A new study found that a permitted neonicotinoid insecticide can effectively control pests while improving bumblebee foraging and food stores. This suggests certain neonicotinoids may be beneficial to bees, but the researchers caution against considering them as a homogeneous group.
Researchers have developed a new manufacturing process that could enable ultra-efficient atomic computers storing more data and consuming 100 times less power. The technique, known as hydrogen lithography, allows for faster fabrication of atomic-scale computers.
Researchers estimated Bitcoin mining's electricity consumption and carbon emissions in 2018, finding a lower impact than previously thought. The study showed that the majority of environmental harm comes from the use of mining equipment, with location being a significant factor.
Researchers have developed a portable, inexpensive, and easy-to-use microlens that simultaneously acquires 3D space and polarization information. This allows for the creation of 4D images with improved depth resolution, potentially enabling applications in medical imaging, communications, displays, and remote sensing.
Researchers found that high levels of DDT in Indian immigrants' blood correlated with obesity, liver fat accumulation, and insulin resistance. The study suggests that prior exposure to persistent organic pollutants may contribute to the higher diabetes risk among Asian Indians.
Researchers have made the tiniest radio-frequency antennas reported yet, with thicknesses of about 1/100 of a human hair. The new antennas were created using extremely thin sheets of a 2D material and performed well in receiving and transmitting radio waves.
A new type of self-cleaning concrete has been developed by researchers, which repels dust particles and liquids, including milk and coffee. The material also boasts soundproofing and heat-insulating properties, making it an attractive option for building materials.
A recent study found that exposure to air pollutants from power plants varies significantly by race, income, and geography in the US. The researchers estimated that in 2014, approximately 16,700 premature deaths were caused by power plant emissions, with African Americans facing the highest mortality rates.
At low concentrations, carbon monoxide has a beneficial effect by interacting with signaling proteins, suppressing inflammation and protecting tissues from oxidative stress. Researchers are exploring safe and effective delivery methods to harness its therapeutic potential for diseases such as sepsis and cancer.
Scientists have detected 15 different photoinitiators in human breast milk, with benzophenone being the most prevalent. The researchers estimate that breastfeeding infants ingest high amounts of these compounds, but predict a low health risk due to levels below safe thresholds.
Researchers have developed a new material that combines semiconducting properties with intrinsic stretchability and full degradability. The material can be stretched to twice its normal length without compromising electrical performance and degrades completely within 10 days in a weak acid.
Researchers developed an electronic nose that can non-destructively detect odors emitted by books of different paper compositions and ages. The device distinguished between paper from cotton, linen, or wood, as well as identified acidic and yellowing papers.
A new study reveals that hydropower's climate impact is not as environmentally friendly as thought, with some facilities emitting more greenhouse gases than fossil fuels. However, in the long-term, hydropower has a smaller climate benefit compared to methane emissions.
The American Chemical Society has identified 10 emerging start-ups revolutionizing the field of chemistry, from pharmaceuticals to green chemistry processes. These companies are addressing global issues such as microcontaminant removal, sustainable materials, and climate change.
Researchers use electrochemistry to synthesize difficult-to-make compounds and reduce waste and toxic byproducts compared to traditional chemical reagents. The ElectraSyn 2.0 module has enabled chemists to access the technology without electronics expertise, but scaling up production remains a challenge.
Researchers have discovered that PFASs from ski wax accumulate in soil, earthworms, and bank voles at a Nordic skiing area, indicating potential toxicity. The compounds were found to biomagnify in the food chain, with higher levels detected in top predators.
Researchers analyzed data to determine the feasibility of using nature-based solutions to combat air pollution. The study found that NBS can support native wildlife and are adaptable, cost-effective, and a truly green solution in reducing pollution and climate change.
Researchers analyzed capsaicinoid and capsinoid content in three chili peppers as they ripened. Capsaicoids accumulated earlier and at higher levels than capsaicinoids in some types of peppers, with potential implications for breeding studies and development of functional foods.
Researchers have developed a stretchable light-emitting device that operates at low voltages and is safe for human skin. The device can be used in smart wearables, soft robotics, and human-machine interfaces.
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.
Lithium-air batteries offer a maximum specific energy of 3,460 W h/kg, but scientists need to overcome obstacles such as unstable electrolytes and interference from air pollutants. The technology uses oxygen to oxidize a lithium-metal anode and could be powered by a plane's onboard air storage and filtration systems.
Mordanñage is a 19th-century photographic process that creates dramatic black-and-white images with veiling effects. Researchers have determined the chemical details behind the process, revealing how hydrogen peroxide and acetic acid soften the photographic paper, allowing copper to oxidize and form veils.
Scientists develop theoretical structures of the sweet receptor, revealing how proteins work together to signal 'sweet' flavors. The research could lead to improved nutrition and drug development.
Researchers have developed a catalyst to upcycle polyethylene plastic waste into high-quality liquid products like motor oils and waxes. The new catalyst produces intermediate-sized hydrocarbons, increasing the value of the resulting materials.
Researchers have developed a pacifier-based biosensor that tracks real-time glucose levels in saliva, allowing for non-invasive monitoring of newborns. The device could help diagnose and treat diabetes in infants, providing an alternative to continuous glucose monitoring currently only available in hospitals.
A new US food-labeling policy will require packaging to display the amount of added sugars and their daily value. Food companies are developing low- or no-calorie sweeteners, such as allulose, which promises to deliver sugar properties with one-tenth the calories.
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 are examining whether molecules in young blood could help treat age-related disorders, such as macular degeneration and Alzheimer
Study reveals substantial changes in metabolic pathways related to energy metabolism, the nervous system, and cell membrane lipid metabolism during methamphetamine self-administration and withdrawal. Biomarkers such as depleted amino acids may help identify early warning signs of methamphetamine dependence.
Researchers have discovered that aҫaí berry extract can significantly reduce the number of malaria parasites in infected mice, with a 89.4% decrease in parasitic load. The treatment also prolonged the survival of the mice, with all those given polyphenols surviving for over 15 days.
Researchers have identified 10 previously hidden pyridine alkaloids in fire ant venom, which could help explain the severity of bites and potential health complications. These compounds are found in different species of fire ants and even within individual ant castes.
Scientists found that sunlight can break down polystyrene over a much shorter time scale than previously estimated, degrading it in decades to centuries. The researchers' study suggests that the additive content of polystyrene samples affects its degradation rate.
Despite advances in communication and travel, international collaborations in science are threatened by political and economic realities. Current tensions between the US and China exemplify these hurdles, with concerns about foreign nations exploiting and undermining US research activities.
Researchers discovered that bleach fumes combined with light and limonene from household products can form airborne particles harmful to pets and humans. These particles, known as secondary organic aerosols, have been linked to respiratory issues and other health effects.
Copper acetate and copper resinate pigments, used in Renaissance-era art, turned brown over time due to molecular changes triggered by light exposure. Boiling linseed oil before mixing slowed the darkening reaction.
The authors propose an 'internet of health' where wearable sensors provide non-intrusive data on a person's health, correlated with environmental factors. This could lead to early disease prevention and personalized medicine.
Researchers have engineered protein crystals that can generate magnetic forces many times stronger than previously reported. By introducing these crystals into living cells, scientists can move the cells around with a magnet, offering potential applications in fields such as biotechnology and biomedical engineering.
Researchers developed a needle-free 'exosome' treatment that reduces wrinkles in UV-exposed mice, improving skin health and collagen production. The treatment uses a jet of air to deliver medications deep into the skin, providing a more youthful appearance.
The International Energy Agency argues that nuclear power can fill the gap in low-carbon electricity generation, but safety concerns and high costs are barriers. Nuclear reactors can generate energy with low greenhouse gas emissions like other low-carbon sources.
Compound lenses developed by researchers are inspired by mosquito eyes, providing a wide field of view with rapid imaging capabilities. The new design has antifogging properties, similar to those found in mosquito eyes, making it suitable for applications in drones, robots and medical devices.
Researchers found that plastic teabags release a significant amount of micro- and nanoplastics into tea during brewing. The levels were thousands of times higher than previously reported in other foods, and treated water fleas showed anatomical and behavioral abnormalities.
A newly discovered bacterium, A6, can break down per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) by transferring electrons from ammonium or hydrogen gas, rendering them harmless. The degradation process could potentially biodegrade PFAS in contaminated soil and groundwater under appropriate environmental conditions.
Scientists have created a durable and flexible super-water-repelling material by drawing inspiration from the spiky yet flexible skin of the porcupinefish. The material retains its water repellency after being repeatedly bent or twisted, making it suitable for applications such as self-cleaning, anti-icing, and corrosion prevention.
After a tragic death in 1999, gene therapy faced a setback, but James Wilson's rediscovery of adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) paved the way for its resurgence. Today, AAVs are used in nearly 100 drug development programs and have been approved by the FDA for treating a fatal neurological disease.
Researchers developed flexible, gel-free EEG electrodes that can record brain waves on hairy and hairless skin. The new electrodes work without sticky gel, allowing for potential use in brain-computer interfaces to drive cars or move artificial limbs.
Researchers explore ways to minimize acrylamide formation in fried and baked snacks, such as using the enzyme asparaginase to convert asparagine into harmless compounds. Food companies like Novozymes, Kerry, and DSM offer products to reduce acrylamide levels, including non-GMO options for organic food producers.
Researchers have identified a peptide from an Antarctic sponge that shows promise as a lead for new therapies against malaria. The compound, friomaramide, effectively blocked the development of the malaria parasite in liver cells without harming them.
Researchers create strain-accommodating smart skin that changes color in response to heat and sunlight, mimicking chameleon skin. The new material uses arrays of photonic crystals embedded in hydrogels to achieve color changes without buckling.
Researchers found that aphid-infested Scots pine trees emit a distinct mixture of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including sesquiterpenes, which affect secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation. The study suggests that increased plant stress in a changing climate could influence SOA production.
Researchers have developed nanoparticles that can convert near-infrared light into visible light, allowing mice to see in the dark. The technology aims to improve safety and sensitivity for human use and has potential medical applications.