https://insights.nivischolar.com/ Editorially reviewed articles in life sciences, sustainability, agriculture, ecology, and applied research. en Wed, 08 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://insights.nivischolar.com/articles/crispr-cas9-slerf8-tomato-drought-tolerance https://insights.nivischolar.com/articles/crispr-cas9-slerf8-tomato-drought-tolerance Mon, 06 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT Drought and soil salinity are major abiotic stresses that limit agricultural productivity globally. Solanum lycopersicum (tomato) is particularly vulnerable to water deficit during vegetative and reproductive stages. In this study, we utilized the CRISPR-Cas9 system to target the SlERF8 gene, a member of the Ethylene Response Factor superfamily, hypothesized to function as a negative regulator of abiotic stress responses. We successfully generated stable homozygous knock-out mutant lines (erf8-1 and erf8-2) exhibiting frameshift mutations at the target locus. Under simulated drought conditions using PEG-6000 and salinity stress (150 mM NaCl), the knock-out lines showed significantly higher relative water content (RWC), reduced electrolyte leakage, and lower malondialdehyde (MDA) accumulation compared to wild-type (WT) plants. Chlorophyll fluorescence analysis (Fv/Fm) indicated preserved photosynthetic efficiency in the mutants under stress conditions. Furthermore, expression analysis of stress-responsive marker genes, including SlCOR47 and SlTAS14, was significantly upregulated in the mutant lines. Our findings demonstrate that CRISPR-Cas9 mediated deletion of SlERF8 enhances osmotic stress resilience by activating downstream osmoprotectant pathways and preserving physiological homeostasis. This study provides a genetic target for breeding drought-resilient tomato cultivars. R Suyash Author Verification BioLink https://insights.nivischolar.com/articles/genomic-analysis-sldreb2-tomato-cold-tolerance https://insights.nivischolar.com/articles/genomic-analysis-sldreb2-tomato-cold-tolerance Wed, 08 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT Cold stress is a primary environmental factor limiting tomato growth and crop yields. The Dehydration-Responsive Element-Binding (DREB) transcription factors play crucial roles in plant acclimation to abiotic stresses, particularly cold. In this study, we performed a genome-wide comparative analysis of the SlDREB2 gene family in Solanum lycopersicum. We identified five distinct SlDREB2 genes and analyzed their phylogenetic relationships, conserved domains, and promoter regions. Under simulated cold stress (4°C), qRT-PCR analysis revealed differential expression patterns, with SlDREB2A exhibiting a rapid 15-fold upregulation. Transgenic tomato lines overexpressing SlDREB2A showed higher relative water content, elevated proline accumulation, and reduced levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) compared to wild-type controls. Physiological evaluations demonstrated that SlDREB2A overexpression enhances cell membrane stability and preserves PSII photosynthetic activity. This study demonstrates the critical role of the SlDREB2 family in low temperature resilience and proposes SlDREB2A as a promising genetic candidate for cold-tolerant tomato breeding. Suyash Rahegaonkar BioLink https://insights.nivischolar.com/articles/urban-green-spaces-student-well-being-5 https://insights.nivischolar.com/articles/urban-green-spaces-student-well-being-5 Wed, 08 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT Urban green spaces have become increasingly important in modern cities as populations grow and built environments expand. Parks, community gardens, tree-lined streets, and recreational areas contribute not only to environmental sustainability but also to public health and psychological well-being. Students, in particular, experience academic stress that may be alleviated through regular interaction with natural environments. This article reviews common findings from existing literature, discusses mechanisms through which green spaces influence mental and physical health, and outlines practical recommendations for educational institutions. Rather than presenting original experimental research, the article summarizes current understanding in an accessible format suitable for educators, policymakers, and students. Improving access to green infrastructure around campuses may support healthier lifestyles while contributing to broader sustainability objectives. Maya Patel Circular