Plant hormones to help prevent Striga invasion
As part of a multipronged approach to prevent infestations by the parasitic plant Striga hermonthica, researchers are unraveling the role of plant hormones, known as strigolactones (SLs). Their latest research is published in Science Advances......»»
Ukrainian drones now spray 2,500° C thermite streams right into Russian trenches
Mechanical dragons now deliver fire on command. Enlarge Wars of necessity spawn weapons innovation as each side tries to counter the other's tactics and punch through defenses. For instance—as the Russian invasion of.....»»
The ecological impact of herbivore dung on plant communities
Xingzhao Sun of the research group Wildness, biodiversity and ecosystems under change of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) explored the complex ecological interactions between herbivore dung and plant communities, providing new insights into the r.....»»
How plant coverage is affecting the Arctic carbon cycle
Researchers at Columbia University's Department of Earth and Environment Science have discovered new implications for the Arctic carbon cycle in the face of climate change. Their paper, published in Communications Biology, shows how differing plant c.....»»
Ultium Cells battery plant in Tenn. joins UAW
A majority of the 1,000 workers at the plant in Spring Hill, Tenn., operated by a joint venture between GM and LG, signed cards in favor of joining the union......»»
UK conservationists and eBay team up against plant poaching
UK conservationists on Wednesday announced a collaboration with e-commerce giant eBay to combat the illegal plant trade, which is threatening the existence of some species......»»
Whole genome duplications linked to higher oil yields in key crops
Oil crops are pivotal for human nutrition and industry due to their ability to produce and store large amounts of oil in seeds. With the global demand for vegetable oils steadily rising, there is an urgent need to discover new high-yielding oil plant.....»»
Research uncovers new strategy for salt-resistant poplar
Salt stress disrupts plant growth by impairing ion balance and reducing water uptake, posing a significant challenge to agriculture and forestry. Maintaining sodium (Na+) and potassium (K+) balance is particularly vital in woody plants like poplar, w.....»»
VW warns of plant closures, job cuts in Germany to reduce spending
VW considers one large vehicle plant and one component factory in Germany to be obsolete, according to the automaker's works council......»»
Organic farms can double plant diversity—but only with time
It takes a long time, up to several decades, before the benefits of organic farming take full effect on land that was previously cultivated conventionally, a new study from Lund University suggests. After thirty years, the plant species richness arou.....»»
VW warns of plant closures, forced lay offs in Germany in cost-cutting drive
VW considers one large vehicle plant and one component factory in Germany to be obsolete, according to the automaker's works council......»»
Chemists create gel to prevent leaks and boost lithium-ion battery life
A new type of gel, developed by chemists at the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (MLU), could help to make lithium-ion batteries safer and more powerful. The gel is designed to prevent the highly flammable electrolyte fluid from leaking......»»
Harnessing AI to fight global deforestation
The new European Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) is intended to prevent goods marketed in the EU from contributing to the spread of deforestation. When a wood product is brought into the EU market, for example, there must be documentation of which ty.....»»
Machine-learning models can predict colonization outcomes of complex microbial communities
Microbial communities are constantly exposed to the invasion of exogenous species, which can significantly alter their composition and function. The capacity of a microbial community to resist invasion is regarded as an emergent property resulting fr.....»»
GM, Samsung SDI push back opening of Ind. battery plant to 2027
General Motors and Samsung SDI finalized their partnership that will invest $3.5 billion in an EV battery plant in Indiana......»»
Chloroplast manipulation: A new strategy in pathogen warfare uncovered
A recent study has unveiled the sophisticated methods pathogens use to weaken plant defenses. It shows how a pathogen's effector protein targets the chloroplast protein StFC-II, increasing its levels in chloroplasts and reducing the plant's ability t.....»»
Plant signaling pathways decoded using "optogenetic" tobacco plants
Using newly generated "optogenetic" tobacco plants, research teams from the University of Würzburg's Departments of Plant Physiology and Neurophysiology have investigated how plants process external signals......»»
Apple 15W wireless chargers to be banned from sale in China
Apple 15W wireless chargers are set to be banned from sale in China, with both MagSafe and Qi2 charging pads affected. The Chinese government says that the prohibitions are to prevent interference and “maintain the order of airwaves” … m.....»»
X’s Grok will direct users to Vote.gov after bungling basic ballot question
After falsely stating that ballot deadlines passed, Grok sends users to Vote.gov. Enlarge (credit: Getty Images | NurPhoto ) Elon Musk's X platform made a change to its AI assistant, Grok, that may prevent it from giving.....»»
From leaf to cup: The essential role of magnesium in tea plant metabolism
Magnesium plays a vital role in the growth and quality of tea plants, influencing key processes such as photosynthesis and the synthesis of important metabolites. However, tea plants often suffer from magnesium deficiency due to factors like poor soi.....»»
Satellites reveal ecosystems most vulnerable to drought
More severe droughts that will also last longer: this will primarily be a problem for irrigated croplands, as discovered by environmental scientist Qi Chen. Mixed forests with a variety of plant species will be the least vulnerable. Chen compared the.....»»