Plant Science
Researchers at Rice University have found that the protein PEX11 not only helps peroxisomes divide but also regulates their size during early plant development. In Arabidopsis seedlings, PEX11 mutants developed abnormally large peroxisomes lacking internal vesicles that normally curb growth. The mechanism appears conserved across species, as yeast Pex11 restored normal function in plant mutants.
Reported by AI
Scientists at the University of Maryland have identified a gene that enables a rare wheat variety to produce three ovaries per flower, potentially boosting grain yields significantly. This discovery, detailed in a study published on October 14, 2025, in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, offers a genetic tool to enhance food production amid rising global demand. The finding targets the activation of the WUSCHEL-D1 gene to create extra grain-bearing structures in wheat flowers.