Growth & Development
Wave forces decrease seedling establishment in tidal marshes
Waves lead to greater root biomass and stem flexibility, but lower stress resistance overall.
Cells, Genes & Molecules
Does Viagra really help preserve flowers?
It is said that sildenafil citrate can help preserve flowers. Here’s an experiment that you could do at home, but probably shouldn’t, to find out.
Cells, Genes & Molecules
Decrypting the tubby-like protein gene family in cassava
Dong et al. identify and characterise the cassava TLP gene family, MeTLP, at the genomic level.
Growth & Development
Sodium chloride solutions not a good experimental substitute for sea water
Simulating seawater in the lab is more complicated than just getting the salt concentration right.
Reviews
Nature Table – BBC Radio 4
BBC Radio 4 has a new science-comedy crossover show.
Taxonomy & Evolution
Scaly Tree Ferns Have Slow and Steady Diversification
Did the Cyatheaceae become such a diverse family slowly over time, or in spurts? The largest molecular sampling yet points to gradual accumulation of species.
Ecosystems
Climate change threatens the first line of defence against coastal storms
When the storms come in, plants could help secure natural defences. But climate change is giving them problems of their own.
featured
The Next Generation of Natural Historians
The Linnean Society held its second student conference last Friday, Student Spotlights 2020: Discover the next generation of natural historians. I had hoped to go to
Cells, Genes & Molecules
Gene copy number is associated with phytochemistry in Cannabis sativa
THCA and CBDA were thought to have a simple mode of inheritance; however, a recent study by Vergara et al. describes that in fact multiple gene copies are involved in their production.
Cells, Genes & Molecules
Distribution of Veronica polyploids is influenced by both habitat differentiation and historic glaciation
Species with higher ploidy levels prefer cooler, wetter habitats than diploids.
Cells, Genes & Molecules
Sweetcorn a better target than other maizes for Zinc biofortification
Earlier consumption and less processing makes sweetcorn a better source of dietary zinc.
Growth & Development
Expression of aquaporin subtypes in cotton under salt stress
Three aquaporins are reliable tools to identify cotton genotypes tolerant to salt stress, based on expression of qPCR-transcripts