Collaborate Disseminate
Scientists at the Italian Institute of Technology have developed what they describe as the first biodegradable version of Velcro. While it won’t keep your shoes on, the material can be harmlessly attached to plants for the purposes of environmental mon… Continue reading Biodegradable take on velcro latches on like a parasitic climbing plant
Although pest insects may decimate crops, the use of traditional pesticides can definitely harm the environment. Spanish scientists have now developed a possible alternative to those chemicals, in the form of plants that produce insect-confusing pherom… Continue reading Modified plants designed to save crops by producing insect pheromones
An interesting new research project out of Sweden’s Linköping University has demonstrated how plant roots can be used as energy storage devices. The scientists see the process, which requires the plants to be watered with a special solution to make the… Continue reading Plants with electronic roots act as energy storage devices
When it comes to detecting biomarker chemicals in a person’s body, sweat-analyzing sensors offer a less painful alternative to blood sampling. A new wearable sensor takes a unique approach to collecting that sweat, by mimicking cactus needles.Continue … Continue reading Sweat-analyzing sensor copies the cactus to gather more liquid
Researchers have identified the anti-inflammatory mechanism behind a plant used for centuries in traditional Samoan medicine. The new study found the plant, known as matalafi, is as effective at reducing inflammation as ibuprofen.Continue ReadingCatego… Continue reading Traditional Samoan plant rivals anti-inflammatory effects of ibuprofen
Ordinarily, if you want to check if two plants of the same species come from genetically different populations, you have to analyze their DNA. A new study, however, has found that an analysis of the reflective qualities of their leaves is a much quicke… Continue reading Leaf-reading tool could replace DNA analysis for plant identification
Uber Eats deliveries to Mars are going to be expensive, so the first colonists of the Red Planet will need to figure out how to grow their own food locally. A new study has shown that dosing plants with symbiotic bacteria can drastically improve their … Continue reading Crops grow better in Mars soil when given good bacteria, study finds
The Plantee indoor greenhouse was developed for folks who have brought a colorful plant home from a shopping trip, only to watch it wither and die despite their best efforts to look after it. The all-in-one, plug-and-play solution takes the guesswork o… Continue reading Indoor greenhouse takes the guesswork out of plant care
Starch is an essential material for everything from bread-baking to paper-making, and there is much to be gained from streamlining the way we produce it. Scientists in China have managed to take an important step forwards in this area, developing a nov… Continue reading World-first artificial synthesis of starch from CO2 outperforms nature
There’s been a movement in architecture over the past couple of decades to help tie together large urban developments with plant life and greenery. We’ve seen a few buildings, and …read more Continue reading Green Roofs Could Help Improve Solar Panel Efficiency