Articles tagged with Plants
Researchers develop two-step process to consistently break lignin at one specific chemical bond using electrical potential and blue light, producing pharmaceuticals, plastics, and other household products. The method is cheaper, more environmentally friendly, and suitable for large-scale adoption in industry.
Researchers at Carnegie Institution identified KIB1 as a crucial component of the brassinosteroid signaling chain, essential for maximizing plant growth and survival. The discovery sheds light on the complex system of hormones guiding plant development and could lead to engineering high-yield crops.
Scientists are developing chickpea varieties that can thrive in arid conditions, aiming to improve yields from 1.5 tonnes to 5 tonnes per hectare. The research uses low-cost imaging and computing techniques to identify resilient traits and develop algorithms for breeding high-performance varieties.
A team has introduced a controlled delivery system for micronutrients based on biohybrid microgels. The system adheres selectively to leaves and slowly releases nutrients, minimizing environmental problems and plant damage.
Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory discover that adding beneficial traits can have negative consequences due to epistasis. They find a case of negative epistasis in a tomato plant and show how to exploit this knowledge to unlock untapped yield potential by adjusting the dosage of genes responsible for different traits.
During heat waves, urban trees can significantly increase air pollution levels and the formation of ozone. Researchers found that VOCs from plants contribute to about 6-20% of ozone formation in cities, but this contribution spikes to up to 60% during heat wave periods.
Surface ozone and anthropogenic aerosol haze pollution in China decrease the regional net primary productivity (NPP) by 9-16% of total NPP, accounting for 16-32% of total anthropogenic carbon emissions. Aerosol direct effects enhance annual NPP by 0.2 Pg C.
A new study by Dr John Dwyer and Professor Daniel Laughlin has improved understanding of how climatic stress controls plant diversity in Australian wildflower communities. The research found that species with different combinations of traits can grow together in certain environments, but are likely to struggle under climate change.
Researchers at Michigan State University have discovered a gene that is turned on when plants compete for resources, including nitrogen fixing bacteria. This finding has potential implications for reducing manmade fertilizer use in agriculture.
A recent study found that plant and animal stem cells exhibit similar interaction patterns, explaining why plant cells can reprogram more easily. Researchers developed mathematical equations to analyze protein interactions, revealing key differences in cellular flexibility.
Seeds from plants like Pelargonium self-burrow into soil using a helically coiled awn that responds to humidity. The team developed mathematical models to understand the mechanism, which has direct applications to current and next-generation robotics.
Renowned researchers gathered to discuss stevia's health benefits, safety, and innovations in low/zero calorie sweeteners. Stevia was found to not alter during extraction and purification, providing evidence for its naturality, while research on its impact on blood glucose, diabetes, and overall health showed promising results.
Researchers have discovered two new species of parasitic orchids, Gastrodia nipponicoides and Gastrodia okinawanesis, on the main island of Okinawa. The plants are related to the common orchid Gastrodia nipponica but can be distinguished by differences in their petals' lips and column structure.
Jiri Friml, a plant biologist at IST Austria, has received an ERC advanced grant to investigate the evolution of auxin transport and polarity in plants. His research will focus on understanding how plants adapt to environmental changes through the dynamic regulation of PIN transporters.
The African Plant Biosecurity Network has gained strong commitments from members, partners, and regional agencies to ensure its long-term success. The network aims to improve national and regional quarantine and plant protection capacity, lifting crop yields and enabling safe regional trade.
New research confirms that global photosynthesis is stable for hundreds of years before industrial revolution, but grows rapidly with increased CO2 levels. The findings affirm estimates used in climate change models and suggest that nature's brakes are not enough to counter human emissions.
Scientists analyzed plant species in China's Hengduan Mountains and found that new species evolved at a faster rate than in nearby regions. This study provides the strongest evidence yet for the uplift-driven diversification hypothesis, supporting the idea that mountains create micro-habitats allowing species to adapt and diversify.
Researchers found that short-duration heat waves can prevent coffee plants from producing flowers and fruit. Younger leaves are particularly vulnerable to heat stress, which can exacerbate the effects of drought.
A study by Royal Botanic Gardens Kew suggests that plants growing in warmer conditions are tougher and have lower nutritional value to grazing livestock, potentially inhibiting milk and meat yields and raising the amount of methane released. This vicious cycle threatens to further exacerbate climate change.
A robotic system is being used to study corn's root growth during drought conditions, a crucial step towards developing drought-tolerant crops. The system, called Vinobot, collects data on individual plants and helps researchers create 3D images of root growth in the laboratory.
Scientists have developed a new oilseed crop that is more resistant to heat, drought, and diseases than oilseed rape. The breakthrough technology keeps bitter defense compounds out of the seeds while maintaining them in the rest of the plant, enabling cultivation in areas previously unsuitable for oilseed crops.
Scientists from WCS have discovered a new species of wild ginger, Aframomum ngamikkense, in the Kabobo Massif, one of Africa's most biodiverse sites. The discovery underscores the importance of conservation efforts for this region, which has already yielded eight endemic species.
Alfred Crosby, a UMass Amherst polymer scientist, has received a $1 million grant to explore the development of nanoscale wrinkles in plants and animals. He will collaborate with experts from the University of Cambridge and Switzerland to understand how these patterns relate to all living organisms.
The Fine-Root Ecology Database (FRED) brings together information on plant root traits and associated data from around the world, containing over 70,000 observations. This centralized online resource aims to predict how plants may change under various conditions, advancing our understanding of below-ground ecology.
Leaf-cutting ants can identify unsuitable plants for their fungus gardens based on colony waste cues, a study shows. Foraging ants avoided wasteful privet leaves after exposure to treated leaves' waste.
A study in Greenland found that warming winters are causing plants to emerge earlier, while others are delaying their growth. This rapid change has significant implications for the Arctic ecosystem, including affecting caribou populations.
Researchers analyzed gene expression in albino and green orchids to investigate the evolution of parasitic plants. They found that genes related to mycorrhizal symbiosis are highly expressed in albino individuals, suggesting a similar mechanism for incorporation into fungi.
Researchers at KAUST have sequenced quinoa's genome, providing insights into its traits and growth mechanisms. The high-quality sequence is expected to aid in breeding quinoa plants with desirable characteristics, such as seed taste and plant stability.
Plant tissues have a preferred direction of growth, essential for producing complex shapes. This characteristic is crucial for understanding how genes influence plant shape formation and could lead to better-adapted crop varieties.
Crossing chickpeas is challenging due to self-pollination and inbreeding. Researchers found that emasculation and hormone treatment do not increase cross-pollination rates, instead lowering success rates. Studying environmental factors like light, temperature, and humidity may improve breeding efficiency.
A vast collection of genetically modified wheat seeds with over 10 million sequenced mutations has been developed to aid in the study and improvement of wheat plants. This new resource is freely available to researchers and breeders worldwide, enabling them to develop crops with enhanced nutritional value, yields, and climate resilience.
Researchers found that duckweeds, particularly Wolffia globosa, have comparable protein content to lupins, rape, or peas. They also contain valuable omega-3 fatty acids like stearidonic acid and alpha-linolenic acid.
A new study found that diverse shrublands in South-Western Australia thrive due to beneficial root-associated organisms. The research suggests that these microorganisms equalize growth differences between plant species, allowing for long-term coexistence in highly competitive environments.
A new plant species, Espeletia praesidentis, has been named to honor Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos' peace efforts. The discovery highlights the country's biodiversity hotspots and conservation challenges in these regions.
A study on bat preferences for nectar reveals that competition leads to a preference for dilute nectars. The researchers used computer-controlled flowers with varying sugar concentrations to simulate the feeding behavior of bats.
Scientists at the University of Missouri used radioisotopes to trace essential nutrients and hormones in live corn plants, discovering that auxin is tightly regulated at the root tissue level where pests feed. This knowledge could help breeders develop resistant lines of corn and tackle global food shortages.
Flowers use physical tricks such as creating colour and manipulating gravity to attract pollinators. They may also alter their electrical fields to influence visitation rates.
Scientists have found that the UVR8 receptor in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii activates a safety valve to dissipate excess energy as heat. The study reveals a second protective role of these receptors, producing an anti-UV 'sunscreen'.
The Seed Box programme at Linköping University is allocating grants to researchers worldwide to investigate environmental issues through interdisciplinary and artistic methods. Projects such as Herbarium 3.0 aim to increase awareness of plant-human interactions and create new pathways forward for sustainable practices.
French researchers have discovered that Streptomyces bacteria can be used as an environmentally friendly alternative to pesticides. The bacteria promotes plant growth and controls pests in the soil. This study could lead to sustainable agricultural practices and reduce harm to human health and the environment.
A team of researchers has developed a new type of quantum heat engine photocell that can regulate solar power conversion without active feedback or adaptive control mechanisms. This design is inspired by the natural regulation of energy flow in photosynthetic green plants, and could lead to more efficient and cost-effective solar cells.
Cycads' seed storage tissue contains 70% carbohydrates, including starch and sugars, which aid in embryo health during arduous oceanic journeys. The study highlights the importance of published research for informing plant conservation decisions.
A new study by Michigan State University scientists reveals that certain virulent bacteria can directly inject a protein into plant cells, increasing water content and disease prevalence. This discovery highlights the critical role of humidity in plant-disease outbreaks, particularly under conditions of prolonged high humidity.
Microorganisms like fungi and bacteria produce volatile compounds that boost plant growth, flowering, and reserve substance accumulation. This discovery could lead to eco-friendly alternatives to conventional agrochemicals.
Researchers developed a synthetic pathway to convert carbon dioxide into organic compounds more quickly than plants. This breakthrough has potential applications in enhancing plant photosynthesis and creating new carbon-based feed for cattle or chemical products.
Researchers found that soy flour, a plant-derived biostimulant, improves broccoli plant growth and nutrient uptake when used as a seed coating. The study showed enhanced biomass, plant height, leaf area, and chlorophyll content in soy flour-coated seeds compared to non-coated controls.
A new study by the University of Oxford has created a plant-species hotspot map for tropical Africa, identifying critical areas for global biodiversity conservation. The map reveals regions with high concentrations of globally rare plants, such as the Horn of Africa and south-east Democratic Republic of Congo.
Researchers created a bioquality map to measure global rarity and identify critical plant species hotspots in tropical Africa. The Horn of Africa, Democratic Republic of Congo, and other regions were found to be 'hottest' for plant biodiversity.
Scientists discover that rising CO2 levels have boosted terrestrial carbon uptake, slowing the growth rate of atmospheric CO2. The increase in carbon absorption is attributed to enhanced photosynthesis and plant respiration, particularly in tropical and high-latitude ecosystems.
The PheNode, a solar-powered environmental sensor and phenotyping station, continuously monitors field crops for growth rate, stem diameter, height, and more. It provides crucial information for crop improvement and precision agriculture, helping growers make better decisions to manage their crops and reduce environmental footprint.
Researchers can now gather broad-scale ecological data using micro-unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), or drones, eliminating traditional pitfalls. Drones amass vegetation data for monitoring habitat restoration efforts, rare plant populations, and agriculture, providing large amounts of information with minimal effort.
Scientists use fossilized pollen to forecast profound changes in plant abundance and composition globally by the middle of this century. One third of North American plants and more than half of European plants may face increased threat status due to climate change.
Scientists have discovered that plant light sensors also respond to temperature, allowing plants to detect changes in growth conditions. Mutant plants revealed a previously unknown conversion process where thermal reversion occurs without light, affecting the plant's response to temperature and light intensity.
Indirect effects of rising CO2 levels, such as changes in soil moisture and plant structure, have a bigger impact on ecosystems than previously thought. These effects can explain up to 28% of total plant productivity response and are almost equal to the size of direct effects on evapotranspiration.
A team of scientists has identified three new enzymes responsible for terpene production in corn, which attracts parasitic wasps that consume caterpillars. This discovery could lead to the development of more caterpillar-resistant corn varieties.
New triploid flowering pear cultivars show substantial reduction in fertility, making them suitable for infertile options and reducing naturalization concerns. The study demonstrates that selection of highly infertile triploid cultivars can be an effective way to control self-sowing and plant invasions.
Researchers have discovered that plants can direct their seeds towards suitable sites by wind or water, contrary to previous findings for animal-dispersed plant species. This 'directed dispersal' allows wetland plants to optimize seed transportation and reach new areas for growth.
Research on grafting tomatoes in high tunnels found that grafted plants yielded significantly more than nongrafted controls, with yield increases ranging from 18% to 126%. The effect of scion shoot removal was not as consistent, but some trends suggest that rootstock vigor plays a role.
Despite major advances in molecular biology, genomics and CRISPR gene-editing technology, many details of plant stress signaling pathways remain a mystery. The Zhu lab has made significant contributions to understanding SOS, the first abiotic stress signaling pathway identified in plants, but identifying similar drought response pathwa...
Researchers found grafting increases watermelon yield by 2.4-2.6 times compared to nongrafted plants, with higher fruit quality including thicker rind and more soluble solids. The technique appears highly recommendable for Chilean growers despite initial costs.