All articles tagged with #plants
Journalist Michael Pollan discusses his new book A World Appears, which ties together questions about consciousness—what it is, who has it, and why—with explorations of plant sentience, psychedelic experience, and the risk that we mistake chatbots for true consciousness, all while examining how humans relate to mind, self, and technology.
A new critique published in Trends in Plant Science questions the 2025 study that linked synchronized bioelectrical activity in spruce trees to a partial solar eclipse, arguing the small sample size, numerous variables, and lack of alternative explanations undermine the claim; some scientists label the work as pseudoscience, while the original researchers defend the preliminary results and say follow-up studies are ongoing.
A rare asexual yam, Dioscorea melanophyma, produces berry-like bulbils that trick birds into dispersing vegetative clones; birds perceive bulbils as real fruit, enabling endozoochory-based spread with a median distance of about 230 meters and occasional transfers beyond 500 meters, helping seedless plants expand without seeds.
Researchers found female moths (Spodoptera littoralis) can hear ultrasonic sounds emitted by drought-stressed plants and use these cues to decide where to lay eggs. In experiments without real plants, moths preferred locations near a stress sound; when healthy plants were present, they avoided the stressed plants, showing context-based decision-making that integrates sound with smell.
A West African cliff-dwelling plant, Virectaria stellata, exhibits unusual stellate hairs and genetic traits not typical for its Rubiaceae family, suggesting possible horizontal gene transfer from another species. While researchers, including UGANC and RBG Kew, test genomic sequences to confirm gene movement, they note that the mechanism remains uncertain and that the plant is not parasitic. Further sampling in Guinea and genomic analyses will help determine whether real gene transfer occurred and how it shaped the plant’s traits.
Gold is more widespread than commonly thought, found in the human body, oceans, space, and even plants, revealing its surprising presence in various natural and extraterrestrial environments.
Researchers have identified a genetic switch in plants that can be modified to enable crops like barley to fix nitrogen from the air through symbiosis with bacteria, potentially reducing the need for artificial fertilizers and making agriculture more sustainable.
Research shows Neanderthals primarily ate meat and bone marrow but also consumed plants like pistachios, lentils, and grasses, and relied on fat sources such as marrow and brains, indicating a varied diet rather than meat-only consumption.
Scientists have discovered a widespread 'hidden order' in drylands worldwide, where plants self-organize into a disordered hyperuniform pattern that optimizes resource use and enhances survival in extreme conditions, with implications for ecosystem resilience and early warning signs of environmental stress.
Scientists have discovered that microbes inside Norway spruce needles may help transform soluble gold into solid nanoparticles, suggesting a microbial role in gold accumulation in trees and potential new methods for mineral exploration and water metal removal.
The porcelain flower, or hoya, is a popular indoor plant in 2025 known for its delicate, fragrant, and beautiful star-shaped flowers, easy care, and air-purifying qualities, making it an ideal exotic addition to home interiors.
Pocket Scion is an affordable, portable synthesizer that uses biofeedback from plants or skin to generate sound and MIDI data, allowing users to create music and control external devices without expensive setups, and includes advanced features like MIDI out and a sound design app.
Research shows that during drought recovery, Arabidopsis plants prioritize activating immune responses over growth, a process called Drought Recovery-Induced Immunity (DRII), which is also observed in tomatoes, suggesting a conserved mechanism that could inform crop resilience strategies.
A Home Depot employee shared photos of numerous plants being discarded, highlighting concerns about waste and environmental impact, with the company citing vendor decisions as the cause. The incident raises broader issues about resource overuse, plastic pollution, and sustainable practices in retail and gardening.
The article discusses seven plants—marigolds, lavender, geraniums, painted daisies, milkweed, garlic, and peppermint—that can help prevent or control grub infestations in gardens by repelling or attracting pests, promoting soil health, and maintaining ecological balance.