It’s possible that I shall make an ass of myself. But in that case one can always get out of it with a little dialectic. I have, of course, so worded my proposition as to be right either way (K.Marx, Letter to F.Engels on the Indian Mutiny)
Thursday, October 09, 2025
How plants regulate adapting to drought
Heidelberg University research team discovers molecular mechanism that closes pores on leaves
A heretofore unknown molecular mechanism helps plants save water in extreme drought and intense sunlight. A research team at Heidelberg University’s Centre for Organismal Studies (COS) has discovered that a protein complex – the cysteine synthase complex – serves as a sensor in the chloroplasts. It receives and forwards stress signals and ensures that the hormone abscisic acid is formed via biosynthesis. This hormone triggers the closure of tiny pores on the leaves, thus preventing water loss.
For plants, periods of drought and intense sunlight often mean excessive water loss. To control the exchange of air and water vapor, plant leaves have microscopic pores on their surface that act like vents. The plant hormone abscisic acid (ABA) is mainly responsible for closing these pores. To activate the guard cells, the cysteine synthase complex in the chloroplasts, which consists of two enzymes, evaluates a number of signals. Among these are the sulfate nutrient signal and a small protein molecule that are both transported from the roots into the shoots when the soil dries up. The researchers at Heidelberg University also discovered a particular plant hormone induced by strong light intensity.
“When the cysteine synthase complex in the chloroplasts is activated by one of these stress signals, it stimulates ABA biosynthesis in the guard cells and ensures that the pores on the leaves close. In this way, the plant conserves water,” explain Prof. Dr Rüdiger Hell and Dr Markus Wirtz from the “Molecular Biology of Plants” research group at the COS. “Our results show that chloroplast metabolism not only provides building blocks through photosynthesis but also actively responds to stress signals, thereby fine-tuning plant responses to environmental conditions like drought.” Based on these findings, the researchers were able to generate an Arabidopsis plant – a molecular biology model organism of the Brassicaceae family – that withstands soil dehydration more effectively while maintaining growth. For the researchers, this is an approach to developing new strategies to improve crop resilience in the face of climate change.
The research was carried out in cooperation with partners at Nanjing Agricultural University (China). The German Research Foundation funded the research. The results were published in the journal Nature Communications.
Schematic of conventional lab-scale, static PLD facility and epitaxial growth of REBCO (upper panel), schematics of flat-plate and cylinder-type PLD and corresponding growth rate distribution over the deposition zone (left panel and right panel, respectively), the common deposition feature of MPMT-PLD process (below panel), and the typical configuration of REBCO CCs is shown in the center panel.
Credit: Yue Zhao, Yue Wu, Amit Goyal, Hannu Huhtinen, Petriina Paturi, Yuji Tsuchiya.
Advance Snapshot:
Commercial compact fusion promotes rapid development of PLD-REBCO industry
Research Motivation:
Commercial compact fusion has significantly driven the development of the PLD-REBCO industry, making technological advancements and economies of scale urgently needed to improve the cost-performance ratio of REBCO tapes.
Background
REBCO tapes are among the most promising high-temperature superconducting materials and are critical for commercial compact nuclear fusion reactors. Key fundamental issues of PLD-REBCO technology have been extensively studied, and dynamic high-speed deposition technologies for industrialization are rapidly evolving.
(Fig.1)
Industrial Progress of PLD-REBCO
Currently, there are approximately 15 HTS tape manufacturers worldwide, with an annual production capacity exceeding 5,000 km (12 mm width). Among them, four top-tier manufacturers adopt the PLD route: FFJ (Japan), Shanghai Superconductor Technology (China), Fujikura (Japan), and S-innovation (Russia). These four manufacturers contribute more than half of the global total production. Additionally, new manufacturers such as HTSI (USA), SuperMag Technology (China), Suprema (Italy), and traditional manufacturers like SuNAM (South Korea) and SuperPower (USA) are also transitioning to PLD technology.
Each manufacturer has its own technological preferences, with main differences lying in the heating and drive systems of the vacuum chamber, categorized into flat-plate and drum types. Both configurations are capable of producing highly uniform long-length REBCO tapes. Mass-produced PLD-REBCO tapes have achieved Je exceeding 1,000 A/mm² @ 20 K, 20 T, demonstrating excellent in-field performance (Ic>200 A/4 mm @ 20 K, 20 T, B//c) and competitive pricing ($15–30/m).
Opportunities
The progress in industrial-scale HTS tapes using PLD technology has far exceeded expectations from scientists or laboratory research. The extensive application of PLD-REBCO tapes in large-scale demonstration projects provides vast amounts of data for further iterative optimization. This not only improves the performance, homogeneity, and yield of industrial HTS tapes but also significantly boosts industry confidence. From an industrial perspective, further scaling and improved reproducibility are still needed. PLD does not require modulating complex chemical reactions, simplifying process control. Economically, PLD technology facilitates equipment replication, attracting new manufacturers to adopt it or existing production lines to expand.
Challenges
The cost of REBCO tapes must continue to decrease, with a short-term target of $50/kA·m and a long-term goal of $10–20/kA·m. To achieve this, scaling up production is necessary. FFJ and Shanghai Superconductor have demonstrated the feasibility of scaling through replication and expansion of existing production lines. However, several technical challenges remain. First, the costs of high-power excimer lasers and raw materials account for a significant portion and directly affect tape performance. Improving laser efficiency (current produced per unit energy, A/Joule) is crucial. Low utilization rates of REBCO targets (<50%) and long delivery cycles also pose additional challenges. Second, how to widen the optimal deposition process window remains an unresolved scientific and engineering issue. Additionally, effective online monitoring, feedback, and control technologies need to be developed. The introduction of AI-based data mining is expected to further enhance stability.
Conclusion and Future Perspectives:
PLD technology shows great potential for the large-scale production of high-performance REBCO tapes, particularly in meeting the growing demand for high-temperature superconducting materials from compact fusion applications. In the future, closer collaboration between industry and academia should be established to jointly address the scientific and engineering challenges in its industrialization.
Credit: "201208 Cyanobacteria" by DataBase Center for Life Science (DBCLS) Image source link: https://openverse.org/image/66887fcb-b231-45b9-b6a6-4ce9fe27eb79?q=cyanobacteria&p=6
The appearance of oxygen in Earth’s atmosphere was a turning point in the history of our planet, forever transforming the environment and setting the stage for complex life. This event, known as the Great Oxidation Event (GOE), occurred roughly 2.1 to 2.4 billion years ago. Yet, although oxygenic photosynthesis in cyanobacteria is thought to have evolved hundreds of millions of years earlier than this event, oxygen levels in the atmosphere remained low for a prolonged period. Scientists have debated why Earth’s oxygenation was delayed, exploring factors ranging from volcanic gases to microbial activity. However, a complete explanation has been elusive.
This study set out to address that mystery by examining an often overlooked but crucial factor, the influence of trace elements and compounds, specifically nickel and urea, on cyanobacterial growth. Lead researcher, Dr. Dilan M. Ratnayake from the Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University, Japan (current address is Department of Geology, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka), explained, “Generating oxygen would be a massive challenge if we are ever to colonizeanother planet. Therefore, we sought to understand how a tiny microbe, cyanobacteria, was capable of altering the Earth's conditions to make them suitable for the evolution of complex life, including our own. The insights gained from this study will also provide a new framework for the sample analysis strategies for future Mars sample return missions.” Professor Ryoji Tanaka and Professor Eizo Nakamura from the Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University, also contributed to the study. The findings of the study were published in Volume 6 of the journal Communications Earth & Environment on August 12, 2025.
To explore the role of trace elements and compounds in early Earth environments, the researchers conducted a two-part experimental study simulating Archean conditions (approximately 4–2.5 billion years ago). In the first set of experiments, mixtures of ammonium, cyanide, and iron compounds were exposed to ultraviolet light (UV)-C radiation, mimicking the UV that likely reached Earth’s surface before the formation of the ozone layer. These trials tested whether urea, an essential nitrogen source, could form abiotically under prebiotic conditions. In the second part, cyanobacterial cultures (Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002) were grown under controlled light–dark cycles with varying urea and nickel concentrations in their growth media. Growth was tracked by optical density and chlorophyll-a level to assess how these compounds influenced proliferation.
From these findings, the researchers propose a new theoretical model of Earth’s oxygenation. In the early Archean, high nickel and urea concentrations acted as bottlenecks, keeping cyanobacterial blooms rare and short-lived. As Dr. Ratnayake explains, “Nickel has a complex yet fascinating relationship with urea regarding its formation as well as its biological consumption, while the availability of these at lower concentrations can lead to the proliferation of cyanobacteria.” This sustained expansion ultimately drove long-term oxygen release and triggered the GOE.
The real-world implications of this work are far-reaching. “If we can clearly understand the mechanisms for increasing the atmospheric oxygen content, it will shed light upon the biosignature detection in other planets,” shares Dr. Ratnayake. He adds, “The findings demonstrate that the interplay among inorganic and organic compounds played crucial roles in Earth's environmental changes, deepening our understanding of the evolution of Earth's oxygen and hence the life on it.” Beyond Earth, the results may guide strategies for detecting biosignatures, as chemical markers like nickel and urea could influence oxygen buildup, and thus the potential for life on exoplanets.
This study uncovers how nickel and urea shaped the timing of Earth’s oxygen evolution. By experimentally confirming urea production under Archean conditions and demonstrating its dual role, both as a nutrient and as a potential inhibitor at high levels, the research reframes how we think about early life’s ecological constraints. Ultimately, it shows that the decline of nickel and moderation of urea paved the way for cyanobacterial expansion and the rise of oxygen, providing a clearer picture of how Earth transitioned to a habitable world.
About Okayama University, Japan
As one of the leading universities in Japan, Okayama University aims to create and establish a new paradigm for the sustainable development of the world. Okayama University offers a wide range of academic fields, which become the basis of the integrated graduate schools. This not only allows us to conduct the most advanced and up-to-date research, but also provides an enriching educational experience.
The University of Peradeniya, established in 1942 in Sri Lanka, is the country’s largest and most prestigious public university. Located near Kandy amidst scenic surroundings, it offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across nine faculties, including Agriculture, Allied Health Sciences, Arts, Dental Sciences, Engineering, Management, Medicine, Science, and Veterinary Medicine and animal science. Known for its strong research culture, academic excellence, and vibrant campus life, the university has produced numerous leaders, scholars, and professionals, contributing significantly to Sri Lanka’s education, science, and cultural development.
Dr. Dilan M. Ratnayake is a geochemist and astrobiologist, currently serving as a Temporary Lecturer at the University of Peradeniya. He earned his PhD in Geochemistry/Astrobiology from Okayama University (2019–2024) and a BSc in Geology from the University of Peradeniya. His academic career includes research and teaching roles at Okayama University and the University of Peradeniya. Dr. Ratnayake’s research interests span isotope geochemistry, cosmochemistry, and early Earth processes. He has authored six peer-reviewed publications, with notable contributions to studies on the Great Oxidation Event and materials from asteroid Ryugu.
Biogeochemical impact of nickel and urea in the great oxidation event
Immersive virtual reality visual hallucinations simulate the effects of psychedelic substances
This is the result of a study by experts at the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan campus. Possibility of integrating cyberdelics with other treatments and psychotherapies
Immersive Virtual Reality experiences reproducing visual hallucinations effects, miming those induced by the use of psychedelic substances, albeit without the actual use of substances.
This is the result of an experimental study published in the journal Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience and conducted by a team of researchers coordinated by Professor Giuseppe Riva, director of the Humane Technology Lab at the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan campus. The study – called Cyberdelics - was led by Dr. Giulia Brizzi and Dr. Chiara Pupillo in order to explore the psychological effects of simulated visual hallucination in immersive virtual reality scenarios on cognitive and emotional functioning.
The results show that these types of experiences have a significant effect on various cognitive and emotional processes, altering psychophysiological activation and emotional state, as well as leading to greater cognitive flexibility and creativity with effects that are potentially comparable to psychedelic substances.
“We have demonstrated for the first time that virtual reality is capable of replicating some of the positive effects typically associated with the use of psychotropic substances,” Professor Riva explains, "among which the increase in cognitive flexibility and creativity is particularly significant. However, it is important to verify whether these effects are truly comparable, on a neurobiological level, to those produced by compounds such as psilocybin or LSD. The data collected, however, suggest that the path taken is promising and deserves further investigation."
BACKGROUND
Scientific interest in cyberdelics is part of the broader debate on the use of psychedelics in psychiatry. Currently, these substances are not legally approved for routine therapeutic use, Professor Riva points out. However, in countries such as the United States and Switzerland, they are already being used by authorized clinics and/or within experimental protocols. In particular, they are used for patients with conditions such as treatment-resistant depression and post-traumatic stress disorder that do not benefit from traditional forms of therapy. Obviously, the use of these substances is part of structured psychotherapeutic treatment programs, as an additional and supportive element. Following the positive data, something has also started to happen in Italy: this August (2025), the Italian Medicines Agency (AIFA) authorized the first clinical trial on psilocybin for the treatment of resistant depression.
In this scenario, cyberdelics offers itself as a digital and non-pharmacological alternative that exploits the benefits associated with the use of psychoactive hallucinogenic substances, while avoiding the risks associated with their consumption.
THE STUDY
Cyberdelics environments are designed using specific visualization techniques based on artificial intelligence. In the present study, for example, researchers processed a relaxation video produced by the company Become, feeding it into Google's DeepDream algorithm, which transformed the video into an immersive experience enriched with hallucinatory visual effects.
The researchers involved 50 healthy volunteers who took part to two 10-minute immersive virtual reality experiences: “The Secret Garden” and its “Hallucinatory” version. The aim of the study was to see changes in psychophysical and cognitive terms following exposure to the different videos compared to the initial state. Compared to the control video, the hallucinatory version triggered several cognitive changes in participants in the short period of time following the experience.
Although it is safer than psychedelic substances, virtual reality is not without risks, experts warn. Some users may experience cybersickness or motion sickness, with symptoms such as nausea, visual fatigue, and/or disorientation. For this reason, it is necessary to present this type of experience in a controlled environment, following ethical guidelines and under the supervision of a properly trained facilitator or therapist.
FUTURE PROSPECTS
The work opens up promising scenarios for clinical research: cyberdelics could become an integrative tool in therapeutic protocols, acting as a “bridge” between traditional psychotherapy and new frontiers in psychiatry. The next steps include controlled clinical studies on samples of patients with different psychopathological conditions, the use of physiological and neurobiological measures to characterize the underlying mechanisms, effects, and their duration, and the definition of standardized protocols for the integration of cyberdelics in clinical and rehabilitation contexts.
“Digital psychedelic experiences are not intended to replace drugs,” the researchers conclude, “but our aim is to exploit virtual reality and technologies to create a safe laboratory in which to explore altered states of consciousness and their therapeutic potential. At the same time, they offer a digital alternative for those seeking the possible benefits of psychedelic experiences without resorting to recreational substance use, and for those who do not respond to traditional treatments.”
