Researchers developing new methods and smart wellbore materials for geothermal drilling

A University of Oklahoma research team is developing smart lost circulation materials that use shape memory polymers activated by geothermal temperatures to prevent the loss of fluid in fractured rocks near the wellbore. These materials expand within the fractures to reduce non-drilling time and strengthen the wellbore in high-temperature drilling operations. The U.S. Department of Energy's Geothermal Technologies Office funded the early-stage research with a $1.79 million grant. In addition, the project has more than $0.5 million cost share from various entities.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-news-blog/researchers-developing-new-methods-and-smart-wellbore-materials-for-geothermal-drilling

Effectiveness of using natural enemies to combat pests depends on surroundings

When cabbage looper moth larvae infest a field, sustainable growers will often try to control the pests by releasing large numbers of predators, such as ladybugs. That way they can avoid spraying expensive and environmentally harmful insecticides.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-news-blog/effectiveness-of-using-natural-enemies-to-combat-pests-depends-on-surroundings

Dietary quality influences microbiome composition in human colonic mucosa

It is well established that diet influences health and disease, but the mechanisms underlying this effect are not fully understood. Shedding light on the diet-health connection, a team led by researchers at Baylor College of Medicine reports today in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition an association between diet quality and microbiome composition in human colonic mucosa. The researchers found that a high-quality diet is linked to more potentially beneficial bacteria; while a low-quality diet is associated with an increase in potentially harmful bacteria. They propose that modifying the microbiome through diet may be a part of a strategy to reduce the risk of chronic diseases.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-news-blog/dietary-quality-influences-microbiome-composition-in-human-colonic-mucosa

New biomarker-guided strategy has potential for liver cancer treatment

A study at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center discovered a cellular pathway tied to cancer that may be beneficial in reducing side effects and extending duration of immunotherapy in some patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, the most common form of liver cancer.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-news-blog/new-biomarker-guided-strategy-has-potential-for-liver-cancer-treatment

Homeless people are denied basic health care, research finds

A study led by the University of Birmingham has painted a shaming picture of neglect and discrimination shown towards the homeless when accessing UK health services.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-news-blog/homeless-people-are-denied-basic-health-care-research-finds

Silica aerogel could make Mars habitable

People have long dreamed of re-shaping the Martian climate to make it livable for humans. Carl Sagan was the first outside of the realm of science fiction to propose terraforming. In a 1971 paper, Sagan suggested that vaporizing the northern polar ice caps would "yield ~10 s g cm-2 of atmosphere over the planet, higher global temperatures through the greenhouse effect, and a greatly increased likelihood of liquid water."

* This article was originally published here