Articles tagged with Wood
Researchers identified key genes controlling cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin synthesis in Ginkgo biloba wood. The study's findings offer a roadmap for breeding superior timber varieties with tailored properties.
A new cellulose-based material, celluplastic, exhibits high strength, flexibility, and transparency, rivaling conventional plastics. It can be fully recycled in water over 100 cycles without chemical degradation.
Aalto University researchers have developed a simple calculation method to predict the load-bearing capacity of non-straight and organically shaped roundwood logs used as columns. This study aims to reduce material wastage and promote the use of overlooked materials in construction.
A recent study by the University of Helsinki found that untreated wood surfaces harbor more bacteria and remain viable longer than treated surfaces. The study suggests that surface treatment can affect the microbiota on wood surfaces, influencing hygiene and health risks.
In England, over a third of councils face industry legal threats for clean air campaigns; the stove industry lobbied local authorities to ignore public health risks. Key findings include wood burning's significant contribution to fine particle air pollution and its link to various health conditions.
A study by University of Helsinki found that virtual wooden walls and a wood scent significantly enhance recovery and mood. The combination of visual and scent stimuli produces the best results, making it suitable for indoor spaces like workspaces and breakrooms.
Researchers discovered that thermospermine, a small positively charged polyamine molecule, regulates vascular development by promoting the translation of SAC51 transcription factors while inhibiting LHW. This study sheds light on how plants fine-tune their vascular systems to produce soft edible storage organs or rigid woody tissue.
Researchers introduce a new strategy using natural wood as a structural scaffold for conductive eutectogels, enabling mechanically robust and environmentally stable materials. The resulting eutectogel achieves high tensile strength, toughness, and ionic conductivity, making it suitable for wearable electronics and smart sensing systems.
Researchers at the University of Toronto have discovered that monolithic biochar can achieve exceptional strength and durability, comparable to mild steel. The study found strong correlations between hardness, bulk density, and carbon content, providing a quantitative foundation for tailoring biochar's performance.
A University of Missouri-led study has uncovered how poplar trees can naturally adjust a key part of their wood chemistry based on changes in their environment, supporting improved bioenergy production. The discovery sheds light on the role of lignin and its potential to create better biofuels and sustainable products.
Researchers estimate that burying wood debris from managed forests can capture between 770 and 937 gigatons of carbon dioxide, resulting in a reduction of global temperatures by up to 0.42 degrees Celsius. This method is considered low-tech, sustainable, and relatively simple.
Researchers develop advanced materials from plant waste, enhancing wood strength without increasing weight or harming the environment. The treatment used is simple, cost-effective and safe, making it a potential replacement for traditional construction materials.
Researchers developed Draw2Cut, a novel vision system that allows users to draw directly onto materials to be cut or milled. The system creates 3D CAD plans for CNC machines, reducing complexity in manufacturing.
A team of researchers at Kyoto University has developed a simple but effective method for detecting early wood coating deterioration, which can extend the life of wooden structures and improve sustainability. The approach combines mid-infrared spectroscopy with machine learning to predict the extent of deterioration, allowing for early...
A research project at the University of Tennessee is developing a method to turn mixed wood waste into a densified material with high strength and toughness. The approach involves removing lignin and compressing the wood, resulting in a substance comparable to steel.
Researchers have successfully created semi-transparent wooden slices that are durable and flexible by modifying the natural structure of wood using natural materials. The new material has potential applications as an energy-efficient alternative to glass in windows, and could also be used in wearable sensors or solar cell coatings.
Researchers developed a novel processing technique to create super-strong, lightweight wood that surpasses natural wood's mechanical properties. The resulting self-densified wood boasts exceptional tensile strength, flexural strength, and impact toughness.
Researchers from the University of the Basque Country have developed a hybrid supercapacitor using carbon from Pinus radiata waste, offering a cost-effective and sustainable alternative for improving conventional lithium-ion capacitors. The system stores high-power energy and can withstand many charge-discharge cycles.
Researchers develop plant-based adhesives, self-bonding bamboo fiberboards, thermally insulating cardboard foams, and wood-derived hydrogels for repairing joints, offering promising solutions to recycling challenges in furniture and building insulation.
A study by Florida Atlantic University investigated how removing dead wood could reduce wildfire risks and enhance carbon storage. The research found that combining physical harvesting with thinning significantly reduced wildfire risks, while lowering carbon emissions and offering carbon sequestration through products like biochar.
A recent report by Colorado State University reveals that the state's forests are emitting more carbon than they absorb, primarily due to insect and disease impacts. The study estimated that Colorado's forests stored 1,558 teragrams of carbon between 2010 and 2019.
Researchers from Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (EMPA) conducted a comprehensive material flow analysis of wood in Switzerland to shed light on its availability and usage. The study found that recycling rate for wood is around 8% compared to 70% for paper, highlighting the need for sustainable use.
A recent study used NMR methods to investigate rare 300-century wooden structures from the Roman Empire, shedding light on their history and behavior in water. The analysis revealed valuable insights into the structure and changes of archaeological wood remains, contributing to the preservation of heritage for future generations.
The Amazon rainforest is a significant source of condensation nuclei for clouds, according to two studies. The rainforest's plant transpiration and thunderstorms produce aerosol particles that can be transported thousands of kilometers, influencing marine cloud formation.
Scientists at the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology have successfully created luminous wood by combining fungal threads with hardwood. The process involves a two-stage enzymatic reaction that stimulates the production of luciferin, emitting green light from the treated wood.
The ForestPaths project evaluates the effects of current legislation on European forests, focusing on climate change mitigation and biodiversity. The study identifies 17 green initiatives with prominent relations to forest conditions, emphasizing conservation, active management, afforestation, and wood processing activities.
Fossils from over 600,000 years ago show a shift in animal communities between warm and cold climate fluctuations. The Notarchirico site provides evidence of the emergence and disappearance of species such as cave lions, straight-tusked elephants, and red deer.
A WVU researcher says ancient tree rings can record rare and extreme space weather events, including geomagnetic storms. The study aims to better understand how to prepare for such events and mitigate their impact on communication satellites and astronauts.
A University of Maryland-led study found that burying wood in the right environmental conditions can stop its decomposition and help curb carbon dioxide emissions. The researchers analyzed a 3,775-year-old log and surrounding soil, revealing that it had lost less than 5% carbon dioxide thanks to the low-permeability clay soil.
Tree-ring data reveal that periodic shifts in strong winds high above the Earth's surface have driven opposite climates in different parts of Europe for the past 700 years. This research provides critical data to improve climate models, comparing past patterns to current trends and societal impacts.
Researchers at Kobe University have created a new test feed for the fungal molecular machine, allowing them to observe its close-to-natural action. This breakthrough enables the characterization of the enzyme's reaction speed and affinity, crucial parameters for industrial application.
Researchers at Graz University of Technology developed two techniques to join wood with metals and polymer composites without adhesives or screws. The AddJoining technique uses 3D printing to create strong joints, while the Ultrasonic Joining method employs high-frequency vibration to melt polymer into wood pores. These methods show pr...
Researchers at UMD developed a method to produce high-performance, structural wood without chemicals or energy-intensive processing. The engineered wood can resist deterioration, storing carbon for longer periods and reducing emissions.
Researchers found that mature trees increased wood production by an average of 9.8% under elevated CO2 levels, supporting their role as medium-term carbon stores and natural climate solutions. This increase was not accompanied by a corresponding rise in leaf or fine-root production.
Researchers at UBC created a new super-black material using plasma etching, absorbing up to 99% of visible light. The material, called Nxylon, has potential applications in astronomy, solar cells, and luxury consumer goods.
Researchers have discovered a novel type of wood that is highly efficient at carbon storage, thanks to its unique macrofibril structure. This discovery may lead to the development of new plantation forests capable of capturing large quantities of carbon dioxide.
A new study found that tree bark surfaces absorb methane gas from the atmosphere, making trees 10% more beneficial for climate than previously thought. This discovery adds a new layer of importance to tree planting and reducing deforestation as part of efforts to cut methane emissions.
Researchers at Cornell University have used a combination of almond analysis, pottery dating, and radiocarbon dating to determine the Kyrenia shipwreck's age. The team estimated that the ship sank between 296-271 BCE, with a strong probability it occurred between 286-272 BCE.
Studies found that wood reduces viral infectivity on its surface, with pine and spruce showing the fastest onset of antiviral activity. The researchers concluded that wood's chemical composition is responsible for its antiviral functionality.
Researchers at the University of California - Riverside have discovered a highly effective and nontoxic way to kill western drywood termites using a pleasant-smelling chemical called pinene. The method involves releasing the scent of pinene, which attracts termites and guides them to a spot where insecticide is injected into wood.
Researchers from Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics developed a strategy to leverage lignin condensation, a process previously considered a hindrance, to produce valuable chemicals and materials. This approach maximizes the value of lignocellulose, aligning with the goals of green biorefineries.
International research team finds that increasing key nutrients like potassium and phosphorus can sustain tropical forest productivity under drought conditions. This study, published in Nature Geoscience, aims to address the potential impact of climate change on these critical ecosystems.
A study found that trees along UT's Waller Creek flourish during droughts due to wastewater from leaky city pipes, which also affects tree growth patterns. The research highlights the unintended positive consequences of urbanization on climate-resilience of stream ecosystems.
A new study reveals that a single hurricane can wipe out 5-10% of New England's total aboveground forest carbon through tree damage. The research team analyzed the impact of 10 powerful hurricanes on the region's forests and found that future storms could pose a significant risk to carbon offset programs.
Research at Schöningen reveals sophisticated woodworking techniques used by early humans to process spruce and pine wood. The findings demonstrate the importance of wood as a raw material in human evolution, with evidence of extensive processing and recycling.
Excavations at La Marmotta, Italy, uncovered five Neolithic canoes dating between 5700-5100BC, featuring advanced construction techniques. The discovery provides invaluable insights into early navigation and the technological sophistication of ancient communities.
Researchers at Rice University have developed an additive-free, water-based ink made of lignin and cellulose for producing architecturally intricate wood structures via direct ink writing. The new method exclusively uses nanoscale wood components for 3D printing, marking a significant advancement in the field.
Researchers from the University of Gothenburg developed a new method to identify the origin of harvested trees using chemical footprints in wood tissue. The study focused on Eastern European countries, but the method is applicable worldwide, tackling over half of tropical timber's illegal harvest.
A study in São Paulo's central area found that poor wood condition, sidewalk root constriction, and drastic pruning are major predictors of urban tree failure. The researchers propose guidelines for stakeholders to reduce the number of failures, which average 2,000 per year.
Researchers crafted replicas of Early Upper Paleolithic stone age tools and used them for various tasks. They found that combining macroscopic and microscopic traces can help identify tool functions, potentially pushing back the timeline for woodworking innovation.
The EU-funded ForestPaths project gathered stakeholders to discuss forest-based policymaking and climate change mitigation. Key findings include a desire for sustainable forestry products, long-term forest considerations, and practical guidance for forest managers.
Scientists at Linköping University have created stable and environmentally friendly organic solar cells by incorporating untreated kraft lignin into the electron transport layer. This innovation improves the overall efficiency and reliability of organic solar cells, paving the way for a more sustainable future.
Researchers developed a technique to capture extracellular vesicles using sustainable wood cellulose-based nanofiber sheets, revealing new insights into cancer treatment. The technology has the potential to revolutionize early cancer diagnosis and open up personalized medicine.
Researchers found that smooth surfaces like tile and lacquer-coated wood have low bacterial growth, while porous surfaces like untreated oak increase the risk of contamination. Treated wood is recommended as surface material to prevent bacterial transmission via dry hands.
A team of scientists at Aalto University has created a bio-based transparent film from lignin nanoparticles, offering an alternative to toxic synthetic materials. The coating can be used on glasses, windshields, and other surfaces, and also displays coloured films with structural colours.
Scientists have engineered trees to be easier to disassemble into simpler building blocks using callose-enriched wood. This approach increases the efficiency of converting woody plant biomass to fuel and other useful products.
Researchers advocate for a forest-first approach to specifying timber species in forestry and building practices, emphasizing the need for climate-adaptive strategies. By selecting suitable tree species based on ecological and building traits, builders can create resilient forests and support functional diversity.
A new dictionary provides a comprehensive overview of Shakespeare's language, revealing words with reduced mental ability and plant hybrids. The Arden Encyclopedia of Shakespeare's Language offers insights into the linguistic thumbprints of plays and characters, as well as the networks of character interaction.
A research team from Hokkaido University has found an exceptionally preserved fossil forest of Wataria parvipora, which was predominantly accompanied by Byttneriophyllum leaves. The discovery helps reconstruct a whole Eurasian plant from the late Miocene epoch and sheds light on the taxonomic identity of plants.
Researchers at North Carolina State University used CRISPR gene-editing to breed poplar trees with reduced lignin levels, while improving their wood properties. This breakthrough could make fiber production for paper, diapers, and other products more sustainable, efficient, and cost-effective.