Scientists are always coming up with high-tech ways to develop
alternative energies or clean water. But often these solutions
are cost prohibitive or impractical for many of us, especially
those in developing nations. Scientists from two southern US
universities have recently announced low-tech plant-based
solutions to modern problems, hoping they’ll translate to the
developing world. Water Purification by Cactus According to an
abstract published in Environmental Science and Technology
earlier this month, “Although nearly all newly derived water
purification methods have improved the water quality in
developing countries, few have been accepted and maintained for
long-term use.” That’s because, according to one of the authors,
Norma Alcantar, PhD, the residents don’t know how to actually
use or maintain the technology. According to New Scientist,
“Alcantar found that the mucilage acted as a flocculant, causing
the sediment particles to join together and settle to the bottom
of the water samples. The gum also