News
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2025-01-12Wind speed affects plant hydraulics globallyA global analysis of hydraulic traits in 1,922 woody plant species shows that wind speed has significant effects on key traits related to plant water transport, independently of other climatic factors. A recent research paper published in Nature Ecology & Evolution describes the global variability in plant hydraulics in relation to wind speed.Wind has long been regarded as an important ecological factor for forests. It can affect plant hydraulics in a complex way, involving multiple factors related to water and energy balance and their interac...Read More -
2025-01-12Two parasitoid species found as promising biological control agents against insect pests feeding on Scaevola taccadaDuring an expedition to Yongxing Island, researchers found two parasitoid species with high parasitism rates on two main pests of the beach naupaka, Scaevola taccada, indicating these two parasitoid species have great potential to be used as biological control agents. The beach naupaka, Scaevola taccada, is an important evergreen shrub on the islands in the South China Sea because it is one of the most common plant species inhabiting those small islands and plays an important role in vegetation restoration. However, the growth of this shrub on islands in the South China Sea has been seriously damaged by a few...Read More -
2025-01-12Two new species of ferns were discovered in Dapeng New District, Shenzhen, GuangdongThis article highlights the discovery of two new fern species in Shenzhen's Dapeng New District: Ceratopteris baguangensis and Leptochilus tridigitatus. Ceratopteris baguangensis, found in Baguang Wetland Park, is distinguished by its unique morphology and habitat, enriching biodiversity in coastal wetlands. Leptochilus tridigitatus, with its di... Recently, scientists from the South China Botanical Garden of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, together with other institutions, have identified a new species of Ceratopteris, named "Ceratopteris baguangensis" after its discovery site in Dapeng New District, Shenzhen. Additionally, a new species of Leptochilus belonging to the family Polypodiace...Read More -
2025-01-06Researchers Reveal the Patterns and Influencing Factors of Pollen-Ovule Variation in PrimulaThe production of pollen and ovules in angiosperms varies widely both within and among species, playing a critical role in plant reproductive success. The production of pollen and ovules in angiosperms varies widely both within and among species, playing a critical role in plant reproductive success. Investigating the causes of pollen and ovule variation helps us understand how ecological and reproductive factors shape the allocation of sexual resources. However, few studies have examined how ...Read More -
2024-12-24Researchers Revealed the Effects of Mineral Amendments on Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Seawater Alkalinity in Coastal WetlandsOur latest study shows that using a combination of olivine and gypsum in coastal wetlands can significantly reduce methane emissions while maintaining seawater alkalinity. This study presents a pioneering endeavor that contributes to the sustainable management of coastal wetlands and supports future initiatives at reducing CH4 emissions and alle... In an era marked by escalating global warming and ocean acidification, researchers have turned their attention to mineral amendments in coastal areas as a promising strategy to enhance carbon sinks and seawater alkalinity. A recent study conducted a microcosm incubation experiment using coastal wetland sediments to explore how different mineral ...Read More -
2024-12-22Nitrogen Deposition Reduces Phosphorus-Induced Stimulation of Soil RespirationThis study examines the long-term effects of nitrogen (N) deposition and phosphorus (P) input on soil respiration (RS) in a tropical secondary forest over eight years. The results show that while P input increased soil respiration and heterotrophic respiration (RH), the addition of N mitigated these stimulative effects by reducing RH, suggesting... A new study published in Geoderma, led by Professor Faming Wang at the South China Botanical Garden, reveals how nitrogen deposition and phosphorus input influence soil respiration (RS) and its components—autotrophic respiration (RA) and heterotrophic respiration (RH).The research, conducted over eight years in a tropical secondary forest, show...Read More -
2024-12-20Phytomedicine may Lead to New Drugs for psoriasisThe Stilbene-enriched EtOAc extract of C. cajan leaves (EXT) effectively alleviated IMQ-induced psoriasis symptoms in a mouse model by reducing cytokines, chemokines, and Jak-stat signaling to inhibit inflammation, while activating the Ahr-mediated pathway to lower oxidative stress. This study suggests that EXT has significant potential as a the... Psoriasis is a chronic relapsing skin condition that affects approximately 125 million people worldwide. The typical features of psoriasis include significant thick, red, well-defined patches of skin with flaky and silver-white scales. Stress, infections from bacteria or viruses, skin injury, and immune system abnormalities can promote the devel...Read More -
2024-12-08South China Botanical Garden Uncovers Molecular Mechanism of Transcription Factor Phase Separation in Precise Flowering RegulationPhase separation plays a crucial role in organismal development and signal transduction, but how it contributes to the control of floral transition is yet to be elucidated. This study reports that co-phase separation of CO with NF-YB2/NF-YC9/FT precisely controls heterogeneous CO assembly and FT transcriptional activation to precisely regulate t... Phase separation, the formation of biomacromolecular structures without membranes inside cells, plays a crucial role in organismal development and signal transduction. The plant photoperiod regulatory factor CONSTANS (CO) protein can interact with nuclear transcription factors NF-YB2 and NF-YC9 to co-activate the expression of the key flowering ...Read More