Articles tagged with Plants
Researchers have discovered a method to overcome the chemical intractability of cellulose, allowing its efficient conversion into bioethanol. This breakthrough represents a major step towards industrial production of fuels and chemicals from renewable cellulose in waste plant matter.
USDA scientists have developed a new biorefinery yeast that can ferment plant sugars into cellulosic ethanol despite the presence of toxic compounds. The yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain NRRL Y-50049, has shown remarkable tolerance to furfural and HMF, two compounds that inhibit yeast growth and reduce ethanol yields.
Researchers at the University of Missouri College of Agriculture have completed two drought simulators designed to mimic real-world conditions. The simulators, measuring 50 feet by 100 feet, will enable in-depth testing under varying environmental conditions and improve food security for farmers.
Scientists applied theoretical morphology techniques to study terpenes in plants, discovering a disparity between predicted and actual abundances. They found that nature favors rarer, harder-to-synthesize forms of these chemicals, which could lead to new effective drugs.
An international team led by a visiting researcher at IU has formally named a new class of fungi, Archaeorhizomyces, previously only known through DNA sequencing. The discovery estimates up to 250 species within the class and sheds light on their ecological roles in terrestrial ecosystems.
A new analysis of plants in grassland ecosystems worldwide reveals that most species are crucial for ecosystem functioning. Researchers found that 84% of grassland species promote ecosystem functioning at some point, contradicting previous assumptions about the importance of diversity.
Researchers have identified a genetic mechanism that enables viruses to infect plants, causing diseases. By targeting the CHL1 gene, CMV and its satellite virus cause yellowing symptoms in plants by preventing chlorophyll production. This breakthrough allows for the development of altered plant varieties with resistant genes.
Researchers at the University of Miami have developed a technique to track urban atmospheric plumes using ethanol's isotopic signature, which can indicate the presence of manmade biofuels. The discovery has significant implications for understanding air pollution in urban areas and mitigating its effects on human health.
A rainforest vine has evolved a dish-shaped leaf with strong echoes to attract bat pollinators. The researchers found that the leaf reduces search times by 50% when presented above a feeder, indicating its effectiveness as an echo beacon.
Researchers found that fully photosynthetic orchids associate with specific fungal clades, not shared with other sympatric orchids, and depend on their symbionts for nutrition. The study used stable isotope analysis to assess how much of the organic carbon and nitrogen in orchid tissue was acquired from their fungal partners.
A study found that female plants can control which pollen grains reach their ovules by delaying stigma receptivity, resulting in increased paternal diversity and seed production. This mechanism enhances offspring fitness in the annual herb Collinsia.
A new, non-destructive method for estimating leaf area index (LAI) in vegetables has been developed using a commercial camera and free software. The study produced accurate and inexpensive results comparable to more expensive indirect methods.
The study investigated the relationship between epidermal vacuolar pH and factors affecting color, finding that corals have the highest pH suitable for producing blue hues. This data suggests targeting corals for transformation to create new blue flowers.
Xuemei Chen, a leading plant scientist at UC Riverside, has been awarded an HHMI-GBMF Investigator grant for her groundbreaking research on small RNA and microRNA. The grant will support high-risk projects aimed at uncovering fundamental mechanisms in biology with potential applications to agriculture and medicine.
Researchers found that Hessian flies can trigger strong defenses in wheat plants, causing them to release essential nutrients to the insects. However, avirulent larvae can sometimes survive by reversing these defenses, potentially extending the durability of resistance.
Researchers have identified a wood-digesting enzyme in bacteria that could make sustainable biofuels more economically viable. The discovery could unlock currently unattainable sources of biofuels, particularly from fast-growing woody plants and crop byproducts.
Mycorrhizal fungi can increase plant growth with less phosphate fertilizer, solving a pressing challenge for global food production. Researchers have discovered that using mycorrhizal fungus gel can produce the same yield as traditional farming with up to half less phosphate fertilizer.
A global analysis of invasive plant impacts found that 135 species cause a 40% reduction in native plant abundance and a 50% decrease in species diversity. This study highlights the context-dependent nature of invasions, with impacts varying by species traits, ecosystem type, and duration.
The USDA has safeguarded a diverse collection of blueberries, including wild relatives and lesser-known species, to ensure their preservation for future generations. The genebank will provide plant breeders with access to these plants as parents for new and improved blueberry varieties.
Louis Santiago, a UC Riverside botanist, has received the USDA E. Kika de la Garza Fellowship to support his work in encouraging Hispanic students to pursue research. He aims to establish grants and partnerships that will provide opportunities for students like Fortino Morales and Jeffrey Ambriz to work on state and federal levels.
Researchers at ISU have discovered a new pathway that allows plants to activate a response to environmental stress, leading to reduced yields. Understanding this pathway could lead to the development of crops that can tolerate stress and maintain high productivity.
Scientists at the University of Nottingham's Malaysia campus are working on a new method to improve the commercial production of vanilla plants through tissue culture. The research aims to overcome issues with genetic instability in micropropagated sub-clones, which can lead to reduced quality and yield.
A Finnish study suggests that urban children have weaker connections to nature than their rural counterparts. Horticultural interventions can help bridge this gap, particularly for girls who show greater interest in plants. The research also highlights the importance of outdoor learning environments.
A study found that contaminated fungi attached to ryegrass roots help plants absorb toxic contaminants like acenaphthene. This process affects not only plant health but also poses risks to human health through environmental exposure.
The study highlights plants' ability to adapt to changing environments without requiring evolutionary changes, enabling them to survive in diverse ecosystems. The researchers suggest that species from more heterogeneous environments exhibit greater plasticity, which can aid in projecting plant ranges under climate change scenarios.
A University of Missouri researcher is leading a $6.6 million study to understand the genes that regulate carbohydrate transport in corn plants, aiming to improve yield, drought resistance and biofuel production.
Researchers created a new class of plant growth regulators that block auxin transport, controlling growth processes without hormonal activity or toxicity concerns. The inhibitors are expected to reduce environmental impact and safety risks associated with current growth regulators.
Plant-based researchers are developing adaptive structures inspired by Mimosa's ability to twist, bend, stiffen, and heal. Artificial cells mimic the mechanisms behind plants' nastic motions, leading to innovative technologies like shape-changing robots and morphing wings for airplanes.
Researchers studying plant growth discover that universal features exist across various natural systems, including plants and animals. Alan Newell's work focuses on the mathematical models capturing these similarities.
Researchers have discovered two new plant species, Taraxacum decastroi and Taraxacum lacianense, which join over 50 other species within the Taraxacum genus on the Iberian Peninsula. The discovery confirms Spain's position as a hotbed of biodiversity.
Researchers discovered that filaree seeds have a spring mechanism that stores energy in their dry awns, which act as springs to launch the seeds by up to 0.5m. This unique mechanism allows the seeds to drill into the ground and germinate, contributing to the plant's success.
Researchers found that bee-pollinated Penstemon species have distinct genetic clusters per mountain range, while bird-pollinated species show less genetic structure across ranges. Hummingbirds facilitate gene flow among distant populations, constraining local adaptations.
Researchers at Purdue University have created a new type of solar cell that can self-repair like natural photosynthetic systems. The technology uses carbon nanotubes and DNA to continuously replace damaged dye molecules, mimicking nature's self-repair mechanism.
A new study found that grafting melon plants onto commercial rootstocks significantly improves nitrogen use efficiency, reducing the need for nitrate-rich fertilizer. This approach allows growers to maintain high crop yields while minimizing environmental impacts.
A study investigated willow cut-stem producers' profiles, production practices and market value. Most growers sought to expand acreage and extend seasonal markets, with some citing limited scientific knowledge of the crop.
Researchers found that high-nitrogen fertilizers can accelerate establishment of areca palm and Chinese hibiscus, but also induce magnesium deficiency. A balanced approach with moderate nitrogen levels is recommended for optimal plant quality.
Researchers at Newcastle University found that honeybees can avoid toxic nectar through taste and learning, suggesting a potential factor in colony health under stress. The study highlights the importance of understanding how bees detect and avoid toxins to breed non-toxic plants.
Researchers discover parasites within the fungus help it adapt and overcome plant defenses, leading to rapid evolution and devastating impact on agricultural yield. The study could lead to significant advances in developing new agricultural techniques for protecting cereal crops from infection.
A NASA computer modeling effort found that increased plant growth in a world with doubled atmospheric carbon dioxide levels could create a cooling effect, reducing future global warming. The model predicts a -0.3 degrees Celsius globally and -0.6 degrees C over land.
Researchers have found a finely tuned process that enables plants to adjust their genes to daylight patterns, shedding light on human responses to disrupted daily rhythms. This discovery could provide new insights into coping with jet lag and shift work.
The University of Arizona is receiving $2.9 million to improve the safety and post-harvest quality of field-grown organic leafy greens. Researchers will test edible films, compost teas, and irrigation water for bacterial contamination, aiming to provide safer products for consumers while increasing profitability for growers.
Swiss researchers found that mountain ranges offer habitat diversity that may be crucial for species survival under changing climate conditions. The study suggests that these regions are 'safer' places to live, with only a small percentage of temperature conditions disappearing.
Researchers found E. coli can survive and contaminate lettuce and radish plants grown in manure-treated fields. Harvesting produce at least 40 days after planting can minimize the risk of contamination.
The discovery of Yizhousaurus sunae sheds light on the evolution of sauropod dinosaurs. The ancient creature lived around 200 million years ago with a long neck and robust skeleton, exhibiting hallmarks of later sauropods.
Researchers discovered that black truffles outcross, meaning they have opposite mating types and engage in sexual reproduction. This finding challenges the long-held assumption that truffles reproduce through self-fertilization alone.
Growing plants with red flowers or striped blooms can significantly increase the number of visits from bumblebees, according to a study by Norwich BioScience Institutes. The research found that stripes following the veins of flowers provide a visual guide for pollinators, directing them to nectar and pollen.
A team of chemists used artificial neural networks to analyze tea leaves' mineral content and identify the type of tea. The technique achieved a high accuracy rate, allowing for clear differentiation between white, green, black, Oolong, and red tea varieties.
Researchers found that 10 out of 17 Veronica species in New Zealand's alpine environment exhibit hygrochasy, a type of seed dispersal mechanism that combines plant movement with moisture response. The study challenges the traditional view of plant movement and highlights the diversity of plant adaptations to environmental conditions.
A genetic inversion in the monkeyflower plant's genome contributes to its adaptation to different environments, leading to reproductive isolation and a shift towards becoming two separate species.
Researchers from the USDA have identified a group of enzymes known as feruloyl esterases that can break down key links between plant cell wall polymers. These enzymes, produced by certain microbes, have been isolated and cloned for use in Escherichia coli to improve biofuel production efficiency.
The new southern highbush blueberry 'Blue Suede' produces attractive light-blue fruit and large flavorful berries. It features vigorous growth with deep-red fall foliage and a longer ripening period, allowing home gardeners to harvest over an extended period.
Researchers have identified bilirubin as the primary aril pigment in Strelitzia reginae, the Bird of Paradise plant. This discovery expands our understanding of color production in plants and has potential applications for breeding and genetics.
Researchers at the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio have discovered that certain plant substances can suppress damage that can cause skin cancer. The substances were tested on mice and proved protective even at low doses, with synergistic effects seen when given in combination.
Plant scientists have made a significant advance in developing drought-resistant crops by understanding how the synthetic chemical pyrabactin works. By identifying subtle differences between receptors in their binding pockets, researchers can now develop more effective chemicals for bringing drought-resistance to plants.
Researchers at Max Planck Institute identify CSI1 protein involved in cellulose synthesis, linked to improved cell wall digestibility and energy generation. The discovery aims to increase animal feed efficiency and tap into plant cell walls as a renewable energy source.
Scientists use four imaging techniques to visualize single cells in detail, cellular substructures, and chemical composition of zinnia cells, indicating an abundance of lignocellulose. This research aims to enhance understanding of cell wall molecular architecture for efficient conversion of biomass to liquid fuels.
A study by Carnegie Institution scientists reveals that radiation drives stomatal response, rather than just humidity. This breakthrough has significant implications for weather forecasting, climate change research, and agriculture.
The study found significant variation in root systems among various corn genotypes, with regions in the maize genome responsible for inheritance. The team developed innovative technology to analyze root complexity using fractal dimensions and statistical software, allowing them to correlate differences with genetic makeup.
Researchers discovered that plants integrate information about food location and competitors to develop unique root growth strategies. This complexity is a level of sophistication previously thought exclusive to animals.
Researchers predict perennial grain crops could be available in two decades, offering a sustainable solution to feed the world's growing population. These crops have longer growing seasons, deeper roots, and require fewer herbicides and equipment passes, reducing erosion and sequestering carbon.