Articles tagged with Pollen
Pleistocene-era sediment samples contain pollen from desert plants, indicating severe droughts occurred between glacial periods. These droughts may have led to the extinction of large mammals like mammoths.
Researchers identify MSL8, a mechanosensitive ion channel, that protects pollen from lethal pressures. The protein helps the hydrating pollen grain relieve excessive pressure and survive the stressful transition.
A new University of Stirling study has uncovered the secrets of 'pollen thief' bees, which take pollen from flowers without providing pollination services. The research found that these smaller bees often stay longer at each flower and visit fewer flowers in each run, contributing little to seed production.
The University of Guam research team used a unique glass tube setup to study fadang tree pollen settling velocity and theoretical distances of wind-borne pollen movement. The results show that fadang pollen can travel over 500 meters laterally before dropping one meter in elevation.
Bumblebees infected with a common intestinal parasite are drawn to flowers rich in medicinal compounds, which may help combat bee species decline. The study found that bees alter their foraging behavior to maximize consumption of beneficial plant chemicals.
Researchers found that B cells enhance the secretion of allergy-driving IgE antibodies when exposed to non-allergenic compounds like PPE1. This discovery reveals a new mechanism for pollen allergy and offers new starting points for therapy development.
A new study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health finds that over 70% of pollen and honey samples collected from foraging bees in Massachusetts contain neonicotinoids, a class of pesticide linked to Colony Collapse Disorder. The study suggests that these pesticides pose significant risks to bee health and human exposure.
Researchers at UTMB discovered a key mechanism behind developing allergic asthma and seasonal nasal allergies after exposure to airborne pollens like ragweed. The study found that neutrophils, white blood cells, attract in response to allergens, trigger inflammation and oxidative stress in the airways.
Researchers found that Oriental honey buzzards prefer pollen-containing dough over pollen-lacking dough, even when the color is identical. The birds also preferred yellow-colored dough over black or green dough when both contained pollen, suggesting a role for vision in foraging.
The study, published in International Journal of Plant Sciences, reveals that Guam's trade winds play a vital role in fadang tree pollination. This discovery contradicts existing knowledge that all cycad species rely solely on insects for pollination.
A recent study by Technical University of Munich found that ragweed pollen triggers a strong allergic response due to the presence of adenosine. The protein Amb a 1 alone did not induce such a reaction, but combining it with adenosine led to increased inflammation in lung tissue.
A new study by Aarhus University found that a Danish nasal filter significantly reduced symptoms of hay fever in people with grass pollen allergies. The filter was shown to be up to 100% effective in reducing symptoms such as sneezing, runny noses, and watery eyes when used preventively.
Researchers have discovered traces of whole flowers placed on a Palaeolithic tomb in El Mirón cave, Spain. The finds suggest that the ancient humans may have used flowers for ritual or hygiene purposes.
A new study from the University of Michigan and Texas A¼M reveals that pollen can break down into tiny particles that act as cloud condensation nuclei, forming clouds. This discovery has significant implications for climate science and public health.
A new study analyzing over 460 conifer species found that the ancient pollination mechanism is gradually disappearing, leading to a loss of buoyant saccate pollen and droplet emission. Instead, species evolved new traits or lost existing ones, demonstrating 'stasis and release' in plant evolution.
In a study on flowering plants, researchers have discovered a novel cell-elimination system based on an unusual cell fusion. Successful fertilization triggers cell fusion between the persistent synergid cell and the endosperm, leading to inactivation of the persistent synergid cell.
Researchers at Oregon State University found that tropical plants like Heliconia tortuosa recognize specific hummingbird species by their nectar-sipping behavior. The plants respond by allowing high-quality pollen germination, increasing the chances of successful seed formation.
A research team developed a new method using DNA metabarcoding to analyze pollen and uncovered the secret life of bees. This technique identified twice as many plant families than microscopic analysis and provided deeper insights into bee foraging behavior.
Researchers discovered that aquatic bladderworts like Utricularia consume a wide range of prey, including algae and pollen, in addition to small animals. This diverse diet provides essential nutrients for the plant's survival and growth.
Research finds that young larvae emit specific pheromones influencing adult bee behavior, leading to increased pollen collection and reduced foragers returning empty. This discovery could benefit agricultural enterprises by optimizing pollination services through colony management.
A study presented at the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Annual Scientific Meeting found that spring pollen counts in Ontario, Canada were down considerably, with levels of certain tree pollens being four to five times lower than usual. This challenges predictions of a harsh 'pollen vortex' affecting allergy sufferers.
A new study by UMass Amherst scientists predicts a significant increase in grass pollen production and allergen exposure due to climate change, with potential impacts on human health. The researchers found that elevated CO2 stimulates pollen production, leading to increased exposure for individuals with grass pollen allergies.
A team of scientists has discovered the genetic mechanism behind sex determination in a species of persimmon. The OGI-MeGI system involves an unusual gene that codes for a small piece of RNA acting as molecular scissors, cutting down expression of another gene, and regulating pollen formation.
Researchers discovered that a unique twist in the nectar spur of a bird-pollinated flower allows for more efficient pollen placement on sunbirds' heads and bills. This adaptation increases the likelihood of successful pollination and reduces competition among plant species.
The special issue of Applications in Plant Sciences explores bioinformatic methods to analyze plant morphology. Researchers successfully applied automated classification and identification techniques, geometric morphometrics, and skeleton networks to examine plant form.
Researchers found calcium involved in chemical signaling throughout the double fertilization process, guiding sperm release and fusion with the egg cell. This discovery sheds light on the complex process of flowering plant fertilization.
Bumblebees can form associative relationships between floral features and pollen quality, allowing them to quickly select the best flowers for food. This ability enables bees to efficiently find nutritious pollen, crucial for rearing their young, by recognizing color cues on petals.
A study published in Functional Ecology found that long-term pesticide exposure hampers bumblebees' ability to collect pollen. Bees exposed to neonicotinoid pesticides became less successful at collecting pollen and developed different flower preferences over time.
A University of Michigan study found that occasional mowing creates conditions for ragweed to thrive, while leaving vacant lots unmowed reduces hay fever triggers. The researchers recommend regular or no mowing to reduce ragweed pollen exposure.
A team of biologists at the University of Leicester has discovered a pair of proteins called DAZ1 and DAZ2 that are essential for making twin sperm cells in plants. The study reveals how these proteins work together with a 'master switch' protein DUO1 to control a gene network that ensures a pair of fertile sperm is produced.
Researchers find birch pollen protein 'Bet v 1' manipulates immune cells towards allergy, disrupting balance between Th1 and Th2 responses. Iron loading may be key to triggering allergic reactions, suggesting potential treatment targets for immunotherapy.
Researchers identify three periods with distinct pollen patterns, advising people to avoid being outdoors during peak hours in early and middle seasons. Dr. Robert Peel suggests avoiding midday outdoor activities in the late season.
A new study revisits the evolution of pollen development in flowering plants, finding that both bi- and tricellular lineages gave rise to each other, debunking the long-standing assumption of one-way evolution. Tricellular lineages are slower-evolving but still advantageous in certain lifestyles.
Genetic evidence reveals that dwarf birch was once common in England and Wales, with genes found across Britain. The study suggests global warming, deer grazing, and hybridisation are threats to the dwindling population.
A clinical study from Aarhus University finds that a newly developed Danish mini-filter, Rhinix, appears to be significantly more effective against the discomfort of seasonal hay fever than a filterless placebo. The filter reduces nasal symptoms by up to 75% and alleviates throat irritation.
Researchers from the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute have found GMO soybean pollen in six honey samples from Mexico, sparking concerns over its impact on honey exports. The presence of GMO pollen could lead to significant price cuts or rejection of honey products under European regulations.
Researchers identified a single gene, Ultrabithorax (Ubx), responsible for leg and wing development in honeybees. Ubx represses the development of bristles on hind legs, creating a smooth surface for packing pollen, which is absent in queens.
Researchers have identified a single gene, Ultrabithorax (Ubx), that determines the distinct leg features of worker honey bees, enabling them to collect and transport pollen. The gene plays a critical role in the evolution of social behavior among honey bees, separating queens from workers.
A 100-million-year-old piece of amber has revealed the oldest evidence of sexual reproduction in a flowering plant, featuring a cluster of tiny flowers and pollen tubes. Researchers from Oregon State University discovered the fossilized scene, which appears identical to modern angiosperm reproduction.
A study found that orb web spiders make up 25% of their diet with pollen, consuming aerial plankton like fungal spores. Spiders that ate both pollen and flies gained optimal nourishment.
Scientists measure pollen's optical properties using laser technology, finding it can be a significant natural source of aerosol particles. The study reveals pollen's vertical distribution in the atmosphere, highlighting its impact on air quality and temperature.
Chris Martine's discovery of a new wild eggplant species in Australia has shed light on the plant's unique reproductive strategy. The female plant produces male pollen, tricking bees into visiting its flowers, and Martine hopes to study this phenomenon further.
A 115- to 125-million-year-old flowering plant fossil, named Potomacapnos apeleutheron, has been discovered in a Virginia canal bank where freed slaves were forced to dig a canal. The find raises questions about the evolution of flowering plants and pollen.
Researchers have created magnetic replicas of sunflower pollen grains using a wet chemical process that applies highly conformal iron oxide coatings. The replicas exhibit both short-range van der Waals attraction and long-range magnetic adhesion, offering tailored multimodal adhesion to surfaces.
Use of ACE inhibitors can cause a life-threatening allergic reaction in oral allergy syndrome sufferers, characterized by extreme facial swelling and difficulty breathing. Hay fever sufferers often mistake oral allergy symptoms for food allergies, but it's not a food allergy and can be treated with cooked foods.
Researchers have discovered pollen grains from direct ancestors of flowering plants, dating back 240 million years to the Early Triassic. The findings suggest that flowering plants may have evolved up to 100 million years earlier than previously thought.
Fossilized pollen from flowers dating back to the Early Triassic, around 252-247 million years ago, challenges previous estimates of flowering plant evolution. The discovery pushes the origin of flowering plants back by 100 million years.
A deep-sea core from Okinawa Trough has provided a 200,000-year record of Quaternary environmental changes, with high percentages of sedge and grass in glacial intervals indicating shortened offshore distance. The study highlights the impact of global ice volume, sea-level changes, and monsoon variability on sediment sources.
Honeybee decline poses significant threat to US fruit and vegetable production, with estimated annual losses of $15 billion. The cause of colony collapse disorder (CCD) remains unknown, but factors such as pesticides, parasites, and diseases are being investigated.
Researchers found that common fungicides and insecticides can weaken the immune systems of honey bees, making them more susceptible to infection with a deadly parasite. The study's findings highlight the need for stricter regulations on pesticide use during crop pollination.
Research found that removing even one bumblebee species from an ecosystem significantly reduces pollination effectiveness and plant seed production. The study showed that reduced competition among pollinators disrupts floral fidelity, leading to less successful plant reproduction.
The study found that removing one bumblebee species from an ecosystem reduces floral fidelity among remaining bees, leading to fewer seeds produced by larkspur wildflowers. This suggests global declines in pollinators could have a significant impact on food crops and flowering plants.
A Brown University research team has discovered the genetically prescribed dance steps of the pollen tube, which leads to its self-sacrifice and allows flowering plants to reproduce. The study highlights the complex intercellular communications involved in pollination.
Research suggests that fragmented pine stands hinder seed production, reducing regeneration. Whitebark pines' viability depends on pollen release, wind, and proximity, making their future uncertain with dwindling gene pools.
Researchers at McGill University found that Leavenworthia plants regained self-pollen recognition function by taking over two other genes. This study suggests that the loss of complex traits may not always be irreversible in plants.
Researchers developed a microchip to study the mechanical challenges faced by pollen tubes as they navigate through female flower tissues. The study found that when the grip around the tube was too tight, it triggered the release of sperm cells, which is essential for fertilization and seed set.
Biologists Tiffany Knight and Laura Burkle studied a historic dataset from Charles Robertson's 19th-century naturalist work, revealing a weakened plant-pollinator network. The study found that half of the bee species associated with flowers had disappeared, pollinators were active before plants bloomed, and pollination services declined.
A study led by Field Museum curator Dr. Jonathan Haas reveals that maize was a primary component of people's diets in coastal Peru around 3000-1800 B.C. The research, published in PNAS, analyzed microscopic evidence found in soil, stone tools, and coprolites from ancient sites.
A new study reveals that the insect-eating pallid bat is a more effective pollinator of cardon cactus flowers than the nectar-feeding lesser long-nosed bat. The pallid bat delivers more pollen per visit, with some areas being frequent enough visitors to be more effective overall.
A study predicts that pollen counts will more than double in 28 years, with expected peaks earlier and longer seasons. Allergy sufferers can benefit from early treatment and strategies to avoid triggers.