Wrocław/ Researcher investigates artificial growth of Baikal skullcap root
A scientist from the Wrocław Medical University plans to grow Baikal skullcap, a plant used in the pharmaceutical industry, without soil and with less water. He also wants to extract medicinal substances from the root of the plant multiple times.
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Plant biologists in international climate project
Obtaining plant varieties with greater resilience to changes in environmental conditions is one of the postulates of an international team of plant biology scientists, operating under the name PlantACT!
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Understanding urban heat island phenomenon will help make life easier for residents, says expert
Heat islands that form in cities can be dangerous for many, especially when combined with heat waves. To check how climate change affects cities, the Polish Space Agency commissioned a heat island analysis for five large Polish cities, Jolanta Orlińska from POLSA told PAP. Understanding this phenomenon will help make life easier for residents on hot days.
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'Friendly' fungi mixture to help protect raspberries from diseases
In the soils where wild raspberries naturally resistant to some diseases grow, researchers have found strains of fungi that help plants become immune to dangerous pathogens. Now they have developed a blend of fungi and supplements to help growers protect their raspberries and strawberries.
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Rubbing against trees protects brown bears from ticks
Despite tick-borne diseases detected in brown bears, scientists have always been interested in why they do not find large numbers of ticks on the animals' bodies. Now they have established that the resinous substances leaking from trees can provide a natural protection against ticks. The study described in the Journal of Zoology was conducted in Poland.
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Scientists working on hypoallergenic insect-based dog food
Scientists from Olsztyn are are working on hypoallergenic dog food based on mealworm. Initial acceptance tests have shown that rats and dogs like it, researchers say. Preclinical trials begin in February.
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Automatic robot to operate edible insect farm
Scientists from the University of Warmia and Mazury (UWM) are working on a computer program for an autonomous robot to operate a farm that breeds insects for food purposes. The robot will assess the condition of insects and, among other things, their development phase.
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Scientists examine how cells know their 'identity' in the body after dividing
The cells of the body, which form various tissues, undergo divisions (mitosis) and pass on information about their role in the body to the next generations of cells. Researchers from Warsaw show how some processes responsible for the positive genetic memory or transcriptional memory work. Their research has implications for cancer research.
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Insect food may be widely available in a decade or so
Insect farming has a small impact on the natural environment compared to traditional animal husbandry, says Dr. Małgorzata Nowacka from WULS-SGGW. In her opinion, it will take a decade or so for a wide range of insect products to be available on the market.
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Researcher probe untapped potential of endophytic fungi
Endophytic fungi growing on trees in Polish forests represent an untapped source of new bioactive compounds. Scientists at the Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences want to use these compounds to create antibacterial agents, antioxidants, and anti-cancer agents, the university reports.
