Industrial waste is reused to produce alternatives to plastic
In Brazil, researchers at São Paulo State University (UNESP) in Ilha Solteira have developed a film that can replace plastic in food packaging. The film is made from hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) and bacterial cellulose scraps left over from.....»»
Scientists say there is enough evidence to agree to global action on microplastics
Science has provided more than sufficient evidence to inform a collective and global approach to tackle the continued spread of plastic pollution, according to a new report......»»
How the Tibetan Plateau is helping us to understand the current and future climate
Imagine the conductor of a vast orchestra stood not at the front, but in the middle of all the musicians, dictating how they work together and the music they produce. The musicians are not stationary; they move past each other and interact, but all t.....»»
New technique zeros in on the genes that snakes use to produce venom
Only about 10% of the world's roughly 4,000 snake species have venom strong enough to seriously hurt a human, but that's enough for snake bites to be an important public health concern. To help better understand how snakes make their venom and how ve.....»»
Harnessing nature"s rhythm: Piezocatalysis for organic pollutant degradation
With the rapid growth of industrial and agricultural activities, water bodies are increasingly contaminated with harmful organic pollutants such as dyes, antibiotics, and bisphenol A. Traditional methods like adsorption, chemical treatments, and biol.....»»
Groundwater cleanup boost: Tailoring 3D media for DNAPL contaminant removal
Groundwater contamination by organic pollutants, such as non-aqueous phase liquid (DNAPL), poses significant environmental and health risks. These contaminants, often released from industrial activities, can persist in the subsurface environment, for.....»»
DNA origami and fluorescent probes can precisely release molecular cargo
In the world of nanotechnology, the development of dynamic systems that respond to molecular signals is becoming increasingly important. The DNA origami technique, whereby DNA is programmed so as to produce functional nanostructures, plays a key role.....»»
So where does the oceans" plastic waste come from?
In the form of bottles, tires, packaging and piping, millions of tons of plastic waste are dumped every year in the world's waterways, often ending up in the oceans......»»
Will customers accept less meat in their cafeteria meals?
Meat consumption in industrial nations is much too high and this not only increases the risk of e.g. cardiovascular diseases. Increasing levels of animal husbandry also aggravate the global food problem because the cultivation of animal feed uses val.....»»
AI Could Help Save Us from Conspiracy Theories, and Massachusetts Could Help Save Us from Our Trash
AI fights conspiracy theories, Massachusetts leads the way on waste reduction, and more in this week’s science news roundup.....»»
Freshwater oysters could be key to developing stronger, "greener" adhesives
If you think oysters are just delicious seafood, think again. Freshwater oysters produce an adhesive that may hold the secret to developing more environmentally friendly glues with applications from dental care to construction and shipping. An intern.....»»
Scientists from 33 European countries join forces to generate reference genomes for the continent"s biological diversity
In a new publication, the European Reference Genome Atlas (ERGA) announces the success of its pilot project. This initiative assembled a large collaborative network of scientists and institutions across 33 countries to produce high-quality reference.....»»
Ads featuring interracial couples produce mixed results for brands
A new paper co-written by a University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign scholar who studies how authenticity and aesthetics intersect with branding found that interracial couples featured in advertisements enhanced brand outcomes relative to white couple.....»»
Using sunlight to turn greenhouse gases into valuable chemicals
McGill University researchers have harnessed the power of sunlight to transform two of the most harmful greenhouse gases into valuable chemicals. The discovery could help combat climate change and provide a more sustainable way to produce certain ind.....»»
Video: Why Canadian trash costs $30,000 per gram
How do you turn nuclear waste into a $30,000-per-gram commodity? Tritium, once discarded as a by-product of Canadian nuclear reactors, is now one of the most expensive materials on Earth. This rare isotope of hydrogen powers glow-in-the-dark keychain.....»»
"Easy, convenient, cheap": how single-use plastic rules the world
Each year the world produces around 400 million tonnes of plastic waste, much of it discarded after just a few minutes of use......»»
Environment takes center stage as global summits loom
Global warming. Disappearing plant and animal species. Fertile land turning to desert. Plastic in the oceans, on land, and the air we breathe......»»
Apple Watch SE might go plastic next year, but is that worth the tradeoff?
Earlier this summer, reports started to emerge that Apple is testing a new “rigid plastic” body for the next generation . It was initially expected at last week’s Apple event, but unexpectedly got delayed. While a plastic casing would undoubted.....»»
Printed engines propel the next industrial revolution
In the fall of 2023, NASA hot fire tested an aluminum 3D printed rocket engine nozzle. Aluminum is not typically used for 3D printing because the process causes it to crack, and its low melting point makes it a challenging material for rocket engines.....»»
Trees in tropical logged forests release carbon at greater rate despite faster growth, study finds
Tree stems in tropical forests recovering from logging produce carbon dioxide at a greater rate than those in unlogged forests, according to a new study from the University of Leicester......»»
GM-Hyundai tie-up has broad potential
GM and Hyundai provided little detail when they announced a partnership to explore areas in which they can work together, and such collaborations can take years to produce results......»»