Bluesky Facebook Reddit Email

It's not easy being green

Researchers at the Salk Institute identified a signaling molecule called heme that drives expression of photosynthesis-related genes. This discovery may help plants overcome stress and improve growth, leading to increased crop yields and better plant health.

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.

Watercress may 'turn off' breast cancer signal

A study led by Professor Graham Packham of the University of Southampton shows that watercress compounds can block a critical pathway linked to cancer development. The research found that eating watercress may interfere with the function of protein HIF, which plays a role in tumor growth.

Novel electric signals in plants

Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology have discovered a new electrical signal transmission system in plants called 'system potential', which is induced by wounding and can carry different information. This novel system allows plants to rapidly respond to insect herbivory and activate their defense mechanisms.

Plant steroids offer new paradigm for how hormones work

A study by Carnegie Institution researchers identified key links in the steroid signaling chain using proteomics. Key kinases called BSKs were found to respond to brassinosteroids, filling a major gap in understanding plant hormone regulation.

How size matters

Researchers at Norwich BioScience Institutes discover that cells at the margins of leaves and petals secrete a mobile growth signal controlling size. This signal is distinct from classical plant hormones, influencing leaf division until a certain threshold is reached.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Endosome-mediated signaling in plants

Researchers found endosomes facilitate plant growth through brassinosteroid receptor trafficking, affecting shoot and root growth. This discovery expands understanding of endosome function in plants, shedding light on their evolutionary origins.

Research identifies protein that signals flowering in squash plants

Researchers have identified the FT protein as a key player in signaling flowering in squash plants, using an obligate short-day plant system. The study provides strong evidence that FT protein acts as a florigenic signal, and its presence in the phloem sap of flowering plants supports this conclusion.

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

Plants tag insect herbivores with an alarm

Researchers have identified a specific class of small peptide elicitors that help plants react to insect attack, triggering defensive chemistry and improving protection against pests. The discovery opens the door for genetic manipulation of plants with improved defense mechanisms.

Scientists unlock secret of what makes plants flower

Researchers at Imperial College London discovered that a protein called Flowering Locus T Protein (FT) plays a crucial role in plant flowering. The FT protein travels from leaves to the shoot apex, triggering the production of genes that cause flowers to bloom.

'NO' allergic reaction linked to hayfever

Research suggests that nitric oxide and nitrite released by pollen grains trigger allergic responses in the nose. The study, funded by the Wellcome Trust, aims to investigate the role of these compounds in human cell inflammation during hayfever.

All roads lead to GUN1

Researchers at the Salk Institute discovered that GUN1, a nuclear-encoded protein, plays a crucial role in transmitting distress signals from damaged chloroplasts to the nucleus, triggering a shutdown of photosynthetic genes. This finding sheds light on the complex communication between organelles and the nucleus.

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

Satellite radar gauges water levels in Louisiana wetlands

Researchers at Ohio State University developed a satellite radar technique to measure water levels in vegetated wetlands. The study found rising and dropping water levels in selected sites over a decade, including changes caused by seasonal rainfall.

Salk scientists untangle steroid hormone signaling in plants

Researchers at the Salk Institute have clarified the response pathway to steroid hormone brassinolide, a key element in plant growth. The study reveals that BES1 is activated in the nucleus after BIN2 inhibition, leading to gene activation and promoting plant growth.

Plants respond similarly to signals from friends, enemies

Researchers at North Carolina State University discovered that plants respond similarly to signals from both beneficial rhizobia and parasitic root-knot nematodes. This response involves rapid changes in the distribution of the plant's cytoskeleton, leading to growth changes such as nodules or galls.

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.

Below the surface: New clues to plant signaling from the roots

Researchers at the University of Utah have identified a novel gene, BYPASS1, that regulates root-to-shoot communication and controls plant architecture. The study reveals that roots produce a growth-inhibiting substance that affects shoot development, providing new insights into plant signaling.

Coping: Plant adaptability to stress discovered

Researchers have identified a system in a mutant arabidopsis that signals cells to pause during stressful situations, allowing plants to regulate themselves and adjust before growth resumes. This discovery may lead to breeding plants with improved stress handling techniques and enhanced drought tolerance.

Researchers identify key molecular signal in plant pollination

Researchers have identified gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA) as a key signaling molecule that triggers plant reproduction and guides the growth of pollen tubes. In contrast, mutants with deficient GABA degradation produce a massive increase in the chemical signal, overwhelming the pollen tubes and disrupting their guidance.

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.