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Plant genomic triplet
People rightly bemoan the fact that you inevitably wait ages for a bus to turn up, and when it does eventually happen oftentimes several arrive at
Plant Cuttings
Agriculture that’s out of this world
Researchers at the University of Arizona are investigating the feasibility of growing plants hydroponically on the Moon, utilising astronauts’ urine for water and burying greenhouses beneath the lunar surface for protection.
Plants & People
Beer IS good for you! [or Antibiotics: good for what ale’s you]
Tetracycline, an antibiotic, was found in ancient Sudanese Nubian skeletons, suggesting beer brewed with infected grain may have been used medicinally.
Plant Cuttings
Improving your image
Image: Lothar Schermelleh, Wikimedia Commons (adapted from Schermelleh et al., Science 320: 1332–1336). Gene sequences are all very well. But even the most committed of
Cells, Genes & Molecules
Wood-destroyer sequenced
The genome of the wood-degrading fungus Schizophyllum commune has been sequenced, offering insights into fungal biology and potential industrial applications.
Cells, Genes & Molecules
Lucky heather? No, clover!
A discovery echoes Jonathan Swift’s ideas of maximising agricultural yield and extracting more sunlight from plants.
Plants & People
The gift that goes on giving…
Think of all the energy expended in planting fresh cereal grain every year to ensure just one season’s crop. Then think of all the energy
Plants & People
Plants plugging the gap
Engineers – and artists – have often sought inspiration from the natural world. Take for example the story of the discovery of Velcro by a Swiss gentleman when
Ecosystems
Ignore the small things at your peril…
H. G. Wells dramatically demonstrated how mankind’s future may depend upon the action of small organisms in his War of the Worlds where Martian invaders
Plants & People
Dating the Pharaohs
Radiocarbon measurements from short-lived plants have been used to create a chronology for ancient Egypt, potentially settling debates about the reigns of famous Pharaohs and providing insights into the eruption of the volcano Thera.
Plants & People
It’s an ill wind …?
Wood (aka ‘the really hard stuff inside trees’) is as ancient a building material and engineering solution as they come, but new uses are still being
Plants & People
Plants combat plants
Question: when is a cannon not a cannon? Answer: when it’s a ‘high-pressure long-range deodorant spray’(!). For such is the description of the