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Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

NC State receives NSF grant to discover plant 'switchboards'

Researchers at NC State will analyze the role of 33 lignin-producing genes in black cottonwood trees to determine how they impact lignin content. The study aims to develop a mathematical model to create specific types and levels of lignin suited for various applications.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·DateSep 3, 2009

New technique can fast-track better ionic liquids for biomass pre-treatments

Researchers have developed a new technique to track solubilization during an ionic liquid pretreatment of biomass, enabling rapid evaluation of various ionic liquids. The method uses auto-fluorescence and visualization techniques to monitor cellulose and lignin during the process.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalBiotechnology and Bioengineering·DateJul 10, 2009

Queen's scientists discover eco-friendly wood dissolution

Researchers at Queen's University Belfast have developed an eco-friendly way to dissolve wood using ionic liquids, a process that could transform into biofuels, textiles, and paper. The new method uses mild conditions of temperature and pressure, producing low toxicity and biodegradability.

SourceQueen's University Belfast·JournalGreen Chemistry·DateMay 20, 2009
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

Modified plants may yield more biofuel

Researchers have developed a genetic modification that modifies the connections in lignin, making it easier to break down and access cellulose for ethanol production. The modified plants show increased sugar yields without compromising plant strength or lignin content.

SourcePenn State·DateDec 22, 2008

When plants 'think' alike

Researchers have discovered that a fundamental building block in flowering plants evolved independently from lycophytes, an ancient plant group. This finding has significant implications for understanding plant biology and developing more efficient biofuel production methods.

SourceU.S. National Science Foundation·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 27, 2008

JGI decodes wood & toxic waste-degrading fungus genome

The JGI has sequenced the genome of Phanerochaete chrysosporium, a basidiomycete fungus capable of degrading lignin and transforming xenobiotics. The availability of this genome will spur industrial and bioremediative uses for these organisms.

SourceDOE/Joint Genome Institute·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateMay 3, 2004
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

Cloned gene may help crops and livestock meet future needs

Scientists at Purdue University have cloned a gene that improves the digestibility of food for livestock and enhances the stress tolerance of plants. The study's findings have potential applications in breeding more productive and resilient crop varieties.

SourcePurdue University·JournalMolecular Genetics and Genomics·DateApr 11, 2003

Transgenic trees hold promise for pulp and paper industries

Researchers at North Carolina State University have successfully reduced lignin content in aspen trees by 45-50% through genetic modification. This reduction increases cellulose content and accelerates tree growth, offering economic and environmental advantages for the wood, paper, and pulp industries.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 1, 2003

Wild plant or food plant?

Researchers have identified a single genetic locus in the squash genus Cucurbita that controls phytolith production and plant defense. This discovery will help archaeologists determine whether ancient plants were domesticated or wild varieties by analyzing their phytolith content and cell configurations.

SourceSmithsonian Tropical Research Institute·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 30, 2002

Industry explores renewable resources, such as lignin

Researchers discuss using lignin, a natural polymer from wood, to replace oil-derived resources in industrial materials and make them biodegradable. Lignin can be used in various products, including automotive brake pads, wood panels, and insulation boards.

SourceVirginia Tech·DateApr 11, 2002
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

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Researchers discover gene that could be key in evolution of hardwoods

A team of researchers at Michigan Technological University has identified a gene responsible for producing syringyl lignin, a unique type of lignin found in hardwood trees. This discovery provides new insights into the evolution of angiosperms and their mechanical advantages over gymnosperms.

SourceMichigan Technological University·JournalThe Plant Cell·DateJul 11, 2001

New aspen could revolutionize pulp and paper industry

Researchers at Michigan Tech have genetically engineered a new breed of aspen that produces up to 15% more cellulose and grows significantly faster than regular aspen. This could translate into huge gains for the pulp and paper industry, with potential savings of billions of dollars.

SourceMichigan Technological University·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateJul 28, 1999