Plants are clever. They have developed special ways to handle sulfur and phosphorus. These are big deals for plants. They help with growth, development, and dealing with stress. Plants take in sulfur and phosphorus through their roots. They grab these nutrients in specific forms: sulfate for sulfur and phosphate for phosphorus. Special transporter families, called S...

Rice plants have a secret weapon to fight off pests. It is a protein called OsPHT4;4. This protein is part of a bigger family known as phosphate transporters. Their main job is to move nutrients around the plant. However, OsPHT4;4 has a special trick up its sleeve. It can also move certain chemicals, like thiamethoxam, around the plant. This is important because thia...