Growing demand for biorenewable chemicals could lead to conflicts with food production and unwanted environmental impacts. Against this context, this study investigated different types of feedstock and conversion technologies. The authors recommend use of only non-edible feedstock alongside green and carbon neutral conversion technologies, such as algal fermentation.

The effects of antibiotic contamination may be attenuated by the common reed, new research shows. The study found that the common reed (Phragmites australis), sourced from a temperate estuary with brackish water, had capacity for the bioremediation of the veterinary antibiotic enrofloxacin (ENR). The authors suggest that salt-marsh plants and their associated micro-organisms could be a valuable asset in the recovery of contaminated estuary environments.

A new study from Poland has confirmed the potential of fungal Trichoderma species to control diseases of oilseed rape crops. The use of Trichoderma can reduce the growth of disease-causing oilseed rape pathogens, which may allow a decrease in the use of harmful pesticides.

Microbes and biocatalytic enzymes could offer useful tools for cleaning soils polluted with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), suggests a new review of remediation approaches. However, risk assessments and further work are needed before their use can be extended beyond the lab to realworld situations. This comprehensive overview of available and novel methods indicates their constraints and potential for future development and research.

Assessments of the effects on organisms likely to come into contact with genetically modified (GM) plants have been reviewed in a recent study. The researchers say such assessments help to understand the potential ecological impacts within the environment and are an important part of the risk assessments for GM plants.

Engineering at the nanoscale brings the promise of radical technological development — clean energy, highly effective medicines and space travel. But technology at this scale also brings safety challenges. Nano-sized particles are not inherently more toxic than larger particles, but the effects are complex and vary based on particle properties as well as chemical toxicity. This Report brings together the latest science on environmental safety considerations specific to manufactured nanoscale materials, and some possible implications for policy and research.

Researchers have published a paper providing evidence that a ‘cooling-off effect’ can lead to increased public acceptance of new environmental technologies over time. The scientists analysed survey results from over 1 000 respondents in Germany, using solar radiation management (SRM), a controversial climate-engineering technique, as a test case. They found that, following a cooling-off period of either one month, 12 months, or 18 months, acceptance of SRM increased significantly — and that the longer the cooling-off period, the larger the increase. These findings have far-reaching implications, both for the deployment of SRM and for climate policymakers seeking to more accurately measure the public acceptability of novel interventions.

Disease-fighting microbes, insect-eating predators and mating-disrupting pheromones are among the tools listed in a new review of methods that can be used to reduce synthetic pesticide use on grapevines in Europe. Using these alternative methods can reduce the environmental and health risks associated with chemical pesticides, but further development is required to make them attractive to growers.

Conventional municipal waste-water treatment processes are based on aeration, which is energy intensive. Now, researchers have developed an alternative waste-water treatment process. In addition to avoiding the use of aeration in favour of filtration/biofiltration and encapsulated denitrification (the application of capsules containing nitrifiers, which convert ammonium into nitrate), the process also uses waste biosolids to generate electrical energy. The process has been tested in a pilot facility and found to require just 15% of the energy required for conventional approaches. Moreover, the process is energy positive, as the biosolids are able to generate more than enough energy to power the treatment plant. If this technology could be scaled up to the municipal level, it could significantly reduce the energy use and environmental impacts of waste-water treatment.

The chemical 1,4-dioxane, a solvent suspected of causing cancer, is very difficult to clean up once it enters the environment. However, hope is offered by recent scientific developments that use plants, bacteria and fungi to decontaminate water resources. Scientists provided a round-up of these 1,4-dioxane bioremediation techniques in a recent analysis.

Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Africa (AMEA) have always been at the heart of world trade. Vibrant and dynamic, AMEA is a region with huge potential; its markets are driving growth around the world and are seen as important prospects for investment.

Contact centres may have poor reputations but they should be seen as a strategic resource, says Nicola Millard, BT’s in-house futurist

Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Africa (AMEA) have always been at the heart of world trade. Vibrant and dynamic, AMEA is a region with huge potential.

As part of the county’s response to the rapidly evolving COVID-19 situation, view Parks, Recreation and Community Services closures and operating status information.

March 30, 2020: Effective immediately, physical deliveries should be dropped off to the lobby of the Government Center in the secure drop box labeled Department of Finance and Budget, Division of Procurement.

This week Grey and Myke talk about how they deal with travelling, before answering important questions like; 'what Coffee does Grey drink?', 'what advice would you give for someone that wants to be self employed?', and 'Kirk or Picard?'.

Grey describes the 'Rule of Two', Myke wants to know how the 'UK explained' video became a success, and they both discuss Netflix's hiring policies, branding, and ASMR videos.

Myke is jet-lagged, but Grey wants to know all about XOXO. Grey is intrigued about the iPad Pro, and Myke wants to talk about iOS 9. Grey shares a theory about the 16GB iPhone, Myke listens.

Grey wants more vacations, Myke gets overwhelmed, and they both learn to work better together.

Grey took a secret photo, Myke took a chance, and they both cannot agree on how long you should stick it out.

Grey thinks the end is nigh, Myke is making preperations, and they both review Homescreens from the past.

Myke is waiting for a delivery, Grey evangelizes napping, and they both have thoughts about the iPhone X.

Grey uses a YouTube limitation to his advantage, Myke is nervous about an event, and they both read The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.

Myke went to PodCon, Grey doesn't write articles anymore, and they both name their favourite software for 'State of the Apps 2018'.

Grey publishes a YouTube video that's _a tad different_, Myke has made some changes to his journal, and they both discuss experimenting with new ways of doing things.

Myke wants to make some changes, Grey is taking a break, and they are both excited about some big announcements.

Grey has a terrible to-do hack, Myke is going back to PodCon, and they both discuss their favourite software for 'State of the Apps 2019'.

Grey is stuck in a time paradox, Myke shares how many journals he ordered, and they both watch Jiro Dreams of Sushi.

Grey gets a tech news update, Myke is looking back, and they both answer some #askcortex questions.

Grey got a gift he cannot use, Myke is still outfitting Mega Studio, and they both discuss clarity in projects.

Grey questions the narrator, Myke is in a commemorative mood, and they both watched 'Inside Bill's Brain'.

Australian Federal Police National Headquarters in Canberra will be bathed in blue from this evening (Thursday, 30 April) to honour the four Victorian and one South Australian police officer who tragically lost their lives last week.

Two Vietnamese nationals have been sentenced to a collective total of almost 30 years behind bars, after importing more than 300 kilograms of methamphetamine concealed inside steel gates into Victoria in 2017.

Three men have been arrested as a result of coordinated operations conducted across NSW in two days, targeting purchasers of child-like sex dolls.

A Taiwanese national has been sentenced to 13 years behind bars, for his role in the importation of more than 40 kilograms of methamphetamine concealed in packaging equipment into NSW in 2015.

A 56-year-old Perth man allegedly caught with child abuse material has been charged by the Western Australia Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team (WA JACET).

An ongoing investigation by Australian authorities into the sexual abuse of children in the Philippines, including suspected live distance abuse committed by an Australian citizen, has resulted in the rescue of three children and the arrest of one woman in the Philippines.

A 45-year-old man will face Melbourne Magistrate’s Court today, charged in relation to child abuse material offences.

A Christmas Island man has been sentenced to four years and four months jail today (Friday, 8 May) in the Western Australia District Court for six child abuse-related offences involving a young girl.

CBS San Antonio

AN acreage on Tasmania’s East Coast headlined a busy week for big sales in Tasmania.