Lunar “Noah’s Ark” concept saves backup of millions of plants and animals

In the event of a global catastrophe – which, let’s be honest, is seeming more and more likely nowadays – how would we protect the wide variety of plants and animals on Earth? A team of researchers has proposed a rather dramatic solution: a “Noah’s Ark… Continue reading Lunar “Noah’s Ark” concept saves backup of millions of plants and animals

Allergy seasons getting longer and more severe thanks to climate change

For many people, the beauty of spring is countered by the sneezing, runny nose and itchy eyes of allergies that come with the warmer weather. For those people, science has some bad news – climate change seems to be making pollen season longer and more … Continue reading Allergy seasons getting longer and more severe thanks to climate change

World’s fastest growing plant offers genomic clues for next-gen crops

Scientists at the Salk Institute’s Harnessing Plants Initiative hope to tackle the issues of climate change and food security by unraveling the genomic architecture behind various plant species, and they’ve just gleaned some valuable lessons from the f… Continue reading World’s fastest growing plant offers genomic clues for next-gen crops

Food waste converted into bacteria-boosting liquid fertilizer

Everyone already knows that compost made from food scraps helps plants to grow. Now, however, scientists have fermented food waste to create a liquid fertilizer that boosts the number of beneficial bacteria within the plants themselves, and in their so… Continue reading Food waste converted into bacteria-boosting liquid fertilizer

Photosynthetic printing material gets stronger with exposure to light

As a seedling matures into a tree, its trunk and branches become stiffer and stronger. Scientists have now replicated this effect in a photosynthesis-assisted 3D-printing ink, made partially from spinach.Continue ReadingCategory: 3D Printing, Technolog… Continue reading Photosynthetic printing material gets stronger with exposure to light

Pesticide alternative coats crops to hide them from insects

While pest insects can have a devastating effect on crops, pesticides can likewise cause a great deal of damage to the environment. That’s where CropCoat comes in, as it’s designed not to kill harmful insects, but to “hide” plants from them instead.Con… Continue reading Pesticide alternative coats crops to hide them from insects

Contents of ancient Maya drug vessels revealed by new analytic method

New research, led by anthropologists from Washington State University (WSU), has deployed a novel analytical technique to reveal undiscovered compounds in an ancient Maya drug container previously thought to only be used for tobacco. As well as demonst… Continue reading Contents of ancient Maya drug vessels revealed by new analytic method

Immunity-boosting silica nanoparticles could replace pesticides

Pesticides may indeed kill plant pathogens, but they’re also harmful to the environment. Newly developed nanoparticles may provide a more eco-friendly alternative, as they boost the immune systems of crop plants, then harmlessly dissolve.Continue Readi… Continue reading Immunity-boosting silica nanoparticles could replace pesticides