New research from Michigan State University reveals that photorespiration — long considered a wasteful process — is essential for producing a crucial nutrient for preventing birth defects. For the first time, scientists have measured how much carbon flows through photorespiration to make folates, a class of compounds that includes vitamin B9 — known for its …
Phil Robertson, Ph. D., a University Distinguished Professor at Michigan State University (MSU) in the Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences, has been elected to the National Academy of Sciences (NAS), one of the highest honors for a scientist in the United States. Robertson is an internationally recognized crop and soil scientist and ecosystem …
The final stage of the project is expected to be complete by November 2026. Just over a year ago, Michigan State University leaders broke ground on transformative renovations taking place at the MSU Plant Science Research Greenhouse Facility located at the corner of Farm Lane and Wilson Road. As work continues to be done at the facility, its progress …
Three Michigan State University faculty members have been elected to the National Academy of Sciences this year. Christoph Benning, Jianguo “Jack” Liu and Philip Robertson are among the 120 members and 30 international members being recognized for their distinguished and continuing achievements in original research. The National Academy of Sciences was established in 1863 by an Act of Congress, signed by President Abraham Lincoln, as a private, nongovernmental institution to advise the nation on issues related …
What are PFAS compounds? According to the State of Michigan, PFAS “are a large group of manmade chemicals that are resistant to heat, water and oil,” which have “been used in many industrial applications and consumer products such as carpeting, waterproof clothing, upholstery, food paper wrappings, personal care products, fire-fighting foams and metal plating.” Because they …
Electric vehicles (EVs) have revolutionized transportation, but their reliance on batteries presents several persistent challenges. These batteries are heavy, and limited by energy-density, fast-charging capability, and low temperature performance, and a major contributor to “range anxiety”—the fear of running out of charge before reaching a destination or charging station, particularly on long, desolate roads. Dr. …
Butterflies are disappearing in the United States. All kinds of them. With a speed scientists call alarming. A sweeping new study published in the journal Science tallies, for the first time, butterfly data from more than 76,000 surveys across the continental United States. The results: From 2000 to 2020, the total butterfly abundance fell by 22% across …
Plastipak Packaging, Inc., a leading innovator in the packaging and recycling industries, has made a gift to the Michigan State University (MSU) School of Packaging (SoP) to support a major expansion to the SoP building. Plastipak’s donation will be used to support a transformational expansion project approved by the MSU Board of Trustees in February 2024 that will double the …
A comprehensive assessment by researchers, including Rafael Auras from Michigan State University, sought to evaluate the potential environmental impacts of replacing polyethylene, or PE, packaging like bags, films and containers with alternative materials, including paper, glass, aluminum and steel. The findings reveal that PE packaging can have an average life cycle global warming potential, or GWP, …
In 2019, MSU patented a method for completely defluorinating PFAS molecules; the method was developed by Hui Li, Stephen Boyd, and Brian Teppen of the MSU Department of Plant, Soil, and Microbial Sciences. In 2023-2024, the MSU patent was licensed by a woman-owned company in Lansing called Enspired Solutions. Enspired Solutions has obtained venture capital funding …
