As the EU cracks down on deforestation-linked palm oil, Estonian biotech startup Äio is brewing a sustainable alternative—fermenting wood waste into cosmetic fats using patented red yeast. Their process uses 90% less water than palm oil and aligns with tightening regulations. With €1M in fresh funding, Äio aims to scale its eco-friendly beauty ingredients globally.

Researchers at Jouf University isolated Sarocladium kiliense from Lavandula stricta, revealing potent antimicrobial activity against superbugs like Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans, disrupting biofilms by 67%. The fungus also shows anticancer effects on liver and breast cells and strong antioxidant properties, offering hope against drug resistance.

Researchers from Egypt and Saudi Arabia have developed an innovative progesterone-reishi mushroom composite, published in RSC Advances, that could revolutionize hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and breast cancer treatments. By encapsulating progesterone in Ganoderma lucidum (reishi), the team achieved 98.1% loading efficiency and sustained release of 88.25% over 48 hours—far outperforming free progesterone's rapid 2-4 hour dissolution.

The nation’s first regulated psilocybin market shows promise but faces hurdles in accessibility and cost. In 2020, Oregon became the...

Researchers at the Instituto Leônidas & Maria Deane – Fiocruz Amazônia have tested a new biocontrol strategy against Anopheles aquasalis...