A national report found that education workers are exposed to traumatic levels of violence and psychological harm, with many considering leaving the profession due to stress. The report highlights widespread under-reporting and ineffective institutional responses.
POST-PURPLE aims to convert urban wastewater and organic waste into valuable resources through innovative bio-based technologies. The project will demonstrate practical pathways toward cleaner, more circular urban biorefineries and reduce diffuse emissions.
A recent study analyzing 6,049 contamination records revealed that 46% of the world's aquatic environments are classified as 'dirty' or 'extremely dirty'. The most critical contamination cases are found in mangroves, with plastics and cigarette butts accounting for nearly 80% of the waste.
A HKUST research team developed an innovative urban food waste management framework analyzing food waste data from 29 large cities worldwide. The study shows that grinding food waste and diverting it into sewage systems can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 47% and lower total waste-management costs by 11%.
A team of researchers has found that a common soil fungus can extract large amounts of residual phosphorus from phosphogypsum, a byproduct of phosphoric acid production. The study shows that more than 40% of the phosphorus locked inside this waste material can be recovered through a biological process.
A groundbreaking field-based research study from Nankai University found the average carbon emission of dismantling a single unit of E-waste increased from 1.2513 kgCO2 to 1.3335 kgCO2 between 2013 and 2020, highlighting the urgent need for more efficient recycling technologies.
New studies from Sylvester reveal that 40% of cancers are preventable and that lifestyle interventions can play a crucial role in cancer treatment. Researchers also discovered PFAS on firefighter gear, which may limit exposure to hazardous chemicals linked to cancer.
Scientists at Technical University of Munich create constructed soils by mixing excavated soil with compost and biochar, resulting in improved fertility and carbon accrual. These new urban soils can be tailored to specific use cases, such as protecting groundwater or enhancing plant growth in green areas.
Researchers compared seedling germination, growth and nutrient uptake in pure food waste substrate, commercial potting mix and blends with varying ratios. Mixtures with less than 50% food waste compost produced better results.
Researchers at the University of St. Andrews have discovered a way to turn household PET waste into the building block for anti-cancer drugs through a ruthenium-catalysed semi-hydrogenation process. This breakthrough offers substantial environmental benefits and has potential to accelerate the transition to a circular economy.
Animal manure biochar effectively removes hazardous pollutants such as dyes, antibiotics and heavy metals from wastewater. The material's surface chemistry and mineral content support mechanisms like electrostatic attraction, hydrogen bonding and ion exchange.
A new study from the University of Illinois finds that a 10% increase in imported plastic waste is associated with a 0.6% increase in littered plastic bottles collected from coastal areas. The researchers used citizen science data to investigate how the global plastic waste trade contributes to litter along coastlines and waterways.
A University of Michigan study reveals that Ghana's informal e-waste recycling industry exposes workers to severe air pollution, compromising their health and the environment. The study finds that urbanization drives population growth, which exacerbates pollution in settlements like Agbogbloshie.
Researchers have discovered key design principles for ozone-generating catalysts, which can replace hazardous and carcinogenic chlorine in water treatment. This breakthrough could revolutionize water sanitation practices by providing a safer and more sustainable alternative.
A study published in Energy & Environment Nexus highlights the benefits of biochar in semi-continuous anaerobic digestion systems treating food waste. Biochar enhances hydrogen and methane production, stabilizes pH, and promotes microbial resilience, making it a practical and cost-effective additive for improving TPAD performance.
Researchers at Kaunas University of Technology have developed a new way to turn textile waste into energy and high-performance cement materials. The production of alternative fuel from textile waste can reduce CO2 emissions during cement production, while also providing an innovative approach to textile waste management.
Researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine found that streamlined surgical preference cards can significantly reduce hospital waste and improve operational efficiency. By analyzing thousands of surgeries, they identified unnecessary items and optimized lists to save up to $3 million over five months.
A new study at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health found that NYC's most aggressive housing quality enforcement programs reduced hazardous housing violations in targeted buildings by half, but did not lead to measurable changes in short-run health care utilization. Despite significant housing quality improvements, the a...
Researchers found that adding biochar to advanced food waste recycling systems can significantly increase hydrogen and methane production. Biochar acts as a natural buffer, keeping pH levels optimal for microbes and supporting robust microbial communities.
Researchers explore using municipal solid waste as a low-emission, cost-effective feedstock for sustainable aviation fuel, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 80-90%. The study suggests that adopting municipal solid waste-based jet fuels could save airlines money under carbon pricing systems.
A study by Osaka Metropolitan University found that lecanemab treatment does not change short-term waste clearance function in Alzheimer's patients. The glymphatic system, which carries away metabolic waste like Aβ, is already damaged in AD patients, and treatment may not be enough to restore lost function.
A team of engineers at Rice University has developed a cleaner approach to recycling lithium-ion battery waste by recharging the cathode materials. The process produces high-purity lithium hydroxide with minimal energy consumption, making it a promising solution for sustainable battery production.
Researchers develop composite metal foam that can withstand tremendous force at lower weight than solid steel, raising the possibility of creating safer tanker cars for transporting hazardous materials. The finding is validated through computational modeling and experimental testing.
A new study finds that deep-sea mining waste can disrupt marine life in the midwater 'twilight zone', where vast communities of zooplankton support the ocean's food system. The waste, released during a 2022 mining trial, has lower concentrations of amino acids, threatening the delicate balance of the food web.
Engineered biochar emerges as a powerful tool to combat water pollution, removing hazardous substances from wastewater. Its tailored surface chemistry and structure make it an ideal candidate for environmental cleanup, capturing both heavy metals and organic contaminants simultaneously.
Researchers propose utilizing nuclear waste for long-term hydrogen production, offering a sustainable pathway to reduce environmental hazards. Several innovative technologies harness radioactivity to split water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen without emitting carbon dioxide.
Researchers have discovered how to convert discarded plastics into valuable carbon-based materials, including graphene, nanotubes, and porous carbon. These materials show promise for use in environmental remediation, batteries, and supercapacitors.
Researchers have identified a previously unknown bacterium in the Natronincolaceae family that plays a crucial role in converting organic waste into renewable natural gas. The newly discovered microbe tolerates high ammonia levels, allowing it to thrive in systems where other methane producers would fail.
Researchers used boron isotope fingerprinting to track the release of boron from two glass compositions. The findings show that the formation of a protective altered layer controls long-term contaminant release, with magnesium-driven secondary mineral precipitation enhancing dissolution rates.
A new method to recycle PA-66, a type of polymer found in fishing nets and automotive parts, has been developed. The process involves introducing melamine into melted waste, resulting in a nylon material with improved properties that can be reprocessed up to three times.
A new composite material made from a recyclable polymer infused with microscopic droplets of liquid metal alloy can be broken down through a simple chemical process, freeing the metal for reuse. The material also has self-healing properties, allowing it to be cut, rearranged, and bonded back together using only heat and pressure.
Two WPI projects harness AI to transform waste into energy and improve recycling. A digital twin simulates a complex chemical process, while an AI-powered robotic system identifies materials for recycling. These innovations aim to reduce municipal solid waste and support the circular economy.
Researchers used boron isotope fingerprinting to study how boron moves within dissolving glass. They found that diffusion through an altered surface layer becomes a key mechanism controlling the release of boron from glass over time.
Critical raw materials are projected to grow from 1 million tonnes in 2022 to between 1.2 and 1.9 million tonnes by 2050. Europe can recover more of these essential materials by improving collection, design, and recycling of waste electrical and electronic equipment.
Researchers from The University of Osaka develop a groundbreaking synthetic method to incorporate boron-rich carboranes into aromatic compounds, eliminating complex steps and hazardous conditions. This 'dump-and-stir' technique enables large-scale production using inexpensive aryl bromides and chlorides.
The Australian National University (ANU) has developed a technology that can recover untapped critical resources such as copper and lithium from mining waste. The BERST system, inspired by nature, uses nanotechnology to separate and extract high-purity minerals and metals, while turning dirty water into clean water.
Researchers at Wuzhou University and Guangzhou University in China explored gemstone polishing waste as a possible additive in cement. Their study found that the waste significantly enhances thermal conductivity up to 159% and reduces electrical resistivity by up to 94% in cement, revealing an unexpected potential for 'smart' materials.
A new study found that nearly half of UK households underestimate how much plastic they throw away each week, with online shoppers being the most unconscious consumers. The research calls for supermarkets to change infrastructure and systems to promote reuse and refill schemes.
A new gas-solid separation method promises cleaner and cheaper recycling of critical elements. The technique uses flash Joule heating to extract REEs in seconds without water or acids, achieving over 90% purity and yield for REE recovery.
Research highlights that wealthy countries waste more food, but urbanization is narrowing this gap. Global food waste has increased by 24% since 2004, with rising waste in middle-income countries driven by economic growth and urbanization.
A team of researchers at Rice University has developed a faster and cleaner method for recovering aluminum from bauxite residue, or red mud, by using a brief electrical pulse and chlorine gas. The process, called flash Joule heating, selectively vaporizes toxic metals while retaining almost all the aluminum.
Researchers developed a new behavioral model for waste separation, incorporating external factors and demographic variables. The Theory of Planned Behavior + External influences + Heterogeneity (TPB + E + H) framework increases explanatory power and provides a flexible platform for policy-level interventions.
Microbial communities around alkali waste barrels have low diversity and are dominated by alkalophilic bacteria, similar to those found at hydrothermal vents. The ecological effects of caustic alkaline waste dumping are expected to take thousands of years to cease.
Researchers found that caustic alkaline waste in corroded metal barrels off Los Angeles created extreme environments mirroring natural hydrothermal vents. The discovery suggests the waste has persisted for over half a century, joining DDT as a persistent pollutant with long-term environmental impacts.
A new technique uses ground-based observations and DART data to calculate safe asteroid deflection spots. The method takes into account asteroid shape, surface topology, rotation, and mass to minimize the risk of pushing the asteroid through a 'gravitational keyhole'.
Researchers at Ohio State University discovered that adding an electrical jolt to fermentation increases the yield and speed of platform chemicals from industrial food waste. Combining two bacterial species also enhances targeted chemical production and produces hydrogen gas as a byproduct, reducing waste and greenhouse gas emissions.
Researchers from Edith Cowan University have developed a method to incorporate waste plastics into pavement material, offering a dual benefit of improving road strength and reducing plastic pollution. The study highlights the potential for repurposing household plastics to create more sustainable and resilient roads.
A new study found that fostering lasting habits of frugality is more effective in reducing household food waste than short-term interventions or nudges. Long-standing tendencies to conserve resources were the strongest predictor of food-saving behavior.
Researchers at the University of Sharjah have developed a novel waste-to-carbon technology that utilizes shrimp shells and heads to produce activated carbon. The material exhibits excellent CO2 capture performance and long-term stability, offering a promising candidate for industrial carbon capture applications.
A new UConn study finds that composting programs can reduce organic waste in landfills by 30% per household per week. However, the cost of implementing and maintaining these programs is often too high, making them unfeasible for many municipalities.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a nanocatalyst that converts food waste into sustainable aviation fuel. The team's findings, published in Science Advances, demonstrate the production of an alternative to traditional jet fuel using non-noble metal carbide catalysts.
Researchers are developing a new system to use nuclear waste to produce valuable tritium, which could power over 500,000 homes for six months. The system uses a particle accelerator to jump-start atom-splitting reactions in the waste, producing more tritium than traditional fusion reactors.
In US cities once marked as 'hazardous,' ambulances often take longer to arrive than in previously favored areas. The study analyzed 236 urban areas and found that 7.06% of residents in Grade D tracts lacked rapid access to emergency medical services, compared to 4.36% in Grade A tracts.
A new study from the University of Vaasa demonstrates that fuels refined from waste and industrial by-products can significantly reduce emissions in existing engine applications. Renewable naphtha and marine gas oil, derived from crude tall oil and recycled lubricants respectively, offer efficient and cleaner combustion options.
Researchers have developed a novel polymer nanocomposite from COVID-19 waste masks, achieving record-high thermal conductivity and electromagnetic shielding. The closed-loop upcycling strategy reduces environmental impact and cost, paving the way for sustainable electronics and circular economy applications.
Researchers in Spain and Italy design a new type of asphalt that uses recycled materials from cigarette butts to improve its crack resistance. The additive increases the material's ductility and flexibility, while also reducing manufacturing temperature and energy consumption.
Researchers at KIMS developed a highly durable non-precious metal-based hydrogen evolution catalyst, enabling the production of clean hydrogen by directly utilizing waste alkaline wastewater. The technology reduces costs and environmental pollution, with potential applications in mobility and power industries.
The BfR emphasizes that vitamins and minerals are essential but unnecessary additional intake can lead to health issues. The institute also discusses various health risks associated with food supplements, including plant-based ingredients.
A team at Binghamton University has developed a process to convert food waste into biodegradable plastic, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and offering a sustainable alternative. The process utilizes bacteria to synthesize polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) plastic, which can be harvested and shaped into various products.
A recent study published in Nature reveals that over 16,000 chemicals are present in plastics, with at least 4,200 posing health and environmental hazards. The research outlines three key strategies for making plastics safer: removing hazardous chemicals, increasing transparency, and designing simpler chemically assessed plastics.