(Natural News) Spider silk that heals people. While this may sound like an odd scene out of the comic book series Spider-Man, scientists have developed synthetic spider silk infused with antibiotics that can be used in drug delivery, regenerative medicine, and wound healing. Spider silk has long been known to scientists around the world as […]

(Natural News) Scientists claim that they have developed a new catalyst that can turn the much-talked about compound, carbon dioxide, into plastic. The inventors believe that this new chemical process could help save the environment — but many environmental groups have a bone to pick about that assertion. As usual, there are many concerns as […]

(Natural News) Japanese researchers debuted a new compound that can accelerate the oxidation of the sugar-derived 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) and turn it into raw material for bioplastics. The new catalyst is also sustainable since it can further reduce the dependency on fossil fuels that are currently used to create most plastics and associated catalysts. Most raw materials […]

(Natural News) The health benefits and flavor of olive oil make it a very desirable product. However, that same high value also makes it a common target for counterfeiters. To stop the spread of fake olive oil, a Spanish-American effort presented a portable sensor that can authenticate olive oil. The two most valuable types of olive […]

(Natural News) Researchers are finally beginning to understand how the brain of an organism controls its active senses. An experiment with glass knifefish (Eigenmannia virescens) revealed that the tiny active sensing motions performed by the animal are controlled via sensory feedback. The tiny movements increase the accuracy of the data that is being sent to the brain of the […]

(Natural News) Scientists have found a new way to relieve itchy skin without resorting to potentially harmful scratching. An experimental method devised by Italian researchers used a certain type of light to get rid of itchiness and prevent the annoying sensation from coming back for months afterward. Most people know the annoying experience of suddenly needing to scratch a particularly […]

(Natural News) Solar energy is often used to power the process that converts undrinkable seawater into potable liquid. Italian researchers found a way to vastly increase the efficiency of the solar-powered desalination process, resulting in at least twice the amount of drinkable water compared to older approaches. Desalination removes salt from seawater so that it […]

(Natural News) Having succeeded at the task of raising lettuce in space-like conditions, Norwegian researchers are now designing planters that can grow beans aboard a spaceship. This will give astronauts the ability to cultivate plants during trips between Earth and Mars. Astronauts miss life on Earth. They enjoy anything that reminds them of their home planet. Not only […]

(Natural News) A fusion reactor built out of unsafe and unreliable parts might as well be called a thermonuclear bomb. Aware of this problem, European researchers paired together different imaging techniques to make a dual-imaging system that can accurately determine the quality of the reactor components before final assembly. Practical nuclear fusion is not just about replicating […]

(Natural News) Perspective matters. A narrow beam of light will barely warm your skin, but it will exert an irresistible grip on objects that are mere micrometers or nanometers in diameter. South African researchers demonstrated how a laser beam can steer tiny objects the size of a single human cell. Their technique is called “holographic optical trapping and tweezing.” In […]