News by Subject Biology

Determining how one species becomes distinct from another has been a subject of fascination dating back to Charles Darwin. New research led by Carnegie's Matthew Evans and published in Nature Communications elucidates the mechanism that keeps maize distinct from its ancient ancestor grass, teosinte.

From the urban jungle -- even the leafier parts of suburbia -- we often have a tough time naming the last plant we saw. Even if we just ate part of it. This is a symptom of 'plant blindness,' a term coined two decades ago by researchers who showed that people are perilously disconnected from the plant kingdom. This has progressed to the point where we hardly recognize the plants that feed us every day.

A team of international scientists, including CABI's Dr Urs Schaffner, have recommended ways to manage the devastating spread of the woody weed Prosopis juliflora, where in Baringo County, Kenya, its coverage rapidly increased by 2,031% in just 28 years. The study calls for the 'urgent implementation of coordinated and sustainable Prosopis management in Baringo County and other invaded areas in East Africa.'

Max Planck researchers equip the plant with pinnate leaves.

Researchers may be able to improve corn yields and nutritional value after discovering genetic regulators that synthesize starch and protein in the widely eaten grain, according to a Rutgers-led study. The research, published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, could benefit millions of people who rely on corn for nutrition in South America, Africa and elsewhere.

Research carried out into the impact of changes to chimpanzee habitats found they have adapted to human developments in a number of ways -- including learning how to cross roads safely and the best times to visit human habitats -- but their survival is still threatened.