Mistletoe glue could one day be used to seal wounds

In order to spread to other host trees, the parasitic mistletoe plant has very sticky seeds that cling to bird feathers, bark, and other materials. According to a recent study, the “glue” on those seeds could inspire new biomedical adhesives.Continue R… Continue reading Mistletoe glue could one day be used to seal wounds

Crop-monitoring Solix agri-bot headed for field trials

Farmers could be spared a lot of work and expense – plus the environment could be spared a lot of harmful chemicals – if crops didn’t have to be sprayed indiscriminately. The new plant-inspecting Solix robot was designed with those facts in mind.Contin… Continue reading Crop-monitoring Solix agri-bot headed for field trials

World’s largest plant: 112-mile-long seagrass found off Australian coast

A section of the seagrass meadow that's now been found to be the largest plant in the world

Researchers have discovered what seems to be the largest plant in the world – a meadow of seagrass off the coast of Western Australia that covers a total of 200 km2 (77 miles2). The entire expanse has grown from just one seedling, spreading by cloning itself.

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Lab-grown plant matter marks a step towards 3D-printable wood

Chopping down trees and processing the wood isn’t the most efficient or environmentally friendly way to make furniture or building materials. Scientists at MIT have now made breakthroughs in a process that could one day let us 3D print and grow wood di… Continue reading Lab-grown plant matter marks a step towards 3D-printable wood

Mobile system treats crop seeds using electrons instead of fungicides

Because seeds may contain yield-reducing fungi, bacteria or viruses, they’re often chemically treated before they’re sold to farmers. A new mobile system, however, substitutes microbe-killing electrons for harsh and eco-unfriendly chemicals.Continue Re… Continue reading Mobile system treats crop seeds using electrons instead of fungicides

Breakthrough CRISPR-Combo edits some genes and activates others

CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing technology is one of the most important scientific breakthroughs of recent decades, but there’s always room for improvement. Researchers at the University of Maryland (UMD) have developed a system they call CRISPR-Combo, which … Continue reading Breakthrough CRISPR-Combo edits some genes and activates others

CRISPR tomatoes genetically engineered to be richer in vitamin D

Vitamin D deficiency is a growing health issue, but very few foods are rich in the nutrient. To help combat the problem, scientists have now used CRISPR gene editing to fortify tomatoes with vitamin D.Continue ReadingCategory: ScienceTags: Plants, Food… Continue reading CRISPR tomatoes genetically engineered to be richer in vitamin D

Weed-eating Eurasian mites to be released in Canada

It can be challenging, trying to selectively kill off an invasive plant that grows in amongst non-target native species. A new initiative is aiming to do just that, however, by introducing a weed-eating mite into the Canadian environment.Continue Readi… Continue reading Weed-eating Eurasian mites to be released in Canada

Plant Growth Accelerated Tremendously with LEDs

Plants compared side-by-side, with LED-illuminated plants growing way more than the sunlight-illuminated plants

[GreatScott!] was bummed to see his greenhouse be empty and lifeless in winter. So, he set out to take the greenhouse home with him. Well, at least, a small part …read more Continue reading Plant Growth Accelerated Tremendously with LEDs

To remove microplastics from drinking water … just add okra?

If you’ve ever eaten okra, then you’ll know that the stuff can be pretty … gooey. According to new research, that quality could allow a compound from the plant to be used in a less toxic method of removing microplastics from drinking water.Continue Rea… Continue reading To remove microplastics from drinking water … just add okra?