Forests’ carbon uptake will be compromised by climate change, leaf temperature study suggests
A new study led by Oregon State University suggests leaves in forest canopies are not able to cool themselves below…
Climate & Environment
Agriculture and the environment share an intricate relationship. Farming depends on natural resources like soil, water, and climate, while agricultural practices significantly influence ecosystems and the planet’s health. However, the growing threat of global warming and environmental degradation poses unprecedented challenges to agriculture.
A class of their own: New factors direct red algae chloroplast protein transport
The oceans are often called Earth’s final frontier. Now, researchers from Japan have shown that this applies at all levels…
How pandas survive solely on bamboo: Evolutionary history
When is a thumb not a thumb? When it’s an elongated wrist bone of the giant panda used to grasp…
Studies find the seeds of a forest’s renewal after wildfire, drought
A forest’s ability to regenerate after devastating wildfires, droughts or other disturbances depends largely on seed production. Findings from two…
Shining a new light on the importance of a critical photosynthesis pathway in plants
Photosynthesis is one of the most important chemical reactions, not just for plants but also for the entire world. The…
This is how water fleas defend themselves against carnivorous plants
Water fleas are masters of adaptation. Researchers from Ruhr-Universität Bochum (RUB), the Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg and the Technical University of Darmstadt…
Increasing crop yields by breeding plants to cooperate
A simple breeding experiment, combined with genetic analysis, can rapidly uncover genes that promote cooperation and higher yields of plant…
Co-occurring droughts could threaten global food security
Droughts occurring at the same time across different regions of the planet could place an unprecedented strain on the global…
‘Sensing system’ spots struggling ecosystems
A new “resilience sensing system” can identify ecosystems that are in danger of collapse, research shows. The system uses satellites…
Record-breaking Texas drought more severe than previously thought
In 2011, Texas experienced one of its worst droughts ever. The dry, parched conditions caused over $7 billion in crop…