# Scientists Visualize How Plants ‘Breathe’ Through Leaves for the First Time

> Scientists at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign have developed “Stomata In-Sight,” a device that lets them observe plant stomata—the tiny pores regulating carbon dioxide intake and water loss—in real time. Usi…

Published: 2026-01-21 · Desk: Latest · Source: Livescience

For centuries, scientists have understood that plants control respiration and photosynthesis through tiny pores on their leaves called stomata. These microscopic openings are essential for balancing carbon dioxide intake for photosynthesis with water loss through transpiration. However, observing this process directly has remained a challenge—until now.

Researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign have developed a groundbreaking technology, “Stomata In-Sight,” that allows real-time visualization of stomatal activity under controlled conditions. Often described as the “mouths” of plants, stomata manage the exchange of carbon dioxide, oxygen, and water vapor, opening and closing in response to environmental changes to optimize photosynthesis while conserving water.

The system integrates high-resolution confocal microscopy, precise gas-exchange sensors, and machine-learning-based image analysis. During experiments, a small section of a leaf is placed inside a compact, palm-sized chamber where light, temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide, and water levels can be precisely controlled, enabling unprecedented insights into plant physiology.

Original reporting: https://www.livescience.com/planet-earth/plants/scientists-watch-microscopic-plant-mouths-breathing-in-real-time-with-palm-sized-tool
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