Dennis Buckmaster, an associate professor of agricultural and biological engineering at Purdue University, recently published a study on maximizing the efficiency of biofuel production. This particular study focused on the efficient production of ethanol from the cellulose in corn stalks. The current...
It’s no secret that blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, and plums are rich in antioxidants. However, many people don’t know that the reason for the abundant antioxidants is mainly due to high levels of anthocyanins, chemicals that are responsible for the fruits’ vibrant colors,...
It is a commonly known fact that ultraviolet light can be harmful to human skin. Most of us tend to use sunscreen lotion or sun-blocks, and Australians supposedly even wear huge hats when they know that they will be out in the sun for long. We never really pause to think of other organisms, though;...
After centuries in existence, garlic has attained its fair share of myths and certainties. While this pungently flavored vegetable may have the ability to ward off vampires and fight the plague, garlic also has many associated health benefits, one of which includes containing one the world’s most...
In a complete departure from our normal plant science news stories, we decided to instead bring attention to a new video game (available only for Playstation 3, alas) called “Flower”. Described as “the Read More
Have you ever wondered why some cultures have extremely spicy foods while others have foods deplete of spices all together? It is often postulated that our ancient ancestors from regions of the world with intense heat and humidity tended to have very spicy foods while those living in more temperate...
Your peanut butter might taste the same, but you might not feel the same after eating it. I remember when my dad called me after he heard about the peanut butter issues going on around the nation. He forbade me from eating peanuts and peanut butter, telling me my health is more important than my guilty...
The discovery of an efficient method of sequencing DNA genomes has been one of the most important biological breakthroughs of this era. It has led to an exponential increase in finding ways of treating genetic disorders in humans as well as discovering the means of preventing infection by sequencing...
Everyday our society makes new advances in technology. Computers, cell phones and cameras manage to be made smaller each time that a new model arrives on the market. Not only have technologies that benefit our social or business lives reduced in size, but medicine also seems to be following this...
Holly Gibbs, a research fellow at Stanford University presented the latest study on land use for biofuel production this Valentine’s Day at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
According to this study, the increased call for biofuels made from agricultural...
“Don’t forget to eat your vegetables, honey!” How many of us can say, without hesitation, that we have heard such a command from our mothers every day about half way through dinner? Either my mother is the most enthusiastic vegetable cheerleader on the planet, or this seems to be a common trait...
Since the Civil War in the latter half of the 19th century, some people in our nation have strongly pushed for diversity in the workforce and in schools. However, pushing for diversity was never really considered in modern agriculture, until recently, that is.
It is a widely known fact that...
Over the course of the year, we have talked a lot about rice; it’s an eye opening phenomenon for me to think of how much research is conducted over one crop. There are new problems being diagnosed and fixed constantly to help increase rice yield. For example, a recent study shows that a single...
As a student at one of the largest universities in the country, I cannot help but notice other people while walking to class or studying on a bench in the hall. Some students rush to class while scrolling through their favorite play list, while others choose to kill time between classes by text messaging...
Amputation is one of the most mentally and physically trying experiences an individual would ever have to go through. In extreme cases, however, amputation often becomes necessary as a last resort for those with extensive gangrene, infection, or other extreme wounds.
If a doctor feels that...
The Helmholtz Zentrum Munchen German Research Center for Environmental Health has been researching the genetic sequence of the African plant Sorghum, commonly known as milo. According to Dr. Klaus Mayer, the center is focusing the study on this particular species because, as a C4 plant, its analysis...
Tons of coal fly ash are added to soils in the United States to nourish vegetables and increase crop yields. But wait, doesn’t that say “coal?” For many years, soil manufacturers have used coal fly ash in their soil and compost products. Coal fly ash, more specifically, is a powder recovered...
Last weekend, I took a quick trip to the grocery store to pick up some strawberries, among other things. However, one distraction led to another and I didn’t quite make it to putting the pack in the refrigerator. A couple days later, I came back to find that I shared a common love for strawberries...
Hearing the word coconut brings a variety images, scents and tastes to one’s mind. Some may recall their mother’s freshly baked coconut cookies or an oversized slice of coconut cream pie, while others remember the scent of their favorite body lotion or the taste of coconut water; but rarely do...
These days everyone and their Mothers claims to have a LEED certified building, but the committee has recently reconsidered its initial constraints about applying itself only to building structure. The new future of LEED certified buildings acknowledges the environmental impact of the specific natural...
With the bringing of a new year and a new president, legislation is changing in Washington these days at a tremendous pace. Perhaps any day now, we are expected to see a unilateral lift of the previous bans on embryonic stem cell research enforced by the previous administration. In doing so, many...
Blueberries seem to be the fashionable, healthy snack to eat. How many times have you watched a movie and the characters go out to pick some blueberries? More than likely, you’ve seen more of those movies than movies where the actors go around picking plums. However, though blueberries seem to have...
A couple of months ago, we discussed current research aimed at improving rice yield. We heard of genes that helped grow bigger, fatter crops, we read about methods to aid rice growth in flood conditions, and we also learned how rice varieties could withstand drought conditions.
In the process...
Have you ever watched a beautician or barber clean up the floor after your haircut? Some sweep the discarded locks of hair into a nearby dustpan, while others push the hair into a vacuum nestled into the baseboard; but the ultimate question still stands – Where does of all of this hair really...
[A continuation today on the tragic story of the west coast forests] A study of over 76 Forest plots along the United States west coast in Washington, California, Oregon, Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Southwestern British Columbia showed that trees in the West Coast are dying at double the rate...
Just one week after his historic inauguration last week, President Obama is already making headway in the proposal of much needed new policies to assist with the global financial crisis we are experiencing in the world today. Running as a “green” candidate during the lead up to last year’s election,...
Every year, I hold within me a desire that disco will make a comeback. I often sit in class, dreaming about how amazing it would be to do a classic disco move at a party and not be avoided as if I’m bringing the bubonic plague back, rather than a simple dance step. When all hope seemed to be lost,...
We’ve spent the last few months talking about the innovative research being conducted around the world to increase agricultural yield of various plants. This increase also means an increase in agricultural byproducts. It is always around Christmas every year when I realize the duality of acquiring...
Greenseedling is on winter break until late January. During this time, we encourage you to relax with a cup of hot chocolate and explore the archived material, comment on articles, or send us an email letting us know what you think. We’ll be back soon with fresh stories *and* coming soon –...
Have you ever worked outside in your flowerbed on a day when the sun never seems to disappear into the clouds? As you dig up old plants and replace the empty spots in the soil with fresh flowers you think to yourself, “If this shade tree wasn’t here, I might just pass out from exhaustion!”...
The rising atmospheric temperature that the world is currently experiencing may be offset by something as simple as increasing the number of “green spaces” present in our cities. The findings come from a study done at the University of Manchester lead by Dr Roland Ennos, a biomechanics expert...
Over Thanksgiving break, I was at my Aunt’s house in Southern Illinois and after stuffing myself with turkey, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie, I still found the need to check out the fridge, and I am glad that I did.
Inside, I found what has now become a delicacy for me amongst the fruit...
Two of the most common ways to minimize pests in crop fields are spraying insecticides and the use of Bt-toxin plants. Bt-toxin plants are plants that contain genes from the soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (hence the “Bt”). The genes from Bt, when inserted in a plant, produce a toxin that...
Recently I’ve noticed the word ‘wholegrain’ on most breads, cereals and crackers at the grocery store. Even white bread is now ‘wholegrain’ white bread. What started this trend? Why does that one word automatically make the same white bread seem more nutritionally appealing? It’s because...
Greenseedling is thankful for your support and for the plants and people who love them! We’ll be back with fresh stories on Monday Dec 1. Meanwhile, check out some of our Fun Stuff activities, listen to a podcast or take in a book listed on the Podcasts and Media page, or enjoy some of our...
Yesterday we talked about increasing rice yield under flood conditions, scientists seem to really be making sure that Rice crops stay healthy under all natural catastrophic conditions.
India and Thailand have both seen droughts in recent days, and droughts lead to, of course, lack of agricultural...
We talked earlier about researchers finding a gene in Rice plants that allows for more nutritional uptake and create bigger, healthier rice grains. Considering the fact that rice does happen to be the most consumed grain on the planet it’s important to research every possible aspect that can aid...
Have you ever questioned why you spend countless hours planting flowers in the spring only to have to re-plant them again next year? For those flower-enthusiasts who do not wish to uproot their garden annually, perennial plants, which survive for several years, are ideal; however, new research conducted...
What would you say if I told you that insects may help us break our dependence on oil products for fuel? Most people would probably laugh and say “Yeah right!” However, in an article soon to be published in Biofuels, Bioproducts & Biorefining, Assistant Professor of entomology at the University...
Some additional perspective on yesterday’s story.
About a month ago, I remember reading an article in either Time or Newsweek magazine that dealt with the issue of the average life expectancy of humans around the world. In the list that they compiled of the over 200 or so countries on...
Considered one of the most daunting diseases of our time, HIV/AIDS has killed more than 20 million people worldwide since the epidemic first penetrated our species. Finally, after years of studying the ever evasive virus, researchers at the UCLA AIDS Institute have discovered that a chemical from...
Revegetation, currently a global concept, restores environmental niches destroyed by pollution or over-grazing. Although the type of area, body of water, forest, or environmental region may differ, the techniques used to revive natural life have consistently been the same. Biologists and scientists...
Recently, while browsing my local department store, a perfume salesperson offered me a sample of the season’s latest fragrance. While handing me the perfume-spritzed ribbon, she described the story behind this particular scent.
“On a lovely spring morning, farmers are sent out to a field...
A 2006 issue of Nature named global warming to be a significant cause of the extinction of the Harlequin frogs. The study stated that rising atmospheric temperatures cause an increase in a specific species of fungus, the chytrid fungus, known to be deadly to amphibians. Today’s “amphibian crisis”...
As a botanist, my mother has always understood the immense beneficial effect of having houseplants. She sometimes took this a little too far by effectively turning our front porch into a mysterious jungle that naturally formed a haven for a diverse plethora of unwanted insects to buzz inches away...
Bad alliterations aside, hybrid plants seem to be the new future for farmers in the American Southwest. A recent study has shown that 70% of fresh peppers in the US come from Mexico, and another 18% come from Canada. Our nation seems to live by kicking up their food a notch with peppers, which makes...
Two weeks ago, we talked about how scientists have discovered the proteins and promoter sequences in plants responsible for the growth of root offshoots. Well, it seems like science today is moving forward as fast as technology does.
Pankaj Dhanukshe, a researcher from Ultrecht University,...
Do you remember when the Heinz Company first introduced purple ketchup? Advertisements flooded the airways and people made a mad dash to the grocery store to pick up a bottle of the vividly colored condiment, but when families sat down at the dinner table to dress their fries, hot dogs and hamburgers...
The search for a replacement for oil-based plastics has unearthed a competitive alternative: sugarcane ethanol. Formally known as polyethylene it was first accidentally synthesized by German chemist, Hans von Pechmann in 1898. This malleable but incredibly strong polymer is found in everything from...
Every summer I look forward to 3 things: A nice vacation, weekend camp-outs, and strawberry season. Who knew that while I was gorging myself on those delightful red berries that researchers around the world were using strawberry genes to make a breakthrough in plant biology.
As one of their...
We all know that there is such thing as “too much of a good thing.” As a kid, I loved walking into one of those novel candy shops straight out of a corny, old movie and indulging in the tons of sugar around me. I loved feasting on Halloween night after hording tons of candy from neighbors, friend’s...
Forget what you’ve heard about increasing the shelf-life of that broccoli (well, would you even want to?), because a recent study at the University of La Rioja has shown that the illuminating light above certain green (or otherwise un-pigmented) processed vegetables in supermarkets actually decreases...
Happy Halloween! Every year as October 31st approaches, children, teenagers and adults alike gather to select the finest pumpkins from the patch to place on display for trick-or-treaters. Whether this orange fruit remains whole or is carved into a jack-o’-lantern, pumpkins seem...
AgroParis Tech, a collection of French academic institutions, recently conducted a study looking at plant migration data from six major regions across Europe. The findings were that a whopping 118 out of the 171 plant species tracked have migrated northward and will probably continue to do so. As...
A fundamental problem that arises with all of life on earth is allocating a limited number of resources over the entire span of a population. Since the dawn of humanity, this has been the source of countless wars and conflicts that have resulted in the tragic deaths of many and the injury of countless...
You may take a look at this title and see three horrendous things staring back at you. However, to the plant world, and partially our world, they might not actually be the worst things on the planet. As it turns out, global warming increases the length of the growth season of hardwood forests by...
I remember when I was little, every time I would eat a vegetable, my brother would jump up and say, “Ewww, you just ate a root, it came from under the ground, where all those animals poo and dead bodies go!” And slowly but surely I learned to dislike eating roots; in fact, as I took more and more...
New studies conducted on plant mating have concluded that humans may not be the only species rejected by the opposite sex. According to researchers from the University of Missouri, pollen proteins may contribute to a signaling process that determines if a female plant accepts or rejects certain pollen...
We’ve all woken up in the morning having gotten more than the recommended 8 hours and yet somehow we feel more tired than the night before. The solution we often choose is more sleep, which sadly only perpetuates the cycle of grogginess. The environment suffers a similar issue, only instead of lethargy...
[* Are you visiting our site from Facebook? Welcome to Greenseedling! Here, you'll find the latest news stories from the exciting (yes!) world of plants! Plants have quite a few surprises up their, er, leaves. Need proof? Check out Usman's story on plant communication...
Being diagnosed with cancer never sits well in a patient’s stomach, especially if they don’t have the money or the health insurance coverage to pay for it. Fortunately, there may be a cheaper alternative through traditional Chinese medicine. Researchers have shown that Realgar-Indigo naturalis...
Nowadays, people want the cleanest, healthiest, most natural substances around themselves. Media focuses on recyclable goods and companies advertise themselves with pride on helping the environment. Parents don’t want to expose their children to chemicals, this can be seen through the cleaning supplies...
With research showing that the Brazilian Acai berry contains twice the antioxidants of a blueberry, health-nuts everywhere can start their spring-cleaning early and make room in the pantry for the newest craze in “super-foods.” Amherst College’s Acai Report in 2005 reveals that the Acai berry...
Harmful Algal Blooms are wreaking environmental havoc at an alarmingly high rate, costing the per annum loss of tens of millions of American dollars invested in fisheries, aquaculture sites and other bio-dependent industries. As a result, Professor Sinjie Lin, an Associate Professor of Molecular Ecology...
Last summer, while sitting with my 8 year old cousin on a lazy Sunday afternoon, we both watched as my mother cut us all a various assortment of fruit as she routinely does and my cousin asked, “Why are fruits the only thing that are good for us and that taste delicious? I love candy and fries but...
Cranberries are all the rave these days, it seems. Consumer demand for cranberries has never been as high as it is today, and the main reason for this demand stems (this is bad plant humor) from the fact that cranberries are incredibly beneficial to the human body. What exactly do cranberries do for...
Unknowingly for the last few centuries, humans have selectively been increasing the gene frequency of a gene in rice that helps produce healthier and bigger grains. Researchers from Penn State and the Chinese Academy of Sciences have found a gene, GIF1, that is responsible for essentially increasing...
Parents constantly encourage their children to share – share toys, share books, share crayons. However, while children are constantly being told to share their treasures, they are NEVER encouraged to dole out such commodities as orange juice, socks, and half-eaten pb&js. While these rules...
With their age-old abilities to clean pollutants and particles from our air, soil and water, trees with medicinal, environmental and nutritional benefits may be mother nature’s newest pitch for keeping families healthy and thriving. Sixty-three year old botanist Ms. Beresford-Kroeger introduces...
Perhaps the most fundamental unifying feature of all of life on earth is the immense ability of our planet’s various life forms to adapt to the most extreme of conditions. Even in seemingly barren regions of the world, scientists have been hard pressed to find even a single area that fails to...
A study done by the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) has shown that walnut trees do not have to go out on weekends to relieve stress. Instead, they emit their own aspirin-like chemicals to deal with stress. It turns out that when walnut trees are faced with unfavorable conditions such...
As consumerism increases and resources dwindle it becomes necessary to find ways to protect crops from damage. A microscopic worm called Meloidogyne hapla is a parasite more commonly known as northern root-knot nematode. On average, this parasite along with the help of its friends (other root-knot...
A fish, a sea star, and an algae plant are drifting along the ocean floor. The fish says to the sea star, “Wow! It sure is hot and sunny today!”
Before the sea star can even “bubble up” a reply the algae is quick to say, “I know! Look at my hideous sunburn!”
While a fish,...
Roses are red, violets are blue, arthritis is painful, so chunk the Vicoden? Recent studies have concluded that an active ingredient in rose hip can protect and possibly rebuild broken down joint tissue in patients who suffer from arthritis diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis....
Professors Yoav Waisel and Amram Eshel from the University of Tel-Aviv discovered, along with their collaborative research partner Plantware, a specific species of trees that when grown in air, rather than soil and water, retain a soft root structure.
The lab, conducted at the Sarah Racine...
As summer nears its end and we proceed into the more pleasant days of autumn, one can’t help but notice the drastic climatic and physical changes that naturally ensue during this transitional period. Perhaps the most inspiring of these changes is so characteristic of autumn that it has led many...
We’ve updated the site! Look forward to new content and articles going forward. We’ll be continuously updating and making changes throughout the year.
Recent updates include: new site design, more stories (now five-days-a-week), search, new categories, and better syndication.
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