The wide-spread disappaerance of insects has many causes, including environmental toxins and climate change. But regarding the high bee mortality of the past years, there is another culprit: the Varroa mite. This parasite has infected almost all bee colonies. The mites suck at the larvae and bees and weaken them. In addition, the Varroa mite also transmits pathogens.
The so-called heterosis effect is not only well-known among plant breeders, but also very popular. It describes the fact that a crossbreed of two maize inbred lines provides a significantly higher yield than either of the two parent plants. However, until now it has been unclear which molecular mechanisms this effect is based on.
Evonik and Siemens have entered into a joint research project called Rheticus. Approximately 20 researchers from both companies will be working on electrolysis and fermentation processes for the next two years. The first test plant is scheduled to go on stream by 2021 at the Evonik facility in Marl, Germany. This plant produces chemicals such as butanol and hexanol – both of which are the basis for special plastics and food supplements.
Surgery is always risky and a burden on patients, even if they are successful. A research cooperation of several companies and the Thuringian Institute for Textile and Plastics Research (TITK), which is funded by the Federal Ministry of Economics, now wants to eliminate a major inconvenience of these treatments: They are developing a suture made of bio-based synthetic fibers, which would besafer and more comfortable for the patients.
Twenty years ago, the Great Pacific Trash island turned the world's attention to the problems caused by plastic waste. In particular, if, over time, the waste decomposes to microplastics, it endangers life in the seas.
Polyethylene terephalate, better known as PET, is one of the most important plastics worldwide. However, only a small part of the production will be recycled - far more material ends up polluting the environment. According to information from the Federal Environmental Agency, it takes up to 450 years before a PET bottle dissolves by itself. As early as 2016, researchers first discovered a bacterium that is able to decompose plastic. To date, however, only a few enzymes are known that possess this ability.
An estimated 300 soil researchers came together in Berlin for the BonaRes conference from February 26 to 28 to discuss their newest findings regarding the soil.
New concepts for the cultivation of food in urban environments are in demand to ensure food security for future generations. Under the umbrella term"urban farming", methods like aquaponics have proven to be a promising alternative. The combination of fish and plants, which use each other in a recirculation system to grow tomatoes and lettuce, not only saves arable land, but above all fertilizer and water. Fish excretion is processed into plant fertilizer by bacteria. In return, the hydroponic plants purify the water of the fish in the aquarium.
Spider silk is a natural fabric with outstanding properties. Spider silk threads are thin but extremely elastic and at the same time as strong as steel. The German biotechnology company AMSilk GmbH produces the material in a bioreactor by converting bacteria into tiny factories for the spider silk protein. The coveted protein can be produced in large quantities with the help of the Escherichia coli microbe. The white powder obtained in this way can be processed into various products, it can even be spun into high-tech fibres.
Every year, 1.6 million people worldwide die from infections with the bacterium Streptococcus. Although there are vaccines against the pathogen, they are largely ineffective against one of the approximately 90 known variants, the so-called serotype 1, which is widespread in sub-Saharan Africa and causes many cases of meningitis there.