Turning plants into biological factories
Genetic manipulation has come a long way......»»
Study reveals distinct roles of H3K27me3 and H3K36me3 in winter wheat vernalization
Vernalization is the phenomenon whereby plants require prolonged exposure to low temperatures to flower. This ensures that overwintering plants undergo reproductive growth under suitable light and temperature conditions, thereby securing yield......»»
Drowning tomatoes for science
I can barely hear Esther Ngumbi over the roar of greenhouse fans as she shows me around her rooftop laboratory in Morrill Hall. The benches are full of tomato plants, and the tomatoes don't look good. Half of the plants are submerged in bins of water.....»»
Molecularly imprinted polymers help get the stink out of smoke-tainted wine
Wildfires can damage crops, even if flames come nowhere near the plants. One outcome can be an unpleasant flavor and smell of wine that is made from grapes exposed to smoke. But researchers report in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry tha.....»»
A chloroplast-mimicking nanoreactor for enhanced CO₂ electrocatalysis
Chloroplast, which is a double-membrane-bounded organelle, is the main site for CO2 fixation via photosynthesis in green plants. The double-membrane configuration can regulate the transport of substances into and out of the chloroplasts with the aid.....»»
New moves for self defense—how plants can inspire future soft robotic design
For plants, cleaning the air, providing food and medicines, and preserving our ecosystem is just another day's work. In the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University, however, plants are being studied in new ways to inspire f.....»»
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......»»
Exploring Darwin"s longstanding interest in biological rhythms
A close reading of Darwin's work suggests a deep interest in cyclical events. Rhythmic phenomena in nature—today the subjects of the field of chronobiology—have been studied since at least the 18th century. In a perspective, Tiago Gomes de Andrad.....»»
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.....»»
Tesla Cybertruck: everything we know
Tesla's head-turning Cybertruck is hitting the streets, but not without controversy. Here's everything you need to know about the Tesla Cybertruck......»»
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......»»
Why turning on your subtitles might be more radical than you think
In an interview with Digital Trends, Henry Warren, co-founder of Turn on the Subtitles, explains why opting in for subtitles can improve a child's literacy......»»
Coaxing purple bacteria into becoming bioplastic factories
In a world overrun by petroleum-based plastics, scientists are searching for alternatives that are more sustainable, more biodegradable and far less toxic to the environment......»»
As EV sales slump, Volkswagen scales back battery factories buildout
VW might only need 170 GWh of cells in 2030 if demand stays depressed. Enlarge / A VW worker on the assembly line at Emden in Germany. (credit: Volkswagen) Volkswagen will wait to see what electric car demand is like be.....»»
Innovative field experiments shed light on biological clocks in nature
Much of what we know about plant circadian rhythms is the result of laboratory experiments where inputs such as light and temperature can be tightly controlled......»»
New approach for profiling complex dynamics at the single-molecule level
A team of researchers led by Professor Sebastian Deindl at Uppsala University has developed a pioneering method that vastly improves the ability to observe and analyze complex biological processes at the single-molecule level. Their work is published.....»»
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.....»»