News tagged with plant hormones

Let the sun shine and the plants will follow

Leonardo da Vinci, the Italian Renaissance scientist and artist extraordinaire, in the 15th century was the first to record his observation that some plants appeared to follow the Sun, and he was not the last. ...

Biology / Biotechnology

created May 30, 2012 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Is it ripe? Carbon nanotube-based ethylene sensor establishes fruit ripeness

(Phys.org) -- The term ethylene (ethene) generally brings to mind polyethylene plastics, not fruit. However, ethylene is more than just a feedstock for chemical industry, it is also the smallest plant hormone, ...

Chemistry / Analytical Chemistry

created May 19, 2012 | popularity 4.8 / 5 (5) | comments 6 | with audio podcast

Using math to feed the world

In the race to breed better crops to feed the increasing world population, scientists at The University of Nottingham are using maths to find out how a vital plant hormone affects growth.

Other Sciences / Mathematics

created Apr 17, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0

A bit touchy: Plants' insect defenses activated by touch

A new study by Rice University scientists reveals that plants can use the sense of touch to fight off fungal infections and insects. The study, which will be published in the April 24 issue of Current Biology, finds ...

Biology / Plants & Animals

created Apr 09, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (3) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Stomata development in plants unraveled -- a valuable discovery for environmental research

Gent researchers at VIB have unraveled the action mechanism of the main plant hormone that regulates the development of stomata. This breakthrough has important implications for environmental research and for the protection ...

Biology / Cell & Microbiology

created Apr 03, 2012 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Steroids control gas exchange in plants

Plants leaves are sealed with a gas-tight wax layer to prevent water loss. Plants breathe through microscopic pores called stomata (Greek for mouths) on the surfaces of leaves. Over 40% of the carbon dioxide, CO2, in the ...

Biology / Biotechnology

created Feb 05, 2012 | popularity 3.7 / 5 (3) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Study provides new details of fundamental cellular process

A recent Van Andel Research Institute (VARI) study published in the journal Science investigating the molecular structure and function of an essential plant hormone could profoundly change our understanding of a key cell p ...

Biology / Cell & Microbiology

created Jan 23, 2012 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

New tool puts plant hormone under surveillance

(PhysOrg.com) -- Charles Darwin was the first to speculate that plants contain hormones. His pioneering research led to the identification of the very first and key plant growth hormone — auxin — ...

Biology / Biotechnology

created Jan 16, 2012 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0 | with audio podcast

A major step forward towards drought tolerance in crops

When a plant encounters drought, it does its best to cope with this stress by activating a set of protein molecules called receptors. These receptors, once activated, turn on processes that help the plant ...

Biology / Biotechnology

created Dec 19, 2011 | popularity 5 / 5 (3) | comments 1 | with audio podcast

Findings on biochar, greenhouse gas emissions and ethylene

Adding a charred biomass material called biochar to glacial soils can help reduce emissions of the greenhouse gases carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) scientists.

Space & Earth / Environment

created Dec 13, 2011 | popularity not rated yet | comments 1

Spring's rising soil temperatures see hormones wake seeds from their winter slumber

Dormant seeds in the soil detect and respond to seasonal changes in soil temperature by changing their sensitivity to plant hormones, new research by the University of Warwick has found.

Biology / Ecology

created Dec 12, 2011 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Stronger corn? Take it off steroids, make it all female

A Purdue University researcher has taken corn off steroids and found that the results might lead to improvements in that and other crops.

Biology / Biotechnology

created Nov 30, 2011 | popularity 4.8 / 5 (5) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Herbicide may affect plants thought to be resistant

Purdue University researchers have discovered a fine-tuning mechanism involved in plant root growth that has them questioning whether a popular herbicide may have unintended consequences, causing some plants to need more ...

Biology / Plants & Animals

created Nov 22, 2011 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Thanksgiving in space may one day come with all the trimmings

(PhysOrg.com) -- Future astronauts spending Thanksgiving in space may not have to forgo one of the most traditional parts of the day's feast: fresh sweet potatoes.

Space & Earth / Space Exploration

created Nov 21, 2011 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0

On guard against drought

Identification of a gene that helps plants to conserve water under drought conditions will bring biologists closer to understanding how plants tolerate drought. Researchers, led by Takashi Kuromori at Japan's ...

Biology / Biotechnology

created Oct 28, 2011 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0