News

Image: Arabidopsis thaliana planted in laboratory for AT protenome research. Credit: Jucember /. Wikimedia

News Plant Science

Previously unknown perception mechanism discovered in plants

Plants use pigments called phytochromes to sense light and temperature, adjusting growth and metabolism accordingly. Rising temperatures, however, disrupt these processes. Researchers found that under red light, phytochrome responses vary with temperature and light intensity, potentially allowing precise control of…

Isabel04/11/2024

Image: Hoverflies — a family of insects that pollinate crops and control pests — get a boost from planting and maintaining trees around fields, according to a U of A study. Credit: John Acorn.

Agriculture News

Study shows treed borders around crops provide a base for pollinating, pest-eating hoverflies

A study reveals that treed field borders around crops significantly boost populations of hoverflies—key insects for pollination and pest control. Compared to grassy borders, treed edges supplied over 33 times more hoverflies, supporting crop yields and pest reduction. This strategy…

Isabel28/10/2024

Image: Melt rates in the Amundsen Sea, such as from the Getz Ice Shelf (pictured), would be higher without the influence of nearby phytoplankton blooms, according to new modeling. Credit: NASA/Jeremy Harback

Climate change News

Phytoplankton Shield Ice Shelves from Summer Heat

Phytoplankton blooms in Antarctic waters help slow ice shelf melting by 7%. These marine microbes trap heat near the surface and provide shade, cooling deeper waters and reducing the impact of sunlight. However, a feedback loop with iron from melting…

Isabel23/10/2024

Image: Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings. Credit: Safflle / Wikimedia

News Plant Science

Stopping plants from passing viruses to their progeny

Researchers have uncovered how plants prevent viruses from being passed to their offspring through seeds. They identified an immune pathway, involving RNA interference, that blocks viral transmission. This discovery could improve crop health and may have broader applications, potentially reducing…

Isabel21/10/2024

Image credit: The strategic placement of mirrors beneath Serianthes seedlings has been shown to boost available light and improve plant survival. Credit: Thomas Marler

Forestry News

Under-plant mirrors improve endangered plant survival and growth

Researchers improved the survival and growth of *Serianthes nelsonii*, an endangered tree, by using under-plant mirrors to reflect sunlight. This technique increased light availability by over 70%, boosting seedling survival by 160% and plant height by 170%, offering a low-cost…

Isabel18/10/2024

Are you an early-career researcher?

Previously unknown perception mechanism discovered in plants

Study shows treed borders around crops provide a base for pollinating, pest-eating hoverflies

Phytoplankton Shield Ice Shelves from Summer Heat

Stopping plants from passing viruses to their progeny

Under-plant mirrors improve endangered plant survival and growth

Upcoming Events

Popular Within Last Month

Recent publications

Search

Search