A new framework from Cornell University's Fengqi You and Xiang Zhao provides a comprehensive analysis of the environmental impacts of plastic waste chemical recycling. The framework quantifies climate change and human toxicity, offering insights into optimal technologies and market dynamics.
A longitudinal study by SMU and the Ministry of Sustainability and Environment aims to quantify and qualify the impact of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework. The five-year study will examine the effects on recycling rates, waste reduction, and economic benefits in Singapore.
The RIT workshop series on sustainable computing aims to create computers with environmental consciousness from raw materials to recycling. Keynote speakers will discuss trends in computing and its environmental footprint.
Researchers analyzed zircon grains from ancient rocks in South Africa to find evidence of supracrustal material recycling in the Archean period. They discovered that this process occurred at depths greater than 40 km, with zircon oxygen isotope values indicating interaction with low-temperature water and surface processes.
Researchers at Flinders University have created a cost-effective way to harvest microalgal biomass from wastewater ponds, producing a sustainable source of biofuels. The high-rate algal pond model uses algae and bacteria to treat wastewater, reducing treatment time to 5-10 days and minimizing costs.
A multi-faceted approach to environmental degradation is being led by Flinders University and Clean Earth Technologies through two federally funded research projects. The focus is on e-waste recycling, oil spill remediation, and the production of world-leading polysulfide polymers.
Researchers have discovered that microplastics can serve as a transport vehicle for metals in the environment, accumulating and releasing these pollutants. The study found significant differences in metal accumulation between different types of plastics, with some metals attaching almost entirely to microplastics.
Scientists discovered a new mitochondrial recycling pathway that may help prevent Parkinson's disease. The study, published in Science Advances, reveals that genes associated with Parkinson's disease play key roles in this process and that disruptions can contribute to neurodegeneration.
A study in mice shows that an experimental small molecule helped restore the removal of damaged mitochondria from dopamine-producing brain cells, which may help explain what goes wrong in people with mutations that cause Parkinson's disease. The findings highlight the potential benefit of LRRK2 inhibitors as treatments for the disease.
Researchers developed a three-step process to recycle superabsorbent polymers from diapers into reusable adhesives. The acid-based method requires less energy and generates lower greenhouse gas emissions than traditional adhesives made from petroleum, resulting in significant environmental benefits.
Researchers at North Carolina State University demonstrated a low-cost technique for recycling nanowires from electronic devices. The method involves dissolving the polymer matrix containing the nanowire network and separating the nanowires using ultrasound, allowing for their reuse in new devices. After four life cycles, the nanowires...
Experts from European and US universities warn that new EU battery regulations could hinder the global transition to electric vehicles if not implemented globally. The researchers argue that a coordinated, global approach is needed to make the supply chain predictable and powerful.
Elite runners exhibit 'stiffer' spring-mass systems with steeper impact angles, spending more time in the air and less on the ground. This may allow for better energy recycling and improved performance.
Researchers have developed an enzyme-based recycling method for polyethylene terephthalate (PET) that can reduce energy use by 69-83% and greenhouse gas emissions by 17-43%. This approach has the potential to decarbonize PET manufacturing and create new opportunities for recycling textiles and other materials made from PET.
Researchers have successfully broken carbon-hydrogen bonds in light alkanes using a novel amidation process, enabling the synthesis of complex organic molecules such as pharmaceuticals. The method has significant implications for recycling plastic waste and utilizing natural gas as a synthetic building block.
Scientists have identified a dual-control system that regulates the release and recycling of synaptic vesicles, enabling precise signal transmission. Calcium channels Ca2 and Ca1 are spatially segregated, with Ca2 required for exocytosis and Ca1 enhancing endocytosis, demonstrating separate control of these processes.
Researchers found that protistan grazing pressures are higher at hydrothermal vent sites than surrounding deep-sea environments. Protist consumption of bacteria and archaea biomass accounts for up to 22% of fixed carbon.
Researchers have engineered an enzyme to bind to and degrade plastic particles, potentially helping to resolve the issue of complete recycling of PET in industry. The enzyme, called PET2, was found to accelerate the reaction between PET's chemical components and water when positive charges were introduced on its surface.
The study estimates global plastic emissions range from 9 to 23 million metric tons per year, with similar amounts emitted onto land yearly. Remote environments are particularly under threat as plastic debris cannot be removed by cleanups, leading to unpredictable effects on ecosystems.
Researchers at the University of Leicester have developed a new method to recycle electric vehicle batteries using ultrasonic waves, which separates valuable materials from electrodes more efficiently. The technique recovers around 80% of original material in a purer state than current methods, making it faster and greener.
Researchers at the Faraday Institution have developed a faster and greener technique to recycle lithium-ion battery materials, achieving higher purity and value. The new method uses ultrasonic delamination to separate valuable materials from electrodes, reducing energy consumption and environmental impact.
A new recycling strategy for perovskite solar panels has been developed, which could reduce the carbon footprint of these panels by up to 72.6%. The recycling process could also lower the primary energy consumption of perovskite solar cells.
A study published in Nature Communications found that the process removing old light sensors is disrupted in progressive blindness, leading to age-related macular degeneration. The researchers identified mTORC1 as a key component involved in photoreceptor recycling and suggest potential treatments using drugs against mTORC1.
Researchers develop simple and efficient method to recover precious rare-earth elements from coal fly ash using an ionic liquid. The process produces a solution rich in rare-earth elements with limited impurities, offering a potential solution for recycling materials from waste coal fly ash.
A new recycling robot will use AI and computer vision to sort recyclable waste, separating soft plastics from other materials. The system aims to drastically increase soft plastic recycling in Australia, diverting millions of tonnes of waste from landfills.
Researchers from Charité and University of Bonn identify four substances that inhibit SARS-CoV-2 replication in host cells, including niclosamide, a tapeworm drug. These findings suggest potential new treatment against COVID-19.
A new framework analyzes dishonest end-of-life electronics management and finds that making recycling more profitable is key to preventing fraudulent practices. The researchers suggest targeted subsidies, higher penalties, and blockchain-based supervision as potential solutions.
Scientists at Sanford Burnham Prebys have gained insight into the process of autophagy, where cells degrade and recycle cellular components. The study reveals that a chemical modification helps direct the transport of autophagosomes to cellular recycling plants, potentially leading to new targets for age-related diseases.
Dr. Malene Hansen receives the Irving S. Wright Award for her work on cellular recycling and aging, while Dr. Morgan Levine wins the Vincent Cristofalo Rising Star Award for her biomarkers of aging research. Both awards recognize their contributions to advancing healthy aging through biomedical research.
An exoskeleton device removes kinetic energy during the knee swing phase of walking, reducing metabolic cost by 3.3% and generating up to .25 watts per gait cycle. This approach converts wasted energy into useable electricity, providing a net metabolic benefit.
Researchers at The University of Tokyo have developed a new method to recycle discarded fruit and vegetable scraps into strong construction materials. The process uses vacuum-dried, pulverized food scraps, such as seaweed and cabbage leaves, and produces materials that are at least as strong as concrete.
Researchers at Washington State University have developed a catalytic process to efficiently convert polyethylene to jet fuel and high-value lubricants. The process converts 90% of plastic to usable products within an hour, offering a promising approach to reducing waste plastics.
A new class of magnetic materials has been introduced for spin caloritronics, paving the way for versatile recycling of ubiquitous waste heat. The developed molecule-based magnet exhibits low thermal conductivity and efficient magnon excitations, making it an attractive alternative for energy harvesting from waste heat.
Researchers at Aalto University have discovered a new recycling method for lithium-ion batteries that replenishes spent lithium in electrodes without crushing or melting. This process saves valuable raw materials and likely energy compared to traditional methods, which extract metals from crushed batteries by melting or dissolving them.
A new technique uses bacterial biofilms to capture microplastics, which are then processed and dispersed for recycling. This method has the potential to remove microplastics from wastewater treatment plants, helping to stop their release into oceans and protect human health and food chains.
A new type of plastic, poly(diketoenamine), can be recycled indefinitely without losing quality, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional plastics. The material's production and recycling processes are designed to be inexpensive and energy-efficient, making it commercially competitive with conventional plastics.
Researchers at St Petersburg University have synthesized polymers from biomass, making them recyclable and potentially replacing traditional plastics. The new polymers are based on terpenols, natural compounds found in plants like mint and white fir trees, and can be recycled at moderate temperatures.
A rare PLD3 mutation in Alzheimer's patients disrupts lysosomal recycling, leading to fewer β-amyloid plaques and less cognitive decline. Boosting PLD3 may have a protective effect against the disease.
Deeply subducted serpentinite rocks are found to carry surface water as far as 700 kilometers into the mantle, allowing scientists to trace material exchange. The presence of these rocks confirms a long-suspected pathway for deep-Earth recycling.
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 from McGill University warn of worsening water scarcity in rural Alaska due to climate change. Households often rely on rainwater catchment and grey water recycling, but affordability remains a significant issue, with costs exceeding household income.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have developed a new technique to target and destroy disease-causing proteins, which could lead to new drug treatments. By utilizing the cell's own recycling machinery, they aim to restore a healthy balance in cells.
A new study found that the carbon footprint of PPE used by NHS staff during the pandemic was equivalent to flying from London to New York 244 times daily. Adopting strategies like reusing and recycling, as well as reducing PPE volumes, can dramatically reduce environmental impact.
Researchers at Ames Laboratory have developed a new method to break down polystyrene waste in a single step, at room temperature, and without harmful solvents. The process involves ball-milling, which generates free radicals that enable the extraction of monomeric styrene from the oligomeric radical-bearing species formed.
The UMass Lowell project aims to create new uses for plastic waste and improve recycling of plastic films from industrial and consumer goods. Researchers will develop innovative plastics-processing technologies to support manufacturers across the country.
Researchers warn of the environmental threat posed by disposable face masks made from microplastic fibers, which can fragment into nanoplastics and contaminate ecosystems. The production of disposable masks is estimated to be on a similar scale as plastic bottles, but with no official recycling guidelines.
A new recycling method for carbon fibre composites has been developed by researchers from the University of Sydney, maintaining 90% of their original strength. The process uses a two-phase approach, including pyrolysis and oxidation, to preserve the functionality of carbon fibres.
A public-private partnership in Monterey/Salinas has developed a novel water recycling program using urban stormwater runoff, irrigation drainage, food processing water, and traditional municipal wastewater. The recycled water supplies one-third of all drinking water on the Monterey Peninsula while providing irrigation water for high-v...
Researchers at the University of Konstanz have created a more energy-efficient chemical recycling method for polyethylene-like plastics, recovering around 96% of the starting material. The new process uses 'breaking-points' to deconstruct molecular chains into smaller building blocks, making it suitable for 3D printing applications.
Scientists have discovered rare metals in 24 of 31 products tested, including single-use food packaging and children's toys. The study suggests REEs are ubiquitous and pervasive contaminants of consumer plastics.
Scientists from Argonne National Laboratory have developed a new anode material using lead and carbon that outperforms current graphite anodes with twice the energy storage capacity. The new design enables stable performance during cycling and improves overall battery efficiency.
UC researchers discovered that stopping autophagy in cancer cells can help treat HER2-positive breast cancer. By blocking this process, cancer cells were unable to develop and grow, and the HER2 protein was altered in a way that prevented its role in cancer development.
Researchers at the University of Groningen and ECUST have developed a way to produce polymers from lipoic acid, which can be easily depolymerized under mild conditions. The process recovers 87% of monomers in their pure form, enabling fully recyclable plastics.
A new road-making material is made by mixing shredded single-use face masks with processed building rubble, adding stiffness and strength. The study found that using this material can prevent up to 3 million masks from going to landfill.
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has developed a benchmark system to assess the environmental impact of plastics production in the US. The study provides data on energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions for 18 types of plastics, allowing researchers to compare their designs with current manufacturing practices.
Researchers have identified a previously unknown protein NblD in cyanobacteria that plays a crucial role in recycling nutrients during photosynthesis. The discovery highlights the importance of studying small genes and proteins, which were previously overlooked.
Researchers study feldspar recycling in Yosemite National Park's Tuolumne intrusive complex to understand incremental growth processes. A new model predicts relationships between hanging-wall extension, fault slip, and fault dip for the Ragged Mountain Fault in Alaska.
A new study reveals that genetic variations associated with Parkinson's disease alter the action of ion channels within lysosomes, a cellular organelle responsible for waste removal and recycling. These variations increase or decrease disease risk by influencing the function of an ion channel in cells' recycling centers.
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.
Researchers developed degradable, cargo-bearing polymers from xylose-based monomers that can be hydrolyzed to release useful molecules. The polymers' linkages determine their degradation rate, producing pyrroles or furans.