Microplastics are adsorbing zinc oxide from sunscreens and microbeads from cleansers
A new study by a research team from Diamond Light Source looks at how microplastics wastes may interact with zinc oxide (ZnO) nanomaterials in freshwater and seawater scenarios. It also evaluated, a ZnO-based sunscreen and an exfoliating cleanser wit.....»»
Scientists enrich nitric oxide-reducing microbes in bioreactor
Nitric oxide (NO) is a fascinating and versatile molecule, important for all living things as well as the environment. It is highly reactive and toxic, organisms use it as a signaling molecule, it depletes the ozone layer in our planet's atmosphere,.....»»
Team finds plastic-associated metalloids in the urban river environments of Mongolia
A team led by researchers from Tokyo Metropolitan University studied how microplastics in the environment accumulate heavy metals. As the microplastics spread, so does their toxic cargo. Focusing on polystyrene foam, the team collected particles alon.....»»
Signs of the human era, from nuclear fallout to microplastics
As scientists make the case that humans have fundamentally transformed the planet enough to warrant our own geological epoch, another question arises: is there anything left untouched by humanity's presence?.....»»
Metal/covalent organic frameworks for aqueous rechargeable zinc-ion batteries
In a review led by Prof. Chunyi Zhi (City University of Hong Kong) and published in the journal Science China Chemistry, researchers focused on the current advances in the development of MOF/COF-based materials for ARZIBs, including the material desi.....»»
Research team develops more affordable and brighter film lighting technology
A research team led by Dr. Byeong-dae Choi at the DGIST Division of Electronics & Information System has greatly improved the efficiency of zinc sulfide powder-based electroluminescent devices by applying silver nanofilms. The study was published in.....»»
Gadusol: Powerful "sunscreen" that protects early stages of fish development
As outside activities become more popular with the changing seasons, people are looking to protect themselves from sunburns and melanomas, primarily using commercial sunscreens......»»
"Time bomb"?: Race to identify health effects of microplastics
Tiny pieces of plastic have been found littered throughout human bodies, trapped in our lungs and laced through our blood, but the long-term health effects of this exposure remain unclear......»»
Researchers identify homogenization of microplastics in rivers of Qilian Mountain
The distribution of microplastics is often closely related to human activities. In addition to densely populated areas, remote areas have become the focus of research in recent years. The intensity of human activities directly affects the abundance o.....»»
Researchers reveal mechanism of SnO2 electron transport layer modified by graphdiyne in perovskite solar cells
Prof. Sun Baoyun's group from the Institute of High Energy Physics (IHEP) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences recently used graphdiyne oxide (GDYO), fluorinated GDYO (FGDYO) and nitrogen-doped GDYO (NGDYO) to improve the SnO2 electron transport layer.....»»
Researchers: Hotter sand from microplastics could affect sea turtle development
New research from Florida State University published in Frontiers in Marine Science found that extreme concentrations of microplastics could increase the temperature of beach sand enough to threaten the development of incubating sea turtles......»»
Study shows how microplastics stick around in human airways
Research shows humans might inhale about 16.2 bits of microplastic every hour, which is equivalent to a credit card over an entire week. And these microplastics—tiny debris in the environment generated from the degradation of plastic products—usu.....»»
Quantifying microplastics in Swiss rivers and lakes
Every year, 14,000 tons of plastic end up in Swiss soils and waters, in part in the form of microplastics, which are particles in the micro to millimeter range. Microplastics come from many sources, such as cosmetics or synthetic fiber clothing. The.....»»
What microplastics might be doing to our intestines
Plastics are among the most ubiquitous manmade materials—we wear them, build with them, play with them, ship goods in them, and then we throw them into the waste stream. Ultimately, they can break down into tiny particles that get into our food sup.....»»
Cryo-EM study shows zinc transporter has built-in self-regulating sensor
Scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Brookhaven National Laboratory have determined the atomic-level structure of a zinc-transporter protein, a molecular machine that regulates levels of this crucial trace metal micronutrient inside ce.....»»
How we are contaminating our waters with microplastics and a multitude of chemicals
A plastic sandwich wrapper bobs in the water where the Limmat River flows out of Lake Zurich. The current carries it downstream through Zurich's historic center before eventually depositing it on the bank of Werd island. Exposed to sunlight, it gradu.....»»
River diversions may cause microplastics to remain longer on land and in streams before reaching oceans
Diverting streams and rivers to irrigate crops or provide drinking water may significantly extend the time microplastics spend in river catchments before they flow into our oceans, a new study reveals......»»
Researchers shed further light onto zinc homeostasis in cells
A research group has unearthed how zinc transporter complexes regulate zinc ion (Zn2+) concentrations in different areas of the Golgi apparatus and revealed that this mechanism finely tunes the chaperone protein ERp44......»»
From mangroves to fjords, coastal ecosystems can take up or emit greenhouse gases. But globally, they"re a vital sink
Coastal ecosystems can absorb or emit the three main greenhouse gases: carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide......»»
In situ investigation of the structure-activity correlation for carbon dioxide electrolysis in SOECs
Solid oxide electrolysis cells (SOECs) provide a practical solution for direct conversion of CO2 to chemicals; however, an in-depth mechanistic understanding of the dynamic reconstruction of active sites for perovskite cathodes during CO2 electrolysi.....»»
Stretching metals at the atomic level allows researchers to create important materials for quantum applications
A University of Minnesota Twin Cities-led team has developed a first-of-its-kind, breakthrough method that makes it easier to create high-quality metal oxide thin films out of "stubborn" metals that have historically been difficult to synthesize in a.....»»