Report finds bioenergy production can expand across Africa without displacing food
Crops can be produced for bioenergy on a significant scale in west, eastern and southern Africa without doing damage to food production or natural habitats, according to a report produced by the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), Imperial College London, and CAMCO International. The study was released today at the 5th African Agriculture Science Week in Burkina Faso.
Posted in Agriculture, Science News Links.
Rediscovery: Scientists confirm role for mysterious cell component, the nucleolinus
When searching for long-lost treasure, sometimes all you need is a good flashlight.
Posted in Physiology, Science News Links.
A breakthrough for child survival in the poorest nations and America’s cities
A Johns Hopkins University scientist, whose team of researchers recently identified pneumonia, diarrhea, and malaria as the primary causes of death of 6 million of the world's poorest children, today called on leaders in donor and developing nations to take action to address the terrible death toll.
Posted in Lifestyle and Health, Science News Links.
Scientists study why the blind salamander lives so long
(PhysOrg.com) -- Scientists have long been intrigued by the longevity of a tiny amphibian known as the blind salamander, but it now seems it may live a long time because it basically has no life.
Posted in Science News Links, Strange Lifeforms.
A new code of conduct for researchers
A new European Code of Conduct for Research Integrity will be presented by the European Science Foundation at the World Conference on Research Integrity. The code addresses good practice and bad conduct in science, offering a basis for trust and integrity across national borders.
Posted in Bioethics, Science News Links.
Levels of ‘good’ cholesterol less relevant to cardiovascular risk once ‘bad’ cholesterol has been reduced
In the general population, the more 'good' cholesterol that a person has, the less likely they are to suffer a cardiovascular event. But new research shows that if a person has their levels of 'bad' cholesterol substantially lowered with high-dose statin treatment, then levels of 'good' cholesterol in that person may no longer bear any relation to their remaining cardiovascular risk. The findings, based on the JUPITER study, are reported in an Article Online First and in an upcoming Lancet. The Article is by Professor Paul Ridker, Center for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA, and colleagues.
Posted in Cardiovascular Health, Science News Links.
BioTechniques – X-ray diffraction gets the inside scoop on whole yeast cells
A new microscopy technique can capture high-resolution 3-D images of the internal structures of whole, unstained yeast cells.
Posted in Science News Links, Technology Advances.
Veggieworld: Why eating greens won’t save the planet
Stop eating meat, save the environment – so the argument goes. But what would really happen if we all went cold turkey?
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Posted in Agriculture, Science News Links.
Solazyme Provides U.S. Navy with Algal Jet Fuel
Biofuel producer Solazyme delivered 1,500 gallons of its algae-based jet fuel to the U.S. Navy’s testing and certification program today, helping the military reach its goal of switching half of its fleet to clean fuel by 2020. The Navy will use the fuel to power jets.
Solazyme produces fuel by fermenting algae to create oils and biomaterials including fuel, skin care, chemical and animal feed products. The company claims the Solajet HRJ-5 fuel it delivered to the Navy produces 85% fewer greenhouse gas emissions than fossil fuels. In the next two weeks, Solazyme will also provide the Navy with 20,000 gallons of F-76 naval distillate fuel to be used in military ships.
The South San Francisco based company was founded in 2003 and received $21.8 million in federal grant funding from the U.S. Department of Energy last December.
Image by Solazyme
Information provided by CrunchBase
Posted in Biotechnology, Science News Links.
Brain Center at Columbia Gave Patients Impure Drugs – NYTimes.com
Columbia University doctors studying brain disorders routinely injected mental patients with drugs containing potentially dangerous impurities, investigators found.
Posted in Bioethics, Science News Links.