Researchers found that students who were satisfied with their meals wasted less food. Diners who visited the dining commons frequently and were familiar with the menu options also tended to waste less food. The study's results suggest that posting signs encouraging healthier choices could help reduce food waste.
A recent study by researchers at the University of Johannesburg shows how AI can forecast municipal solid waste in a large African city. By using machine learning algorithms and combining data from various sources, including census data and landfill site records, the team was able to predict the city's waste management needs until 2050...
Researchers at Rice University have developed a process to convert waste rubber tires into graphene, which can strengthen concrete and reduce carbon emissions. The new material has shown significant gains in compressive strength when blended with Portland cement.
Biologists Auke-Florian Hiemstra and Liselotte Rambonnet found reports of various animals becoming entangled in corona waste, including foxes, birds, hedgehogs, seagulls, crabs, and bats. The diversity of affected species is considerable, with vertebrates and invertebrates on land, in freshwater, and seawater also impacted.
A study on rehabilitating an old mine waste rock pile found that a new technique can successfully restore vegetation and reduce toxicity risks. The technique involves classifying and managing excavation waste based on its geochemical properties to prevent acid drainage and contamination.
Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have successfully extracted the rare and valuable isotope promethium-147 from plutonium waste. This process not only reduces disposal costs but also provides a new source of the isotope, which has applications in nuclear batteries, medical imaging, and space exploration.
A shift in beverage sales towards medium-sized plastic bottles could reduce PET waste by 1% each year, resulting in a potential reduction of 9,052 tonnes. Medium-sized bottles with capacities above 2,265 milliliters deliver the highest volume of beverage for the lowest packaging weight.
A University of Illinois study found that shifting from round to oval plates with smaller surface areas can significantly reduce food waste in dining halls. The researchers observed significant reductions in food selection, consumption, and waste when diners used the oval plates, resulting in nearly 20 grams less food waste per plate.
A global study estimates that nature processes over 2 million cubic meters of human waste annually, equivalent to 41.7 million tons, in 48 cities containing about 82 million people. This natural process contributes significantly to sanitation services, worth approximately $4.4 billion per year.
A team of researchers at Arizona State University has discovered a way to extract useful products from microbial growth in soil, shedding light on poorly understood processes. The study promises to help minimize environmental waste while producing biochemicals and biofuels.
Researchers found large, highly radioactive particles containing cesium released from damaged reactors during the 2011 nuclear disaster. The particles have high levels of activity and could provide valuable forensic clues about the events leading up to the accident.
Researchers have identified two potassium-independent cesium transporters in plants, which can take up toxic cesium without affecting plant growth. This breakthrough has significant implications for phytoremediation and solving agricultural issues related to radioactive contamination.
A new radioactive bone cement has been developed as an alternative to conventional radiation therapy for treating spinal tumors. The cement can be injected into the spine to directly irradiate tumors without harming the spinal cord, promising to eliminate side effects and limit treatment options.
Researchers are studying ways to reduce waste in the seafood industry by using market incentives, with a focus on Mexico's SmartFish program. The study found that while the model improved sustainability, it also introduced new points of waste, including plastic packaging.
Scientists have developed a new generation of thermomagnetic generators that can convert waste heat into electrical power at small temperature differences. The devices, based on Heusler alloy films, increased electrical power per footprint by a factor of 3.4 and reached a maximum power of 50 microwatts per square centimeter.
Researchers at the University of California - Riverside discovered fermented food waste can boost beneficial bacteria in plants, increasing crop growth and resistance to pathogens. The treatment reduces carbon emissions from farming and has potential for sustainable agriculture practices.
A new research project at Aarhus University aims to create novel, biodegradable materials for sustainable electronics. The project, led by Assistant Professor Shweta Agarwala, uses materials science and printed electronics to develop materials that can replace traditional silicon-based components.
Researchers have developed a new method for recycling plastic waste using mechanochemical ball milling and vapor-assisted aging, achieving up to 99% conversion of PET into monomers. This breakthrough has the potential to significantly reduce plastic pollution and create sustainable processes for producing valuable chemicals.
A Northwestern University study finds that deep sleep has an ancient power to clear waste from the brain, including toxic proteins that may lead to neurodegenerative disease. This waste clearance process is substantially enhanced during deep sleep.
A team of scientists has reconstructed solar activity from 969 to 1933 using measurements of radioactive carbon in tree rings. The study used modern detection techniques to achieve high precision, confirming the regularity of the eleven-year cycle and revealing potential solar energetic proton events.
Scientists at Chalmers University of Technology have created a unique method to extract valuable metals like zinc from fly ash produced by incinerating solid waste. This innovative approach can help reduce environmental pollution and increase the profitability of waste incineration, while also promoting a more circular economy.
Researchers found 27 plastic items per square meter in mangroves, with plastics buried up to 35cm deep. Mangroves' resilience is threatened as trees suffocate when half of the forest floor is covered in plastic.
A new study finds that electronic waste generated by Americans has been declining since 2015, mainly due to the decrease of bulky CRT displays. This decline poses challenges for e-waste recycling regulations and the recovery of critical elements like cobalt and indium.
Scientists at Swansea University have developed a way to extract carbon atoms from waste plastics and turn them into carbon nanotube format for transmitting electricity. The project aims to create long-range electricity transmission materials from waste plastics, advancing global energy sustainability.
Researchers developed a nanopowder made of sodium titanate nanofibers that can efficiently capture Co2+ ions, increasing surface area for improved removal efficiency. The seaweed-like morphology enhances the filter's ability to remove hazardous heavy metals and radionuclides from water.
The four-year project will map the sources of plastic waste, investigate its effects and generate solutions to reduce waste. Researchers will work with governments, businesses and communities to co-design effective ways to cut plastic pollution.
The UKRI programme aims to improve understanding of plastic pollution impacts and develop solutions for cleaner environments. Researchers will investigate various aspects of plastic waste, including its effects on agriculture, aquaculture, tourism, and waste management practices.
The University of Texas at Arlington and North Central Texas Council of Governments partner to assess regional opportunities for diverting food waste, increasing renewable energy production, and reducing vehicle emissions. The project aims to capture methane gas and produce biogas from anaerobic digestion infrastructure.
Researchers at Swansea University have developed a novel process called photoreforming that uses sunlight to convert hazardous medical waste into clean hydrogen fuel. The process has the potential to save millions of pounds by reducing waste disposal costs and mitigating pollution.
Research suggests that cascaded organic Rankine cycle systems can outperform single-stage systems in certain applications, but the trade-off between performance and cost is significant. The study's findings provide valuable insights into delivering environmentally-friendly power from waste heat.
A new study reveals the United States is a top source of plastic pollution in coastal environments, contributing up to 2.25 million metric tons of plastics. The country's high plastic waste generation and lack of effective recycling practices are major contributors to this problem.
The NUS team has developed a method to convert crustacean shells and wood waste into L-DOPA, a widely used drug for Parkinson's disease, and Proline, essential for collagen and cartilage formation. The process combines chemical and biological approaches, potentially reducing reliance on non-renewable fossil fuels.
Researchers at Rice University have created a new method to convert plastic waste into high-quality graphene, offering a potential solution to the global plastic waste crisis. The flash graphene process eliminates much of the expense associated with recycling plastic, making it an economically viable alternative.
A new method transforms waste polyethylene into long-chain alkylaromatic compounds without high temperatures or pressures. The process could pave the way for a circular plastics economy and make non-fossil-based plastics more economically attractive.
A NUS study found that poor outdoor air quality in China drives consumers to use food delivery services, resulting in increased plastic waste from packaging. The study revealed a strong causal link between air pollution and plastic waste, with a 100 μg/m³ increase in PM2.5 levels raising food delivery consumption by 7.2%.
Cities are crucial actors in tackling food waste, launching effective policies and initiatives to address it. A new framework for assessing urban food waste policies and initiatives has been presented, highlighting the importance of integrated management and multi-actorial collaboration.
A microbiology laboratory in Edinburgh reduces its plastic waste by 43kg per year using re-useable equipment and decontaminating plastic tubes. The team develops a new approach to reduce single-use plastics, saving over £400 and promoting sustainable practices in research labs.
A recent study led by ASU researcher Chris Wharton found that a values-based intervention can reduce household food waste by an average of 28%. The intervention used clear plastic bins to track food waste and highlighted the impact of cost, health, and environmental concerns. Participants reported that watching their waste build up pro...
A new research project aims to develop a camera-based separation system that can categorize plastic waste according to its specific properties. The technology will increase the quality of recycled plastics and improve traceability, aiming for a purity of at least 96% by polymer type.
Reusing tableware can significantly reduce plastic waste and emissions from online food deliveries. Silicone reusable tableware offers a promising solution, reducing waste by up to 92% and environmental emissions by more than two-thirds.
A study published in the Western Journal of Emergency Medicine found that 85% of medical waste does not meet regulated standards for disposal. By implementing changes such as reusable devices, better sorting of infectious waste, and effective recycling, hospitals can reduce waste while saving costs. The study suggests that hospitals co...
Researchers discovered that helium ions can heal radiation-damaged monazite, a mineral that always remains moderately damaged. This unusual property has significant implications for Earth sciences research and experiments with synthetic minerals.
A study published in Geoderma journal reveals that iron minerals and bacteria are main agents of carbon dioxide emissions from soil. Iron facilitates formation of active oxygen forms that destroy plant waste and promote CO2 emissions.
Researchers at NTU Singapore have developed a novel method using fruit peel waste to extract and reuse precious metals from spent lithium-ion batteries. The process creates minimal waste and can be scaled up for industrial use, offering a more sustainable alternative to traditional methods.
Researchers found clear traces of iron-60 in deep-sea sediments dating back 33,000 years, suggesting the Earth has been traveling through a cloud of faintly radioactive dust. The discovery suggests that the solar system may have recently passed through a denser cloud of gas and dust, known as the local interstellar cloud.
A new study reveals that plastic waste can release harmful chemicals into the stomach oil of seabirds like northern fulmars, potentially affecting their health over extended periods. The research highlights the importance of reducing plastic pollution in our oceans and dealing with waste responsibly.
The Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant disaster has left over 1,000 tanks containing contaminated water, with radioactive isotopes including tritium posing significant removal challenges. A full accounting of the remaining isotopes in each tank is needed to assess consequences of releasing them into the ocean.
The Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant's stored contaminated wastewater contains multiple radioactive isotopes with varying levels of risk. These include tritium, a relatively short-lived isotope, and other isotopes like carbon-14, cobalt-60, and strontium-90, which pose more complex hazards to humans and the environment.
Researchers at the University of Arizona are developing a hybrid solar desalination system that combines membrane distillation, concentrated solar power, and photovoltaics to recover water from concentrated waste streams. The system uses renewable energy resources to purify concentrate streams with maximum efficiency.
Scientists at Tata Institute of Fundamental Research developed nano-sponges of solid acid that convert carbon dioxide into fuel and plastic waste into chemicals. The material exhibits strong acidity and high surface area, making it a promising catalyst for sustainable processes.
Researchers develop microrecycling strategy to convert e-waste into a strong, protective coating for metal. The new material combines copper and silica compounds to form a durable hybrid layer that increases steel hardness by 125%.
A new study models a 78% reduction in global plastic pollution by 2040 with immediate and coordinated action. However, even this best-case scenario predicts 710 million metric tons of plastic will still reach the environment.
A team of global experts predicts that plastic waste flowing into the seas each year could more than double by 2040, with 710 million tonnes expected to be discarded into the environment. Improving waste collection services is seen as the single most effective step in reducing pollution.
Researchers discovered a new chemical approach using lithium hydroxide as a catalyst, enabling efficient production of biodiesel from cooking oil waste. The method achieved an average yield of 90% and showed promising results for future studies on biofuel production.
A new study maps caesium and plutonium radionuclide concentrations in Swiss soils, tracing sources of nuclear fallout from 1960 to 2009. The research uses a caesium/plutonium ratio calculation method to distinguish between nuclear test fallout and the Chernobyl accident.
Researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory have developed nanocages to trap noble gases, including xenon and krypton, which can improve nuclear reactor efficiency and reduce radioactive waste. The team plans to scale up the production of these materials with partner Forge Nano.
A new methodological guide developed by the University of the Basque Country aims to optimize radioactive waste management during nuclear facility dismantling. The project focuses on in situ measurements and characterizing strategies for constrained environments, aiming to improve dismantling processes and public perception.
A new study found that European countries are exporting large amounts of plastic waste to Asia, where it is often not recycled and ends up in the ocean. The research estimated that between 1-7% of all exported European polyethylene ended up in the ocean, contributing to significant environmental and social impacts.
A study by Baylor College of Medicine researchers reveals that defective CLN6 causes toxic waste accumulation in cells, leading to progressive degeneration and cell death. The researchers found that CLN6 works together with CLN8 to transport enzymes to lysosomes, and when CLN6 is defective, this process is impaired.
Researchers found that Europa's ocean could have been formed by tidal forces or radioactive decay, leading to a potentially habitable environment. The team's models suggest that the ocean's composition became more Earth-like, with high concentrations of carbon dioxide and calcium, making it suitable for life.