PRESS-NEWS.org - Press Release Distribution
PRESS RELEASES DISTRIBUTION

York scientists' significant step forward in biofuels quest

2013-12-27
(Press-News.org) Contact information: David Garner
david.garner@york.ac.uk
44-019-043-22153
University of York
York scientists' significant step forward in biofuels quest Scientists at the University of York have made a significant step in the search to develop effective second generation biofuels. Researchers from the Department of Chemistry at York have discovered a family of enzymes that can degrade hard-to-digest biomass into its constituent sugars. 'First generation' biofuels have already made an impact in the search for renewable and secure energy sources particularly through the generation of bioethanol manufactured from easy-to-digest food sources such as corn starch. But the resulting need for energy crops is using up valuable arable land threatening food price stability and limiting the amount of biofuel that can be made in this way. The use of 'difficult-to-digest' sources, such as plant stems, wood chips, cardboard waste or insect / crustacean shells, offers a potential solution. Fuel made from these sources is known as 'second generation' biofuels. Finding a way of breaking down these sources into their constituent sugars to allow them to be fermented through to bioethanol is regarded as the 'Holy Grail' of biofuel research.

Reported today in Nature Chemical Biology, the new research was led by Professor Paul Walton and Professor Gideon Davies at York and also involved Professor Bernie Henrissat, of CNRS, Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille, France. It opens up major new possibilities in the production of bioethanol from sustainable sources. By studying the biological origins and the detailed chemistry of the enzyme family, the researchers have shown that Nature has a wide range of methods of degrading biomass which humankind can now harness in its own endeavour to produce sustainable biofuels. Professor Walton says: "There's no doubt that this discovery will have an impact on not only those researchers around the globe working on how to solve the problems associated with second generation biofuel generation, but—more importantly—also on the producers of bioethanol who now have a further powerful tool to help them generate biofuel from sustainable sources such as waste plant matter." ### The research at York was funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC).


ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

Scientists anticipated size and location of 2012 Costa Rica earthquake

2013-12-27
Scientists anticipated size and location of 2012 Costa Rica earthquake Scientists using GPS to study changes in the Earth's shape accurately forecasted the size and location of the magnitude 7.6 Nicoya earthquake that occurred in 2012 in Costa Rica. The Nicoya ...

The analogue of a tsunami for telecommunication

2013-12-27
The analogue of a tsunami for telecommunication Development of electronics and communication requires a hardware base capable for increasingly larger precision, ergonomics and throughput. For communication and GPS-navigation satellites, it is of great importance ...

Study: Some plants may not adapt quickly to future climate change

2013-12-27
Study: Some plants may not adapt quickly to future climate change GAINESVILLE, Fla. --- Using the largest dated evolutionary tree of flowering plants ever assembled, a new study suggests how plants developed traits to withstand low temperatures, with implications ...

Solitons in a crystal

2013-12-27
Solitons in a crystal Soliton water waves can travel several kilometers without any significant change in their shape or amplitude, as opposed to normal waves, which widen as they travel, and eventually disappear. Discovered over 150 years ...

Annals of Internal Medicine tip sheet for Dec. 24, 2013

2013-12-27
Annals of Internal Medicine tip sheet for Dec. 24, 2013 Embargoed news from Annals of Internal Medicine 1. Unprecedented but Justified. Princeton meningitis outbreak calls for "compassionate use" of unlicenced vaccine In the wake of Princeton University's ...

In men, high testosterone can mean weakened immune response, Stanford study finds

2013-12-27
In men, high testosterone can mean weakened immune response, Stanford study finds STANFORD, Calif. — Scientists at the Stanford University School of Medicine have linked high testosterone levels in men to a poor immune response to an influenza ...

Higher mortality in postmenopausal women with RA and anti-CCP antibodies

2013-12-27
Higher mortality in postmenopausal women with RA and anti-CCP antibodies New research shows mortality rates are two times higher in postmenopausal women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibodies. Findings published in the American ...

Acupuncture, real or sham, eases hot flashes due to breast cancer chemo

2013-12-27
Acupuncture, real or sham, eases hot flashes due to breast cancer chemo Both real and sham weekly acupuncture treatments eased hot flashes and other side effects of anticancer drug treatment in a small, preliminary study of breast cancer patients, Baltimore researchers ...

Both real and 'sham' acupuncture help ease side effects of widely used breast cancer drug

2013-12-27
Both real and 'sham' acupuncture help ease side effects of widely used breast cancer drug University of Maryland School of Medicine researchers found patients experienced improvement in hot flashes, other symptoms BALTIMORE – December ...

Study shows value of calcium scan in predicting heart attack, stroke among those considered at risk

2013-12-27
Study shows value of calcium scan in predicting heart attack, stroke among those considered at risk Coronary artery calcium testing trumps cholesterol levels, high blood pressure and other risk factors in predicting heart attacks and deaths A new study shows ...

LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:

Combination of pre- and probiotics offers superior anti-inflammatory benefits compared with omega-3 or prebiotic alone

Walking, cycling and swimming likely best exercise for knee osteoarthritis

SGLT-2 diabetes drugs linked to lower risk of autoimmune diseases

Imposter study participants risk undermining patient care, warn experts

Ants alter their nest networks to prevent epidemics, study finds

Indian literary genius survived British imperialism in forgotten villages, research reveals

Longevity gene from supercentenarians offers hope for disease that causes rapid aging in children

​​​​​​​Climate change drove extreme wildfire seasons across the Americas, making burned areas around 30 times larger

Gene therapy delivers lasting immune protection in children with rare disorder

New world record set for fastest human whole genome sequencing, representing significant step towards revolutionizing genomic care in the NICU

Shedding light on materials in the physical, biological sciences

Study finds emotional tweets by politicians don’t always win followers and can backfire with diverse audiences

Paul “Bear” Bryant Awards announce 2025 Coach of the Year Award watch list

$3 million National Institute on Aging grant will provide much-needed support to underserved dementia caregivers

Study links obesity-driven fatty acids to breast cancer, warns against high-fat diets like keto

Did lead limit brain and language development in Neanderthals and other extinct hominids?

New study reveals alarming mental health and substance use disparities among LGBTQ+ youth

U.K. food insecurity is associated with mental health conditions

At least eight bat species commute or forage over pig farms in Northern Italy

Ancient teeth reveal mammalian responses to climate change in Southeast Asia

Targeting young adults beginning university may be especially effective for encouraging pro-environmental behaviors

This robotic skin allows tiny robots to navigate complex, fragile environments

‘Metabots’ shapeshift from flat sheets into hundreds of structures

Starting university boosts recycling and greener travel, a University of Bath study finds

How cilia choreograph their “Mexican wave”, enabling marine creatures to swim

Why women's brains face higher risk: scientists pinpoint X-chromosome gene behind MS and Alzheimer's

Ancient lead exposure shaped evolution of human brain

How the uplift of East Africa shaped its ecosystems: Climate model simulations reveal Miocene landscape transformation

Human Organ Chip technology sets stage for pan-influenza A CRISPR RNA therapies

Research alert: Bacterial chatter slows wound healing

[Press-News.org] York scientists' significant step forward in biofuels quest