Bioeconomy News

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Der ursprünglich aus Mittelamerika stammende Westliche Maiswurzelbohrer (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera) tritt immer häufiger auch in Deutschland auf.
The western corn rootworm is a devastating pest of maize plants, which originates from Central America but has spread throughout Europe. It uses the defensive toxins of the plant to ward off enemies of itself.

Maize pest turns plant defense on its head

Researchers in Jena found out why the corn rootworm is such a devastating pest: it exploits the plants defenses and then uses it against potential enemies.

Mussels are developing their shells early in life: between their first and second day they form a calcified shell, which equals the weight of the rest of their body. If the pH levels in the water are too low they cannot form the shell.

Acidic oceans destroy mussel shells

According to researchers in Kiel, the increasing acidification of the oceans cause growing problems for mussels when developing their shells.

When the green algae come close to Pseudomonas protegens bacteria, the bacteria release orfamid A, a lipopeptide that causes the algae to lose their flagella and inhibits their growth.

How bacteria and algae talk

Pseudomonas bacteria can immobilise microalgae within moments. Researchers from Jena identified orfamid A as the chemical culprit.

The thistle tortoise beetle feeds on thistle leaves. However, the beetle is only able to digest the plant cell walls because of a symbiont bacteria that compensates for the lack of digestive enzymes.

Bacteria enable beetles to digest leaves

Researchers from Jena report that the symbiosis of the thistle tortoise beetles with a specific bacterium allows them to digest plant cell walls.

Munich-based researchers deciphered the complex genome sequence of goatgras. The original qualities of this wheat-ancestor could improve targeted breeding of the modern, cultivated plant.

Original genes optimise wheat cultivation

Researchers in Munich deciphered the complex genome sequence of goatgras. This ancestor of the common wheat could improve targeted breeding.

Biodiverse fall forest in Germany with Norway spruce, beech and birch trees. A biodiverse forest provides higher ecological and economical yield.

High biodiversity equals high functionality

According to a new report by researchers from Leipzig University, the economic and ecological value of any forest increases with its level of biodiversity.

The new Green Finance Cluster in Frankfurt is open: it will connect sustainable innovations and funding opportunities.

Frankfurt: opening of new Green Finance Cluster

The new Green Finance Cluster in Frankfurt is open for business. The goal: to pair up sustainable innovations and funding opportunities.

The so-called heat island effect in cities causes warmer temperatures and accelerates tree growth compared to rural trees. However, the faster growth also speeds up the ageing of trees.

Urban climate speeds up tree growth

According to a new study by Munich researchers, warmer temperatures in cities speed up the growth of urban trees and let them age faster.

Intestinal bacteria produce mussel adhesive

Researchers from Berlin managed to reprogram the intestinal bacteria E. coli in such a way that they generate the underwater adhesives as seen in mussels.

iGEM Team München 2017 wurde Vizeweltmeister in Boston
15 German teams travelled to Boston for the iGEM finals. The result: eight gold medals, three silver, and three bronze medals.

German iGEM teams big in Boston

The 15 German teams at the finals of the iGEM competition for synthetic biology did very well: no overall win, but they received eight gold, three silver, and three bronze medals.

The 2017 Lancet report describes irreversible environmental damages due to man-made climate change, impending famine especially for warmer areas, and spreading diseases due to expanding territories of vermin.

Report: How climate change affects health

In the "Lancet Countdown" report, international experts from basic research to political scientists analyse the relationship between public health and climate change.

Clariant plant Fusion mit US-amerikanischen Chemieriesen Huntsman
Clariant will invest in a new full-scale commercial biorefinery in Romania for the production of cellulosic ethanol from agricultural residues using its sunliquid® technology.

Clariant to build new biorefinery in Romania

The swiss specialty chemicals company Clariant is set to build a sunliquid® cellulosic ethanol plant in Romania.

The new bioleaching method for metal recovery takes place within the BioXtractor. The system is built to be easily dis- and reassembled and can be explored by enterprises interested in a test phase prior to joint further development.

Microbes isolate precious metals in pilot plant

The German industrial biotech company Brain AG has developed a new bio-leaching method to isolate and retain metals by breaking down waste and ore.

Eine wichtige Quelle für Feinstaub: Landwirtschaftliche Ammoniakemissionen aus Düngung und Viehzucht.
A major contribution to air pollution: agricultural ammonia emissions from manure and fertilizers.

Fewer ammonia emissions could save lives

Researchers at the Max Planck Institute in Mainz calculated that reducing agricultural ammonia emissions from manure and fertilizers decreases air pollution and reduces mortality.

Mooszellen in einem Erlenmeyerkolben
Moss cells in an Erlenmeyer-flask

Green chemicals from moss

A new EU project headed by Ralf Reski in Freiburg will promote the environmentally friendly production of specialty chemicals from genetically modified moss.

Mit Holzkohle rückt als alternativer Bodendünger zunehmend in den Fokus der Forschung.
Biochar can be used as an eco-fiendly fertiliser, albeit a not very efficient one. Co-composting it with manure, however, creates an organic coating that improves and speeds up its fertiliser qualities.

Manure coating improves biochar's fertiliser qualities

Geomicrobiologists from the University of Tübingen demonstrate that co-composting of mixed manure and biochar creates an organic coating, which improves its fertiliser properties.

Schleimige Jagdwaffe: Stummelfüßer fangen ihre Beutetiere mit einem schleimigen Sekret, aus dem sich Polymerfasern bilden, wenn sich die Opfer bewegen.

Slime that turns into deadly fibres

Researcher in Kassel and Potsdam identified shear forces as the mechanism that turns the slimy secretion of velvet worms into stiff polymer fibres, which can even be recycled.

Auch Mauerbienen wie diese Natternkopf-Mauerbiene (Osmia adunca) sind vom Insektensterben betroffen.
Due to their many functions as pollinators or prey, the loss of 75% of insects couls cause "ecological Armageddon".

Vanishing insects across Germany

A long-term study by researchers in the Netherlands, the UK and volunteers across Germany found a 75% decrease of flying insects over the last 27 years.

Der Kauf der BASF umfasst Saatgutschäfte für Nutzpflanzen wie Raps, Baumwolle und Soja. Sie sollen das Pflanzenschutzgeschäft der BASF strategisch ergänzen.
BASF has since signed an agreement to acquire significant parts of Bayer’s seed and non-selective herbicide businesses for approximately €5.9 billion.

BASF signs billion-euro deal with Bayer

BASF has signed an agreement for €5.9 billion to acquire significant parts of Bayer’s seed and non-selective herbicide businesses.

 

getrocknete Quinoa-Pflanze
Quinoa is a naturally salt-tolerant plant. Special bladder cells on the surface of the leaves absorb salt. The process is controlled by specific gene activity.

Quinoa: role model for salt-tolerance

Special bladder cells on quinoa leaves remove salt from the plant metabolism. Researcher at the University Würzburg identified specific gene activities underlying this mechanism.