Researchers from Stevens Institute of Technology have mapped the global flow of phosphorus, identifying regions with significant demand and potential for recapturing and recycling. The study highlights opportunities for increasing recycling in developing and developed economies.
A new recycling process regenerates degraded cathodes from spent lithium-ion batteries, restoring their original capacity and cycle performance. The method uses eutectic lithium salts to dissolve degraded materials without adding pressure, reducing costs and safety concerns.
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...
Brown University researchers capture the first 'snapshot' of two proteins involved in delivering a bacterial stress-response master regulator to the cell's recycling machinery. The discovery sheds light on the importance of the regulation for antibiotic resistance, disease-causing bacteria, and biofilm development.
Researchers have developed a small molecule that effectively treats visceral leishmaniasis in a mouse model, with favorable pharmacokinetic properties and no safety concerns. The compound targets the proteasome, a cellular recycling machine, by binding to a previously undiscovered site.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a new method for recycling spent lithium-ion batteries using an environmentally friendly deep eutectic solvent. The solvent successfully extracted over 90% of cobalt and significant amounts of lithium from powdered compounds and used batteries, making it a promising approach to curtail hars...
Researchers found that host cells use autophagy to target specific bacterial proteins for recycling, which could be used by bacteria to escape clearance. Enhancing autophagy through activators may help fight bacterial infections and develop new therapies.
Researchers at NREL discovered a way to transform discarded plastics into high-quality composite materials, exhibiting twice the strength of petroleum-based FRPs. The process reduces energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, offering a promising solution for boosting recycling efforts worldwide.
Researchers at NREL create a recycling process that upcycles PET plastic into high-value composite materials, reducing energy consumption by 57% and greenhouse gas emissions by 40%. The new material combines reclaimed PET with bio-based molecules to produce fiber-reinforced plastics.
Researchers found that food odors impact protein degradation and cell recycling, leading to shorter lifespans. The study used Caenorhabditis elegans, a roundworm model organism, to uncover the role of olfactory neurons and microRNA molecule mir-71 in regulating digestive processes.
Eco-friendly 3D printed cellulose sensors can wirelessly transmit data and be disposed without contaminating the environment. The development will advance green electronics by replacing hazardous plastics with sustainable materials, making recycling of metal components easier.
Researchers at Purdue University have developed a chemical conversion process that can transform polyolefin waste into valuable products, including polymers, naphtha, and clean fuels. The technology has the potential to boost recycling profits and reduce global plastic waste stock.
Russian scientists propose a new recycling method that produces liquid products from organic waste, eliminating the need for specialized plants and reducing oil consumption. The process also generates no environmental emissions, making it compatible with circular economy principles.
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 new gold recycling method has been developed using pyridinethiols and hydrogen peroxide, allowing for efficient extraction of gold from electronic waste. The process produces a stable cationic gold-containing product in organic solution, with nearly quantitative dissolution of gold after 20 minutes.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that recycling old mobile phones can recover valuable metals, such as gold and coltan, used in their construction. This reduces the incentive to mine gorilla habitats for these minerals, helping to save the species from extinction.
A NASA study reveals that the hydroxyl radical, a molecule that breaks down methane and other greenhouse gases, recycles itself in the atmosphere through reactions with nitrogen oxides and water vapor. This recycling process maintains a steady global presence of OH radicals, potentially extending methane's lifetime.
Researchers at the University of New Hampshire have discovered new materials that can convert sunlight and CO2 into building blocks for liquid fuels. These materials mimic the process of photosynthesis in green plants, offering a promising approach for recycling CO2.
Researchers from Ruhr-University Bochum have developed a new catalyst using mineral pentlandite to convert carbon dioxide into valuable source materials. The catalyst's stability and ability to produce synthetic gas mixtures make it a promising approach to combat climate change.
Researchers at the Salk Institute found that late-stage cancers trigger AMPK's cellular recycling signal to cannibalize cell pieces, supplying large lung tumors with nutrients. Blocking AMPK in some conditions may stop advanced tumor growth.
The US Advanced Battery Consortium has funded an extension of the patented lithium-ion battery recycling process developed at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. The process can recycle spent Li-ion batteries and produce new cathode materials, including nickel-rich cathodes for commercial-grade automotive batteries.
Two Virginia Tech professors, Amy Pruden and Marc Edwards, are leading studies on antibiotic resistance in recycled water and plumbing. Their research aims to identify effective disinfectants and designs for preventing the spread of resistant bacteria in water systems, a growing concern that affects public health.
A study by UCR researcher Sydney Glassman explored how climate change affects the ability of microbes to recycle nutrients. The research found that specific microbial communities play an independent role in decomposition, and their response to climate change is not solely dependent on the environment they reside in.
The special issue explores composite materials' potential for sustainable applications, including biodegradable composites for packaging and recycling of plastic waste.
Researchers found high levels of tri(2,4-di-t-butylphenyl) phosphate (TDTBPP), a toxic organophosphate, in dust samples from e-waste recycling facilities and residential homes. The study highlights the need for better tracking and regulation of chemicals to understand their effects on human health.
A consortium led by the University of Bath aims to develop technology for chemically breaking down mixtures of plastics into their constituent molecules. This project could make a big difference in increasing plastic recycling rates, with the goal of reaching 75% in the UK by 2035.
The kiwifruit's ancestors duplicated their DNA in two events to produce extra copies of genes, including those for creating and recycling vitamin C. This allowed the fruit to thrive with increased vitamin C production.
Scientists have discovered a way to enhance the effectiveness of artemisinin, a powerful antimalarial drug, by combining it with chemotherapy medicines that target the parasite's waste disposal system. The combination works by jamming the recycling process, leading to cell death in the parasite.
A University of Colorado Cancer Center study reveals that inhibiting the action of lysosomes can efficiently kill metastatic cancer cells. Researchers found that the level of a protein called ID4 predicts which cancer patients will benefit most from treatment with chloroquine.
Researchers have identified three known SNAREs and a new protein Ykt6 as essential for the fusion of autophagosomes with vacuoles, allowing for efficient cellular waste recycling. This breakthrough study sheds light on the molecular mechanisms underlying autophagy, a vital process in maintaining cellular homeostasis.
A new study reveals that animal and fungal species have a significant impact on forest performance, including carbon storage and climate regulation. The research, conducted over ten years in subtropical forests, found that biodiversity must be considered as a whole to maintain forest health.
A study by Indiana University Kelley School of Business researchers found that recycling can be a strategic supply source for manufacturers, resulting in cost savings per unit, higher quantities, and greater profits. Recycling rare materials like tungsten can insulate manufacturers from market volatility and increase their competitive ...
Researchers at Imperial College London have developed a more efficient enzyme that can break down plant-based biomass 30 times faster than current methods. This breakthrough could lead to cheaper and more environmentally friendly biofuel production, as well as more efficient plastic recycling.
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.
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.
A new study led by the University of Essex engineers a model crop to overexpress a protein involved in recycling toxic chemicals, increasing yields by 27-47%. The approach may help farmers produce more food despite increasing temperature stress.
A new technique doubles the conversion of carbon dioxide to an essential plastic component, ethylene. The approach uses copper coated with polyacrylamide to increase efficiency, offering a promising method for recycling CO2 and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Brown University researchers found a new strategy to stimulate autophagy, the cellular recycling process, by manipulating a transcription factor. The approach increased lifespans of worms and flies, and hinted at potential treatments for Alzheimer's disease and ALS in human cells.
Researchers optimize system to drive two-electron chemical reactions, significantly improving efficiency over one-electron reactions. The discovery enables the conversion of CO2 into liquid fuels, paving the way for practical carbon-recycling systems.
Researchers have identified a novel regulatory step in autophagy, shedding light on the anti-cancer potential of PI5P4K inhibitors. Targeting these proteins could be a promising approach for cancer therapeutics.
A team of Osaka University researchers identified a specific subset of B cells with higher affinity that preferentially commit to plasma cell fate. The study suggests that stable Tfh-GC B cell contacts are key for plasma cell-prone GC cell formation, providing valuable insights for vaccine development.
Researchers have developed a family of synthetic polymers that can be repeatedly recycled with great efficiency. These new polymers overcome the challenges faced by existing biodegradable plastics and mechanical approaches to reusing plastic, offering a highly desirable chemical recycling method.
The University of Texas at Arlington has developed a modular, multi-step water treatment system that can transform unconventional oil and gas waste into reusable water. The system requires multiple treatment modalities to remove contaminants, making it difficult to accomplish effectively and economically.
Scientists at Ruhr-University Bochum successfully converted CO2 into an alcohol through a two-step reaction, facilitated by copper and rhodium catalysts. The process achieved a 40% recycling rate for the base, paving the way for industrial-scale applications.
Scientists at the University of Portsmouth and NREL have engineered an enzyme that can break down polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastics, a major contributor to ocean pollution. The discovery could lead to a recycling solution for millions of tons of plastic waste.
Researchers developed a gravity separation process to cleanly lift organic resins from inorganic fibreglass, making it possible to recycle non-metal parts of cellphones. The process has the potential to create raw materials for construction and insulation.
Resistance training increases autophagosome content in young men's muscles, but this effect may be reduced by aging. The study found that UPR is activated by resistance exercise regardless of age, suggesting similar muscle adaptation between young and older individuals.
A recent study published in Cell Reports sheds light on the poorly-understood part of vesicle recycling at synapses. The researchers found that refilling vesicles with neurotransmitters like GABA takes longer than reforming them, and this process is crucial for maintaining important brain functions.
Researchers have identified dichloramine as the compound responsible for forming a potent carcinogen called N-nitrosodimethyalmine, or NDMA, in recycled water. The study found that minimizing dichloramine concentrations can reduce NDMA formation.
Researchers found 2,687 sensitive documents in Toronto hospitals' recycling bins, highlighting the need for secure shredding of paper records. Hospitals should prioritize electronic health records and shred paper documents to protect patients' personal information.
A study found that hospitals in Toronto, Canada, discarded personal health information in recycling bins, including clinical notes and medical reports. The study highlights the need for organizational solutions to improve security of paper-based personal health information.
A new study has developed a method to recover high-quality polymers from mixed-plastic electronics waste, providing an environmentally friendly solution for recycling. The process uses a solvent called NMP, which releases vapors only when heated above 180 degrees Celsius, and can be reused multiple times.
A study by Colorado State University found that 19 megacities worldwide depend on evaporation from surrounding lands for more than one-third of their water supplies. Cities such as Karachi and Shanghai are among those most dependent on moisture recycling, while others like Cairo and Paris have less vulnerable systems.
A new database charts Europe's urban mine, revealing vast quantities of scarce metals in vehicles and electrical equipment. The EU's dependence on imported metals poses a strategic and economic risk, and recycling is crucial for the transition to greener technologies.
A Washington State University research team has developed a technique to greatly strengthen permeable pavements by adding waste carbon fiber composite material. The recycling method reduces energy consumption and chemicals, making it a critical factor for recycling waste materials.
Researchers developed a technique to visualize mitophagy, the process by which cells recycle their energy factories, with a new bioimaging technology. The study could provide diagnostic information for degenerative brain diseases.
Researchers have developed a new additive that combines polyethylene and polypropylene, making them recyclable together. The multiblock polymer chain anchors the two plastics, allowing for more efficient recycling of plastic waste.
Researchers at KAIST have identified a novel molecular mechanism for polyethylene terephthalate (PET) degradation, revealing superior degradability of PET. A new variant with enhanced PET-degrading activity was also developed using structural-based protein engineering.
A new article highlights responsible strategies for managing end-of-life foams and plastics containing harmful flame retardants. Researchers emphasize the need for proper disposal and recycling methods to minimize health risks from environmental exposure.
A new recycling method restores used cathode particles from spent lithium ion batteries, restoring charge storage capacity, charging time, and battery lifetime. The process reduces energy consumption compared to other methods and aims to address environmental concerns and economic issues related to battery waste.