News

The Minimum Information about a Biosynthetic Gene cluster (MIBiG) database

Established in 2015 and recently updated, MIBiG sets a global standard for annotating biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) and their products. Its online, open-access database now catalogs ~2,500 pathways, with contributions from 288 scientists worldwide. Updates include verified entries, biosynthesis steps,…

Isabel20/01/2025

Agriculture News

Genetic test will help safeguard quinoa from downy mildew

Scientists have developed a diagnostic tool to identify quinoa plants resistant to downy mildew, aiding breeders in creating resilient varieties. The tool also ensures quinoa seed shipments are disease-free, preventing outbreaks. As quinoa's popularity rises, the tool offers insights into…

Isabel17/01/2025

Image: tropical forest. Credit: Antonios Ntoumas / Pixabay

Agriculture News Plant Science

Land use in tropical regions: Biodiversity loss due to agricultural trade three times higher than thought

Intensive land use for agriculture in tropical regions, driven by international trade, has caused over 90% of biodiversity loss since 1995, far exceeding previous estimates of 20-30%. Research using satellite data highlights hotspots like Brazil, Indonesia, and Madagascar. Solutions include…

Isabel15/01/2025

Image: Large Populus fremontii subsp. fremontii — at Willow Spring of Willow Creek, Cold Creek area. Credit: Stan Shebs CC BY-SA 3.0

Forestry News

How an iconic desert tree survives extreme heat—and the unique risk it’s facing now

Extreme heat and drought threaten the Fremont cottonwood, a tree vital to desert ecosystems. Research shows these trees, which rely on water to thrive, struggle under combined stress. As water sources dry up, cottonwoods die, reducing biodiversity, cooling effects, and…

Isabel13/01/2025

Image: Plant RNA-FM, believed to be the first AI model of its kind, has been developed by a collaboration between plant researchers at the John Innes Center and computer scientists at the University of Exeter. Credit: John Innes Center

News Plant Science

AI model can translate the RNA language of plant life

Scientists have developed PlantRNA-FM, an AI model that deciphers the genetic "language" of plants, analyzing RNA sequences and structures. Trained on data from 1,124 species, it predicts RNA functions and structural patterns. This breakthrough aids crop improvement, stress resilience, and…

Isabel09/01/2025

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The Minimum Information about a Biosynthetic Gene cluster (MIBiG) database

Genetic test will help safeguard quinoa from downy mildew

Land use in tropical regions: Biodiversity loss due to agricultural trade three times higher than thought

How an iconic desert tree survives extreme heat—and the unique risk it’s facing now

AI model can translate the RNA language of plant life

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