A roadmap for gene regulation in plants
For the first time, researchers at the Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) have developed a genome-scale way to map the regulatory role of transcription factors, proteins that play a key role in gene expression.....»»
The plight of the pig-nosed turtle, one of the unlucky 13 added to Australia"s threatened species list
Australia's unique biodiversity is under siege. The national list of species threatened with extinction is growing, with eight animals and five plants added just last month......»»
Large language models pose a risk to society and need tighter regulation, say researchers
Leading experts in regulation and ethics at the Oxford Internet Institute, have identified a new type of harm created by LLMs which they believe poses long-term risks to democratic societies and needs to be addressed by creating a new legal duty for.....»»
Chemists synthesize plant-derived molecules that hold potential as pharmaceuticals
MIT chemists have developed a new way to synthesize complex molecules that were originally isolated from plants and could hold potential as antibiotics, analgesics, or cancer drugs......»»
Lithium ion battery fire regulation could help heal industrywide black eye
While gasoline vehicles are far more prone to fires, electric vehicles and micromobility devices present concerns because lithium ion batteries can sustain their own heat and fires can be harder to extinguish......»»
The molecular shield: How tea plants combat drought through protein phosphorylation
Drought stress poses a significant challenge to agriculture, causing substantial yield losses in many crops. Tea plants, known for their rich flavonoid content which enhances both quality and health benefits, are particularly affected. Under drought.....»»
NIS2: A catalyst for cybersecurity innovation or just another box-ticking exercise?
The Network and Information Security (NIS) 2 Directive is possibly one of the most significant pieces of cybersecurity regulation to ever hit Europe. The 27 EU Member States have until 17 October 2024 to adopt and publish the standards necessary to c.....»»
Smooth sailing for eggplant: Breakthrough in understanding prickle formation
Scientists have discovered the gene responsible for prickles in eggplants, a trait that complicates farming. Using advanced genetic techniques, they identified the Prickly Eggplant (PE) gene on chromosome 6 and pinpointed SmLOG1 as the key factor......»»
Editing for resilience: CRISPR/Cas9 boosts potato stress resistance
Scientists have made a significant breakthrough in agricultural biotechnology by using CRISPR/Cas9 to edit the potato genome, resulting in plants with increased resistance to both biotic and abiotic stresses. This innovation could lead to a new era o.....»»
Volcanic eruptions that warmed the planet millions of years ago shed light on how plants evolve, regulate climate
Scientists often seek answers to humanity's most pressing challenges in nature. When it comes to global warming, geological history offers a unique, long-term perspective......»»
Flow of sweetness: Key sugar transporters identified for enhanced camellia seed growth
Seed development is crucial for plant reproduction and crop yield, largely dependent on efficient sugar transport and metabolism. In many plants, the detailed mechanisms of sugar import remain unclear, despite extensive research on model species......»»
Heat stress survival: Unraveling the HsfA2-ACTIN dynamics in lily varieties
A research team has identified that the heat stress transcription factor HsfA2 and actin-interacting protein (AIP) LACTIN interact at the protein level in Lilium longiflorum "White Heaven," mediating gene expression and protecting cells from heat str.....»»
China"s MG Motor to build manufacturing plant, R&D center in Mexico
A Mexico factory would continue the global expansion of the former British brand, which has plants in China, Thailand and India. It also has plans to build EVs in Europe......»»
Drone flights and 3D scans: Scientist uses cutting-edge tech to protect Madagascar"s vulnerable forests
In a new study published today in the journal Plants, People, Planet, scientist Jenny Williams from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, highlights how the use of drones can help curb the loss of Madagascar's biodiverse forests through illegal deforestati.....»»
Study reveals how plants decide between life and death
Researchers at Michigan State University have discovered two proteins that work together to determine the fate of cells in plants facing certain stresses......»»
GM invests in agile manufacturing strategy, building EVs alongside gas vehicles
The automaker has set up a flexible manufacturing strategy, with dedicated plants that build gasoline vehicles and EVs as well as plants that build both......»»
Ancient viral elements in RNA kickstart bone repair
Around half of the human genome is composed of DNA fragments originating from ancient viruses. These "transposable elements" (TEs) are now known to play various roles in modulating gene expression and disease development. Now, an international team l.....»»
Plants offer fruit to insects to disperse dust-like seeds, botanist discovers
Fruit exist to invite animals to disperse the swallowed seeds. A Kobe University research team found that plants targeting insects rather than birds or mammals for this service are more common than previously thought. These plants produce dust-like s.....»»
Plants show surprising diversity in arid landscape: How livestock grazing impacts drylands
Understanding how plants cope with climatic extremes and grazing pressure is important for reliable predictions about future biodiversity and the functioning of dryland ecosystems......»»
Treatment with smoke can favor seed germination in Brazil"s Cerrado biome
For thousands of years, plants have evolved in the presence of wildfires in the Cerrado, Brazil's savanna-like biome. Scientists at São Paulo State University (UNESP) studied the effect of smoke on seed germination for 44 plant species typical of th.....»»
How plants become bushy, or not: New study sheds light on hormone that controls branching
For many plants, more branches means more fruit. But what causes a plant to grow branches? New research from the University of California, Davis shows how plants break down the hormone strigolactone, which suppresses branching, to become more "bushy......»»