Researchers at UNIST developed a simple process to treat waste coffee grounds for methane storage using sodium hydroxide and heating. The process produces a stable carbon capture material with environmental benefits of recycling a waste product.
A European Union-funded project estimates that 4.7 million tonnes of discarded electronics were wrongfully mismanaged or illegally traded in Europe, valued at €800-1.7 billion annually. The study calls for better guidelines and harmonized penalties to combat e-waste crime.
Researchers at the University of Missouri found that meat food waste has a significant impact on the environment due to increased energy use in its production. The study suggests that consumers and institutions should be more conscious of not only the amount but also the types of food being wasted.
A new study finds that EU consumers waste an average of 123 kg per capita annually, equivalent to 16% of consumed food. The majority of this waste is avoidable, with vegetables, fruit, and cereals being the most wasted due to shorter shelf-life and over-purchasing.
The UK is the worst offender in European avoidable food waste, with nearly 80% of all food waste being avoidable. The study found that vegetables, fruit and cereals contribute most to lost resources, while meat production uses more resources in the first place.
A team of scientists resolved a discrepancy in the decay energy of Holmium-163, paving the way for measuring the neutrino mass. The research used the Penning-trap mass spectrometer SHIPTRAP and confirmed a decay energy of 2,833 eV with high precision.
Researchers from Spain and Portugal used photonic crystal optical fibers to develop innovative sensors capable of withstanding high temperatures. The system successfully measured toxic gas levels and temperature variations in coal waste piles, allowing for early detection of potential fires.
The increasing levels of fossil fuel emissions could dilute radioactive carbon-14 in the atmosphere, artificially raising its age. This could impact various applications of radiocarbon dating, including archaeology, art authentication, and neurological research, potentially affecting results by the 2020s.
New imaging technique using radioactive sodium fluoride allows doctors to visualize unstable calcium deposits in arteries, enabling early diagnosis and development of new medicines. The technique non-invasively detects calcification in atherosclerosis, potentially revolutionizing treatment for patients at risk.
A new nationally representative survey found that nearly three-quarters of Americans believe they waste less food than the national average, despite 31-40% of the American food supply being wasted. The top foods wasted are fruits and vegetables, with food waste costing Americans $161.6 billion annually.
A study from Cornell Food & Brand Lab reveals that buying too much food, preparing in abundance, and improper storage lead to significant household food waste. Implementing efficient meal planning strategies and proper food storage techniques can significantly reduce waste and save money.
Researchers found anaerobic co-digestion to have cost, energy, and environmental benefits compared to digestion of manure but disposal of food waste in a landfill. The process resulted in a 25-year net value of over $8.4 million for dairy farm manure and food waste co-digestion.
A study published in Waste Management highlights the need for a multi-dimensional approach to managing solid waste in developing countries. The research emphasizes the importance of considering environmental, socio-cultural, legal, institutional, and economic linkages in implementing effective waste management systems.
The ASCENDE-RT1 trial found that permanent radioactive implants (brachytherapy) reduced prostate cancer recurrence by 50% at five years compared to dose-escalated external beam radiotherapy. LDR-PB also showed an overall survival advantage, but with more urinary side effects.
Physicists at MIT have developed a new tabletop particle detector that can identify single electrons in radioactive gas. The detector uses a magnet to trap and detect the weak signals emitted by the electrons, which are then used to map their precise activity over several milliseconds.
Researchers at the University of Sheffield suggest that deep borehole disposal could dispose of all UK's high-level nuclear waste in just six boreholes, 5km deep. The concept has several advantages over current solutions, including reduced construction costs, easier site selection, and lower environmental impact.
Researchers at the University of the Basque Country have developed a system to recover hydrogen from waste plastics in electronic boards. The technology has been patented and shows promise as a clean energy source.
Researchers have discovered a protein in halophilic microbes that can selectively bind to caesium ions, providing potential for bioremediation of radioactive isotopes. The team plans to engineer this protein into plants to absorb and extract caesium from contaminated soil.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have developed a new material, boron-coated vitreous carbon foam, to detect neutrons emitted by radioactive materials. This breakthrough improves homeland security and nuclear power instrumentation, overcoming the scarcity of traditional detection material helium-3.
A new compound developed at the University of Toronto Scarborough can monitor protein kinase activity without using radioactive isotopes. This innovation has potential to improve cancer treatment by providing a safer and more accurate method for assessing drug effectiveness.
A new study by the NCEAS Marine Debris Working Group estimates that over 4.8 million metric tons of plastic waste enter the world's oceans from land annually, with a possible maximum of 12.7 million metric tons.
Researchers estimate that around 8 million tons of plastic waste entered the world's oceans in 2010, with coastal countries generating close to 275 million tons. To prevent this number from increasing by a full order of magnitude over the next decade, nations need to improve their waste management practices and adopt better strategies.
Research reveals that sleep plays a crucial role in removing toxic waste from the brain by increasing fluid flow and clearance of neurotoxic waste products. The glymphatic system, responsible for this process, is most active during sleep, suggesting the necessity of sleep for maintaining a healthy brain environment.
Researchers estimate that only one-fifth of terrestrial rainfall enters the ocean through overland channels, while a vast amount flows directly from the ocean. A subterranean estuary, which Moore has termed, plays a crucial role in exchanging water and nutrients between the ocean and land.
Scientists analyzed ocean floor dust to determine the amount of heavy elements created by supernovae, finding much less plutonium and uranium than expected. This challenges current theories that these essential materials are created and distributed throughout space.
A £1 million project at the University of Huddersfield will provide scientific data for safe and reliable nuclear reactors. The research will investigate radiation damage on materials, addressing the UK's shortage of nuclear scientists.
Researchers at the University of Guelph have developed a simple procedure to transport wet farm waste and produce energy from it. Pressure cooking yields compact, easily transportable material that can be used in energy-producing plants, producing similar amounts of energy as coal.
Researchers at Dartmouth College have created a 'green' process that reduces molecular switching waste by harnessing visible light. The new method efficiently modulates molecular switches without generating waste, opening up potential for industrial applications in fields like anti-cancer drug delivery and LCD displays.
A new method to produce lactic acid from glycerol, a waste feedstock, has been introduced, reducing CO2 emission by 30% compared to conventional fermentation. The process also lowers production costs, increasing the potential profit by 17-fold.
Researchers at Penn State have developed a thermally regenerative ammonia-based battery that converts low-grade waste heat into electricity with high efficiency. The battery can produce up to 60 watts per square meter of power, making it six to 10 times more efficient than other liquid-based thermal-electric energy conversion systems.
A new study reveals that traumatic brain injury can accelerate dementia by disrupting the brain's waste removal system, specifically the glymphatic system. This impaired system allows toxic proteins to accumulate in the brain, setting the stage for neurodegenerative diseases.
A team of researchers from the University of Florida has developed a process to convert human waste into rocket fuel, producing 290 liters of methane per crew per day. This anaerobic digester process can also produce non-potable water and hydrogen, offering a sustainable solution for space missions and potentially on Earth.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh are exploring a new method to treat high-saline water from hydrofracturing and other processes by utilizing waste heat from thermoelectric plants. The goal is to develop a cost-effective technology that can recover clean water and reduce waste disposal costs.
Researchers found that using grocery byproduct as a supplemental feed source in total mixed rations improves dry matter intake and apparent digestibility, leading to increased animal performance. The study also developed a pricing method for the feed based on its nutrient content and market prices.
Carter Abney has developed a new method to extract uranium from seawater using metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), which could provide a sustainable energy source. The technology also has implications for reducing radioactive waste by removing minor actinides, extending nuclear power capabilities.
A study of nearly 12,000 people in Belarus found that higher radiation doses were associated with more aggressive tumor features, such as spread to lymphatic vessels. The findings have implications for those exposed to radioactive iodine fallout from the Fukushima nuclear reactor incidents.
Researchers have developed a process that uses flash pyrolysis to produce fuels and raw materials from biomass and waste, including plastics and tires. The process produces bio-oil with a high energy density and can be used to replace petroleum-based products.
Researchers discovered flu virus exploits aggresome, a cellular waste bundle, to release genetic material. The process takes 20-30 minutes and is gradual, with the virus tricking the waste pickup and disposal system.
A Clemson University-led research team aims to develop materials that can encase nuclear waste for safe storage. The project focuses on crystalline ceramic based on naturally occurring minerals that endure for millions of years.
Researchers from PTB have refuted the assumption that radioactive nuclides' decay rate depends on distance from the Sun. Long-term measurements show no seasonal variations or solar influence, contradicting previous US-American findings.
Washington State University researchers have developed a unique method to use microbes in pond sediment to power waste cleanup in rural areas. The microbe-powered system reduces pollution and greenhouse gas emissions by utilizing biological reactions from microbes to generate electricity.
Researchers have discovered bacteria that can survive in highly alkaline conditions expected in radioactive waste disposal sites and use isosaccharinic acid as a food source. These microbes may prevent the release of toxic radionuclides into the environment, offering a potential solution for safe nuclear waste disposal.
A group of Russian astrophysicists have detected the formation of radioactive cobalt during a supernova explosion, confirming a corresponding theory. The discovery was made using data from the INTEGRAL gamma-ray orbital telescope and indicates that about 60% of the Sun's mass was emitted as radioactive cobalt.
Researchers will use radioactive labelling to track where key materials used in nanomedicines accumulate in the body. This study aims to inform regulation and development of safer nanomedicine options for chronic conditions.
A new porous material called CC3 effectively traps radioactive krypton and xenon gases from nuclear fuel, using less energy than conventional methods. The material's selectivity is higher than other experimental materials, making it a promising solution for removing unwanted elements.
India's population of 1.3 billion will generate over 900 million notebook computers past their life expectancy by 2025, highlighting the need for effective e-waste recycling infrastructure. The study estimates that over a billion PCs will be obsolete by 2020, posing significant risks to human health and the environment.
Experts warn of acute health and environmental concerns due to growing e-waste generation in Latin America, with the region's middle class driving demand for electronic equipment. The UN-backed academy aims to foster multi-stakeholder partnerships to address e-waste management, but regulatory instruments remain limited.
Researchers have confirmed that Chlamydomonas acidophila microalgae can grow in agri-food waste effluent and assimilate ammonium, preventing air pollution. The resulting biomass can be used as animal feed, compost or fertilizer, and is a rich source of lutein, a powerful antioxidant.
Paul Glasziou argues that open access models can reduce research waste and improve the quality of medical research. He suggests that charities and governments should publish funded work in open access to make it more effective, as $100 billion of pre- and post-publication research is wasted annually.
Researchers at MIT and Stanford University have developed a new approach to harnessing low-temperature waste heat, leveraging the thermogalvanic effect to produce electricity. The system combines battery charging-discharging cycles with heating and cooling, allowing for efficient energy conversion even with small temperature differences.
Researchers at Princeton University have developed a faster method to create 18F radiotracers, which are used to detect and track certain diseases in patients. The new method avoids harsh conditions that scramble the placement of chemical bonds, resulting in improved efficiency and accuracy.
The project evaluated environmental technologies on livestock farms in the Atlantic Area, focusing on reducing emissions and improving waste management. Collective treatments in waste treatment and use have been found to be effective.
Scientists at the University of Cologne have discovered a new method to produce hydrogen from water and formaldehyde. The approach can be used to break down contaminants in industrial waste water while generating hydrogen, reclaiming an important raw material.
Researchers at Liverpool University are developing new sensors to detect and measure nuclear radiation in the environment, aiming to locate radioactive sources with greater accuracy and sensitivity. The goal is to monitor sites, prevent releases, and support safe nuclear facility operation, with a focus on improving monitoring and cont...
A team of chemists, led by Professor Thomas Albrecht-Schmitt at Florida State University, has made significant discoveries about the element californium. The findings suggest that californium can bond and separate other materials with remarkable abilities, making it resistant to radiation damage.
Researchers from the University of Michigan and Princeton have discovered a new kind of magnetic behavior that can help make nuclear fusion reactions more efficient. This breakthrough could lead to advancements in nuclear energy, as fusion generates helium without radioactive waste.
Researchers propose using shale formations as a potential solution for storing spent nuclear fuel due to their impermeable properties. This would minimize the risk of water contamination and ensure safe storage for tens or hundreds of thousands of years.
The CU-Boulder toilet uses concentrated sunlight to heat human waste, disinfect pathogens, and produce biochar, which can increase crop yields and sequester carbon dioxide. The project aims to improve sanitation in developing countries, reducing deaths from food and water tainted with fecal matter.
Physicists used accelerator mass spectrometry to analyze the canvas, revealing a level of radioactive carbon found in 1959, years after Léger's death. This study provides conclusive evidence that the painting is a forgery.
Researchers have discovered a potential cure for triple negative breast cancer using a vaccinia virus engineered to make cancer cells produce radioiodine. The discovery, published in The FASEB Journal, has shown promising results in laboratory experiments and offers new hope for treating deadly and resistant forms of cancer.