Microbes engineered to convert sugar into a chemical found in tires
The future environmental footprint of the tire industry could be substantially shrunk thanks to a new ecofriendly way found by four RIKEN researchers that harnesses bacteria to make a chemical used in synthetic rubber......»»
Scientists convert bacteria into efficient cellulose producers
Bacteria produce materials that are of interest to humans, such as cellulose, silk and minerals. The advantage of producing bacteria in this way is that it is sustainable, takes place at room temperature and in water. A disadvantage is that the proce.....»»
Plants" hidden allies: Root microbiota fight back against leaf-mining flies
Plants encounter various biotic stresses, with insect herbivory being particularly destructive. Traditional chemical insecticides used to combat these pests pose environmental and health risks......»»
NASA Mars rover captures rock that could hold fossilized microbes
NASA's Perseverance Mars rover has made what could be its most astonishing discovery to date: possible signs of ancient life on the Red Planet......»»
Researchers explore interplay between high-affinity DNA and carbon nanotubes
Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) have emerged as promising candidates for applications in biotechnology and nanoelectronics due to their exceptional physical and chemical properties. Despite their potential, challenges like insolubility and to.....»»
Scientists unlock more secrets of Rembrandt’s pigments in The Night Watch
Use of arsenic sulfides for yellow, orange/red hues adds to artist's known pigment palette. Enlarge / Rembrandt's The Night Watch underwent many chemical and mechanical alterations over the last 400 years. (credit: Public domain).....»»
Arsenic and old paint: Analyzing pigments in Rembrandt’s The Night Watch
Use of arsenic sulfides for yellow, orange/red hues adds to artist's known pigment palette. Enlarge / Rembrandt's The Night Watch underwent many chemical and mechanical alterations over the last 400 years. (credit: Public domain).....»»
Liquid metals offer potential for greener chemical processes, researchers say
University of Sydney researchers are proposing a new way to curb industrial emissions, by tapping into the "atomic intelligence" of liquid metals to deliver greener and more sustainable chemical reactions......»»
Photocatalyst research uncovers better way to produce green hydrogen
Researchers at Oregon State University have developed a material that shows a remarkable ability to convert sunlight and water into clean energy......»»
Chemical analyses find hidden elements from renaissance astronomer Tycho Brahe"s alchemy laboratory
In the Middle Ages, alchemists were notoriously secretive and didn't share their knowledge with others. Danish Tycho Brahe was no exception. Consequently, we don't know precisely what he did in the alchemical laboratory located beneath his combined r.....»»
Scientists publish first experimental evidence for new groups of methane-producing organisms
A team of scientists from Montana State University has provided the first experimental evidence that two new groups of microbes thriving in thermal features in Yellowstone National Park produce methane—a discovery that could one day contribute to t.....»»
Researchers discover faster, more energy-efficient way to manufacture industrially important propylene
Polypropylene is a common type of plastic found in many essential products used today, such as food containers and medical devices. Because polypropylene is so popular, demand is surging for a chemical used to make it. That chemical, propylene, can b.....»»
New study supports stable mantle chemistry dating back to Earth"s early geologic history
A new analysis of rocks thought to be at least 2.5 billion years old by researchers at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History helps clarify the chemical history of Earth's mantle—the geologic layer beneath the planet's crust......»»
Trees reveal climate surprise: Microbes living in bark remove methane from the atmosphere
Tree bark surfaces play an important role in removing methane gas from the atmosphere, according to a study published 24 July in Nature......»»
Reduce, reuse, reflycle: How genetically modified flies can reduce waste and keep it out of landfills
A Macquarie University team proposes using genetically engineered black soldier flies (Hermetia illucens) to address worldwide pollution challenges and produce valuable raw materials for industry, including the USD $500 billion global animal feed mar.....»»
Scientists hijack natural delivery system to send engineered proteins to target cells
Each cell in the body has its own unique delivery system that scientists are working on harnessing to move revolutionary biological drugs—molecules like proteins, RNA and combinations of the two—to specific diseased parts of the body......»»
Environmental pollution and human health—how worried should we be?
If not the root of all evil, chemical pollution is surely responsible for a good chunk of it. At least, that's how it feels sometimes when reading the news and the latest research......»»
Study deciphers intricate 3D structure of DNA aptamer for disease theranostics
In a study published in PNAS, a research team has resolved the first high-resolution structure of the sgc8c DNA aptamer that targets protein tyrosine kinase 7 (PTK7), engineered two optimal sgc8c variants for disease theranostics efficiently, and rev.....»»
Study shows how waste Styrofoam can be transformed into polymers for electronics
A new study conducted by researchers from the University of Delaware and Argonne National Laboratory describes a chemical reaction that can convert Styrofoam into a high-value conducting polymer known as PEDOT:PSS......»»
Chemists develop a stable reagent for carbon-atom transfer
Professor Max Martin Hansmann from the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology and his team have developed a new reagent for selectively adding carbon atoms to molecules. This promising development for basic research in organic chemistry has bee.....»»
Rhythmic gene expression in plants is crucial for symbiosis with nutrient-providing bacteria, study finds
Legumes thrive in low-nitrogen environments by partnering with rhizobia, soil bacteria that convert atmospheric nitrogen into ammonium, a usable form for the plants. These beneficial bacteria are housed in root nodules formed on legume roots......»»