Bananas, Panama Disease, and You
By Radhika Desikan Bananas are a ubiquitous fruit that generally appeals to humans of all ages, from infants to older…
Category: Biology
Nicotine Receptor May Play a Part in Cannabis Addiction
A new study suggests that a mutant nicotine receptor in the brain could make some people more susceptible to cannabis addiction.
Steroid Hormones Protect Cotton from Drought
By Radhika Desikan As you are reading this, chances are that you are wearing something made of cotton, or have…
Curing Plant Blindness at Botanical Gardens and Farms
“Plant blindness,” the lack of awareness of plants and their importance, is addressed by botanical gardens and agricultural farms.
Learning Where Water Comes From, With Isotopes
Researchers track the origins of water across the world, and how it varies over time and place, by analyzing its…
Ocean Conservation and Citizen Science at the Long Beach Scuba Show
by Kristin Butler Each year, the Long Beach Scuba Show brings together divers from around the world for seminars and…
Bug Bacteria Helps Rice Plants Boost Immunity
Rice is the most widely consumed staple cereal crop for about half of the world’s human population, but its cultivation comes with inherent challenges, such as crop attacks by herbivorous pests.
Plants Can Win a Battle against Aphids
By Radhika Desikan Being sessile, plants are faced with constant pressures from their environment, such as extreme climates, microbes, and…
Does Habitat Fragmentation Affect Biodiversity?
Habitat fragmentation has long been considered a threat to biodiversity, but recent research presents researchers and policy makers with some new ideas.
Microbes Help Plants Survive Heavy Metal Stress
By Radhika Desikan When you hear the term heavy metal, what do you think of? Music or chemistry? Exposure to…