đ± TWiB May 10, 2021
The newsletter is set to change a little. A key tool I used for scanning the accounts on Twitter shut down at short notice. I have found an alternative, but it will take some getting used to. It's not all bad news, I might be able to track Reddit better with this system, and I'll bring in some material from there. A downside is I'm getting a LOT more politics stories in my inbox. However, the lack of cut-off means I'm also seeing some less popular, but still interesting, stories getting shared. As a result, I'll be retweeting more frequently from the @BotanyOne Twitter account.
One change due to Reddit is that there's a Careers section tagged to the bottom of the newsletter this week. This week there's a new MHort course from the RHS, an application form for scholarships for PlantBio21, internships and some postdoc positions. As I get used to the new feeds this might expand a bit.
The next newsletter should be with you at the same time next week. Until then, take care.
Alun (webmaster@botany.one)
Monday
A cell surface-exposed protein complex with an essential virulence function in Ustilago maydis
Ludwig et al. show that five unrelated effectors and two membrane proteins from Ustilago maydis, a biotrophic fungus causing smut disease in corn, form a stable protein complex.
Oxford University Museum of Natural History Research Bursaries Are you interested in natural history and science? Would you like to gain experience of carrying out research in a museum? If so, our new bursary scheme might be right for you.
Parasitic plants and other botanical âmisfitsâ â www.botany.one
Taking a look inside these botanical rebels offers new information to better understand them.
Yu et al. demonstrate that transcriptomic gradients along the longitudinal root axis associate with specific shifts in rhizosphere microbial diversity. Moreover, they have established that root-derived flavones predominantly promote the enrichment of bacteria of the taxa Oxalobacteraceae in the rhizosphere, which in turn promote maize growth and nitrogen acquisition.
Tuesday
The genomes of ancient date palms germinated from 2,000 y old seeds
Resurrection genomics is an alternative to ancient DNA approaches in studying the genetics and evolution of past and possibly extinct populations. By reviving biological material such as germinating ancient seeds from archaeological and paleontological sites, or historical collections, one can study genomes of lost populations. Gros-Balthazard et al. applied this approach by sequencing the genomes of seven Judean date palms (Phoenix dactylifera) that were germinated from âŒ2,000 y old seeds recovered in the Southern Levant.
Tell the world your #PlantSciStory2021 We are excited to announce that The Global Plant Council and Plants, People, Planet are holding a new science communication competition called #PlantSciStory2021.
Flies can be pollen thieves but plants deal with them â www.botany.one Some plants tackle thieves and pollinators eating pollen by producing enough both to feed visitors and fertilise available ovules.
Wednesday
Secrets of the dead wood: ancient oaks hold key to new life In Richmond Park, decaying logs and mangled old branches are no longer cleared away but valued as habitats for birds and insects
Newly discovered fossils illuminate a family's 64 million year development â www.botany.one The fossils highlight the importance of West Gondwana in the evolution of Cunoniaceae.
Nature-based solutions for climate change in the UK The launch event for a landmark BES report offering the first comprehensive assessment of the potential of nature-based solutions in the UK. Free and open to all.
Thursday
Succulent smuggling: why are South Africaâs rare desert plants vanishing? Unique species in âthe worldâs most biodiverse desertâ are at risk from a warming planet and the lucrative plant poaching trade
Phylogenomic conflict coincides with rapid morphological innovation
Parins-Fukuchi et al. demonstrate that instances of high gene-tree conflict (discordance in phylogenetic signal across genes) in mammals, birds, and several major plant clades correspond to rate increases in morphological innovation. They suggest that gene-tree conflict and rapid phenotypic change across major clades of vascular plants, mammals, and birds are often the result of coincident population processes (e.g., changes in population size, rapid speciation, and incomplete lineage sorting).
Understanding the links between xylem anatomy and grapevine fruit quality â www.botany.one Is within vine variability in fruit quality the result of xylem sectoring in Californian grapevines?
Friday
Did the Amazon rainforest contribute to the âLittle Ice Ageâ of the 1600s? Scientists have found new evidence as they scrutinize a theory that Amazon re-growth, following European colonization, affected global climate.
Pink monkeyflowers are a sign of local adaptation â www.botany.one Botanists find petal colour can signal a monkeyflowerâs drought tolerance.
Direct foliar uptake of phosphorus from desert dust
Gross et al. applied desert dust on the leaf surface of Pâdeficient and Pâsufficient wheat, chickpea and maize to test the feasibility of direct foliar uptake of dustâP and investigate its related acquisition mechanisms.
Careers
Master of Horticulture | MHort / RHS Gardening â www.rhs.org.uk A Level 6 Award, studied online over three years, the MHort allows professional horticulturists the opportunity to expand and develop their research, communication, business development and supervisory/managerial skills. At the same time, students will engage with a range of industry professionals in the form of programme assessors and fellow candidates.
Science Summer Intern - Careers We are offering an exciting paid internship in Kewâs Science Directorate for undergraduates or MSci students wishing to undertake a placement as part of their degree.
Postdoctoral research position in the Imaizumi lab at the University of Washington in Seattle, WA for University of Washington A postdoctoral research position will be available immediately to study the mechanisms underlying seasonal flowering in the Imaizumi lab in the Department of Biology at the University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
Application for in silico Plantsâ Attendance Award for PB21 â docs.google.com
Apply for @insilicoplants's #PlantBio21 registration scholarship!
Answer 5 short questions to apply
Postdoctoral Researcher: Spatial tools for biological conservation - Careers This exciting new position will contribute to RBG Kewâs mission to understand and protect plants and fungi for the benefit of people and the future of all life on Earth, through postdoctoral research on innovative methods in biological conservation.
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