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Plant patch can detect stress signals in real time (link is external)

Environmental Feed -

Environmental conditions can cause damaging stress to plants, posing challenges for home gardeners and farmers. Therefore, early detection -- before leaves visibly discolor, wilt or wither -- is crucial. Now, researchers have created a wearable patch for plants that quickly senses stress and relays the information to a grower. The electrochemical sensor attaches directly to live plant leaves and monitors hydrogen peroxide, a key distress signal.

Team finds regional, age-related trends in exposure to drug-resistant pathogen (link is external)

Environmental Feed -

Campylobacter infections are the most common foodborne illnesses in the U.S., sickening an estimated 1.5 million people each year. A new study examined records of Campylobacter jejuni infections from 10 states, plotting regional, age-related, and drug-resistance trends from 2013 to 2019. The study found that drug-resistant C. jejuni infections were highest in the 20-39 age group and that quinolone-resistant C. jejuni infections increased from 2013-2019. The researchers also identified regional differences in C. jejuni resistance to quinolones and six other classes of antibiotics.

Rethinking how we study the impact of heat on heart health (link is external)

Environmental Feed -

A new study reveals that encapsulated heating methods, an often-used heat simulation method, significantly increase heart rates and cardiac strain compared to natural heat exposure like those experienced during hot weathers. Understanding how extreme heat impacts heart function is crucial for developing effective strategies to protect vulnerable groups, especially as global temperatures continue to rise.

EPA regulations cut power sector emissions but miss opportunities for deeper reductions (link is external)

Environmental Feed -

Regulations finalized by the Environmental Protection Agency in 2024 could cut emissions from the power sector by 51% over 2022 levels, compared to only 26% without the rules, according to a new analysis. The study helps identify the likely effects of current regulations, highlights the impact of potential repeal on U.S. emissions, and quantifies the overall efficiency of emissions reductions achieved by the current rules.

Brain imaging reveals surprises about learning (link is external)

Environmental Feed -

By revealing for the first time what happens in the brain when an animal makes a mistake, researchers are shedding light on the holy grail of neuroscience: the mechanics of how we learn. The team pinpointed the exact moment mice learned a new skill by observing the activity of individual neurons, confirming earlier work that suggested animals are fast learners that purposely test the boundaries of new knowledge.

Squirrel-inspired leaping robot can stick a landing on a branch (link is external)

Environmental Feed -

A leaping robot could have application in search and rescue, construction, even forest monitoring. But how do you design a robot to stick a landing on a branch or pipe? Biologists worked with robot designers to discover how squirrels do it, and used what they learned to design a one-legged robot with the balancing ability and leg biomechanics to correct for over- and undershooting and land successfully on a narrow perch.

How an organelle evolves (link is external)

Environmental Feed -

Organelles in cells were originally often independent cells, which were incorporated by host cells and lost their independence in the course of evolution. Biologists are now examining the way in which this assimilation process occurs and how quickly.

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