Plant-microbe homeostasis: A delicate balancing act
Plants grown in soil are colonized by diverse microbes collectively known as the plant microbiota, which is essential for optimal plant growth in nature and protects the plant host from the harmful effects of pathogenic microorganisms and insects. Ho.....»»
Researchers propose mechanistic framework to explain complex microbe-host symbioses
Virtually all multicellular organisms on Earth live in symbiotic associations with very large and complex microbial communities known as microbiomes. New research has just been published aimed at offering a complete understanding how those relationsh.....»»
Plant thermogenesis has played key role in attracting pollinating insects for at least 200 million years, study suggests
Thermogenesis is a process by which organisms generate internal heat. Although it is usually associated with animals, some plants have also developed this ability. This metabolic process allows certain parts of the plant, such as flowers and inflores.....»»
Nuclear fuel experiment demonstrates how liquid plutonium oxide behaves at the hottest temperatures
The 2011 accident at the Fukushima-Daiichi plant in Japan inspired extensive research and analysis that elevated nuclear energy into a standard bearer for safety. It also inspired a number of studies at the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Argonne N.....»»
Plant scientists link phospholipid sensing with control of gene expression
Plant scientists have long known that phosphorus is a crucial component in plant growth. A major discovery by a Kansas State University (K-State) biologist and her lab is leading to a better understanding of how plants detect and use that resource—.....»»
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......»»
Protecting national interests: Balancing cybersecurity and operational realities
With cyber threats becoming increasingly sophisticated and targeting critical infrastructure, in this Help Net Security interview, David Ferbrache, managing director of Beyond Blue, discusses the current state of cybersecurity readiness and resilienc.....»»
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......»»
Tuberculosis under the sea: A marine sponge microbe provides insights into the bacterium"s evolution
The surprising discovery of a bacterium in a marine sponge from the Great Barrier Reef with striking similarity to Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the pathogen responsible for tuberculosis (TB), could unlock and inform future TB research and treatment st.....»»
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......»»
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.....»»