Researchers have discovered that wheat and couch grass can accumulate high concentrations of toxic metals from contaminated soils, removing them and making the soil safer. The plants' ability to phytoextract toxic metals makes them promising candidates for effective cleaning of soils using phytoremediation.
Scientists at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory are working to develop technology for efficient lithium extraction from geothermal brine in California. The projects aim to unlock the state's potential as a major supplier of lithium, essential for battery production and global demand is expected to skyrocket.
A new, efficient method to detect toxic heavy metals like arsenic, cadmium, and chromium in vegetables and drinking water has been developed by researchers at the University of Johannesburg. The technique combines established methods with automation and can test for multiple metals simultaneously.
Researchers at the Flatiron Institute and Cornell University developed a robust theoretical model of strange metals, revealing their existence as a new state of matter. The model shows that strange metals exhibit properties linked to temperature and fundamental constants, with surprising connections to black holes and high-temperature ...
Electrons in Planckian metals exhibit high-temperature superconductivity due to their desire for social distancing. By adjusting the ratio between kinetic energy and interaction energy, researchers created a model that captures the system's behavior down to absolute zero.
A new study by NYU Langone Health found that commercially available fireworks emit toxic metals such as lead, copper, and titanium, which can damage human cells and animal lungs. Exposure to these particles was also linked to increased oxidation in the body, a chemical process that can cause cell damage.
Scientists have discovered previously unrecognized structural lines 100 miles down in the earth, signaling locations of giant copper, lead, zinc deposits. The discovery could narrow search areas and reduce future mine footprints.
The Resource for Quantitative Elemental Mapping for the Life Sciences (QE-Map) will enable unprecedented insights into metal role in human health and disease. QE-Map will pioneer cutting-edge imaging and detection technologies to deepen understanding of interplay between metals and biological processes.
Researchers analyzed cores from the Basque Mud Patch to determine sedimentation rates and detect environmental contamination. The study found that metals and contaminants accumulate at an approximate rate of one millimeter per year, highlighting human activity's impact on the coastal area.
Researchers have synthesized a porphyrin polymer that can capture precious metals from chemically digested electronic waste. The polymer, COP-180, shows high efficiency in capturing gold, with an estimated worth of $64 per $5 of the material.
Researchers discovered that ancient fish fossils near Japan hold valuable rare-earth elements, indicating potential new global supply sources. The findings suggest that fish populations were drawn to specific locations due to climate change and underwater geology, resulting in concentrated deposits of these metals.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have discovered that applying intense optical fields to electrons in metals can change their electronic properties. This 'dressing' effect allows for potential applications in conventional electronics, quantum computing, and entirely new areas of research.
Researchers at UNSW Sydney synthesized ultra-thin carbon-based materials using liquid metals and organic fuels at room temperature, a first for this method. The ultra-smooth surface of the liquid metals templates atomically-thin carbon-based sheets, which can be used in various applications including battery storage and solar cells.
Scientists find electricity generated by interactions between water molecules and metals can be harnessed to create a new source of energy. The study reveals that high humidity levels above 60% can produce voltages up to one volt, offering potential for developing batteries charged from water vapor in the air.
Researchers at USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences have successfully created metallic ammonia, allowing for a clearer understanding of the behavior of delocalized electrons. The study's findings open up new possibilities for synthesizing important organic compounds using this unique solution.
An international team developed a sophisticated experimental technique at BESSY II to observe the formation of a metallic conduction band in electrolytes. The team analyzed the process using soft X-rays and combined it with theoretical predictions, making this a significant contribution to fundamental understanding.
Available data indicate heavy metal levels in some Alaskan soils often exceed average US levels, with critical gaps in monitoring due to limited publicly available data. The study highlights the need for further sampling near human populations and in permafrost-heavy regions to clarify exposure risks.
A study by Curtin University found that tiger snakes living in Perth's urban wetlands are accumulating toxic heavy metals in their livers, suggesting habitat contamination. The snakes' bioaccumulation of heavy metals through eating frogs indicates the wetlands' pollution levels are a concern for local biodiversity.
Researchers at Cornell University used single-molecule tracking and protein quantitation to study the mechanism of bacteria's resistance to toxic metals, revealing a complex series of steps that lead to detoxification. The discovery could lead to the development of more effective antibacterial treatments.
A new patented process using ligand-assisted chromatography enables the efficient and environmentally friendly purification of critical rare earth metals. The technology, developed by Purdue University, has successfully shown to separate the metals without devastating environmental effects.
Scientists at Saarland University study atomic rearrangements in a gold alloy as it cools, revealing a fundamental new finding that challenges conventional wisdom. The researchers found that the freezing process is decoupled from the alpha-relaxation rate, leading to improved understanding of amorphous metals and glass-forming materials.
Researchers are developing new metal catalysts for drug discovery, potentially offering lower therapeutic dosages and fewer side effects. The project aims to create synthetic forms of biological macromolecules that detoxify aldehydes, addressing biochemical imbalance and disease development.
Researchers at the University of Maryland have developed a novel method to mix immiscible metals at the nanoscale, creating a range of bimetallic materials. This breakthrough enables the rapid synthesis of copper-based alloys with uniform structure and morphology.
Microalgae in coral cells may compensate with other metals when iron is limited, potentially affecting vital biological functions. Research found that different species of microalgae acquire other trace metals in unique quantities, which could have cascading effects on coral health.
A new photosensitizer compound created by West Virginia University researchers has the potential to significantly improve the efficiency of solar panels and other technologies. The compound, made from zirconium, can convert light into electrical energy, making it a more sustainable and cost-effective option for renewable energy.
Researchers developed a theoretical framework to estimate metal ultimate strength without fit parameters. The new model was able to accurately predict the strengths of nearly 20 different metals.
Researchers discovered that a single soft x-ray can destroy a protein-sized molecule by inducing radiation damage in neighboring atoms. The findings could lead to safer medical imaging and a better understanding of heavy metals' electronic properties.
Researchers at Swansea University have discovered that semiconductor materials can behave like metals and even superconductors when their surface crystals are structured in a specific way. This breakthrough could lead to advances in energy-efficient electronic devices with lossless energy transport.
A collaborative research team has developed a system that uses less expensive materials to split water into hydrogen and oxygen, comparable to the current most popular system but without precious metals. This advance holds promise for affordable renewable energy storage and could increase hydrogen production rates nearly tenfold.
Researchers at York University have created a new carbon-based organic molecule that can replace cobalt in lithium-ion batteries, reducing environmental impact. The new material maintains high power capabilities and stability while being environmentally friendly.
University of Queensland researchers have discovered 23 metal compounds with antibacterial and antifungal activity, selectively killing bacteria like MRSA but not human cells. The findings offer promise for outwitting bacterial resistance, as the new compounds may use different mechanisms than existing antibiotics.
A new device called SEPSTAT can absorb trace contaminants from water and preserve them in a dry state, allowing for easy mail-in testing. This technology has the potential to improve water quality monitoring, particularly in resource-constrained regions.
Scientists have discovered that ultra-strong metals can be created by reducing grain size to below 10 nanometers, contrary to previous assumptions. The study found that high pressure overcomes grain sliding effects, leading to extreme strengthening in finely grained samples.
A recent study by the University of California, Riverside found that e-cigarette users have elevated biomarkers of exposure and potential harm, including zinc excess correlated with oxidative DNA damage. The study highlights the risks of prolonged e-cigarette use and advises physicians to exercise caution when recommending e-cigarettes.
A study found records of 23 trace metals in an ice core from the Dasuopu glacier, accumulating since 1499 and peaking during winter and spring. The onset of human impact on the Himalayas is unclear due to limited ice core records, but evidence suggests anthropogenic activity may have started around 1780.
A team of researchers has created a novel organic and biodegradable compound for MRI contrast agents, eliminating the need for heavy metals like gadolinium. The new agent is developed by attaching an organic radical contrast agent to a plant virus and wrapping it in a protective chemical cage.
Scientists at DESY used an advanced X-ray combination technique to trace nanocarriers for tuberculosis drugs within cells with high precision. The method also revealed the calcium content in human bone, benefiting osteoporosis research.
Researchers at the University of British Columbia have demonstrated a new way to control electrical currents in materials by leveraging electron spin and orbital rotation. This breakthrough enables metal-insulator transitions, which could lead to new electronic, magnetic, and sensing applications.
Researchers at Purdue University have developed a hybrid technique to fabricate strong and corrosion-resistant nickel with high-density ultrafine twin structure. The new material exhibits improved mechanical strength, low corrosion current density and high polarization resistance, making it suitable for applications in the automotive, ...
Researchers at Penn State have developed a method to produce over 65,000 different types of nanoparticles, each containing up to six different materials. This breakthrough allows for the creation of complex particles with precise interfaces, opening up new possibilities for electrical and optical applications.
A new synthesis method has been developed to unlock the secrets of 'strange metals', which exhibit unusual temperature behavior. The research team's findings confirm that quantum-critical charge fluctuations play a key role in their behavior.
Water molecules behave differently on bismuth telluride compared to conventional metals, repelling each other and remaining isolated on the surface. This discovery is significant as it suggests an advantage in applications exposed to typical environmental conditions.
The study found that the depth of porphyry copper and gold deposits influences their composition, with deeper deposits containing more copper and shallower deposits containing more gold. Over 95% of gold is lost to the atmosphere through volcanic emissions, making it challenging for companies to extract this metal.
A new study by New York University researchers reveals that flame retardants and pesticides are now the leading causes of IQ loss in children, outweighing heavy metals. The study found that over 1 million children suffered from intellectual disability between 2001 and 2016 due to exposure to these toxic chemicals.
A team of scientists has discovered a voltage-induced 'superfluid' like penetration effect in liquid metals at room temperature, mimicking the properties of liquid helium superfluids. The phenomenon occurs due to the reduction of surface tension, enabling the liquid metal to superwet and penetrate porous materials.
Researchers at RMIT University have developed a new technology to destroy bacteria and bacterial biofilm without harming good cells, offering a potential solution to the deadly problem of antibiotic resistance. The technology uses precision-engineered liquid metals to physically rip bacteria to shreds and smash through the biofilm wher...
A new study published in Geology reveals that deep-sea nodules remain uncovered due to their association with seafloor fauna, which forages and burrows sediment around them. The findings suggest that the regions where nodules occur are more extensive than previously thought, highlighting potential economic and conservation implications.
Leatherback turtle eggs laid in Bocas del Toro nesting beaches contain high concentrations of trace metals, posing a health risk to local communities. The ingestion of these eggs could lead to increased lifetime carcinogenic risk for adults and children.
Astronomers have cataloged signs of 9 heavy metals in supergiant and giant stars, allowing researchers to study the chemical composition and evolution of galaxies. By analyzing these elements, scientists can reconstruct the history of galaxies, including events like binary neutron star mergers that affected the Milky Way.
A study by the Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona has identified the regulation and metal uptake systems of Mycoplasma genitalium, a sexually transmitted pathogen responsible for genitourinary diseases. The discovery reveals strategies that bacteria use to acquire essential metals for survival, making them a promising therapeutic target.
Researchers describe the current state of metal toxicity modeling and science-based best practices for water chemistry. The latest models support improved ecosystem protection, but outdated regulations remain a concern.
The global low-carbon revolution faces a significant threat unless new governance mechanisms are established to ensure a sustainable supply of rare minerals and metals. The extraction and processing of these materials poses environmental and social risks, and their growing demand could lead to shortages and market instability.
Leptothrix cholodnii forms long filaments with nanofibrils, which capture precious metals and aid in niche establishment. The structure is essential for bacterial cell attachment to solid surfaces.
Scientists from Peter the Great St.Petersburg Polytechnic University detected a surface effect that prevents hydrogen from entering metal, causing errors in industrial testing and evaluation of materials properties. A theoretical model was developed to describe this phenomenon.
The study of two Siberian blue lakes reveals a similarity in zooplankton species composition to other Western Siberian lakes, with species such as cladocerans and copepods dominating. The concentration of heavy metals exceeds sanitary standards, but is characteristic of the region's aquatic ecosystems.
A team of Florida State University researchers discovered that microwave treatment can remove three times the amount of lead from biosolids compared to conventional methods. This innovative process could reduce processing costs by over 60% and make biosolids safer for use in agriculture.
A study of six beaches in Brazil found a direct correlation between urbanization, metal contamination, and increased metabolic stress in mussels. The researchers suggest that this evidence should be used to inform public policy and mitigate the effects of human activities on marine ecosystems.
Computer simulations have yielded a more accurate picture of strange metals and their connection to high-temperature superconductivity. The study reveals that changing temperature or electron flow can flip the material between a superconductive state and a strange metal state, shedding light on this phenomenon.
Scientists developed a new approach to create metal-metal composites with a 3-D interconnected structure in thin films. The heat-driven process, called thin-film solid-state interfacial dealloying (SSID), has potential applications in catalysis, energy generation and storage, and biomedical sensing.
Researchers developed a new method to separate mixtures of rare earth metals using magnetic fields, achieving a doubling in separation performance. This breakthrough has potential applications for recycling and can help address geopolitical and climate issues associated with rare earth mining and recycling.