Before diving into the details of this exciting new research, I want to answer an intriguing question: how in the world could algae replace the gasoline in my car? It turns out that algae produces oil that can be processed to make biofuel. The only problem is that harvesting and drying the algae is not cost-efficient.

Zimmerman and his team may have resolved this issue. Previously, his team discovered a way to increase the growth rate and density of algae via microbubble technology. Microbubbles are used for flotation as well as removing impurities from water. Generally, the microbubble method is very expensive. This time scientists found a cheaper and less energy-consuming way to develop microbubbles. Through this new method, microbubbles will allow algae particles to float to the surface of water. In return, the algae harvesting process will be easier as well as more cost-efficient.

Zimmerman and his team are working with Tata Steel in hopes of implementing his research findings on an industrial level. This one-of-a-kind research is exciting news for our future long-term goal of reducing carbon emissions.

Discussion Question: Why would the process harvesting and water drying the algae cause the biofuel making procedure to be costly?

News Article: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120126092540.htm
Press Release: http://www.shef.ac.uk/mediacentre/2012/microbubbles-boost-biofuel-production.html

Image: shef.ac.uk

Bt-maize, the genetically modified crop, is commonly used in the field because it is resistant to certain insects. The group of scientists tested the Bt crop’s effects on pigs over the short term (31 days), longer term (110 days) and over generations. Scientists fed the piglets Bt-maize and recorded the increasing or declining health of the pigs. The initial results from the study suggest pigs of all ages can safely consume Bt-maize with no detrimental effects.

While it is true that humans and pigs differ, the researchers of the experiment believe that this should provide some comfort to individuals who consume genetically modified corn. Certainly, Bt-maize is not the only genetically modified product on the market, and scientists are hoping to conduct further experiments in order to strengthen their studies on other modified foods.

For now, this study suggests that Bt-maize is safe to consume.

Discussion question: While pigs and humans do have similar gastrointestinal tracts, why might it be premature to conclude that genetically modified Bt-maize is perfectly safe for people to consume?

Article source: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120124140103.htm

Journal source: http://www.teagasc.ie/news/2012/201201-24a.asp
Image source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Corn_01.JPG

Recently, scientists have struck back against one pest in particular, the Princeps (Papilio)  demoleus, a caterpillar with a taste for limes, and they have done so without the use of traditional pesticides or poisons.  Instead, using research first pioneered back in 1998 by Bruce Stevens and his colleagues at the University of Florida, they are exploring a green alternative that disrupt the insect’s ion channel, blocking its nutrient absorption and starving it.

What is the miracle “pesticide”? An amino acid. Methionine, which humans cannot live without, kills the larvae of the Citrus Swallowtail, as well as any invasive larvae with an alkaline intestine. Because it is not toxic to humans, mammals, or birds, or to the citrus it coats, methionine offers an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional pesticides, which are noxious to bugs and humans alike. Furthermore, because the amino acid is a biodegradable nitrogen source, if it reaches the ground it can serve as a cheap fertilizer for the very plant it protects.
Unfortunately, because the Citrus Swallowtail is invasive, researchers cannot test their amino acid defense against it directly, as bringing it into the country would violate laws regulating the import of dangerous species. In its place they have substituted the Heraclides (Papilio) cresphontes, or Giant Swallowtail. Because of its close genetic relationship to the Lime Swallowtail, as well as its similar appetite, digestive tract, and morphology, the insect has been pressed into service as a surrogate for its unlawful cousin.

Experiments conducted at the University of Florida have demonstrated that the methionine pesticide is 100 percent effective against Giant Swallowtails, killing all targeted larvae in no more than 72 hours. And because the Lime Swallowtail has not yet reached Floridian shores—at present it dwells in the Caribbean—the citrus industry, which the insect potentially could devastate, can be confident that when the invader comes, as they all eventually do, scientists will meet it with a fresh crop of tainted limes. The bugs will dine once on the delicious fruit, and then never again.

Discussion Question: Compare and contrast the advantages and disadvantages of using traditional pesticides as opposed to methionine to protect lime trees.

News Article: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120117145101.htm
Journal Article: http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.1603/EC11132

Image Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Limes.jpg

These scientists set out to “estimate loss of genetic diversity by loss of habitat” for different plant species “under different climate scenarios”. After analyzing nearly 10,000 samples from 27 plant species in Arctic environments of central Europe, it was shown that those species that used wind and birds for seed dispersal will preserve greater genetic diversity in a warmer climate than species that have more limited seed dispersion.  Additionally, the longer lifespan of species such as trees and shrubs are able to disperse their seeds more productively than shorter-lived species, such as herbs.

Genetic variation, in short, is essential for adaptation during a changing climate. Seed dispersion is one factor that will determine how various plant species fare with the upcoming climate changes. Some species may lose up to 80% of their habitat but will still  maintain most (90%) of their genetic diversity.  Others will lose 50% of their genetic diversity when their habitat is reduced by 65%.

These new findings will have important effects on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List that identifies threatened species. With future climate changes, this list will grow extensively.

Discussion Question: What are some other factors, in addition to seed dispersion, that could have an important impact on the survival fitness of Arctic plant species?

Also, how do you think the criteria of which plants make the Red List will be affected with these new findings?

News Source: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120117143758.htm
Journal Source: http://rspb.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/early/2012/01/03/rspb.2011.2363

Image Source: http://www.farnorthscience.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2007/06/svalbardplants.jpg

Researchers focused on xyloglucan (type of hemicelluloses) while looking for enzymes that acetylate the polysaccharides in bio fuel feed stock. Using Arabidopsis thaliana as their model plant, researchers identified a mutant from the population that showed a 20%-50% reduction of xyloglucan O-acetylation. After mapping the mutation to a location in the Arabidopsis genome, they named the gene locus Altered Hemicellulose Xyloglucan (AXY4). They noticed that blocking the expression of AXY4 in Arabidopsis stops xyloglucan O-acetylation.

Scientists hope that this research will allow them to find others genes in biofuel feedstock similar to the gene that encodes for O-acetylation in Arabidopsis. They believe that this will aid in breeding biofuel feedstocks for optimal product and reduced lignocelluloses acetate. Ultimately, this research could result in lower prices for biofuels. In fact, an economic model predicts that with 20% reduction in acetylation equals to a 10% reduction in bioethanol price.

Discussion Question: What factors in the bio fuel making process contribute to its high prices? Is there a solution that could help reduce its impact on bio fuel’s price?

News Article: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111116104350.htm
Press Release:  http://my.aspb.org/members/blog_view.asp?id=700954&post=134371
Image:   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Arabidopsis_thaliana.jpg

There are, however, “fertilizers” tailored specifically to release phosphorous to plants: fungi, specifically arbuscular mycorrhizal, which furnish plants with the scarce nutrient–for a price. Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi and plants share a symbiotic relationship in which both parties benefit. AM fungi, with their long filaments, are efficient and capable collectors of phosphorus, even in nutrient-poor soil, and they willingly trade the phosphorus they absorb with their plant hosts in exchange for sugars, which plants readily manufacture through photosynthesis.

Some details of the symbiosis were already well known to scientists when Franziska Krajinski and her colleagues at the Max Planck Institute began their research on plant-fungi relationships. Certain cells in the plant, for example, manufacture protein complexes through which the phosphorous and sugar molecules move from plant to fungus; in cells colonized by AM fungi, the genes that encode for these proteins are well expressed.

What the team did not expect to find, however, was the reprogramming they discovered in cells adjacent to or even just near the colonization sites. As first author of the study Nicole Gaude explains, by encoding for the transport proteins, these cells “are preparing themselves for an imminent colonization by the fungus.” Cells, then, activate specific genes–those that facilitate the symbiosis–“even before symbiosis is physically established.”

Discussion Question: Describe some ways in which symbiotic relationships can benefit agriculture.

News Article: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111114133644.htm
Journal Article: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-313X.2011.04810.x/abstract

Image Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Arbuscular_mycorrhiza_microscope.jpg

Milk thistle is made up of silibinin, which is a substance that has the ability to prevent lung cancer from spreading in mice. Tumors develop easily in environments of wounded tissues, and silibinin gets rid of the substances that bring attention to the wound-like condition, ultimately deterring the cancer from diffusing in the lung cells of mice. Although it may seem complicated, the process of silibinin is not too complex.

The chain signals in cells have end products—iNOS and COX2—which may be removed by breaking the link that is connected to that signaling chain. It is best to remove these end products since the products have the capability of furthering the spread of tumors. The transcription factors STAT1 and STAT3 actually aid in the assembly of the end products, so in order to destroy the link to the end products and in order to prevent lung tumors from spreading, the transcription factors should also be stopped.

The silibinin not only hindered the transcription factors, stopping COX2 and iNOS from functioning, but it also stopped the lung cancer cells in mice that were already formed.

The natural extract from plants is comparatively cheaper than other various pharmaceutical drugs, yet proves to do the job just fine. Although more research needs to be done on humans, and even on mice, for now it seems very beneficial to have milk thistle extracts handy.

Discussion question: Why does silibinin specifically only prevent lung cancer? Is it possible for silibinin to aid in the fight against other cancers?

News Article: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111115145236.htm
Journal Article: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/mc.20851/abstract;jsessionid=99DD827BECFF9A25479033A70646E918.d03t02

Image source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Milk_thistle_flowerhead.jpg

Although pollen is microscopic, there still have the same evolutionary goals as all male beings, which is to produce offspring. In pine trees, pollen grains compete for access to the green nubbins of female plant tissue. This competition process is likened to the process of sexual selection that occurs in animals. There are many obvious examples of sexual selection among animals, but in plants the examples are subtler, such as molecular differences in pollen grains. Scientists are working to discover whether individual plants exercise choice among possible pollen grains to utilize and how males would compete among each other to be selected.

One finding that supports the theory of sexual selection within plants is that when pollinators drop off pollen onto female flower parts, the pollen grains that are utilized by the plant for reproduction are not an accurate representation of the sample of pollen that was dropped off. This shows a non-random utilization of pollen grains for reproduction.

Another finding is that some plants seem to selectively abort certain embryos rather than allow them to grow into seeds, perhaps because these embryos came from unfavorable pollen grains. The strongest piece of evidence for sexual selection in plants is that competitive displays actually shorten male life expectancy; this payoff is seen in animal sexual selection as well. If plants can show such signs of sexual selections, it is a mystery what other supposedly “animal” behaviors may appear if we search closely enough.

Discussion Question: Despite these findings, there have not been solid discoveries of the mechanisms by which pollen grains compete with each other. What do you propose these mechanisms could be?

News Article: http://www.sciencenews.org/view/feature/id/336229/title/Flirty_Plants
Journal Article: http://www.mendeley.com/research/extent-southnorth-pollen-transfer-finnish-scots-pine-7/
Image Credit : Susumu Nishinaga – http://www.sciencenews.org/view/access/id/336246/name/flirty_plants_primary.jpg

There are many reasons why scientists desire to push towards commercial wood-based biofuels. One is that they are considered to be more environmental friendly than corn ethanol. Not only do wood-based biofuels emit fewer green house gasses, they require less water for production.  Furthermore, wood-based fuels don’t compromise with our food source. Despite the numerous positive aspects of using wood-based ethanol, the costs of production are still higher than corn ethanol.

Research shows that the cost of wood-based ethanol can be greatly reduced by cutting costs of facilities, equipment and enzymes. Essentially, as the demand for bio fuels grows, production costs will drop. Income generated by co-products of bio fuel, such as electricity, can also help reduce costs.

Wood-based ethanol still has many obstacles to overcome.  Enzymes, which are used to break down wood, are a major hurdle today in reducing cost of cellulosic ethanol.  As the bio fuel industry expands, researchers are certain that they will stumble upon a discovery that will help reduce the cost of enzymes. With the government’s support by funding research, scientists hope that their prediction for the future of bio fuels will become reality.

Discussion Question:  What are some specific plants and other sources that produce wood-based ethanol?

News Article:http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111108133045.htm
Press Release: http://www.publicaffairs.ubc.ca/2011/11/08/wood-biofuel-could-be-a-competitive-industry-by-2020-ubc-study/

Image: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Drva.JPG

In order to reach the required daily dosage of fiber, it is important that adolescents find the high-fiber foods attainable and desirable. The study showed that the more an individual consumed fiber, the lower the risk he or she had to develop certain symptoms of metabolic syndrome. A person is said to have metabolic syndrome if he or she has more than three of these symptoms: high level of sugar in the blood, high level of fat in the blood, a large waistline, high blood pressure and shortage of good cholesterol.

Unfortunately, a survey from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey performed from 1999 to 2002 showed that almost three-fourths of the adolescents in the survey had at least one symptom of metabolic syndrome. More than 2,000 teenagers (12 to 19 years of age) participated in the experiment. When comparing the teenagers who consumed the least amount of fiber to the teenagers who incorporated the most fiber in their diets, the teenagers consuming the least amount of fiber increased their risk of metabolic syndrome by three-fold.

The major goal of the study was to show the positive factors of incorporating high-fibrous plant-based substances (fruits, vegetables, beans, wheat and grains, etc) into daily meals. Since these fibrous foods provide various nutrients, healthy vitamins and minerals, there is a growing list of benefits to consider when determining whether to incorporate these foods into meals. With a steady diet of healthy fibers, children can start living healthier lives.

News Article: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111110130001.htm
Journal Article: http://linkinghub.elsevier.com
Image source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hordeum-barley.jpg