Ever seen a plant take a breather?
This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science.
Pores in plant leaves control air and water flow. Nowadays, we can monitor that in HD.
Enter Joseph Crawford and team from University of Illinois.
They developed a system to learn everything they can about these pores. Microscopic cameras to record movement? Check! Sensor array for gas exchanges? Check! Finally, a sealed chamber for light and air control? Checkity check!
With this, the team could see how environmental changes affect pore openings. Meaning better growth, but also more water loss.
This knowledge could lead to more efficient agriculture!
Could be time to “open up” to drought-resistant plants!
References: Crawford, J., Mayfield-Jones, D., Fried, G., Hernandez, N., & Leakey, A. (2025, November 17). Stomata in-sight: Integrating live confocal microscopy with leaf gas exchange and environmental control [Review of Stomata in-sight: Integrating live confocal microscopy with leaf gas exchange and environmental control]. Oxford Academic; Plant Physiology. https://academic.oup.com/plphys/article/199/4/kiaf600/8325470?login=false#545740772