Articles tagged with Plants
The new platform at ORNL's APPL facility combines robotics and AI to deliver in-depth insights for plant transformation. Massive datasets generated by the platform are analyzed using AI and ORNL's Frontier exascale supercomputer.
The METAGROLAND project aims to improve environmental farming schemes by studying plant-pollinator interactions and land manager networks. Key findings include the development of practical guidance for agri-environmental schemes that align ecological processes with real-world management.
The Chicago Botanic Garden and The Morton Arboretum have pledged to protect endangered species such as Cucharillo and Stone's Paphiopedilum through collaborative conservation strategies. These institutions will co-host the 9th Global Botanic Gardens Congress in 2027 to accelerate crucial conservation work.
Researchers from Incheon National University found that extended nutrient deprivation can significantly increase toxin content per cell in P. lima, even when cell numbers remain stable. This suggests that toxin risk may increase quietly under nutrient-poor conditions without obvious bloom expansion.
A study analyzing data from Berlin's Flora Protection Program found that biological threats, especially from highly competitive native species, pose a greater threat to urban biodiversity than non-native species. Threats related to agriculture, nutrient inputs, and urban development are also significant drivers of decline.
Researchers found that the green-flowered Aeschynanthus acuminatus evolved on the mainland, not in Taiwan, and adapted to shorter-beaked birds. This contradicts the Grant-Stebbins model of plant evolution, which predicted the species would evolve in Taiwan with new pollinators.
Scientists at Northwestern University have determined the three-dimensional structures of rye pollen's cancer-fighting molecules, secalosides A and B. This breakthrough opens the door to exploring how these molecules interact with the immune system and could inspire new approaches to cancer therapy.
An updated Cochrane review of 21 clinical trials involving over 2,100 adults found no high-quality evidence that cannabis-based medicines reduce neuropathic pain more than placebo. Small improvements were reported by patients using products with both THC and CBD, but these changes were not clinically meaningful.
A recent review of bamboo consumption found promising health benefits, including improved metabolic health, reduced inflammation, and antioxidant activity. However, caution is advised due to potential risks associated with raw or improperly prepared bamboo.
A global report highlights fragmented data systems and lack of standardization hindering botanic gardens' contribution to biodiversity conservation and scientific research. Researchers call for a unified, equitable global data system to transform how living collections manage and share information.
Researchers have engineered grasses to produce a purple pigment in response to specific chemical cues, allowing for non-destructive detection of chemical exposure. This breakthrough enables plants to act as sentinels in the field, reporting adverse conditions that may impact crop and human health.
Plants deploy a faster communication system, using jasmonate-dependent immune signals to initiate systemic immunity within hours of infection. This discovery opens new possibilities for engineering crops that respond more quickly to infection, limiting disease spread and yield loss.
Bucknell researcher Chris Martine identified a new species of bush tomato, Solanum nectarifolium, with specialized organs that produce sweet liquid to attract ants. This is the first known Solanum species with visible extrafloral nectaries, marking a significant discovery in biodiversity science.
A new model by researchers at Duke University explains how trees grow differently under rising carbon dioxide levels. The study found that an engineer's view of water movement in leaves can help explain tree growth patterns in a carbon-rich atmosphere.
A new study found that considering factors jointly can capture a more accurate representation of disparities in residential greenspace exposure, driven by structural racism. Exposure to trees and grass provides numerous benefits to physical and mental health, but inequities persist due to disinvestment in marginalized communities.
A UAlbany researcher will study how PFAS 'forever chemicals' accumulate in plants, affecting their nutritional quality and safety. The study aims to understand the dynamics of PFAS in soil-plant systems and develop regulatory standards to protect public health.
A newly discovered Philippine pitcher plant, Nepenthes megastoma, is already at risk of extinction due to severe weather conditions and human encroachment. The species has limited population and is threatened by poaching, deforestation, and droughts.
Researchers at the University of Oklahoma and West Virginia University are studying concept flavored cigarillos to determine their potential for addiction. The study aims to inform the FDA's impending flavor ban on cigar products, which could have wider-reaching implications for e-cigarettes and tobacco-free nicotine pouches.
Researchers found a positive relationship between government support and voluntary planting of cover crops in Arkansas. The study showed that soybean-to-soybean rotation is the most common aftercover crop adoption, with voluntary cover crops increasing by 5% over the 2013-2019 period.
A recent study published in Neuropsychopharmacology found that rats with higher natural stress levels are more likely to self-administer cannabis. The study also identified links between stress hormone levels and cognitive flexibility, suggesting potential early markers for problematic drug use patterns.
The wood exhibits superhydrophobicity even after mechanical abuse, chemical attacks, and UV exposure, with water absorption reducing from 64% to 7%. The process is cost-effective, uses no fluorine, and can be applied to six species of timber.
A research team led by Göttingen University found that urban blue spaces play a critical role in food security and social inclusion in four major Indian cities. Women, the elderly, and marginalized communities most frequently collected, shared, cooked, and sold food products.
A new study highlights 21 critical barriers to implementing green and blue infrastructure, including technical, social, economic, governance, and policy challenges. The research provides actionable strategies for practitioners and policymakers to enhance GBI resilience across diverse urban settings.
A newly discovered orchid species in Colombia is threatened with extinction due to climate change. The 'Nasar Effect' reveals that the species' demise is foretold by the conditions that threaten it, highlighting the need for international action to curb greenhouse gas emissions and boost conservation efforts.
The Philippines faces a widening rice gap due to stagnant farms, with national output remaining largely unchanged since 2017. Regionally tailored strategies are needed to boost production and reduce dependence on imported grain.
Researchers developed a standardized language for describing cannabis and hemp aromas, which can aid in quality assessment beyond THC potency. The study found that hemp and cannabis exhibit overlapping sensory profiles, with distinct aroma characteristics emerging from each.
A recent paper in the journal Science investigates the impact of drought on grasslands, finding that moderate droughts do not lead to long-term losses. In contrast, extreme droughts can cause significant species loss and reduced plant life. The study's results have implications for global carbon and climate modeling.
A team of researchers compiled cases where mosses and their relatives helped solve crimes, showcasing the importance of botanical evidence. The study found that mosses can be used to confirm details of crime locations, with examples dating back to 1929.
A new study found that as temperature and CO2 levels dropped, trees increased their photorespiration, a process akin to labored breathing for plants. This led to an increase in CO2 release into the atmosphere, potentially keeping the climate habitable for plants.
Scientists have created a micro-algal platform that allows for automated and fast testing of chloroplast genetic modifications, opening up plant chloroplasts to high-throughput applications. This platform enables researchers to fine-tune genetic circuits and identify which modifications have real potential.
A study led by Göttingen University found that a group of algae, Coleochaetophyceae, gained complex body structures around 65 million years ago. The team analyzed genetic evolution and fossil evidence, revealing that plant-like complexity is an ancient potential that emerged multiple times.
A practical, evidence-based checklist developed by scientists at the University of Surrey is helping everyone plan their next greening project with confidence. The study found that mixed gardens, such as small front gardens with a tree, shrubs, and green walls, give the greatest economic benefits for their size.
Scientists from Salk and UC San Diego have discovered a new hybrid seagrass that demonstrates low-light tolerance, offering a promising solution for coastal restoration efforts. The hybrid combines the shallow-water Zostera marina with its deeper-water cousin Zostera pacifica, inheriting the latter's low-light toolkit.
A study found that narrow-ranging plant species in drylands have higher leaf water content than wide-ranging species, allowing them to store more water in their leaves. This trait helps these plants thrive in extremely arid environments.
Joseph Ecker, a Salk Institute professor, has received the Barbara McClintock Prize for his groundbreaking work in plant genetics and genomics. His research explores the epigenome, revealing critical details about plant immunity, drought recovery, and modern photosynthesis.
A team of international marine scientists urges reform to licensing and regulation of coastal restoration projects. The authors argue outdated systems hinder progress toward ambitious global targets to restore 30% of degraded ecosystems by 2030.
Researchers compared different drying conditions for seed rice using X-ray imaging, determining that germination potential and seed vigor are more affected by moisture content than temperature. The study found optimal drying parameters at 13-16% moisture and 122°F temperature, resulting in high germination rates and seed vigor.
Recent studies using portable nanopore sequencing technologies document and sequence Amazonian wildlife, increasing representation of Peruvian species in global genetic libraries. This initiative empowers conservationists to generate their own data, making informed decisions to combat species extinction.
David Stern, a Senior Group Leader at Janelia Research Campus, joins Stowers Institute to uncover new avenues of biology with enormous implications. His lab discovered 'bicycle proteins' that trick plants into growing protective homes for aphids, shedding light on the battle between plants and insects.
Researchers have discovered that the same beneficial bacteria occur in pollen stores of honeybee colonies and on nearby plants, producing compounds that kill pathogens of bees and plants. These endophytes can be used to develop new treatments for crops and hives.
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 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 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 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.
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.
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.
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.