Enzymes from bacteria and fungi break down plastic
Every year, the world produces 380 million tons of plastic. A lot of it ends up in nature and stays there for a long time. It can take 450 years to break down a plastic bottle......»»
Harmless strain of E. coli bacteria may be able to prevent urinary tract infections
Researchers from the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (VMBS) and the College of Engineering are collaborating on a project that uses harmless strains of E. coli bacteria to disrupt the bacteria responsible for urinary.....»»
So where does the oceans" plastic waste come from?
In the form of bottles, tires, packaging and piping, millions of tons of plastic waste are dumped every year in the world's waterways, often ending up in the oceans......»»
Scientists identify 18 bacterial strains to treat antibiotic-resistant gut infections
Antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections often occur in patients with chronic inflammatory intestinal conditions, such as inflammatory bowel disease, and in patients who have taken antibiotics for a long time. Gram-negative bacteria such as Enteroba.....»»
Do bacteria age?
Any organism that lives, grows and reproduces must also age. People often think of aging in the physical sense—gray hair, slowed movements and wrinkles—but aging fundamentally occurs on a molecular level, inside of cells......»»
Fungi to the rescue: South African scientists use innovative approach to protect apple trees
Gardeners the world over dread the appearance of aphids on their plants. There are around 4,000 species of these sap-sucking insects and about 250 are pests that can wreak havoc on crops in a garden or orchard......»»
Pixel 9 Pro Fold bends in this extreme durability test, but does it break?
Watch Google's new Pixel 9 Pro Fold smartphone get scratched, scraped, burned, and bent in this brutal durability test......»»
"Easy, convenient, cheap": how single-use plastic rules the world
Each year the world produces around 400 million tonnes of plastic waste, much of it discarded after just a few minutes of use......»»
Environment takes center stage as global summits loom
Global warming. Disappearing plant and animal species. Fertile land turning to desert. Plastic in the oceans, on land, and the air we breathe......»»
Pixel 9 Pro Fold bends but does it break in this extreme durability test?
Watch Google's new Pixel 9 Pro Fold smartphone get scratched, scraped, burned, and bent in this brutal durability test......»»
Apple Watch SE might go plastic next year, but is that worth the tradeoff?
Earlier this summer, reports started to emerge that Apple is testing a new “rigid plastic” body for the next generation . It was initially expected at last week’s Apple event, but unexpectedly got delayed. While a plastic casing would undoubted.....»»
Soil pH drives microbial community composition: Study shows how bacteria work together to thrive in difficult conditions
Though a founding concept of ecology suggests that the physical environment determines where organisms can survive, modern scientists have suspected there is more to the story of how microbial communities form in the soil......»»
Device malfunctions from continuous current lead to discovery that can improve design of microelectronic devices
A new study led by researchers at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities is providing new insights into how next-generation electronics, including memory components in computers, break down or degrade over time. Understanding the reasons for degrada.....»»
New method to break down forever chemicals uses nanoparticles and ultrasound
What do firefighting foam, non-stick cookware, water-repellent textiles and pesticides all have in common? They all contain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS—human-made chemicals that don't break down naturally. It's no wonder, then, tha.....»»
How bacteria actively use passive physics to make biofilms
When we think about bacteria, we may imagine single cells swimming in solution. However, similarly to humans, bacterial cells often socialize, using surfaces to coalesce into complex heterogeneous communities called biofilms. Within a group, bacteria.....»»
Enzyme-inspired catalyst puts chemicals in right position to make ethers
Taking inspiration from enzymes, chemists at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign developed a catalyst to simplify the synthesis of ethers, key functional components of many drugs, foods, personal care items and other consumer goods. The catal.....»»
Online dating sites: The size of the potential dating pool makes all the difference
Online dating sites have become one of the more popular means for people to meet each other and explore the potential for a romantic relationship. But did you know that it's the size of the online dating pool that could make or break your own quest f.....»»
DNA demethylation boosts tomato resistance to gray mold, study finds
Postharvest decay in fruits, primarily caused by pathogenic fungi, remains a major obstacle to agricultural sustainability and food security. Despite advances in fungicides and storage technologies, losses remain substantial, especially in developing.....»»
How the oceans" most abundant bacteria impact global nutrient flows
If you were to collect all the organisms from the ocean surface down to 200 meters, you'd find that SAR11 bacteria, though invisible to the naked eye, would make up a fifth of the total biomass. These bacteria, also known as Pelagibacterales, have ev.....»»
Washington finally catches a (small) break from drought conditions
If you've noticed a little bit more greenery outside these last few weeks, your eyes haven't deceived you. Washington's drought conditions are improving ever so slightly......»»
Target is selling Lenovo Chromebooks for $100, with a catch
If you're hunting for a very budget-oriented laptop that won't break the bank, this Lenovo laptop is worth grabbing, even with the catch......»»