News

Novel design for dual-atom catalyst could reduce the environmental impact of ammonia production

Published 09 August, 2022

The Haber-Bosch process is the only option currently available for industrial production of ammonia, but the elevated temperature and pressure it requires, leads to high energy use and CO2 emission rates. As a result, researchers have been seeking new energy-saving and eco-friendly methods for ammonia synthesis. The electrocatalytic reduction of dinitrogen, a colorless, odorless gas that makes up approximately 78% of the Earth's atmosphere, is proving a promising approach.

Wildlife photography DOES impact birds’ breeding behaviour – but not in the way you might expect

Published 01 August, 2022

According to Xiaocai Tan, an ornithologist and PhD candidate at Guangxi University in China, this focus on birds’ nests has worried scientists, who are concerned that the close proximity of humans to the nesting sites might negatively impact bird reproduction. However, in a study published in the KeAi journal Avian Research, she and her colleagues discovered that quite the opposite is true.

Study identifies regions on the SARS-CoV-2 genome linked to virus replication and transmission

Published 28 July, 2022

In a study, published in KeAi’s Journal of Biosafety and Biosecurity, a team of researchers analysed 2.8 million of the sequenced SARS-CoV-2 genomes and used the results to compile a ‘mutations blacklist’ of virus weak spots, and a ‘whitelist’ of mutations that make SARS-CoV-2 more transmissible. In addition, the team has developed an online SARS-CoV-2 mutation and variant monitoring and pre-warning system (MVMPS).

Upgrade for popular free software tool that builds evolutionary trees for vascular plants

Published 13 July, 2022

In an article published in the KeAi journal Plant Diversity, Dr. Qian and his colleague present the new version of V.PhyloMaker - V.PhyloMaker2. This upgrade retains the botanical nomenclature of The Plant List, but also includes two new botanical nomenclatures: the Leipzig Catalogue of Vascular Plants database and the World Plants database.

Adolescent childbirth remains linked to poor outcomes for both mother and child in Cote d'Ivoire

Published 11 July, 2022

Researchers from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Cote d'Ivoire’s University of Abidjan-Yopougon, looked at three years’ worth of data from their maternity hospital. They compared the experiences of an adolescent group of 1,040 girls aged 10-19 years, with a 736-strong young adult group aged 20 to 24 years. Their results have now been published in the KeAi journal Gynecology and Obstetrics Clinical Medicine.

Study shows that getting pesticide reduction policies right is crucial for food security

Published 28 June, 2022

Researchers explored the agri-food and environmental implications of an agrochemical (pesticide) use reduction policy introduced in metropolitan Shanghai, East China. The policy aimed to reduce agrochemical use by 20% by 2020, relative to 2015. Official statistics show that Shanghai achieved that goal with a decline of just over 40% in pesticide use (from 4,415 to 2,644 tonnes). However, the planted area shrank by nearly 25% over the same period.

Study highlights undiscovered potential of bacterial compounds and genes linked to colon cancer-related toxin

Published 23 June, 2022

The last two decades have seen the development of sophisticated computational tools that explore the DNA of bacteria. These tools look for interesting metabolites that illicit a strong biological reaction. Their impact might be toxic, or it might be life enhancing; for example, informing the development of new antibiotics, anti-cancer drugs or bio-based insecticides for use in agriculture. Scientists have developed a novel computational approach for analysing the DNA sequences of thousands of bacteria.

New, fully biodegradable cellulose membrane proves effective in oil-water separation

Published 22 June, 2022

A group of researchers at Shanxi Institute of Coal Chemistry (part of the Chinese Academy of Sciences - CAS) have developed a new and improved method using two different cellulose materials. Their process allows them to obtain membrane materials for oil-water separation that are ‘all cellulose’ (cellulose with two or more different crystal forms). Importantly, as they outline in their study results, published in the KeAi journal Green Energy & Environment, their membrane is friendly to the environment.

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