How fruit flies feast for pleasure as well as necessity
Researchers have begun to explore the underlying neural activity of eating behaviors in fruit flies to better understand the motives that drive feeding......»»
From antiquity to adaptation: Tracing the genetic journey of east Asian chestnut varieties
Uncovering the genetic saga of Castanea trees, a study maps their evolutionary journey and local climate adaptations. This research reveals the genetic markers and molecular mechanisms that have allowed these nut fruit trees to adapt and flourish acr.....»»
Tomato ripening study highlights cell wall component interactions
Tomato fruit ripening involves intricate biochemical and structural changes, particularly within the cell wall, which are vital for the fruit's final texture and quality. These changes include modifications in polysaccharides and proteins, but the sp.....»»
How engineered walnuts combat drought through grafting
Drought is a major threat to walnut production globally, often resulting in lower yields and weaker trees. While grafting has traditionally been used to improve the resilience of fruit and nut trees, the exact mechanisms of signal transfer between ro.....»»
Most ransomware attacks occur between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m.
There’s been an alarming increase in ransomware attacks over the past year, alongside significant shifts in the tactics and strategies employed by cybercriminals that underscore the necessity for organizations to implement around-the-clock moni.....»»
From genome to grocer"s aisle: Decoding the Chinese cherry for firmer fruits
A significant milestone in horticultural genomics has been reached with the successful decoding of the tetraploid Chinese cherry genome. A recent study provides essential insights into the genetic factors that influence fruit firmness, a critical tra.....»»
The application of Sapindus mukurossi extract in sebum-control shampoos
Sapindus mukurossi, a fruit from a deciduous tree in the Sapindaceae family, is widely cultivated in Southern China. Before the advent of modern synthetic detergents, its peel was commonly used to make soap due to its high saponin content......»»
Exotic eye worm rapidly invades US by spreading from testes of fruit flies
The spread to bears shows the worm is gaining ground and new hosts in the US. Enlarge / An adult Thelazia callipaeda in the eye of a cat. In a battle of bear versus exotic eye worm, the eye worm wins—and that's bad ne.....»»
At its core, life is all about play—just look at the animal kingdom
At Cambridge University Library, along with all the books, maps and manuscripts, there's a child's drawing that curators have titled "The Battle of the Fruit and Vegetable Soldiers.".....»»
In drought-hit Sicily, rainwater is dumped in the sea
Sicilian lemon producer Rosario Cognata is furious: his fruit is withering due to the drought, while just a few kilometers away rainwater is being dumped into the sea......»»
Unlocking the genetic secrets of strawberries for superior fruit quality
Strawberries, treasured for their flavor and health benefits, have been at the forefront of breeding programs targeting enhanced sensory and nutritional profiles. Despite advances, the intricate genetic makeup of these fruits has complicated efforts.....»»
Lemurs use long-term memory, smell, and social cues to find food
How do foraging animals find their food? A new study by New York University researchers shows that lemurs use smell, social cues, and long-term memory to locate hidden fruit—a combination of factors that may have deep evolutionary roots......»»
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.....»»
NASA chief will make the final decision on how Starliner crew flies home
"I especially have confidence since I have the final decision." Enlarge / SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket and Cargo Dragon spacecraft, seen here with the new launch tower and access arm at SLC-40. (credit: SpaceX) NASA on Tuesd.....»»
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......»»
The Fight to Save Florida’s Oranges
Once the leading producer of the citrus fruit in the US, Florida is being ground down by hurricanes, diseases, and drought—but its orange growers aren’t giving up yet......»»
Uncovering the ‘sick pleasure’ of reality TV with The Crush House’s director
We watched the trashiest reality TV show we could find with The Crush House director Nicole He and learned about Shrek breeding TikTok in the process......»»
Team finds that regenerative genes from other species suppress aging issue in fruit flies
A team of researchers, including colleagues from the University of Tokyo's Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, have transferred into common fruit flies genes from simple organisms capable of regenerating their bodies. Fruit flies are more com.....»»
The genetic blueprint of photosynthesis in citrus: Study identifies key traits and genes to boost fruit production
A research team investigated 71 citrus accessions and varieties using over 56,000 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and 37 leaf reflectance parameters to study photosynthesis-related traits. They identified four distinct clusters of interrelated.....»»
Avocado genome assembled: Uncovering disease resistance and fatty acid secrets
The avocado, celebrated for its nutritious unsaturated fats and distinctive flavor, encounters notable agricultural challenges, particularly its vulnerability to diseases that can drastically reduce fruit quality and yield......»»
Plants" hidden allies: Root microbiota fight back against leaf-mining flies
Plants encounter various biotic stresses, with insect herbivory being particularly destructive. Traditional chemical insecticides used to combat these pests pose environmental and health risks......»»