Tag: plants

Cataloguing insects makes sense, as they can be important for the surrounding environment. Not always, however. Which is why a startup from Glasgow is looking to target harmful parasites using biotechnology rather than chemicals. The project, which began life at Glasgow University, relies on lab recreations of natural proteins found within unwanted insects in order to use them as...

In Italy, tomatoes have a life after dinner. Chocolate is another cherished Italian staple. Yet, instead of using cocoa, a regional startup began looking to carob for a more sustainable alternative. Sweet and high-in-fibre, the legume also works against free radicals in the body. The carob tree thrives in the dry, southern Italian climate. If used, 2,400 litres of...

Sugar cane makes life sweeter for its natural surroundings. Beetles, likewise, make plants happy and offer protection against parasites and pesticides. Ladybirds, too, have an increasingly important role to play in agriculture. Enter a female US researcher investigating why aphids avoid the polka-dotted insects like the plague. Turns out it’s the unique smell ladybirds emit. This is produced by...

Coffee grounds are a key ingredient in sustainable concrete, while tiles made from eggshells are perfect for naturally-made interior fittings. Corn cobs, too, can help reduce CO2 emissions in the building trade. A Dutch startup shreds dried corn waste and presses the scraps mixed with binding agent into panels at temperatures of up to 150 degrees. These panels are...

Banana paper can protect potato seeds from pathogens. But soil bacteria provide vital nutrients for plants’ healthy growth. Making them a good replacement for chemical fertilisers. If only they were less sensitive to heat, humidity and freeze-drying... Now, thanks to a US-based research team, the bacteria can be given a protective coating. It’s made by mixing metal ions -...

Curcumin is just as effective as chemical agents against stomach acid and heartburn. That plant-based substances have anti-inflammatory properties is well known. According to a Japanese research team, however, there’s a lot more besides. Over a period of 12 weeks, a group of adults with psychological disorders and memory problems received tablets containing 0.8mg 6-MSITC - a bioactive compound...

Used chopsticks are being converted into furniture, while food waste can be redeployed as construction material. And don’t forget about sugarcane. A London-based research team mixed the crop’s fibrous waste with a liquid blend of minerals, then pressed the material into pyramid-like blocks. These can be cured in a week, 21 days fewer than standard concrete. Moreover, they are...

Some weeds have anti-inflammatory properties. Now, a female PhD student from the Netherlands has discovered that another weed, soft rush, also has hidden qualities. The lightweight plant takes oxygen from the air, transporting the gas through internal flue-like channels. A cross section revealed a highly porous structure and coarse surface. Therefore, the student pressed two layers together to create...