![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.fernridgefarms.com\/images\/ResurrectionFern.jpg\" "\\"Resurrection")
10% or 20%.\u201d\u00a0 Similarly, most common agricultural crops cannot survive water loss of 20-30%.<\/p>\nThe last time you were thirsty, you probably opened your fridge for an ice cold Pepsi or even filled up your water glass from the sink.\u00a0 This seems like a simple task, but to a plant this can be a life or death situation.\u00a0 Drought affects areas in our own country as well as countries abroad.\u00a0 Southern China is currently experiencing their worst drought in almost 100 years.\u00a0 One rural farmer comments that in years past he has sold his wheat crop for $585 and this year it is only worth $30.<\/p>\n
In a collaborative effort between Villanova and Drexel universities, researchers are beginning to discover a new way to combat this problem. Published in the American Journal of Botany<\/em> in March 2010, their research began with a plant called the \u201cresurrection fern\u201d (Polypodium polypodioides<\/em>) which can lose 95% of its water content without experiencing cell death.\u00a0 One of the main scientists from Villanova explains that this is truly a miraculous property.\u00a0 He says, \u201cImagine this happening to a human.\u00a0 Most of us wouldn\u2019t make it past 10% or 20%.\u201d\u00a0 Similarly, most common agricultural crops cannot survive water loss of 20-30%.<\/p>\n