Articles tagged with Pollen
Researchers at QUT have developed a new grass pollen allergy test using Swiss nanotechnology, which can quickly identify individuals at risk of allergic diseases. The test, supported by the National Foundation for Medical Research and Innovation, uses a finger prick blood sample and provides results within 15 minutes.
A study found that exposure to neonicotinoid insecticide and a poor diet negatively impacted bumblebee queens' health, work, and nest establishment. Bumblebees are key pollinators of crops like tomato and blueberry.
Plant physiologists from Lomonosov Moscow State University discovered that hydrogen peroxide is essential for conifer pollen germination. The protein NADPH-oxidase regulates the process, which involves a gradient of hydrogen peroxide in the pollen tube to support growth and fertilization.
A total of 43 known cuckoo bees have been identified in North America, with 15 new species discovered by York University PhD Candidate Thomas Onuferko. The newly described species possess distinctive patterns and are difficult to distinguish from other bees.
A new study by Swansea University researcher Andrew Lucas reveals vital behaviors of hoverflies in plant pollination. The research helps identify the plants hoverflies visit and provides advice to landowners on species-rich grasslands.
Researchers at UCR have isolated three new bacterial species from wild bees that may inhibit fungi growth in pollen provisions. These Lactobacillus strains could help preserve nectar and pollen for larvae, promoting bee health.
Pine trees become temporarily sterile when exposed to intense UV radiation, similar to what scientists believe the Earth experienced 252 million years ago. The effect suggests caution in introducing chemicals that deplete the ozone layer.
Researchers found that sick bees living with the gut parasite Nosema ceranae preferred higher-quality pollen when given the option. This preference could influence which flowers are visited by bees, impacting both native and crop pollination.
Researchers have discovered that primitive moths and butterflies, known as Glossata, evolved earlier than previously established - emerging during the Jurassic period. They developed physical attributes to find nutrition by drawing off water droplets from immature gymnosperm seeds.
New research on Campanula americana found that temperature influences pollen pigmentation, with dark pollen outperforming light under higher temperatures but not elevated UV. This study suggests temperature stress may play a significant role in geographic variation of pollen color.
Researchers at Nagoya University and Tsinghua University have analyzed the crystal structure of LURE bound to its receptor protein PRK6, revealing a unique binding scheme that controls pollen tube growth. The study provides insights into the precise mechanism of direction control in fertilization.
Researchers at University of Zurich discovered how pollen tubes interact with female plant tissue, using extracellular signals to regulate growth and respond to changes in the cell wall. This knowledge opens up potential applications for plant breeding, including influencing pollination and seed formation.
Researchers discovered a pair of receptors crucial for plant fertilization, which work together with molecules to orchestrate the process. The study advances understanding of plant reproduction, revealing an intricate communication mechanism between male and female parts.
A new study found that pesticides significantly reduce bumblebees' ability to collect pollen and perform complex behaviors like buzz pollination. Chronic pesticide exposure interferes with bees' vibrations, leading to reduced pollen collection over time.
Scientists at the University of Texas at Austin discovered that tiny bees, no bigger than a grain of rice, promote long-distance pairings between trees. These small pollinators aid in preventing inbreeding among closely related plants, ensuring a thriving new generation of offspring.
The Norian Chinle Formation provides a snapshot of an ancient terrestrial ecosystem with plant and vertebrate remains. A new extinction event occurred between 213-217 million years ago, leading to a shift towards drier conditions.
Researchers developed a new approach to modeling pedestrian behavior in collisions, combining game theory with the Fokker-Planck equation. Experiments confirm that the calculated paths match actual paths taken, suggesting a reliable solution for optimizing public spaces.
A study found that ungroomed areas on bees' bodies match the position of flower pollen-sacs and stigmas, facilitating pollen transfer. The researchers also discovered that these 'safe sites' are contacted by flowers' reproductive organs, allowing for efficient pollination.
Researchers have discovered a new family of proteins involved in cross-reactivity between cypress pollen and certain fruits, leading to improved allergy diagnosis and treatment. This finding, published in Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, sheds light on the underlying mechanisms behind pollen food associated syndrome.
Researchers have created a biocompatible fertilizer from carbon dots derived from rapeseed pollen, increasing plant biomass by 50% in treated plants. The process was found to be relatively inexpensive, costing just 3 cents per gram.
Researchers have discovered pollen evidence of Chrysocoma ciliata dating back 4,000 years, suggesting it may not be an invasive species. The plant's ability to thrive under drought conditions and colonize degraded landscapes has led some to question its status as an invasive species.
Researchers discovered that bumblebees use two distinct behaviors to collect pollen from flowers: scrabbling when pollen is abundant and sonication when it's scarce. By analyzing chemical and mechanical cues, the team found that bees switch between these motor regimes depending on their environment.
A new study by York University researchers has found that exposure to field-realistic levels of neonicotinoids kills honeybee workers and queens earlier, reducing the overall health of the colony. The study also revealed that contaminated pollen comes from plants adjacent to treated crops, not directly from corn or soybeans.
Research at Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute found that fig wasps that cheat by not collecting pollen can still flourish in populations where they have a time and energy advantage. This suggests that cheaters may become more common when punishment is too severe, allowing them to reproduce and pass on their non-cooperative behavior.
Bee health expert Lynn Adler is studying the impact of sunflower pollen on honeybees and bumblebees. Her research aims to explore whether sunflower pollen can help bees fight off a common pathogen, potentially leading to new commercial products to support bee health.
The UK has produced its first hay fever map, revealing areas with high concentrations of allergenic plants. The maps will help those with allergies and asthma plan their activities to reduce exposure.
A new study finds that climate change could lead to a 10% increase in hospital emergency room visits for allergic asthma, particularly in the Midwest, Southeast, and Northeast regions. The increased exposure to oak pollen will have a significant impact on public health, with estimated costs of $10.4 million by 2090.
A team of researchers discovered that the Western Amazon sank twice, with ocean water from the Caribbean flooding the region for less than a million years. The study found distinct layers of marine pollen separated by non-marine types, as well as shark teeth and mantis shrimp fossils.
A newly published study documents an orchid fossil trapped in Baltic amber, shedding light on the family's evolutionary history. The discovery, published in Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, pushes the record for oldest orchid fossil to over 45 million years.
A study by Cornell University found that pesticides pose a significant risk to honeybees, with over 60% of found pesticides attributed to non-sprayed orchards and surrounding farmland. The research analyzed the bees' food stores and revealed high levels of pesticide exposure in 17% of colonies.
A new study from University of Georgia researchers aims to identify wind magnitudes commonly associated with thunderstorm asthma outbreaks. By cross-referencing forecast modeling tools, the study may help anticipate significant thunderstorms and alert public health officials about potential triggers.
A new analytical tool developed by University of British Columbia researchers provides accurate estimates of genetically modified pollen spread to non-modified crops. This enables the calculation of optimal separation distances to minimize cross-pollination, benefiting both crop-growers and policymakers.
Airborne allergens are found at variable elevations, up to 2000 meters, contradicting the long-held assumption that they only originate from local sources. The study suggests the formation of aeroallergen clouds at high altitudes.
Researchers at Georgia Tech studied the honeybee cleaning process and found that hair spacing is essential for removing up to 15,000 particles in three minutes. The unique spacing allows the forelegs to collect as much pollen as possible with each swipe.
Researchers found that a pollinator's size significantly influences how much pollen is deposited, with bees fitting tightly into flowers to vibrate and unlock pollen. This discovery helps understand natural populations of nightshade plants and their pollinators.
A new study published in JAMA found that a three-year course of treatment with immunotherapy using grass pollen extract can effectively reduce severe hay fever symptoms for several years, but a two-year course is not enough. The research bolsters previous findings that more time is needed to achieve lasting benefits.
Scientists have developed artificial pollinators using tiny drones coated with a sticky gel, which can pick up pollen from one flower and deposit it onto another. The innovation uses horse hairs to mimic the fuzzy exterior of a bee, allowing the drones to effectively collect and transfer pollen.
Researchers discovered nine new species of Perdita bees in the American Southwest, filling an important role in natural ecosystems. The 'ant-like' males have a unique form and may spend time in nests, while females collect pollen to nourish their young.
Plant biologists at ITbM, Nagoya University, have made a key discovery that the contents in pollen tubes alone can increase the size of seeds, without the need for fertilization. This new plant phenomenon, named as POEM (pollen tube-dependent ovule enlargement morphology), shows that even in the absence of fertilization, release of the...
Researchers found that bees consider multiple factors, such as strong odour and visual appearance, when deciding on flowers to visit. Bees also form memories of previous experiences and receive feedback from their nest to inform their foraging decisions.
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.
Researchers at MIPT have created a compound screening technique that quickly determines how chemicals affect plant growth, accelerating the process by pollen germination. The new method allows for the identification of 65 chemicals that promote or inhibit tobacco growth in just two hours.
Climate change may cause ragweed pollen allergy to more than double in Europe, affecting 77 million people by 2050. The number of people suffering hay fever is already estimated at 40% of Europeans, and the severity of symptoms may increase due to higher pollen concentrations and longer seasons.
A joint University of Adelaide-Shanghai Jiao Tong University study provides the first broad picture of pollen allergen evolution and possible functions. The researchers' findings may help with reducing or preventing allergic diseases like asthma and hay fever.
Researchers found that bumble bees selectively forage among plant species based on the nutritional quality of their pollen. The study identified specific plant species with high protein-to-lipid ratios as preferred by bumble bees.
Bees that specialize on sunflower pollen have evolved to avoid a common brood-parasitic wasp, Sapyga, which is unable to develop on the pollen provisions of these bees. This study suggests that specialization on sunflower pollen confers anti-parasite benefits.
A study by Purdue University reveals that honeybees collect pollen from non-crop plants contaminated with a wide range of pesticides, including pyrethroids and neonicotinoids. The researchers found that bees are chronically exposed to these chemicals throughout the growing season.
Researchers at the University of Stirling discovered that wild bumblebees are born with the ability to vibrate flowers to extract pollen. Over time and with practice, bees refine their vibrations, saving energy and maximizing rewards from each flower.
A Purdue University study found that rising carbon dioxide levels have reduced protein in goldenrod pollen, a key food source for North American bees. This decline may threaten bee health and survival, particularly during the winter months when bees must store substantial amounts of pollen to overwinter.
Researchers at Nagoya University have identified a sugar chain molecule called AMOR that increases the efficiency of plant fertilization. The team synthesized a disaccharide version of AMOR, which also activates pollen tubes to respond to attractant molecules, leading to successful fertilization.
The American Journal of Botany Special Issue delves into the latest research on pollen performance, revealing its complex interactions with female tissues, pollinators, and other processes. The studies shed new light on pollen structure, function, and fitness, highlighting its crucial role in plant reproduction.
A recent study found that ground-nesting bees on heavily farmed landscapes have a smaller size, with female bees carrying 40% less pollen. This may impact their ability to provision offspring and lead to population decline.
Researchers found that bumblebees exposed to pesticides collected more pollen but took longer to do so than control bees. Control bees chose different flowers than pesticide-exposed bees.
Bumblebee foraging behavior altered by low levels of pesticides, changing floral preferences and hindering learning skills.
Researchers at Nagoya University have discovered a key kinase receptor in pollen tubes that allows them to detect LURE peptides produced by ovules, guiding fertilization. This finding may lead to improved efficiency of pollen tube growth and increased success rate of fertilization.
Researchers are developing a network of advanced sensors to detect particulate matter and pollen in metropolitan areas, providing real-time data for improved public health. The project aims to create an open-access platform for mapping pollution levels and supporting remediation efforts.
Researchers at Sam Houston State University developed a test to individualize marijuana samples using DNA analysis, linking drugs across cases. Pine pollen has also been found to be a viable source of DNA for criminal investigations, persisting on clothing for up to two weeks and helping link suspects or victims to locations.
Scientists dated fossilized pollen to show the Nullarbor Plain was once home to gum and eucalyptus trees before a dramatic climate shift. The region's history reveals a rainfall increase of up to four times higher than today, contradicting its modern arid conditions.
Purdue University researchers have discovered that pollen-derived carbon architectures can be used as anodes in lithium-ion batteries. The study found that the cattail pollen-based carbon performed better than bee pollen, with a higher theoretical capacity of 200 milliamp hours per gram.
Researchers discovered that Australian blue-banded bees use high-speed headbanging to pollinate flowers, releasing pollen into the air similar to a salt and pepper shaker. This technique allows for more efficient pollination, with the bee vibrating the flower up to 350 times per second.