Research suggests climate change will increase disease pressure in some regions and reduce it in others. Model projections indicate that rising temperatures will boost yields in temperate areas while having little effect on tropical regions.
Research from Utah State University finds that large trees in western forests benefit from mycorrhizal connections to fungi, which enhance nutrient uptake and provide defense against pathogens. Diverse forest networks offer greater protection for these giant trees.
A new light-producing bacterial reporter is being used to quantify plant resistance levels through imaging, allowing for the simultaneous analysis of over 30 Arabidopsis mutants. This novel method shows a high correlation with conventional culture-based techniques, demonstrating its robustness and potential applications.
A group of corn smut proteins, known as the Pleiades, launch a battle against maize immunity by targeting key defense mechanisms. The study reveals that eight of the ten Pleiades inhibit reactive oxygen species production, while two others promote flowering by dampening immunity.
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Plants use metabolites, chemical signals, and dual receptor recognition to distinguish beneficial microbes from pathogens. A plant cell follows a flowchart to determine the response needed based on microbe type and lifestyle.
Plant diseases can spread rapidly across borders and oceans, threatening global food security. Researchers call for integrated surveillance, detection systems, and predictive modeling to prevent future outbreaks.
Researchers discovered that the ZAR1 resistosome forms pentameric oligomers in plant cell membranes, triggering sustained calcium ion influx and immune signaling events. This activation initiates cell death and is dependent on the activity of the calcium-permeable ion channel.
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Lemon trees showed a lower molecular response to the citrus greening disease pathogen Liberibacter asiaticus compared to orange trees. This may be due to accumulated micronutrients and upregulated protease inhibitors in lemons, which hinder photosynthesis. The study's findings could aid in developing resistant citrus varieties.
A recent study found that silencing SDIR1 reduces growth of host-specialized and nonhost Pseudomonas syringae strains, while overexpressing it enhances disease resistance to both biotrophic and necrotrophic pathogens. Higher levels of ABA and jasmonic acid are also detected in SDIR1-overexpression plants.
Researchers at Earlham Institute created a new automated workflow using liquid handling robots to identify the genetic basis of preventing plant pathogens. The new technology screened 2,880 mutants in just 11 hours, identifying a gene cluster linked to growth inhibition of the common potato pathogen.
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Researchers developed a new heat-based treatment that eliminates pathogens without harming plants, using a two-step process involving conditioning and lethal temperatures. This method reduces phytotoxicity and dispersal of pathogens, increasing fruit quality and yield while minimizing pesticide applications.
Scientists explore why some plants resist certain pathogens while others are susceptible. Recent advances in technology will aid in understanding the molecular basis of nonhost resistance, enabling improved disease control strategies.
Research reveals Xylella fastidiosa transmission peaks in July and August, affecting grapevine Pierce's disease in California. The study suggests late-season infections are more likely to persist, highlighting the need for regionally specific data.
The causal agent of cucurbit downy mildew, Pseudoperonospora cubensis, has two genetically distinct host-adapted clades, with Clade 1 infecting squash, pumpkin, and watermelon, and Clade 2 impacting cucumber and cantaloupe. Wild cucurbits serve as reservoirs for the pathogen.
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A team of plant pathologists developed a comprehensive guide for diagnosing cucurbit downy mildew, caused by the obligate pathogen Pseudoperonospora cubensis. The guide provides written and graphic material to help identify symptoms and diagnose the disease using DNA testing and microscopy.
Researchers discovered that plant pathogens like Phytophthora infestans reorder the physical structures of effectors to escape plant recognition. This allows them to persist in plants and evade integrated resistance strategies.
Researchers found that prior exposure to powdery mildew makes plants more susceptible to subsequent disease. In experiments and in the wild, early infection facilitated later infection, with some pathogen strains promoting infections from later-arriving strains. The findings highlight the importance of understanding interactions among ...
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A German-Argentinean doctoral program has borne its first fruits with a joint publication in the renowned journal Plant Physiology. Dr. Regina Mencia's research on increasing plant resistance to pathogens via the salicylic acid pathway has shown promising results.
A multidisciplinary team of scientists will use data from NASA's Earth Observing Satellites to identify areas of potential disease and track plumes of dust that traverse the globe. By predicting the origins and landing spots of specific pathogens, farmers can be advised on practices to avoid increasing their spread.
Researchers found that many plant pathogens can specialise on particular temperatures or host plants, but also have wide temperature or host ranges. This study provides key insights into the co-evolution between pathogens and their hosts, allowing scientists to better understand where and when pathogens could strike next.
The PaNDiv experiment reveals that increased nitrogen application shifts the plant community towards fast-growing species, leading to faster litter decomposition. This change has a feedback loop effect, producing more nitrogen in the soil, which further accelerates decomposition.
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Researchers identified a blueprint for plant immunity against rapidly evolving disease-causing pathogens, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses. They found that nearly all strains of certain crops carry immune-eliciting effectors, which can be recognized by plant immune receptors.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have developed a way to apply genetic sequencing technologies to identify plant pathogens, down to the strain level. This new approach uses an Oxford Nanopore Sequencing MinION device and computer algorithms to quickly and precisely diagnose diseases in crops.
Scientists discovered a new protein, Mai1, that plays a central role in plant immunity by linking host recognition of pathogens to defense mechanisms. The protein is involved in activating the cell death response, ensuring only a few host cells die when attacked.
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Researchers found that plants use the same transcription factor to regulate growth and defense, but require different levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) for each process. This incompatibility leads to a trade-off between growth and defense, with implications for plant biomass production and disease resistance.
A team of biologists has shed new light on a crucial aspect of the plant immune response, revealing how plant resistance proteins trigger localized cell death. By understanding this mechanism, scientists may develop strategies for engineering disease-resistant crops.
A team of scientists analyzed microbial communities within sclerotia of soilborne fungal pathogens, discovering specific bacterial communities that produce volatile compounds with the potential to reduce pathogen viability. Combining different beneficial microorganisms can effectively counteract pathogens.
Researchers at Boyce Thompson Institute discovered that ascaroside compounds from nematodes can protect rice, wheat, corn, and soybeans from numerous pathogens. The compounds helped increase resistance against bacterial, fungal, viral, and oomycete pathogens in major crops.
A new study reveals that non-native tree species thrive in areas where their close relatives do not, thanks to the lack of soil pathogens. This 'enemy-release' effect gives invasive species a competitive advantage over native species, leading to their rapid spread and dominance.
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Scientists discovered a suite of microbe-responsive gene families that date back to early land plant evolution in distantly related plants. These genes are often associated with stress-response in flowering plants and provide increased protection against biotic stresses.
A team of scientists used population genetics to analyze root rot pathogen populations in Michigan greenhouses and found similar populations regardless of plant type or location. The study confirms that infected plant material is likely moved within the state, leading to the development of fungicide-resistant populations.
A new detection tool has been developed to identify quarantine tree pathogens, reducing analysis time and enabling prompt reactions. The tool can be used by non-scientists and is crucial in preventing the spread of devastating pathogens like Xylella fastidiosa, Ceratocystis platani, and Phytophthora ramorum.
Research found that microbes specialize at the genotype level, promoting diversity by killing common species and making room for rare ones. This leads to increased seed dispersal, creating landscapes that allow pathogens to effectively promote diversity.
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A study reveals that raindrop impact liberates thousands of dry dispersed spores, increasing their height and exposure to wind. This phenomenon enables the transport of plant pathogens beyond leaf boundaries and across several kilometers.
A UC Berkeley team found that four out of five native plant nurseries in Northern California harbor exotic Phytophthora pathogens, which are more aggressive and resistant to fungicides. New management techniques and detection methods can help limit the spread of these pathogens.
Researchers have identified a key step in how plant cells respond to pathogens, revealing an enzyme called SIK1 that connects detection and action. The discovery opens up new avenues for treating plant diseases and breeding resistant crops.
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A recent study has unveiled the intricate molecular mechanisms behind plant immunity, allowing researchers to unravel bespoke defence solutions against different variants of the rice blast pathogen. The findings have significant implications for engineering disease resistance against a range of crop pathogens.
A new defensive feedback control system has been developed to enable plants to strengthen their defenses against deadly pathogens, reducing crop waste globally. The system mimics an aircraft autopilot, detecting pathogen attacks and preventing weakening of the plant's immune response.
A study analyzing a New Zealand database found that targeted biosecurity measures can slow the introduction and spread of fungal plant pathogens. The research showed an exponential increase in pathogens over time, but a decline after the implementation of specific measures around the 1980s.
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Biosecurity measures have been shown to effectively curb invasive plant pathogen introductions, even as trade and travel increase. The study found that targeted biosecurity interventions can reduce the establishment of non-native pathogens in agricultural sectors, slowing their spread.
Researchers at UCR discover how plants package and deliver small RNAs to fight plant pathogens. The study found that plants transfer sRNAs into fungi, inhibiting their ability to cause disease, through a process called cross-kingdom RNA interference.
Researchers discovered a crucial link between virus sensing and gene expression in plant immune systems. The Rx1-Glk1 connection enables plants to regulate their antiviral responses without overdoing it.
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A recent study has found that plants share defensive proteins through evolutionary pick 'n' mix, allowing them to respond effectively to emerging diseases. The research identified diverse groups of genes in various wild and domestic grasses, including wheat and barley, which can be used to engineer resistant crops.
A team of scientists at KAUST has discovered a key role for epigenetic chromatin modification in plant defense against pathogens. By phosphorylating histone deacetylase (HD2B), MPK3 releases genes and blocks others, rapidly reprogramming the cell's molecular makeup.
A recent study found that exposing baby cacao plants to healthy adult plant microbes reduces the risk of disease. Microbes from mother trees strengthen the immune system of baby trees, making them less susceptible to pathogens. This discovery has significant implications for the global chocolate industry.
A team of researchers has identified a novel regulatory mechanism that controls how plants defend themselves against pathogens. The study reveals how endogenous plant peptides regulate the formation of immune receptor complexes, leading to appropriate initiation of plant immune responses.
A recent study published in Science has identified a previously unknown means by which plants regulate their immune systems to prevent further response once an infection is dealt with. This discovery could lead to the improvement of immune systems in food crops, addressing a significant challenge for global food security.
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Hailing Jin, a UC Riverside professor of plant pathology and microbiology, received $1.25 million from the National Institutes of Health to study small RNA machinery in plant immunity. She will also receive $700,000 from the National Science Foundation to investigate RNA trafficking pathways between pathogens and hosts.
Researchers have identified plant immune receptors with additional integrated domains that mimic authentic host targets of pathogen effectors. These discoveries provide new insights into plant disease resistance and may help scientists develop sustainable production methods for key crops.
Scientists at Indiana University have developed a method to alter a plant's innate defense system to deliver resistance to a new disease. By creating decoy proteins that mimic bacterial modifications, the team broadened the recognition ability of a sensor protein to detect multiple pathogens.
Researchers have engineered a new receptor that can counter stealthy diseases by boosting plant defense systems. The modified Arabidopsis plants show resistance to both insects and pathogens.
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Scientists have discovered a potential ecological route to control plant disease by harnessing the power of soil microbial communities. The study found that increasing competition between resident bacteria and invading pathogens can constrain the spread of bacterial wilt, reducing its devastating impact on global food production.
A team of scientists has discovered how a plant sensor detects pathogens, bringing unprecedented detail to the 'gene-for-gene' hypothesis. The study reveals that the strength of binding between the sensor and pathogen proteins correlates with the plant's response, opening up new strategies for engineering enhanced resistance.
Researchers at Norwich BioScience Institutes have discovered plant receptors with built-in decoys that detect pathogens, triggering the plant's defense mechanism. These receptors are designed to trick pathogens into binding with them, which then triggers a shutdown of the cell to contain the pathogen.
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A joint study reveals the power of citizen science in predicting the emergence and spread of sudden oak death, a fungus-like disease that has felled hundreds of thousands of trees in California. The SOD Blitz model, created using crowdsourced data, correctly predicts the presence of the pathogen 74% of the time.
A study of disease dynamics in a California grassland reveals fundamental principles underlying the spread of pathogens among species. The researchers found that the amount of disease on each species depended on how common it was, as well as on the abundance of its close relatives.
A team from MIT and the University of Liege presents high-speed images showing that raindrops can act as a dispersing agent, catapulting contaminated droplets far from their leaf source. The researchers found that a plant's mechanical properties, particularly its compliance, determine the range of dispersal.
Research reveals that competing for the same host plant, different pathogen strains change disease dynamics, leading to more severe epidemics. The study highlights the importance of accounting for coinfection when designing disease prevention efforts.
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Researchers from Oregon State University have identified the ancestral home of Phytophthora infestans, a costly and deadly plant disease that causes potato late blight. The discovery provides new avenues to discover resistance genes and helps explain the mechanisms of repeated emergence of this disease.
Researchers discovered how the Phytophthora infestans pathogen adapted to spread between plant species by secreting specialized substances that shut down host defences. By understanding this process, scientists can develop proteases that detect and resist these stealthy molecular mechanisms.