Author: tegan
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The salty structural changes of mRNA
When you think of RNA, you might tend to think of a text-book perfect straight lines of As, Us, Cs and Gs. But the reality is, that within a living cell, RNA dances as a complex structure, full of twirls and loops. And when plants (and presumably other organisms – but this blog is about plants) are challenged with changing conditions, those structures begin to twist and change…… Read more
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Global Biodiversity Hotspots- Defined by Plants
Sometimes, when I think about conservation, the world seems all kinds of bleak.
Ecosystems are being damaged, plants and animals are dying, and the indirect human impact of the climate crisis only serves to accelerate the effects of direct environmental destruction. There isn’t an easy solution to it all – or at least not one that we’ve yet decided as a global society to take. … Read more
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Our plant science picks for 2019
Well here we are, at the end of the… tennies?
Here’s our list of Big Stuff that happened in the world of plant science in 2019. We’ve probably missed a few, so let us know in the comments what you think was big this year.… Read more
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Advent Calendar Day 24
It’s the last day before Christmas….… Read more
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Advent Day 23 – Baby it’s Cold Outside
This one’s for you Northerners.. and I guess also those who are celebrating Christmas in the deep deep South.… Read more
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Advent Day 18-Brits and Brussel Sprouts
It began with a Christmas Card, which only caught my eye because of the Penguins.* But the penguins were holding a small placard – the protesting kind, and the placard read ‘down with sprouts’.
*Penguins are the greatest. It goes Plants, Cats, Penguins. Although some penguins are probably even better than some cats.
I didn’t understand, but I was hooked… and soon I started seeing sprouts everywhere in London. Not just small ‘sprout trees’ sold at the farmers’ market, but also sprouts on Christmas wrapping paper, and even a shiny sprout Christmas ornament, not unlike the infamous ‘German’ Pickle.… Read more
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Advent Day 17- The Yule Cat
Over the past few weeks, I’ve been reading up on the various Christmas traditions of different cultures in search for some inspo for this Advent Calendar. And I think I’ve found my favourite.… Read more
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Advent Day 16- Volvox looks like a Christmas Bauble
When I was young, I loved The Sound of Music. … Read more
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Advent Day 14- Not to be outdone, the Kiwis also have a New Zealand Christmas Tree
As I was reading fun facts about my beloved West Australian Christmas tree, wikipedia had the audacity to note that New Zealand also has its own Christmas tree. And I suspect it just might be better.… Read more
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Advent Day 12- The German Christmas Pickle
The conversation went a bit like this:… Read more