Articles tagged with Plants
A dogbane species has evolved to mimic the smell of injured ants to attract flies that feed on the ants and pollinate the flowers. The discovery reveals that floral mimicry is more diverse than previously imagined.
A new review study reveals that PFAS are entering farmland soils through waste recycling and wastewater reuse, raising concerns for food safety. The study found that biosolids are the primary source of PFAS in agricultural soils, with soybeans showing particularly high burdens.
Researchers collect snapdragon flowers and leaves to study their genetic diversity, revealing how color genes keep two varieties distinct. In hybrid zones, magenta and yellow snapdragons blend, but bees prefer one over the other, reducing fitness and offspring.
The Danforth Plant Science Center has hired George "Cody" Bagnall as Director of its Field Research Site, a 140-acre testing ground for real-world plant science applications. The site allows researchers to test hypotheses in authentic field conditions, bridging applied and basic plant science with environmental realities.
A new study reveals how Moso bamboo degrades under fluctuating hygrothermal conditions, causing dramatic fluctuations in mass, dimensions, and appearance. Machine learning was integrated to predict changes in compressive strength and color difference with high accuracy.
Researchers have found that plastic nanoparticles can enter crops during growth, accumulating in edible parts and potentially affecting human health. The study used radishes to demonstrate the uptake of nanoplastics by plants, with nearly 5% of particles retained by the root system.
A new study has found that while vertical farms can deliver more than 20 times the yield of field farms and use far less water, their carbon footprint still exceeds traditional farming due to high energy demands. Researchers suggest switching to alternative materials could cut the environmental cost by over 95%.
A study by the University of Konstanz found that plant species which have expanded rapidly in their European home regions are more likely to become widely naturalized globally. The researchers identified common characteristics among these successful plant species, including being tall, ecologically versatile and highly competitive
Researchers at RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science identified ancient protein SCORE to help plants defend against various pathogens. By engineering synthetic SCORE variants, plants can be made resistant to multiple pathogen types.
Researchers at Michigan State University found that photorespiration is essential for producing folates, a crucial nutrient for preventing birth defects. The study measured how much carbon flows through photorespiration to make folates, revealing a significant decrease in production under high-carbon dioxide conditions.
Researchers at The University of Osaka developed NeuraLeaf, a unified computer graphics model representing diverse plant species and deformations. This AI approach enables precise monitoring and growth prediction, optimizing agricultural practices.
Researchers discovered that plants rapidly activate a coordinated immune response during drought recovery, prioritizing immunity over growth. This finding highlights the importance of studying the post-drought period and points to new strategies for engineering crops that can rebound more effectively after environmental stress.
Researchers have created glow-in-the-dark succulents using light-emitting compounds that absorb and release light slowly. The plants can shine in various colors and stay lit for up to two hours after exposure to sunlight or indoor LED light.
The updated fourth edition of the Laboratory Guide for Identification of Plant Pathogenic Bacteria provides simplified identification methods and detailed protocols. The comprehensive volume covers conventional and cutting-edge methods, including molecular, serological, biochemical assays, to accurately identify bacterial plant pathogens.
Lucia Strader's lab at Salk will explore how plants sense and integrate environmental cues to shape their growth and development. Her work aims to advance fundamental understanding of plant biology and design more resilient crop varieties.
A comprehensive guide to improve plant imaging workflows, addressing unique challenges such as waxy cuticles and autofluorescence. The resource provides a unified workflow framework, focuses on reproducibility and reporting standards, and offers practical illustrations and tools.
Researchers create first genetic atlas to span entire Arabidopsis life cycle, capturing gene expression patterns of 400,000 cells in multiple developmental stages. The atlas provides comprehensive insights into plant biology, enabling future studies on different cell types and developmental stages.
A new study found that planting trees in tropical regions can cool the climate by up to 0.8° F and reduce fire risk, offering significant benefits for global temperatures and ecosystems. The research emphasizes the importance of location in determining tree planting's impact on climate effects.
Researchers have recorded the sliteye shark for the first time on the Great Chagos Bank, highlighting the ecological importance of the archipelago's Marine Protected Area. The discovery provides new insights into deepwater seagrass habitats and their role in supporting marine biodiversity.
A Northwestern University study discovered that organic matter enhances soil's ability to retain water, even in desert-like conditions. Carbohydrates form bridges between organic molecules and soil minerals, locking in moisture that would otherwise evaporate.
Insects rely on carbon dioxide emissions from host plants to identify ideal egg-laying sites. Rising atmospheric CO₂ levels interfere with this natural signal, leading to maladaptive choices that threaten insect survival. The study highlights the urgent need for both emissions reductions and innovative agricultural adaptation.
A team of researchers found that a rare South African cycad's leaves owe their bluish color to a wax-based optical effect produced by lipid compounds. The coating of epicuticular wax on the leaves forms tubular crystals that reflect light, giving the plant its unique sheen.
Researchers developed a device that uses Rosaceae plants' infrared radiation characteristics to create adaptive camouflage for various wavelengths. The device achieves simulated plant-like infrared camouflage and ultra-low emissivity infrared stealth.
Researchers found that potatoes originated from a hybridization between tomato-like species and potato-like species from South America about 9 million years ago. This event triggered the formation of tubers, allowing early potatoes to adapt to harsh environments and fill diverse ecological niches.
A recent MIT study found that decreases in seed-dispersing animals can lead to a major reduction in forest carbon absorption. The researchers analyzed data from thousands of vegetation plots and found that healthy populations of seed-dispersing animals can absorb up to four times more carbon than similar forests with fewer animals.
ShadeLA aims to reduce heat risk by expanding tree canopy and shade infrastructure in key public spaces, targeting major sporting events and heat waves. The initiative builds on USC's Urban Trees Initiative and engages community-based organizations to create locally driven solutions for a more comfortable L.A.
Researchers at the University of Missouri discovered that soybeans employ differential transpiration as a natural defense strategy to cool reproductive tissues under extreme weather conditions. This adaptation allows plants to save significant amounts of water while protecting their flowers and seed pods.
Researchers at the University of Illinois are working to bring back biodiversity to the Midwest by analyzing commercially sold seeds and plants. They found that long-lived species were more available than sensitive ones, and certain plant groups were over- or underrepresented in commercial seed mixes.
A global inventory reveals that natural areas have access to about a quarter less nitrogen than previously estimated, which could limit the removal of carbon from the atmosphere. This finding has implications for natural climate solutions, as nitrogen is essential to plant growth.
A novel, needle-type biosensor allows for real-time monitoring of sucrose uptake in plants, revealing light-dependent stomatal uptake and daily rhythms. The sensor's high sensitivity and stability enable the detection of subtle physiological events, shedding new light on plant biology.
Researchers at Waseda University discovered myosin XI's critical role in plant drought response. Myosin XI enables plants to close stomata more effectively and conserve water by coordinating ROS signaling, microtubule remodeling, and gene activation in guard cells.
Researchers discovered that oak trees adjust their root systems to access more soil nutrients under elevated CO2, employing both 'do it yourself' and 'outsourcing' strategies. This adaptation enables the trees to optimize growth and maintain nutrient supplies.
Researchers have charted how plant metabolism responds to genetic changes that increase oil production, finding simultaneous increases in both oil and protein content. The study's findings will provide scientists with clues for optimizing biofuel production in plants such as camelina and pennycress.
A new analytical method reveals overlooked species at risk of extinction, providing a valuable layer of insight for conservationists. The dual-role approach captures both predator and prey interactions, identifying keystone species and vulnerabilities.
Half of Brazil's high-potential areas for discovering new angiosperm species are located within protected indigenous lands. The study highlights the need for conservation priorities in these areas.
A recent study found that forest fragmentation weakens ecosystem resilience in tropical and temperate forests, while enhancing it in boreal forests. The research used satellite data to quantify the effects of edge density on forest resilience worldwide.
Researchers enhance rubisco's catalytic efficiency by up to 25 percent using directed evolution, a technique that speeds up the process. The goal is to improve crop yields and boost photosynthetic rates in plants.
Researchers from MIT found that a single nanoscale dose of lanthanides can make crops more resilient to UV stress and increase seedling growth. The study also uncovered the chemical processes by which lanthanides interact with chlorophyll pigments, strengthening them and helping plants recover from damage.
A new study finds that climate change may cause a reduced overlap of suitable habitats for wild vanilla plants and their pollinating insects, threatening the survival of natural populations. This could lead to plant-pollinator decoupling, negatively affecting the future of the global food industry.
Researchers have developed a novel 3D printable gel using sorghum protein, which can encapsulate medicine or carry hydrophobic compounds and nutrients. The protein's unique structure enables stable 3D printing results with optimal formulation and parameters.
Researchers used herbarium specimens to estimate when plants germinated and grew in areas with varying climate conditions. The study found that plants adapt to hotter, drier times and microclimates, rather than changing their environments.
New research reveals that plants rely on multiple heat-sensing systems and a sugar-based mechanism to detect temperature changes. Sugar produced in sunlight helps plants grow taller even when thermosensors like phytochrome B are less effective. This discovery could lead to breeding crops more resiliently under stress.
Research by Christian Schubert and Scott Lafontaine reveals rice's brewing benefits, including improved flavor profiles and shorter fermentation times. The study highlights the potential of rice to enhance nonalcoholic beer quality, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional brewing methods.
Researchers developed a model to detect early signs of marsh decline using satellite observations, identifying vulnerable areas along Georgia's coast. The study found belowground biomass has declined across 72% of Georgia's coastal marsh since 2014.
A new study reveals how nanoparticles can interfere with photosynthesis in plants, reducing their ability to convert sunlight into food. The research team found that nanoparticles undergo changes in pH and pick up lipid coatings from plant membranes, boosting their binding to RuBisCO and impairing its function.
A new study by the University of Göttingen and Freie Universität Berlin found that Mediterranean-type regions require tailored restoration methods due to varying soil and climate conditions. The research suggests that compromises are often needed, and what works best depends on local goals and conditions.
Researchers developed a method to edit crop plant genes, discovering influence on taste and shape. The technique enables examining thousands of genes, overcoming challenges like genetic redundancy.
Research reveals myosin XI's essential role in guiding AtNIP5;1 to its correct location on the cell membrane, enabling active boron absorption. Plants lacking myosin XI exhibit severe growth defects and reduced boron levels, highlighting the protein's critical function.
Researchers at Colorado State University have demonstrated the reversal of embolism in a type of wild grass, which can recover from extended drought within 24 hours. This finding has significant implications for improving agricultural productivity and food security, as it could potentially be bred into crops to make them more resilient...
Chinese researchers found well-preserved fossil fungal hyphae in a Jurassic petrified wood sample, providing the earliest evidence for this fungal group. The discovery suggests that blue-stain fungi originated during the Late Paleozoic or early Mesozoic era.
Researchers at Colorado State University have created a programmable plant circuit that can turn genes on and off, allowing farmers to time harvests and adapt to drought. The breakthrough could lead to automated genetic circuit design through machine learning, revolutionizing agriculture.
Researchers have identified three new Pleurothallis orchid species endemic to Costa Rica and western Panama, showcasing unique adaptations for asexual reproduction. The discovery sheds light on the importance of conserving these cloud forests, which are home to over 67 recognized species of Pleurothallis.
Researchers at Osaka Metropolitan University found a mutant protein that helps plants fight mildew, but also accelerates leaf aging and yellowing. The discovery could contribute to crop yield improvement and sustainable agriculture.
Researchers at Rutgers and Brookhaven National Laboratory have developed tools that can capitalize on metacaspase 9's ability to help plants combat a wide range of diseases. The enzyme plays a crucial role in programmed cell death, which is essential for fighting diseases and responding to stress.
A new study suggests that reforestation efforts can lower global average temperatures by 0.34 degrees Celsius, roughly one-quarter of the warming already experienced. This is due to the chemical interactions between trees and the atmosphere, which amplify their cooling effect.
Researchers created the most comprehensive genetic atlas of cannabis, revealing unprecedented diversity and untapped opportunity in this foundational agricultural species. The study sets the stage for transformative advances in cannabis-based agriculture, medicine, and industry.
A two-year study found that fluridone is effective in controlling Palmer pigweed in rice, but its use can cause injury to some cultivars. Rice farmers should apply the herbicide before the three-leaf stage and follow the label instructions to minimize risk.
A new international study published in Nature Ecology & Evolution found that fertilizer can help plants survive short-term periods of extreme drought. The researchers added nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium to 26 sites across 9 countries and found a 24% increase in plant growth with fertilizer addition.
Researchers propose reawakening ancient native crops to address climate change, leveraging knowledge from Indigenous communities. The alternative approach combines food production and biodiversity protection, offering a low-input solution for adapting to changing climate conditions.
A comprehensive study examines the effects of shrub fringe management on biodiversity, revealing that open and semi-open edges with high habitat quality support the highest species richness. Landowners are advised to provide sufficient space for these habitats to protect rare and endangered species.