercomputers, proving that theories align with reality. This breakthrough enables understanding of reactions during early stages of photosynthesis for the first time.
A team of researchers at Berkeley Lab has achieved another milestone in hybrid artificial photosynthesis by generating renewable molecular hydrogen and synthesizing carbon dioxide into methane. The new system uses solar energy to split water molecules into oxygen and hydrogen, which is then used by microbes to produce methane.
Scientists at NREL have successfully produced ethylene through photosynthesis using cyanobacteria, a breakthrough that could reduce carbon dioxide emissions and provide an alternative to traditional fossil fuel-based production. The method has been improved significantly since its initial discovery in 2010, with the goal of increasing ...
Researchers have successfully developed chill-tolerant sugarcane hybrids that can grow at lower temperatures, similar to Miscanthus grass. The miscanes outperform sugarcane in cooler conditions, maintaining productivity without losses, offering a promising alternative for sugar and biofuels production in the US.
Researchers aim to improve crop productivity by optimizing photosynthetic efficiency, a process that has plateaued due to its inefficiency. Designs include smart canopies with layered plants and tailored light-absorbing pigments to minimize light saturation and maximize energy use.
A team of researchers from Boston College and China's University of Science and Technology has developed a new method to harness the power of solar water splitting using hematite and silicon as absorbers. The 're-growth' technique improved the material's surface, doubling electrical yield and achieving a record low turn-on voltage.
Researchers have solved the high-resolution crystal structure of a plant protein supercomplex critical to photosynthesis, revealing key pigment arrangements and organization. The findings provide a structural basis for understanding the photosynthetic mechanisms involved in harvesting light from the sun.
Researchers at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz identified IM30 as a protein that triggers membrane fusion, crucial for thylakoid membrane system formation and maintenance. This discovery provides a starting point for future research on membrane fusion mechanisms in chloroplasts and blue-green algae.
Scientists at MBL and Brown University have developed a system to measure plant photosynthesis over large areas by analyzing spectral signals from satellite sensors. The system uses solar-induced fluorescence in leaves, allowing for the detection of photosynthesis on a canopy scale.
Berkeley Lab researchers develop a system that captures carbon dioxide and converts it into biodegradable plastics, pharmaceutical drugs, and liquid fuels using solar energy. The technology mimics natural photosynthesis, offering a win/win situation for the environment by producing chemicals in a renewable way.
Researchers at Michigan State University discovered a new switch that regulates plant photosynthesis, allowing for improved efficiency and resilience to environmental stresses. This discovery may aid in developing plants with enhanced productivity and stability, addressing the increasing demand for food and fuel as climate changes.
This special issue delves into the latest research on molecular gastronomy, perception of food, growing crops, obesity, and diet's impact on the circadian clock. Researchers discuss the science behind cooking techniques, flavor creation, and how chefs are pioneering new fermentation reactions.
Boosting crop yields through high-performance computing, genetic engineering, and modifying plant anatomy may be the solution to increasing global food demand by 2050.
Researchers Cardona et al. examine evolution of D1 protein, heart of Photosystem II, to propose sequence of events for origin of water splitting in photosynthesis. They find evidence suggests water splitting could have evolved relatively fast after just a few changes to ancestral D1 protein.
Researchers discovered a plant protein, KEA3, crucial for adjusting photosynthetic efficiency in fluctuating light conditions. This mechanism enables plants to quickly respond to changes in light intensity and maintain high energy capture.
Scientists at LSU have made a breakthrough in understanding photosynthesis by analyzing two critical plant proteins, PsbP and PsbQ. The study reveals how these proteins interact to facilitate oxygen production, providing new insights into the process.
A team of scientists has developed a new way to identify genes important for photosynthesis in maize and rice, which can be used for crop improvement. The findings also revealed new pathways and information about how plants fix carbon, helping to prioritize candidate genes for enhancing growth and yield.
Scientists at DTU Physics successfully captured protein quakes that dissipate solar energy throughout entire protein molecules, validating a long-standing hypothesis. This breakthrough has implications for harnessing solar energy in solar cells and other light-absorption systems.
Scientists discovered a new subgroup of cyanobacteria that can absorb and use far-red light for photosynthesis, replacing 17 proteins in three major complexes. This process has a dramatic effect on the organism's physiology and metabolism, producing 40% more oxygen.
A team of researchers at Australian National University has successfully replicated a crucial step in photosynthesis, paving the way for biological systems powered by sunlight to manufacture hydrogen as a fuel. This breakthrough could lead to the creation of a zero-carbon replacement for petroleum products and transform the economy.
Researchers at Purdue University are using spinach to study photosynthesis and convert sunlight into a clean, efficient alternative fuel. The team has made significant breakthroughs in understanding the protein complex responsible for this process, which could lead to the creation of artificial photosynthesis.
Scientists observe electrons jumping between molecular fragments up to a distance of about 20 Ångström, marking the transition from molecular to atomic regimes. The study provides insights into charge transfer mechanisms that play a role in numerous chemical processes, including photosynthesis and solar cells.
Biophysics researchers at the University of Michigan have identified specific molecular vibrations that help enable charge separation in photosynthesis, a process that converts sunlight into chemical energy. The findings could lead to more efficient solar cells and energy storage systems.
Scientists successfully visualize crucial event in photosynthetic reaction, enabling study of protein complex that splits water. This breakthrough uses free-electron laser technique to collect data at room temperature.
An international team recorded still frames of photosystem II as it splits water into hydrogen and oxygen, revealing large conformational changes and overall structure alterations. The study paves the way for optimizing catalytic reactions and creating molecular movies of biochemical processes.
Researchers captured the first molecular-level images of photosynthesis, revealing how water is split into oxygen and hydrogen. The breakthrough could lead to the development of artificial systems that mimic and surpass the efficiency of natural photosynthesis.
A UNSW Australia-led team found a class of cryptophytes where quantum coherence is switched off due to genetic mutations, allowing them to thrive in low-light conditions. This discovery could lead to technological advances in organic solar cells and quantum-based electronic devices.
Researchers at University of Southampton have developed a new hybrid energy transfer system that mimics the processes responsible for photosynthesis. The system enables efficient energy transfer over long distances, with potential applications in optoelectronic devices and synthetic systems.
A team developed a sophisticated tool to characterize the functions of genes in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, a key subject for photosynthesis research. This breakthrough enables large-scale genetic analysis of the organism's mutants, leading to better understanding of cellular processes and potential applications in biofuel development.
Researchers at Umea University found that bicarbonate has a regulatory function in the splitting of water in photosynthesis. This discovery opens up a new research field investigating the biological and ecological consequences of the dual role of carbon dioxide.
The new Research Unit will analyze the assembly of thylakoids using a systematic approach to understand the molecular details of the photosynthetic process. Thylakoids are specialized membrane systems found in some bacterial species and plant cells that capture sunlight and convert it into chemical energy.
Researchers have developed a new approach to measuring photosynthetic activity using satellite technology, providing direct observations of photosynthesis on a large scale for the first time. The study reveals that previous model-based estimates are too low and provides a tool to assess production in various regions.
A team of researchers used a computer model to simulate the effects of adding genes from cyanobacteria on photosynthetic efficiency in crops. They found that certain genes enhanced, while others hindered photosynthesis. The study suggests potential for a 60% increase in efficiency and a 40% boost in yields.
A unique South African plant, Lithops, has been found to adapt to extreme conditions by optimizing its photosynthesis and water loss. Researchers discovered local differences in surface adaptations and physiological mechanisms that allow the plant to thrive in dry environments.
Plants have a 24-hour circadian rhythm that allows them to measure time and adjust their biology accordingly. Researchers found that sugar production plays a key role in regulating this internal clock.
Researchers have uncovered tiny changes in plants' physiology that enable advanced photosynthesis, allowing for increased growth rate and water efficiency. This knowledge could be used to breed faster-growing, drought-resistant crops like rice.
Boston College chemists develop unique photoanodes and photocathodes using hematite and nickel iron oxide to achieve a 50% increase in photovoltage. This breakthrough brings researchers closer to harnessing artificial photosynthesis for efficient solar energy storage.
Researchers at Oxford University Press UK identified the tannosome organelle, responsible for producing complex chemicals used in plant defense and protection. This discovery sheds light on the synthesis of tannins, a key component in making tea and red wine taste their distinctive way.
A Dartmouth-led team has identified a group of stress-related proteins in plants that help them avoid sunburn in intense light. These findings could lead to the development of crops with increased protection from bright light and enhanced photosynthesis rates.
A team of scientists identified a protein that induces membrane curvature in thylakoids, enabling the formation of stacks. The CURT1 protein enhances photosynthesis efficiency by increasing the degree of stacking and potentially boosting crop yields.