April 11, 2025 (Industry Intelligence Inc.) –
A roundup of recent trends pitting technology against the printed word:
Trees: Paper test for detecting avian flu could help poultry farmers curb outbreaks
With avian flu outbreaks wreaking havoc on hen populations and driving up egg prices, a recent innovation could help farmers manage future disruptions. Researchers at University of Massachusetts Boston have developed a paper-based test for rapidly detecting the H5N1 virus, offering significant improvements over traditional PCR tests. The new test uses gold nanospheres attached to specific antibodies that bind with the virus, triggering a visible color change. Capable of detecting small amounts of virus in various samples, including bird specimens, milk and eggs, the test can deliver results within minutes compared to the usual one- to seven-day turnaround for PCR testing. This rapid detection allows farmers to identify and respond to outbreaks early, helping curb the spread in agricultural settings, according to a UMass Boston release on March 14.
Trees: Researchers use green chemistry to break down lignin into high-value molecules
While lignin contains high-value molecules for compounds like fragrances, fuels and other products, the process to extract them requires energy-intensive chemical methods that rely on petroleum-based compounds and heavy metals. Researchers from the University of Adelaide have addressed this sustainability issue by discovering a new enzyme that efficiently extracts these valuable compounds from lignin. Identified in a soil bacterium called Amycolatopsis thermoflava, this innovative enzyme uses hydrogen peroxide to drive a gentler breakdown of lignin, according to a university release on March 27. This breakthrough in green chemistry could pave the way for “enzyme factories” or biorefineries to convert 100 million tonnes of annual lignin waste from agriculture and forestry into sustainable feedstock for chemicals currently obtained from fossil fuels.
Tech: US tariffs pushing up e-reader prices globally
Tariffs imposed by the US have caused prices to rise for several popular e-readers produced in China, Vietnam and Taiwan. Rakuten Kobo has increased its prices by $10 for all e-readers globally after the tariffs were implemented. In March, Pocketbook raised its prices by $10-$50 and China-based Onyx Boox increased its prices by $10-$80, depending on the model. Some companies have yet to adjust their prices, including Amazon Kindle, Barnes and Noble’s NOOK, and Tolino, which serves the German-speaking market. For companies that have raised their prices, the removal of tariffs might not bring them back down after they’ve been increased, Good E-reader reported April 3.
* All content is copyrighted by Industry Intelligence, or the original respective author or source. You may not recirculate, redistribute or publish the analysis and presentation included in the service without Industry Intelligence's prior written consent. Please review our terms of use.