A new open-access database, LitChemPlast, has compiled over 3,500 substances measured in plastic products across 47,000 samples. The study highlights substantial knowledge gaps, including contamination of recycled plastics with hazardous substances and limited regional coverage in low- and middle-income countries.
A study published in the British Journal of Anaesthesia found that using a single syringe pump for induction and maintenance of anesthesia reduces propofol waste by 30-50%. This eco-friendly approach can also save hospitals money by reducing the number of propofol vials needed. The researchers analyzed data from over 300 surgeries and ...
A study published in Nature Communications reveals that households with older heads produce nearly twice as much food waste, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions. Vegetables were found to be the most wasted food type, contributing significantly to greenhouse gas emissions.
Researchers developed a novel thermosensitive hydrogel-based fluorescence probe for real-time detection of nitrite in water. The probe features gold nanoclusters and carbon-based dots, providing excellent porous structure and strong stability, allowing for easy and practical visual measurement.
Despite Norway's ambitious circular economy goal, the country incinerates more than 65% of collected waste, with significant gaps in data collection and measurement methods. Researchers propose 18 new methods to improve efficiency, highlighting the need for more accurate reporting on recycling rates.
The LANDFEED project aims to develop advanced nutrient recovery technologies and innovative coatings for bio-based fertilisers to improve nutrient release and efficiency. This will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, lessen environmental impact on water resources, and contribute to improved soil health and sustainable agriculture.
A circular bioeconomy aims to reduce waste, transform industries, and regenerate natural systems for environmentally sustainable food and energy production. The concept needs a values-based economic lens with the right policies and incentives to persuade consumers and producers.
Researchers introduce a novel, green approach to convert citrus waste into bioactive pectin and micronized cellulose using cavitation. The process, termed CytroCav, offers a circular economy practice requiring only water and electricity.
Researchers have devised a method to convert caragana waste into a potential ruminant feed by using a two-stage bioaugmentation process. The TBA process improves the nutritional value and safety of the waste, reducing lignin content and anti-nutritional factors.
A new recycling process reduces environmental impact by eliminating energy-intensive methods, producing harmful waste streams. The innovative technique recovers critical metals with high purity (>95%) and yield (>85%), addressing critical metal shortages and negative environmental impacts.
Researchers have identified nearly 200 potential breast carcinogens in food contact materials, including plastics and paper, highlighting widespread exposure despite existing regulation. The findings emphasize the need for stronger preventative measures to reduce these chemicals in everyday products.
A new study by UCL researchers found that 54% of heavier drinkers would make changes to their drinking if calorie labels were introduced. Hazardous drinkers were more likely to choose lower-calorie drinks and consume fewer drinks.
Scientists at Shanghai Jiao Tong University created a novel glucose sensing system using heterogeneous CuxO nano skeletons from electronic waste. The method employed laser-induced transfer techniques to fabricate electrodes with high sensitivity and stability, achieving detection limits of 0.34 μM.
A study found that state-level food waste bans have largely failed to reduce landfilled waste across the US, with Massachusetts being the lone success. Massachusetts implemented a well-designed and enforced policy, resulting in a significant reduction of 13.2% in waste disposal.
A new study from the University of California Rady School of Management finds that most US states with food waste bans have seen little to no reduction in landfill waste, except for Massachusetts. Researchers highlight three key features of Massachusetts' law as effective in reducing waste.
A new study from the University of Leeds reveals that uncollected waste and open burning of plastic waste are major contributors to the plastic pollution crisis. The research estimates that 52 million tonnes of plastic products entered the environment in 2020, with over two-thirds of it coming from uncollected rubbish.
A novel method for the selective chemical recycling of PET has been developed, allowing for the recovery of polyester from textile waste. The method uses alcohols and an inexpensive iron trichloride catalyst to yield diethyl terephthalate and ethylene glycol with high selectivity.
Researchers successfully restored the brain's waste-clearing process by reviving cervical lymph vessel function in aging mice, utilizing a known drug to boost efficiency. This breakthrough could pave the way for future therapies targeting neurodegenerative diseases.
Researchers at Ben-Gurion University have created a proof-of-concept for a unique aquaponics system that grows fish and vegetables together, producing more produce while using less energy than traditional systems. The closed-loop system recycles fish waste through anaerobic digestion, reducing waste production and carbon emissions.
Scientists at Macquarie University propose using genetically engineered black soldier flies to transform waste management and sustainable biomanufacturing. The flies can consume large volumes of waste quickly, producing valuable industrial inputs such as enzymes and lipids.
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.
Researchers develop new method to combine thermal degradation of olive pomace and plastic waste, generating valuable products like biofuels and reducing pollution. The process is efficient, producing less energy and fewer polluting gases than separate pyrolysis.
Researchers have made a groundbreaking discovery that faulty cell function in veterans with Gulf War Illness (GWI) is likely caused by intense exposure to hazardous biological and chemical agents during war service. This breakthrough provides clear scientific evidence for the condition, offering hope for new treatments.
A recent study identifies areas at risk of waste leakage into aquatic environments, highlighting the need for improved waste management systems and universal waste collection. The research also emphasizes the importance of circular waste management systems to reduce pollution in these ecosystems.
A dog-like quadruped robot equipped with a mechanized arm is developed to detect hazardous gases and volatile organic compounds in hard-to-reach areas. The system uses air samples collected by the robot's arm and analyzed on-site, allowing for safer conditions for scientists and technicians.
A recent Penn State study has discovered that mushroom stump waste can be a nutritious and cost-effective addition to broiler chicken feed. The researchers found that supplementation with up to 3% mushroom stump waste had no negative impact on growth or digestion, but higher levels interfered with amino acid absorption.
Researchers found benzene in 97% of North American natural gas samples, posing a health risk to households with small leaks. The study suggests improved transparency and stricter regulations can improve indoor air quality and public health.
Researchers at Okayama University have developed a novel method to produce carbon nanotube yarns with excess electrons that can harvest waste heat. The yarns achieved high thermoelectric power factors within temperatures ranging from 30 to 200 °C, making them suitable for practical applications such as fabric-based modules.
This study introduces a landscape intervention method to address unequal e-waste treatment, focusing on ecological restoration and local community benefits. The proposed approach combines five concepts: ecological restoration, flood management, stormwater purification, spatial programs, and livelihood income.
A new study published in Scientific Reports predicts the potential formation of 127 acutely toxic chemicals in flavored vapes. The research highlights the urgent need for comprehensive regulation of vaping products, particularly among non-smoking teenagers and young adults.
Researchers at TU Wien have created a nanofabric filter using waste cellulose that can efficiently remove hazardous dyes from water. The filter, called 'nanoweb', uses a high surface area to bind organic dye molecules, resulting in a 95% removal rate.
Researchers at PNNL have developed a simple, water-based solution to separate and purify rare earth elements from e-waste. The new process uses the unique properties of metals to form solids at different rates, resulting in nearly pure minerals recovered in hours rather than days.
New research from Boston Children's Hospital found a significant correlation between historic redlining and present-day non-suicide firearm fatalities. Areas graded as 'hazardous' in the 1930s have nearly six times more non-suicide firearm fatalities today compared to areas graded 'best'.
Researchers have discovered life-threatening quantities of lead pollution from improperly managed battery waste in off-grid solar technologies in Malawi. The study found that common informal recycling activities for lead-acid batteries release toxic lead pollution, equivalent to more than 100 lethal oral doses per single battery.
A recent study found that some water-based paints contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other chemicals of emerging concern. The research, published in ACS' Environmental Science & Technology Letters, analyzed the composition of 40 top-selling water-based paints and discovered varying levels of potentially hazardous compounds.
A new study from the University of Illinois explores the effects of curbside compost collection programs in New South Wales, Australia. On average households redirected 4.2 kilograms of waste to composting, representing 25% of the waste that previously went to landfills.
Researchers propose a new strategy for converting waste heat into chemical energy through thermoelectrocatalysis, offering improved energy utilization efficiency and emission reduction. The study identifies four major working modes and explores ways to optimize thermoelectric properties for enhanced performance.
The Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials has developed a high-temperature steam sterilization-type medical waste treatment system capable of processing 100 kg/h. This technology can eliminate the risk of infection during loading and transportation processes, saving hospitals KRW 71.8 billion annually.
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.
SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 12, 2024
Climate models suggest Arctic sea ice will slow down during summer seasons, potentially reducing hazardous conditions for marine transportation, but still posing concerns for ecosystems and global climate change. A York University study found that while the slowdown is plausible, questions remain about its timing.
Scientists at Washington University School of Medicine discovered that neurons coordinate to produce rhythmic waves that propel fluid through dense brain tissue, washing the tissue in the process. This finding has implications for delaying or preventing neurodegenerative diseases by enhancing the brain's cleaning abilities.
Researchers found that an experimental drug called Yoda1 may help repair the brain's lymphatic system and glymphatic function in mice with craniosynostosis and aged mice. The study shows promise for treating Alzheimer's disease by improving brain waste-clearance systems.
Researchers at the University of Tokyo have developed a method to accurately measure and predict neutron-induced transmutation, which can make nuclear waste more stable. This technique could lead to improved nuclear waste treatment facilities and new theories about the creation of heavier elements in the universe.
Researchers at University of Limerick in Ireland have discovered a way to efficiently convert low-grade heat into electricity using lignin-derived membranes. The breakthrough technology has significant potential for developing sustainable heat-to-electricity applications, reducing waste heat's environmental impact.
A new study transforms sewage sludge into activated carbon, reducing energy costs and increasing its industrial value. The process produces a highly porous material useful for decontamination processes like water purification and gas treatment.
A new study found that a four-week family-based food literacy program reduced fruit and vegetable-avoidable waste in families with school-aged children. The program included online cooking classes, text messages, and toolkits to promote meal preparation and reduce food waste.
A new study found that solid waste scales linearly, while wastewater production and greenhouse gas emissions scale superlinearly and sub-linearly, respectively. Cities with higher per-capita GDP generate more waste, highlighting the link between economic growth and waste generation.
A new study finds that cities with higher per-capita GDP generate more waste, while economies of scale reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The research uses scaling theory to analyze waste products from over 1,000 cities worldwide.
Researchers from Kaunas University of Technology and Lithuanian Energy Institute investigate the possibilities of plasma gasification to convert surgical mask waste into hydrogen-rich syngas, which shows a 42% higher heating value than biomass. The obtained syngas can be used as clean fuel with low carbon emissions.
Researchers propose using waste materials like agricultural residues and old cotton textile waste to produce regenerative textiles. The study evaluates the potential of these waste sources for textile applications, identifying soybean, wheat, rice, sorghum, and sugarcane residues as suitable candidates.
New analysis by NREL researchers estimates that 56% of paper and cardboard waste is landfilled, contributing to energy and resource losses. The study highlights opportunities for diversion and recovery of technical and economic value from these materials.
A team at Hokkaido University has developed a method to reuse plastic waste while improving process safety and efficiency. The approach uses common plastic materials to initiate radical chain reactions, detoxifying hazardous chemicals and reducing toxicity.
Researchers at KAIST have developed eco-friendly technologies for producing plastics and processing waste plastics using microorganisms. The team presented the latest microorganism-based technologies that can produce plastics from renewable biomass resources and decompose waste plastics, contributing to a circular economy.
A team of experts has developed a way to convert polyethylene waste into ethylene and propionic acid through atomically dispersed metal catalysts. This method uses renewable solar energy to produce valuable chemicals with high selectivity, alleviating the need for complex separation processes.
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.
Researchers at Kaunas University of Technology develop method to treat cigarette butts using pyrolysis, producing oil, char, and gas with real applications in fertilizers, wastewater treatment, energy storage, and biofuels. The process reduces biodiesel production costs by adding triacetin-rich oil as an additive.
Researchers estimate that halving Europe's food loss and waste can save 51 million tonnes CO2 equivalents, 6% agricultural land use, and 7% water consumption. Monitoring and reporting of food loss and waste is crucial for policy intervention to prevent food loss and waste.
Researchers have developed a plastic-eating E. coli that can efficiently turn polyethylene terephthalate (PET) waste into adipic acid, a feedstock for making nylon materials and other products. The engineered microbes converted up to 79% of PET waste into adipic acid, offering a potential solution to the global plastic waste problem.
Researchers analyze waste samples from 55 lined pit latrines in Malawi to understand the complex microbial communities. The findings reveal that aerobic microbes are more abundant near the surface and anaerobic microbes deeper in the pit, helping break down human waste and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Lehigh University researchers have developed a technique using machine learning and advanced spectroscopy to characterize waste feedstocks for gasification-produced hydrogen. This process has the potential to eliminate hazards associated with stored coal waste and reclaim valuable resources, while also emitting fewer pollutants than tr...