Degradable polyethylene plastics from the nonalternating terpolymerization of ethylene, CO, and polar monomers
In a study published in the journal National Science Review and led by Dr. Zhongbao Jian (State Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, CAS), E/CO/PM terpolymerizations were carried out with seven p.....»»
Toxin was released into the Congaree River in South Carolina: Agencies did little to stop it, greens say
High amounts of a toxic chemical are being discharged into the Congaree and Cooper rivers from plastics factories in South Carolina, but state and federal regulators are doing little to control the pollution, a new report says......»»
Apple tops list of retailers for removal of hazardous chemicals from stores
Apple's environmental credentials have been praised, as it has scored the highest among retailers in the U.S. and Canada for removing hazardous chemicals and plastics.Apple logo in trees - Image credit: AppleThe 2024 Retailer Report Card from Toxic-F.....»»
Swirling polar vortices likely exist on the sun, new research finds
Like the Earth, the sun likely has swirling polar vortices, according to new research led by the U.S. National Science Foundation National Center for Atmospheric Research (NSF NCAR). But unlike on Earth, the formation and evolution of these vortices.....»»
Transforming polyethylene: From functionalization to antibacterial properties for sustainable applications
Polyethylene (PE) is one of the most widely used and versatile plastic materials globally, prized for its cost-effectiveness, lightweight properties and ease of formability. These characteristics make PE indispensable across a broad spectrum of appli.....»»
Plastics pollution worsens the impacts of all planetary boundaries, new study says
Plastics are not as safe and inert as previously thought. A new research study written by an international team of researchers uses the planetary boundaries framework to structure the rapidly mounting evidence of the effects of plastics on the enviro.....»»
Q&A: Looking at ancient Roman plagues through an environmental lens
A pit of human bones, potential evidence of a catastrophic epidemic that struck Constantinople in 541 A.D. Sulfur deposits trapped in polar ice, showing traces of a series of massive volcanic eruptions. For Brandon McDonald, these seemingly incongruo.....»»
Robert Zemeckis is still lost in the uncanny valley. Can he be saved?
Here, Robert Zemeckis' latest movie with Tom Hanks, finds the director still stranded in the digital abyss that ruined The Polar Express, Beowulf, and others......»»
Bio-based fibers could pose greater threat to environment than conventional plastics
Bio-based materials may pose a greater health risk to some of the planet's most important species than the conventional plastics they are designed to replace, a new study has shown......»»
Paper-aluminum combo can replace plastic for strong, sustainable packaging
Takeout containers get your favorite noodles from the restaurant to your dining table (or couch) without incident, but they are nearly impossible to recycle if they are made from foil-lined plastics. Research published in ACS Omega suggests that repl.....»»
See the polar moon sites where NASA plans to land its astronauts
NASA has plans to send astronauts back to the moon in 2026. Now, it is sharing a short list of locations where they could land......»»
Are bioplastics really the wonder alternative to petro plastics?
Alternatives to petrochemical-based plastics are emerging, made from everything from banana leaves to tomato skins, especially for food packaging......»»
Open database of plastic products highlights substantial knowledge gaps
Plastics contain a vast number of chemicals, some of which greatly impact the environment and human health. However, information on the presence of individual substances in plastic products is oftentimes not publicly available......»»
Plastics: lifesaver turned environmental threat
Before it threatened biodiversity, the oceans and the global food chain, plastics saved lives and transformed societies as a durable, malleable and cheap material......»»
Melting Arctic sea-ice could affect global ocean circulation, study warns
The warming climate in polar regions may significantly disrupt ocean circulation patterns, a new study indicates. Scientists discovered that in the distant past, growing inflows of freshwater from melting Arctic sea-ice into the Nordic Seas likely si.....»»
Polar bears" exposure to pathogens is increasing as their environment changes, blood samples suggest
As the Arctic warms, polar bears now face a greater risk of contracting several pathogens than bears three decades ago. Karyn Rode and Caroline Van Hemert of the U.S. Geological Survey report these findings in a new study published October 23, 2024,.....»»
Biodegradable microplastics study helps quantify their climate change and ecotoxicity impacts
Over 20 million tons of plastic are estimated to end up in the environment every year, with much of it breaking down into microplastics that are harmful to the health of humans and wildlife. Biodegradable and bio-based plastics made from organic mate.....»»
Polar bears are sustaining ice-related paw injuries in a warming Arctic
Polar bears in some parts of the high Arctic are developing ice buildup and related injuries to their feet, apparently due to changing sea ice conditions in a warming Arctic. While surveying the health of two polar bear populations, researchers found.....»»
Mangrove microbes show potential for breaking down plastics
A way to select a suite of mangrove bacteria that can transform plastic has been developed that potentially offers a new strategy in the global toolkit of plastic waste cleanup. Researchers have assessed the impact of polyethylene terephthalate (PET).....»»
This smartwatch company was hit by a data breach. Here’s what we know
Polar, the company behind fitness-focused smartwatches, was recently hit by a data breach. Here's what you need to know......»»
New plant-based glitter shows no harm to soil organisms
Plastic pollution is everywhere. Each year, over 368 million metric tons of plastics are produced with over 13 million metric tons of it ending up in the soil where it can be toxic to wildlife......»»