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Discovery: Plants use “trojan horse” to fight mold invasions

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.

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.

How to help save plants from extinction

A new study published in Conservation Physiology identifies the critical limits of plant function under stress, enabling more effective conservation strategies. By understanding these limits, conservationists can identify vulnerable species and allocate resources more wisely.

Study IDs secret of stealthy invader essential to ruinous rice disease

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.

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.

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.

Yams benefit from banana ‘paper’ cocoon

A North Carolina State University study shows that yam seeds wrapped in a biodegradable paper made from banana fibers and cardboard grow larger and more abundantly than those without the paper. The 'wrap-and-plant' method also reduces post-harvest loss by minimizing nematode pest effects.

Beating brassica blight: How treatment with amino acids can prevent disease

A study by researchers from the University of Tsukuba found that treating cabbage leaves with multiple amino acids can prevent disease caused by Pseudomonas cannabina pv. alisalensis, a bacterium that causes blight in brassica crops. The amino acids trigger stomatal closure, reducing bacterial entry and disease symptoms.

The missing link: Fatty acid metabolism impacts plant immunity

A recent study by Zhenzhen Zhao and colleagues found that Arabidopsis plants lacking Acyl Carrier Protein 1 (ACP1) are more resistant to bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas syringae. ACP1 is essential for maintaining hormone homeostasis, which affects plant stress responses.

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

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.

Illinois researchers find exotic sources of resistance to tar spot in corn

Illinois researchers identified two tropical corn germplasm lines showing promising levels of tar spot resistance, regardless of location. The study developed a new method for scoring tar spot incidence and severity, which will aid breeding programs. The findings suggest resistant hybrids are key to managing the disease long-term.

February research news from the Ecological Society of America

Researchers tracked a Mongolian gazelle traveling over 18,000 km, while new studies on raccoon movement inform improved vaccination strategies against wildlife disease. In contrast, urban bird species exhibit varying body weights and lifespans based on city characteristics.

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

New inoculation method can protect soybeans against devastating leaf blight

A new inoculation method can identify resistance against one of the CLB pathogens, allowing breeders to select candidates for genetic material against the disease. This method uses detached leaflets for inoculation and offers an advantage in small experimental designs, enabling screening of soybean genetic materials.

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.

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.

How do plants act fast to fight off infections?

Researchers discovered a novel type of bivalent chromatin that enables plants to quickly produce defense compounds like camalexin in response to pathogens. This understanding could inform strategies to improve crop yields and combat global hunger.

Identification of plant-parasitic nematode attractant

A recent study has identified a nematode attractant in flax seeds, which can be used to develop sustainable and environmentally-friendly agriculture methods. The attractant, consisting of cell wall polysaccharides, is found to contain L-galactose sidechains that are critical for nematode attraction.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

Two new truffle species discovered in Florida pecan orchards

Researchers have identified two new truffle species on roots of pecan trees in Florida orchards, which may lead to increased crop profit. The newly found species, Tuber brennemanii and Tuber floridanum, are edible but lack appealing odors, making them less desirable for consumption.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

APS Foundation awardees honored at 2009 annual meeting

The APS Foundation presented several monetary awards to recognize excellence in teaching, research, and international service. H. David Shew received the Lucy Hastings de Gutiérrez Award for Excellence in Teaching, while Andrew F. Bent won the Noel T. Keen Award for Research Excellence in Molecular Plant Pathology.

The American Phytopathological Society announces 2009 awardees

The American Phytopathological Society recognized outstanding contributions to plant pathology with its 2009 awards. The APS Fellow class of 2009 includes prominent researchers and educators from around the world. Notable winners include Anne E. Dorrance, Charles Mellinger, H. David Shew, and Richard A. Sikora.

Scholthof named 2009 American Phytopathological Society Fellow

Dr. Herman Scholthof, a renowned plant pathology expert, has been awarded the 2009 American Phytopathological Society Fellowship for his distinguished contributions to the field. He is recognized for his notable work in plant pathology and microbiology at Texas A&M University.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Shaw to receive prestigious honor for plant pathology research

Dr. Brian Shaw will receive the 2009 Alexopoulos Prize for his outstanding contributions to plant pathology research, as recognized by the Mycological Society of America. Shaw has authored 17 research papers in 12 years and is jointly appointed with Texas AgriLife Research.

Mushrooms may aid rapid vaccine response

Researchers at Penn State are using genetically modified mushrooms to produce vaccines and other biological drugs in record time. They aim to demonstrate the ability to produce three million doses of a drug within 12 weeks.

Pam Henderson receives plant pathology journalism award

Pam Henderson received the APS Plant Pathology Journalism Award for her nine-article series on Asian Soybean Rust, which raised public awareness of the disease. The award recognizes outstanding achievement in increasing knowledge and understanding of plant pathology.

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.

Stress makes St. John's wort more effective

Researchers at Cornell University have discovered that stress can increase the amount of hypericin in St. John's Wort, a popular herbal remedy for depression. The study found that plants under attack from insects produce more hypericin, which may contribute to its effectiveness.