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☆ Graphene: The world’s strongest material could be used to make clean drinking water
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-29 | by ( Rebecca Cairns | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —Often referred to as a “miracle material,” graphene is one million times thinner than a single human hair and stronger than steel. The two-dimensional carbon material, made from single layers of graphite, a material mined from the ground, is extremely lightweight, conductive, and flexible, and has the potential to deliver transformational technologies across industries, from electronics to transportation. Now, researchers at Khalifa University in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are exploring another use for graphene: producing drinking water. That’s where graphene comes in: Arafat is working on a graphene-enhanced membrane that could make the process more efficient and cheaper. “Even in small quantities, these graphene materials significantly improve the performance of the membranes in terms of their water production,” he adds.

Persons: ”, Hassan Arafat, Arafat, “, Arafat isn’t, Molymem, Christophe Viseux, RIC2D, James Baker, Baker, You’re, ” Baker Organizations: CNN, Khalifa University, United Arab Emirates, United Arab, Research, Innovation, UK’s University of Manchester, University of Manchester, Bloomberg, Getty, Graphene@Manchester, European Union Locations: UAE, United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi, Abu, Turkish, Emirates

☆ How concerning is the spike in respiratory illnesses in China? A doctor explains
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-28 | by ( Deblina Chakraborty | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —Hospitals in northern China and Beijing have reported a surge in the number of children with respiratory illnesses, including pneumonia. Why might there be a surge in respiratory illnesses? CNN: How concerning is the spike in respiratory illnesses being reported in China? Dr. Leana Wen: Thus far, based on what we know from WHO, I don’t think the spike in respiratory illnesses should cause global concern. It’s very possible that other areas, especially those with previously strict virus mitigation measures, will see a rise in respiratory illnesses this winter.

Persons: Leana Wen, Wen, It’s, ”, it’s Organizations: CNN, World Health Organization, George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health, WHO, People's, Wen, US Centers for Disease Control Locations: China, Beijing, Fuyang, Covid, United States

☆ 2 reasons China's mysterious respiratory illness outbreak isn't the new COVID, according to the WHO
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-28 | by ( Kim Schewitz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Parts of northern China have seen a surge in children with respiratory illnesses. The WHO requested more information from Chinese health officials, who said common bugs are the cause. AdvertisementCases of respiratory illness among children in northern China have surged in recent weeks, but it's unlikely this is the start of a new pandemic, according to the World Health Organization. The WHO has been monitoring an increase in respiratory illness among children in northern China since mid-October. Advertisement2) The illnesses are not caused by a new virusChinese health officials said that the outbreak of respiratory illness is caused by known pathogens.

Persons: —, Maria Van Kerkhove, COVID, Van Kerkhove, François Balloux, Hilary Brueck, pneumoniae Organizations: WHO, Service, World Health Organization, UCL Genetics Institute Locations: China

☆ A leading supplement researcher says she doesn't take any — because she's getting what she needs from her vegan diet
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-28 | by ( Hilary Brueck | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

A leading supplement researcher says she doesn't take supplements. She prioritizes getting the key vitamins and nutrients she needs from vegan food. She keeps close tabs on her own health, and the regular tests and checks she performs on herself suggest she doesn't need supplements. Maier prefers getting her vitamins from whole foods"My supplement strategy? All of this goes into Maier's clinical decision-making about whether to try a certain supplement on a specific patient.

Persons: prioritizes, —, Andrea Maier, Maier isn't, She's, Maier, Galina Zhigalova, It's Organizations: Service, Centre, Healthy Longevity, National University of Singapore, Longevity Locations: Singapore

The full benefit for these Indian manufacturers will not be immediate, said Peter DeYoung, CEO of Piramal Pharma Solutions. Nimgaonkar said Indian CDMOs need to do more to ensure their reputation on quality standards matches Western and Chinese ones. The Indian CDMOs told Reuters that their facilities are routinely inspected by the FDA. Aragen counts seven of the 10 biggest pharma companies as clients, he said, declining to name them. "New biotechs are deciding to put eggs in both the Indian and China baskets from the start," Subramanian said.

Persons: Trump, Tommy Erdei, Ashish Nimgaonkar, Nimgaonkar, Sai, Peter DeYoung, Helen Chen, CDMOs, Piramal, DeYoung, Ramesh Subramanian, Subramanian, Maggie Fick, Andrew Silver, Michele Gershberg, Catherine Evans Organizations: Jefferies, Glyscend Therapeutics, Reuters, Sciences, Piramal Pharma, Sai Life Sciences, Western pharma, Piramal Pharma Solutions, L.E.K, Consulting, pharma, U.S . Food, Drug Administration, FDA, Thomson Locations: China, India, SHANGHAI, HYDERABAD, U.S, Shanghai, United States, London, Hyderabad

BEIJING (AP) — A surge in respiratory illnesses across China that has drawn the attention of the World Health Organization is caused by the flu and other known pathogens and not by a novel virus, the country's health ministry said Sunday. The emergence of new flu strains or other viruses capable of triggering pandemics typically starts with undiagnosed clusters of respiratory illness. Chinese authorities earlier this month blamed the increase in respiratory diseases on the lifting of COVID-19 lockdown restrictions. Other countries also saw a jump in respiratory diseases such as RSV when pandemic restrictions ended. WHO said that there was too little information at the moment to properly assess the risk of these reported cases of respiratory illness in children.

Persons: ”, Mi Feng Organizations: BEIJING, World Health, National Health Commission, WHO Locations: China, Beijing, Wuhan

☆ WHO questions China about a mystery illness linked to pneumonia as hospitals fill with sick children
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-25 | by ( Nathan Rennolds | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The World Health Organization has requested more information from China about an illness affecting children. Reports of "undiagnosed pneumonia" in children in northern China circulated on November 21. AdvertisementThe World Health Organization (WHO) asked China for "detailed information" about a respiratory illness that's affecting children in the north of the country. The organization requested "additional epidemiologic and clinical information" following reports of "undiagnosed pneumonia" spreading among children, according to a statement released on Wednesday. Hospitals in northern China appear to be "overwhelmed with sick children," NBC News reported.

Persons: —, GAO Organizations: World Health Organization, Service, Health Organization, WHO, China Morning Post, NBC, Getty Images China, Centers for Disease Control Locations: China, Beijing

U.S. health officials recalled three more brands of whole and pre-cut cantaloupes Friday as the number of people sickened by salmonella more than doubled this week. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration's original recall included Malichita brand whole cantaloupe, Vinyard brand pre-cut cantaloupe and ALDI whole cantaloupe and pre-cut fruit products. Rudy brand whole cantaloupes and Freshness Guaranteed brand and RaceTrac brand pre-cut cantaloupes joined the list Friday. Health officials say anyone who bought the recalled fruits should throw them away and wash surfaces that touched them with hot, soapy water or in a dishwasher. Most people infected with salmonella develop diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps within six hour to six days after consuming food contaminated with the bacteria.

Persons: Rudy, cantaloupes, JoNel Aleccia, Robert Wood Johnson Organizations: U.S . Food, ALDI, Health, Associated Press Health, Science Department, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, AP Locations: Arizona , Missouri, Minnesota , Wisconsin, Ohio, Minnesota, U.S

☆ W.H.O. Says China Has Shared Data Indicating No Novel Pathogen
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-23 | by ( Vivian Wang | More About Vivian Wang | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

The World Health Organization said that China had shared data about a recent surge in respiratory illnesses in children, one day after the agency said it was seeking information about the possibility of undiagnosed pneumonia cases there. The Chinese data indicated “no detection of any unusual or novel pathogens,” according to a W.H.O. statement on Thursday. The data, which included laboratory results from infected children, indicated that the rise in cases was a result of known viruses and bacteria, such as influenza and mycoplasma pneumoniae, a bacterium that causes usually mild illness. Hospital admissions of children had increased since May, as had outpatient visits, but hospitals were able to handle the increase, China told the global health agency.

Organizations: World Health Organization Locations: China

☆ Another study links ultraprocessed foods to cancer, but questions remain
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-22 | by ( Sandee Lamotte | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

“This study adds to a growing pool of evidence suggesting a link between UPFs (ultraprocessed foods) and cancer risk,” said Dr. Helen Croker, assistant director of research and policy at World Cancer Research Fund International, which funded the study, in a statement. Ultraprocessed foods are often calorie-dense and are considered to be a driver of excess weight, experts say. An unusual linkOddly, the study also found a link between ultraprocessed food and accidental deaths, which was being used as a control for the study. A growing associationThis is not the first study to find a link between ultraprocessed food and cancer. In that study, eating more ultraprocessed animal products and sweetened beverages explained a good part of the association.

Persons: ”, Helen Croker, Ingre, UPFs, ” Huybrechts, David Katz, Katz, ” Katz, “ UPFs, George Davey Smith, “ Organizations: CNN, Cancer Research Fund, Metabolism, International Agency for Research, Cancer, Food and Agriculture Organization, United Nations, European, of Nutrition, Investigation, Cancer and Nutrition, EPIC, US Centers for Disease Control, BMI, True Health Initiative, University of Bristol Locations: United States, UPFs, Europe, United Kingdom

☆ A mysterious respiratory illness that infects dogs is spreading across the US. Here's how to protect your pooch, and what to do if you think they have it.
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( Maiya Focht | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

AdvertisementA mysterious respiratory illness is spreading between dogs across the US, and veterinarians aren't sure what's causing it. AdvertisementHere's what to look out for in your pooch, and how to do your best to protect your dog against infection. How to protect your pupIt's best to avoid areas with high dog traffic while this sickness is spreading. Advertisement"I think we've all learned more than we ever wanted to know about respiratory disease and how it passes over the last few years. What to do if you think your dog got infectedMcKnight recommends taking your dog to the vet to get a workup done if you think they may have symptoms.

Persons: —, aren't, Sorin McKnight, McKnight, hasn't, Dr, Silene St, Bernard, Andrea Cantu, MIGUEL MEDINA, St.Bernard, Supitnan Pimpisarn, St Organizations: Service, Veterinary Medical Center, University of New, Laboratory, Hubbard Center for Genome Studies, NBC, Oregon Department of Agriculture, American Veterinary Medical Association, Getty, Associated Press, St Locations: Texas, Silene, Oregon, Colorado , New Hampshire, Massachusetts, AFP

☆ 'The silent pandemic': A hotter world makes it harder to stop the spread of deadly superbugs
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-20 | by ( Sam Meredith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which the World Health Organization has referred to as the "silent pandemic," is an often overlooked and growing global health crisis. Sakis Mitrolidis | Afp | Getty ImagesMaking matters worse, research has shown that climate change is exacerbating the AMR crisis in several ways. "AMR bacteria is known as a silent pandemic. Extreme heat is fueled by the climate crisis, which makes extreme weather more frequent and more intense. "We hear people talking about this 'silent pandemic,' but it shouldn't be silent.

Persons: Sakis Mitrolidis, Tina Joshi, Joshi, University of Plymouth Robb Butler, Butler, Plymouth's Joshi Organizations: Planck, Biology, Getty, World Health, United, AMR, WHO, Afp, University of Plymouth, CNBC, UN, United Arab Emirates, Polygiene, Aircraft, Bloomberg, Plymouth's Locations: United Nations, Sikorahi, Alexandroupoli, Greece, WHO Europe, United Arab, UAE, Hamburg, Germany

☆ Mystery canine disease: A respiratory illness is spreading among dogs and baffling veterinarians. Here’s what owners can do
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-20 | by ( Chris Boyette | Holly Yan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

The mysterious illness is described as an “atypical canine infectious respiratory disease,” the Oregon Department of Agriculture said in a November 9 news release. In other words, dogs with the unidentified illness show similar signs of an upper respiratory disease but generally don’t test positive for common respiratory diseases. The Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory has also reported cases of a mysterious canine disease, the lab’s director told CNN in an email. While the news may be concerning, “We suggest caution rather than worry,” the Oregon Veterinary Medical Association’s website says. While this particular disease is unusual, “Periodic outbreaks of Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease Complex (CIRDC) can occur in a dog population.

Persons: Ryan Scholz, David B, ”, Kevin Snekvik, Snekvik Organizations: CNN, Oregon Department of Agriculture, Oregon, American Veterinary Medical Association, New, Diagnostic Laboratory, University of New, Disease, Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon Veterinary Locations: New Hampshire, Oregon, Colorado , Illinois, University of New Hampshire, Washington

☆ Researchers explored pitch-black pits in Yucatán's labyrinthine underwater caves to unlock the secrets of the rivers that provide drinking water to millions
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-19 | by ( Jenny Mcgrath | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

AdvertisementThe Sac Actun cave system on Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula contains many wonders, from a 13,000-year-old skeleton to human artifacts and fossils of giant sloths. The underwater cave microbial communityThe cave system is a network of over 900 miles of connected caves that contain a mix of freshwater and saltwater. Caves flooded with coastal seawater had different microbes than The Pit, a deep cenote exposed to the surface, for example. For example, she noted that a planned train system from Cancún to the Yucatán Peninsula could affect the cave system. The potential for contamination is a problem anywhere there are caves, Osburn said.

Persons: —, It's, Magdalena, Osburn, Natalie Gibb, Comamonadaceae Organizations: Service, Northwestern University, Microbiology, Reuters Locations: Cancún, In Kentucky

☆ Scientists discovered a field of deep-sea hot springs after following a trail of crabs like breadcrumbs on the ocean floor
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-18 | by ( Kelsey Vlamis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Scientists on an expedition near the Galápagos Islands followed a trail of crabs on the ocean floor. The crabs led them to a field of hydrothermal vents, or deep-sea hot springs. AdvertisementClusters of white crabs on the ocean floor helped lead scientists to a new discovery off the Galápagos Islands: a field of hydrothermal vents, or deep-sea hot springs, full of life. Schmidt Ocean InstituteA vent chimney discovered within a previously unknown hydrothermal vent field near the Galápagos Islands. A large cluster of riftia tube worms proved the researchers were unquestionably in a new hydrothermal vent field.

Persons: —, Dr, Roxanne Beinart, Hansel, Gretel, Ricardo Visaira Coronel, Dennisse Maldonado, INOCAR, Stuart Banks, Charles Darwin Organizations: Service, Schmidt Ocean Institute, Schmidt Ocean, University of Rhode Island, Ecuadorian, Charles, Charles Darwin Foundation Locations: Galapagos, Yellowstone

U.S. health officials are warning consumers not to eat certain whole and cut cantaloupes and pre-cut fruit products linked to an outbreak of salmonella poisoning. Several brands of whole and pre-cut cantaloupes and pre-cut fruit have been recalled. They include Malichita brand whole cantaloupe, Vinyard brand pre-cut cantaloupe and ALDI whole cantaloupe and pre-cut fruit products. Investigators are working to identify any additional cantaloupe products that may be contaminated. Officials in Canada are investigating an outbreak involving the same strain of salmonella, which they detected in a sample of Malichita brand cantaloupe.

Organizations: ALDI, Consumers, Officials, Associated Press Health, Science Department, Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science, Educational Media Group, AP Locations: Canada

FDA officials don't have the legal authority to force manufacturers to recall their products, and instead rely on companies to “voluntarily” do so. The FDA previously stated it recommended the manufacturer recall the eyedrops on Oct. 25. That suggests agency officials may still be finalizing documentation from the inspection that triggered the latest recall. Agency records show FDA didn't conduct any inspections in India during fiscal year 2021, at the height of the pandemic. CVS Health said in a statement that it previously “stopped the sale in-store and online” of all the eyedrops cited by the FDA.

Persons: “, weren't Organizations: WASHINGTON, CVS Health, Target, Rite, Kilitch Healthcare, Food and Drug Administration, FDA, Healthcare, U.S, Velocity Pharma, Agency, COVID, CVS, Cardinal Health, Delsam Pharma, Centers for Disease Control, CDC, Associated Press Health, Science Department, Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science, Educational Media Group, AP Locations: U.S, Kilitch Healthcare India, Mumbai, Farmingdale, N.Y, India, India’s, Tamil Nadu

☆ US FDA approves CorMedix's drug for bloodstream infections
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-15 | by ( Christy Santhosh | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Signage is seen outside of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) headquarters in White Oak, Maryland, U.S., August 29, 2020. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsNov 15 (Reuters) - The U.S. health regulator on Wednesday approved CorMedix's (CRMD.O) antimicrobial drug for reduction of catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs) in patients with kidney disease, allowing the company to launch its first commercial product. The company plans to ready the drug for commercialization by end of the first quarter of 2024, CorMedix CEO Joe Todisco told Reuters. DefenCath, a combination of the antimicrobial active ingredient taurolidine and blood thinner heparin, has previously been rejected twice by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on manufacturing concerns. Ahead of the drug approval, CorMedix said it had changed its heparin supplier and the FDA had inspected its current manufacturing facility and was comfortable with it.

Persons: Andrew Kelly, Joe Todisco, CorMedix, Christy Santhosh, Shailesh Organizations: Food and Drug Administration, FDA, REUTERS, Reuters, U.S . Food, Drug Administration, RBC, DefenCath, Thomson Locations: White Oak , Maryland, U.S, New Jersey, DefenCath, Bengaluru

☆ Common pesticides in food reducing sperm count worldwide, study says
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-15 | by ( Sandee Lamotte | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Sperm concentration is a measure of sperm per milliliter of semen, while sperm count is the millions of sperm in the entire ejaculate. However, sperm concentration “is an important measure of sperm quality for comparing men across studies because it adjusts for variability in semen volume,” Perry said. Animal studies have shed light on how these pesticides may impact sperm, according to the study. “Sperm is an incredibly sensitive endpoint when it comes to overall health for men,” Perry said. In their 2023 Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce, researchers found 210 different pesticides on the 12 foods.

Persons: ”, Melissa Perry, ” Perry, Alexander Pastuszak, “, Tatiana Maksimova, It’s, Alexis Temkin, ” Temkin, “ Steer Organizations: CNN, Pesticides, College of Public Health, George Mason University, US Centers for Disease Control, The University of Utah School of Medicine, Environmental, Produce, US Food and Drug Administration Locations: Fairfax , Virginia, Salt Lake City

☆ The promise and risks of deep-sea mining
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +13 min

The promise and risks of deep-sea mining A vast treasure of critical minerals lies on the ocean floor. All of these factors make deep-sea mining more appealing, supporters say. Environmentalists, however, say it’s a false dichotomy, as land mining will continue whether or not deep-sea mining is allowed. Any country can allow deep-sea mining in its territorial waters, and Norway, Japan and the Cook Islands are close to allowing it. For now, the ISA's members are hotly debating the best standards for deep-sea mining.

Persons: Gerard Barron, Margo Deiye, “ We’re, ”, Barron, “, Beth Orcutt, Jason Gillham, Joe Carr, Pradeep Singh, Kira Mizell, Julia Wolfe, Katy Daigle, Claudia Parsons Organizations: International Energy Agency, P Global, Authority, United Nations, ISA, Metals Co, Russia's JSC, Blue Minerals, Exploration, Metals, Clarion, Companies, U.S . Geological Survey, Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, The Metals Co, Northwest, Maine's Bigelow Laboratory, Ocean Sciences, Impossible Metals, NOAA, Research, Aquarium Research, Bigelow Laboratory, Research Institute, Sustainability, . Geological Survey Locations: Brazil, Norway, Japan, Cook, Vancouver, Blue, Blue Minerals Jamaica, China, Hawaii, Mexico, Nauru, U.S, Russia, France, India, Poland, Tokyo, Monterey

☆ Eating a lot of ultraprocessed food linked to developing multiple health issues, including cancer
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-14 | by ( Sandee Lamotte | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Eating higher amounts of ultraprocessed food raises the risk of being diagnosed with multimorbidity, or having multiple chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and cancer, a new study found. “This paper reports a 9% increase in risk of multimorbidity to be associated with higher intake of ultraprocessed food,” Sanders said in a statement. In the United States, a 2019 study estimated some 71% of the food supply may be ultraprocessed. Sugary and artificially-flavored drinks and ultraprocessed meats like hot dogs were significantly linked to the development of ccancer and other disease. When ultraprocessed foods were examined by subgroups, not all appeared to be associated with developing multiple chronic conditions, said lead author Reynalda Córdova, a postdoctoral student in pharmaceutical, nutritional and sport sciences at the University of Vienna.

Persons: ”, Helen Croker, Tom Sanders, ” Sanders, Ian Johnson, ” Johnson, Heinz Freisling, Duane Mellor, Mellor, ” Mellor, Reynalda Córdova, ” Córdova, Freisling Organizations: CNN, Cancer Research Fund, King’s College London, Quadram Institute Bioscience, International Agency for Research, Cancer, Food and Agriculture Organization, United Nations, NOVA, Aston Medical School, University of Vienna Locations: Norwich, United Kingdom, Europe, United States, Birmingham, “

Here are the meanings of the 10 hardest words that have also been used in New York Times articles. This part of Montana, Lewis and Clark country, is flat and implacable with swells, coulees and hills. — 52 Places to Love in 2021 (Jan. 6, 2021)4. motet — a vocal composition, often religious:Another wonderful motet by Byrd is “Justorum animae,” which is basically a commemoration or a celebration of martyrs. He was seeing people being put to death because of their faith. — Language Is Smarter Than We Are (Jan. 11, 1987)The list of the week’s easiest words:

Persons: cicely —, labile —, didn’t, Lewis, Clark, Byrd, —, William Byrd, louche, Brando, Pierre Trudeau, Jon Peters, Barbra Streisand, lookbook, Santis, “, Mr, Arnault, Aimé Leon Dore, cellule Organizations: New York Times, Art, Food, Wear, Aimé Leon Dore Took Locations: New, Faroe Islands, Jena, Montana, Aimé Leon Dore Took New York

☆ Australian man survives crocodile attack by biting back
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( Manav Tanneeru | Jack Guy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —An Australian cattle farmer has managed to survive a crocodile attack after biting the huge predator on the eyelid. Colin Deveraux told national broadcaster ABC that he was working along the Finniss River in the Northern Territory when he stopped to check a billabong, an Australian term for a pond left when a river recedes. “I took two steps and the dirty bastard (the crocodile) latched onto my right foot,” Deveraux told ABC. Deveraux recounted how he kicked the crocodile and then fell over with his head near the crocodile’s head before trying to bite it. Deveraux told ABC that the incident has made him rethink his behavior, and he now believes he shouldn’t have gone out that far into the billabong.

Persons: Colin Deveraux, “, ” Deveraux, ”, Deveraux, Doctors, shouldn’t Organizations: CNN, ABC, billabong, Royal Darwin Hospital, Australia Locations: Northern Territory, Australia

☆ Scientists Show How to Turn Lunar Soil Fertile for Agriculture
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( Nov. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +4 min

Researchers said on Thursday they have found a way to turn inhospitable lunar soil fertile by introducing bacteria that enhance the availability of phosphorus, an important plant nutrient. They performed experiments growing a relative of tobacco using simulated moon soil, more properly called lunar regolith, in a laboratory in China. In that study, Arabidopsis did grow, but not as robustly in the lunar soil as in volcanic ash from Earth used for comparative purposes, suggesting that lunar soil could use a little help to become more fertile. The study used simulated regolith rather than the real thing because genuine lunar soil, as one might imagine, is in short supply on Earth. "In contrast, our technique, which is a kind of in-situ resource utilization, applies microbial improvement to the lunar soil, making it more fertile and capable for plant cultivation," Xia added.

Persons: Will Dunham WASHINGTON, Yitong Xia, benthamiana, Xia, Will Dunham, Rosalba O'Brien Organizations: China Agricultural University, Communications, NASA Locations: China, Beijing, United States, China's Jilin Province

☆ Scientists show how to turn lunar soil fertile for agriculture
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( Will Dunham | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Persons: Nicotiana, Yitong Xia, benthamiana, Xia, Will Dunham, Rosalba O'Brien Organizations: China Agricultural University, Reuters, REUTERS Acquire, Rights, Communications, NASA, Thomson Locations: Beijing, China, United States, China's Jilin Province

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