The Noah"s Ark for plants beneath the English countryside
Inside bomb-proof frozen vaults underneath the English countryside hides a treasure trove of 40,000 species of wild plant seeds from around the world, many of which are in danger of disappearing......»»
LLMs have a strong bias against use of African American English
Feedback gets rid of overt biases but leaves subtle racism intact. Enlarge (credit: Aurich Lawson | Getty Images) As far back as 2016, work on AI-based chatbots revealed that they have a disturbing tendency to reflect so.....»»
Clearing up confusion between organic and regenerative farming could boost green agriculture
Making the benefits of different types of farming plain for the public could provide better protection for the British countryside, according to a new study. Led by a team at the University of Reading, the research says greater education about sustai.....»»
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......»»
Wood charcoal reveals the existence of a variety of woody plants around early millet sites
A study led by Hui Shen, Keliang Zhao, Xinying Zhou, Xiaoqiang Li from the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Zhenwei Qiu from the National Museum of China has reconstructed how early millet f.....»»
Darwin"s fear was unjustified: Study suggests fossil record gaps not a major issue
Fossils are used to reconstruct evolutionary history, but not all animals and plants become fossils and many fossils are destroyed before we can find them (e.g., the rocks that contain the fossils are destroyed by erosion). As a result, the fossil re.....»»
Research sheds light on low crop yields and their impact on small farms
Northeastern University professor Gabriela Garcia studies the relationship between people and plants......»»
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.....»»
Manganese nanoparticles can more than double availability of world"s potable water, say scientists
Manganese ferrite nanoparticles could lead to a substantial surge in the availability of drinking water globally when used to modify the filtering sheets currently used in water treatment plants, according to scientists......»»
Socioeconomics found to shape children"s connection to nature more than where they live
The income and education levels of a child's environment determine their relationship to nature, not whether they live in a city or the countryside. This is the finding of a new study published in People and Nature and conducted by researchers at Lun.....»»
Researchers discover dual epicenters in New Year"s Day Noto earthquake
The first seven months of 2024 have been so eventful, it's easy to forget that the year started off with a magnitude 7.5 earthquake centered beneath Japan's Noto Peninsula on New Year's Day. The earthquake killed more than 280 people and damaged more.....»»
Professor proposes how a black hole in orbit around a planet could be a sign of an advanced civilization
In 1971, English mathematical physicist and Nobel-prize winner Roger Penrose proposed how energy could be extracted from a rotating black hole. He argued that this could be done by building a harness around the black hole's accretion disk, where infa.....»»
VW scales back plans for battery cell plants in Europe, North America
VW expects to start production next year at a new gigafactory in Germany, but said it may take longer to scale up battery cell capacity at plants in Spain and Canada......»»
Breaking boundaries: The unexpected routes of minerals in crop growth
Imagine plants not just sipping nutrients dissolved in water, but actually munching on tiny mineral particles straight from the soil. A study sheds light on how wheat and lettuce aren't just passive feeders—they actively grab, transport, and utiliz.....»»
Survival tactics: AI-driven insights into chromatin changes for winter dormancy in axillary buds
Evolution has enabled plants to survive under adverse conditions. The winter bud of a plant is a crucial structure that establishes adaptability. Depending on environmental and intrinsic conditions, buds can transition between growth and dormancy. Th.....»»
Study finds "DNA scavengers" can stop some antibiotic resistance from spreading
For nearly a century, scientists have waged war on antibiotic-resistant microbes. Michigan State University researchers say they've found a new way to prevent it—by unleashing "DNA scavengers" in wastewater treatment plants......»»
Pilot study uses recycled glass to grow plants for salsa ingredients
Tortilla chips and fresh salsa are tasty in themselves, but they could be even more appealing if you grow the ingredients in a sustainable way. Researchers report that cilantro, bell pepper and jalapeño can be cultivated in recycled glass from disca.....»»
Learning a language? Four ways to smash through the dreaded "intermediate plateau"
How can I improve my English? This was a question frequently posed by my students in South Korea. My initial advice was straightforward—dedicate time and effort......»»
Green warriors: Plants on the frontline against microplastics
With escalating concerns about the enduring impact of plastic waste, phytoremediation emerges as a promising solution. This method utilizes plants to capture and degrade pollutants, providing an environmentally friendly and cost-effective alternative.....»»
Transitional kindergarten programs expand early education access and boost academic gain, study finds
Children enrolled in transitional kindergarten programs in Michigan did better in math and English by the time they reached 3rd grade, with higher test scores than other kids who didn't go through the program, according to a University of Michigan st.....»»
GM signs 15-year solar energy deal that will power 3 U.S. plants
GM's Lansing Delta Township Assembly and Lansing Grand River Assembly plants in Michigan and Wentzville Assembly in Missouri will benefit from the Aug. 15 solar power deal in Arkansas......»»