plants
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Chemistry
Artificial photosynthesis: Chemists develop dye stacks that mimic energy conversion in plants
What does a stack of four dyes synthesized in Würzburg look like? This represents an additional step into artificial photosynthesis as it absorbs light energy and travels quickly and efficiently into the stack. Credit: Leander Ernst / University of Wuerzburg Artificial photosynthesis allowed humans to use solar energy to combine carbon dioxide and produce hydrogen. Chemists from Würzburg and Seoul…
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Biology
The hidden friendly side of tobacco: how can you use controversial plants in good condition?
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Cigarettes kill 8 million people worldwide each year, but imagine if they can be used to make medicines. The idea is not unheard of. Tobacco has been used as a herbal medicine in the past. But in the age of genetic engineering, tobacco may be the future of pharmaceutical production on the planet and beyond. European…
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Nanotechnology
First-of-Its-cind Nanosensor enables real-time iron detection in plants
DISTAP researchers develop sensors for rapid iron detection and monitoring in plants, enabling precise agriculture and sustainable crop management. Credit: Smart Distap Researchers have developed a near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent nanosensor that can simultaneously detect and distinguish iron forms (Fe(II) and Fe(III)) in living plants. The title “The Nanosensor for Fe(II) and Fe(III) Nanosensor for Fe(II) enables spatio-temporal sensing in Planta”…
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Science
Many animals and plants have lost their genetic diversity and are vulnerable
Athena, named Athena, is looking outside on January 15, 2025 during the Florida Pan Circuit Sierra Club Tour in Naples, Florida. Credit: AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, file According to the research published on Wednesday, it is difficult to adapt to changes in the environment because two -thirds of animals and plants’ groups have declined genetic diversity. Longly before the species, the…
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Biology
The secret world of plants that live on limestone pavements
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Anyone who walks through the Yorkshire valleys in winter will probably be familiar with the dramatic scenery of limestone pavement. This distinctive and beautiful plant can be found in other parts of the UK, as well as mainland Europe and Canada. Not to mention, it’s also seen in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, where Harry…
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Physics
Infrared quantum ghost imaging illuminates living plants but doesn’t disturb them
Experimental setup and photon pair correlation. Credit: Optica (2024). DOI: 10.1364/OPTICA.527982 The study, published in the journal Optica, demonstrates live plant imaging of several representative plant samples, including the biofuel crop sorghum. Using a new detector, researchers obtained clear images of living sorghum plants in light much dimmer than starlight. This advancement enables imaging of delicate and light-sensitive samples such…
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Biology
Researchers say collaboration is key to determining the ultimate genotypes of plants and livestock
Use of synthetic biology. An alternative approach to constructing ultimate genotypes is to first clone ultimate haplotypes into yeast or mammalian artificial chromosomes (MACs) before inserting these haplotypes into the target genome using Cas9 guide RNA. . The animal silhouettes were created with Vecteezy. SCNT, somatic cell nuclear transfer; Credit: Nature Genetics (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41588-024-01942-0 In their search for the…
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Science
Collaborative research elucidates the mechanism of African plants that have anti-HIV effects
Chemical structure of the components of Croton megalobotrys Müll Arg (Namushen-1 and Namushen-2). Similarity to the reference protein kinase C activator Prostratin is shown. The substructure of protein kinase C activator/modulator (prostratin) is highlighted with the chemical structure of the phorbol ester from mukungul. Credit: Journal of Experimental Pharmacology (2024). DOI: 10.2147/JEP.S472234 A joint study between the Wistar Institute and…
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Biology
Researchers develop device to measure drought effects on plants
A device that measures the effects of drought on plants. Credit: Kaunas University of Technology Drought is becoming a serious challenge year after year, affecting up to 55 million people worldwide and posing a major threat to flora and fauna. Drought stress causes biochemical and physiological changes in plants, reducing nutrient levels and damaging ecosystems, thereby impacting human health and…
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Biology
Mirrors beneath plants shown to improve survival and growth of endangered plants
Strategically placing mirrors underneath Cerium cereum seedlings has been shown to enhance available light and improve plant survival. Credit: Thomas Mahler The legume tree Serianthes nelsonii, the most endangered plant species in the Mariana Islands, faces continuing threats to its recovery, identified as the short life span of seedlings in the habitat and the rapid mortality of seedlings transplanted from…
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