Researchers used high-resolution three-dimensional imaging to study the internal anatomy of sorghum leaves, revealing a complex ventilation system. The study found that reducing stomata size can increase air spaces beneath the leaf, improving CO2 distribution without compromising photosynthesis.
SourceCarl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign·JournalPLANT PHYSIOLOGY·TypeImaging analysis·DateAug 11, 2026
Researchers have successfully engineered plants to produce myoglobin, an important component of animal muscle, using a gene gun to insert the genes into chloroplasts. The yield was approximately three times higher than when inserted into the nuclear genome, paving the way for plant-grown meat production.
SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Plant Science·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 6, 2026
A team of plant biotechnologists at Texas Tech University has developed a groundbreaking method to accelerate crop creation, bypassing the time-consuming process of tissue culture. The new technique enables plants to grow new shoots directly from wounded tissue, eliminating the need for traditional lab-based regeneration steps.
SourceTexas Tech University·JournalMolecular Plant·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 6, 2025
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.
Researchers found that Agrobacterium's virulence is more effective in its natural two-chromosome state, but it grows faster and handles stress better when fused into a single chromosome. This study opens the door for optimizing its use as a crop improvement tool or devising new ways to protect crops vulnerable to crown galls.
SourceIowa State University·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 15, 2025
Researchers have discovered a way to regulate starch storage in algae using blue light-activated signalling pathways. This method has the potential to increase starch production in biofuels, improve nutritional value of agricultural feed supplements, and capture more carbon dioxide, reducing greenhouse gases.
SourceUppsala University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 24, 2025
A new method using free software and a drone with a low-cost camera has been developed to select drought-tolerant corn plants. The approach allows for optimized data collection, faster processing, and reduced costs compared to conventional methods.
SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalThe Plant Phenome Journal·DateApr 4, 2025
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.
A team from the University of Illinois found that traditional breeding methods are unlikely to improve soybean light-harvesting efficiency. Gene editing is likely needed to unlock soybean potential. The researchers gathered detailed measurements throughout an entire growing season to understand photoprotection relaxation in soybeans.
SourceCarl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign·JournalThe Plant Journal·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 24, 2025
Researchers discovered the role of PtrPAT1 in boosting cold tolerance in citrus plants by regulating glycine betaine accumulation. The study opens the door to developing cold-resistant citrus varieties, vital for global citrus production in the face of climate change.
SourceNanjing Agricultural University The Academy of Science·JournalHorticulture Research·DateMar 10, 2025
Three Texas A&M biologists have received NIH Maximizing Investigators’ Research Awards to support their research on type IV pili, darter fish social behaviors and bacteriophages. Drs Koch, Moran and Ramsey will explore bacterial behavior, genetic mechanisms and neural basis of paternal care in fish.
A genetic study of the beaked hazelnut reveals that ancient Indigenous peoples cultivated and traded this plant across British Columbia. The research challenges settler-colonial narratives by establishing a large-scale cultivation network dating back 7,000 years.
SourceSimon Fraser University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 5, 2024
A team from the University of Illinois has engineered a potato crop that can thrive in elevated temperatures, resulting in a 30% increase in tuber mass under heatwave conditions. This adaptation aims to improve food security for families dependent on potatoes, which are often affected by changing climate conditions.
SourceCarl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign·JournalGlobal Change Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 4, 2024
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.
Researchers propose a method called electro-agriculture that can produce food without sunlight, reducing the need for agricultural fields by 94%. The method uses a solar-powered chemical reaction to convert CO2 into acetate, which is then used by genetically engineered plants to produce energy and carbon.
SourceCell Press·JournalJoule·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateOct 23, 2024
Researchers at North Carolina State University identify molecular property of lignin that determines ease of using microbial fermentation to turn trees into industrial chemicals. The discovery could lead to more sustainable alternatives to petroleum-based chemicals.
SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 18, 2024
Researchers discovered GAME15, a crucial protein for controlling steroidal glycoalkaloids and saponin production in Solanum plants. The study also showed that steroidal saponins play an ecological role in insect defense, with GAME15 knockout plants being more susceptible to herbivores.
SourceMax Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 17, 2024
A century-old experiment has pinpointed the genes behind barley's adaptability, enabling its continued survival in rapidly changing environments. Researchers identified key genes that enable flowering at optimal times, allowing crops to thrive despite increased temperatures and droughts.
SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalScience·DateSep 11, 2024
The study reveals that light-sensitive channels can be used to target specific ion signals in plants, allowing for the comparison of different signaling pathways. This breakthrough enables researchers to investigate plant stress responses in greater detail.
SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 28, 2024
Apple iPhone 17 Pro
Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.
High nighttime temperatures accelerate leaf senescence, disrupt cellular membranes, and increase respiration rates in plants. Understanding the key metabolic pathways and molecular mechanisms involved is crucial for developing genetic modifications, breeding strategies, and management practices to enhance plant resilience.
SourceMaximum Academic Press·JournalGrass Research·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 8, 2024
Researchers discovered that strigolactones, previously only associated with plant development, directly influence flowering and fruiting in tomatoes. By regulating the microRNA319 pathway and gibberellin levels, strigolactones promote faster and better flowering, leading to increased yields.
SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 31, 2024
Researchers explored the use of bioactive glucosinolates to advance sustainable agriculture, highlighting their role in stress tolerance and health benefits. Future research aims to optimize GSL production using CRISPR/Cas9 for healthier, stress-tolerant Brassica crops.
SourceMaximum Academic Press·JournalVegetable Research·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 29, 2024
Non-flowering bryophytes, including mosses, have sophisticated immune receptor repertoires that can be transferred between flowering and non-flowering plants. This discovery offers a new source of resistance genes against pathogens for major crops facing climate change threats.
SourceJohn Innes Centre·JournalThe Plant Cell·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 10, 2024
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.
Researchers have successfully engineered plants to produce a diverse array of human milk oligosaccharides, also called human milk sugars. These complex sugars are found in breast milk and help prevent disease and support healthy gut bacteria, but are difficult to manufacture using traditional methods.
SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalNature Food·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 13, 2024
Scientists at Boyce Thompson Institute have developed a method to enhance Rubisco production in maize, increasing carbon assimilation and boosting plant height. The transgenic plants also showed improved resilience to chilling stress, maintaining higher photosynthetic rates during cold exposure.
SourceBoyce Thompson Institute·JournalJournal of Experimental Botany·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 28, 2024
A new study found that genetically engineered canola plants with pesticide resistance are persisting in roadside populations, but may be losing their engineered genes. Almost a quarter of the feral plants were found to not contain transgenes.
SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeObservational study·DateMay 22, 2024
Researchers at Chiba University have developed a novel method for plant regeneration that modulates gene expression to control cell differentiation. The approach uses transcription factor genes to induce cellular differentiation in tobacco, lettuce, and petunia tissue cultures without the need for external phytohormones.
SourceChiba University·JournalFrontiers in Plant Science·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 1, 2024
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.
Researchers have discovered the gene responsible for producing a unique type of chlorophyll in marine algae. This breakthrough could lead to improved crop yields on less land, making it a key step towards achieving a more sustainable food supply. The study also demonstrated that a land plant can produce this specific type of chlorophyll.
SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalCurrent Biology·DateMar 6, 2024
Researchers at the University of Zurich have discovered a signal that activates the female gamete in thale cress, a model plant species. This breakthrough could lead to the development of apomixis, a form of asexual reproduction that would allow crop plants to be propagated more easily and efficiently.
SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 15, 2024
A study by Brazilian researchers reveals that bixin, a carotenoid pigment extracted from annatto tree seeds, is also present in other organs. Genetic analysis and modifications found increased production of the pigment in the adult phase and linked to stress-related hormone abscisic acid.
SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalJournal of Experimental Botany·DateFeb 9, 2024
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.
Scientists at Brookhaven Lab demonstrate new genetic strategy to boost plant oil content by protecting the oil-protector protein, resulting in 54% more oil accumulation in leaves and 13% more in seeds. This approach can increase biomass energy content and provide sustainable fuels.
SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·JournalNew Phytologist·DateFeb 8, 2024
Plants use their circadian clocks to regulate responses to changes in water and salinity levels, offering a new avenue for creating drought-resistant crops. The discovery of the ABF3 feedback loop reveals a delicate balance between boosting stress tolerance and maximizing growth and yield.
SourceKeck School of Medicine of USC·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 5, 2024
Scientists have created genetically modified bioluminescent petunias that emit an ethereal glow, making them up to 100 times brighter than previous plants. The new research builds on earlier discoveries and shows the genetic modifications also elevate luminescence in yeast and mammalian cells.
SourceLight Bio, Inc.·JournalNature Methods·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 4, 2024
A recent study by Tokyo University of Science researchers has uncovered the mechanisms by which plants regulate the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The findings, published in Physiologia Plantarum, reveal that ROS-generating enzymes are activated through two conserved mechanisms involving calcium ions and phosphorylation, ...
SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalPhysiologia Plantarum·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 24, 2024
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.
A new study introduces the Slash Pine Shoot Counting Network (SPSC-net) using a feature pyramid module for accurate new shoot detection in slash pines. SPSC-net outperforms other models like YOLOX and Efficientnet, achieving the lowest MSE and MAE in density regression.
SourceNanjing Agricultural University The Academy of Science·JournalPlant Phenomics·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 15, 2023
A recent study in Nature Communications has identified a gene cluster in wheat that produces triticein, an isoflavone compound with potential health benefits. This discovery offers opportunities for metabolic engineering efforts to improve wheat's nutritional quality and resistance to disease.
SourceJohn Innes Centre·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 15, 2023
Researchers successfully produced alstonine, a naturally occurring substance with potential for treating mental disorders, using genetically engineered yeast cells. The yeast platform has the potential to discover and develop plant-based medicines, including those for schizophrenia.
SourceTechnical University of Denmark·JournalNature Chemical Biology·DateNov 10, 2023
Researchers found changes in microglial cells, a specialized subset of immune cells, that may worsen schizophrenia risk in adolescents. The study, published in Nature Communications, suggests that THC exposure during adolescence can lead to long-lasting negative effects on brain development and function.
SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 25, 2023
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.
A new transgenic maize population shows high glyphosate resistance after co-expression of the GAT and GR79-EPSPS genes. The resulting event, GG2, demonstrates low glyphosate residues and improved agronomic traits.
SourceBeijing Zhongke Journal Publising Co. Ltd.·JournalaBIOTECH·DateSep 11, 2023
Researchers found that genetically modified tobacco mutants, impaired in their defenses, outperformed wild-type plants in years with low herbivore pressure. The mutants' prioritization of growth and reproduction over defense allowed them to thrive in environments with limited insect damage.
SourceMax Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 21, 2023
A new technology called PHYTOMap allows researchers to study dozens of genes simultaneously without genetic manipulation, providing insights into plant responses to climate change. The method has the potential to improve crop resiliency and inform agriculture optimization.
SourceSalk Institute·JournalNature Plants·TypeImaging analysis·DateJun 12, 2023
Creality K1 Max 3D Printer
Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.
Scientists have genetically modified potatoes and tomatoes to produce betacyanin, a pigment with anti-inflammatory properties. The transgenic vegetables demonstrated enhanced accumulation of the pigment, which showed improved effects in reducing inflammation in macrophage-like cells and murine models of colitis.
SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalBiotechnology and Bioengineering·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 16, 2023
Scientists have identified two-million-year-old DNA fragments in northern Greenland's Ice Age sediment, providing insights into the past ecosystem and its potential to predict climate change. The discovery has sparked hopes that it could help academics build a picture of the DNA evolution of species still in existence today.
SourceSt. John's College, University of Cambridge·JournalNature·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 7, 2022
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.
Scientists at NTU Singapore have successfully modified a plant protein to increase vegetable oil yield. By improving the binding affinity of WRI1, the team was able to enhance oil accumulation in seeds by 15-18% under laboratory conditions.
SourceNanyang Technological University·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 9, 2022
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.
Engineered duckweed produces up to 10% oil content, a 100-fold increase over wild-type plants, with synergistic effects seen when combining gene modifications. The oil-rich plant can be easily harvested for biofuels or bioproducts, reducing competition with food crops and environmental waste.
SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·JournalPlant Biotechnology Journal·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 11, 2022
Researchers discovered a genetic mechanism that lowers cadmium accumulation in rice without affecting its quality and yield. The duplicated OsNramp5 gene increases the uptake of manganese, competing with cadmium for translocation to shoots, reducing its accumulation.
SourceOkayama University·JournalNature Food·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 30, 2022
A new study has identified genomic modifications in the transgenic papaya 'SunUp', which was developed to resist the papaya ringspot virus. The researchers used advanced sequencing technologies to read long stretches of DNA and found that the insertion did not cause any change in gene expression.
SourceCarl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign·JournalNature Genetics·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 13, 2022
Researchers from ANU increased CO2 channels in tobacco plants to enhance photosynthesis, but found no significant impact. The study used computer modeling to predict how changes would affect mesophyll conductance.
SourceCarl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign·JournalJournal of Experimental Botany·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 10, 2022
A new special issue of Applications in Plant Sciences explores techniques for studying gametophytes, essential for understanding biodiversity and conservation. The study reveals the complexity of gametophyte biology, including their limited size and invisibility in some plants.
SourceBotanical Society of America·JournalApplications in Plant Sciences·DateMay 10, 2022
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.
Researchers discovered that moss cells can form mobile spindles during mitosis, moving like animal cells. This unusual process suggests a tug-of-war between microtubules and actin filaments to position the spindle, similar to animal cells.
SourceUniversity of Freiburg·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 5, 2022
Researchers create transgenic lettuce that expresses a bone-stimulating hormone, which could help prevent osteopenia in astronauts and resource-limited areas on Earth. The lettuce would need to be consumed daily by astronauts to get a sufficient dose of the hormone.
Researchers at UC Davis have developed genetically modified lettuce producing a drug to protect against bone density loss in microgravity. The transgenic lettuce combines parathyroid hormone with an antibody protein, allowing for stable production and potential self-administration by astronauts.
SourceUniversity of California - Davis·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 22, 2022
Researchers have found that altering carotenoid metabolism in tomato plants increases fruit yield by up to 77% and enhances nutritional content. The modified plants also show improved tolerance to abiotic stresses like drought and salinity.
SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·JournalMetabolic Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 7, 2022
Researchers at RIKEN CSRS have developed a non-transgenic method to modify plant genes using a bioactive molecule spray, which can be used to improve crop yield and resistance to pests. The technique has shown promising results in improving economically desirable quality traits in crops.
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.
Researchers from Hokkaido University have proposed a framework to clarify the distinction between genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and genome-edited organisms (GEOs). The framework considers scientific, ethical, and social factors to determine whether an organism is a GMO or GEO. The proposal aims to enhance regulatory reliability...
SourceHokkaido University·JournalTrends in Biotechnology·TypeLiterature review·DateJan 24, 2022
Researchers have created a new approach to edit genes within specific bacteria in a community using CRISPR-Cas9, enabling targeted genetic modifications. This technology could be used to track edited microbes and potentially treat diseases like digestive issues or create more resilient crops.
SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature Microbiology·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 17, 2021
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis are developing a framework to understand how herbicides interact and drift onto unintended plants, affecting crops and the environment. The study found that genetically modified crop introduction influences herbicide use rates and practices, leading to increased drift.
SourceWashington University in St. Louis·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 16, 2021
Researchers at RIKEN have developed a healthier form of tapioca starch by suppressing multiple genes that increase its resistance to digestion. The resulting starch is composed of longer chains with fewer branches, making it harder to digest and potentially improving intestinal function and blood sugar control.
Researchers have developed genetically modified plants that can produce and release insect sex pheromones to combat herbaceous plant pests. These plants, called pheromone biofactories, can create sexual confusion in pest males, reducing population growth and pest control needs.
SourceUniversitat Politècnica de València·JournalBioDesign Research·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 17, 2021
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.
Scientists discover that small RNAs recruit RNA Polymerase V to initiate DNA methylation, enabling crop breeders to avoid silencing from the start. This finding has substantial implications for reducing the cost and effort of producing transgenic crops.
SourceDonald Danforth Plant Science Center·JournalNature Plants·DateNov 9, 2021
Researchers discovered that bacteria enter corn plants through natural openings at the leaf's edge, causing Goss's wilt. High concentrations of bacteria lead to freckles and disease symptoms.
SourceAmerican Phytopathological Society·JournalPlant Disease·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 6, 2021
A team of scientists at Brookhaven National Laboratory has identified a key component of the assembly line responsible for oil droplet formation. The study suggests new ways to engineer plant tissues for increased oil accumulation, which could lead to sustainable oils for biofuels and other commodity products.
SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 22, 2021