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Robot identifies plants by 'touching' their leaves

Researchers in China have developed a robot that identifies different plant species at various stages of growth by "touching" their leaves with an electrode. The robot can measure properties such as surface texture and water ...

Sweet switch: Sorbitol's key role in apple plant growth strategy

Apple trees, like many perennial plants, endure a prolonged juvenile stage before reaching maturity, during which they experience complex developmental changes. These transitions impact photosynthetic traits, growth rates, ...

Natural tolerance to weed killer uncovered in bryophytes

Herbicide resistance poses a challenge to producing enough food for a growing population. Sam Caygill and colleagues at the Gregor Mendel Institute (GMI) of the Austrian Academy of Sciences discovered how a large group of ...

Birds, bees and bats working together means more macadamia nuts

An international research team led by the universities of Göttingen and Hohenheim in Germany has gained new insights into how the interaction of birds, bees and bats significantly increases the quantity and quality of macadamia ...

Genetic study solves the mystery of 'selfish' B chromosomes in rye

Some chromosomes, such as B chromosomes, can increase their inheritance rate to their own advantage. These extra chromosomes are found in many plants, animals, and fungi and rely upon various strategies to avoid being eliminated ...

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Plants & Animals
Stalling a disease that could annihilate banana production is a high-return investment in Colombia
Plants & Animals
Heat hardiness: Scientists identify key phase for tomato heat tolerance
Biotechnology
New research could simplify genetic transfer of nitrogen fixation to food crops
Biotechnology
Biorefining process could make grass digestible for pigs, chickens, and fish
Molecular & Computational biology
Improving pulse flours for consumer use: Using synchrotron light to determine optimal particle size for milling
Plants & Animals
Research team investigates climate change impact on pecan orchards
Biotechnology
Plant engineering method promises to dramatically improve biofuel and bioproduct development
Plants & Animals
Invasive fruit fly species puts parts of Southern California's Orange County under quarantine
Molecular & Computational biology
Scientists reveal strigolactone perception mechanism and role in tillering responses to nitrogen
Ecology
Sprinkling plants with water found effective in keeping spider mites off raspberry leaves
Plants & Animals
Accumulation of polystyrene nanoplastics in leaves poses threats to plants, study shows
Evolution
Biologists discover how plants evolved multiple ways to override genetic instructions
Ecology
Grocery stores are more reliable than sushi restaurants in labeling salmon properly, Seattle study finds
Biotechnology
Lab-cultured plant yogurt rivals dairy creaminess
Molecular & Computational biology
New research may lead to potatoes that are less reliant on nitrogen fertilizers
Ecology
Making farming better for bees: Can we breed crops that produce more nectar and pollen?
Agriculture
Making 'stressed' potatoes more climate-resilient
Ecology
Food security in Africa: Managing water will be vital in a rapidly growing region
Biotechnology
Spraying rice with zinc oxide nanoparticles protects yields during heat waves, study finds
Molecular & Computational biology
Not the usual suspects: Research reveals novel genetic basis of pest resistance to biotech crops

Other news

Nanophysics
Designing a spiral ladder-inspired tool that allows precision control of light direction and polarization
Plants & Animals
'Cool' white car headlights more likely to dazzle and endanger moths
Evolution
Genetic legacy of Jomon hunter-gatherers linked to increased BMI in modern Japanese populations
Earth Sciences
Researchers focus on tipping points in river deltas to better manage flood risks
Optics & Photonics
Quantum computing researchers develop an 8-photon qubit chip
Earth Sciences
White smokers on the lake floor: Spectacular chimneys discovered in the Dead Sea
Cell & Microbiology
Living microbes discovered in Earth's driest desert with new separation technique
Environment
Climate impact of carbon crediting projects is substantially overestimated, analysis shows
Astronomy
Latest findings from the South Pole Telescope bolster standard cosmological model
Optics & Photonics
Scientists discover laser light can cast a shadow
Astronomy
Astronomers inspect the nature of an X-ray binary with a red supergiant
Plants & Animals
Chlorine mixed with cocoa butter could protect corals from disease and reduce antibiotic pollution
Cell & Microbiology
For the first time, scientists film 'giant' Mimivirus in action
Analytical Chemistry
Ligand engineering method streamlines design for chemical reactions in catalysis and drug delivery
Biotechnology
New tool allows researchers to study gene mutation directly within living human cells
Cell & Microbiology
How conflicting memories of sex and starvation compete to drive behavior
Optics & Photonics
Scientists find a new way of entangling light and sound
Condensed Matter
Physicists identify key mechanism behind chiral charge density wave in TiSe₂
Planetary Sciences
Mapping changes in the ionosphere with smartphones
Economics & Business
Research examines effects of wasting employees' time at work

How does organic farming benefit honey bees?

Organic farming and flower strips promote the health of honey bees. In their vicinity, colonies grow stronger and are generally healthier. This is most likely because the insects have a diverse and continuous food supply ...