Collaborate Disseminate
Bacteria may seem like pretty simple lifeforms, but their ingenuity keeps surprising scientists. The latest example is a species called Geobacter sulfurreducens, which has now been found to survive exposure to toxic cobalt by building a metal “suit” li… Continue reading Bacteria build “Iron Man” suits by soaking up toxic cobalt
Often made from plants, recycled material and various forms of organic matter, bioplastics promise a number of advantages over conventional plastics produced through fossil fuels. These include less energy-intensive production, faster biodegradation in… Continue reading Study finds bioplastics to be just as toxic as regular plastic
New research from the University of Queensland has solved the mystery behind the sting of one of the most venomous plants on the planet. The discovery of a previously unknown neurotoxin explains how Australian stinging trees cause excruciating pain tha… Continue reading Australian stinging tree reveals entirely new family of neurotoxins
Among their many uses, quantum dots have shown promise as photovoltaic materials in solar cells. Now, researchers at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) have developed a new type of quantum dot solar cell that isn’t made with the toxic elements found… Continue reading Scientists give quantum dot solar cells a detox
Though many people simply grab a bag of mushrooms from their local store, others prefer to forage. But incorrectly identifying wild mushrooms can lead to more than an upset stomach, it could prove fatal. Researchers from the USDA’s Agricultural Researc… Continue reading Portable test can identify toxic mushrooms in minutes
New research has found a toxin extracted from the venom of a South American rattlesnake can function as an effective analgesic for neuropathic pain. The Brazilian study reveals the venom’s toxicity can be reduced by encapsulating it in tiny silica part… Continue reading Rattlesnake venom compound points to promising new painkiller
Suppose you ran a website releasing many articles per day about various topics, all following a general theme. And suppose that your website allowed for a comments section for discussion on those topics. Unless you are brand new to the Internet, you’ll also imagine that the comments section needs at …read more
In settings such as disaster sites, toxic gas leaks can pose a real risk to rescue teams. With that in mind, Spanish researchers have outfitted a small drone to go into buildings and check for such gases, before anyone enters…
Continue Rea… Continue reading Radio beacon-guided drone has a nose for toxic gases
An impressive new study, led by scientists from the Boston Children’s Hospital, has developed a novel method to tame one of the world’s most potent toxins, tetrodotoxin, commonly found in the pufferfish. The research demonstrates a way to con… Continue reading How deadly pufferfish toxin led to a breakthrough long-lasting local anesthetic
A genetically modified fungus designed to safely reduce malaria-spreading mosquito populations has, for the first time, been successfully tested outside of laboratory conditions in a simulated village environment in Burkina Faso, West Africa…. Continue reading Genetically modified fungus kills malaria-spreading mosquitos in landmark West African trial