Plant-animal hybrid cells make solar-powered tissues, organs or meat

Scientists in Japan have created hybrid plant-animal cells, essentially making animal cells that can gain energy from sunlight like plants. The breakthrough could have major benefits for growing organs and tissues for transplant, or lab-grown meat.Cont… Continue reading Plant-animal hybrid cells make solar-powered tissues, organs or meat

‘Habitable zone’ on Mars could be just right for life

Everybody from NASA to David Bowie has wondered if there’s life on Mars – and now we might have a precise place to look for it. A new Caltech study has shown that photosynthetic microbes could thrive in a small habitable zone beneath the ice.Continue R… Continue reading ‘Habitable zone’ on Mars could be just right for life

‘Habitable zone’ on Mars could be just right for life

Everybody from NASA to David Bowie has wondered if there’s life on Mars – and now we might have a precise place to look for it. A new Caltech study has shown that photosynthetic microbes could thrive in a small habitable zone beneath the ice.Continue R… Continue reading ‘Habitable zone’ on Mars could be just right for life

‘Habitable zone’ on Mars could be just right for life

Everybody from NASA to David Bowie has wondered if there’s life on Mars – and now we might have a precise place to look for it. A new Caltech study has shown that photosynthetic microbes could thrive in a small habitable zone beneath the ice.Continue R… Continue reading ‘Habitable zone’ on Mars could be just right for life

Pressure boost squeezes out more hydrogen from artificial leaves

Hydrogen-producing artificial leaves might soon be even better at their jobs thanks to a new study that examined the effects of pressure on the chemical processes they run. It all comes down to bubbles.Continue ReadingCategory: Energy, ScienceTags: Sol… Continue reading Pressure boost squeezes out more hydrogen from artificial leaves

Easy artificial evolution makes for solar-powered yeast

Scientists have given yeast a brand new ability – gaining energy from light. The technique was remarkably easy, the team says, and could not only help us understand evolution but make better beer and biofuel.Continue ReadingCategory: Biology, ScienceTa… Continue reading Easy artificial evolution makes for solar-powered yeast

Plants may be absorbing 20% more CO2 than we thought, new models find

There’s little good news to report in the field of research surrounding climate change and its far-reaching impacts on the planet, yet an international team of scientists may have found a small victory to celebrate.Continue ReadingCategory: Biology, Sc… Continue reading Plants may be absorbing 20% more CO2 than we thought, new models find

Mirrors place light in “captivity” to boost photosynthesis

Scientists see massive potential in the possibility of manipulating or mimicking the natural process of photosynthesis, which could lead to new forms of clean fuel, ways to soak up carbon dioxide or aid in drug discovery. New research has tugged this t… Continue reading Mirrors place light in “captivity” to boost photosynthesis

Artificial photosynthesis lets plants grow efficiently in total darkness

Scientists have improved on the natural process of photosynthesis, not only growing plants more efficiently, but doing so in the dark. This could expand agriculture to areas that don’t get enough sunlight, and even help feed future space explorers.Cont… Continue reading Artificial photosynthesis lets plants grow efficiently in total darkness

Triple-layer bacterial biobattery produces electricity for weeks

Diversifying our energy sources is a key part of reducing our reliance on fossil fuels, and one intriguing possibility is to tap into electricity-producing bacteria. Engineers at Binghamton University have now developed a biobattery that contains three… Continue reading Triple-layer bacterial biobattery produces electricity for weeks