Researchers in India have developed a low-temperature process to convert LDPE into liquid fuel, releasing carbon-rich molecules that are similar to conventional petrochemical fuels. The process uses kaolin catalyst and can produce up to 700 grams of liquid fuel per kilogram of waste plastic.
Researchers identified 17 microalgae and aquatic plants capable of removing radioactive contaminants, including cesium, iodine, and strontium. These plant strains could potentially be used to decontaminate highly radio-polluted water in the Fukushima area.
The SIKELOR project seeks to process silicon waste from solar panel production through electromagnetic stirring and separation. The goal is to develop an industrially viable and resource-friendly method for recycling silicon waste, potentially reducing production costs and increasing efficiency.
Researchers have designed a highly sensitive nanosensor using graphene oxide to detect extremely low levels of uranium and plutonium in nuclear waste water. The discovery has significant implications for identifying potential leaks and ensuring environmental and human health safety.
Researchers have created an artificial heart that can pump human waste into future robots, powering eco-friendly systems. The device uses shape memory alloys to mimic the human heart's pumping action and is more mechanically simpler than conventional pumps.
A new study from the University of Sheffield has developed a method to reduce the volume of plutonium-contaminated nuclear waste by 85-95%. This approach involves mixing the waste with blast furnace slag and turning it into glass, creating a stable end product that effectively locks in radioactive materials.
Geologists are exploring shales as a potential site for America's spent nuclear fuel, with some formations showing natural groundwater pressure anomalies that can be analyzed on a large scale. A new computer model is also being developed to evaluate the behavior of various forms of nuclear waste and waste containers in different rocks.
Researchers at RIKEN have provided evidence for a new nuclear 'magic number' in the unstable calcium isotope 54Ca, which has 34 neutrons. This discovery challenges the traditional understanding of atomic nuclei and sheds light on the behavior of highly unstable nuclei.
A new study by the American Chemical Society found that state e-waste recycling bans have been largely ineffective in reducing electronic waste disposal. However, providing more information to women and older people could increase the effectiveness of these bans and recycling programs.
University of Cincinnati researchers have made early discoveries on converting waste coffee grounds into energy sources, including biodiesel and activated carbon. The process involves extracting oil, drying the grounds, and burning what's left as an alternative energy source, with promising results in reducing emissions.
A comprehensive review of food waste in China reveals that approximately 19% of grain produced goes to waste, with related losses of water and farmland productivity. This translates to an estimated 177 billion cubic yards of wasted water and 64 million acres of unused cropland.
Researchers developed yeast strains that efficiently produce bio-ethanol from waste, overcoming previous limitations. The new strains have unprecedented efficiency and robustness, making them suitable for industrial fermentation processes.
Patients with low-risk papillary thyroid cancer are being overtreated with surgeries and radioactive iodine, despite stable death rates. The US has seen a significant increase in thyroidectomies and radioactive iodine use between 1973 and 2009.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge developed a biofertiliser that enables crops to be grown on coal waste, achieving nearly twice the weight and yield of those grown in garden soil. The additive boosts plant nutrition, regulates water, and maintains an ideal environment for growth.
Scientists identify glymphatic system as a potentially powerful tool for treating neurological disorders like Alzheimer's disease. The system is responsible for removing waste from the brain, and its dysfunction may contribute to these conditions.
Researchers at MU College of Veterinary Medicine have created radioactive nanoparticles that target lymphoma tumor cells, a crucial step toward treating metastasized cancers. The nanoparticles, made with lutetium and gold shells, can deliver radiation to tumors without harming healthy cells.
Scientists have discovered a stable version of a 'trophy molecule' and found its bonding properties to be surprisingly similar to those of chromium, molybdenum, and tungsten. This finding could aid in the extraction and separation of radioactive material from nuclear waste.
A study found that children living near toxic waste sites in lower and middle income countries have high blood lead levels, resulting in a loss of IQ points and higher incidence of mental retardation. The researchers estimated that 6 out of every 1,000 children could experience mild mental retardation.
A recent study investigated public perception of how waste disposal sites affect residents living nearby, particularly odor and local pollution concerns. The study found that odour perception diminished over time as the facilities were closed, and older residents reported more concern about health impacts.
A new method of creating chemical reactions, using high-speed ball-milling, eliminates waste and outperforms traditional solutions. This approach has potential applications in pharmaceutical companies, detergents, plastics, and other industries.
Reducing food waste is vital to feed a global population of 9 billion by 2050. Scientists estimate that up to half of the food harvested from farmers' fields in developing countries is lost due to spoilage and pests. In developed countries, households throw away about 4 out of every 10 pounds of food produced each year.
A Rice University team has found that using waste heat can remove more CO2 from coal-fired power plant emissions economically. The researchers hope to reduce the costs of CO2 capture by creating an integrated reaction column that uses waste heat, engineered materials and optimized components.
A new membrane developed by researchers at Wits University can effectively separate waste from water, making it suitable for treating pollutants in various processes. The technology has the potential to filter pure water from wastewater produced during mining, oil and gas exploration, and nuclear activities.
This study found that SUVmax is a significant and clinically independent marker for progression-free survival in stage I non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. The research included 95 medically inoperable patients who received stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT), with median overall survival of 25.3 months and progression...
A new study published in the Journal of Hunger & Environmental Nutrition found that removing trays from university dining halls reduces food waste and dish use. The study, conducted at American University, shows a 32% reduction in food waste and a 27% reduction in dish use.
A recent study found that residents in a rural Chinese village near an e-waste recycling site are 1.6 times more likely to develop lung cancer than their peers in a heavily polluted city. The study, conducted by Oregon State University researchers, highlights the risks of toxic air pollution from e-waste incineration.
Researchers from the University of York and Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya have made significant discoveries about novae, explosive events driven by nuclear processes. The study's findings improve our understanding of key nuclear reactions and the final abundance of radioactive isotopes involved in these explosions.
The use of paper industry waste to create bricks has been shown to have low thermal conductivity, making them effective insulators. Additionally, the bricks can provide energy due to their organic material content, which could help reduce fuel consumption and kiln time required for brick production.
Researchers found iron 60, a radioactive sign of an exploding star, in low abundance and uniformly distributed in solar system material. The findings suggest the low levels of iron 60 likely came from long-term accumulation of iron 60 in interstellar medium rather than a nearby cataclysmic event.
Researchers at Columbia University have launched a pilot facility in Ghana to convert fecal sludge into biodiesel fuel, producing renewable, cost-effective sustainable energy. The project aims to create an economically sustainable approach to waste management, eliminating the sanitation crisis in developing cities.
A promising new approach to treating solid tumors with radiation has been developed, which uses an injectable substance that spontaneously assembles into a radioactive seed after injection. This technique shows great efficacy and minimal toxicity in a mouse model of cancer, providing a useful alternative to existing brachytherapy.
Researchers have discovered that mine waste rock has significant CO2 sequestration potential, which could be economically valued and used to offset emissions. The technology has the potential to capture five to ten times more CO2 than total greenhouse gas production from some mine operations.
Researchers at the University of Missouri have developed a new gold nanoparticle treatment for prostate cancer that uses radioactive gold nanoparticles. The treatment has shown to be safe and effective in dogs, which are the only other mammal to naturally contract aggressive prostate cancer, making it a promising lead for human trials.
Northwestern University scientists have developed a thermoelectric material that can convert 15-20% of waste heat to useful electricity. The material exhibits a ZT of 2.2, the highest reported to date, and has the potential to recover high-temperature waste heat and turn it into usable energy.
A by-product of biofuel manufacture can power microbial fuel cells to generate electricity cheaply and efficiently. Researchers have successfully used Distillers Dried Grain with Solubles (DDGS) as a feedstock for the bacteria, producing a reliable source of renewable energy.
A study reveals that most electronic waste in Spain is uncontrolled, with only 2.55 kg out of 13.86 kg collected and processed correctly under the Integrated Waste Management System (SIG). The majority of manufacturers are not registered in the system, leading to significant payment evasion.
Researchers at the University of Sheffield have developed a new method for storing UK's nuclear waste using glass technology. The process, called vitrification, has been shown to produce glass that is resistant to damage from energetic gamma rays.
Researchers found that three earthworm species can remove up to 75% of heavy metals from waste, producing rich compost without accumulating toxins in crops. The worms' digestive system facilitates the separation of metal ions, allowing for safe disposal of organic waste.
Scientists have detected helium in the tenuous atmosphere surrounding the Moon using NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter spectrometer. The discovery complements earlier measurements and raises questions about the helium's origin, with possibilities including radioactive decay or an exterior source like the solar wind.
Researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center have discovered a new brain cleaning system called the glymphatic system, which acts like a shadow plumbing system to drain away waste products from the brain. The system is highly organized and operates on a much larger scale than previously thought.
Researchers have discovered a new method to predict solar flares by measuring gamma radiation emitted when atoms decay. The system could provide up to 2-day advance warning, allowing operators to minimize impact and astronauts to shield themselves from lethal radiation.
A new study challenges conventional models assessing radiation's impact on human health, revealing a non-linear transfer of radioactive compounds in ecosystems. The research found that levels of these compounds are three times higher in fish-eating species than in non-fish-eating species.
Stanford researchers estimate that radiation from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster may cause 15-1,300 deaths and 24-2,500 cancer cases, mainly in Japan. The study uses a 3-D global atmospheric model to predict radioactive material transport and human exposure.
A new study has found that patients with mild or no cognitive impairment can be identified as at risk of developing Alzheimer's disease through a PET brain scan using a radioactive dye. The study, led by researchers at Duke University Medical Center, shows that the presence of amyloid plaques in the brain can predict future decline.
Researchers at Arizona State University improved microbial fuel cell efficiency by modifying cathode materials and adjusting pH levels. By enhancing hydroxide ion transport, they increased power densities and reduced losses in MFC performance.
Researchers found affluent men more likely to accept nuclear waste storage sites than women or economically disadvantaged individuals. The team analyzed local opinions on a Finnish nuclear waste repository and identified a 'white male effect,' highlighting the need for a more holistic approach to community involvement.
Efforts to green operating rooms can result in significant cost savings for hospitals while reducing their environmental impact. Implementing greening initiatives such as separating waste streams, using closed collection systems and reprocessing single-use devices can generate substantial cost savings.
Researchers at Max Planck Institute found that catastrophic nuclear accidents are more likely to happen than previously assumed. The study reveals that half of the radioactive caesium-137 would be spread over an area of over 1,000 kilometres away from the reactor, contaminating Western Europe once in 50 years.
An international research team found elevated levels of radioactive substances in the Pacific Ocean, reflecting the complex nature of the marine environment. While levels of radioactivity in marine life were below concern for humans and organisms, long-term impacts on the ecosystem remain unclear.
Radioactive iodine found in New Hampshire's Mink Brook watershed is a result of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power facility's explosion. The study shows minimal deposition in soil but doubling in stream sediments, with significant dilution expected.
Scientists developed a capsule that can remove more than a dozen radioactive substances from water, milk, and fruit juices. The technology uses nanoparticles to absorb and concentrate radioactive materials, making them safe for consumption.
A University of Delaware oceanographer found trace amounts of radioactive iodine in the Delaware River, providing a new way to study substance travel through rivers to the ocean. The contaminant enters waterways via wastewater treatment systems and has a half-life of eight days.
A new paper by University of Notre Dame researchers describes a method for safely absorbing radioactive ions from nuclear waste streams using the NDTB-1 compound. The team has successfully removed approximately 96% of technetium (99Tc) from nuclear waste in laboratory studies.
Researchers at the University of Edinburgh produced a previously unseen uranium molecule, which could help improve nuclear waste clean-up processes. The butterfly-shaped compound is robust and may play a role in forming clusters of radioactive material in waste.
Researchers highlight the need for better understanding of how water interacts with damaged fuel and radioactive material release in nuclear accidents. A new paper by Peter C. Burns and colleagues from the University of Notre Dame and others emphasizes the importance of increased research to develop predictive models.
Researchers use metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) to remove volatile radioactive gas from spent nuclear fuel, reducing waste and increasing the possibility of clean nuclear energy production. The discovery could be applied to nuclear fuel reprocessing or cleanup of nuclear reactor accidents.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University have developed a radioactive wire that destroys tumors from the inside out, creating an immunity against cancer return. This innovative method, called DARTTM, has shown promising results in pre-clinical trials and is now being commercialized for clinical trials.
Researchers have provided the first ever map of the genes that determine how bacteria interact with their surrounding environment. The study reveals critical genetic secrets of a bacterium that holds potential for removing toxic and radioactive waste from the environment.
A novel sewage digestion system designed by Duke University's Marc Deshusses has the potential to revolutionize sanitation in developing countries. The system captures methane gas produced during waste breakdown, using it to kill pathogens and destroy harmful bacteria.
A team of scientists found that plutonium clusters adhere more strongly to mineral surfaces than individual ions, which could help contain its spread into the environment. This strong adherence could minimize the leakage of nuclear waste from steel barrels.