Adopt a Plant

Puya raimondii is a CAM plant.  It grows in a dry environment so the CAM pathway is ideal for conserving water.

http://www.pubmedcentral.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=373526

Space, the final frontier for root phototropism

Dr. John Kiss's research is based on root phototropisims.  Generally, roots grow away from light, but based on experiements with Arabidopsis plants the roots grew toward red light but away from blue light.  Another reason roots grow downward could be gravity, so Dr. Kiss worked with NASA to perform the experiments with root phototropisim in environments with different levels of gravity using the European Modular Cultivation System (EMCS) in space.  I found Dr. Kiss's presentation very informative and interesting.  As a NASA enthusiast, I really enjoyed learning about an experiment performed in space making use of microgravity. 

Genetically Modified Seeds Baned in Poland

The Polish parliament has placed a ban on the sale of genetically modified seeds. The ban placed by Poland, a member of the European Union since May 2004, goes against EU mandates. According to a poll conducted by Greenpeace, over 76 percent of Polish citizens are against genetically modified organisms, but the law will not go into effect until it has been authorized by the Polish president.

Polish parliament bans sale of genitically modified seeds

More Frankenstein Food Testing Pleases the Greens

The European Union has strengthened their testing on genetically modified organisms (GMOs), making the Greens happy but still not fully satisfied, as they believe the EU should be even more strict on GMO testing.  Apparently the EU environment ministers are very critical of the European Food Safety Authority who last month reported positives of GMOs.  The attitude toward GMOs or "Frankenstein foods" is not very good among the EU. 

Greens happy as EU tightens GMO testing

The European Union’s clash on biotechnology

The Greens are trying to prevent the European Commission to allow farmers to grow GMO, organic and traditional crops side by side for fear of the risk of cross contamination.  The term the European Commission uses for different types of crops grown side by side is "coexistence".  Biotechnology splitting the European Union governments, who continue to disagree on the issue.

Greens, industry clash again on EU biotech policy

Genetically modified soy found where it shouldn’t be

According to European law, food that is derived from GMO sources must be labeled.  However, in a survey by Britian's Food Standards Agency low levels of GMO soy was found in 10% of products that were not labeled as such. 

Food survey finds GMO soy in 10th of samples

Study separates hemp from marijuana

Findings show that hemp and marijuana can be separated by DNA fingerprinting.  Currently, it is illegal to grow both marijuana and hemp in the United States, but the study suggests that in the future hemp could be cultivated for industrial purposes.  Hemp is a very strong fiber and can be used in paper-making as an alternative to wood.  Though hemp and marijuana belong to the same species but differ in levels of tetrahydrocannibol (THC).

Drug free hemp is focus of U study

Stopping malnutrition with genetically modified sorghum

Scientists and companies are working toward creating a genetically modified sorghum plant that will be more nutritious.  About 300 million people already rely on sorghum as a primary food source in Africa, but although convenient to grow, it lacks in nutritional value.  The creation of a "Biofortified Sorghum" could help ease the pain of malnutrition.

US, African Scientists seek biotech answer to hunger

The threat of “plant spam”

This gardening article is humorous, but sends the message that gardeners should beware of plants that can spread to easily.  A little research on how the plant’s seeds are dispersed can help.  I like this article because it shows how some knowledge of botany can help even the average gardener.

What gardeners need to know about plants gone wild

Biopiracy in Brazil

With all the unidentified species of plants that could be used for medicinal purposes, some scientists are looking to the native communities for help.  However, they must pay them for their work, which results in ethical dilemmas.  It is unfair to use the locals to make money off pharmaceuticals, and anthropologists believe that paying the locals can result in deterioration of their culture.

Brazil grapples with jungle piracy dilemma