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.
US National Parks produce a staggering 100 million pounds of trash each year, with managers seeking ways to divert recyclable materials and reduce overall waste. Key findings from recent research include the importance of moral norms and perceived difficulty in influencing visitor behavior.
Tadpoles from an uncontaminated wetland were placed in a canal with releases of radiocesium from a nearby reactor, accumulating the contaminant at different rates. The study found that bullfrog tadpoles reached maximum threshold levels between 11-14 days, which is faster than previously studied species like waterfowl and fish.
A new class of radiopharmaceuticals, named radiohybrids (rh), has been developed for cancer imaging and radioligand therapy (theranostics). These rhPSMA-ligands have a unique feature that both fluorine and the metal are always present, but only one of them is present as a radioactive isotope.
Researchers at UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center discovered a new way to attach Fluorine-18, a widely used PET imaging isotope, to existing compounds. This breakthrough enables the creation of novel PET agents from existing drugs, opening up possibilities for tracking pharmaceuticals and diagnosing diseases like cancer.
Researchers developed a mid-infrared picosecond laser-driven electron avalanche technique to detect electric charges and chemicals in air. They measured electron densities down to one part per quadrillion, equivalent to picking out one free electron from a million billion normal air molecules.
Researchers have developed an efficient and low-cost method to convert waste denim into reusable cotton fibers, reducing textile waste and conserving resources. The new process uses a 1:4 mixture of ionic liquid and DMSO to dissolve cellulose building blocks, resulting in white or colored viscose-type fibers.
New Zealanders consider cigarette butts toxic to the environment, holding smokers primarily responsible. Researchers recommend increasing awareness of tobacco companies' role in creating tobacco product waste to foster political support for producer responsibility measures.
Researchers have discovered a method to convert plastic waste into jet fuel using activated carbon as a catalyst. The process produces high-quality fuel with minimal environmental impact, offering a promising solution to the global plastic crisis.
A new biodegradable chemical is produced through natural fermentation, which can be refined as a source of energy and replace petroleum-based chemicals in various products. The technology, developed by the University of Waterloo, reduces costs associated with food waste management by using leachate recirculation.
Researchers from Penn State University and Boston College found that promoting recyclable waste transformation increases recycling rates. Consumers who saw product transformation messages recycled up to 87.7% of their waste, compared to 19% for those without such messages.
Researchers at Kumamoto University have developed a novel e-waste recycling method using pulsed power, which successfully separates metal from plastic in CD-ROMs. The technique uses high-voltage electrical discharges to break down materials, resulting in efficient separation and minimal environmental impact.
A new study finds radioactive carbon from nuclear bomb tests has reached the deepest parts of the ocean, contaminating crustaceans' muscle tissues and affecting their longevity. The study suggests human pollution can quickly enter the food web and make its way to the deep ocean.
Physicists at Rice University have reported the first direct observation of two-neutrino double electron capture for xenon 124, a process that decays into tellurium 124 with an estimated half-life of 160 trillion years. This discovery puts the half-life closer to 18 sextillion years, challenging our understanding of this isotope.
Researchers at the University of Zurich have developed a simple and fast method for radiolabelling antibodies against breast cancer using UV light. The new procedure allows for the production of radioactive drugs and diagnostic agents in under 20 minutes, making it a game-changer for PET imaging and targeted radioimmunotherapy.
A comprehensive study tracking 26 years of waste disposal reveals that most oil and gas waste from Pennsylvania stays within the state, posing human health hazards. The study also found that conventional drilling operations accounted for nearly one-third of all waste.
The study found major dioxins detected were polybrominated and mixed halogenated dibenzofurans, suggesting PBDEs as a source. High concentrations of PXDFs indicate these 'hidden' dioxins contribute substantially to e-waste-derived dioxin toxicity.
Physicists at UMD developed a new method to detect radioactive material remotely using an infrared laser beam. The technique induces an electron avalanche breakdown near the material, allowing detection from a distance. With further development, it could be used to scan trucks and shipping containers at ports of entry.
A new optical measurement method for radioactive methane has been developed by Juho Karhu, offering a cheaper and more agile alternative to accelerator mass spectrometry. The method uses spectroscopy to measure the absorption of materials at different wavelengths, enabling the detection of low levels of radioactive methane in various a...
Researchers have developed a method to extract rare-earth elements from phosphogypsum mining waste, a potentially game-changing solution to alleviate the world's REE supply shortages. The use of microorganisms to dissolve the elements has shown promise as an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional methods.
A study published in Science Advances found that deeper sleep is crucial for the brain's waste removal system, known as the glymphatic system. The researchers observed that mice administered a combination of anesthetics exhibited slow and steady brain activity similar to deep non-REM sleep, which is optimal for glymphatic function.
A recent study reports radiation contamination at an Arizona crematorium following treatment of a patient with a radioactive drug. The contamination was detected on equipment and in the operator's urine, raising concerns about potential health effects.
A Washington State University team is developing an ultra-high performance cementitious composite grout to encapsulate solid secondary waste at the Hanford Site. The grout uses industrial byproducts like coal ash and steel slag to reduce costs and environmental impact.
A recent survey by Michigan State University found that the oldest Americans are most focused on reducing food waste, with 88% of all respondents taking steps to reduce it. Among those who make efforts, 71% try not to purchase excess food and 71% often consume food before it spoils.
Computer simulations of planet formation suggest that the presence of radioactive elements from a massive star may have created a wet system on Earth, while also forming ocean worlds in other systems. Researchers found that without these elements, the inner terrestrial planets of our solar system could be very dry and hostile.
Researchers at Purdue University have developed a chemical conversion process that can transform polyolefin waste into valuable products, including polymers, naphtha, and clean fuels. The technology has the potential to boost recycling profits and reduce global plastic waste stock.
Russian scientists propose a new recycling method that produces liquid products from organic waste, eliminating the need for specialized plants and reducing oil consumption. The process also generates no environmental emissions, making it compatible with circular economy principles.
UNIST professors Eunmi Choi and Yong Hwan Kim received recognition for their groundbreaking research on remote detection of hazardous radioactive substances. Their innovative technology has the potential to detect radioactivity from tens of kilometers away, revolutionizing radiation detection.
A new study from Lund University investigates the degradation of plastic waste, finding that it can break down into nanoplastics under mechanical stress. The researchers warn that this could lead to adverse consequences for animals and humans, as nanoplastic particles are extremely small and can be ingested by living organisms.
A new study found that a simple online game can teach people to sort waste correctly with lasting results. Players who received immediate feedback on their sorting choices showed significant improvements in accuracy, even after multiple sessions.
The study estimates that by 2030, global fecal biomass could contain significant amounts of recoverable materials such as phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and magnesium. Animal waste from livestock outweighs human waste in many countries, posing a threat to public health.
Researchers have created a new method to efficiently extract rare-earth metals, including scandium, from aluminium industry waste. This innovation could reduce environmental hazards and conserve mining resources.
Researchers at Los Alamos National Laboratory use laser-based optical tweezers to levitate uranium and plutonium particles, allowing for accurate measurement of nuclear recoil during radioactive decay. This technique enables the detection of isotopes in nanometer and micrometer-sized particles, crucial for nuclear forensics.
The HiLo trial found no significant difference in recurrence rates between patients given a low radiation dose compared to the standard higher dose. This means patients with low-risk thyroid cancer can benefit from fewer side effects, long-term complications, and more convenient treatment options.
Researchers from the University of Houston and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory are investigating what causes nuclear waste glass to dissolve over time. They found that zeolite crystals facilitate faster dissolution, and are exploring ways to slow or impede their formation.
Researchers at Dartmouth College have characterized the phenomenon of radium transfer in hydraulic fracturing, a widely-used method for extracting oil and gas. The study found that radium present in the Marcellus Shale is leached into saline water, becoming increasingly enriched as wastewater travels through the fracture network.
Researchers are assessing six types of low-permeable rock formations as potential barriers to isolate nuclear wastes. The goal is to understand how radioactive atoms and liquids move through these rock formations to enhance isolation.
A University of Houston engineer is leading a $800,000 project to improve the safety of storage containers for nuclear waste. The team will explore ways to reduce or avoid the degeneration of glass containers used to store radioactive waste.
A study found that young adults, particularly college students, are high food wasters due to a lack of learned food management behaviors. The study's findings suggest that environmental factors, such as access to refrigerators and cooking facilities, also play a role in their behavior.
Researchers have gained new understanding of how autophagosomes seal off waste material, with a key role identified for ESCRT complexes. This breakthrough could lead to new cancer treatments by inhibiting autophagy closure.
A team of international scientists has estimated the amount of highly radioactive cesium-rich microparticles released by the Fukushima power plant disaster. The research found that around 78% of radioactive cesium was released as glassy particles, which concentrated radiation in affected areas.
Researchers have identified three known SNAREs and a new protein Ykt6 as essential for the fusion of autophagosomes with vacuoles, allowing for efficient cellular waste recycling. This breakthrough study sheds light on the molecular mechanisms underlying autophagy, a vital process in maintaining cellular homeostasis.
In the EU, 35.3 kg of fresh produce is wasted per person per year, with 50% coming from fruit and vegetables. Researchers found that applying targeted prevention strategies could reduce avoidable waste by 14.2kg per capita.
Astronomers discover rare radioactive molecule 26AlF in debris of ancient stellar merger CK Vul, revealing insights into star formation and galactic evolution. The detection marks the first time this isotope has been found outside our solar system.
A new study uses weather forecasts to predict radioactive material dispersion, enabling evacuation plans and health-protective measures. The AI tool achieved accuracy of at least 85%, with 95% in winter, over 30 hours in advance.
Researchers at the University of Helsinki have developed a new method to purify nuclear waste water using electrospun sodium titanate, which speeds up the process and reduces radioactive waste. The method is based on selective ion exchange and has been shown to work like commercially produced materials.
The China ban on non-industrial plastic waste has displaced around 111 million metric tons of plastic waste, which was previously exported to the country. This shift will require high-income countries to develop more robust recycling programs domestically and rethink the use and design of plastic products.
Scientists find elevated levels of radioactive caesium in Ukrainian milk, posing health risks to children and adults; protective measures can mitigate exposure for less than €10 per person per year.
Scientists from Kyushu University and The University of Manchester identify caesium-rich micro-particles in Fukushima soils, which could pose long-term health risks to humans if inhaled. The new method allows for quick counting of particles and quantifying radioactivity associated with them.
Researchers at PNNL have successfully vitrified three gallons of low-activity Hanford tank waste, immobilizing radioactive and chemical materials within a durable glass waste form. The laboratory-scale demonstration is an important step toward treating millions of gallons of hazardous waste generated during past plutonium production.
Researchers propose a two-stage system converting urban waste into gas under reducing conditions, then burning the gas efficiently in optimized equipment. This method minimizes toxic substance generation and reduces CO2 emissions by up to 300 kg per ton of treated waste.
A US study found that approximately one pound of food per person was wasted daily from 2007-2014, resulting in significant environmental impacts. The research also showed a paradoxical relationship between diet quality and food waste, highlighting the need for simultaneous efforts to improve diet quality and reduce waste.
A Penn State researcher suggests that using online exchanges like Craigslist can reduce municipal solid waste by 2-6% annually, leading to millions of dollars in savings for large cities. This reuse behavior could also eliminate millions of tons of waste and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The University of Texas at Arlington has developed a modular, multi-step water treatment system that can transform unconventional oil and gas waste into reusable water. The system requires multiple treatment modalities to remove contaminants, making it difficult to accomplish effectively and economically.
A new study finds that Americans waste nearly a pound of food per person each day, with the amount of wasted food corresponding to harvests produced using 780 million pounds of pesticide and 1.8 billion pounds of nitrogen fertilizer annually. The study also found that higher quality diets were associated with higher levels of food waste.
Engineers at UC Berkeley developed a thin-film system that can convert low-quality waste heat into electricity, achieving unprecedented energy density and power density. The technology has potential applications in various industries, including electronics and manufacturing.
Researchers found that recovering gold, copper and other metals from e-waste is more cost-effective than obtaining them from mines. The study estimated that urban mining could save up to 13 times the cost of traditional mining methods.
Researchers have developed a new device that uses fluorescence to detect ions and identify the product of a rare radioactive decay called neutrinoless double-beta decay. The discovery could provide insight into the nature of the neutrino, which may offer an explanation for the universe's matter-antimatter imbalance.
A European project is developing circular economy solutions using agricultural and fisheries waste to improve soil quality and reduce CO2 emissions. The Horti-BlueC project replaces non-renewable resources with local waste, producing bio-energy, biochar, and biodegradable materials.
Researchers have identified useful commercial applications for grape waste, such as prolonging the shelf life of fatty foods. Grape pomace is rich in natural antioxidants like proanthocyanidins, anthocyanins, and ellagic acid, which can be used to substitute artificial antioxidants in food products.