sustainable resources Archives - Page 3 of 6 - It Ain't Magic

Sep 3

Microbial infections are a parasitic plant’s dream

Microbial infections are a parasitic plant’s dream

by adam phillips | Sep 3, 2020 | Hot Off the Press

Parasitic plants use quinones produced by their host to attack. Now we know that crops produce quinones as an immune response against microbial infection. How can we protect crops from both kinds of attack?

Jul 8

Photosynthetic bacteria spin spider silk for the masses

Photosynthetic bacteria spin spider silk for the masses

by masataka sasabe | Jul 8, 2020 | Hot Off the Press

A little genetic engineering and a special recipe allows photosynthetic bacteria to mass-produce super lightweight spider silk for use in manufacturing.

Jun 10

Organic nitrogen in soil helps crop growth

Organic nitrogen in soil helps crop growth

by jens wilkinson | Jun 10, 2020 | Hot Off the Press

Scientists used a multi-omics analysis to show that soil solarization helps crops grow because it increases organic nitrogen in the soil.

Nov 6

Gene regulator that allows plant rehydration after drought

Gene regulator that allows plant rehydration after drought

by adam phillips | Nov 6, 2018 | Hot Off the Press

New genetic insights into the plant rehydration process: this is why your plants don’t die after you forgot to water them.

Aug 31

Transgenic plants ??on acid survive without water

Transgenic plants ??on acid survive without water

by adam phillips | Aug 31, 2018 | Featured, Research Highlight

Scientists designed transgenic plants that survive drought-like conditions by bumping up acetic acid production only when water is scarce.

Jul 5

Summer fun: how plants beat the heat

Summer fun: how plants beat the heat

by adam phillips | Jul 5, 2018 | Hot Off the Press

Scientists have discovered a gene that allows plants to cope with extreme heat by changing the composition of chloroplast membranes.