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.....»»
Five things to know about how NASA"s tiny twin polar satellites will study the Arctic and Antarctic
Twin shoebox-size climate satellites will soon be studying two of the most remote regions on Earth: the Arctic and Antarctic. The NASA mission will measure the amount of heat the planet emits into space from these polar regions—information that's k.....»»
Turning trash into treasure: Exploring biotic and abiotic methods for PET plastic upcycling
A paper published in Eco-Environment & Health introduces innovative biotic and abiotic methods for recycling and upcycling polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The review delves into sustainable strategies that improve the processing and utility of PET.....»»
A global plastic treaty will only work if it caps production, modeling shows
An international agreement to end plastic pollution is due to be sealed this year in Busan, South Korea. At the penultimate round of negotiations, held in Ottawa, Canada, Rwanda and Peru proposed a target to cut the weight of primary plastics produce.....»»
Sony demands PSN accounts for Helldivers 2 PC players, and it’s not going well
A surprise hit, a network with brutal baggage, and the Steam profit paradox. Enlarge / This gear is from the upcoming "Polar Patriots" Premium Warbond in Helldivers 2. It's an upcoming change the developer and publisher likely wi.....»»
Launch date set for NASA"s PREFIRE mission to study polar energy loss
NASA and Rocket Lab are targeting no earlier than Wednesday, May 22, 2024, for the first of two launches of the agency's PREFIRE (Polar Radiant Energy in the Far-InfraRed Experiment) mission to study heat loss to space in Earth's polar regions......»»
Will the US ban the use of single-use plastics like England, India, Hong Kong and other countries?
Madhavi Venkatesan, associate teaching professor of economics at Northeastern University, is convinced that human convenience is an expense the environment cannot afford......»»
Signs of "spider" phenomenon on Mars
ESA's Mars Express has snapped the telltale traces of "spiders" scattered across the southern polar region of Mars......»»
A global plastics treaty is being negotiated in Ottawa this week—here"s the latest
Plastic pollution spans the globe, yet national policies are generally not effective enough, and have so far focused primarily on waste management rather than targeting the root cause. To make matters worse, the global trade in plastic waste tends to.....»»
Beyond higher temperatures: Preparing for national security risks posed by climate change
When talk turns to climate change, certain images pop to mind—maybe polar bears on ever-shrinking ice floes, coral reefs drained of color, or more powerful hurricanes hitting the coast......»»
Observations explore globular cluster system in the galaxy NGC 4262
Using the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope (CFHT), Indian astronomers have performed wide and deep field observations of a polar ring galaxy known as NGC 4262. Results of the observational campaign, published April 15 on the pre-print server arXiv, she.....»»
Q&A: Why are we drowning in single-use plastics, and what can we do about it?
Plastic is ubiquitous. It's in the clothes we wear, wrapped around the food we eat and in the toothpaste we use. It floats in the oceans and litters the snow on Mount Everest......»»
Toxic fireproof chemicals can be absorbed through touch, 3D-printed skin model shows
Cancer-causing flame retardants found in everyday things like plastics, furniture, fabrics and electronics can be sucked up by the skin and absorbed into the bloodstream in 24 hours, scientists have found......»»
International experts issue renewed call for Global Plastics Treaty to be grounded in robust science
A letter from members of the Scientists' Coalition for an Effective Plastics Treaty has been published in the journal Science days before the fourth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-4) begins in Ottawa, Canada. With some di.....»»
Data-driven music: Converting climate measurements into music
A geo-environmental scientist from Japan has composed a string quartet using sonified climate data. The 6-minute-long composition—titled "String Quartet No. 1 "Polar Energy Budget"—is based on over 30 years of satellite-collected climate data fro.....»»
NASA"s VIPER moon rover gets its head and neck
In this image from Feb. 12, 2024, engineers lift a mast into place on NASA's VIPER (Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover) robotic moon rover. VIPER's mast and the suite of instruments affixed to it look a lot like the rover's "neck" and "h.....»»
The history of the young cold traps of the asteroid Ceres
Ceres, the largest asteroid in our solar system, harbors a dark secret: extremely young ice deposits in permanently shadowed craters near its poles. If that sounds vaguely familiar, it's because our moon and planet Mercury also have such polar ice de.....»»
New colorful plastic films for versatile sensors and electronic displays
Innovative electronics is one of the many applications of modern plastics. Some recent research efforts have used plastic to improve the color realism of display technologies......»»
Chemists stabilize ethylene on silver in search for better ethylene purification technology
Production of ethylene is one of the most important chemical processes used today, with about 300 million metric tons of the tiny chemical produced each year. Ethylene gas is used to create everyday items like shopping bags and plastic film packaging.....»»
Low-density polyethylene microplastics partially alleviate toxicological effects induced by Cd exposure in earthworms
Cadmium (Cd) can accumulate in the food chain, with serious impacts on human health and safety. Microplastics (MPs) such as low density polyethylene (LDPE) should be considered not only as a single pollutant but also as a carrier of other pollutants......»»
Using CO₂ and biomass, researchers find path to more environmentally friendly recyclable plastics
Modern life relies on plastic. This lightweight, adaptable product is a cornerstone of packaging, medical equipment, the aerospace and automotive industries and more. But plastic waste remains a problem as it degrades in landfills and pollutes oceans.....»»