Wednesday, July 23, 2025

Newsbuds

EditorialNewsbuds

Researchers making hempcrete binders four times stronger

Dr Peter Irga

Australian researchers at the University of Technology, Sydney (UTS) are working with experienced hempcrete builders to develop a hemp-based structural panel with a geopolymer binder said to be up to four times stronger than traditional hempcrete.

Led by Professor Arnaud Castel from the UTS Faculty of Engineering and IT, a multi-disciplinary team of researchers have released their first publication on research creating a binder made of calcined clay and ground granulated blast-furnace slag.… Continue reading

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EditorialNewsbuds

AIPH International Horticultural Expo Conference

The International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH) is pleased to announce that We Lodge, an accommodation provider for major events, has joined as Gold Sponsor for the upcoming AIPH International Horticultural Expo Conference. Taking place in Ghent, Belgium, the Conference will welcome Expo organisers, city officials, event providers, and key stakeholders on 15 September 2025.… Continue reading

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EditorialNewsbuds

Plants versus pollution

Research proves green walls offer more than good looks

By Associate Professor Fraser Torpy and Dr Peter Irga

If you love that new-car smell, brace yourself. While that smell evokes feelings of fresh and new, it’s the byproduct of materials like paint, carpet and plastics leeching potentially carcinogenic compounds such as benzene into the air.  Continue reading

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EditorialNewsbuds

Top NSW Landscape Apprentice’s MIFGS Study Tour

The Landscape Association (TLA) Apprentice of the Year Awards recognise the value and importance of apprentices in shaping the future of the landscaping industry. 

Awarded annually as part of the TLA Landscape Excellence Awards, they aim to nurture, support and inspire the next generation of the industry and foster future leaders.… Continue reading

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EditorialNewsbuds

New developments with biodegradable plastics

With the ongoing concerns of plastic waste and pollution it is heartening to hear that Japanese researchers have recently developed innovative biodegradable plastics that decompose rapidly in marine environments.

A team, led by Takuzo Aida at the RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science (CEMS), in collaboration with the University of Tokyo and Eindhoven University of Technology, has created a durable plastic that fully dissolves in seawater.… Continue reading

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EditorialNewsbuds

Artificial intelligence, not so smart

Compiled by Karen Smith

Most of you have heard of Artificial Intelligence, commonly called AI. It has uses in many diverse fields, from illustrating comics to identifying tumours pictured in medical images. I have used an AI-powered app to identify plants in the field.… Continue reading

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EditorialNewsbuds

Small Chinese city reaps global success with sunflowers

Wang Fei is hailed as the ‘King of Sunflower Seeds’ in his hometown of Bayannur, in Northern China.

The title reflects his passion for the crunchy snack and his remarkable achievement in transforming locally grown sunflower kernels into a global commodity, with markets spanning the Republic of Korea, Egypt and Germany.… Continue reading

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EditorialNewsbuds

IPM ESSEN 2025 records significant increase in visitors

Strong growth in international trade fair participants

This year, IPM ESSEN confirmed its role as the world’s leading innovation platform, and powerful industry driver, when the global horticultural industry gathered recently at the Messe Essen exhibition grounds. “The spirit of optimism in the green sector is palpable,” says Oliver P.… Continue reading

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EditorialNewsbuds

Lemon Myrtle growers in demand

Lemon myrtle (Backhousia citriodora) is experiencing a surge in demand due to its versatility in culinary, cosmetic, and medicinal applications. As consumers and industries seek natural and native ingredients, growers are finding expanding market opportunities both domestically and internationally.… Continue reading

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EditorialNewsbuds

‘Putricia’ attracts the crowds

The rotting corpse flower (Amorphophallus titanum)  at the Sydney Botanic Gardens is a rare and captivating botanical event that has become a crowd favourite when it blooms.

t’s a bit of a tradition for Corpse Flowers to receive nicknames when they bloom: @thehuntingtonlibrary recently celebrated the flowering of Odora, Scentennial, Stankosaurus Rex and Stinkie, while @denverbotanic had Lil’ Stinker burst into bloom in 2022.… Continue reading

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