The discovery of new insights into corn genetics could revolutionize the way we grow crops, making them more productive and resilient in the face of a changing environment. A recent study, led by researchers at the University of Michigan, has shed light on how different cells within maize plants use genes to influence their physical traits.

According to Alexandre Marand, assistant professor of molecular, cellular and developmental biology, “most phenotypic variation comes from changes to regulation of a gene: when the gene is expressed, where it’s expressed and how much of it is expressed.” This means that subtle differences in gene regulation can have significant effects on the physical characteristics of plants.

For years, scientists have been able to sequence corn’s full genome and spot even slight genetic variations between specimens. However, these molecular-level differences often didn’t account for the large-scale differences that matter most to farmers.

The researchers began to suspect that how different cells used genes could play a crucial role in this disconnect. Although every cell in an organism shares the same genes, different cells use those genes differently.

Marand and his team’s latest study, published in the journal Science, has taken significant steps towards bridging this gap. By analyzing DNA from different cells in nearly 200 lines of maize plants, they revealed previously hidden information about gene activity inside various cell types.

“This really helps with prediction,” Marand said. “It lets us ask beforehand, ‘if we make changes, are they going to be additive or even synergistic?’ Will it be one plus one equals two? Or maybe it’s 10 — or negative 20.'”

The work also provides a head start in understanding where the best opportunities for synergy are waiting. Corn originated in tropical regions and has evolved into varieties that can now tolerate temperate climes.

By studying so many different varieties of corn, the new study shed light on evolutionary changes, helping understand how maize changed as growers selected the best performing plants in their environment.

“We can use that information to continue to improve plants and to make corn more adaptable to different climates,” Marand said. The researchers at the University of Georgia and the University of Munich also contributed to the study, which was supported by the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, and the University of Georgia Office of Research.

This breakthrough has significant implications for agriculture, allowing farmers to optimize crop growth and increase productivity in response to environmental changes. It’s a testament to the power of scientific research and collaboration to drive innovation and improve the world around us.

Ca. Electrothrix yaqonensis, a novel species of bacteria, has been discovered in a mud flat at the Oregon coast. This breakthrough could lead to the development of bioelectronic devices for various applications, including medicine, industry, food safety, and environmental monitoring and cleanup.

Researchers from Oregon State University, led by postdoctoral researcher Cheng Li and distinguished professor emerita Clare Reimers, identified the new species in intertidal sediment samples from the Yaquina Bay estuary. The team’s findings were published in Applied and Environmental Microbiology.

Cable bacteria are known for their unique ability to conduct electricity, an adaptation that optimizes their metabolic processes in sediment environments. Ca. Electrothrix yaqonensis features a mix of metabolic pathways and genes from the Ca. Electrothrix genus and other known cable bacteria genera. This new species is distinct from others in terms of its metabolic potential and structural features.

Cheng Li noted that this new species could provide insights into how these bacteria evolved and functioned in different environments. The highly conductive fibers made of unique, nickel-based molecules enable the bacteria to perform long-distance electron transport, connecting electron acceptors with donors in deeper sediment layers.

These bacteria play a crucial role in sediment geochemistry and nutrient cycling. Their ability to transfer electrons could be used to clean up pollutants from sediments. Additionally, their design of highly conductive nickel protein might inspire new bioelectronics.

The researchers drew the name Ca. Electrothrix yaqonensis from the Yaqona people, whose ancestral lands encompassed Yaquina Bay. This acknowledges the historical bond between the tribe and the land, as well as the enduring contributions to ecological knowledge and sustainability.

The discovery of Ca. Electrothrix yaqonensis could have significant implications for various industries and environmental applications. Further research is needed to fully explore its potential and understand how these bacteria evolved to develop their unique features.

The Lesser Goldfinches, a small songbird traditionally found in the Southwest, are expanding their range northward through the Pacific Northwest at an unprecedented rate. This remarkable shift provides insights into how species adapt to environmental change.

Researchers from Washington State University and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology analyzed data from birdwatchers participating in two initiatives from the Cornell Lab — Project FeederWatch and eBird — to track the species’ movement. The study found that Lesser Goldfinch populations increased dramatically in Washington (110.5%), Idaho (66.3%), and Oregon (16.9%) between 2012 and 2022.

“When I first arrived in eastern Washington, I was pretty new to birding and Lesser Goldfinches were new to me,” said Mason Maron, lead author and graduate of Washington State University. “I was seeing groups of 30 or 40 at a time, and I sort of assumed that was normal until I started meeting local birders who said, ’10 years ago we never had Lesser Goldfinches.'”

What’s fascinating is how these birds are adapting to human-modified landscapes. They’re not just moving north randomly; they’re following specific corridors, particularly along rivers and through urban areas where temperatures are warmer and where both native and non-native plants provide food.

The research identified maximum annual temperature, annual rainfall, urban development, and proximity to major rivers as key factors associated with the northward expansion. Although the authors noted Lesser Goldfinches appear at backyard bird feeders often, when they looked at how bird feeders might affect establishment, surprisingly, bird feeders played a minimal role in establishing new populations.

“There wasn’t really a significant association with bird feeders,” Maron said. The first individuals to arrive in a new area might go to feeders because they provide easy-to-access food, but Maron explained, “it’s not going to be enough to sustain a whole population.”

Rivers emerged as crucial corridors for expansion. “These rivers carry weedy plants and seeds really well,” said Maron. “We, as people, like to live along the river, so we disturb the soil and that really creates this sort of chain of the perfect conditions for them.”

Once established in new areas, the goldfinch populations remain stable. “Our results are suggestive of this species being able to pretty rapidly colonize new environments,” said Jordan Boersma, co-author and research associate at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

The Lesser Goldfinches might be shifting north in response to climate and habitat changes reported by this study, and indeed, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s eBird Status and Trends project indicates that Lesser Goldfinches are declining in the southern parts of their range.