New PET-like plastic made directly from waste biomass
It is becoming increasingly obvious that moving away from fossil fuels and avoiding the accumulation of plastics in the environment are key to addressing the challenge of climate change. In that vein, there are considerable efforts to develop degrada.....»»
The Cure for Disposable Plastic Crap Is Here—and It’s Loony
Stretchy seaweed, reverse vending machines, QR-coded take-out boxes: They’re how we can break society’s absurd addiction to single-use plastics......»»
Is that glass bottle of orange juice better for the planet than a plastic container?
Which packaging type for a 12-ounce, single-serve container of orange juice would you choose as the most sustainable option:.....»»
Salt stress promotes early flowering, inhibits floral organ development by disturbing cell cycle in tomatoes
A research team investigated the impact of salt stress on tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) floral transition, revealing that salt stress significantly reduced plant biomass and caused early flowering and smaller flowers. This study underscores the impor.....»»
Unlocking carbon"s potential: CRISPR boosts lignocellulose absorption
Lignocellulosic biomass, such as paper mulberry, holds promise for sustainable material production due to its cost-effectiveness and renewability. However, optimizing lignin composition remains challenging due to its complex structure and varied comp.....»»
Mongolians fight plastic pollution in vast steppe
Mongolian herder Purev Batmunkh sighs as he picks through waste strewn across a field—the refuse of an unsightly and deadly waste pollution problem affecting swathes of the steppe......»»
Researchers discover faster, more energy-efficient way to manufacture industrially important propylene
Polypropylene is a common type of plastic found in many essential products used today, such as food containers and medical devices. Because polypropylene is so popular, demand is surging for a chemical used to make it. That chemical, propylene, can b.....»»
From trash to treasure: Machine learning enhances organic waste recycling
Biological treatment methods such as anaerobic digestion, composting, and insect farming are essential for managing organic waste, converting it into valuable resources like biogas and organic fertilizers. However, these processes often face challeng.....»»
Reduce, reuse, reflycle: How genetically modified flies can reduce waste and keep it out of landfills
A Macquarie University team proposes using genetically engineered black soldier flies (Hermetia illucens) to address worldwide pollution challenges and produce valuable raw materials for industry, including the USD $500 billion global animal feed mar.....»»
Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 review: the best way to waste $1,600
Nvidia's RTX 4090 is a monster in performance, but at $1,600, it's hard to recommend the graphics card......»»
Estuaries and coastlines capture most plastic before it gets out to sea, providing a chance to stop ocean pollution
If you ask someone where plastic ends up, they will usually say the ocean. It's not a surprising answer because we have known since the 1970s that plastic is accumulating in the subtropical oceans, far from land......»»
Decomposing "refrigerants," a potent greenhouse gas, using industrial waste
A research team has developed a technology to decompose refrigerants, a greenhouse gas 1,300 times more potent than carbon dioxide, using challenging-to-handle industrial waste......»»
Will burying biomass underground curb climate change?
Though carbon removal startups may limit global warming, significant questions remain. (credit: TEEIC) On April 11, a small company called Graphyte began pumping out beige bricks, somewhat the consistency of particle boa.....»»
Study shows how waste Styrofoam can be transformed into polymers for electronics
A new study conducted by researchers from the University of Delaware and Argonne National Laboratory describes a chemical reaction that can convert Styrofoam into a high-value conducting polymer known as PEDOT:PSS......»»
Chemists design novel method for generating sustainable fuel
Chemists have been working to synthesize high-value materials from waste molecules for years. Now, an international collaboration of scientists is exploring ways to use electricity to streamline the process......»»
Studies explore converting wastewater to fertilizer with fungal treatment
Creating fertilizers from organic waste can help reduce the consumption of fossil fuels and promote sustainable production. One way of doing this is through hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL), which converts biomass into biocrude oil through a high-temp.....»»
Diatom surprise could rewrite the global carbon cycle
When it comes to diatoms that live in the ocean, new research suggests that photosynthesis is not the only strategy for accumulating carbon. Instead, these single-celled plankton are also building biomass by feeding directly on organic carbon in wide.....»»
AI method radically speeds predictions of materials" thermal properties
It is estimated that about 70% of the energy generated worldwide ends up as waste heat......»»
70% of households with children regularly waste food, finds Spanish study
Seven out of ten Spanish households regularly waste food, according to a recent study by the Institute of Environmental Science and Technology at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (ICTA-UAB). This study analyzes the amount of food discarded by f.....»»
Saturday Citations: The first Goldilocks black hole; Toxoplasma gondii metabolism; pumping at the speed of muscle
This week: Physicists conducted a biological study, engineers built a waste-recycling suit for astronauts (and worm riders), and astronomers identified the first known intermediate-mass black hole, and it's right here in our own galactic back yard......»»
$500 aluminum version of the Analogue Pocket looks like the Game Boy’s final form
Other Pocket iterations have stuck to colorful (and cheaper) plastic. Enlarge / Analogue is launching another limited edition version of its Pocket console, this time with an anodized aluminum body and buttons. (credit: Analogue.....»»