gut reaction

A simulated gastrointestinal system is helping scientists test contaminated soil for its potential to harm humans.

The method is likely to save time and money for people hoping to repurpose land with an industrial past. Most testing for potential arsenic exposure is conducted in recognition of a dirty little secret of modern life: Humans unknowingly eat a little bit of soil each day.

For children who might play on contaminated soil and ingest dirt, the testing is considered particularly important.

An enzyme from a microbe that lives inside a cow's stomach is the key to turning corn plants into fuel. The enzyme that allows a cow to digest grasses and other plant fibers can be used to turn other plant fibers into simple sugars.

These simple sugars can be used to produce ethanol to power cars and trucks.