The Daily Populous

Saturday January 20th, 2018 night edition

image for Using fungi to fix bridges

This research is the first application of fungi for self-healing concrete, a low-cost, pollution-free and sustainable approach.

Jin’s studies have looked specifically at concrete and found that the problem stems from the smallest of cracks in the concrete.

When this fungus is mixed with concrete, it originally lies dormant — until the first crack appears.

With enough water and oxygen, the dormant fungal spores will germinate, grow and precipitate calcium carbonate to heal the cracks,” explained Jin.

“When the cracks are completely filled and ultimately no more water or oxygen can enter inside, the fungi will again form spores.

However, Jin is hopeful that with further adjustments the Trichoderma reesei will be able to effectively fill the cracks.

In my opinion, further investigation in alternative microorganisms such as fungi and yeasts for the application of self-healing concrete becomes of great potential importance,” said Jin. »

While Flint drinks poison, Nestlé is pumping 200 gallons of fresh water out of Michigan every minute

Authored by rootuer.com

Meanwhile, Michigan’s Governor has been cozying up with Nestlé, allowing it to pump 200 gallons of fresh water every minute out of the state’s reserves.

Nestlé is the largest owner of private water sources in Michigan -- water the people of Flint sorely need – and the water-guzzling corporation has deep ties to Governor Rick Snyder’s office.

Allowing companies like Nestlé to do whatever they want comes hand in hand with undermining the public water system we rely on. »

The Y chromosome is slowly disappearing — here's what it means for men

Authored by businessinsider.com

The male Y chromosome is progressively degenerating.Â. Studies have shown that the chromosome is undergoing a structural rearrangement in order to slow the effects of decline.Â.

In the future, genetic engineering may be able to replace the gene function of the Y chromosome.Â.

If the same rate of degeneration continues, the Y chromosome has just 4.6m years left before it disappears completely. »

Bill Gates and investors worth $170 billion are launching a fund to fight climate change through energy innovation

Authored by inovantages.xyz
image for

Bill Gates is leading a more than $1 billion fund focused on fighting climate change by investing in clean energy innovation.

The combined net worth of the directors is nearly $170 billion, based on estimates of their individual wealth by Bloomberg and Forbes.

Gates had last year announced his intention to personally invest an additional $1 billion in clean energy technology. »