Scientists identify enzyme that can clean up pollution by explosivesOctober 10th, 2009 LONDON - Scientists at the University of York, UK, have uncovered the structure of an unusual enzyme that can be used to reverse the contamination of land by explosives. The discovery, by scientists in the York Structural Biology Laboratory and the Centre for Novel Agricultural Products, will support the development of plants that can help tackle pollution caused by royal demolition explosive, also known as RDX.
Now, an enzyme that cleans up pollution from RDXOctober 10th, 2009 LONDON - Scientists have uncovered the structure of an unusual enzyme which can be used to reverse the contamination of land caused by RDX explosive. The discovery, by scientists from the York University Structural Biology Lab and the Centre for Novel Agricultural Products, will support the development of plants that can help tackle pollution from RDX.
Rare Indian lotus disappearingSeptember 24th, 2009 LONDON - Reports indicate that a rare species of lotus is on the verge of disappearing from India. According to a report by BBC News, leading botanist Pramod Tandon said that efforts to save Nymphaea tetragona, found only in a small private pond in India, have not been effective.
Human urine can help grow bumper tomato cropsSeptember 13th, 2009 LONDON - Human urine can help grow bumper tomato crops that can be eaten safely, says a new study. Surendra Pradhan, an environmental biology researcher at the University of Kuopio, Finland, and colleagues gave potted tomato plants one of three treatments: mineral fertilizer, urine and wood ash, or urine only.
Flowering plants reinvented weediness by outcompeting ancient plantsSeptember 4th, 2009 WASHINGTON - A new research has determined that flowering plants originated not as trees, but as relatively non-woody "pre-trees" that could outcompete ancient plants like conifers, thus reinventing the concept of weediness. Flowering plants widespread and are phenomenally successful, but how did they get to be so successful and where did they come from?
This question bothered Darwin and others, and a research paper published in the September issue of the Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society indicates that their ability to adapt anatomically may be the answer.
2 viruses threaten Michigan blueberry industry; scientists forced to destroy research plantsAugust 31st, 2009 Blueberry virus strikes Michigan research centerDETROIT — Two destructive viruses have shown up in blueberry bushes in Michigan. Michigan is the nation's No.
Warmer oceans may increase food for fishAugust 25th, 2009 LONDON - In a new research, scientists have found that plankton, the basis of marine food webs, might grow faster in warmed up oceans. The sheer diversity of ocean food webs has made experts fear it would be impossible to predict how climate change will affect marine ecology.
Scientific breakthrough may soon give you longer eyelashes without mascaraAugust 16th, 2009 LONDON - Women may soon stop relying upon cosmetics like mascara to create the illusion that they have long and luscious eyelashes, a sign of beauty and glamour, thanks to a new scientific discovery. Biologists at L'Oreal's research laboratories in Paris have developed a gel that extends the length of time individual eyelashes grow for before they fall out, leading to longer and bushier eyelashes.hey have spent the past three years studying eyelashes, and comparing them to hairs elsewhere on the body.
How plants use nitrogen to invade and take over native plantsJuly 7th, 2009 WASHINGTON - A research at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL), US, gives important new information on how plants can change "nitrogen cycling" to gain nitrogen and how this allows plant species to invade and take over native plants. In the research, UNL biologist Johannes Knops has demonstrated how one invasive plant species replaces native species because of its ability to take up and hold on to nitrogen.
Plants saved planet Earth from freezing over during last ice ageJuly 2nd, 2009 WASHINGTON - In a new research, scientists have suggested that plants may have played a crucial role in putting a limit on the last ice age. When glaciers advanced over much of the Earth's surface during the last ice age, the planet did not freeze over entirely.
Plants do chat with each otherJune 22nd, 2009 LONDON - Plants do talk to one another to warn about predators, and are "capable of more sophisticated behaviour than we imagined", according to a new study. Researchers from the University of California and Kyoto University have found that subtle chemical messages to discuss pollinators such as bees, potential dangers and even animals, which might attack their enemies.
Bolt gives Ronaldo tips on speed and stabilityMay 16th, 2009 LONDON - Cristiano Ronaldo has been told how to stop falling over by Usain Bolt. Olympic champ Bolt, taking part in a 150metre street race in Manchester tomorrow, said: "I talked to Ronaldo and gave him a few tips.
World's smelliest flowers set to bloom at Kew GardensApril 27th, 2009 LONDON - Visitors to the Kew Gardens in Britain are set to see the world's smelliest flowers coming into bloom this week. However, they have been warned to keep away as the flowers emit a smell of rotting flesh.
Firm plans to grow first flowers on MoonMarch 28th, 2009 LONDON - An American firm is planning to grow the first flowers on the Moon, in a proposed greenhouse on the lunar surface. According to a report in New Scientist, the company in question is engineering firm Paragon Space Development, which has designed habitats for plants and animals living in microgravity.
Global warming spurs drive for drought resistant cerealFebruary 1st, 2009 LONDON - Global warming is prompting the drive for drought and heat resistant cereal, which can be grown in the most arid areas to take care of some of our food requirements. An example is sorghum.
Loading ...