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From bud to branch: How buds communicate to shape plant architecture

Researchers from the University of Cambridge have discovered a unified model that explains how plants control their architecture by integrating local and systemic signals. This breakthrough could help scientists design new strategies to optimize crop yield, resilience, and resource use.

Study finds the secret behind the corpse flower's famous stench

A Dartmouth-led study reveals the fundamental genetic pathways and biological mechanisms behind the corpse flower's heat production and odorous chemicals. The researchers identify a new component of the corpse flower's odor, an organic chemical called putrescine, which is released when the plant blooms.

Improving crops with laser beams and 3D printing

Researchers use laser scanning to generate 3D models of sugar beet plants, capturing essential characteristics for AI-assisted crop improvement. The 3D models are reproducible and freely available, enabling efficient and cost-effective plant breeding in resource-poor settings.

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.

The clue is in the glue - Nature’s secret for holding it together

A study by John Innes Centre researchers has revealed how plants avoid cracking under stress by using a growth hormone called brassinosteroid to loosen the straitjacket effect on their skin. The findings, published in Science, have implications for our understanding of plant development and potentially improve crop yields.

Trees might be 'aware' of their size

Researchers found that trees can adjust their stem radial growth in response to added weight, but this response varies along the stem. The study used a birch mutant that lacks this ability, revealing a key genetic locus involved in the mechanism.

Chemical hints of ayahuasca use in pre-Columbian rituals

A study has uncovered chemical evidence suggesting the use of psychoactive plants in pre-Columbian rituals in Bolivia. The analysis of a 1,000-year-old ritual bundle found five psychoactive compounds, including cocaine and dimethyltryptamine, which hint at the use of multiple plants to make ayahuasca

A stem's 'sense of self' contributes to shape

A new mathematical framework explains why plants have different shapes, attributing it to a 'sense of self' and its interaction with gravity and environment. The study uses simple ideas to quantify plant stem diversity.

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.

UBC research aims to help Canadian flax farmers

Researchers at the University of British Columbia have identified the genetic profile of the toughest part of the flax plant's stem, which is prone to causing damage to farm equipment. This breakthrough could lead to the development of tougher flax straw for use in paper and plastics production.