A plant for purifying the air from carcinogens. Free Technical Library News

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Plant for cleaning the air from carcinogens

23.06.2020

Researchers at the University of Washington have created a genetically modified houseplant that absorbs chloroform and benzene molecules from the air, using them to support its own growth.

Scientists have turned scindapsus or "devil's ivy" into a biological filter that can fight the smallest particles that are not captured by traditional air purification equipment. The unique capabilities of the plant are due to the fact that it was added a gene responsible for the formation of the cytochre P450 2E1 protein, which is usually produced by the liver of mammals to neutralize toxins. With its help, the body converts benzene into phenol, and chloroform into carbon dioxide and chloride ions.

Harmful carcinogens accumulate in homes and can cause cancer. However, the modified scindapsus not only neutralizes them, but also uses them for growth. The plant feeds on carbon dioxide and chloride ions, and forms components of cell walls from phenol.

During the tests, samples of conventional and GM ivy were sealed for 11 days in test tubes with contaminants. In test tubes with ordinary scindapsus, the concentration of gases did not change over time. However, the modified plants reduced the concentration of chloroform by 82% in just three days, and almost completely absorbed it on the sixth day. Although a little slower, but the content of benzene also decreased: by 75% by the eighth day.

Despite the excellent performance, filtration is passive, so air circulation is required for effective cleaning. If the plant just stands in the corner of the room, it will certainly clean up the surrounding area, but without a directed flow, it will take a long time for harmful particles from the other side of the room to get on the leaves. Therefore, for quick filtration, it is necessary to place the scindapsus under a fan that drives air through its leaves.

Scientists are also working on methods to combat other harmful gases. A Rutgers University team has created an electrocatalyst that turns CO2 into plastics, fabrics and resins.

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With ventricular tachycardia, the heart ventricles begin to beat very quickly and without connection with the atria - the overall heart rate breaks up, and as a result, the heart simply cannot pump blood efficiently, because this requires the coordinated work of all heart chambers. Ventricular tachycardia easily leads to death, and to prevent this from happening, patients are usually implanted with defibrillators that bring the ventricles to life with an electrical discharge - but the tachycardia attacks themselves do not disappear from this.

But there is also a way to stop tachycardia altogether - when a catheter is inserted into the heart to intentionally damage the part of the heart muscle that generates seizures. After damage, the heart muscle begins to heal, and a small scar forms in it. In a "scarred" heart, irregular accelerated impulses can no longer spread through the ventricle and take it out of the general rhythm. However, this method often does not give lifelong relief from tachycardia, and, moreover, requires a long heart operation.

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