Researchers developed a novel compound to target prostate cancer using radioactive atom astatine-211, potentially overcoming issues with previous compounds like deastatination. The study found high accumulation in tumors and low accumulation in vital organs, highlighting the potential of this new compound for targeted alpha therapy.
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.
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 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 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.
Researchers image radioactive cesium atoms in pollucite inclusions within Cs-rich microparticles, shedding light on the lingering challenges of radioactive waste management. The breakthrough analysis provides crucial information on the chemical form of cesium in particles and fuel debris.
A team at Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology has developed a new material, hexagonal boron nitride, that can efficiently remove uranium from contaminated soil. The research shows that the material can be reused multiple times without causing secondary environmental pollution.
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.
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 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
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.
Cesium removal from radioactive wastewater is a challenging task due to the complex chemical nature of cesium and sheer volume of contaminated water. Recent studies have explored various methods, including adsorption and membrane separation, which show promise for effective treatment with low environmental impact.
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.
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 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.
Chinese researchers are exploring advanced porous nanomaterials and technologies to reduce radionuclide discharge into the environment. These materials possess high specific surface area, abundant pore structures, exceptional stability, and design flexibility, making them promising candidates for radionuclide removal.
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...
Researchers at Osaka University have developed a novel radioactive antibody that can diagnose and treat a deadly type of pancreatic cancer. The antibody targets glypican-1, a protein highly expressed in PDAC tumors, allowing for early detection and treatment with improved survival rates.
Researchers from Zhejiang University developed a new method to simulate radionuclide transport in fractured granite, using hyper-gravity experiments and 3D-printed fracture networks. This breakthrough could improve deep geological disposal methods and mitigate the risk of nuclear waste leakage.
Researchers at Shibaura Institute of Technology developed a cellulose-based thickener to reduce environmental risks associated with liquefied stabilized soil. The thickener prevents bleeding, loss of fine particles, and unwanted settling, while maintaining soil strength.
The planned releases of radioactive wastewater from Fukushima Daiichi will have negligible effects on the environment, according to a study published in Science. The predicted radiation doses from the discharges are smaller than exposure to natural radiation or medical x-rays, posing no real threat to local seafood consumers.
Scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have developed a technology that converts unrecyclable plastic waste into useful chemicals, reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. This new approach presents a promising strategy for establishing closed-loop circularity of plastics and fighting global plastic waste.
A novel numerical analysis successfully replicates observed excavation damaged zone (EDZ) trends at the Horonobe underground research laboratory. The study demonstrates high reproducibility and accurately depicts fracture failure modes, addressing a key aspect of rock deformation and fracturing interactions.
Researchers at Rice University have discovered a method to produce clean hydrogen gas from waste plastics using low-emissions technology. By utilizing rapid flash Joule heating, they can convert plastic waste into high-yield hydrogen and valuable graphene, which could offset the production costs of clean hydrogen.
A UH research team is developing innovative chemical processes to transform plastic waste into useful materials, aiming to create new ways to reuse and recycle polyolefins. The project seeks to produce durable thermoset materials that can be recycled multiple times, reducing environmental impact and promoting a circular plastics economy.
Researchers found elevated soil lead levels in city parks that previously housed garbage incinerators and waste ash, with some levels exceeding EPA's threshold. The study provides insights into potential lead exposures for park visitors.
The UK and Japan partnership aims to develop new technologies for detecting and processing radioactive waste. Researchers will focus on improving inspection technologies using hyperspectral imaging and exploring calcined clays as natural resources to engineer 'geopolymer binders'.
A new study found that 'green nudges' significantly reduced single-use cutlery waste in China's food delivery industry, increasing environmentally friendly orders by 648%. The intervention of defaulting to 'no cutlery' options and rewarding customers for choosing eco-friendly options saved over 21.75 billion sets of SUC annually.
A new study found that green nudges on a Chinese food-delivery platform increased the share of no-cutlery orders by 648 percent, saving over 3.26 million metric tons of plastic waste annually. The platform's rewards system, which included redeemable points for planting trees, was instrumental in changing consumer behavior.
Researchers found that nuclear weapon fallout from 60 to 80 years ago also contributes to the persistent radioactivity in German wild boars. The team measured cesium-137 levels and compared them to cesium-135 using a mass spectrometer, finding that nuclear weapons testing supplied between 10 and 68% of the contamination.
Engineers at RMIT University have developed a technique to make concrete 30% stronger using biochar made from roasted used-coffee grounds. This innovation reduces waste going to landfills and emits fewer greenhouse gases, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional construction materials.
A team of scientists led by Timothy Gray has discovered a long-lived excited state in radioactive sodium-32 nuclei, which has an unusually long lifetime of 24 microseconds. This finding challenges traditional nuclear structure models and raises questions about how nuclear shapes evolve over time.
A new technique converts kale waste into phytochemicals for use in health and personal care products, preserving potency and using non-toxic solvents. The method reduces energy consumption and emissions, making it attractive for industry adoption and supporting a circular economy.
Researchers from Michigan State University's School of Packaging have developed a bio-based polymer blend that is compostable in both home and industrial settings. The blend, which includes polylactic acid (PLA) and thermoplastic starch, reduces the amount of waste sent to landfills and enables efficient recycling.
A new study from UC San Diego's Rady School of Management suggests that dynamic pricing could be a more effective way for grocery chains to reduce food waste and mitigate climate change. By analyzing data from Pick 'n Save, the study found that dynamic pricing can reduce waste by 21% while increasing profit margins among retailers.
Researchers at UC Irvine and CU Boulder found that curbing food spoilage increases the amount of produce in markets, leading to lower costs. This results in cheaper food that encourages consumers to buy and eat more, offsetting some environmental benefits.
Researchers at UBC Okanagan have developed a new method to incorporate used plastic bottles into clay soil stabilization in landfills, strengthening the soil and preventing pollutants from escaping. This innovative approach has the potential to divert millions of metric tons of plastic waste from landfills each year.