Chinese researchers discover world's first heat-resistant rice gene
Farmers pick ears of rice left over by a paddy harvester as the region experiences a drought outside Jiujiang city, Jiangxi province, China, August 27, 2022. PHOTO:REUTERS
Listen to article
Chinese scientists have discovered a key gene that significantly improves rice's tolerance to extreme heat while preserving grain quality and boosting yields — a breakthrough with major implications for food security amid climate change.
The gene, named QT12, was identified by researchers from Huazhong Agricultural University in Wuhan, central China. Their findings were published Wednesday in the prestigious journal Cell.
QT12 works by interacting with the NF-Y protein complex, forming a protective mechanism inside rice grains under high temperatures.
This interaction shields the grains from heat stress while stabilizing starch and protein synthesis, according to Li Yibo, the study's corresponding author.
The team conducted extensive field trials during last year's heatwave across key rice-producing cities — Wuhan, Hangzhou, and Changsha — all located within the Yangtze River basin, which accounts for roughly two-thirds of China's rice production.
Incorporating QT12 into the hybrid rice variety 'Huazhan' resulted in yield increases of 49.1% in Wuhan, 77.9% in Hangzhou, and 31.2% in Changsha, while also enhancing grain quality.
'These results demonstrate QT12's potential as a powerful tool to combat yield loss caused by rising global temperatures,' Li said. 'This gene offers a novel molecular strategy to breed rice that performs well under heat stress without compromising quality.'
To accelerate real-world application, the research team has begun collaborations with domestic agricultural companiesto integrate QT12 into commercial breeding programs.
With global warming posing increasing risks to food crops, this discovery could play a vital role in safeguarding rice production in China and other heat-prone regions worldwide.
Tags: heat-resistant rice gene, QT12, Huazhong Agricultural University, climate-resilient crops, rice yield under heat, NF-Y complex, hybrid rice Huazhan, Yangtze River basin, rice farming innovation, Cell journal rice study
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
30-05-2025
- Express Tribune
After DeepSeek, China's JC10 moment
The writer heads the independent Centre for Research and Security Studies, Islamabad. He is currently a visiting Research Fellow at Fudan University, Shanghai Listen to article Amidst the intricate tapestry of Chinese intellectual and academic circles, a distinct sense of pride permeates the nation's achievements. The recent, albeit perilous, Indo-Pak confrontation (May 7-10) serves as a catalyst for this sentiment. As the ongoing war of information and propaganda intensifies, Chinese intellectuals eagerly celebrate the groundbreaking milestones achieved through their technological advancements, particularly in the domains of AI-driven satellites, jet fighters and missiles, in collaboration with the Pakistan Air Force. They find amusement in the spotlight that has been bestowed upon their defence hardware, which emerged triumphant after four days of engagement. Following the DeepSeek, Beijing and Shanghai have experienced a collective sense of triumph akin to the JC10-PL15 Moment for most academics. This moment is fueled by the successful demonstration of their technology, which has garnered widespread attention. An excerpt from The National Interest elucidates the recriminations between the Indian and French governments over access to source codes for the Rafale jets. These events have engendered both anger in India and amusement in Beijing. Chinese social media platforms have been abuzz with these developments, as they find amusement in the circumstances. After all, why should they not? Chinese weapons and warplanes exceeded expectations during the conflict. When news emerged of India's inability to access Dassault's source code, coinciding with India's capture of an intact Chinese PL-15 missile, one of Beijing's "wolf warrior", diplomats took to X to mock New Delhi: "India invested $288 million per Rafale, yet they lack access to the source code. Furthermore, they assert their ability to 'extract the software' from the wreckage of a PL-15 missile. However, they are unable to access the fundamental functions of their own Rafale jets." While exuberance is understandable, it should not be construed as complacency. The Indo-Pak confrontation has only served as a catalyst for further pursuit of excellence through meticulous deliberation and strategic planning, both domestically and internationally. Discussions at universities, think tanks and official quarters continue to be influenced by the recent four-day conflict between nuclear rivals, India and Pakistan. The episode appears to have energised Chinese academia to engage in forward planning and explore options for enhanced and more effective cooperation with partner countries, particularly Pakistan. Why is this the case? Consistency is ensured by the Communist Party, which underpins China's entire political economy and the intellectual growth led by a dedicated leadership that ascends the political ladder through a rigorous accountability process. Only those with the utmost integrity and demonstrated commitment to the party and the people are successful in this process. What unites these individuals is an unwavering faith in the well-being of citizens and the belief that investment in human resources is essential for progress. Whether it is the iconic Great Wall in Beijing or Shanghai, Yiwu or Guangzhou, China's defence hi-tech capabilities, dozens of high-altitude glass bridges, or Shanghai's Global Finance Center, they all convey the same message: unwavering policy consistency, honesty and visionary leadership, coupled with absolute focus on the welfare and education of the people. These factors have transformed China and propelled it to a position where it is now asserting itself even against the United States. While President Trump's bullying tactics were met with resistance, China agreed to engage in diplomatic discussions but refused to yield. The recent grand summit in Kuala Lumpur, which involved China, ASEAN and the GCC, provided a glimpse of Beijing's unwavering commitment to peaceful engagement and win-win cooperation rather than coercive diplomacy. While President Biden's Build Back Better World initiative has seemingly lost momentum, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) continues to thrive and attract an increasing number of countries. Since Xi Jinping assumed the presidency in 2012, China has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in research and capacity building. Notably, the Chinese military has undergone a significant reduction in personnel, with nearly 300,000 personnel being eliminated. Additionally, the generals have been instructed to prioritise their professional duties and future challenges rather than engaging in commercial ventures. The People's Liberation Army (PLA) must maintain its focus on excellence and avoid any involvement in commercial activities. Both the PLA and the Communist Party have endured severe purges of high-ranking officials for corruption, inefficiency and betrayal of their responsibilities. The driving force behind China's current success lies in an ecosystem anchored in solid planning, facilitated knowledge and skill development, and the pursuit of excellence. This system operates on merit and celebrates knowledge and skills. Coincidentally, as I was concluding this article, a public service text message arrived on my mobile device, reminding us that May 30th is the 9th National Science and Technology Workers' Day and coincides with the 25th National Science and Technology Activity Week. "We extend our utmost respect to all science and technology workers. Let us harness innovation as our guiding principle and hard work as our propulsion, collectively constructing the vision of a robust nation through science and technology," said the message from the ministry. This inspiring message serves as a testament to the recognition of science and technology as the indispensable key to self-sufficiency and competitiveness, positioning China at a significant advantage over other nations. It is unsurprising that China is experiencing a surge of technological achievements that few countries can boast of - something that instills a sense of confidence and fosters national pride.
Express Tribune
29-05-2025
- Express Tribune
Prehistoric tools made of whale bones found in France
A large projectile point made of gray whale bone from the Duruthy rockshelter, dated between 18,000 and 17,500 years ago, is pictured in Landes, France. Photo: REUTERS Artifacts found at archeological sites in France and Spain along the Bay of Biscay shoreline show that humans have been crafting tools from whale bones since more than 20,000 years ago, illustrating anew the resourcefulness of prehistoric people. The tools, primarily hunting implements such as projectile points, were fashioned from the bones of at least five species of large whales, the researchers said. Bones from sperm whales were the most abundant, followed by fin whales, gray whales, right or bowhead whales — two species indistinguishable with the analytical method used in the study — and blue whales. With seafaring capabilities by humans not developing until thousands of years later, the Ice Age hunter-gatherers who made these implements would have been unable to actually hunt whales for their resources in the Bay of Biscay, a gulf of the Atlantic Ocean. "These whales were likely opportunistically acquired from stranded animals or drifted carcasses, rather than actively hunted," said biomolecular archaeologist Krista McGrath of the Autonomous University of Barcelona, co-lead author of the study published in the journal Nature Communications. Reuters
Express Tribune
28-05-2025
- Express Tribune
SpaceX Starship spins out of control mid-flight, marks third explosive failure
[1/6]SpaceX's next-generation Starship spacecraft atop its Super Heavy booster is launched on its ninth test at the company's launch pad in Starbase, Texas, U.S., May 27, 2025. PHOTO:REUTERS Listen to article SpaceX's Starship rocket roared into space from Texas on Tuesday but spun out of control about halfway through its flight without achieving some of its most important testing goals, bringing fresh engineering hurdles to CEO Elon Musk's increasingly turbulent Mars rocket program. The 400-foot tall (122 meter) Starship rocket system, the core of Musk's goal of sending humans to Mars, lifted off from SpaceX's Starbase, Texas, launch site, flying beyond the point of two previous explosive attempts earlier this year that sent debris streaking over Caribbean islands and forced dozens of airliners to divert course. For the latest launch, the ninth full test mission of Starship since the first attempt in April 2023, the upper-stage cruise vessel was lofted to space atop a previously flown booster - a first such demonstration of the booster's reusability. But SpaceX lost contact with the 232-foot lower-stage booster during its descent before it plunged into the sea, rather than making the controlled splashdown the company had planned. Starship, meanwhile, continued into suborbital space but began to spin uncontrollably roughly 30 minutes into the mission. The errant spiraling came after SpaceX canceled a plan to deploy eight mock Starlink satellites into space - the rocket's "Pez" candy dispenser-like mechanism failed to work as designed. "Not looking great with a lot of our on-orbit objectives for today," SpaceX broadcaster Dan Huot said on a company livestream. Musk was scheduled to deliver an update on his space exploration ambitions in a speech from Starbase following the test flight, billed as a livestream presentation about "The Road to Making Life Multiplanetary." Hours later, he had yet to give the speech and there was no sign that he intended to do so. In a post on X, Musk touted Starship's scheduled shutdown of an engine in space, a step previous test flights achieved last year. He said a leak on Starship's primary fuel tank led to its loss of control. Got to catch up with @elonmusk for a few minutes before today's launch! We were going to chat after today's speech, but unfortunately that changed, but, always happy to talk rockets!!! Join our Flight 9 coverage in 15 minutes!! Best of luck today @SpaceX!!! — Everyday Astronaut (@Erdayastronaut) May 27, 2025 "Lot of good data to review," he said. "Launch cadence for next 3 flights will be faster, at approximately 1 every 3 to 4 weeks." SpaceX has said the Starship models that have flown this year bear significant design upgrades from previous prototypes, as thousands of company employees work to build a multi-purpose rocket capable of putting massive batches of satellites in space, carrying humans back to the moon and ultimately ferrying astronauts to Mars. Hours before the spaceship lost control, Musk had tweeted on X, "Great achievement by the SpaceX team." Risk-tolerant The recent setbacks indicate SpaceX is struggling to overcome a complicated chapter of Starship's multibillion-dollar development. But the company's engineering culture, widely considered more risk-tolerant than many of the aerospace industry's more established players, is built on a flight-testing strategy that pushes spacecraft to the point of failure, then fine-tunes improvements through frequent repetition. Starship's planned trajectory for Tuesday included a nearly full orbit around Earth for a controlled splashdown in the Indian Ocean to test new designs of its heat shield tiles and revised flaps for steering its blazing re-entry and descent through Earth's atmosphere. But its early demise, appearing as a fireball streaking eastward through the night sky over southern Africa, puts another pause in Musk's speedy development goals for a rocket bound to play a central role in the US space program. NASA plans to use the rocket to land humans on the moon in 2027, though that moon program faces turmoil amid Musk's Mars-focused influence over US President Donald Trump's administration. Mishap probe Federal regulators had granted SpaceX a license for Starship's latest flight attempt four days ago, capping a mishap investigation that had grounded Starship for nearly two months. The last two test flights - in January and March - were cut short moments after liftoff as the vehicles blew to pieces on ascent, raining debris over parts of the Caribbean and disrupting scores of commercial airline flights in the region. The Federal Aviation Administration expanded debris hazard zones around the ascent path for Tuesday's launch. The previous back-to-back failures occurred in early test-flight phases that SpaceX had easily achieved before, in a striking setback to a program that Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur who founded the rocket company in 2002, had sought to accelerate this year. Musk, the world's wealthiest individual and a key supporter of US President Donald Trump, was especially eager for a success after vowing in recent days to refocus his attention on his various business ventures, including SpaceX, following a tumultuous foray into national politics and his attempts at cutting government bureaucracy. Closer to home, Musk also sees Starship as eventually replacing the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket as the workhorse in the company's commercial launch business, which already lofts most of the world's satellites and other payloads to low-Earth orbit.
