Articles tagged with Plants
A study reveals that plant roots are crucial for belowground life in the tropics, supporting decomposition and soil health. Removing living roots decreases animal abundance by 42% in rainforest plots and 30% in plantations.
A model predicting oxygen levels in freshwater streams, developed by WVU researcher Omar Abdul-Aziz, helps determine stream pollution and health. The tool allows citizen scientists to take action on stream pollution, with potential applications for implementing the Clean Water Act.
A recent study by researchers from Australia identified the possible genetic factors underlying the correlation between plant height and seed weight scaling in barley crops. The team found that two distinct genetic mechanisms, pleiotropy and genetic linkage, form the basis of size scaling in barley.
Phytochromes play a dual role in seed germination of Aethionema arabicum, stimulating but also inhibiting germination. The study reveals that high light intensity and duration inhibit germination, while short exposure favors germination, indicating a genetic basis for adaptation to environmental requirements.
Research from Binghamton University highlights the importance of ants in forest regeneration, with over 95% of New York state forests relying on them to disperse seeds. Ants take seeds with fatty rewards back to their nests, protecting them from consumption by rodents and other organisms, promoting a mutually beneficial arrangement.
Scientists from the Institute of Botany discovered a widespread phenomenon called alcobiosis, where algae live inside fungal tissue and engage heavily in photosynthesis. The coexistence is common among corticioid basidiomycetes and is distinct from lichens.
The rediscovery of Thismia kobensis, a rare Asian fairy lantern species, provides new insights into its taxonomy and evolutionary history. The study reveals that the species has unique characteristics and may have evolved independently from other fairy lantern species.
A team from Australian National University has modified the protein folding properties of bacteria by adding multiple components from plant chloroplasts. This enables them to study and speed up plant Rubisco, a slow protein that requires 'chaperones' for operation.
A team of researchers at UConn has discovered the genetic basis for the emergence of a new species of monkeyflower, which lost its yellow pigment but gained pink and later red. The study reveals that unique genes are responsible for this phenomenon, contradicting previous theories on evolution.
Researchers have discovered licorice leaf extract as a potent bactericide and fungicide, offering a sustainable alternative to synthetic pesticides. The extract modulates plant immune responses to pathogens and acts against resistant oomycetes, making it a potential solution for naturally controlling plant diseases.
Researchers studied pollen data from North America's Neotoma Paleoecology Database to understand plant migration patterns and climate fidelity. Most plant species have exhibited long-term climate loyalty over the past 18,000 years, while some plants adapt locally in response to climate change.
Researchers developed a method to document plant organ development in real-time using MorphoLeaf software, revealing identical early developmental trajectories for wild-type and mutant plants. This approach can inform strategies for optimizing plant growth and has potential applications in animal studies.
Researchers at Ritsumeikan University have successfully synthesized ring-shaped nanostructures via the self-assembly of chlorophyll derivatives, mimicking the arrangement of chlorophyll pigments observed in nature. This discovery enables efficient sunlight absorption and could lead to novel smart materials with tunable properties.
A transnational collaboration led to the characterization of Physostegia chlorotic mottle virus (PhCMoV), a plant disease first identified in Austria in 2018. The study revealed that PhCMoV can infect at least nine plant species, causing severe fruit symptoms on economically important crops.
Scientists have identified a new species of microalgae, Medakamo hakoo, which has the smallest known genome of any freshwater algae. The discovery could lead to the mass production of substances such as functional foods, cosmetics, and biofuels at low cost.
A potent plant toxin called albicidin has emerged as a strong new antibiotic candidate, effective in small concentrations and highly potent against pathogenic bacteria. Its unique mechanism targets the bacterial enzyme DNA gyrase, which is essential for cell function.
Researchers used museum collections to measure ecological response to climate change in central Norway, finding clear regional connections and impacts on species life cycles. Small temperature changes can have significant effects on species distribution and biodiversity.
Researchers found that metabolite changes were most evident in ripe fruit, with nitrogen deficiency increasing some compounds and phosphorus deficiency decreasing diversity. Salinity threshold above which metabolites change was identified, which could impact harvested pepper resistance to pathogens.
Higher levels of omega 3 fatty acids found in seafood are associated with a modestly lower risk of chronic kidney disease and slower decline in kidney function. Plant derived omega 3 fatty acids show no association with CKD risk.
A searchable library of 1,600 chemically-diverse plant extracts has been established, providing valuable insights into plant metabolites' roles in drug development. The library shares both data and methods, making it an exceptional resource for advancing chemodiversity digitization.
Researchers at the University of Amsterdam found that chloroplasts in plant cells exhibit glassy behavior under low-light conditions, allowing them to quickly move and optimize photosynthesis. In bright light, these 'glassy' states transition into fluid-like phases for efficient movement and light-avoidance.
A new UC Riverside-led study reveals that drought-tolerant trees in urban areas use significantly more water than their natural counterparts. The research found that even 'drought-tolerant' species like eucalyptus and ficus increase their water intake when irrigated.
A new study finds that lettuce plants absorb toxic additives from tyre wear particles through the soil, potentially harming consumers. The research team discovered that these chemicals can be metabolized by plants into stable compounds with unknown toxicity.
Research reveals dramatic shifts in pollinators across the last century, with hoverflies and moths becoming less frequent visitors to flowers, replaced by flies of the genus Thricops. The findings suggest that plants may be able to compensate for these losses, but changes in insect communities could lead to reduced pollination services.
Researchers discovered two ion transport proteins, VCCN1 and KEA3, that dynamically adjust photosynthetic performance in response to light fluctuations. The study found that these proteins play a crucial role in protecting plants from excessive sunlight and optimizing growth under varying light conditions.
Scientists have decoded the signals plants send themselves to initiate photosynthesis, a process turning sunlight into sugars. The newly identified proteins control communication between plant cells and organelles, potentially leading to breakthroughs in cancer research and improving crop yields.
A study analyzed the potential of a bacterium to combat coffee rust, a major challenge for Brazilian coffee growers. The researchers found that the bacterium produces antibacterial and antifungal compounds, as well as proteins associated with protection against water stress, making it a promising candidate for biological control.
Researchers added 146 new animal, plant, and fungi species to the tree of life, including 44 lizards, 30 ants, and 14 sea slugs. This discovery highlights the importance of protecting island ecosystems and advancing biodiversity science for conservation action.
A study by University of Basel researchers found that global warming is causing alpine plants to age faster, leading to earlier senescence and longer periods of brownness in the grassland. The majority of plants stopped growing after 5-7 weeks, regardless of when they were roused from winter.
Wild potato varieties have evolved multiple resistance factors to combat pathogens like Pectobacterium species. Researchers have identified protease inhibitors that prevent bacterial malignance by interrupting their communication system and degrading plant cell walls.
Researchers successfully generated electricity from a succulent plant's natural electron flow, mimicking photosynthesis. The new bio-solar cell produced up to 20 µA/cm² of photocurrent density and could continue generating current for over a day.
Researchers from SPUN mapped the diversity of mycorrhizal fungi across Palmyra Atoll, finding unique nutrient feedback loops that support rainforests, plankton communities, and coral reefs. The study highlights the importance of these underground networks in maintaining ecosystem resilience to climate change.
Scientists have identified the ancient yeast species necessary for lager beer production in Europe, with a previously unknown parent strain found in Ireland. The discovery sheds new light on the history of brewing and suggests that natural populations of the yeast may still remain hidden in European forests.
Researchers identified two methods of harvesting rice, which helped initiate rice domestication. The findings showed that the early Neolithic cultures in southern China used both 'finger-knife' and 'sickle' techniques to harvest rice, with the latter method becoming more widely used as rice became more domesticated.
Researchers at Rutgers University simulated climate change's impact on allergenic pollens, finding significant increases in airborne pollen loads by 2050. The study predicts earlier start times and longer durations for pollen seasons across the US, with notable regional shifts.
Researchers analyzed over 4,500 documents to understand fungal dispersal across spatial scales. They identified four scales of movement, from microscopic to landscape, and found that climate change affects where fungi reside. More data is needed to understand the biodiversity of fungi and their movement in ecosystems.
Researchers identified six key determinants of establishment success and proposed a general quantitative framework for post-LDD establishment. The framework aims to provide a theoretical basis for studying colonization after LDD and assessing species invasion risk.
Researchers found that less intensively managed grasslands had greater diversity of plant species and correlated with better soil health, including increased nitrogen and carbon levels. In contrast, intensively farmed plots showed fewer plant species, but some saw improvements in soil health over time.
A team of researchers from Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg has discovered a transport pathway for manganese in plants and the role that BICAT3 plays in this process. The protein is responsible for transporting manganese to where it needs to go in plant cells, leading to improved crop growth.
Researchers modelled relationship between plant diversity and environmental conditions, capturing how diversity varies along environmental gradients. The models predict highest concentrations of plant diversity in environmentally heterogeneous tropical areas like Central America and the Amazonia.
Researchers at Saitama University reveal how and why the sensitive plant Mimosa pudica moves its leaves rapidly through calcium-mediated signaling molecules. The study found that bursts of fluorescence travel rapidly throughout the leaves, triggering leaf movements.
MU researchers, including Jay J. Thelen and Dong Xu, are exploring genetic modification to increase seed oil production in camelina and pennycress for biofuel use in the aviation industry. The team aims to create a sustainable 'green energy' source as an alternative to petroleum-based fossil fuels.
A field experiment shows that competition for light drives the decline of plant diversity in grasslands under eutrophication and lack of grazing. Adding light to low-growing plants reduces this loss.
Researchers at University of Copenhagen discover that plants use stress hormone ABA to reorganize their roots and grow away from salty areas. This mechanism could lead to the development of more salt-tolerant crops, reducing crop yields loss due to salinity.
A study led by the University of Zurich found that diverse Arctic vegetation affects the land surface energy budget. The researchers linked vegetation types to energy exchange data from 64 measuring stations, revealing a significant difference in heat flux between various vegetation types and glaciers/grasslands.
Researchers at Kyushu University developed a new method to create highly detailed 3D models of plants and animals. Over 1,400 models are now publicly available for use in education, research, and virtual exploration.
Researchers developed a small peptide that can directly kill bacteria and trigger plant defense tactics to prevent diseases like almond leaf scorch. The treatment significantly reduces pathogen population and disease symptoms, making it a promising approach for sustainable crop protection.
A team of scientists has discovered that repurposing CO2 from building exhaust as a fertilizer can help plants on rooftop farms grow larger and healthier. Studies found that spinach grown next to the vents had four times the biomass of controls, while corn also showed significant growth advantages.
Researchers found that closely-related rhododendron species in China's Hengduan Mountains coexist by bursting into bloom at different times of the season. This diversification allows them to reduce competition for resources and pollinators, enabling their survival.
Researchers at John Innes Centre found that amino acid waves, not calcium waves, mediate plant responses to stress. Glutamate released from wounds triggers a wave of calcium responses in plant tissues.
Researchers linked TRY plant trait data to iNaturalist's vast dataset, creating more accurate global maps of plant traits. The new maps showed significant improvement over previous extrapolated products.
Dr. Daijiang Li is building Phenobase, a global database on plant phenology using AI and machine learning to extract information from millions of images and existing records.
A study by Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg and the German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research found that 41% more plant species in Germany have decreased in abundance over the past 100 years, while only 19% have increased. This uneven distribution of gains and losses indicates a significant loss of biodiversity.
A study by the University of Exeter shows that urban life leads to a decline in plant awareness, which can be addressed through activities like wild food foraging. The research found that people's interest in plants develops where they have frequent interactions with relevant plants.
A new study by University of Illinois researchers estimates the costs of removing invasive Miscanthus plants, ranging from $85 to $3,316 per site. The study's findings provide valuable insights into the challenges of eradication and highlight the need for accurate research and planning.
A recent study found that insect herbivores have caused more damage to plant matter from leaves in recent history than millions of years ago. The frequency of leaf damage by insects among forest plants in recent history is more than twice that of vegetation from the Pleistocene and Late Cretaceous periods.
A study reveals that domesticated banana varieties contain traces of three unknown wild ancestors, which were likely hybrids between subspecies and may hold useful traits such as parthenocarpy. The researchers believe these 'mystery ancestors' might still be alive in the wild, particularly in regions including the Gulf of Thailand, Bor...
Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have developed low-temperature methods to purify molten chloride salts for energy storage, potentially making them suitable for storing solar thermal energy. They also created an online tool called VERIFI to track industrial carbon emissions and improve energy efficiency.
Excess ground-level ozone damages plant foliage, alters flowering patterns, and blocks pollinators' access to flowers. Ozone also disrupts plant-pollinator communication through altered chemical signatures.
Researchers have developed a nondestructive way to estimate functional traits of herbarium specimens using reflectance spectroscopy. The technique provides a powerful tool for studying plant community changes over time and informing ecosystem conservation efforts.