From beer by-products to probiotic benefit
Wheat residues from brewing beer could be transformed into a useful carrier for probiotics, according to researchers.
Understanding how cordgrass copes with seawater
Researchers at the University of East Anglia, UK, have discovered genes in the common cordgrass (Spartina anglica) for making large quantities of an organosulfur compound that help it survive inundation by seawater.
Vision for the future: The quest to manage macular degeneration
Macular degeneration remains the leading cause of sight loss in the UK. New research could make the condition easier to manage – and may hold a potential cure in the future. Lou Reade reports
Turning seawater into hydrogen
Turning seawater to hydrogen is one of ten UK projects to be funded by a research hub at the University of Bath. The ambition is to generate hydrogen where freshwater supplies are limited.
The big challenge for small business
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are the backbone of any economy. These companies, usually defined as employing fewer than 250 people and (according to EU) with an annual turnover not exceeding €50m, make up the vast majority of all businesses.
New brewing method boosts flavanol content in tea
Tea is rich in bioactive compounds but the levels of them in a drink are dependent on the origin of the tea, how it is processed and on the brewing method. Now, a new study published in the Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture has investigated the use of a continuous stepwise extraction process, which can improve the flavanol content of tea beverages.
Europe's chemical companies are finding it tough to compete
The European Chemical Industry Council (Cefic) has published its 2024 Facts & Figures report that shows while Europe is the second largest chemical producer in the world, behind China, its proportion of total global chemical sales has continued to fall. In 2023, Europe’s share of global chemical sales was 16.6% of the total.
$1.2tr surge for Ag biologicals
The agricultural landscape is profoundly transforming as the global drive toward sustainability accelerates. The sector’s projected growth to $1.2tn by 2034 signals immense economic potential and underscores a significant shift toward environmentally responsible farming practices.
AI's next big step: Learning tricks from the human brain
The past few years have been stellar for Artificial Intelligence, thanks to the introduction of generative systems such as ChatGPT. But for this trajectory to continue, AI systems will need to become less artificial and more brain-like. Jon Evans reports