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Scientists identify biosynthetic genes involved in the production of usnic acid in lichens

Scientists from the Faculty of Pharmacy at the Complutense University of Madrid have headed an international study that has successfully detected a sequence of biosynthetic genes that play a key role in the synthesis of usnic acid in lichen—a kind of compound that exhibits antioxidant, antiviral, antibacterial, anticancer, and neuroprotective activity.

14 Dec 2020

One-step polymerization method could shed more light on plastic pollution

A ground-breaking method to label and track manufactured nano-plastics could signal a paradigm shift in how we understand and care for environments, finds a new study.

From University of Surrey 11 Dec 2020

New portable optical sensor can monitor plant stress

The portable device allows rapid detection of nitrogen deficiency - a critical nutrient for plant health. When tested on popular vegetables such as Spinach and Kai-Lan, the device was also able to detect levels of other metabolites; allowing measurement of a wider range of plant stress phenotypes such as drought, heat/cold, saline, and light stress.

11 Dec 2020

Study links air pollution and diabetes to interstitial lung disease

People with pre-diabetes or diabetes who live in ozone-polluted areas may have an increased risk for an irreversible disease with a high mortality rate.

10 Dec 2020

Nature conservation efforts need to more dynamic to weather the effects of climate change

In a hard-hitting new paper leading ecologists and climate change, specialists argue that current nature conservation practices are not sufficiently flexible and dynamic to weather the impacts of climate change.

10 Dec 2020

Global warming accelerates the loss of biodiversity, shows new analysis

A considerable number of existing and proposed post-2020 biodiversity targets by international organizations are at risk of being severely compromised due to climate change, even if other barriers such as habitat exploitation are removed argue the authors of a study led by Almut Arneth from Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT).

9 Dec 2020

Study provides new hope for long-term survival of coral reefs during heat wave

University of Victoria biologists have discovered how some corals managed to survive a globally unprecedented heatwave, in a first-ever study that provides new hope for the long-term survival of coral reefs in the face of climate change.

9 Dec 2020

Study examines impacts of widespread ocean pollution on human health

Ocean pollution is widespread and getting worse, and when toxins in the oceans make landfall they imperil the health and well-being of more than 3 billion people, according to a new report by an international coalition of scientists led by Boston College's Global Observatory on Pollution on Health and the Centre Scientifique de Monaco, supported by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation.

4 Dec 2020

Scientists use molecular techniques to explain how corals survived tough conditions

In a ground-breaking new study, scientists used innovative molecular techniques to explain how corals on the east coast of Australia survived previous tough conditions--enabling the Great Barrier Reef to become the vast reef it is today.

1 Dec 2020

Cooking with wood may increase risk of developing lung damage

Advanced imaging with CT shows that people who cook with biomass fuels like wood are at risk of suffering considerable damage to their lungs from breathing in dangerous concentrations of pollutants and bacterial toxins.

26 Nov 2020

Air quality could influence the virulence and spread of COVID-19

The correlation between the high concentration of fine particles and the severity of influenza waves is well known to epidemiologists.

25 Nov 2020

Seaweed-shaped mats can remove toxic metal ions from drinking water

A group of scientists from Osaka University has created seaweed-shaped mats made of nanofibers for use in water filters. These mats can help eliminate toxic metal ions.

From Osaka University 20 Nov 2020

New project receives $1.12 million to clean agricultural drainage water

The Natural Resources Conservation Service, part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, has awarded $1.12 million to support the University of Illinois-led research to clean agricultural drainage water through saturated buffers and denitrifying bioreactors.

19 Nov 2020

Study shows how air pollution exposures affect mental health later in life

In a study of women aged 80 years and older, living in locations with higher exposures to air pollution was associated with increased depressive symptoms.

19 Nov 2020

Researchers document effect of air pollution on people experiencing homelessness

When air quality worsens, either from the smoke and ozone of summer or the inversion of winter, most of us stay indoors. But for individuals experiencing homelessness, that's not always an option.

From The University of Utah 18 Nov 2020

Major investment will shed light on impact of plastic pollution in developing countries

An investment of £20 million will support interdisciplinary research that aims to improve understanding of the impacts of plastic pollution in developing countries.

18 Nov 2020

Simultaneous reduction of carbon dioxide and aerosol pollution can keep the planet cooler

Humans must reduce carbon dioxide and aerosol pollution simultaneously to avoid weakening the ocean's ability to keep the planet cool, new research shows.

18 Nov 2020

Conservation of tropical peatlands could reduce impact of COVID-19 pandemic

Conservation of tropical peatlands could reduce the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and the likelihood of new diseases jumping from animals to humans, researchers say.

From University of Exeter 18 Nov 2020

English rivers are extensively contaminate with neurotoxic pesticides used in veterinary flea products

Researchers at the University of Sussex have found widespread contamination of English rivers with two neurotoxic pesticides commonly used in veterinary flea products: fipronil and the neonicotinoid imidacloprid. The concentrations found often far exceeded accepted safe limits.

17 Nov 2020

Unique experiment shows how corals manage deoxygenation stress

Oxygen is life, in or out of the water, raising concerns that declining ocean oxygen stores are adding an additional environmental stress to already highly vulnerable coral reef ecosystems.