Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

The super bananas are yellow on the outside (like the regular bananas seen here), but their flesh is orange with pro-vitamin A (Photo: Shutterstock)

Science

Human trials planned for genetically-modified "super bananas"

Bananas that have been genetically modified to produce pro-vitamin A could save many lives in East Africa. Human nutritional trials are planned to begin soon in the US.

Rice University graduate student Oara Neumann, left, and scientist Naomi Halas with their solar steam-powered autoclave (Photo: Jeff Fitlow/Rice University)

Wellness and Healthy Living

Solar steam sterilization system could clean up in the developing world

Researchers at Rice University have developed a solar steam-powered autoclave for sterilizing medical and dental equipment and sanitizing human waste in the developing world. The heart of the technology are light-absorbing nanoparticles that are able to convert solar energy directly into steam.

Bill Gates evaluates the Toronto Toilet at the Reinvent the Toilet fair in Seattle

Wellness and Healthy Living

Bill backs one out at Reinventing the Toilet fair

At the two-day “Reinventing the Toilet” fair held in Seattle this week a California Institute of Technology (Caltech) team claimed first place for their solar-powered toilet.