Plants

Plants

Conifer ancestors had a double dose of DNA

The genomes of conifers — pine, cypress and yew trees — doubled twice in the distant past.

Plants

Roses rigged with electrical circuitry

Bioelectric molecules can form wires and conduct electricity in cut roses, researchers find.

Life

Many Amazon trees endangered

Large numbers of Amazon tree species are threatened by deforestation.

Plants

Genetic battle of the sexes plays out in cukes and melons

Genetics reveals new approach to preventing inbred seeds and encouraging more fruitful crops.

Plants

Ancient gardeners saved the gourd

Domestication might have helped early vine plants like pumpkin survive after seed-dispersing megafauna went extinct.

Plants

Ancient gardeners saved the gourd

Domestication might have helped early vine plants like pumpkin survive after seed-dispersing megafauna went extinct.

Plants

Marsh grass masquerades as a native species

The abundant cordgrass found in South American marshes may actually have invaded the region more than two centuries ago, a new study concludes.

Climate

Climate change could shift New England’s fall foliage

Climate change could make for earlier or later fall color, depending on where you live in New England.

Animals

Bees get hooked on flowers’ caffeine buzz

Flowers drug honey bees with caffeinated nectar to trick them into returning, causing the bees to shift their foraging and dancing behaviors.

Plants

Early cyanobacteria fossils dug up in 1965

In 1965, early photosynthetic plant fossils were discovered. The date of earliest oxygen-producing life forms has since been pushed much earlier.

Animals

Root fungi make or break monarchs’ chances against parasite

Fungi that live amid the roots of milkweed plants change the chemicals produced in the plant’s leaves, which can either aid or hinder a monarch butterfly’s ability to fight off parasites.

Plants

Raindrops help pitcher plants trap dinner

Pitcher plants use the force of falling raindrops to fling prey into their traps.