Microbial enzymes are the key to pectin digestion in leaf beetles
A research team at the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology in Jena, Germany, shows in a new study how leaf beetles could successfully use new and previously indigestible food sources in the course of evolution. The insects acquired enzymes from.....»»
Scientists take atomic look at a protein complex that grants access to our DNA
To transcribe the information contained in our genes or to repair the dozens of breaks that occur daily in our DNA, our enzymes must be able to directly access the DNA to perform their functions. However, in the cell nucleus, this access is limited b.....»»
New research sheds light on relationships between plants and insects in forest ecosystems
U.S. Forest Service researchers and partners published new findings on how leaf-eating insects affect forest ecosystems worldwide......»»
A nose for earthy notes: Human odorant receptor for geosmin identified for the first time
Geosmin is a volatile compound of microbial origin with a distinct "earthy" to "musty" odor that can affect the quality of water and food. It is responsible for the typical odor that occurs when rain falls on dry soil. This odorant is produced by mic.....»»
Green hydrogen: "Artificial leaf" becomes better under pressure
Hydrogen can be produced via the electrolytic splitting of water. One option here is the use of photoelectrodes that convert sunlight into voltage for electrolysis in so-called photoelectrochemical cells (PEC cells). A research team at HZB has now sh.....»»
Invasive insect herbivore alters ecosystem services delivered by cycads
A study published in the June 2024 issue of the journal Pedosphere looks at how a non-native armored scale insect alters the leaf litter decomposition dynamics of the novel host cycad species on newly invaded islands. The scale insect, known as cycad.....»»
Organic nanozymes have broad applications from food and agriculture to biomedicine
Nanozymes are tiny, engineered substances that mimic the catalytic properties of natural enzymes, and they serve a variety of purposes in biomedicine, chemical engineering, and environmental applications. They are typically made from inorganic materi.....»»
Green synthesis of copper oxide nanoparticles from mangifera indica: A solution for agricultural disease management
A research team has successfully synthesized green copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO.NPs) from Mangifera indica (M. indica) leaf extract. The CuO.NPs showed potent activity against gram-positive and negative bacteria, as well as fungicidal effects on p.....»»
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.....»»
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......»»
New process uses light and enzymes to create greener chemicals
Researchers at the Center for Advanced Bioenergy and Bioproducts Innovation (CABBI) have achieved a significant breakthrough that could lead to better—and greener—agricultural chemicals and everyday products......»»
Exploring the effects of initial microbiota on microbial succession during eggplant fermentation
Shibazuke is a traditional Japanese eggplant pickle produced by the process of fermentation using lactic acid bacteria (LAB). LAB which are commonly present in vegetables cause the spontaneous fermentation of vegetables, resulting in the distinctive.....»»
Perseverance rover finds tantalizing hints of possible ancient life on Mars
Perseverance has located some tantalizing indications of possible microbial life on Mars - although it's too early for scientists to be sure......»»
From trash to treasure: Machine learning enhances organic waste recycling
Biological treatment methods such as anaerobic digestion, composting, and insect farming are essential for managing organic waste, converting it into valuable resources like biogas and organic fertilizers. However, these processes often face challeng.....»»
Cheesemaking is a complex science—a food chemist explains the process from milk to mozzarella
Cheese is a relatively simple food. It's made with milk, enzymes—these are proteins that can chop up other proteins—bacterial cultures and salt. Lots of complex chemistry goes into the cheesemaking process, which can determine whether the cheese.....»»
One elephant can sustain more than 2 million dung beetles in east African savannas, study finds
How many dung beetles are there in East Africa? That question inspired a research project more than 20 years ago when Frank Krell was a research entomologist with the Natural History Museum London. Throughout a three-year-long project along with his.....»»
Smart guide RNAs: Researchers use logic gate-based decision-making to construct circuits that control genes
Researchers have transformed guide RNAs, which direct enzymes, into a smart RNA capable of controlling networks in response to various signals. A research team consisting of Professor Jongmin Kim and Ph.D. candidates Hansol Kang and Dongwon Park fro.....»»
Study shows tree species have different strategies for coping with light conditions in forest understory
Scientists at the Institute of Applied Ecology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences have made a breakthrough in understanding why Korean pine trees are struggling to regenerate naturally in certain forests. These broad-leaf Korean pine forests are vita.....»»
Critically endangered Guam tree contributes to global leaf research
The intricate leaf design of Guam's Serianthes nelsonii tree was used as a model to contribute to the global goal of understanding how a plant leaf functions, and the results were published in the March issue of the journal Nitrogen......»»
Nano-scale materials that mimic enzymes could convert CO₂ into chemical building blocks
Montana State University researcher James Crawford recently published a collaborative paper with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory that marks a step forward in their quest for what he calls a "holy grail" of chemistry: converting the greenhous.....»»
From roots to leaves: The nitrogen connection to photosynthetic efficiency
Photosynthesis efficiency in plants is influenced by the type of nitrogen absorbed. Ammonium (NH4+) and nitrate (NO3-) are the primary nitrogen sources, each affecting plant physiology differently. Variations in leaf anatomy, such as cell wall thickn.....»»