Austrian researchers have successfully converted a by-product of wood gasification into high-quality activated carbon. The material, known for its ability to capture micropollutants, was produced by physical activation using hot gases that create fine pores. Their method increased the adsorption capacity by 11 times, outperforming commercial alternatives. With growing demand in water treatment, this discovery offers a renewable alternative to fossil-based activated carbon.

Biologists have discovered that bombesin, a neurohormone controlling appetite in humans, also regulates feeding in starfish, revealing its ancient evolutionary origin dating back over 500 million years. 

The study not only sheds light on the deep evolutionary roots of appetite regulation but also suggests potential applications for managing starfish invasions in shellfish farms impacted by climate change. 

Alongside weight-loss inducing drugs such as Ozempic, compounds that mimic the action of bombesin are in development for treatment of obesity.