Research explores impact of exogenous additives on heavy metal passivation and nitrogen retention in pig manure composting. Microbial additives show promise in reducing bioavailability of heavy metals, while also improving nitrogen retention.
A new study by University of Illinois Chicago researchers found that high levels of toxic metals in urine predicted faster increases in blood sugar. Individuals with highest arsenic exposure qualified as prediabetic 23 months earlier and diabetic 65 months earlier than those with lowest exposure.
Researchers have developed a sugar-like polymer that traps heavy metals within insoluble clumps for easy removal, demonstrating potential as a recyclable material. The polymer showed high efficiency in removing cadmium and lead from river water, with minimal impact on other metal ions.
A team of researchers from the University of Michigan and Caltech argues that iron was life's primeval metal. They found that early oceans were rich in iron, which is essential for biomolecules to bind to metals. This discovery challenges previous assumptions about the importance of other transition metals like zinc.
Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory discovered a chemical 'chameleon' that can improve the process of purifying rare-earth metals. The ligand changes its behavior depending on experimental conditions, allowing for multiple separations in different orders.
Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories have created a cleaner way to separate rare-earth elements from complex mixtures. They designed sponges that selectively absorb one metal while excluding others, with the potential to improve purification processes globally.
Researchers confirm Kagome superconductor, a class of materials with star-shaped structure exhibiting unique electronic, magnetic, and superconducting properties. The discovery enables novel electronic components, such as superconducting diodes, with potential for energy-efficient quantum devices.
Researchers at Singapore University of Technology and Design have developed a novel approach to metalworking using chitinous colloids and composites. By leveraging the affinity between chitin and metals, they created functional metallic structures without high temperatures or pressures.
Researchers at Pohang University of Science & Technology have unveiled an eco-friendly method to extract rare metals from semiconductor waste, recovering precious tungsten and assessing its economic viability. The bioleaching process, using a fungus to dissolve metals, is found to be 7% cheaper than traditional methods.
A University of Michigan-led study found that higher levels of metals in blood and urine are associated with a greater risk for ALS and shorter survival. Occupational exposure to metals was also linked to increased metal levels, emphasizing the need for accounting for environmental factors when evaluating overall exposure risk.
A new study finds that higher levels of six urinary metals are linked to increased cardiovascular disease and mortality in a diverse US population. The findings support the role of urinary metals as novel risk factors for CVD and all-cause mortality.
A study found high levels of lead, cadmium, and arsenic in US cocoa products, including organic options. Moderate consumption is advised, especially for those with higher exposure risks.
Cadmium toxicity is associated with miRNA dysregulation, influencing disease progression. Research highlights specific miRNAs as biomarkers for Cd exposure and health effects.
Researchers at the University of Sydney have proposed a new way to reduce industrial emissions by utilizing liquid metals in chemical reactions. This approach aims to decrease energy requirements and lower greenhouse gas emissions.
A team of researchers has developed a simple and efficient method to separate and recover rare earth metals from complex mixtures, including Europium. This approach uses tetrathiometallates to reduce the need for chemical- and energy-intensive separation processes, making it a more environmentally friendly and economically viable option.
A study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that tampons from several brands can contain toxic metals like lead, arsenic, and cadmium. The research evaluated levels of 16 metals in 30 tampons from 14 different brands, revealing that metals were present in all types of tampons, regardless of organic or non-org...
A new study by UC Berkeley researchers finds that tampons from various brands contain toxic metals, including lead and arsenic. The findings highlight the potential public health risks associated with tampon use.
Researchers have discovered unusual transport phenomena in ultra-clean SrVO3 samples, contradicting long-standing scientific consensus. The study's findings challenge theoretical models of electron correlation effects and offer insights into the behavior of transparent metals.
Researchers designed a novel oxide material Ca3Co3O8 with remarkable properties of ferromagnetism and polar distortion, combining electric polarization and metallicity. The material's robust topological Hall effect advances understanding of magnetic materials and interactions.
Scientists from the Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have discovered a new way to produce ammonia, an essential fertilizer and component of cleaning products, using rare-earth metals as catalysts. The process operates at ambient conditions, reducing energy consumption and promoting food security.
Researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory identified 28 trace metals in secondhand and thirdhand tobacco smoke, including cadmium, arsenic, and chromium. The study found that the predicted indoor air concentration for these metals exceeded California's cancer risk guidelines, highlighting the need to understand their contrib...
A new tool identifies toxic metals in mineral phosphate fertilizers worldwide, with higher levels found in US and Middle East fertilizers compared to China and India. Researchers use strontium isotopes to detect fertilizer impacts on soil and water resources.
Scientists have discovered a new way to transform an insulating material into a semimetal by exposing it to ultrafast laser pulses. This process alters the energy states and electron movement, temporarily creating a semimetallic state that can be used in devices with dynamic properties.
Researchers found that white dwarfs continuously consume smaller objects in their path, explaining the presence of heavy metals on their surface. The 'natal kick' during formation alters the dynamics of surrounding material, causing comets and asteroids to become elongated orbits and move as one coherent unit.
A new study finds that warming climate is causing a doubling of copper, zinc, and sulfate concentrations in metal sulfide-rich watersheds in Colorado's mountains. The greatest increases are seen at high altitudes, where natural chemical weathering of bedrock is the source of rising acidity and metals.
A recent analysis of six species of seaweeds found in Hawaii reveals that they are rich in essential minerals and nutrients, yet may also contain unsafe levels of heavy metals. The study highlights the need for regulation and informed cooking practices to ensure nutritious and safe seaweed products.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a novel electrochemical process to extract precious metals, including gold and platinum group metals, from discarded electronics and low-grade ores. This method uses less energy and fewer chemical materials than current methods, producing high-purity metals with minimal waste.
Research sheds light on how concentrations of metals used in renewable energy technologies can be transported from deep within the Earth's interior mantle by low temperature, carbon-rich melts. Carbonate melts effectively dissolve and transport base metals, precious metals, and oxidised sulfur.
Chalmers University researchers create a sustainable method for extracting pure gold from scrap using biodiesel and malonamide. This process replaces toxic chemicals and fossil solvents, offering benefits for the metal industry and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Researchers discovered that catalytic properties of buried transitional metals can be conducted to exposed inert main group metals through metallic bonding. The team built real metal systems containing buried transitional metal centers, showing expected catalytic performance in various reactions.
Researchers found associations between prenatal vitamin and metal exposures and epigenetic aging biomarkers in early life. A one standard deviation increase in essential metals was associated with lower Horvath EAA at birth, while arsenic was linked to greater EAA at birth and in childhood.
Researchers discovered that spent brewer's yeast, used in Marmite production, can selectively capture metals from electronic waste streams, recovering over 50% of aluminum, copper, and zinc. The yeast can be reused multiple times, making the process economically feasible.
Researchers have developed a low-tech method to collect rare-earth metals from spent fluorescent bulbs, mimicking lamp components with magnetic field-controlled chromatography. The process recovered 93% of the rare-earth phosphors, paving the way for practical recycling applications and sustainable technologies.
A novel method for recovering copper, lead, and zinc from copper smelting slag has been developed, achieving high recovery rates of nearly 98% for copper and zinc. This breakthrough technique reduces environmental harm by significantly decreasing the harmful residues in leftover slag.
Researchers have discovered a unique signature of planetary material ingestion on the surface of a white dwarf star, WD 0816-310. The team observed a concentration of metals imprinted on the star's surface, indicating that the magnetic field played a key role in this process.
Researchers found that streams with ample groundwater connections have greater microbial diversity and are more effective at preventing toxic metal entry. They also better detoxify existing metals.
A common mineral in red soils, goethite locks away trace metals over time, rendering them unavailable for plants and animals. The study found that up to 70% of nickel was non-recoverable and only 8% of cadmium was irreversibly bound.
A research team led by Professor Yang Yong found that severely oxidized metallic glass nanotubes can attain an ultrahigh recoverable elastic strain of up to 14% at room temperature. The discovery implies that oxidation in low-dimension metallic glass can result in unique properties for applications in sensors, medical devices, and othe...
Researchers have successfully induced and controlled polarization states within metals using flexoelectric fields. This method has the potential to mitigate power losses attributed to semiconductors and extend battery lifespan in electronic devices.
Middle-aged women exposed to toxic metals have fewer eggs in their ovaries as they approach menopause, according to a new study. The researchers found that higher levels of heavy metals such as arsenic and cadmium are associated with lower Anti-Müllerian hormone levels, indicating diminished ovarian reserve.
Researchers from Osaka University developed an economical catalyst for a common chemical transformation, replacing rare metals with cheaper substitutes like nickel. The novel catalyst showed high activity, reusability, and high yields.
An international team of scientists found evidence of ancient heavy metal pollution in Antarctic ice cores from early Andean cultures and Spanish Colonial mining dating back to the 13th century. The study, published in Science of the Total Environment, reveals significant lead and other toxic metals were released into the atmosphere as...
A new study led by Dr. Tyler Frankel has identified cancer-causing contaminants in sediments and fish in a Chesapeake Bay tributary, highlighting the importance of considering exposure pathways in conservation strategies.
Two studies found moderate to high risk scores for cancers and non-cancer health effects associated with lead, arsenic, and cadmium exposure. Exposure to these heavy metals through contaminated food is linked to increased risks of various types of cancer, including lung, bladder, skin, and prostate cancers.
Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have developed a new, efficient, and environmentally-friendly solution for lithium-ion battery recycling using organic citric acid. This approach recovers critical metals like cobalt and lithium, reduces pollution and reliance on foreign sources, and eliminates the need for hazardous chemicals.
A University of Alaska Fairbanks team is exploring whether seaweeds can absorb rare-earth elements, with the goal of expanding the US supply and finding a low-impact alternative to mining. The project aims to determine if seaweeds can accumulate metals in concentrations that make financial recovery viable.
Rice physicists find that a 'strange metal' quantum material exhibits greatly suppressed shot noise, suggesting unconventional charge transport mechanisms. The study provides direct empirical evidence for the idea that electricity may flow through strange metals in an unusual liquidlike form.
Researchers designed PdFe/Cu nanocatalysts using a stepwise co-reduction method, exhibiting enhanced oxidation properties and durability. The addition of Cu to the precursor transformed spherical PtFe nanoparticles into chains with improved methanol oxidation capabilities.
Researchers recreated ancient seawater to study nutrient availability, finding a preference for metals like manganese and molybdenum. Greenalite formation removed zinc, copper, and vanadium from seawater, matching the metal choices of early lifeforms.
Researchers at the University of Sydney have developed a new technique using liquid metals to replace energy-intensive chemical engineering processes. The method reduces greenhouse gas emissions by up to 15% and enables the production of high-energy fuels like propylene, crucial for various industries.
A team of researchers from City University of Hong Kong and Shanghai Jiao Tong University has developed a novel aluminium alloy with unprecedented fatigue resistance using advanced 3D printing techniques. The new alloy, called NTD-Al, surpasses the fatigue strength of high-strength wrought Al alloys and conventional metals.
Researchers at the University of California, San Diego have discovered a way to make ceramics tougher and more resistant to cracking. By using metal atoms with more electrons in their outer shell, they unlocked the potential to enable ceramics to handle higher levels of force and stress.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a high-yield, low-cost method for reclaiming metals directly from mixed battery waste. The new process uses the 'flash' technique to separate critical metals, reducing energy and acid consumption by up to 100-fold and lowering carbon dioxide emissions.
A new NIH study found that high levels of certain minerals and metals in environmental water supplies may increase the risk of nontuberculous mycobacteria pulmonary infections in people with cystic fibrosis. The presence of sulfate, vanadium, and molybdenum was positively associated with increased incidence of lung infections.
A new study led by Wayne State University aims to discover gene-heavy metal interactions in human livers that contribute to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The research, funded by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, will investigate how naturally accumulated metals interact with the liver genome.
Researchers have identified a mechanism explaining the characteristic properties of strange metals, which operate outside normal rules of electricity. The theory combines two properties: electron entanglement and nonuniform atomic arrangement, resulting in electrical resistance.
Researchers have developed a novel catalysis scheme that enables previously impossible chemical reactions without the use of rare and precious metals. The method uses light to activate the catalyst, allowing for the optimization of the process.
Research discusses challenges and future directions for porous metallic implant fabrication, focusing on microstructure, biocompatibility, and mechanical properties. The review aims to promote metabolite and nutrient exchange, bone ingrowth, and improved implant-tissue anchorage.
Researchers found that micro- and meso-plastics accumulate heavy metals, with copper and chromium being prominent contaminants. The study reveals how surface features like holes, biofilms, and mineral crystals facilitate the collection of pollutants on plastic particles.
Researchers at WVU's forensic lab discovered how organic and inorganic compounds in gunshot residue differ in their persistence on surfaces and transfer. This breakthrough allows crime scene investigators to distinguish between 'greener' and traditional ammunition, enabling faster and more informed decisions at crime scenes.