Researchers discovered that azole fungicides kill fungal pathogens by initiating self-destruction through two pathways: apoptosis and macroautophagy. This mechanism explains why azoles are losing effectiveness against resistant fungal strains.
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Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.
Researchers tested seven antibiotics in combination with various natural compounds, finding synergistic effects against multidrug-resistant bacteria. The study suggests combining antibiotics with plant extracts or phytochemicals could be a promising strategy to combat antimicrobial resistance.
Researchers found that the loss of large herbivores like tapirs and deer reduces leaf damage caused by pathogens, leading to increased plant species richness. In contrast, insect damage remains unaffected, suggesting a more complex relationship between plants and their natural enemies.
The Phytopathology Research Forum successfully concluded its spring edition, showcasing cutting-edge developments in plant disease research and molecular breeding technology. Experts discussed the importance of adopting provenance security measures to ensure agricultural product integrity.
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SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.
SMART researchers develop a nanosensor that selectively detects salicylic acid in live plants, vital for stress response. The sensor combines sensors for H₂O₂ and salicylic acid, enabling simultaneous monitoring of plant hormones and aiding in early diagnoses to improve crop resilience.
The study charts the family history of Arabica through Earth's heating and cooling periods over the last millennia. The research found that Arabica developed over 600,000 years ago in Ethiopia via natural mating between two other coffee species.
A recent study published in Phytobiomes Journal found that non-native crop viruses are infecting and harming wild desert plants. Infection rates with the virus CABYV reached as high as 88% in some populations, causing visible impacts on plant growth and root health.
Scientists at UC Davis discovered specific strains of soil bacteria that induce resistance to witchweed, a parasitic plant that affects 20% of Africa's sorghum crop. The bacteria alter root anatomy and degrade chemical cues, making it harder for witchweed to latch on, and have great promise as soil additives to improve yields.
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Researchers used MRI to investigate the effects of Phytophthora cactorum on strawberry plants, discovering elevated relaxation times and visible pathogen presence. The study suggests MRI can monitor plant health, investigate disease progression, and inform strategies for preventing plant diseases.
A study using forest inventory data from over 25,000 plots found that biodiversity strongly suppresses pathogens and pests in many plant and animal systems. The 'dilution effect' of biodiversity on forest pests is jointly controlled by diversity and phylogenetic composition.
A study using historic and modern writing reveals more information about the effects and spread of Phytophthora infestans, a plant pathogen that caused the 1840s Irish potato famine. Researchers tracked the disease's spread across the US and Canada, finding it affected multiple states and provinces between 1843-45.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have identified genomic regions associated with resistance to four diseases in corn: Goss's wilt, gray leaf spot, northern corn leaf blight, and southern corn leaf blight. The study found that multiple genes working together can provide durable resistance against different pathogens.
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Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.
Researchers at Cornell University analyzed plant spore dispersion using high-speed cameras and predicted the trajectory of spores carried by swirling motion created by vibrating leaves. The study aims to design a strategy to reduce pathogens from spreading from leaves.
Researchers at Penn State have identified six new species of Pectobacterium and one strain of Dickeya bacteria that can cause diseases such as blackleg and soft rot in Pennsylvania potatoes. These pathogens can lead to significant yield losses, particularly in the northeastern US.
Researchers at Boyce Thompson Institute discover helper NLRs Nrc2 and Nrc3 play a vital role in triggering the plant's immune response, activating MAPK signaling to induce immunity in tomatoes. The study highlights the importance of these proteins in ensuring crop resilience against pathogens.
Plant scientists have discovered a sophisticated RNA defense system that plants use to attack gray mold cells, sending mRNA molecules that disrupt fungal cellular processes. This innovative approach could lead to the development of eco-friendly fungicides with minimal environmental impact and no harm to humans or animals.
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Researchers found that mycorrhizal fungi can significantly improve crop yields by up to 40% in fields with high levels of fungal pathogens. The inoculation was most effective when the soil had already been contaminated with pathogens, serving as a protective shield against further damage.
A team of MSU scientists has identified a key protein in transporting antimicrobial proteins out of plant cells, which could lead to breakthroughs in crop productivity and yield. By understanding how plants defend themselves against pathogens, researchers can develop new strategies to improve crop resilience.
A team of scientists led by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture has been awarded a $3.57 million grant to develop spinach cultivars resistant to fungal pathogens. The project aims to expedite breeding for disease resistance, reducing fungicide use and supporting sustainable spinach production.
A recent study in Nature Communications has identified a gene cluster in wheat that produces triticein, an isoflavone compound with potential health benefits. This discovery offers opportunities for metabolic engineering efforts to improve wheat's nutritional quality and resistance to disease.
A recent study has provided significant genomic insight into tar spot of corn, a destructive disease causing $1.2 billion in yield loss. The researchers identified over 100 novel effectors that play a crucial role during infection, warranting further investigation.
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Researchers found blue light kills both dried cells and biofilms of Listeria monocytogenes, a frequent contaminant of food processing facilities. The pathogen's demise occurred quickest on polystyrene surfaces.
The American Phytopathological Society has created a new series of distinguished reviews in honor of Harold H. Flor, who developed the gene-for-gene concept in plant pathology. The series presents authoritative reviews on molecular plant-microbe interactions, providing a historical perspective and future directions for research.
Scientists have identified a bacterial strain that can break down the toxic tomatine in tomato roots, providing new understanding of how soil microbes interact with plants. This discovery could lead to the development of new bioactive compounds for human applications.
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A recent study reveals that emerging infectious diseases are accumulating rapidly globally, particularly in Holarctic trees. The 'big data' approach used in the study characterizes the growing threat posed by emergent infectious diseases, with some tree species, such as pines and oaks, showing high new disease accumulation.
Researchers at Tokyo University of Science have uncovered a novel mechanism for sorting endocytic cargo, revealing a specific compartment within the trans-Golgi network that determines the fate of cargo. This discovery has implications for understanding basic life processes and diseases caused by disruptions in endocytosis.
A new molecular mechanism has been identified that helps plants adjust protein levels to fight infection. By unzipping specific RNA structures, plant cells can produce defense proteins. This discovery also has implications for human cells, suggesting a similar mechanism may control protein production in response to pathogens.
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Researchers found that AvrE/DspE family proteins, used by plant pathogens to cause disease, fold into a straw-like structure with a water channel. This discovery could lead to the development of new methods to disarm these proteins and prevent crop damage.
Biologists at Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun synthesized silver nanoparticles using fungi, showing potential for medical applications. The method also improves crop protection by detecting plant pathogens and delivering nutrients to plants with minimal waste.
A team of researchers at the University of Johannesburg has made a groundbreaking discovery about how tomato plants defend themselves against the devastating ToCSV virus. By studying the molecular genetics of infected tomato varieties, they found that viral DNA methylation plays a crucial role in resistance to ToCSV.
Researchers have identified an essential stage in the takeover of rice cells by a fungus, which could accelerate treatment or prevention of rice blast disease. The discovery involves a modification in tRNA molecules that aid in protein construction, and its absence leads to reduced virulence.
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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.
Gray mold is a fungus that causes billions of dollars in crop losses each year, but researchers have discovered a way to control it without using toxic chemicals. The discovery reveals that gray mold uses lipid 'bubbles' to deliver RNA molecules that silence plant immune systems.
Researchers developed a smart agrochemical delivery platform using biomimetic mineralization, which improves crop yield and fruit zinc content. The platform, named MiZIFs, uses zeolitic imidazolate frameworks to encapsulate a synthetic growth regulator, promoting plant growth and stress tolerance.
The American Phytopathological Society has published a focus issue on critical biosecurity gaps in US plant disease diagnostics, highlighting the need for harmonized diagnostics within the agricultural biosecurity system. The focus issue addresses assay validation methods, including high-throughput screening and PCR/RPA techniques.
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The new sensor chip detects multiple disease pathogens with high sensitivity and eliminates chemical dye reagents. Results are available in about 30 minutes, showing promise for rapid point-of-care diagnostic capabilities.
Researchers have identified a novel gene WTS that confers broad-spectrum resistance to clubroot disease in Brassica crops. The WTS protein complex functions as an endoplasmic reticulum-localized calcium release channel, increasing cytosolic calcium ions and activating plant defenses.
The American Phytopathological Society published a special issue on key discoveries in plant pathology, highlighting groundbreaking findings over the past 50 years. These discoveries have significantly impacted plant health, food security, and food safety worldwide.
The Sooty Bark Disease, caused by Cryptostroma corticale, is a growing threat to European maples and human health. Researchers have developed a DNA-based diagnostic method to detect the pathogen in air samples using volumetric air samplers.
Unseasonably warm and cold days prolong moth and butterfly activity by nearly a month, according to the study. Insect lifespans may also be affected, potentially leading to increased pathogen transmission.
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A new identification tool called IDphy has been developed to accurately identify Phytophthora species, which cause significant economic and environmental losses. The tool uses data from ex-type cultures and includes features such as an interactive key, factsheets, and a mobile app.
A new, rapid platform detects pathogens on produce in three to six hours, improving risk reduction strategies for the produce industry. The technology uses multi-spectral imaging and deep UV sensing to identify opportunistic human pathogens.
Researchers at Aarhus University discover how the SUC transporter recognizes sucrose and uses acid to power its sugar delivery. This breakthrough sheds light on how plants defend themselves from pests and could lead to new ways of protecting plants from harmful bugs.
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Scientists have engineered plants to produce peptides with antibiotic activity against drug-resistant pathogens, which also enhances stability and prolongs activity. The resulting plants yield potent drugs at significantly lower costs than traditional methods, making them an environmentally friendly option for pharmaceutical production.
Researchers found that severe beech leaf disease infestation hurts trees' relationships with helpful root mutualists, ectomycorrhizal fungi. Trees with the most severe symptoms had over 65% less healthy fungi in their roots compared to those with mild symptoms.
Researchers developed a multifunctional patch that detects plant diseases and abiotic stresses like drought or salinity. The patch can detect viral infections up to a week before symptoms appear, enabling growers to take action earlier.
Researchers have developed an online tool, the 'Tree-Based Alignment Selector (T-BAS) toolkit', to identify and monitor plant pathogens, including Phytophthora species responsible for devastating plant diseases. The tool provides a living 'tree of life' with genetic sequence data, evolutionary history, and relationships within groups.
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Researchers have discovered the critical role of linker histone protein H1 in plant immune responses to bacterial and fungal infections. The study found that mutant plants with knocked-out H1 isoforms exhibited higher defense gene expression and resistance to infection, but lacked priming ability.
A new strategy balances disease control with resistance management by balancing resistance to both fungicides until it increases enough to fail. The approach is robust to variations in parameters and could influence policy recommendations.
The fungi Neofusicoccum mediterraneum and Neofusicoccum parvum have been found infecting pines in Southern California, causing a deadly disease known as pine ghost canker. The pathogens are native to the US but have recently started infecting trees in urban forest areas.
Researchers have found that iron treatment increases rice's resistance to infection by the pathogenic fungus Magnaporthe oryzae. Exposure to moderate levels of iron triggers a process called ferroptosis, which limits the progression of the fungus and controls the infection.
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New study reveals that diseased plant cells produce more proteins before dying, alerting healthy cells to boost immunity and prevent disease spread. This 'deathbed rally' helps the rest of the plant stay healthy, paving the way for potential disease resistance strategies.
Researchers used AgRenSeq genomic discovery method to identify two genes protecting experimental wheat plants against wheat blast. The study highlights the power of heritage wheat varieties and wild grass relatives in providing disease-fighting diversity.
Researchers at UC Berkeley discovered that a fungus secretes an enzyme that punches holes in rice leaves, making it vulnerable to chemical blockers. The team is now screening chemicals to find ones that block the enzyme's ability to digest plant cell walls.
Researchers have discovered licorice leaf extract as a potent bactericide and fungicide, offering a sustainable alternative to synthetic pesticides. The extract modulates plant immune responses to pathogens and acts against resistant oomycetes, making it a potential solution for naturally controlling plant diseases.
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Researchers identified 11,378 viroid-like cccRNAs in 4,409 species-level clusters, exceeding previously known elements. These findings reveal viroids are more common and abundant than thought, with distant relatives of human Hepatitis Delta Virus discovered.
Scientists at Umea University found a new transporter controlling bacterial cell wall integrity and resistance to antibiotics. The discovery sheds light on muropeptide recycling and its role in bacteria's ability to thrive.
A transnational collaboration led to the characterization of Physostegia chlorotic mottle virus (PhCMoV), a plant disease first identified in Austria in 2018. The study revealed that PhCMoV can infect at least nine plant species, causing severe fruit symptoms on economically important crops.
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A potent plant toxin called albicidin has emerged as a strong new antibiotic candidate, effective in small concentrations and highly potent against pathogenic bacteria. Its unique mechanism targets the bacterial enzyme DNA gyrase, which is essential for cell function.
Researchers have characterized the tar spot pathogen on a molecular level, revealing its virulence molecules target specific plant organelles. This study advances our understanding of plant-pathogen interactions and contributes to developing disease control strategies.