Artificial opals
A novel opal-like material could be the cornerstone of the next generation of smart sensors. The team of researchers led by the Universities of Sussex and Surrey was inspired by butterfly wings, peacock feathers and beetle shells, where the colour comes from structure and not from pigments.
Environment for rule changes
With the news headlines dominated by Covid-19, many regulatory rollbacks in the US are being pushed through under the radar. Despite requests to extend public comment periods in the light of the pandemic, the Trump administration is pressing on regardless with its aggressive agenda of dismantling all manner of environmental protections, either by watering them down or by removing them completely.
Nipah virus threat
The Nipah virus was identified in 1999 during an outbreak affecting pig farmers in Malaysia and Singapore. It caused over 100 deaths and over 1m pigs were culled to stop the outbreak. Since 2001, sporadic outbreaks have occurred in India and Bangladesh – including person-to-person spread.
Artificial retina
Researchers have created an artificial eye that mimics the structure of the human retina. It has the potential to achieve high image resolution, for possible applications in robotics and scientific instruments.
Shale oil slump
Shale oil producers are shuttering wells in response to a plunge in oil prices caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. Production cuts in May 2020 were approaching 2m bbl/day.
Simpler US bio legislation
The biotech industry has welcomed the decision by US regulators to simplify rules for certain gene-edited plants and seeds in the first major overhaul of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) plant biotech regulations since 1987.
EU pesticide proposals
The European Commission proposes halving chemical pesticide use in the EU by 2030 as part of its new Farm to Fork strategy. Other targets include reducing fertilisers by at least 20% and halving sales of antimicrobials for farmed animals and aquaculture.
Pig coronavirus risk
A coronavirus that previously killed thousands of suckling pigs in China remains largely a mystery to scientists.
Post Covid risks report
Prolonged global recession, high unemployment, another outbreak of infectious disease and protectionism dominate the list of near-term worries for companies, according to the World Economic Forums report, Covid-19 Risks Outlook: A Preliminary Mapping and Its Implications.
Electrochemical disinfectant
A novel method to produce powerful, environmentally friendly disinfectants has been developed by Israeli researchers. Based on tap water, they claim it can eliminate bacteria and kill viruses.