Plants
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Scientists have uncovered the oldest fossilized forest, dating back 390 million years. The ancient forest was made up of the first trees to ever grow on Earth – bizarre “prototype” trees that had to rip their skeletons apart in order to grow.
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Thanks to a recent discovery regarding marine algae, scientists have developed crop plants that absorb a fuller spectrum of sunlight, resulting in better growth. The finding could also lead to increased production of biofuels.
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When it comes to protecting crops via insect-blocking netting, you may think that the size of the holes in that netting is the most important factor. According to new research, however, the color of red netting makes an even bigger difference.
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The USDA has approved Light Bio's "Firefly Petunias," and the company is taking US$29 pre-orders on these remarkable gene-edited houseplants. They glow in the dark, making them a captivating home decor addition for science buffs.
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Much as we may like sun-dried tomatoes, they're typically pretreated with sulfur dioxide or salt before the drying process, which may be carried out in an oven. By contrast, a new type of cherry tomato has been bred to dry right on the vine.
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A study has found that playing a soundscape to a common, plant-promoting fungus found in soil caused it to grow more rapidly than fungi that weren’t exposed to sound. The novel ‘eco-acoustic’ approach has the potential to restore damaged ecosystems.
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Ordinarily, once a fern's leaf fronds have died, the plant has no further use for them. Such is not the case with the Cyathea rojasiana fern, though – a scientist has discovered that its dead fronds become "zombie leaves" which suck nutrients from the soil.
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While renewable energy sources certainly are eco-friendly, most of them only produce electricity in one way, such as using sunlight … which isn't always available. A new system, that has been built into an artificial plant, uses both wind and rain.
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When it comes to tasks like the exploration of unstructured environments, traditional robots may be stymied by obstacles such as uncrossable gaps. That's where the FiloBot comes in, as it grows like a self-supporting vine.
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Scientists have discovered a new contender in the quest to hack the human aging process, and it's within each of our cells. They believe this breakthrough may have far-reaching implications for how we approach premature aging and age-related diseases.
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A new photography competition has released its first batch of winners and finalists. A portrait of a playful sea lion has won the inaugural Nature Photography Contest, which showcases animals, plants, landscapes and human impact on the environment.
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The "microbiome" is the population of microbes found in every organism. Scientists have now genetically altered that population in rice plants, making them more resistant to harmful bacteria. The technology could reduce the need for pesticides.
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