Exploring cell-to-cell signals in plants that trigger photosynthesis and defense mechanisms
Traffic lights signal to cars and buses when to stop, slow and go. Much like traffic lights, plant cells send signals to each other to perform photosynthesis to grow or fight off destructive viruses and pathogens......»»
The memory in seeds: How plants carry environmental clues across generations
Phenotypic plasticity enables plants to adjust their physical traits in response to environmental variations, playing a vital role in their survival and adaptability. While past research has primarily focused on how these traits manifest within a sin.....»»
Plant pathogen battle: A tomato protein"s dual role in defense and susceptibility
Tomatoes, a staple crop worldwide, are increasingly threatened by biotic stressors such as viruses, fungi, and bacteria, with the effects worsening under climate change. These challenges lead to reduced yields and compromised nutritional quality, hig.....»»
Could interstellar quantum communications involve Earth or solve the Fermi paradox?
Thus far, the search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI) has used strategies based on classical science—listening for radio waves, telescopes watching for optical signals, telescopes in orbit scouring light from the atmospheres of exoplanets,.....»»
DNA origami and fluorescent probes can precisely release molecular cargo
In the world of nanotechnology, the development of dynamic systems that respond to molecular signals is becoming increasingly important. The DNA origami technique, whereby DNA is programmed so as to produce functional nanostructures, plays a key role.....»»
Reinventing the clock: NASA"s new tech for space timekeeping
Here on Earth, it might not matter if your wristwatch runs a few seconds slow. But crucial spacecraft functions need accuracy down to one billionth of a second or less. Navigating with GPS, for example, relies on precise timing signals from satellite.....»»
Meet the Advocates and Researchers Revolutionizing Sickle Cell Care
These sickle cell researchers and advocates are driving change from labs to global stages, transforming lives in the process......»»
New Sickle Cell Treatments Reach Patients after Years of Effort
The FDA recently approved three sickle cell drugs, and dozens more are in development.....»»
Researchers Seek New Solutions to Ease Sickle Cell’s Extreme Pain
Sickle cell disease causes severe pain that’s hard to treat, but researchers are finding new ways to offer relief.....»»
A Global Initiative to Advance Sickle Cell Research Could Benefit Millions
Increased funding and new public health policies for sickle cell research are needed to ease the burden on low-income nations and improve patient care.....»»
People Living with Sickle Cell Disease Share Their Experiences
Life expectancy for people with sickle cell in the U.S. has increased to about 50 years, but some people with the disease still face stigma and other barriers in health care.....»»
New Hope for Treating People with Sickle Cell Disease
Improving sickle cell care by expanding treatment options, advancing new therapies and amplifying the voices of people with the disease.....»»
New Sickle Cell Treatments Highlight the Power of Patient Perspectives
Illuminating the experience of people living with sickle cell could improve patients’ lives and enhance all of medicine.....»»
Going Back to the Moon, Researching Chickadee Hybrids and Understanding Addiction
This month’s issue covers the reasons it’s so hard to go back to the moon, the science of empathy and new advances in treating sickle cell disease.....»»
What Is Sickle Cell Disease?
You have around 35 trillion red blood cells moving around your body at all times. Typically they are rounded and flexible. What happens when they aren’t?.....»»
Quantum ‘Ghost Imaging’ Reveals the Dark Side of Plants
Entanglement lets researchers watch plants in action without disruptive visible light.....»»
Lord Kelvin: How the 19th century scientist combined research and innovation to change the world
"What got you into astrophysics?" It's a question I'm often asked at outreach events, and I answer by pointing to my early passion for exploring the biggest questions about our universe. Well, along with seeing Star Wars at an impressionable age......»»
An unexpected protein connection in maize growth and defense could enhance crop resilience
Maize (corn) is one of the most important staple crops in the world and has been extensively studied. Yet, many aspects of the genetic mechanisms regulating its growth and development remain unexplored......»»
Fungi to the rescue: South African scientists use innovative approach to protect apple trees
Gardeners the world over dread the appearance of aphids on their plants. There are around 4,000 species of these sap-sucking insects and about 250 are pests that can wreak havoc on crops in a garden or orchard......»»
Scientists decipher the energy patterns in our cells
Our cells harness energy for essential functions such as division, wound healing, and our immune response to diseases including cancer. But until now, the mechanics of how that energy affects cell behavior—and how this relates to health outcomes—.....»»
Optogenetic control reveals collective cell behavior
New research led by the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC) has studied the migratory movement of groups of cells using light control. The results show that there is no leader cell that directs the collective movement, as previously thou.....»»