A wild coffee from West Africa has surprised aficionados with its outstanding taste. The narrow-leaved species, Coffea stenophylla, grows in much warmer temperatures than either Arabica or Robusta coffee, so is more resilient to climate change.
Scientists have reported preliminary results on a novel sensor to detect a surge of pro-inflammatory immune proteins. These surges, or cytokine storms, can occur in many diseases and are associated with the sickest Covid-19 patients, for example. The technology builds on earlier work to develop a wristwatch-like sweat sensor that measures levels of two proteins involved in inflammatory bowel disease flare-ups.
Scientists have translated the structure of a spider’s web into music by assigning different sound frequencies to the individual fibres. The work could have applications in the design of 3D printers as well as in cross-species communication and musical compositions. Read the full article in C&I Magazine.
Ion mobility spectrometry has been harnessed to detect performance enhancing drugs in athletes’ urine samples and differentiate them from similar molecules that occur naturally in the body. The researchers, at Florida Institute of Technology, US, are also developing computational techniques to predict the structure, spectra and other characteristics of yet-to-be discovered illicit steroids.
Spent grain left over from beer making has been transformed into a protein concentrate and a commodity chemical, researchers reported at the ACS Spring 2021 online meeting. Read the full article in C&I Magazine.
Researchers have produced a biodegradable polyurethane-like polymer from fish waste and cashew nut shells, scientists reported at the ACS Spring 2021 online meeting. Read the full C&I article.
A temperature-responsive glass coating that reflects sunlight could help to reduce the need for air conditioning in commercial, agricultural and domestic buildings, researchers report.
US researchers are developing engine oil additives to reduce harmful emissions, boost fuel efficiency and improve the durability of catalytic converters.
European chemical industries association Cefic is launching a Future Chemistry Network to bring together stakeholders to discuss and develop solutions to help accelerate chemical innovation. Read the full story in C&I Magazine.
Solar photovoltaics in use the US has gone up by an average of 48%/year over the past decade. Often, agricultural land is used, typically stripped of vegetation before construction. Now, scientists suggest there may also be benefits for wildlife.