A non-opioid pain reliever
A small molecule that binds to a receptor on the surface of cells has shown promise as a non-opioid pain reliever. This could help patients with neuropathic pain, a chronic condition that is poorly treated with today’s medications.
Companion crops deter flea beetles, study finds
Planting companion crops helps to deter cabbage stem flea beetles (CSFB) in oilseed rape, a new study from Rothamsted Research shows. Sowing mustard, cereals, or clover, as well as mulching with straw, reduced damage from adult beetles and their larvae, field trials in the UK and Germany showed (Pest Management Science, doi: 10.1002/ps.7641).
Artificial photosynthesis
Researchers at Osaka Metropolitan University in Japan have developed an artificial photosynthesis technique to boost fumaric acid production – a building block for biodegradable plastics – using carbon dioxide as a feedstock.
Living near a park could make your bones stronger
Data held in the UK Biobank have provided a surprising link between osteoporosis and where you live, researchers have discovered. Living near gardens, parks, and green spaces may boost bone density and lower the risk of osteoporosis, according to research published online in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases.
Vanadium captures carbon from air
Vanadium could help remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere by working as a ‘carbon scrubbing tool’, say scientists at Oregon State University (OSU), US.
Resistance reductions
A European multi-agency study has concluded that countries where the consumption of antibiotics in both animals and humans has fallen have also seen a reduction in antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
The satellite spotting methane from space
In March 2024, a new satellite will start collecting data from methane emissions. These data, combined with Google’s AI and infrastructure mapping, will allow researchers to measure emissions on a regional scale and pinpoint leaks to a single facility.
Engineering biology: DSIT wants experts
Engineering biology is defined as the application of rigorous engineering principles to biology, enabling the construction of new or redesigned biological systems, such as cells or proteins, with applications across numerous sectors. Now, the UK government’s Department of Science Innovation and Technology (DSIT) is calling for experts from academia, SMEs and industry to steer its development.
Chemists use electricity to speed up reactions
A greener, cheaper way to accelerate chemical reactions has been demonstrated by chemists at King’s College London. The group catalysed a click cycloaddition by applying a small voltage in a microfluidic device (Nature Communications, doi: 10.1038/s41467-024-44716-2).
Regenerative agriculture is generating investment
Regenerative agriculture – a set of practices aiming to heal degraded soils and combat climate change, is attracting increasing interest from investors. A recent conference, Regenerative Agriculture: The Science, Economics and Practice, held at SCI headquarters in February, highlighted the potential of this approach to reshape both the environment and the business landscape. Concerns about soil degradation and climate change are driving increased interest around regenerative agriculture. It focuses on practices like reduced tillage, cover cropping, and livestock integration to improve soil health.