Category: Research

Monsanto lands license for new CRISPR System

Monsanto lands license for new CRISPR System

January 8, 2017 |

In Missouri, Monsanto has reached a new global licensing agreement with the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard for the use of the novel CRISPR-Cpf1 genome-editing technology in agriculture. The CRISPR-Cpf1 system represents an exciting advance in genome-editing technology, because it has potential to be a simpler and more precise tool for making targeted improvements […]

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Oak Ridge researchers discover metabolic and genetic reasons why some plants are drought tolerant

Oak Ridge researchers discover metabolic and genetic reasons why some plants are drought tolerant

January 5, 2017 |

In Tennessee, some semi-arid plants use a specific type of photosynthesis known as crassulacean acid metabolism, or CAM, to conserve water and flourish in semi-arid climates. Now scientists at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory have discovered the metabolic and genetic underpinnings that allow plants, such as the agave plant, to do so. […]

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Hawaiian researchers find sugarcane and napiergrass to sequester carbon in the soil

Hawaiian researchers find sugarcane and napiergrass to sequester carbon in the soil

January 4, 2017 |

In Hawaii, two potential biofuel crops in Hawaii–sugarcane and napiergrass–may sequester more carbon in soil than is lost to the atmosphere, according to a study published January 4, 2017 in the open-access journal PLOS ONE by Meghan Pawlowski from University of Hawaii Manoa, U.S., and colleagues. Sugarcane and napiergrass are promising biofuel crops because, like […]

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Mexican researcher gets $500,000 award for jatropha and moringa research

Mexican researcher gets $500,000 award for jatropha and moringa research

January 3, 2017 |

In Mexico, a researcher at the Universidad Autónoma de Sinaloa has been awarded the silver prize from the PRODETES 2016 competition that comes along with a $500,000 grant to continue his research into biodiesel from trees such as jatropha and moringa. The competition is funded by the Energy Ministry, the World Bank and other partners […]

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Michigan State University working with 4H to promote biofuels as part of STEM

Michigan State University working with 4H to promote biofuels as part of STEM

January 2, 2017 |

In Michigan, Michigan State University’s extension program is hosting several biofuel-related camps for youth during the coming summer break via 4H as part of a wider program to promote STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). The program has also developed hands on in-classroom science experiments teachers can perform with students to teach them about basic […]

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Global biofuels market to grow at 5.87% rate through 2020: Report

Global biofuels market to grow at 5.87% rate through 2020: Report

December 31, 2016 |

In New York, a report from Technavio concluded that the global biofuels market will grow at a CAGR of 5.87% during the period 2016-2020. The report covers the present scenario and the growth prospects of the global biofuels market for 2016-2020. The report also presents the vendor landscape and a corresponding detailed analysis of the […]

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Global bioplastics market to grow at 28.8% rate through 2020: Report

Global bioplastics market to grow at 28.8% rate through 2020: Report

December 31, 2016 |

In New York, Future Market Insights predicted in “Bio-plastics Market: Global Industry Analysis and Opportunity Assessment 2014 to 2020”, that the global bio-plastics market is expected to account for $43.8 Bn by 2020, registering a CAGR of 28.8% during the forecast period. A growing beverage packaging industry, government support for adopting bio-based materials, and rising […]

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DOE awards universities funding to boost biofuel performance in engines

DOE awards universities funding to boost biofuel performance in engines

December 29, 2016 |

In Washington, the DOE announced up to $7 million for eight universities to accelerate the introduction of affordable, scalable, and sustainable high-performance fuels for use in high-efficiency, low-emission engines. Under the Co-Optimization of Fuels and Engines (Co-Optima) initiative, DOE’s Bioenergy Technologies Office and Vehicle Technologies Office are collaborating to maximize energy savings and on-road vehicle performance, while dramatically reducing […]

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OSU researchers say rural development from forest waste biomass faces economic hurdles

OSU researchers say rural development from forest waste biomass faces economic hurdles

December 28, 2016 |

In Oregon, use of residual forest biomass for rural development faces significant economic hurdles that make it unlikely to be a source of jobs in the near future, according to an analysis by economists at Oregon State University. In a model of the forest industry, researchers in the College of Forestry combined an evaluation of […]

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Cornell researchers say marine microalgae key to future food and fuel

Cornell researchers say marine microalgae key to future food and fuel

December 27, 2016 |

In New York state, researchers at Cornell University say large-scale industrial cultivation of marine microalgae, or ICMM, could help produce fuel for aviation and shipping along with animal feed. Previous Cornell research shows that chickens eating algae-based feed produce eggs with three times the amount of omega-3s. Researchers say to produce the amount of liquid […]

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