Researchers at Newcastle University found that higher water volumes in delicate wash cycles release more plastic microfibres than standard cycles. The team discovered that the volume of water used during the wash cycle is the key factor, not spinning action, and that this can lead to a significant increase in released fibres.
A study by the University of South Florida and Eckerd College found four billion particles of microplastics in Tampa Bay's waters, highlighting the need to address plastic pollution. Microplastics, tiny plastic particles less than 1/8 inch, come from various sources and can harm marine life through ingestion or surface damage.
Researchers at Staffordshire University are using artificial aquatic ecosystems called limnotrons to test plastic degradation and develop a standardized method for identifying the age of plastics. The study will help identify effective mitigation and management strategies for reducing plastic pollution in freshwater systems.
The University of Bath's Naturbeads technology uses cellulose to create biodegradable microbeads that can replace plastic microbeads in personal care products, reducing ocean pollution. The company will receive funding to commercialize the technology and test its use in cosmetic and personal care industries.
Research suggests green turtles favour narrow lengths of plastic in natural colours like green and black over debris of other shapes and colours. Plastic was found in all examined turtles, with smaller ones containing more pieces.
A study found that plastic ingestion can have a significant negative impact on seabirds, causing reduced blood calcium levels, body mass, and kidney function. The research also revealed that the simple presence of plastic is enough to cause negative consequences, regardless of the amount.
A study by Georgetown University Medical Center found that facial cosmetic surgery in men increases perceptions of attractiveness, likeability, social skills, and trustworthiness. The researchers also discovered that chin augmentation was the only procedure without a significant impact on perceived masculinity or attractiveness.
Researchers at Shinshu University have discovered acid hydrolysis of vinyl polymer breaking down into salicylic acid and acetic acid, forming the basis for aspirin production. This innovative process has the potential to recycle vinyl on an industrial scale, reducing plastic waste and its environmental impact.
Researchers have discovered a method to convert plastic waste into jet fuel using activated carbon as a catalyst. The process produces high-quality fuel with minimal environmental impact, offering a promising solution to the global plastic crisis.
The survey found an estimated 414 million pieces of plastic debris on the islands' beaches, including single-use consumer items like shoes and toothbrushes. The total volume dwarfs that found on Henderson Island, indicating a need for urgent action to reduce plastic production and consumption.
A new anatomic study highlights critical technical issues to ensure safe performance of the Brazilian butt lift, a procedure using patient's own fat to augment and improve buttock appearance. Researchers recommend injecting only under skin, never into muscle, to prevent serious complications.
Researchers tested biodegradable, oxo-biodegradable and compostable plastic bags in three natural environments over a 3-year period. The results show that none of the bags reliably deteriorated within 3 years, with conventional polyethylene bags remaining intact.
Lab tests show plastic chemicals impair growth and function of ocean's most abundant photosynthetic bacteria, Prochlorococcus. Exposure to plastics alters gene expression, potentially harming entire ecosystem.
Scientists at Berkeley Lab created a next-generation plastic that can be recycled endlessly without losing its properties. The new material, poly(diketoenamine), can be disassembled and reassembled from its constituent parts, allowing for the recovery of original monomers.
A multidisciplinary approach called enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) is being reviewed for its benefits in speeding up patient recovery from surgery. ERAS involves a holistic approach by involving various healthcare professionals before, during, and after surgery to improve outcomes.
A study published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery found that obese patients do not have a higher risk of complications after abdominoplasty, also known as tummy tuck surgery. The study included 82 patients who underwent the procedure over a seven-year period, with similar complication rates between obese and non-obese patients.
Researchers at UC Santa Barbara have conducted the first global assessment of plastic's life cycle greenhouse gas emissions, finding that current strategies are insufficient to curb emissions. Recycling and replacing fossil-based energy with renewable sources offer promising solutions, but significant reductions will require unpreceden...
A new global initiative led by the University of Birmingham aims to better understand how plastics are transported and transformed in rivers, accumulating in river sediments. The project's first results show a complex picture with a huge diversity in types and sources of plastic in selected river estuaries.
This article discusses the latest research on enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) in spine surgery, highlighting new operative techniques, anesthetic methods, and full ERAS protocols. Key findings include reduced length of stay, decreased complication rates, and improved patient satisfaction.
New research finds that sea anemones consume tiny fragments of plastic in the ocean along with their food. Bleached anemones retain these microfibers longer than healthy ones, highlighting the impact of plastic pollution and climate change on coral reefs.
The UK's single-use plastic bag charge has led to a substantial reduction in plastic bag use, with the average frequency of use falling from 'sometimes' to 'very rarely'. The study also found that consumers are ready to support other environmental charges, including a 5p charge on plastic water bottles and increased fuel duties.
A new study found that balloons are the most lethal marine debris for seabirds, with a single piece killing 20% of seabirds and nine pieces killing 50%, while blockages or infections caused by gastrointestinal obstructions were leading causes of death
A study found that one in four men aged 55-59 is at risk of needing further revision surgery, with serious complications surprisingly common in older people. The lifetime risk of revision surgery was highest during the first five years after surgery.
Scientists have developed a method to upcycle polyethylene from plastic bags into pure carbon, which can be used as anode material for lithium-ion batteries. The new approach creates a cost-effective and efficient way to convert plastic waste into useful energy-storing materials.
A new study estimates that around 4.2 million people die within 30 days of surgery globally, with half of these deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries. The researchers project that expanding surgical services to address unmet need would add another 1.9 million post-operative deaths annually.
A recent study found nearly one-third of women under 40 underwent mammography before breast reduction surgery, despite guidelines recommending against it. The screenings can lead to unnecessary follow-up tests and treatments, wasting time and money.
Researchers have developed a method using near infrared hyperspectral imaging and chemometrics to sort different types of plastic and those with varying flame retardants. This technique enables efficient recycling of plastics, reducing the amount dumped into the environment.
A recent study by Anglia Ruskin University found that many women are shocked to discover the amount of plastic in commonly-used disposable menstrual products. The research suggests that raising awareness is key to changing behavior and encouraging the adoption of more sustainable alternatives, such as organic pads and reusable cloth pads.
Researchers discovered that adding fertilizers to ridges and combining with plastic mulching increases yield by 9.7% and reduces nitrogen loss by 72.5%. The study highlights the importance of targeted fertilizer application to optimize nitrogen consumption and reduce environmental impact.
A Tel Aviv University study has discovered the presence of microplastics and plastic additives in solitary ascidians along Israel's coastline. The research highlights the significant impact of human activities on marine life, with findings suggesting that these pollutants are present even in protected beaches.
A new process produces 'plastic' from marine microorganisms that completely recycle into organic waste, providing a biodegradable and non-toxic material. This innovation has the potential to revolutionize the world's efforts to clean the oceans without affecting arable land or using fresh water.
A new study published in The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery found no increase in complications for patients undergoing overlapping orthopedic surgery. The analysis included over 22,000 outpatient procedures and showed a comparable complication rate between overlapping and nonoverlapping surgeries.
A new study from Lund University investigates the degradation of plastic waste, finding that it can break down into nanoplastics under mechanical stress. The researchers warn that this could lead to adverse consequences for animals and humans, as nanoplastic particles are extremely small and can be ingested by living organisms.
Small-head cemented metal-on-plastic hip replacements are the most cost-effective option for men and women over 65 years. For younger adults, small-head cemented ceramic-on-plastic hip replacements are more likely to be cost-effective. The study found no evidence that uncemented or hybrid implants are cost-effective options.
A systematic review of functional nasal surgery found that 85% of patients experienced at least partial improvement in their headaches. The procedure targets 'contact points' within the nose and sinuses believed to trigger chronic headaches, resulting in reduced symptoms and improved quality of life.
For the first time, researchers have found plastic microfibers in the stool of wild South American fur seals on Guafo Island. The discovery suggests that scat analysis could be an efficient way to monitor environmental levels of microfibers and microplastics.
A new questionnaire assesses patient satisfaction after aesthetic chondrolaryngoplasty, a procedure reducing the masculine appearance of the Adams apple. Sixty percent of patients were 'very' or 'completely' satisfied with the results.
The CRISPR genome editing technique is revolutionizing plastic and reconstructive surgery with potential advances in craniofacial malformations, therapeutic skin grafts, and rejection-free transplants. Many challenges remain, including off-target effects, FDA regulation, and high costs.
Researchers at NIST have developed a novel metal-organic framework (MOF) that can separate ethylene from a mixture of hydrocarbons using far less energy than traditional methods. This breakthrough could reduce the environmental cost of plastic manufacturing and make it more sustainable.
A study found that Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery patients experience higher peak alcohol concentrations and slower alcohol elimination compared to pre-surgery. This suggests a steady increase in alcohol consumption among post-surgery patients, highlighting the need for improved screening tools.
A recent study found that open heart surgery can cause some cognitive decline in the first month after surgery, but cognitive health largely returns to normal within six months. Aortic valve surgery may be associated with more early cognitive problems than mitral valve surgery due to the older age of patients.
UTA professor Sahadat Hossain uses recycled plastic pins to strengthen MSE walls, increasing bearing and shearing capacity of foundation soils. The new method reduces excavation and replacement costs, improving pavement maintenance and reducing cracking.
A new study reveals a significant increase in plastic waste reaching remote South Atlantic islands, with over 90% of beach debris being plastic. The researchers found high concentrations of plastic on beaches and up to 300 items per meter of shoreline, approaching levels seen in industrialized North Atlantic coasts.
A study published in JAMA Oncology found that patients treated with more-invasive surgical techniques for early-stage lung cancer were more likely to become chronic opioid users. In contrast, those who underwent minimally invasive VATS surgery were less likely to fill opioid prescriptions after surgery and in the long term.
A study of 173 patients who underwent rhinoplasty found that only two refilled their opioid prescriptions, suggesting that pain management may not require as many opioids as previously thought. Facial plastic surgeons are now reducing opioid prescriptions by at least 50% to limit the potential for abuse.
A nationwide study found that surgeon-related factors, such as communication and empathy, significantly impact patient satisfaction. Practice-related issues like waiting times and office staff had a weaker effect on patient satisfaction scores.
Researchers develop biodegradable plastics that break down under diverse conditions, offering new options for disposal. The study examines the degradation of individual bioplastics and blends under managed and unmanaged environments, finding improved characteristics in certain blends.
Researchers have developed a new laser technique to bind aluminum with plastic in injection molding, creating stronger lightweight materials. The method uses continuous infrared lasers to pretreat aluminum sheets, improving adhesion strength and paving the way for more efficient vehicles.
A research team at UGA New Materials Institute has synthesized a food contact polymer to create a commercially viable, fully biodegradable plastic straw. The straws must perform as well as traditional plastic straws and be cost-effective over their entire life cycle.
Most YouTube videos on facial plastic surgery are misleading marketing campaigns posted by non-qualified medical professionals, according to a Rutgers University study. The researchers found that 94 videos had no medical professional at all, while only 72 featured board-certified physicians with high-quality content.
A new study published in Annals of Surgery found that bariatric surgery wait times in the US have increased significantly over the past decade, with eligible patients often facing longer waits. The delay is largely attributed to insurers requiring patients to lose weight before surgery, which can deter some individuals from pursuing th...
A landmark study published in The Lancet found that robotic surgery is as effective as traditional open surgery in treating bladder cancer. Robotic surgery patients experienced less blood loss and shorter hospital stays but longer surgeries compared to those who underwent open surgery.
The China ban on non-industrial plastic waste has displaced around 111 million metric tons of plastic waste, which was previously exported to the country. This shift will require high-income countries to develop more robust recycling programs domestically and rethink the use and design of plastic products.
Scientists are developing new recycling technologies to break down plastics into reusable materials. Current methods use mechanical processes that partially degrade polymers, reducing product quality. Researchers are exploring alternative approaches, including chemical reactions and biological enzymes to speed up the process.
Research comparing keyhole, robotic, and conventional mitral valve repair surgeries found that keyhole surgery had higher success rates and fewer complications, including lower rates of subsequent heart flutter and blood transfusions. Robotic surgery required more blood transfusions but still provided excellent outcomes.
A study published in The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery found that patients who take prescription opioids for a longer period before spinal surgery are more likely to continue using opioids several months after surgery. Duration of opioid use before surgery was the main risk factor for continued use. After adjustment, the likelihood o...
A new study found that contaminated black plastic is entering consumer products due to inefficient recycling practices, posing a risk to human health. The researchers also discovered potential harm to marine environments through the spread of microplastics.
Three-dimensional printed models provide a useful visual reference for plastic surgeons performing rhinoplasty, helping to achieve the desired clinical result. The models also improve communication with patients before surgery, making it easier to understand the surgical possibilities and limitations.
Plastic surgeons are crucial in managing young women at high genetic risk of breast cancer due to BRCA gene mutations. These women have a low lifetime risk of breast cancer, only 1.5-3.4% by age 30, and may benefit from mastectomy, but the decision is complex and requires careful consideration.
Scientists have successfully enhanced the capacity of PETase, an enzyme that degrades polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a type of plastic commonly used in bottles. The breakthrough could lead to more efficient biodegradation of PET and reduce ocean plastic waste.