011 - NatSci News Rewind May 2020 Transcript

You're listening to NatSci News Rewind a podcast that looks back at the monthly news headlines in the world of NatSci. Let's take a look back at the news for the month of May, 2020.

DOE renews funding for innovative photosynthesis research at MSU
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has awarded the Michigan State University-DOE Plant Research Laboratory a three-year (2020-2023), $11.25 million DOE Office of Basic Energy Sciences competitive renewal grant to continue its innovative photosynthesis research.

No-till agriculture increases crop yields, environmental gains over long haul
Despite the environmental benefits of no-till agriculture, farmers often hesitate to change to it as a crop management practice due to uncertain economic returns. However, MSU scientists Nick Haddad and Sarah Cusser have just published a study in Global Change Biology that clearly demonstrates significant benefit to both the environment and to crop yield for farmers practicing no-till versus tilled agriculture consistently over many years.

NatSci scientists shake up balancing act of plant metabolism
Step outside and spring is in full bloom, from red tulips, to pink magnolias to purple lilacs, but how do plants create all that color? The alluring hues that attract pollinators and provide beautiful bouquets begin with the formation of pigments known as anthocyanins. In a recent study published in Nature Communications, MSU scientists Erich Grotewold and Nan Jiang explored the elusive pathway these pigments take to the vacuole (a membrane-bound organelle which is present in all plant and fungal cells), where they finally reveal their true colors.

Researchers discover the evolutionary origins of cat attractant in catmint
Catmint, or catnip, is a flowering plant in the mint family that is well-known for its intoxicating effect on cats. Interestingly, the main function is not to attract cats, but to protect plants against herbivorous insects. In a new study published in Science Advances, an international team of researchers including MSU plant biologist Robin Buell, investigated how and why catmint makes nepetalactone and how the pathways for the formation of this unique chemical molecule have evolved.

Laurie Thorp RISES to the top as distinguished mentor
Laurie Thorp, director of Michigan State University’s Residential Initiative on the Study of the Environment (RISE) program, was selected by the Associated Students of Michigan State University (ASMSU) Senior Class Council to receive the 2020 Distinguished Mentor Award.

MSU scientists solve half-century-old magnesium dimer mystery
MSU Professor Piotr Piecuch, along with graduate students Stephen H. Yuwono and Ilias Magoulas, developed new, computationally derived evidence that not only made a quantum leap in first-principles quantum chemistry, but solved a 50-year-old mystery around the molecule Magnesium dimer (Mg2), which holds the key to understanding how magnesium atoms interact.

New study shines light on mysterious giant viruses
In a new study published in the journal Cell, a team of MSU scientists led by biochemist Kristin Parent shed light on these enigmatic, yet captivating giant microbes and key aspects of the process by which they infect cells. With the help of cutting-edge imaging technologies, this study developed a reliable model for studying giant viruses and is the first to identify and characterize several key proteins responsible for orchestrating infection.

STEM For All Video Showcase: Digital Collaboration and Productive Disciplinary Engagement
During a free week-long event, which ran from May 5-12, thousands of researchers, K-12 educators, higher education faculty, administrators, policymakers, graduate students and parents participated in a video showcase funded by the National Science Foundation. Participants could view project videos, post questions and comments, and vote for their favorites.

Three NatSci faculty members land prestigious NSF Early CAREER Awards
Three Michigan State University College of Natural Science researchers – Min Chen, Tong (Tony) Gao and Jianrong Wang – are recipients of 2020 National Science Foundation Early CAREER Faculty Awards.The grants support faculty members early in their profession who exemplify the role of teacher-scholars through their outstanding research, excellent education and the integration of the two.

MSU's Eva Farré leads NSF-funded project to explore what makes successful potatoes, science teachers tick
With support from a four-year, $2.5 million NSF grant, Michigan State University plant biologist Eva Farré, will lead a highly interdisciplinary team of MSU scientists to investigate what makes successful domesticated potatoes and successful science teachers tick.

And that will wrap up the rewind for the month of May, 2020. To read more about these stories, head on over to our website at natsci.msu.edu/news. You can also stay up to date by following us on social. You can find us on Twitter @msu_natsci, on Facebook @MSUCNS, and on Instagram @msunatsci. Thanks for tuning in and be sure to check us out next month.