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Fighting a mighty weed

Scientists are racing to find solutions as Palmer amaranth develops resistance to multiple herbicides, outcompeting crops for resources. The weed's ability to thrive and produce new generations of resistant plants poses significant threats to crop yields.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalChemical & Engineering News·DateAug 7, 2019

Hollow structures in 3D

Scientists at University of Freiburg create three-dimensional hollow structures in quartz glass using Glassomer process. This breakthrough enables the production of optical waveguides and microfluidic channels, previously difficult to manufacture due to glass's chemical resistance.

SourceUniversity of Freiburg·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 29, 2019

Shrimp talent quest finds a winner

Researchers found that the peppermint shrimp outperformed other species in a set of experiments, reducing parasite infection by 87% and targeting environmental stages. This discovery provides a viable candidate for a natural biocontrol agent to combat parasites in aquaculture industries.

SourceJames Cook University·JournalScientific Reports·DateOct 10, 2018

Made-to-measure silicon building blocks

Researchers at Goethe University Frankfurt have created a new process to produce highly functionalized organochlorosilanes, ideal crosslinkers for various applications. The process enables the production of inorganic-organic hybrid materials with unique properties.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateJul 24, 2018

Herbicide resistance in waterhemp continues to grow

A recent University of Illinois study found that waterhemp populations in the Midwest are resistant to multiple classes of herbicides, including HPPD-inhibitors and ALS-inhibitors. Researchers recommend using integrated pest management strategies, such as mechanical soil preparation and seed control, to reduce resistance.

Researchers develop new semiconducting polymer for forthcoming flexible electronics

Researchers developed a new n-type semiconducting polymer with superior electron mobility and oxidative stability, boosting charge transport in polymer semiconductors. The modified polymer formed a superstructure composed of polymer backbone crystals and side-chain crystals, resulting in high semicrystalline order.

SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateApr 20, 2016

Common pesticides kill amphibian parasites, study finds

A recent study found that six commonly used insecticides kill amphibian parasites, potentially decreasing the number of parasites an amphibian must defend against. The study also showed population-specific differences in pesticide resistance, highlighting the importance of considering multiple populations when assessing toxicity.

SourceBinghamton University·JournalParasitology·DateApr 4, 2016

Yarn from slaughterhouse waste

A new method for producing high-quality yarn from gelatine has been developed by Philipp Stössel and his team. The process involves spinning the protein-rich material into fine fibers that can be woven into textiles with improved insulation and water resistance compared to traditional wool-based fabrics.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalBiomacromolecules·DateJul 29, 2015

GM spuds beat blight

Scientists boosted potato resistance to late blight without deploying fungicides in a three-year GM research trial. The study found non-transgenic plants were 100% infected while GM plants remained fully resistant., The GM technology triggers the plant's natural defense mechanisms, enabling it to recognize and resist the pathogen.

Sludge as new sentinel for human health risks

A study by Arjun Venkatesan and Rolf Halden found that sludge contains 123 distinct CECs, including high-production volume chemicals like flame-retardants and antimicrobials. Analysis of these chemicals in sludge may provide a useful surrogate for assessing human exposure and bioaccumulation.

SourceArizona State University·JournalScientific Reports·DateJan 16, 2014

Supercomputers join search for 'cheapium'

Duke University researchers used computational methods to identify dozens of new platinum-group alloys that could prove beneficial in applications such as catalytic conversion, corrosion-resistance, and fuel cells. The study provides detailed structural data on known materials and identifies potential targets for further research.

SourceDuke University·JournalPhysics·DateJan 3, 2014

With secondhand gene, house mice resist poison

Researchers discover house mice acquired warfarin resistance from Algerian mice through interbreeding, highlighting multiple pathways to trait evolution. This unusual process helps explain rodents' ability to resist poison and informs strategies for controlling evolved resistances.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJul 21, 2011

Pesticide resistance warning after gene discovery

Researchers at University of Melbourne warn of potential risks in pesticide control due to widespread resistance discovered in Drosophila melanogaster fly species. The gene Cyp6g1 confers resistance by producing more protein that breaks down pesticides, posing significant challenges for future pest management options.

SourceUniversity of Melbourne·JournalScience·DateSep 26, 2002