New discoveries
1 Better way for us to fly
NASA developed a plane that makes flying more environmentally friendly. The X-Plane is an experimental all-electric aircraft. Instead of fuel- powered engines （引擎）, the X-Plane gets its power from batteries. The aircraft is also quieter than fuel-powered planes, as its electric components （部件）change the way it sounds. It has 14 electric motors （发动机）and propellers（螺旋桨）, allowing it to fly more efficiently. It will begin testing next year.
2 Can potted plants help?
It was long thought that keeping potted plants in your home can make the air fresher. New research says that this is not true. US researcher Michael Waring reviewed（研究） a NASA study that said that potted plants could remove pollution from the air. However, the NASA experiment was done in a sealed chamber （密封室）, which is different from a typical home. Keeping a couple of windows open is a better way to keep the air fresh in your home.
3 New way to fight germs（病菌）
Researchers in Hong Kong have found a way to stop superbugs, which are bacteria （细菌）that are highly resistant（有抵抗力的）to most medicine. The researchers have created a new class of antibiotics （抗生素）. These antibiotics work by stopping two proteins （蛋白质）that bacteria use to grow. Older antibiotics don't work as well as they used to because bacteria have learned how to resist them.
