Four plants that are scientifically proven to be therapeutic
Let the earth provide the cure. (Chamille White/Deposit Photos/) If you’re reading this, you’re probably stressed. Never fear: We’ve dug through the evidence to reveal what science really says about finding zen—and holding onto it through tough times. Want to try meditation? Take better baths? Stop anxiety in its tracks? Welcome to Calm Month. Before […]
Fungi strengthen plants to fend off aphids
Credit: CC0 Public Domain Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have demonstrated that unique fungi strengthen the immune systems of wheat and bean plants against aphids. Fungi enter and influence the amount of a plant’s own defenses, resulting in fewer aphids. The results could serve to reduce agricultural insecticide use and bring Denmark a step […]
Like plants do: non-classical photosynthesis by earth’s inorganic semiconducting minerals
IMAGE: Earth-abundant minerals convert sunlight into chemical energy, hinting at the evolution of photosynthesis in early bacteria view more Credit: Earth Science Frontiers Photosynthesis, the process by which plants and other organisms convert sunlight into chemical energy, has been a major player during the evolution of life and our planet’s atmosphere. Although most of the ins […]
Scientists develop a cheaper method that might help create fuels from plants
A new discovery could make biofuel production more cost efficient. Credit: Science in HD via Unsplash Scientists have figured out a cheaper, more efficient way to conduct a chemical reaction at the heart of many biological processes, which may lead to better ways to create biofuels from plants. Scientists around the world have been trying […]
How plants adapt their root growth to changes of nutrients — ScienceDaily
Like any other plant, Arabidopsis thaliana or mouse-ear cress, needs nitrogen to survive and thrive. But, like maize, beans and sugar beet, it prefers nitrogen in the form of nitrate, growing better on nitrate rich soil. Whereas, pine and rice for example preferentially grow on ammonium nutrition, another form of the key macronutrient nitrogen. If […]
Uncovering how plants see blue light — ScienceDaily
Plants can perceive and react to light across a wide spectrum. New research from Prof. Nitzan Shabek’s laboratory in the Department of Plant Biology, College of Biological Sciences shows how plants can respond to blue light in particular. “Plants can see much better than we can,” Shabek said. Plants don’t have dedicated light-detecting organs, like […]
Uncovering how plants see blue light
Cryptochrome-2 allows plants to detect and react to blue light. Credit: Shabek lab Plants can perceive and react to light across a wide spectrum. New research from Prof. Nitzan Shabek’s laboratory in the Department of Plant Biology, College of Biological Sciences shows how plants can respond to blue light in particular. “Plants can see much […]
In plants, channels set the rhythm
Like animals, plants have ‘molecular switches’ on the surface of their cells that transduce a mechanical signal into an electrical one in milliseconds. In animals, sound vibrations activate ‘molecular switches’ located in the ear. French scientists have found that in plants, rapid oscillations of stems and leaves due to wind may activate these ‘switches’ very […]
The puzzle of nonhost resistance: why do pathogens harm some plants but not others?
IMAGE: Ralph Panstruga & Matthew Moscou view more Credit: Ralph Panstruga & Matthew Moscou People have puzzled for years why pathogen Phytophthora infestens causes the devastating late blight disease, source of the Irish Potato famine, on potatoes, but has no effect at all on plants like apple or cucumber. How are apple trees and cucumber plants […]
why do pathogens harm some plants but not others?
People have puzzled for years why pathogen Phytophthora infestens causes the devastating late blight disease, source of the Irish Potato famine, on potatoes, but has no effect at all on plants like apple or cucumber. How are apple trees and cucumber plants able to completely shake off this devastating pathogen? Agricultural scientists have wondered for […]
