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Microalgae -- a promising future resource?

Microalgae have tremendous potential in industrial biotechnology due to their applications in food, medications, and environmental biotechnology. The University of Cologne's new method using Porous Substrate Bioreactors (PSBR) reduces liquid consumption by up to 100 times, making it more cost-efficient and energy-saving.

SourceUniversity of Cologne·JournalTrends in Biotechnology·DateJul 13, 2016

A climate warming warning

A new study links climate warming to increased algal growth in the Athabasca oilsands region of northern Alberta. Researchers found a stronger link between warmer air temperatures and algal production, rather than industrial nutrient fertilization.

SourceQueen's University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMay 2, 2016

Environmental impacts of demand-side technologies and strategies for carbon mitigation

A new special issue from Yale's Journal of Industrial Ecology investigates the life cycle environmental and natural resource implications of energy efficiency technologies. The studies reveal that while these technologies generally reduce greenhouse gas emissions, their benefits vary widely among regions and technologies.

SourceYale School of the Environment·JournalJournal of Industrial Ecology·DateApr 25, 2016

Fast food may expose consumers to harmful chemicals called phthalates

A study by George Washington University researchers found that people who ate more fast food had higher levels of phthalates in their urine, which have been linked to reproductive damage and infertility. The study also discovered that grain and meat items were significant contributors to phthalate exposure.

SourceGeorge Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health·JournalEnvironmental Health Perspectives·DateApr 13, 2016

Nanowalls for smartphones

Scientists at ETH Zurich have developed a new type of transparent electrode using 3D print technology, featuring gold or silver nanowalls on a glass surface. This innovation offers higher conductivity and transparency than traditional indium tin oxide electrodes, leading to improved screen quality and touch responsiveness in smartphones.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateJan 6, 2016

New carbon accounting method proposed

A new method of carbon accounting has been proposed to provide a fairer way of measuring emissions. The method considers consumption-based accounting and adjusts for technology differences between countries in their export sectors. This results in some countries receiving credits for cleaning up their own production industries.

SourceLund University·JournalNature Climate Change·DateMar 10, 2015

Nanoscale assembly line

Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a nanoscale assembly line that uses mobile assembly carriers and biological motors to assemble complex substances. The system, which is three times thinner than a human hair, enables the selective modification of organic molecules and the assembly of nanotechnological components.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalLab on a Chip·DateAug 28, 2014

Breaking benzene

Researchers develop a novel catalyst to cleave aromatic carbon-carbon bonds in benzene at relatively mild temperatures, offering unprecedented mechanistic details on hydrocracking. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient and selective production of valuable materials from natural resources.

SourceRIKEN·JournalNature·DateAug 27, 2014

Optimizing sweet potato production

A study by researchers from Mississippi State and Louisiana State Universities reveals that early planting and delaying harvest can increase yield and economic benefits for sweetpotato producers. The results showed that marketable yield of the sweetpotato cultivars was consistently greater in early plantings than late plantings.

New self-healing plastics developed

Scientists at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology have developed a chemical crosslinking reaction that ensures good short-term healing properties of the material under mild heating. The self-healing mechanism can be initiated by heat, light or chemical substance.

SourceHelmholtz Association·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateApr 11, 2014

Agencies often hindered in addressing health concerns from industrial animal production

Researchers found that state regulatory agencies struggle to address public health concerns from industrial food animal production due to narrow regulations, a lack of public health expertise, and limited resources. The study suggests that strengthening regulations and providing complementary expertise can help protect public health.