This Plastic Dot Sniffs Out Infections Doctors Can’t See
Keeping wounds covered can help them stay clean. But if bacteria grow beneath the bandages, things can get dangerous......»»
Researchers describe a more sustainable process to recycle biobased polycarbonates
A month ago, the European Union banned glitter. This action was part of an effort that aims to reduce the presence of microplastics in our environment by 30%. Waste plastics are a serious problem for our ecosystems, and the push for recycling plastic.....»»
Bacteria store "memories" and pass them on for generations, study finds
Scientists have discovered that bacteria can create something like memories about when to form strategies that can cause dangerous infections in people, such as resistance to antibiotics and bacterial swarms when millions of bacteria come together on.....»»
Scientists take a step forward in understanding how to tackle chronic infections in cystic fibrosis patients
Scientists have engineered a living material resembling human phlegm, which will help them to better understand how a certain kind of infection develops on the lungs of patients with cystic fibrosis......»»
Myths about plastic pollution are leading to public confusion: Here"s why
Does the prediction that there could be "more plastic than fish in the ocean by 2050" concern you? How about reports that "we eat a credit card's worth of plastic per week"? These are some of the "facts" about plastic that are cited by the media......»»
Frustration as latest talks on global plastic treaty close
The latest negotiations toward a global plastic treaty concluded late Sunday with disagreement about how the pact should work and frustration from environment groups over delays and lack of progress......»»
Putting an end to plastic separation anxiety
Bio-based plastics such as polylactic acid (PLA) were invented to help solve the plastic waste crisis, but they often end up making waste management more challenging......»»
Silky ants turn to aphids for medicine when sick
A small team of biologists and zoologists from Austria, the Netherlands, Germany and Finland has found evidence of silky ants consuming aphids to treat fungal infections. In their study, published in the journal Biology Letters, the group collected g.....»»
Chemist unlocks plastic alternatives using proteins and clothing scraps
Every year, 400 million tons of plastic waste are generated worldwide. Between 19 and 23 million tons of that plastic waste makes its way into aquatic ecosystems, and the remaining goes into the ground. An additional 92 million tons of cloth waste is.....»»
We need a global treaty to solve plastic pollution—acid rain and ozone depletion show us why
After years of discussion, international negotiations on a global plastics treaty resume this week in Nairobi, Kenya, at the UN Environment Programme headquarters......»»
Nations negotiate terms of plastics treaty in Nairobi
The latest negotiations towards a global treaty to combat plastic pollution opened in Nairobi on Monday, with tensions expected as nations tussle over what should be included in the pact......»»
Scientists find hundreds of toxic chemicals in recycled plastics
When scientists examined pellets from recycled plastic collected in 13 countries they found hundreds of toxic chemicals, including pesticides and pharmaceuticals. The results are published in a study led by scientists at the University of Gothenburg......»»
Battle looms over renewed plastic treaty negotiations
Representatives from 175 nations meet in Nairobi from Monday to negotiate for the first time what concrete measures should be included in a binding global treaty to end plastic pollution......»»
Biobased mulch spray curbs weeds in vegetable crops
Biobased sprayable mulch (BSM) films are a potential alternative to herbicides, polyethylene plastic mulch film, and hand weeding for specialty crops. Researchers at the American Society for Horticultural Science have developed a series of BSM films.....»»
Scientists flag conflicts of interest ahead of UN plastic and chemical talks
An international group of 35 scientists is calling out conflicts of interest plaguing global plastic treaty negotiations and that have interfered with timely action on other health and environmental issues. They urge the implementation of strict guid.....»»
Scientists caution against a reliance on mechanical devices to clear water bodies of plastic
An international group of scientists has cautioned against reliance on mechanical cleanup devices as a means of addressing the plastic pollution crisis......»»
Plastics treaty must tackle problem at source, researchers say
The new Global Plastics Treaty must tackle the problem at the source, researchers say. An international negotiation meeting (INC-3) in Kenya begins on Monday, aiming to further develop a legally binding treaty on plastic pollution......»»
How a flying hospital is helping fight preventable blindness
A classroom in the sky? Peek inside the flying hospital training eye doctors across the world. This cargo plane has been transformed into a traveling eye hospital. The Orbis Flying Eye Hospital is an international charity campaign on a mission.....»»
"Like breathing poison": Delhi children hardest hit by smog
Crying in a hospital bed with a nebuliser mask on his tiny face, one-month-old Ayansh Tiwari has a thick, hacking cough. His doctors blame the acrid air that blights New Delhi every year......»»
Endangered Galapagos tortoises suffer from human waste: Study
Endangered giant Galapagos tortoises continue to swallow plastic and other human waste despite a ban on disposable plastic items in the Ecuadoran archipelago, according to a study published Wednesday......»»
Crumpled sheets reveal a mechanism for glassy relaxations
We often crumple a scrap piece of paper into a ball before throwing it. This mundane action, however, creates a unique complex system with surprising mechanical properties. Take a thin plastic sheet such as cellophane and try it yourself. While a reg.....»»