https://www.sciencedaily.com/news/plants_animals/seeds/ Seed news and science. Learn about healthy seeds, salads in space, genetically modified seeds and more. Read surprising science news articles on seeds. en-us Tue, 21 Apr 2026 11:19:06 EDT Tue, 21 Apr 2026 11:19:06 EDT 60 https://www.sciencedaily.com/images/scidaily-logo-rss.png https://www.sciencedaily.com/news/plants_animals/seeds/ For more science news, visit ScienceDaily. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/04/260420014735.htm Scientists have discovered that moringa seeds can help pull microplastics out of water, rivaling standard chemical treatments. The plant-based extract causes plastic particles to clump together, making them easier to filter away. In some conditions, it even outperformed conventional chemicals. This low-cost, natural solution could be a game-changer for cleaner drinking water, especially in smaller communities. Mon, 20 Apr 2026 04:56:22 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/04/260420014735.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/04/260406234153.htm A remarkable fossil discovery in southwest China is rewriting the story of how complex animal life began, showing that many key animal groups appeared millions of years earlier than scientists once believed. Dating back over 540 million years, the fossils reveal a surprisingly diverse and advanced ecosystem from the late Ediacaran period—before the famous Cambrian explosion. Among the finds are early relatives of starfish, worm-like creatures, and even ancestors of animals with backbones, suggesting that the roots of modern life were already taking shape. Mon, 06 Apr 2026 23:41:53 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/04/260406234153.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260303145720.htm Scientists have used a laser technique to analyze Charles Darwin’s original Galápagos specimens without opening their nearly 200-year-old jars. By shining light through the glass, the method reveals the chemical makeup of the preservation fluids inside. Researchers successfully identified the contents in most samples, offering new clues about historical preservation practices. The breakthrough could help museums protect millions of delicate specimens without risking damage. Thu, 05 Mar 2026 00:58:53 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260303145720.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260219040749.htm A major breakthrough could help save the world’s bananas from a devastating disease. Scientists have discovered the exact genetic region in a wild banana that provides resistance to Fusarium wilt Subtropical Race 4 — a destructive strain that threatens Cavendish bananas worldwide. While this wild banana isn’t edible, the discovery gives breeders a powerful genetic roadmap to develop future bananas that are both delicious and naturally protected from this deadly pathogen. Thu, 19 Feb 2026 09:43:15 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260219040749.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260208011015.htm Researchers have found a surprising way to turn sunflower oil waste into a powerful bread upgrade. By replacing part of wheat flour with partially defatted sunflower seed flour, breads became dramatically richer in protein, fiber, and antioxidants—while also offering potential benefits for blood sugar and fat digestion. Sun, 08 Feb 2026 14:27:47 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260208011015.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260127010151.htm The Ediacara Biota are some of the strangest fossils ever found—soft-bodied organisms preserved in remarkable detail where preservation shouldn’t be possible. Scientists now think their survival in sandstone came from unusual ancient seawater chemistry that created clay “cements” around their bodies after burial. This process captured delicate shapes that would normally vanish. The finding helps clarify how complex life emerged before the Cambrian Explosion. Tue, 27 Jan 2026 03:46:28 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260127010151.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260125081133.htm After analyzing 40 years of tree records across the Andes and Amazon, researchers found that climate change is reshaping tropical forests in uneven ways. Some regions are steadily losing tree species, especially where conditions are hotter and drier, while others are seeing gains. Rainfall patterns turned out to be just as important as rising temperatures. Sun, 25 Jan 2026 08:27:34 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260125081133.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260115220612.htm New research shows tropical forests can recover twice as fast after deforestation when their soils contain enough nitrogen. Scientists followed forest regrowth across Central America for decades and found that nitrogen plays a decisive role in how quickly trees return. Faster regrowth also means more carbon captured from the atmosphere. The study points to smarter reforestation strategies that work with nature rather than relying on fertilizers. Thu, 15 Jan 2026 22:31:47 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260115220612.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260112214319.htm A damaging cotton virus thought to be a recent invader has actually been hiding in U.S. fields for nearly two decades. New research shows cotton leafroll dwarf virus was present as early as 2006, quietly spreading across major cotton-growing states long before it was officially identified. By reanalyzing old genetic data with modern tools, scientists uncovered a hidden history of the virus’s spread—including its first confirmed appearance in California and even traces in animal feed. Tue, 13 Jan 2026 22:02:55 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260112214319.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251225080738.htm Moss may look insignificant, but it can carry a hidden forensic fingerprint. Because different moss species thrive in very specific micro-environments, tiny fragments can reveal exactly where a person has been. Researchers reviewing 150 years of cases found moss has helped solve crimes across multiple countries, including one case where it led investigators directly to a buried child. The study urges law enforcement to pay closer attention to these silent witnesses. Thu, 01 Jan 2026 22:28:09 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251225080738.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251221043237.htm A Brazilian study has confirmed that Joseph’s Coat, a plant used for generations in folk medicine, can significantly reduce inflammation and arthritis symptoms in lab tests. Researchers observed less swelling, healthier joints, and signs of tissue protection. Just as important, the extract showed a promising safety profile at tested doses. The discovery could pave the way for new plant-based anti-inflammatory treatments. Mon, 22 Dec 2025 00:46:08 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251221043237.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251219093322.htm Balanophora is a plant that abandoned photosynthesis long ago and now lives entirely as a parasite on tree roots, hidden in dark forest undergrowth. Scientists surveying rare populations across East Asian islands uncovered how its cellular machinery shrank but didn’t disappear, revealing unexpected similarities to parasites like malaria. Some island species even reproduce without sex, cloning themselves to colonize new habitats. This strange survival strategy comes with risks, leaving the plant highly vulnerable to habitat loss. Sat, 20 Dec 2025 11:39:15 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251219093322.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251129044518.htm Scientists have reconstructed the most complete and lifelike profile of Edmontosaurus annectens thanks to an extraordinary preservation process called clay templating, in which a thin clay film captured the dinosaur’s skin, scales, spikes, and even hooves in three dimensions. By combining newly excavated “mummies,” advanced imaging, and artistic reconstruction, researchers revealed a tall crest, a single row of tail spikes, delicate pebble-like scales, and—most remarkably—the earliest known hooves in any land vertebrate. Sun, 30 Nov 2025 03:47:27 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251129044518.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251104013006.htm A collaboration between Brazilian and German researchers has led to a sunflower-based meat substitute that’s high in protein and minerals. The new ingredient, made from refined sunflower flour, delivers excellent nutritional value and a mild flavor. Tests showed strong texture and healthy fat content, suggesting great potential for use in the growing plant-based food sector. Tue, 04 Nov 2025 07:40:46 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251104013006.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250904014132.htm A small tissue fold in fly embryos, once thought purposeless, plays a vital role in stabilizing tissues. Researchers show that it absorbs stress during early development, and its position and timing likely shaped its evolutionary emergence. Thu, 04 Sep 2025 02:22:48 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250904014132.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250825015709.htm A stunning discovery in North Greenland has reclassified strange squid-like fossils, revealing that nectocaridids were not early cephalopods but ancestors of arrow worms. Preserved nervous systems and unique anatomical features provided the breakthrough, showing these creatures once ruled as stealthy predators of the Cambrian seas. With complex eyes, streamlined bodies, and evidence of prey in their stomachs, they reveal a surprising past where arrow worms were far more fearsome than their modern descendants. Mon, 25 Aug 2025 11:14:39 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250825015709.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250730030349.htm Scientists have used artificial intelligence to upgrade plant immune systems, potentially revolutionizing how crops like tomatoes and potatoes can defend against harmful bacteria. By reengineering plant receptors that recognize bacterial threats, they are enhancing plant resistance and preparing for a future of more resilient crops. Wed, 30 Jul 2025 08:15:29 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250730030349.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250722044704.htm Fermenting stevia with a banana leaf-derived probiotic turns it into a powerful cancer-fighting agent that kills pancreatic cancer cells while sparing healthy ones. The secret lies in a metabolite called CAME, produced through microbial transformation. Fri, 25 Jul 2025 22:30:33 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250722044704.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250706230323.htm Danish and Welsh botanists sifted through 400 studies, field-tested seed mixes, and uncovered a lineup of native and exotic blooms that both thrill human eyes and lure bees and hoverflies in droves, offering ready-made recipes for transforming lawns, parks, and patios into vibrant pollinator hotspots. Mon, 07 Jul 2025 07:49:17 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250706230323.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250702214202.htm When Siberian volcanoes kicked off the Great Dying, the real climate villain turned out to be the rainforests themselves: once they collapsed, Earth’s biggest carbon sponge vanished, CO₂ rocketed, and a five-million-year heatwave followed. Fossils from China and clever climate models now link that botanical wipe-out to runaway warming, hinting that losing today’s tropical forests could lock us in a furnace we can’t easily cool. Thu, 03 Jul 2025 09:07:42 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250702214202.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250615020607.htm Underground fungi may be one of Earth s most powerful and overlooked allies in the fight against climate change, yet most of them remain unknown to science. Known only by DNA, these "dark taxa" make up a shocking 83% of ectomycorrhizal species fungi that help forests store carbon and thrive. Their hotspots lie in tropical forests and other underfunded regions. Without names, they re invisible to conservation efforts. But scientists are urging more DNA sequencing and global collaboration to bring these critical organisms into the light before their habitats, or the fungi themselves, disappear forever. Sun, 15 Jun 2025 02:06:07 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250615020607.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250614121947.htm Ten thousand years after mastodons disappeared, scientists have unearthed powerful fossil evidence proving these elephant cousins were vital seed spreaders for large-fruited trees in South America. Using dental wear, isotope analysis, and fossilized plant residue, researchers confirmed that mastodons regularly consumed fruit supporting a decades-old theory that many tropical plants evolved alongside giant animals. The extinction of these megafauna left a permanent ecological void, with some plants now teetering on the edge of extinction. Their story isn t just prehistoric it s a warning for today s conservation efforts. Sat, 14 Jun 2025 12:19:47 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250614121947.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250610080025.htm A prehistoric digestive time capsule has been unearthed in Australia: plant fossils found inside a sauropod dinosaur offer the first definitive glimpse into what these giant creatures actually ate. The remarkably preserved gut contents reveal that sauropods were massive, indiscriminate plant-eaters who swallowed leaves, conifer shoots, and even flowering plants without chewing relying on their gut microbes to break it all down. Tue, 10 Jun 2025 08:00:25 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250610080025.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250610004054.htm After millions of years of evolutionary isolation, Madagascar developed an unparalleled array of wildlife, and recent research has uncovered an unsung ecological hero: the lizard. Though often dismissed in studies of seed dispersal, lizards in Madagascar have proven to be vital agents of endozoochory, consuming fruits and spreading the seeds of over 20 plant species. Surprisingly, their seed choices differ from those of the dominant lemurs, suggesting an unrecognized ecological role. Even more striking, these lizards persist in degraded environments where larger frugivores can t, hinting at their crucial function in restoring Madagascar s forests. Tue, 10 Jun 2025 00:40:54 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250610004054.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250529124220.htm A virus responsible for damaging cotton crops across the southern United States has been lurking in U.S. fields for nearly 20 years -- undetected. According to new research, cotton leafroll dwarf virus (CLRDV), long believed to be a recent arrival, was infecting plants in cotton-growing states as early as 2006. Thu, 29 May 2025 12:42:20 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250529124220.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250529124215.htm Scientists analyzed almost 200 cannabis genomes to create the most comprehensive, high-quality, detailed genetic atlas of the plant to date. The atlas reveals unprecedented diversity and complexity within the species, sets the stage for advances in cannabis-based agriculture, medicine, and industry, and builds on a 10,000-year long relationship between humans and cannabis, showing that cannabis can be as important as other crops like corn or wheat. Thu, 29 May 2025 12:42:15 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250529124215.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250522125022.htm Planting flower strips in a field with at least two species can increase the number of natural enemies of pests by 70 percent. The more flower species, the better the effect, according to a new meta-analysis. Thu, 22 May 2025 12:50:22 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250522125022.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250520121305.htm Several varieties of wild spinach that originated in Central Asia show resistance to a destructive soil-borne pathogen that beleaguers growers of spinach seed in the Pacific Northwest -- a finding that can be used to breed hardier crops. Tue, 20 May 2025 12:13:05 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250520121305.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250519204531.htm Scientists have uncovered the genetic underpinnings of one of the ocean's most bizarre animals: a branching marine worm named Ramisyllis kingghidorahi that lives inside sea sponges and reproduces in a truly extraordinary way. Living hidden in tropical waters, this worm grows multiple body branches within a host sponge, each tail capable of producing separate living reproductive units called 'stolons'. But how does a single animal coordinate reproduction across so many branches? Mon, 19 May 2025 20:45:31 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250519204531.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250519131425.htm A research team has revealed the molecular steps that led to the emergence of this plant-specific vacuolar transport system. Their work shows that the acquisition of this pathway was driven by the stepwise neofunctionalization of a membrane fusion protein called VAMP7. Mon, 19 May 2025 13:14:25 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250519131425.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250514175429.htm Researchers have revealed insight into why embryos erase a key epigenetic mark during early development, suggesting this may have evolved to help form a placenta. Wed, 14 May 2025 17:54:29 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250514175429.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250514120234.htm The northern white rhinoceros is one of the rarest animals on Earth, with just two females left and no natural way for the species to reproduce. Now, scientists have mapped the entire genome of a northern white rhino. This represents a crucial step toward bringing the critically endangered species back from the edge using advanced reproductive technologies. The complete genome can be used as a reference to analyze the health of previously developed northern white rhinoceros stem cells. Eventually, those stem cells may be able to generate sperm and eggs to yield new rhinos. Wed, 14 May 2025 12:02:34 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250514120234.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250512133649.htm Pink salmon, Purple Asian clams, marine invertebrates that form spaghetti-like colonies and a nematode worm that causes extensive deaths of trees are among the new entries in experts' watchlist of invasive non-native species that could threaten Great Britain in the next 10 years. The latest version of the watchlist again includes known problem species such as the yellow-legged (Asian) hornet, raccoon and twoleaf watermilfoil. Mon, 12 May 2025 13:36:49 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250512133649.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250509132216.htm In a groundbreaking discovery in Brunei, scientists have found two-million-year-old fossils of Dryobalanops rappa—an endangered tropical tree that still lives today. The find marks the first fossil evidence of a living, endangered tree species and sheds light on the deep history of Asia’s lush rainforests. This ancient lineage, confirmed through microscopic leaf analysis, reveals that these iconic dipterocarp trees have thrived in Borneo’s peatlands for millions of years. Fri, 09 May 2025 13:22:16 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250509132216.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250506152214.htm The substances behind the slimy strings from okra and the gel from fenugreek seeds could trap microplastics better than a commonly used synthetic polymer. Previously, researchers proposed using these sticky natural polymers to clean up water. Now, they report that okra and/or fenugreek extracts attracted and removed up to 90% of microplastics in ocean water, freshwater and groundwater. Tue, 06 May 2025 15:22:14 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250506152214.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250424121653.htm Once thought resistant to invasion, California's deserts are losing native plants to aggressive weedy species like Saharan mustard. New research shows its spread is disrupting biodiversity and reducing the desert's ability to recover from extreme climate swings. Thu, 24 Apr 2025 12:16:53 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250424121653.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250423163904.htm Paper shares innovative natural capital accounting approach to valuing the benefits of ecosystems in Colombia's Upper Sin Basin to key economic sectors. Wed, 23 Apr 2025 16:39:04 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250423163904.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250423111756.htm An international research team has provided a detailed insight into how the spatial organization of genetic material is established in the cell nucleus of early embryos within the first hours after fertilization. Surprisingly, embryos demonstrate a high degree of flexibility in responding to disruptions in this process. The study reveals that no single master regulator controls this nuclear organization. Instead, multiple redundant mechanisms ensure a robust and adaptable nuclear architecture, allowing embryos to correct errors in the initial organization of their nucleus. Wed, 23 Apr 2025 11:17:56 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250423111756.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250421162617.htm In a new study, researchers used more than 5 million measurements from individual trees across much of eastern North America and showed the rate at which introduced species are spreading has increased over the last two decades. Additionally, native tree diversity is on the decline in areas where exotic species originally introduced by humans have encroached. Mon, 21 Apr 2025 16:26:17 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250421162617.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250415143506.htm Wild animals that have acquired adaptions to maximize their reproductive output in some of the world's most extreme conditions may provide answers to some of the most pressing problems in the field of human reproductive health. A new journal article examines how the study of seals in particular can benefit human health, and synthesizes various research on the topic. Several aspects in the life history of seals that could provide significant insight into their reproductive physiology -- as well as that of humans -- include female seals' ability to undergo lengthy fasting and lose about 30% of their body weight while nursing a pup. Seals also have an exceptional ability to hold their breath for up to two hours in some species for long dives. Additionally, seals have the ability to 'pause' pregnancy, through a process known as embryonic diapause, so they can give birth during benign environmental conditions. In seeking ways to improve human health, we should be looking to the extraordinary feats of wild animals. They have often found the most innovative solutions. Tue, 15 Apr 2025 14:35:06 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250415143506.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250410131013.htm A research team has discovered a new tissue in plants that plays an essential role in seed formation by regulating the flow of nutrients into the seed. The team used their findings to increase the yields of important crop plants, including rice. Their findings represent the first new plant tissue identified in 160 years, opening a new field for research. Thu, 10 Apr 2025 13:10:13 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250410131013.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250408121928.htm Ecologists are investigating the decline of insect populations in the world's tropical forests. Insects, the most abundant and diverse group of animals on Earth, are experiencing alarming declines, prompting this research effort. Tue, 08 Apr 2025 12:19:28 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250408121928.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250403122948.htm Plant biologists examined records for nearly 1,200 individual corpse flower plants from 111 institutions around the world. The data and records were severely lacking and not standardized. Without complete information, conservationists were unable to make informed decisions about breeding their plants. Out of the plants studied, 24% were clones and 27% were offspring from closely related individuals. Low genetic diversity could lead to further endangerment and even extinction. Thu, 03 Apr 2025 12:29:48 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250403122948.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250331192152.htm A new study warns that global climate change may have a devastating effect on butterflies, turning their species-rich, mountain habitats from refuges into traps. Think of it as the 'butterfly effect' -- the idea that something as small as the flapping of a butterfly's wings can eventually lead to a major event such as a hurricane -- in reverse. The new study also suggests that a lack of comprehensive global data about insects may leave conservationists and policymakers ill-prepared to mitigate biodiversity loss from climate change for a wide range of insect species. Mon, 31 Mar 2025 19:21:52 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250331192152.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250325115433.htm Nitrate, pesticides, metals, plastic -- agricultural soils often contain pollutants. But are there sustainable and climate-friendly ways to restore and promote soil health in agricultural land? Yes, says a research team. Specific plant species could be used as cover plants for phytoremediation, i.e. to relief agricultural land from adverse pollutant impacts. In their article, the researchers summarize the results of more than 100 scientific studies and present which plants, according to current knowledge, are suitable for removing pollutants from agricultural soils or trapping them in their root systems. Tue, 25 Mar 2025 11:54:33 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250325115433.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250319143425.htm Environmental conditions can cause damaging stress to plants, posing challenges for home gardeners and farmers. Therefore, early detection -- before leaves visibly discolor, wilt or wither -- is crucial. Now, researchers have created a wearable patch for plants that quickly senses stress and relays the information to a grower. The electrochemical sensor attaches directly to live plant leaves and monitors hydrogen peroxide, a key distress signal. Wed, 19 Mar 2025 14:34:25 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250319143425.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250318140741.htm An analysis of a 30,000-year-old fossil vulture from Central Italy has revealed for the first time that volcanic rock can preserve microscopic details in feathers -- the first ever record of such a preservation. An international team discovered a new mode of preservation of soft tissues that can occur when animals are buried in ash-rich volcanic sediments. The new research reveals that the feathers are preserved in a mineral phase called zeolite, a mode of preservation of soft tissues never reported before. Tue, 18 Mar 2025 14:07:41 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250318140741.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250311121522.htm A new study has investigated one aspect of how the future environmental conditions created by the changing global climate might affect earliest development within Christmas Island's red crab population. Tue, 11 Mar 2025 12:15:22 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250311121522.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250307125608.htm A new analysis reveals that nearly half of the genus Heliconia, a group of tropical plants popular for their bright, beak-shaped flowers, are threatened with extinction. Fri, 07 Mar 2025 12:56:08 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250307125608.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250306152917.htm Tropical rainforests play a vital role in global climate regulation and biodiversity conservation. However, a major new study reveals that forests across the Americas are not adapting quickly enough to keep pace with climate change, raising concerns about their long-term resilience. Thu, 06 Mar 2025 15:29:17 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250306152917.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250305134811.htm Satellite images from space are allowing scientists to delve deeper into the individual functions of different tropical forest canopies with new and surprising results. Understanding tree traits and functional diversity in the tropics is crucial for biodiversity, ecosystem modelling, and conservation. Wed, 05 Mar 2025 13:48:11 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250305134811.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/02/250226125131.htm The reason why so many tree species can coexist in species-rich forests has long been a subject of debate in ecology. This question is key to understanding the mechanisms governing the dynamics and stability of forests. An international team of scientists has now discovered unexpected patterns in the spatial distribution of tree species. Their results suggest that tree species in tropical and temperate forests manifest contrasting coexistence strategies as a result of differences in the patterns of tree clustering and the abundances of tree species. Wed, 26 Feb 2025 12:51:31 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/02/250226125131.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/02/250218145914.htm Researchers developed a new system for turning used coffee grounds into a paste, which they use to 3D print objects, such as packing materials and a vase. They inoculate the paste with Reishi mushroom spores, which turn the coffee grounds into a resilient, fully compostable alternative to plastics. Tue, 18 Feb 2025 14:59:14 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/02/250218145914.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/02/250205131857.htm New biophysics research adds to our knowledge about the origins of left-right asymmetry in the body. Wed, 05 Feb 2025 13:18:57 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/02/250205131857.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/01/250128123824.htm A team of stem cell scientists have successfully used embryonic stem cell engineering to create a bi-paternal mouse -- a mouse with two male parents -- that lived until adulthood. Their results describe how targeting a particular set of genes involved in reproduction allowed the researchers to overcome previously insurmountable challenges in unisexual reproduction in mammals. Tue, 28 Jan 2025 12:38:24 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/01/250128123824.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/01/250120113758.htm Over half of our genomes consists of thousands of remnants of ancient viral DNA, known as transposable elements, which are widespread across the tree of life. Once dismissed as the 'dark side' of the genome, researchers have now revealed their crucial role in early embryo development. Mon, 20 Jan 2025 11:37:58 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/01/250120113758.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/01/250117112038.htm Researchers, citizen scientists and their 'truffle dogs' -- have discovered two new species of truffle. Tuber canirevelatum, meaning the 'dog-found' truffle, was named in honor of truffle dogs and Monza, the dog who discovered it with her trainer Lois Martin. The other, Tuber cumberlandense, was named for the Cumberland Plateau where it was found by Margaret Townsend and her truffle dog, Luca. Fri, 17 Jan 2025 11:20:38 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/01/250117112038.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/01/250114124804.htm Scientists are working to produce plant-based cheese with all the characteristics of real cheese, but with better health benefits. To create a cheesy product with the same texture as the real thing, they looked at a variety of physical attributes such as the melting, stretching, and oil-release upon grilling and heating and studied isolates from three proteins and how they interacted with the oil and with the starch matrix of the cheese alternative. Using a blend of sunflower and coconut oil decreased the saturated fat content of the cheese, creating a healthy and sustainable alternative to dairy cheeses and other plant-based cheeses. Tue, 14 Jan 2025 12:48:04 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/01/250114124804.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/01/250109125507.htm Scientists have created the first single cell genomic atlas of mature plants' outer armor layer, called the periderm, and its carbon-capturing phellem cells. The findings will be useful in creating more robust, climate change-fighting plants. Thu, 09 Jan 2025 12:55:07 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/01/250109125507.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/12/241223153406.htm Researchers have named six new tree species based on comparisons made among collections of dried plant specimens from across the Neotropics. Of these six, three of the new species have only been found in Panama: Matisia petaquillae, Matisia changuinolana and Matisia aquilarum. The new species from Colombia identified in the same report are Matisia genesiana, Matisia mutatana and Matisia rufula. Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:34:06 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/12/241223153406.htm