Primitive recycling processes used in developing countries contaminate air, water, and soil with pollutants like dioxins and toxic cyanide. Alternative solutions, such as paying recyclers not to recycle or promoting repair and reuse, are proposed to address the growing e-waste problem.
Researchers at TU Delft have discovered a way to break down harmful by-products in wood waste, enabling the production of biochemicals and biofuels without costly methods. This breakthrough paves the way for using wood waste as a sustainable raw material.
Researchers estimate that waste in Spain could generate between 8.13 and 20.95 TWh of electricity, reducing the need for fossil fuels and lowering greenhouse gas emissions. The most cost-effective option is incineration of solid urban waste, which could offset its environmental costs.
The United Nations University has released a report highlighting the growing e-waste problem in developing countries, with sales of electronic products forecasted to rise sharply over the next decade. If left unaddressed, this could lead to hazardous waste mountains with serious consequences for the environment and public health.
In Europe, strategic cooperation on geological disposal of nuclear waste is crucial for its safe implementation. The IGD-TP platform facilitates stakeholder collaboration to resolve scientific, technological and social challenges.
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a new material that permanently traps only the desired radioactive ion, cesium, from a sodium-heavy solution. The synthetic material, made from layers of a gallium, sulfur and antimony compound, sequesters 100% of the cesium ions while ignoring all the sodium ions.
Astronomers discovered a distant star that exploded 7 billion years ago when its center became unstable and created matter and anti-matter particle pairs. The Y-155 supernova was 100 billion times brighter than the sun, releasing an enormous amount of energy.
A new study finds that US per capita food waste has increased by about 50% since 1974 to over 1400 Calories per person per day, equivalent to 150 trillion Calories per year. This excessive energy content contributes significantly to freshwater consumption and fossil fuel emissions.
Experts advocate standardizing recycling technologies and government policies worldwide to extend product life, recover valuable metals, and reduce CO2 emissions. The initiative could transform millions of old devices into functional units, reducing e-waste and promoting sustainable consumption.
A Missouri University researcher is studying sulfate-reducing bacteria that can convert toxic uranium into nearly insoluble uraninite, reducing contamination and environmental costs. The bacteria's ability to cleanse water is being explored, with potential applications for heavy metal pollution from storage tanks and industrial waste.
Scientists have recovered uranium from polluted waters using bacteria and inositol phosphate, a cheap waste material. The process is economically viable, especially as the world price of uranium is likely to increase, offering an environmental protection benefit.
The global e-waste problem requires harmonization of disposal and recycling standards across national borders to effectively address the issue. The use of outdated electronic devices poses significant risks to human health and the environment, with 20-50 million tonnes of e-waste generated annually.
Researchers at the University of Gothenburg have developed a new treatment that uses a radioactive substance to seek and destroy tumour cells in ovarian cancer patients. The treatment, which has shown no unwanted side-effects in an initial study, aims to provide a more effective alternative to current treatments.
Researchers at Monash University discovered that early meteorites' radioactive nuclei could have originated from a nearby giant star. The presence of these nuclei affects the evolution of planetary systems and the origin of Earth's water.
The American Association of Physicists in Medicine meeting will explore ways to minimize radiation dosage in children, adults, and health professionals. Studies have shown that lower doses can be effective in detecting abnormalities, reducing the risk of cancer among medical professionals.
Researchers from Rovira i Virgili University find that using mud from waste water treatment plants as an alternative fuel reduces CO2 emissions by 140,000 tonnes between 2003 and 2006. This sustainable solution enables cement factories to power their operations without harming human health.
Researchers successfully treated basal cell carcinoma with a non-toxic radioactive patch, showing minimal scarring and no toxicity. The treatment delivered beta radiation to the cancer site, effectively eradicating the malignant cells.
Researchers at Oregon State University have developed a new cooling system that can improve the energy efficiency of diesel engines by using waste heat. The system has shown improved efficiencies of 20-30 percent in situations where cooling is needed, and may be used to provide air conditioning or electricity.
Researchers in Japan investigate three technologies for heat recovery: latent heat, reaction heat, and thermoelectric devices. They find that high-temperature waste heat with adequate exergy value exists in many industries, offering effective ways to recover waste heat.
A new study suggests that charging consumers a fee at the time of sale can significantly reduce electronic waste (e-waste) in the US. The approach is found to be more effective than fees upon disposal, increasing manufacturer profits while decreasing e-waste quantities.
Scientists at Albert Einstein College of Medicine have developed radioimmunotherapy to target and destroy HIV-infected cells. The treatment, which uses antibodies attached to radioactive payloads, shows promise in laboratory and animal studies, and is currently being tested in pre-clinical trials.
Physicists at the University of Texas at Austin have designed a system that uses fusion to eliminate most of the transuranic waste produced by nuclear power plants. This invention could help combat global warming by making nuclear power a more viable replacement for carbon-heavy energy sources.
A recent study found that adding human hair waste cubes to commercial growth medium can increase plant yields relative to untreated controls. However, results showed lower yields compared to inorganic fertilizers, suggesting hair waste should not be used as a single source for fast-growing crops like lettuce.
Research focuses on transport phenomena in heterogeneous media, exploring anomalous transport and its role in hydrogeology. The study highlights the importance of concentration tails in assessing radioactive waste disposal reliability.
Researchers found no radioactive signals in recent ice core samples from the Naimona'nyi glacier, suggesting that it has not accumulated new ice since 1944 and posing a threat to water supplies for half a billion people in Asia. The absence of these signals makes it challenging to date the ice cores and extract climate history.
Sandia scientists train Iraqi professionals to clean up radioactively contaminated sites and safely dispose of radioactive wastes. The program focuses on characterization, cleanup, dismantling nuclear facilities, waste management, and waste disposal at the Al Tuwaitha nuclear complex.
Researchers at Michigan State University are developing a cost-effective technology to turn animal waste into usable heat, electricity, and other valuable products. The Anaerobic Digestion Research and Education Center aims to provide scalable, modular systems for smaller farms to convert waste into resources.
Researchers from Case Western Reserve University studied Chernobyl-derived radionuclides in Swedish and Polish soil, finding higher levels of plutonium in Swedish soil. The team's findings help shed light on public health ramifications and differentiate radioactive elements from one-time events like the Chernobyl disaster.
A University of Missouri researcher has developed a new method to create cancer drugs that can be tailored to individual tumors, increasing effectiveness and reducing waste. The new method uses two-stage radioactive decay to produce nearly 100% of the intended radioactive isotope.
Swine waste fertilizer can be improved by altering phosphorus levels in the diet, resulting in slower phosphorus accumulation in soil. This approach reduces excess nutrients that can pollute the environment.
A Dutch engineer suggests building pyramids from solidified waste to dispose of toxic industrial and domestic waste. This innovative system reduces the risk of toxic materials leaching into groundwater, providing a sustainable solution to waste management.
The DIAMOND consortium aims to address the £70 billion cost of decommissioning UK nuclear sites through research and innovation. The project will also provide training for the next generation of nuclear waste specialists to combat an EU-wide skills gap.
Researchers at ETH Zurich identify a unique invasion strategy used by the vaccinia virus, exploiting cellular waste disposal mechanisms and evading immune response. The discovery sheds light on a new mechanism of action for this virus, which could inform the development of new antiviral agents.
Scientists at Newcastle University have developed a highly energy-efficient technology to convert waste carbon dioxide (CO2) into cyclic carbonates, which can be used in various industrial applications. The technology has the potential to use up to 48 million tonnes of waste CO2 per year, reducing UK emissions by about four percent.
Scientists at Argonne National Laboratory have developed a compound that captures and separates radioactive ions, including strontium 90, from inert materials. The synthetic sulfide-based compound can strip away 99% of the radioactive element within a few hours.
A study of 61 patients with follicular non-Hodgkin lymphoma found that radioimmunotherapy with yttrium-90 ibritumombab tiuxetan was well-tolerated and effective, achieving complete response in 55 patients. The treatment also showed improved progression-free survival and overall survival rates.
A team of Northwestern University chemists has developed a new metal sulfide material, KMS-1, that can effectively remove strontium, a major component of nuclear waste, by exploiting its unique properties. The material works across the pH scale and outperforms existing methods in terms of selectivity and efficiency.
Researchers found a significant increase in follicular adenoma risk among persons exposed to radioactive fallout from Chernobyl as children and adolescents. The study suggests exposure to radiation at young ages increases the risk, with women having a notably higher risk compared to men.
A study published in the Journal of Neurosurgery found that simultaneous implantation of radioactive seeds and chemotherapy wafers following surgery improved patient survival rates for recurrent glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) patients. The median survival was 69 weeks, with nearly a quarter of patients surviving two years.
Researchers have found that peanut husks can extract up to 95% of copper ions from waste water, while pine sawdust achieves only 44% extraction. The process works best at slightly acidic conditions, making it a promising solution for reducing toxic copper levels in natural resources
Researchers at Mayo Clinic Jacksonville have found that tiny radioactive spheres can effectively treat cancer that has spread to the liver, halting tumor growth in 71% of patients. The treatment works by delivering radiation directly to tumors using millions of tiny polymer beads containing yttrium-90.
Thermoelectric devices could capture wasted heat from hot engines, generating electricity and saving billions of dollars in the US. Clemson University physicist Terry Tritt discusses promising applications, including waste-heat recovery in cars.
Research shows PET scans with fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) can predict a breast tumor's response to chemotherapy and a patient's likelihood of survival. Women with high initial FDG uptake and significant reduction after treatment are more likely to achieve complete response.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a way to package radioactive particles inside DNA-sized carbon tubes to target tiny tumors. The alpha-emitting nanocapsules are designed to deliver a single, direct hit to cancer cells, making them potentially more effective than traditional beta-particle radiation.
The UK's escalating waste problem can be tackled by changing buying habits and attitudes to consumption. Social marketing techniques can encourage people to reduce their consumption and lower waste output.
Researchers have developed small acoustic heat-engine devices that convert waste heat into sound and then into electricity. The technology shows promise for harnessing solar energy and cooling electronics, with plans to test the devices within a year at military radar facilities and universities.
Astronomers have measured the age of a star in our Galaxy using ESO's VLT, finding it to be 13.2 billion years old, nearly as old as the Universe itself. This discovery was made possible by a new technique that combines radioactive elements thorium and uranium to accurately determine a star's age.
A new study by the Institute for Policy Studies reveals significant concerns about GNEP's practicability and potential waste disposal issues. The report concludes that the program is unlikely to succeed due to unprecedented radioactive waste generation and unmanageable risks.
Rutgers engineers have developed a process to recycle waste latex paint by blending it with common plastics, resulting in materials that are as good as or superior to those made without paint. The technology has the potential to reduce disposal costs and environmental impact of waste paint products.
Researchers at the Uniformed Services University have discovered that Deinococcus radiodurans protects itself from high doses of ionizing radiation through protein oxidation. This finding points to new avenues for radioprotection, potentially influencing cancer treatment and radioactive waste containment.
Research from the University of Michigan confirms environmental justice scholars' claims that hazardous waste facilities are concentrated in poor, minority neighborhoods. The study found demographic changes occurred before facility siting, contradicting the 'people came first' argument.
Researchers at TRIUMF are developing custom radioisotopes to target cancer cells more efficiently. They aim to create tailor-made treatment programs for each patient, reducing radiation doses and treatment sessions.
A $1 million grant will fund a five-year study using bioremediation to promote bacterial growth in soil subsurface, scrubbing radioactive metal. This method has the potential to clean up an estimated 1.7 trillion gallons of contaminated water and 40 million cubic meters of contaminated soil nationwide.
A team from the University of Cambridge and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory reported that minerals intended to entrap nuclear waste may break down within 1,400 years due to radiation. The study used NMR to show that plutonium incorporation into mineral zircon rapidly degrades its crystal structure.
Researchers developed radioimmunotherapy to target and kill HIV-infected cells using antibodies. By injecting radioactive antibodies into mice with deficient immune systems, the treatment successfully reduced HIV-infected cell numbers and showed promise for eradicating the virus.
Astronomers discover sun was born in a massive star cluster, challenging current theories on planetary formation. The researchers used radioactive isotopes from meteorites to calculate the distance and time of a nearby supernova, suggesting that hundreds or thousands of solar siblings may exist.
Government laboratories can quickly analyze radioactive samples but with variable accuracy and quality control procedures. The NIST tests found that measurement capability is generally accurate within 30% of the expected value.
The NIAID has awarded five grants totaling up to $4 million to fund the development of products that eliminate radioactive materials from the human body. The goal is to accelerate the development of previously identified compounds into effective products for licensing in the strategic national stockpile.
PNNL researchers have developed a continuous monitoring system that quickly generates real-time data and analysis of high-level radioactive waste. The system can quantify levels of various anions and is adaptable to harsh environments.
Monazite crystals contain thorium and can be used to date rocks altered by high-temperature fluids. In a new study, researchers found that monazite dissolves readily in hydrothermal fluids, resetting its clock and allowing for accurate dating of affected areas.