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NewsHow a pyrite-oxidizing microbe helps preserve atmospheric oxygen in sulfate
Research shows that O₂ in sulfate deposits, coupled with geochemical clues, could help identify microbial activity in Earth’s rock record and even in Martian sediments.
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NewsArtificial ocean carbon recycling system converts seawater CO2 into valuable chemicals
Researchers have developed an artificial ocean carbon recycling system that captures CO2 from seawater and uses microbes to directly convert it into succinic acid.
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NewsBiochar and wetter soils offer breakthrough path to slash farm emissions without cutting crop yields
Raising groundwater levels and adding biochar to agricultural peat soils could dramatically cut greenhouse gas emissions while maintaining healthy crop production, according to a new study from Bangor University. The study, published in Biochar (2025), tested how water table management and biochar, a charcoal-like soil additive made ...
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NewsImportant algal phenomenon discovered in the Arctic – could boost marine life
The shrinking sea ice in the Arctic Ocean is, overall, a disaster. But paradoxically, the melting of the ice can also fuel the engine of the Arctic food chains: algae. A new study indicates there will probably be more of it in the future than previously thought.
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NewsCofactor engineering with phosphite dehydrogenase enables flexible regulation of lactate-based copolymer biosynthesis in E. coli
A new breakthrough enables higher yields of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-lactate) [P(3HB-co-LA)] without disrupting bacterial growth, paving the way for more sustainable bioplastic manufacturing.
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NewsScientists turn algae and crop waste into valuable fuels and nanomaterials
Researchers have developed a clean and efficient process to transform microalgae and agricultural residues into a range of high-value products, including biofuels, bio-adsorbents, and fluorescent carbon nanodots.
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NewsDual feeding strategy helps Mediterranean coral thrive in rising sea temperatures
An exceptional “dual feeding” strategy underlies a Mediterranean coral’s resilience to rising sea temperatures, according to a study. The stony coral Oculina patagonica is known to feed itself with or without algae.
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NewsEngineers solve the sticky-cell problem in bioreactors and other industries
Their system uses electrochemically generated bubbles to detach cells from surfaces, which could accelerate the growth of carbon-absorbing algae and lifesaving cell therapies.
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NewsSulfated yeast could help recover rare earth metals from waste liquids
Electronics, optical fibers, and superconducting materials heavily rely on rare earth metals, but innovative recycling solutions are lacking. Now researchers in Japan have successfully achieved selective recovery of metals with S-yeast, a sulfated yeast.
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NewsGlobal analysis reveals how biochar supercharges composting and cuts greenhouse gases
By analyzing data from 125 studies across the world, researchers showed that adding biochar to composting systems significantly boosts compost quality while slashing harmful greenhouse gas emissions.
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News1000-litre ‘corn-to-carrier’ demo turns stover into 10.6 g L⁻¹ microbial lipids
Researchers have shown that last autumn’s corn stalks can be transformed into a palm-oil-like fat suitable for aviation biofuel or cosmetics without the energy-guzzling steps that have kept lignocellulosic biorefineries on the drawing board.
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NewsFriendly soil microbes can boost protein in staple crops
Researchers investigated how a bacterium naturally found in the soil that is beneficial to human health can enhance the levels of the amino acid and antioxidant ergothioneine in spring wheat.
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NewsBiochar shows big promise for climate-friendly soil management
Turning agricultural and organic waste into biochar could help store more carbon in the soil and slow climate change, according to a new study. Recent findings show that biochar improves soil health, boosts microbial diversity, and captures carbon.
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NewsFertilizer boosts soil’s ability to lock away carbon
The 180-year experiment at Rothamsted — the world’s longest-running agricultural trial — has revealed that long-term application of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilisers can significantly increase the amount of carbon stored in farmland soils, helping to mitigate climate change.
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NewsLake Tahoe algae experiment suggests seasonal shifts ahead
As the climate warms and nutrient inputs shift, algal communities in cool, clear mountain lakeswill likely experience seasonal changes, according to a new study. The effects of climate warming were especially pronounced in the colder months.
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NewsScientist invents MICROCAP, an algae-based oxygen generator that removes CO₂ and purifies indoor air
A lecturer in Thailand has invented the MICROCAP air purifier, which uses photosynthetic algae to absorb carbon dioxide and produce 20 times more oxygen than trees.
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NewsClimate change may increase the spread of neurotoxin in the oceans
Climate-driven oxygen loss in the Black Sea thousands of years ago triggered the expansion of microorganisms capable of producing the potent neurotoxin methylmercury. That is shown in a new study which suggests that similar processes could occur in today’s warming oceans.
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NewsRevolutionizing bioplastics: a microbial platform for fully bio-based long-chain polyesters
Researchers have developed a scalable, end-to-end microbial process transforming plant oils into sustainable polyesters comparable to petroleum-based plastics.
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NewsEarth’s oxygen boom: a fresh perspective for a billion-year-old problem
A new study examines nickel and urea in early microbial habitats, showing how ancient cyanobacteria adapted to their chemical surroundings. By recreating Archean conditions in the lab, researchers uncovered clues about the delicate balances that shaped early cyanobacterial life.
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NewsTiny architects, titanic climate impact: scientists call for coccolithophores to get their own day
Five European research organisations have launched an initiative to make 10 October International Coccolithophore Day, highlighting their crucial role in regulating the planet’s carbon balance, producing oxygen, and sustaining the ocean ecosystems that underpin all life.