Bitter substances spoil the appetite of oak moth caterpillars
Trees have a huge arsenal of ways to keep the pests that attack them under control. In the course of evolution, for example, some English oaks (Quercus robur) have developed the ability to release volatile signaling substances when attacked by oak mo.....»»
Cleaning water with "smart rust" and magnets
Pouring flecks of rust into water usually makes it dirtier. But researchers have developed special iron oxide nanoparticles they call "smart rust" that actually makes it cleaner. Smart rust can attract many substances, including oil, nano- and microp.....»»
Researchers find indicator of polyfluoroalkyl substances in some period products
Period products come in a variety of styles—liners, pads, tampons, cups and underwear—to help people feel comfortable during a menstrual bleed. But their labels don't usually list the ingredients, so consumers don't know what's in their product o.....»»
Telling stories of our climate futures is essential to thinking through the net-zero choices of today
It has been a year of devastating climate impacts with humanity around the world experiencing a bitter taste of what climate scientists have been warning about for years. The dire prospect is that we are on the precipice of a "new abnormal.".....»»
Researchers use enzymes to develop a new class of materials for biocatalytic processes
Industrial biocatalysis with enzymes is deemed to be a "game changer" in the development of a sustainable chemical industry. Enzymes can be used to synthesize an impressive range of complex molecules, including pharmaceutical substances, under enviro.....»»
Male moth "aphrodisiac" revealed
North Carolina State University researchers have identified the specific blend of pheromone chemicals—including a newly revealed aphrodisiac—used by male moths during courtship as they attempt to entice females to mate......»»
When electrons slowly vanish during cooling: Researchers observe an effect unique to the quantum world
Many substances change their properties when they are cooled below a certain critical temperature. Such a phase transition occurs, for example, when water freezes. However, in certain metals there are phase transitions that do not exist in the macroc.....»»
Get the "forever chemicals" out of our drinking water
A recent study by the U.S. Geological Survey found that nearly half of the drinking water in the United States is contaminated with "forever chemicals," the per- and polyfluoroakyl substances known as PFAS that can cause cancer and other health compl.....»»
Research identifies and tracks moth species that can destroy packaged food
Plodia interpunctella, better known as the Indian Meal Moth, is normally found where you store your grains. This means that it can move through tiny openings in plastic or cardboard packages in your pantry to feast on cereal, pet food, flour, cornmea.....»»
Temu and Shein lawsuits show reality of bitter fight for bargain shoppers
Temu has sued Shein in the United States, accusing its rival of violating antitrust laws by trying to monopolize suppliers and engaging in other allegedly illegal behavior......»»
Harmful substances impacting tiger snakes across Perth, study finds
New research has found tiger snakes in Perth's urban wetlands are accumulating high levels of chemical substances from ingesting PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), impacting the venomous reptiles' overall health......»»
Laser pulse creates exotic order in quantum material
Water flows, ice is rigid—this clear difference between the liquid and solid state of substances is part of our everyday experience. It follows from the very regular arrangement of atoms and molecules in crystalline solids, which is lost when they.....»»
Chemists develop sustainable method to remove "forever chemicals" from water
Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are highly versatile chemicals. These fluorine-containing organic molecules are the reason why rain drops simply slide off outdoor jackets. They are used in the greaseproof coating of paper food packaging and are key.....»»
Exterminating greenhouse pests with bat-inspired drones
Researchers have been testing real-life Batman-style gadgets to eradicate moth pests from greenhouses, including bat-inspired flying drones that hunt down and destroy moths—but new research reveals that the noise from drones can alter moth flight b.....»»
New single-photon Raman lidar is practical for underwater applications
Researchers report a new single-photon Raman lidar system that operates underwater and can remotely distinguish various substances. They also show that the new system can detect the thickness of the oil underwater up to 12 m away, which could be usef.....»»
New light-responsive carriers for intracellular substance delivery
Artificial lipid bilayer vesicle liposomes, also called proteoliposomes, are specialized systems capable of incorporating various molecules, such as chemicals and drugs. Their unique properties make them ideal carriers for delivering substances insid.....»»
S.Africa clinic hopes to save penguins" future
A small fish is dangled under the beak of an emaciated penguin at a South African clinic, to whet the bird's appetite......»»
Breaking barriers: Advancements in meta-holographic display enable ultraviolet domain holograms
The term meta means a concept of transcendence or surpassing, and when applied to materials, metamaterials encompass artificially engineered substances that exhibit properties not naturally found in the environment. Metasurfaces, characterized by the.....»»
PFAS, PFAS everywhere: How pristine are laboratory materials?
How do you study the effects of exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), when it is in everything? To study the effect of a chemical, toxicologists typically expose animals to various doses of the chemical over a period of time so that.....»»
Invasive oak processionary moth caterpillars cause concern for England"s trees
An insect that can be hazardous to human health is spreading across southeast England......»»
Secret industry documents reveal that makers of PFAS "forever chemicals" covered up their health dangers
The chemical industry took a page out of the tobacco playbook when they discovered and suppressed their knowledge of health harms caused by exposure to PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), according to an analysis of previously secret industry.....»»