New laser technique may be used to detect microbial life forms in Martian iceOctober 2nd, 2009 WASHINGTON - Scientists have said that an innovative new laser technique could be used to detect microbial life forms in Martian ice. According to scientists, the technique, called L.I.F.E.
Strategy outlined for growing bioenergy while protecting wildlifeOctober 1st, 2009 WASHINGTON - A new study has suggested that careful planning, together with the use of feedstocks from perennial-dominated prairie, could minimize the adverse effects of expanding bioenergy use on wildlife. The study, described in the October issue of BioScience identifies diverse native prairie as holding promise for yielding bioenergy feedstocks while minimizing harm to wildlife.
Converting trash into biofuel may cut CO2 emissions by 80 percentSeptember 30th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Scientists in Singapore and Switzerland have suggested that converting the trash that fills the world's landfills into biofuel could cut global carbon emissions by 80 percent. Biofuels produced from crops have proven controversial because they require an increase in crop production that has its own severe environmental costs.
Agricultural research key to food security for world's poorestAugust 5th, 2009 WASHINGTON - A new research paper has determined that boosting agricultural research in the developing world is the key to ensuring food security for the world's poorest. The research paper has been written by Adel el-Beltagy, Chair of the Global Form on Agricultural Research (GFAR).
New energy-efficient method could revolutionize production of biofuelsAugust 4th, 2009 WASHINGTON - A team of scientists has developed a more energy-efficient method of chemical separations that could revolutionize processes in the petrochemical and biofuels industries. The method has been developed by a team of researchers, led by chemical engineering and materials science professor Michael Tsapatsis in the University of Minnesota's Institute of Technology.
Forest fire prevention efforts can add to greenhouse warmingJuly 9th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Forestry researchers at Oregon State University (OSU) have said in a new report that widely sought efforts to reduce fuels that increase catastrophic fire in Pacific Northwest forests will be counterproductive to another important societal goal of sequestering carbon to help offset global warming. The study showed that even if the biofuels were used in an optimal manner to produce electricity or make cellulosic ethanol, there would still be a net loss of carbon sequestration in forests of the Coast Range and the west side of the Cascade Mountains for at least 100 years - and probably much longer.
House rejects GOP energy alternatives, sets stage for OK of bill to combat climate changeJune 27th, 2009 House rejects GOP energy alternativeWASHINGTON — The House has rejected a Republican alternative to a Democratic climate bill. The vote set the stage for passage of a bill that for the first time would limit U.S.
Global demand for food, fiber and fuel may outstrip supply in next 40 yearsJune 26th, 2009 WASHINGTON - A new report has determined that with the caloric needs of the planet expected to soar by 50 percent in the next 40 years, planning and investment in global agriculture will become critically important. The report was produced by Deutsche Bank, in collaboration with the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies.
Agriculture on the way 'up' for next 10 yearsJune 25th, 2009 WASHINGTON - A new research has indicated that despite certain uncertainties, 'up' is precisely the direction an Iowa State researcher believes agriculture is headed for at least the next 10 years. Wally Huffman, professor in agricultural economics and Charles F.
Waste water treatment plant mud to reduce CO2 emissions in cement factoriesJune 24th, 2009 WASHINGTON - In a new research, scientists have shown that waste water treatment plant mud can be used as a partial alternative fuel to enable cement factories to reduce their CO2 emissions. The research was carried out by scientists from the Rovira i Virgili University (URV) in Catalonia, an autonomous community in northeast Spain.
New technique to detect metabolites from a single drop of bloodJune 19th, 2009 WASHINGTON - A single drop of blood could soon be able to identify various blood related metabolites-such as sugars, fatty acids, amino acids and other organic substances-from plant or animal tissue samples. Scientists at the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology in Jena and their colleagues from the Czech Academy of Sciences in Prague have developed a new method to quickly and reliably detect metabolites from only a drop of blood.
Developing biofuels as alternative to imported oil may damage water resourcesJune 16th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Scientists at Rice University have warned that the US must be careful that the new emphasis on developing biofuels as an alternative to imported oil takes into account potential damage to the nation's water resources. "The ongoing, rapid growth in biofuels production could have far-reaching environmental and economic repercussions, and it will likely highlight the interdependence and growing tension between energy and water security," according to a report titled "The Water Footprint of Biofuels: A Drink or Drive Issue?"
The report, written by Pedro Alvarez, the George R.
Biofuels could hasten climate changeApril 15th, 2009 WASHINGTON - A new study has found that biofuels can hasten climate change, and it will take more than 75 years for the carbon emissions saved through the use of biofuels to compensate for the carbon lost when biofuel plantations are established on forestlands. If the original habitat was peatland, carbon balance would take more than 600 years.
Scientists reveal new way to make narrower chip patternsApril 12th, 2009 WASHINGTON - An Indian-origin researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has come up with a new way for etching extremely narrow lines on a microchip by exposing it to certain wavelengths of light. Research engineer Rajesh Menon and his colleagues call the new technique absorbance modulation.
Scientists sequence genome of sorghum, key food, biofuel cropFebruary 2nd, 2009 WASHINGTON - Scientists have completely sequenced and analysed the genome of sorghum, a major food and fodder plant with huge potential as a bio-energy crop. The genome data will help scientists in optimising sorghum and other crops not only for food and fodder use, but also for biofuels production.
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