Maize is a big deal. It's a staple food for many people around the world. But growing it in dry, arid places is tough. That's why scientists are always looking for new types of maize that can handle harsh conditions and still give good harvests. Recently, researchers in Egypt tested 14 new kinds of maize over three years. They looked at how tall the plants grew, how...

Ever wondered what makes cashmere so soft? Meet the Liaoning cashmere goat (LCG), known for its luxurious, long fibers. While LCG cashmere is already quite soft at an average of 16 microns, scientists are on a mission to make it even softer. They're diving into the world of DNA, trying to pinpoint which genes are in charge of cashmere fineness. Imagine this: they've...

Scientists are on a mission to find new organic materials that glow brightly under special light conditions, which can help in biological imaging. This type of imaging, called two-photon fluorescence microscopy, is like taking super-detailed pictures of cells and tissues without damaging them too much. The challenge lies in finding the right materials that can absorb...