Plants have a clever chemical called salicylic acid that acts like an alarm system when attackers arrive. In the common lab plant Arabidopsis, scientists first mapped out how this alarm works: a special route called the isochorismate pathway makes salicylic acid, proteins named NPR bind to it, an
Plants use a tagging system called ubiquitination to control the life span of many proteins. In the case of phenylpropanoid production, which supplies important compounds like lignin and flavonoids, several enzymes are marked for destruction by this system. F‑box proteins act as the taggers. They
Plants do not instantly snap back to their normal state after a tough season. They keep biochemical signs of past hardships that change how they act when new challenges appear. This lasting imprint is called biochemical memory. It shows up as shifts in protective molecules, balance of oxidants and a
Plants and the microbes that help them survive harsh weather can be made stronger by boosting a natural compound called glycine betaine. This molecule helps cells keep the right balance of water and protects them from heat, salt or drought. Traditionally, betaine comes from plants grown in specific
Plants have a clever way to fight off diseases. They can mix and match genes to create new, powerful defenses. This process is called gene fusion. It happens when two separate genes join together to form a new one. Scientists have been studying this in plants, but they're still figuring out how it
Plants have clever ways to protect themselves. When bacteria attack, they make special chemicals called hydroxycinnamoyl tyramine conjugates. These chemicals can hurt the bacteria, strengthen the plant's walls, and send signals to prepare for more stress. Scientists wanted to understand how these c
Plants are amazing. They change and adapt to their surroundings. One key way they do this is by adjusting the density of their wood. This trait, wood density, is crucial for understanding how much carbon plants store and how they function in their ecosystems. A recent study gathered a massive amoun
Plants and crops are feeling the heat, and not in a good way. Warm winters can be tricky. They make plants think it's spring, but when a sudden freeze hits, it's like a rude awakening. This can damage or even kill new growth and drain energy. Plus, it lets pests survive, which can lead to bigger pro
Plants are masters of adaptation. They constantly tweak their internal structures to handle changes inside and outside their cells. This isn't just any random adjustment. It's a carefully controlled process. At the heart of this process is the cytoskeleton. Think of it as the plant's internal scaffo
Hospitals are always looking for ways to manage their resources better. One big challenge is figuring out how long patients will stay in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Too many patients can mean beds are full, and too few can mean beds are empty. This is where smart computers, or machine learning (M
