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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

Image: A crescent-shaped petal pre-pattern was observed very early in petal development before any visible pigment. Colour map of cell area across the adaxial epidermis of HtTCP4.1 OE petals during early developmental stages (from S0a to S2E). Scale bar, 100 μm. Credit: Science Advances

News Plant Science

Flowers use adjustable ‘paint by numbers’ petal designs to attract pollinators

Flowers like hibiscus use a hidden, early-stage “paint by numbers” system to form petal bullseyes, which attract pollinators like bees. Research reveals bees favor larger bullseyes, boosting pollination efficiency by 25%. Understanding these patterns’ development aids in exploring plant evolution…

Isabel15/10/2024

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

News Plant Science

Research points to a potential new ally in the fight against plant pathogens

New research highlights how a balanced microbiome within plants is crucial for their immune systems. Disruptions to this balance can trigger autoimmune-like responses, where plants mistakenly attack their own tissues. This discovery could lead to innovations in crop protection by…

Isabel14/10/2024

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Phytoplankton Shield Ice Shelves from Summer Heat

Stopping plants from passing viruses to their progeny

Under-plant mirrors improve endangered plant survival and growth

Flowers use adjustable ‘paint by numbers’ petal designs to attract pollinators

Research points to a potential new ally in the fight against plant pathogens

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