Genes from undersea creature may help crops prosper. Raleigh News and Observer, April 16, 2012. The bottles of amber liquid perched on the bench in Dr. Amy Grunden’s research lab at N.C. State University don’t look like much. But floating within are billions of sea-dwelling microbes – too small to see with the naked eye – that researchers hope will one day help plants survive in space, or produce hardier crops and better biofuels in stressful environments here on Earth.
Category Archives: plants
Not just for the birds: Man-made noise has ripple effects on plants, too
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Not just for the birds: Man-made noise has ripple effects on plants, too. National Evolutionary Synthesis Center, March 21, 2012. A growing body of research shows that birds and other animals change their behavior in response to man-made noise, such as the din of traffic or the hum of machinery. But human clamor doesn’t just affect animals. Because many animals also pollinate plants or eat or disperse their seeds, human noise can have ripple effects on plants too, finds a new study. Picked up by Scientific American, the Christian Science Monitor, MSNBC, National Public Radio, Audubon Magazine, the Miami Herald, BBC News, Science News, Discovery News, the New York Times and TIME Magazine.
How drought-tolerant grasses came to be
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How drought-tolerant grasses came to be. National Evolutionary Synthesis Center, November 22, 2011. If you eat stuffing or grain-fed turkey this Thanksgiving, give thanks to the grasses — a family of plants that includes rice, corn and wheat. Now, a new grass family tree may help scientists develop more drought-tolerant grains.
The future of a fog oasis
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The future of a fog oasis. Scientific American Guest Blog, August 19, 2011. In a fast-disappearing desert oasis, scientists are trying to bring a forest back to life – and discovering the imprint of a lost civilization amidst the vanishing trees.
Building a better strawberry
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Building a better strawberry. Raleigh News and Observer, June 27, 2011. Scientists and chefs team up to breed a hardier, tastier North Carolina strawberry.
Eat your fruit; it’s good for you
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Eat your fruit; it’s good for you. Raleigh News and Observer, May 16, 2011. Plant scientist Mary Ann Lila hopes to pinpoint the natural compounds in blueberries and other fruits that explain their medicinal powers.
Coping with climate change
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Coping with climate change. National Evolutionary Synthesis Center, May 11, 2011. Can we predict which species will be able to move far or fast enough to keep up with rising global temperatures? A new study says the secrets to success in the face of a warming world are still elusive.
Evolution drives many plants and animals to be bigger, faster
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Evolution drives many plants and animals to be bigger, faster. National Evolutionary Synthesis Center, March 7, 2011. For the vast majority of plants and animals, the ‘bigger is better’ view of evolution may not be far off the mark, says a new study of natural selection.
Scientists look at crops, bugs and animals
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Scientists look at crops, bugs and animals. Raleigh News and Observer, November 8, 2010. When most people think about genetic engineering, they usually think of genetically modified crops like corn and soybeans. Now, the debate over transgenics is turning from plants to mosquitoes and other pests.
Single parenthood doesn’t pay off for plants
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Single parenthood doesn’t pay off for plants. National Evolutionary Synthesis Center, November 8, 2010. Plants that can pollinate themselves are more likely to go extinct, says a new study of the nightshade plant family.
DNA barcoding exposes fake ferns
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DNA barcoding exposes fake ferns in international plant trade. Duke Today, May 4, 2010. DNA testing of garden ferns sold at plant nurseries in North Carolina, Texas, and California has found that plants marketed as American natives may actually be exotic species from other parts of the globe. Picked up by the Raleigh News and Observer and the Charlotte Observer.
Scientists flag possible risks from soy formula
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Scientists flag possible risks from soy formula. Charlotte Observer, April 26, 2010. Soy formula has been used for decades as an alternative to milk formula for children who are lactose intolerant or whose families wish to maintain a vegan diet. In recent years, however, studies in laboratory animals have raised concerns about the safety of soy.
Pine pollen still potent miles from the tree
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Gone with the wind: Far-flung pine pollen still potent miles from the tree. National Evolutionary Synthesis Center, April 5, 2010. Pollen from the loblolly pine—the most commonly planted tree in the southern US—can still germinate after drifting long distances, which may make it difficult to contain transgenic trees. Picked up by Science News, the Raleigh News and Observer, and the Durham Herald-Sun.
Flowering plants may be older than previously thought
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Molecular study could push back angiosperm origins. National Evolutionary Synthesis Center, March 15, 2010. Flowering plants may be considerably older than previously thought, says a new analysis of the plant family tree.
Woody plants adapted to past climate change more slowly than herbs
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Woody plants adapted to past climate change more slowly than herbs. National Evolutionary Synthesis Center, September 23, 2009. Can we predict which species will be most vulnerable to climate change by studying how they responded in the past? If past is prelude, trees and shrubs may have a harder time keeping pace with global warming. Picked up by USA Today.
Prevent invasive plant species from taking over the Eno
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Prevent invasive plant species from taking over the Eno. Duke Today, August 28, 2008. A Duke biologist is arming citizens with hand-held GPS navigation devices to mark the locations of non-native plants along state park trails while they enjoy the park.