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.
Scientists analyzed samples of radioactive 106Ru contaminant and found markers consistent with nuclear waste reprocessing protocols. The study suggests the 2017 release occurred during such reprocessing, providing new insights into the incident.
Researchers at University of Münster and Leibniz University Hannover found that a mysterious 2017 radioactive cloud in Europe originated from civilian nuclear activities. The cloud contained high levels of ruthenium-106, which is commonly used in nuclear fuel reprocessing.
Scientists at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz have developed a new sustainable method to extract vanillin from lignin, reducing toxic waste and increasing commercial viability. The process uses electrolytic depolymerization in caustic soda, producing high-quality vanillin with a yield of around four percent.
A team of researchers has discovered a way to create a nitrogen-rich fertilizer using human waste, which could increase agriculture yields in developing countries and reduce groundwater contamination. The new method involves recycling nitrogen from urine through a process involving biochar and CO2 priming.
Researchers create a new sorbent to extract hazardous radionuclides cesium (137Cs) and strontium (90Sr) from contaminated water. The sorbent can be used in both static and dynamic modes, with high filtration efficiency, and can be regenerated for up to five cycles.
Researchers at MIT used a super collider and laser spectroscopy to precisely measure radium monofluoride, a short-lived radioactive molecule. The study's findings could reveal signs of dark matter and test symmetry-violating phenomena in nature.
A new study by UMD researchers highlights the importance of interdisciplinary collaborations in reducing global food waste due to date labeling. The study aims to clarify the science or lack thereof behind food date labels, with a focus on developing interventions to reduce behaviors that increase food waste.
Researchers at NTU Singapore have developed a green method to create chitin, using two forms of food waste - prawn shells and discarded fruit - and fermenting them. The new process is more sustainable than current approaches, reducing energy consumption and chemical by-products.
Texas A&M University engineers have devised a simple one-step chemical reaction to separate out different components of nuclear waste. The method results in the formation of crystals containing all leftover nuclear fuel elements uniformly, reducing radioactivity and proliferation risk.
Researchers are studying salt deposits as a long-term disposal solution for high-level nuclear waste, which can create heat and radioactivity. The US Department of Energy is conducting thermal testing underground to test the safety and efficacy of salt formations in containing radionuclides.
Scientists have correctly determined the age of whale sharks using radioactive legacy of Cold War nuclear bomb tests. The discovery will help ensure the survival of the endangered species by accurately estimating its growth rate.
Researchers from the University of Córdoba have developed a methodology to assess restaurant food waste and select the best valorization path. The study identifies that food waste can be turned into various valuable products, including biodiesel, electricity, and bioplastic, which could help industries within the circular economy.
A study by Fraunhofer IVV, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, and University of Alicante found that separating packaging waste from household waste reduces off-odors in plastic recyclates. The researchers identified over 60 odor-causing substances and found that washing post-consumer LDPE shopping bags at 60 degrees reduced overall odors.
Scientists from North Carolina State University have developed a new technique that utilizes residual gamma radiation signatures to detect and locate radioactive materials, such as weapons-grade plutonium. The method relies on the unique properties of silicates in building materials like bricks.
Researchers found that incineration and landfilling of municipal solid waste releases bacteria and antibiotic-resistance genes into the air, posing a risk to human health. The study suggests that these systems could be a reservoir of resistant genes, which can spread to nearby residents through airborne transmission.
Researchers have developed a method to use waste bread as a medium for cultivating microbial starters for the food industry, reducing food waste and its associated economic losses. The new protocol, known as WBM, is estimated to be cheaper than current production methods and has potential applications beyond fermented foods.
A University of Vaasa researcher highlights the need for retailers to adopt creative solutions to reduce bread waste. By managing potential food waste, implementing marketing strategies, and engaging with staff, stores can minimize hazardous waste and meet the UN's Sustainable Development Goals.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that consumers may be wasting more than twice as much food as commonly believed, and that affluent consumers waste more food. The researchers used a human metabolism model to quantify the relationship between food waste and consumer affluence.
Increasing grocery store density in certain areas can drastically decrease food waste, with optimal balance found at moderate store numbers. Studies show that modest increases in store density lead to substantial reductions in waste and lower grocery expenses for households.
According to new research from Cornell University, opening more grocery stores can significantly reduce global warming by lowering food waste. The study found that even small increases in store density can have a high impact on reducing waste, with benefits comparable to converting thousands of cars to electric power.
Radioactive iodine is now the recommended frontline treatment for patients with thyroid gland overactivity, including Graves' disease. The new guidelines, developed by University of Birmingham researchers, show that radioactive iodine improves cardiovascular outcomes and cures 90% of cases.
Researchers have discovered a way to modify molecules to remove toxic radioactive elements from spent nuclear fuel, making the process safer and more efficient. This breakthrough could lead to improved design of new molecules for spent fuel reprocessing, enabling better management of long-term radioactive waste.
New research from Ohio State University reveals that high-level nuclear waste storage materials will degrade faster than expected due to their interaction. The study found severe localized corrosion of glass, ceramics, and stainless steel under certain conditions, posing significant challenges for the current storage model.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a 'flash graphene' process that can turn bulk quantities of waste material into valuable graphene flakes. The process is quick, cheap, and produces high-quality graphene with reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
Researchers in the Borexino collaboration have extracted a signal of geoneutrinos coming from the Earth's mantle with improved statistical significance. The results provide lower limits for uranium and thorium abundances in the Earth's mantle, indicating radioactive decay processes generate more than half of the Earth's internal heat.
A new study suggests that rural communities in Vermont are already managing their food waste effectively through composting and feeding scraps to pets or livestock. While support for banning food waste is high, only a minority of residents are willing to pay for curbside compost pickup programs.
Researchers at Rutgers University develop innovative ammonia-salt based solvent that rapidly dissolves plant fibers, slashing enzyme use by up to 50-fold. The process can reduce biofuels production costs and extract more lignin from plant waste.
The EU project RES URBIS successfully generated bioplastics from urban waste, showing a higher economic value than traditional composting methods. The process produces polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) through volatile fatty acids decomposition.
Researchers at PPPL develop a safer, more effective way to create a star on Earth by injecting boron powder into plasma. This technique reduces greenhouse gases and long-term radioactive waste, while increasing heat output for electricity generation.
Researchers at Diamond Light Source and University of Manchester discovered a novel uranium-sulfur complex under conditions found in the environment, which can aid in uranium immobilisation. This compound forms through biogeochemical reactions involving dissolved chemical species, mineral surfaces, and microorganisms.
Researchers have discovered an unusual light-dependent enzyme in microalgae that can convert organic waste oils and fats into sustainable biofuels. The goal is to develop a system that can produce drop-in fuels from waste oils and fats, reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
University of Guelph researchers have developed a new tool for studying nuclear waste storage using antimatter. This breakthrough may help in designing safer underground vaults for permanent storage of radioactive waste. The study also reveals intriguing properties of clays that could be useful in other industries.
The Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant's soil decontamination efforts have reduced cesium concentrations by 80% in treated areas, but generated significant amounts of hazardous waste. Monitoring the transfer of radioactive contamination is crucial to prevent recontamination of remediated areas.
A new pathway in the central nervous system removes brain waste substances through the creation of corpora amylacea (CA), aggregates formed by glucose polymers. CA acts as waste substance containers that are expelled from the nervous system and removed by the immune system.
Researchers have developed a process to transform waste sugar cane and wheat straw into valuable chemicals, increasing value by 5000-fold. The new method produces high-value building blocks for food industry and pharmaceuticals directly from waste biomass in a single 'one-pot' process.
Researchers at Queen's University Belfast have developed a low-cost technique to convert brewery waste into carbon, which can be used as a renewable fuel or in water filters. The method creates activated carbon and carbon nanotubes from barley waste, reducing emissions linked with the agriculture sector and creating a high-value product.
A new radiation therapy regimen combining lutetium-177 and actinium-225 has been shown to stabilize tumour growth and improve survival rates for patients with late-stage prostate cancer. The study demonstrated significant reductions in side effects, including dry mouth, compared to previous radionuclide therapies.
A study reconstructs the source of radioactive ruthenium detected over Europe in 2017, identifying the southern Ural Mountains in Russia and the Mayak Production Association facility as the likely source. The authors estimated that approximately 250 TBq of radioactivity was released, with most of it occurring on September 26, 2017.
Using waste heat helps reduce the cost of producing hydrogen, a key step towards cleaner energy. Researchers developed an approach that uses low-grade waste heat to produce hydrogen, with potential for lower production costs and increased efficiency.
The review highlights the need for improved waste management solutions to handle growing numbers of retired electric vehicle batteries. Recycling methods are being improved to make processes more economically efficient, minimizing environmental impacts.
The tourism industry is facing significant challenges due to food waste, with globally estimated 1.3 billion tons of food lost or wasted each year. Food waste in tourist households has been neglected despite growing numbers of tourists and diverse travel experiences.
Researchers have created tiny, self-propelled robots that can remove radioactive uranium from wastewater. The microrobots use a rod-shaped material called ZIF-8 and propel themselves using hydrogen peroxide fuel, successfully removing 96% of the uranium in an hour.
Researchers have developed a method to produce pharmaceutical ingredients from woodchips, reducing waste and increasing efficiency. The process utilizes lignin, a component of wood, to synthesize potential drug candidates with promising antibacterial and anticancer activity.
Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology have developed a process to break down plastic waste into molecular-level gases, which can be transformed back into new plastics. This method could enable the creation of circular use of plastic and reduce reliance on oil and fossil gas.
Scientists have found a new stable form of plutonium with an unexpected pentavalent oxidation state, which may be crucial for improving the safety of radioactive waste storage. The discovery was made using advanced synchrotron X-ray methods and has significant implications for long-term nuclear waste management.
A multi-institutional team led by Colorado State University aims to improve the economic and environmental sustainability of anaerobic digestion. They plan to redesign bioreactors using renewable electrons to produce valuable products such as hexanoic acid and isobutanol, reducing methane production and carbon dioxide emissions.
Scientists have created a quantitative map of radioactive cesium-rich microparticle distribution in Fukushima soils, shedding light on their origin and environmental impact. The study suggests three regions of particular interest, with varying levels of microparticle abundance and radioactivity.
Scientists at Argonne National Laboratory have developed an additive manufacturing method that enables the recycling of more nuclear waste, reducing storage time by almost one thousandfold. The breakthrough uses 3D-printed parts to separate highly radioactive actinide isotopes from rare earth metals.
A new study estimates that about one-quarter of total US health care spending is waste, ranging from $76 billion to $94 billion. The authors found that the estimated annual cost of waste was $265.6 billion, with potential savings ranging from $191 billion to $282 billion
Researchers at UBC Okanagan have developed a new type of composite material made from discarded stone waste and polymers, which increases the strength and conductivity of the final product. The materials can be used in various applications, including decorations, sanitation products, and even aerospace.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a method to break down polyurethane waste into other useful products, such as adhesives and glues. This approach reduces the amount of toxic byproducts generated from incineration, providing an environmentally friendly solution to managing polyurethane waste.
New research suggests that global food waste due to overeating has a significant impact on the environment. The study estimates that excess bodyweight corresponds to roughly 140 billion tonnes of food waste globally, with growing meat consumption leading to higher land and water usage.
A new study suggests combining biomass with waste materials can improve the sustainability of manufactured soils by reducing nutrient loss. The research found that adding biochar reduces essential nutrient retention, improving conditions for plant growth and lowering fertiliser reliance.
A study analyzing over 1300 measurements found the source of a 2017 radioactive cloud to be a civilian reprocessing plant, releasing large amounts of ruthenium-106. The incident caused no health risks for Europe's population.
A study found that a significant release of radioactive ruthenium occurred in October 2017, with highest levels detected over Romania. The release is believed to have originated from the Mayak nuclear complex in Russia, consistent with air mass movements and deposition patterns.
Researchers measured high levels of external gamma radiation on islands exposed to nuclear testing, including Bikini and Rongelap Atolls. The study also revealed high activity concentrations of radioactive isotopes in soil samples and fruits from the affected areas.
The University of Tennessee has been awarded a grant to develop a more sustainable way to manage Nashville's organic wastes. The project aims to reduce methane emissions and create jobs in the local community by using anaerobic digestion technology.
A study led by Dr. Alliric Willis found that over 25% of low-risk thyroid cancer patients receive unnecessary radioactive iodine ablation treatment, carrying potential long-term risks and financial burdens. Younger patients, men, Hispanic, and Asian individuals are more at risk of overtreatment.
Researchers at the University of Lincoln's National Centre for Food Manufacturing have developed new methods to dehydrate fruit and vegetables, producing flours that can be used in bakery and snack products. This technology extends shelf life and reduces food waste.