Turning wood into plastic
Efforts to shift from petrochemical plastics to renewable and biodegradable plastics have proven tricky—the production process can require toxic chemicals and is expensive, and the mechanical strength and water stability is often insufficient. But.....»»
Scientists develop novel method for strengthening PVC products
Researchers have developed a way to make one type of plastic material more durable and less likely to shed dangerous microplastics. Their study has identified a secure way to attach chemical additives to polyvinyl chloride (PVC). The work is publishe.....»»
Scientists offer a detailed look at the skeleton of an ancient predator that thrived in extreme conditions
Imagine a world on the brink of collapse: volcanic eruptions spewing toxic gases, oceans turning acidic, and up to 90% of Earth's species vanishing in the blink of an eye. This was the reality at the end of the Permian Period, around 252 million year.....»»
Wastewater bacteria can break down plastic for food, yielding new possibilities for cleaning up plastic waste
Researchers have long observed that a common family of environmental bacteria, Comamonadacae, grow on plastics littered throughout urban rivers and wastewater systems. But exactly what these Comamonas bacteria are doing has remained a mystery......»»
Methane emissions from dairy farms higher than thought—but conversion to biogas could reduce emissions
New research has found methane emissions from slurry stores on dairy farms may be up to five times greater than official statistics suggest—and highlights the huge potential for turning them into a renewable energy source......»»
Study highlights managers" role in telework success
Amazon has announced that it will end remote work for its office staff starting in January 2025. A decision that seems to go against the current, as the increasing pace of digitalization since the recent pandemic has marked a turning point for telewo.....»»
Bacteria-derived enzyme shows potential for polyethylene biodegradation
Every year, 400 million tons of plastic products are produced worldwide, half of which are single-use items discarded within a year. In particular, non-biodegradable plastic waste, which takes over 500 years to decompose naturally, is mostly treated.....»»
Patients Are Turning to Vibrators to Relieve Their Migraines
One billion people experience migraines, yet the perfect treatment is still out of reach. Can a vibrator offer a surprising solution?.....»»
Scientists Figured Out How to Recycle Plastic by Vaporizing It
A new technique could prevent tons of waste in the future—if it can scale......»»
Why plastic bottles in the EU now have their caps attached
You may have bought a drink recently and noticed something odd: the once removable cap is now tethered to the bottle by a small strip of plastic......»»
Poor countries recycle far more imported plastic than previously thought—but it"s not enough
Countries like Malaysia import many metric tons of plastic waste from Europe each year, paying a few pennies per kilo. This might seem strange, but according to Kai Li, it makes sense......»»
In fear of more user protests, Reddit announces controversial policy change
Moderators now need Reddit's permission to turn subreddits private, NSFW. Enlarge (credit: Silas Stein/picture alliance via Getty Images) Following site-wide user protests last year that featured moderators turning thous.....»»
Exxon Mobil says advanced recycling is the answer to plastic waste: But is it really?
When California Attorney General Rob Bonta filed suit against Exxon Mobil and accused the oil giant of misleading the public about the effectiveness of plastic recycling, many of the allegations surrounded the company's marketing of a process called.....»»
Discovery of 3,775-year-old preserved log supports "wood vaulting" as a climate solution
A new study published in the journal Science suggests that an ordinary old log could help refine strategies to tackle climate change......»»
Can Washington state hack and burn its way out of a future of megafires?
The teeth of the mower chewed through a stand of small trees and shrubs 30 miles from Mount Rainier and belched out a brown cloud of dirt and wood chips......»»
Breathing may introduce microplastics to the brain—new study
Small plastic particles are everywhere: in the soil where our food is grown, in the water we drink and in the air we breathe. They got there from the plastic we throw away, which ends up in landfill sites, rivers and seas. There the plastic waste slo.....»»
Razer’s vibrating Project Esther cushion is turning into a real product
Razer has crazy concepts every year, but it's vibrating Project Esther cushion is actually releasing as the Razer Freyja......»»
Valve’s Deadlock is turning cheaters into frogs
There are a couple ways to deal with cheaters, and Valve has identified an all new way: turn them into frogs......»»
Key negotiator Norway sees "positive signals" ahead of plastic talks
In the single week that world leaders convened for high-level UN talks in New York, nearly 100,000 water bottles' worth of microplastics swirled through the city's air, posing known and still unknown risks to human health......»»
Small accounts, big decisions: How multiple savings impact retirement payout choices
New study shows that retirees are more likely to cash out smaller retirement accounts instead of turning them into steady income streams, even though they might do the opposite with larger accounts. This choice can hurt their long-term financial secu.....»»
Do you feel eco-guilt or eco-shame? Emotions reveal how much we care about the environment
Air travel, meat in the shopping cart, waste sorting, plastic toys—consumers are faced with a barrage of everyday decisions and priorities when navigating environmental concerns. But what drives these choices?.....»»