Scientist have recently discovered that molecules called phytochromes, that are used to detect light during the day, are used at night for temperature sensor. The findings that are in Science journal show that phytochromes control genetic switches in response to temperature. The resposnes control the growth and development of the plant. At night the phytochromes change there state and the rate at which they change is direactly proportional to the decrease in temperature. The warm it is the faster these cells change and the faster the plant grows. The responsiveness of plants have been observed for hundreds of years but the exact mechanism that cause these responses have been unknown, until now. This research is being done to help increase to yield of crops because by 2050 it is estimated that the yields will have to double to keep up with the growing human population. fao.org estimtes that by 2050 to feed the world we would need to increase productivity by 70%, and developing countries would need to double their production.

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     The molecular mechanism that cause the response and reactions could be used to breed crops that are resillient to climate and temperature stresses. When phytochromes are active the restrict plant growth, when they are inactive they do not inhibit plant growth. When they are activated during the day they bind to DNA and restrict the division and growth. In the shade the phytochromes deactivate right away and are not bound to the DNA allowing for plant growth. Night is odd because instead of a complete deactivation of the all phytochromes in the plant after the sun goes down they deactivated slowly according to temperature. The lower the temperature the longer the phytochromes take to revert to their inactive state. Recent research have discovered genes that activated or deactivated the phytochrome cells, and even altering the active or inactive states. This research can be later used to help geneticlly modify plats to make them grow all the time, even in the dark or shade. With the world's population growing at an alarming rate the need for food is growing more and more every year. Break throughs like this are being looked at with wide eyes to see if they will fill our global demand for food.



Global agriculture towards 2050. (n.d.). Retrieved October 31, 2016, from http://www.fao.org/fileadmin/templates/wsfs/docs/Issues_papers/HLEF2050_Global_Agriculture.pdf

University of Cambridge. (2016, October 27). Plant 'thermometer' discovered that triggers springtime budding by measuring night-time heat. ScienceDaily. Retrieved October 31, 2016 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/10/161027142952.htm

Irreversible Genes in Tomatoes

Everyone likes buying fresh, ripe tomatoes. However, you might not be getting what you paid for. Research showed that when you buy tomatoes at the store they are not as ripe as you think. Sugars and acids, known as volatiles, immediately degrades once it is picked from the vine. If you want a ripe tomato, you might as well pick it off the vine and eat it right away. If you don't think this is bad, keeping tomatoes in the refrigerator also erases genes that are responsible for flavor.  Scientists at the University of Florida kept tomatoes in 41 degrees Fahrenheit. The results showed that the cold temperature made the tomato go into shock and it turned off genes that were responsible for flavor. Even when the tomato was kept in room temperature at 68 degrees Fahrenheit, the genes were still off. It is thus recommended to store your tomatoes at room temperature at all times and to consume within a week of purchasing.

Tardigrades Can Resist Radiation

Wouldn't it be convenient and genius if there could be a way that allows humans to resist radiation damage? Well now that can be possible all due to Tardigrades- commonly known as Water Bears. Water Bears are incredible since they can survive in below freezing temperatures and in 300 degree temperatures. They can also go without eating or drinking for about 30 years. These organisms possess an unique protein that allows them to tolerate extreme amounts radiation. This unique shielding protein is called Dsup. Prior to recent research, scientist thought that this protein repaired the damage that radiation caused instead of halting radiation damage all together. Scientists isolated this protein and inserted it into human cells. Results showed that human cells did not possess radiation damage after taking an X-Ray. Water bears are great at handling dehydration too. If scientists can pin-point this enzyme, then this enzyme can aid in the transportation of skin grafts and organs. There are many discoveries in the making that can greatly help the human population.