Through the shot glass, and what can be found in liverworts
Peer-Reviewed Publication
Updates every hour. Last Updated: 24-Dec-2025 19:11 ET (25-Dec-2025 00:11 GMT/UTC)
A new study uses data from NASA’s PACE satellite to demonstrate a novel method for assessing global plant health. Led by UMBC’s Karl F. Huemmrich, the research leverages PACE’s Ocean Color Instrument to monitor plant responses, as indicated by reflectance from their leaves, to environmental changes like water availability and temperature. Validated against U.S. ground measurements, the technique accurately tracks plant productivity across diverse ecosystems without relying on weather data. The findings will enhance carbon sequestration tracking and early stress detection, offering a cost-effective way to monitor global ecosystems and support conservation and agriculture.
Many soil microbes play a vital role in ecosystems, as they help plants access nutrients and water and assist in stress tolerance such as during drought and to defend against pathogens. One such group of soil microbes are arbuscular mycorrhizal, aka AM, fungi, which are associated with the roots of approximately 70% of plant species on land. new Dartmouth-led study reports on how global climate conditions affect AM fungal spore traits and the species biogeographic patterns. The results are published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Hybrid pepper breeding has long hinged on cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) systems, but a lack of functional restorer genes has left a critical gap.