Latest news with #enzymes
Sustainability Times
5 days ago
- Science
- Sustainability Times
'They're Turning Pollution Into Candy!': Chinese Scientists Stun the World by Making Food from Captured Carbon Emissions
IN A NUTSHELL 🌱 Chinese researchers have developed a groundbreaking method to convert methanol into sucrose, bypassing traditional agriculture. have developed a groundbreaking method to convert methanol into sucrose, bypassing traditional agriculture. 🔬 The innovative in vitro biotransformation (ivBT) system uses enzymes to transform methanol derived from industrial waste into complex sugars. system uses enzymes to transform methanol derived from industrial waste into complex sugars. 🌍 This method contributes to sustainability by utilizing carbon dioxide as a raw material, supporting carbon neutrality efforts. by utilizing carbon dioxide as a raw material, supporting carbon neutrality efforts. 💡 The research opens possibilities for producing a wide range of sugars for industries beyond food, including pharmaceuticals and industrial products. In a remarkable scientific breakthrough, Chinese researchers have pioneered a method to convert methanol into sucrose, bypassing the need for traditional agriculture. This innovative approach not only promises to revolutionize the food industry but also offers a sustainable solution to environmental challenges. By turning carbon waste into a valuable resource, scientists are paving the way for a future where food production is less dependent on land and water. The implications of this technology extend beyond food, potentially impacting various industries that rely on carbohydrates. Converting Carbon Waste to Valuable Sugars The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) has made significant strides in the field of biotransformation with their latest research. The team at the Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology has developed an in vitro biotransformation (ivBT) system that synthesizes sucrose from methanol, a low-carbon chemical. This method showcases a potential shift in how we produce essential nutrients, moving away from traditional agriculture. By utilizing enzymes to convert methanol, which is derived from industrial waste or carbon dioxide, the researchers have presented a sustainable alternative to sugar cane and sugar beet cultivation. Such developments are crucial as climate change and population growth exert pressure on agricultural resources. With China importing approximately 5 million tons of sugar annually, the need for an efficient, scalable solution is evident. This groundbreaking method not only addresses the demand for sugar but also contributes to carbon neutrality by utilizing carbon dioxide as a raw material. As the world seeks to mitigate environmental impacts, this technology offers a promising avenue for sustainable food production. 'We Finally Cracked the Cold': Engineers Unveil Breakthrough That Makes EVs Charge 6× Faster in Freezing Temperatures Advancing Methanol to Sugar Conversion In 2021, researchers at the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics developed a low-temperature method to convert CO₂ into methanol. Building on this, the Tianjin team has established a high-efficiency process to transform methanol into complex sugars through a series of rapid, low-energy reactions. Achieving an impressive conversion rate of 86%, this research marks a significant milestone in the field of biomanufacturing. The system not only synthesizes sucrose but also produces starch, using less energy than traditional methods. The implications of these findings are vast, offering a potential solution for producing a wide range of sugars without relying on plant-based sources. This approach could revolutionize industries that depend on carbohydrates, from food production to pharmaceuticals, by providing a plant-independent route for synthesizing complex sugars. As the research progresses, the focus will be on improving enzyme efficiency and system stability to facilitate industrial-scale applications. 'China's Runway Disintegrates on Impact': Revolutionary Super-Soft Material Now Shields Planes and Passengers From Catastrophic Crashes, Shocking Aviation Experts A Future Beyond Traditional Agriculture The ivBT system developed by the Tianjin researchers extends its potential beyond just sucrose production. By adapting the system, the team successfully synthesized other carbohydrates such as fructose, amylose, and cellooligosaccharides. These compounds have applications not only in food but also in medicines and industrial products, highlighting the versatility of this technology. The plant-independent synthesis of these sugars represents a monumental step toward a future where we can produce essential nutrients without relying on traditional agricultural methods. While the research shows promise, the team acknowledges that further work is needed to refine the system for large-scale use. Enhancements in enzyme efficiency and system robustness are critical to realizing the full potential of this technology. Published in Science Bulletin, this study lays the groundwork for future developments in carbon-negative biomanufacturing platforms, potentially transforming how we produce food and essential chemicals. 'Coffee Stains Unleash Medical Breakthrough': This Radical Test Delivers a 100x Leap in Disease Detection Speed and Accuracy, Shocking US Doctors Everywhere Implications for Food and Environmental Sustainability As the global population continues to rise, the pressure on agricultural resources intensifies. The development of methods to produce food from carbon waste represents a significant advancement in addressing these challenges. By converting industrial waste into valuable sugars, scientists are offering a sustainable alternative to traditional food production, potentially reducing the environmental impact of agriculture. This approach aligns with global efforts to achieve carbon neutrality and mitigate climate change. The research conducted by the CAS team is a testament to the innovative solutions being developed to address complex global issues. As we look to the future, the potential for this technology to transform not only the food industry but also various sectors reliant on carbohydrates is immense. With continued research and development, could this method become a cornerstone in the quest for sustainable food production? This article is based on verified sources and supported by editorial technologies. Did you like it? 4.5/5 (30)
Fox News
07-07-2025
- Health
- Fox News
Stanford scientists 'totally surprised' by potential Parkinson's treatment discovery
A recent study from Stanford Medicine that "totally surprised" researchers highlighted what could be a promising approach to slowing Parkinson's disease progression. The research, published in the journal Science Signaling, took a closer look at enzymes — proteins in the body that speed up chemical reactions and are essential for digestion, liver function and other key functions, according to Cleveland Clinic — and their role in Parkinson's. The team found that targeting a certain enzyme helped to restore neuron and cell communication in mice. Lead author Suzanne Pfeffer, PhD, the Emma Pfeiffer Merner Professor in Medical Sciences and a professor of biochemistry at Stanford, told Fox News Digital that the team was "totally surprised that we saw as much improvement as we did." In about 25% of Parkinson's cases, the culprit is some form of genetic mutation. One of the most common mutations creates an overactive enzyme called LRRK2, according to a Stanford press release. When there is too much LRRK2 activity, it changes the structure of the brain cells, disrupting important communication between neurons and cells. This system is crucial to movement, motivation and decision-making, according to the researchers. The goal of the study was to determine whether a specific molecule — the MLi-2 LRRK2 kinase inhibitor — could reverse the effect of overactive enzymes. Using mice that had the genetic mutation that causes overactive LRRK2 and also had symptoms consistent with early Parkinson's disease, the scientists tried feeding them the inhibitor for two weeks. There were initially no changes detected in brain structure, signaling or function of the dopamine neurons. However, after three months of eating the inhibitor, mice affected by the overactive enzyme appeared to have restored their neurons to the point where they were virtually the same as those without the genetic mutation, the study found. "Findings from this study suggest that inhibiting the LRRK2 enzyme could stabilize the progression of symptoms if patients can be identified early enough," Pfeffer said in the press release. The study did have some limitations, the researchers acknowledged. "This was in mice, not people, but our current results indicate that similar pathways are important in humans," Pfeffer told Fox News Digital. While the study focused on a specific genetic form of the disease, overactive LRRK2 is also present in other cases, meaning this treatment could help multiple types of Parkinson's patients and possibly those with other neurodegenerative diseases, the reseachers claimed. Looking ahead, the team plans to investigate whether other forms of Parkinson's could benefit. Parkinson's — a disease that involves the slow death of dopamine-producing neurons, leading to symptoms like tremors and stiffness — affects nearly one million Americans, according to the Parkinson's Foundation, which has offices in New York and Miami. Experts agree that early intervention is key, as Parkinson's symptoms often appear years after the disease begins. "These findings suggest that it might be possible to improve, not just stabilize, the condition of patients with Parkinson's disease." Identifying and treating at-risk individuals sooner could potentially halt or reverse neuron loss. "These findings suggest that it might be possible to improve, not just stabilize, the condition of patients with Parkinson's disease," Pfeffer said. For more Health articles, visit The researcher told Fox News Digital that it's important to encourage patients to undergo genetic testing to learn more about their suitability for clinical trials and future treatments. The study was funded by The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, the Aligning Science Across Parkinson's initiative and the United Kingdom Medical Research Council.
Mail & Guardian
05-06-2025
- Health
- Mail & Guardian
Beyond the bin: Rethinking bioplastic waste for a circular future
Bioplastics are made from renewable sources, which sounds ideal, but some are compostable or biodegradable only under certain conditions. Now Stellenbosch University has found that enzymes may be the solution.. Photo: Sustainable Seas Trust Plastic is everywhere. From packaging our food to building our homes and medical equipment, we've come to rely on it for nearly everything. But our dependence on plastic has come at a cost that the environment can no longer bear. We now know that plastic pollution is choking our oceans, polluting soils, harming wildlife, and posing a threat to human health. That's why this One solution that has garnered considerable attention is bioplastics. These materials resemble regular plastics in appearance and function but are made from renewable sources, such as corn or sugarcane, and often are certified as biodegradable or compostable. It sounds like a dream: plastic without the pollution. But the reality is more complicated. Not all bioplastics are created equal. Some are biodegradable, meaning they can break down naturally, but only under specific conditions. Others are compostable, but only in large-scale industrial composting facilities, not your backyard compost heap. Still others are bio-based versions of conventional plastics and don't degrade at all. Another key issue is that evidence suggests certifications are not aligned with real-world outcomes. Authorities are now addressing this through a review process, specifically to bring the EN13432 compostable certification — a European standard that defines the requirements for packaging recoverable through composting and biodegradation — closer in line with real-world end-of-life scenarios. The bottom line? These materials are often misunderstood by consumers, companies and even governments. Many people assume that tossing a bioplastic item into nature or a regular bin is fine, but without the right conditions, most of these materials don't degrade within the timeframes for which they were certified. Even worse, if they're sent to waste management facilities already processing other waste streams, such as PET recycling facilities that handle polyethylene terephthalate — a strong and durable plastic — they can disrupt and jeopardise these processes. Above all, when bioplastics are mismanaged, we lose valuable carbon that could have been recovered and reused, thereby undermining the very purpose for which these materials were created. The truth is that our waste systems are not designed to handle bioplastics, at least not now and not at scale. Take Italy, for example. The country has made significant progress in encouraging the use of bioplastics, even mandating their use for shopping bags, takeaway containers and the collection of organic waste. These bioplastics are legally required to be sent to organic waste management facilities, such as composters and anaerobic digestion plants. Despite good intentions, much of the bioplastic-containing waste is pulled out at the start of the treatment process, along with other large or 'unusual' items, and sent to incineration instead. Why? Because old treatment plants weren't designed to handle large quantities of bioplastics. This leads the facilities to believe that the risk of disrupting their processes is just too high to treat bioplastics properly. The problem isn't with bioplastics themselves; they can and should be a big part of the portfolio of solutions to combat plastic pollution. It's that existing waste management systems weren't built around them. Moreover, in the developing world, most cities lack proper industrial composting or anaerobic digestion facilities. There's little public awareness on how to dispose of bioplastics correctly. And our recycling technologies haven't caught up with the complexity of these new materials. As a result, the promise of bioplastics is falling short. But it doesn't have to be this way. At This means that less bioplastic waste is sent to landfills or incinerators, but also that we get as much value as possible from bioplastic materials before they are composted. It's a system designed not just to clean up plastic, but to recapture carbon — the most valuable currency in the world — and keep it cycling in the economy where it belongs. Of course, new technologies are only part of the solution. Public education is just as important. Most people still don't understand the difference between biodegradable and compostable, or how to identify a bioplastic in the first place. Clear labelling, public awareness, consistent regulations and accessible disposal systems are essential. It's also time for governments to step up. There is a need for investment in composting and recycling infrastructure, as well as extended producer responsibility laws that hold companies accountable for the waste their products generate. Additionally, incentives are necessary to encourage better product design and effective product management after use. Crucially, we must be honest about where bioplastics make the most sense. They're great for short-lived, disposable items, such as food packaging or compostable liners, where collection and treatment can be controlled. But they're not a blanket replacement for all plastic. In some cases, reusable options or better recycling systems offer more environmental benefits. Bioplastics won't fix our waste crisis overnight. They're not a silver bullet. But, with innovative design, responsible production, as well as proper disposal and waste management systems, they can be part of a much-needed shift toward circular, sustainable materials. And that's the future we need. One where resources aren't wasted, ecosystems aren't harmed, and people, businesses and governments work together to protect the only home we have. Consumers, too, have a role to play. Start by reading labels carefully. If something is labelled 'compostable,' it usually means it needs the high heat and controlled conditions of an industrial composting facility — not your backyard bin. So, compost carefully, and where possible, check if your local waste system accepts compostable plastics. If not, advocate for better infrastructure. Try to reduce single-use items altogether and support companies developing genuinely sustainable alternatives. Every action counts. When we work together, scientists, citizens, companies and cities, we can shape a future where waste is not just managed but transformed into a resource. Dominique Rocher is a co-tutelage PhD researcher at Stellenbosch University (SU) and the University of Padova. Dr Wessel Myburgh is a post-doctoral researcher at SU and the University of Padova. They are co-founders of Urobo Biotech, a waste-to-value spinout focused on enzymatic solutions for bioplastic-rich waste streams .
