Parasitic plant convinces hosts to grow into its own flesh—it"s also an extreme example of genome shrinkage
If you happen to come across plants of the Balanophoraceae family in a corner of a forest, you might easily mistake them for fungi growing around tree roots. Their mushroom-like structures are actually inflorescences, composed of minute flowers......»»
Characterizing shifts in Sicily"s seasonal rainfall
Around the world, man-made climate change is increasing both the frequency and severity of extreme weather events. Seasonal patterns in rainfall are an especially important indicator of these changes: While a lack of rain can lead to more severe drou.....»»
Aquaculture researchers decode the genome of the African catfish to advance modern breeding approaches
Scientists at the Research Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN) in Dummerstorf have decoded the genome of the African catfish (Clarias gariepinus), in collaboration with international partners......»»
Chandra and Hubble tune into "flame-throwing" Guitar Nebula
Normally found only in heavy metal bands or certain post-apocalyptic films, a "flame-throwing guitar" has now been spotted moving through space. Astronomers have captured movies of this extreme cosmic object using NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory and.....»»
Noninvasive plant stress phenotyping: A multi-organ approach to combat abiotic stressors
Noninvasive phenotyping has emerged as a vital tool in plant science, enabling the study of stress indicators without disrupting plant growth. While most studies have historically focused on analyzing stress responses in leaves, this novel research a.....»»
Plant biologists show how two genes work together to trigger embryo formation in rice
Rice is a staple food crop for more than half the world's population, but most farmers don't grow high-yielding varieties because the seeds are too expensive. Researchers from the University of California's Davis and Berkeley campuses have identified.....»»
Low-cost phenotyping system unveils key insights into quantitative disease resistance in wild tomatoes
Quantitative disease resistance (QDR) is a complex but durable form of plant disease resistance that provides partial protection against a broad range of pathogens. Unlike qualitative resistance, driven by major resistance (R) genes, QDR is polygenic.....»»
Climate change and air pollution could risk 30 million lives annually by 2100
Mortality attributable to air pollution and extreme temperatures is a major concern, and it is expected to heighten in the future. In a new study led by the Max Planck Institute for Chemistry, an international research team found that, under the most.....»»
Cracking the recipe for perfect plant-based eggs
Hint: It involves finding exactly the right proteins. An egg is an amazing thing, culinarily speaking: delicious, nutritious, and versatile. Americans eat nearly 100 billion of th.....»»
Madagascar"s huge ocean algae bloom was caused by dust from drought-stricken southern Africa
Scientists have found new evidence that desertification, potentially linked to global warming, leads to large amounts of nutrient-rich dust landing in the sea, causing ocean algae to grow rapidly. Biological oceanographer John A. Gittings and an inte.....»»
Compound weather events found to have greater effect on wetland methane emissions than discrete weather extremes do
Human-caused climate change is driving an increase in extreme weather. Heat waves, droughts, and extreme precipitation are occurring more frequently, growing more intense, and directly affecting ecosystem function. For instance, the 2003 European hea.....»»
Garden produce grown near Fayetteville works fluorochemical plant contains GenX, other PFAS
Residential garden produce grown near the Fayetteville Works fluorochemical plant can expose those who consume it to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), according to a new study conducted by researchers from North Carolina State University, E.....»»
Unlocking the secrets of the first quasars: How they defy the laws of physics to grow
In an article published in the Astronomy & Astrophysics journal, new evidence suggests how supermassive black holes, with masses of several billion times that of our sun, formed so rapidly in less than a billion years after the Big Bang......»»
Astronauts found to process some tasks slower in space, but no signs of permanent cognitive decline
A stay in space exerts extreme pressures on the human body. Astronauts' bodies and brains are impacted by radiation, altered gravity, challenging working conditions, and sleep loss—all of which could compromise cognitive functioning. At the same ti.....»»
Collaboration uncovers mechanisms of an African plant with anti-HIV potential
A collaboration between The Wistar Institute and the University of Buea in Cameroon has uncovered the mechanisms for a medicinal plant with anti-HIV potential in Croton oligandrus Pierre & Hutch, a species of African tree that has been used in tradit.....»»
California water recycling plant gains $26 million to feed Lake Mead
Toilet water in Los Angeles will soon reduce the strain on Lake Mead, thanks in part to a $26.2 million boost that was announced Monday......»»
New insights into flowering regulation: Impact of carbon and nitrogen signaling on floral repressors in Arabidopsis
An international research team, including Dr. Justyna Olas who is co-first author on the study, has uncovered fundamental mechanisms regulating flowering time in Arabidopsis thaliana, as detailed in a recent publication in the journal Plant Physiolog.....»»
From using plant rinds to high-tech materials, bike helmets have improved significantly over the past two centuries
Imagine—it's the mid-1800s, and you're riding your high-wheeled, penny-farthing bicycle down a dusty road. Sure, it may have some bumps, but if you lose your balance, you're landing on a relatively soft dirt road. But as the years go by, these road.....»»
Researchers characterize regulating mechanism of orderly zygotic genome activation in early embryos
Early development of an embryo is solely supported by maternally deposited RNAs and proteins until its own genome is activated through a process called zygotic genome activation (ZGA). Recent work by Chinese scientists has revealed a novel molecular.....»»
Tata takes control of Pegatron"s sole iPhone plant in India
India's Tata Electronics is reportedly buying a 60 percent stake in Taiwan-based Pegatron's only India iPhone facility, strengthening Tata's position as Apple's main supplier partner in the country.Tata has reportedly bought a controlling stake in a.....»»
Study challenges assumptions about how tuberculosis bacteria grow
The rod-shaped tuberculosis (TB) bacterium, which the World Health Organization has once again ranked as the top infectious disease killer globally, is the first single-celled organism ever observed to maintain a consistent growth rate throughout its.....»»