Articles tagged with Pollen
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A special issue of Botany highlights CANPOLIN researchers' multipronged approach to pollination biology, examining topics such as climate change impacts and pollen limitation. The issue presents key findings on pollinator diversity and network analyses for conservation strategies.
Scientists are using hindcasting to develop more accurate models of ecosystem changes, leveraging UC Berkeley's vast museum collections to study past episodes of global change. This will inform policy-making and forecasting tools for the future.
Scientists at the University of Illinois have developed new microscopy techniques to analyze pollen grains, enabling better classification of prehistoric flora. The research highlights the importance of pollen morphology in understanding the evolution and diversity of ancient vegetation.
A case study reported a severe anaphylactic reaction to bee pollen in a woman with seasonal allergies. The authors warn healthcare providers and patients about the potential risk of allergic reactions to bee pollen supplements, particularly among individuals with no known allergy history.
Researchers discovered a strong correlation between pollen count and allergen release, but found significant variations in grass pollens across Europe. The study suggests measuring allergens may be more useful than forecasting pollen counts for allergy sufferers, offering new hope for treatment.
Researchers at Brown University have discovered how flowers achieve industrial precision in pollination. The team found that flowers use a safeguard system to prevent too many pollen tubes from delivering too many sperm, and that fertilization can be salvaged if the first sperm is ineffective.
Scientists have discovered the first record of insect pollination from 100 million years ago, found in amber from Northern Spain. The discovery reveals a new genus of thrips with highly specialized hairs to collect pollen grains, similar to those of bees.
Research led by Prof. Annette Menzel found that airborne pollen concentrations have risen sharply in cities across Europe, particularly in urban areas, where the increase is three percent per year. Climate change and warmer temperatures are seen as key factors driving this trend, with rural areas also expected to be affected.
A 2,000-year-old study reveals that indigenous people in the Amazon savannas farmed sustainably without using fire, conserving soil nutrients and organic matter. This labor-intensive approach to farming could be a model for modern raised-field agriculture, reducing carbon emissions and providing food security.
Researchers from the University of Adelaide have discovered that pollen diversity is limited in mahogany forests due to extensive exploitation, affecting seedling growth and forest re-growth rates. The study suggests that collecting high-quality seeds from healthy trees could improve restoration efforts.
Researchers found that hay fever symptoms peak in the first half of the grass pollen season, regardless of medication use. Symptoms decrease later on, but may be attributed to desensitization or less allergenic pollen.
The 'Pollen Under the Microscope' exhibition showcases stunning images of pollens from Australia and overseas, using cutting-edge technology to rapidly identify pollen grains. Pollen is vital for human life, agriculture, and biodiversity, and this technology aims to aid conservation and ecology by providing more accessible information.
A European herb has figured out its own way to survive in environments with low pollinator density, using a delayed selfing mechanism to guarantee seed production. The study found that when populations are small and/or pollinators are scarce, plants can augment seed production via autonomous self-pollination.
A new study at the University of Gothenburg found that cellulose powder reduces seasonal allergic rhinitis symptoms in children, especially when pollen levels are low to moderate. The treatment has no adverse effects and is suitable for self-care and as a supplement to other treatments.
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.
The 125 million-year-old fossil find suggests an earlier origin for eudicots and flowering plants. The newly discovered species, Leefructus mirus, exhibits characteristics similar to those of modern buttercups and Ranunculaceae family members.
The study found delays or advances of up to a week between pollen release and flowering period for certain species, likely caused by resuspension of grains. This understanding can help draw precise pollen prognoses for people with allergies.
Researchers found that pollen and pistil communicate using Glutamate receptor-like channels and D-serine, a key player in animal brain function, facilitating pollen tube growth and guiding fertilization. This discovery reveals conserved mechanisms between plant and animal cell-cell communication.
Researchers have discovered that the orchid Satyrium pumilum uses carrion mimicry to attract specific species of flies for pollination. The study found that only female flesh-flies were attracted to the orchids, and that scent plays a crucial role in guiding them into the right position to pick up pollen.
A recent study of 45-million-year-old pollen from Pine Island has led to a revised understanding of Florida's geologic history. The discovery of land-based pollen indicates that Florida may have been inhabited by land animals around 10-15 million years ago, contradicting previous theories.
Researchers found that closely-related generalist bees differ in their ability to develop on the same pollen diet, suggesting physiological adaptations. The study suggests that pollen chemistry plays a crucial role in constraining pollen loss to bees, with some plants using chemical defenses to protect their pollen.
Researchers discovered that orchids' adaptability to different pollinators and fungi allows them to coexist without competing for resources. The study found that shifts in pollination traits were crucial for speciation, while shifts in fungal partners contributed to coexistence.
Researchers found that three signaling pathways work together to regulate plant pollen production, with two being sufficient for optimal fertility. The study sheds light on the complex interactions between genes and environmental conditions that influence flower formation and reproductive success.
Scientists at UC Davis have identified a gene called Cullin1 that acts as a biochemical gatekeeper, controlling whether or not pollen from related wild species can fertilize tomatoes. This finding has significant implications for plant breeding and understanding reproductive biology in the Solanaceae family.
Researchers have discovered two proteins, Feronia and Nortia, crucial for both fertilization and resistance to powdery mildew infections in plants. These proteins, essential for seed formation, also facilitate fungal invasion, making it challenging to breed resistant yet fertile plants.
A new study reveals that elephant-shrews consume the nectar of Pagoda lily flowers and pollinate them. The animals' long noses and tongues allow them to access the nectar without damaging the flowers. This discovery sheds light on the unusual group of non-flying mammals known for their pollination abilities.
Researchers at the University of Zurich have identified a mutant gene that links powdery mildew resistance to plant fertility. Plants with this gene are resistant to powdery mildew but infertile, highlighting a crucial trade-off in plant defense mechanisms.
A research team discovered five additional SLF genes controlling self-incompatibility in the petunia plant. These genes work together to promote hybrid vigor and prevent genetic disease associated with inbreeding. The study sheds light on the complex mechanisms plants use to avoid inbreeding.
Researchers discovered that certain flowers produce heat as a reward to pollinators, which develop larvae in the spent flowers. This finding suggests a novel role for flower heating in plant-pollinator mutualism.
A University of Michigan biologist and a colleague at the University of California, Berkeley, found that shade-grown coffee farms support native bees that pollinate native trees and enhance genetic diversity. The study suggests that these bees play a crucial role in maintaining biodiversity in tropical regions.
A new study proposes that early hunters contributed to the demise of mammoths around 15,000 years ago, leading to a significant increase in birch trees and global warming. The researchers estimate that this event may have added up to 0.1 degrees Celsius to the planet's temperature over several centuries.
A study demonstrates that Pycnogenol, a natural plant extract from pine bark, substantially improves symptoms of hay fever. By reducing pollen-specific antibodies and inflammation, Pycnogenol effectively relieves eye and nasal symptoms in patients with allergic rhinitis.
The world's oldest known fig wasp fossil has been discovered on the Isle of Wight, revealing that this tiny insect has remained virtually unchanged for over 34 million years. The fossil is almost identical to modern species, indicating a complex relationship between figs and their pollinators developed millions of years ago.
Scientists have found that plants deploy defensin proteins to facilitate the fertilization process, releasing male sperm cells through an explosive mechanism. This groundbreaking discovery provides new insights into the evolution of flowering plants and may lead to breakthroughs in breeding crops with improved fertility.
A study by Claire Williams found that long-distance dispersal of transgenic pine pollen is a potential problem due to its viability. Viable pine pollen was found as far as 2000 feet in the air and 25 miles offshore, with over 50% still germinating after drifting those distances.
Research finds that long-distance pine pollen can travel up to 1800 miles and still germinate, making it difficult to prevent transgenic traits from spreading to wild counterparts. This has profound implications for the approval of genetically modified trees.
A new study found that fig trees have evolved a mechanism to maintain their mutually beneficial relationship with fig wasps. When a wasp fails to pollinate the fig, the tree drops the fruit and kills the baby wasps inside.
The Nicotiana attenuata tobacco plant has developed a clever strategy to combat herbivorous caterpillars: it opens its flowers in the morning instead of at night. This change in flower phenology also attracts a new pollinator, the local hummingbird, which is satisfied with just nectar rewards.
A recent study published in the American Journal of Botany explores the origins of New Zealand's flora. The research reveals that two ancient plant fossils from the Late Oligocene/Early Miocene period (28-15 mya) indicate a younger history for most groups of plants in the region.
Research at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute found that punishment is necessary to maintain a mutually beneficial relationship between plants and wasp pollinators. In actively pollinated fig species, wasps that don't provide pollination are sanctioned, while in passively pollinated species, sanctions are absent.
Scientists tracked the movement of pollen between African fig trees using genetic tests and field work. The research found that trees pollinated by similar insects can survive if isolated through deforestation due to their increased resistance to forest fragmentation.
Africanized bee invasion of Mexico's Yucatan led to a shift in pollination patterns, with native bees benefiting from increased availability of certain plant species. However, native populations in less diverse areas may be more vulnerable to invasions.
Researchers have dated mountain-building events in the eastern Andes range of Colombia to 25 million years ago, contradicting previous estimates of 10-15 million years. This new finding sheds light on the geological history of the region and its importance for understanding ancient animal migration patterns and oil-gas exploration.
Researchers found that allergens can bind to and travel through the epithelium of allergic patients but not healthy subjects. This transport mechanism is crucial for the development of allergic reactions.
A study published in HortScience found that honeybees and bumble bees move in a way that minimizes distance between flowers, which impacts pollination efficiency. The research tracked pollen flow in watermelon plantings, revealing directional movement both down and across rows.
Researchers found that children born in the fall and winter have a higher risk of developing early symptoms of asthma due to exposure to fungal spores and pollen. High concentrations of specific spore groups and total pollen concentration during the first three months of life were linked to an increased risk of early wheezing.
A new study by University of Missouri researchers has identified three specific pollen proteins that may contribute to the signaling processes in plants. These proteins, which bind to pistil proteins, suggest a molecular basis for plant mate recognition and acceptance or rejection of individual pollen grains.
Researchers from the University of Leicester and South Korea have discovered a gene, FBL17, that triggers precursor cells to divide into twin sperm cells. This discovery sheds light on the 'double fertilization' process, essential for seed production in flowering plants.
Researchers found unprecedented levels of fluvalinate and coumaphos in beeswax, while pollen and bees showed lower levels of other pesticides. A new method using gamma radiation reduced acaricide load in beeswax by 50%. The study highlights the need for monitoring pesticide interactions and potential links to Colony Collapse Disorder.
Ecologists assess the impact of human activity on bee populations and explore alternatives with native bees serving as 'biological insurance.' A study found that areas with extreme fragmentation have smaller bee populations and fewer species.
A University of Tennessee at Knoxville researcher has found that the ability of flowering plants to quickly and efficiently move sperm through a part of the plant was the key to their evolutionary diversity. This ancient trait allowed plants to grow longer pollen tubes, enabling them to develop more complex flowers and larger seeds.
Researchers found that when females capture more pollen, female-determining pollen tubes out-compete male-determining ones. The team's study on Rumex nivalis in the Swiss Alps shows how demographic aspects can influence plant sex ratios.
Tobacco plants have evolved a self-incompatibility system to reject unwanted pollen and maintain genetic diversity. Researchers have identified a new factor, Stigma Expressed Protein (NaStEP), which plays a crucial role in the rejection mechanism.
A team of scientists has used paleobotanical evidence, genetic analysis, and microbotanical techniques to reconstruct the early history of maize agriculture. They suggest that maize may have been domesticated in Mexico around 10,000 years ago, based on findings from sediments at San Andrés, Tabasco.
A daily dose of probiotic can modify the immune system's response to grass pollen, a common cause of seasonal hay fever. This change was observed in a pilot study with small numbers of patients, but it may not have an immediate effect on symptoms.
A study published in Functional Ecology reveals that plants producing high-quality pollen have closer relationships with pollinators, which is crucial for the survival of certain bumblebee species. The research found that plants relying on insects for pollination produce pollen with 65% more protein than those not reliant on insects.
Researchers at the University of California, San Diego, have identified a unique plant gene that prevents fertilization when mutations are present in both the male and female reproductive cells. The discovery, known as 'abstinence by mutual consent,' reveals a previously unknown mechanism in plant reproduction.
A recent study suggests genetically engineered corn could have unintended consequences on aquatic ecosystems. Researchers found toxins from Bt corn were washing into streams near cornfields, causing increased mortality and reduced growth in caddisflies.
Scientists discovered a unique method of reproduction in primitive plants named cycads, which heat up and emit toxic odors to repel and attract pollen-covered insects. This 'push-pull' pollination method may represent an intermediate step in the evolution of plant pollination.
Graduate students at Johns Hopkins University gather data on ragweed pollen behavior using high-tech and low-tech tools. Their findings could lead to better ways to track pollen travel and control its spread, benefiting 15 million people with ragweed allergies in the US and Canada.