Scientists have developed a carbon-negative composite decking material that stores more CO2 than is required to manufacture it. The new material, which is less expensive and meets building codes, could offset up to 250,000 tons of CO2 emissions annually if replaced in the US market.
Researchers have discovered compounds that can activate estrogen-related receptors (ERRs), similar to the effects of exercise on metabolism and muscle growth. The new compounds may offer a substitute for exercise in people with medical conditions, such as heart failure and neurodegenerative disease.
Scientists synthesized major component of mucus and discovered that altering healthy cell mucins made them act more like cancer cells. Researchers created synthetic mucins to study their impact on cancer biology, finding a potential target for cancer treatments.
Kombucha brewers can now optimize their brews with science. The team discovered that silicone bags expose SCOBYs to more oxygen, speeding up brewing time and reducing ethanol levels. Additionally, using glucose as the SCOBY food source creates a kombucha with more gluconic acid and minimal ethanol.
Four species of edible ants exhibit distinct flavor profiles, including acidic and vinegary smells from common black ants and nutty, woody aromas from chicatana ants. Further investigation is needed to explore the flavor profiles of more ant species and developmental stages.
Researchers discovered that wild animal hair undergoes seasonal changes to insulate against extreme temperatures. The inner microscopic details of the hairs change, allowing animals to survive in their environment.
Researchers have developed a method to identify extremophiles using protein fragments, leading to the discovery of two new 'extremophile' microbes from high-altitude lakes in Chile. This breakthrough could potentially help scientists search for extraterrestrial life and explore Earth's biodiversity.
Researchers have discovered a way to stick hard and soft materials together using electricity, forming chemical bonds that can be easily reversed. This electroadhesion effect could enable the creation of biohybrid robots and improve biomedical implants.
A new electrolyte improves batteries in aerial electric vehicles, allowing them to be repurposed in less demanding applications. The study reveals that stressed-out batteries can still meet typical power demands, but require alternative battery technologies for high-power-demand applications.
Researchers have developed a low-tech method to collect rare-earth metals from spent fluorescent bulbs, mimicking lamp components with magnetic field-controlled chromatography. The process recovered 93% of the rare-earth phosphors, paving the way for practical recycling applications and sustainable technologies.
Researchers found that boiling and filtering calcium-containing tap water can effectively remove nearly 90% of nano- and microplastics. Boiling even in soft water samples removed around 25% of NMPs, suggesting this simple method could be a game-changer for reducing human plastic consumption.
Researchers have designed a chemical sensor array, or an artificial tongue, that distinguishes dental bacteria and can inactivate them. The artificial tongue uses nanoscopic particles coated in DNA strands to detect the presence of bacteria, and can distinguish between healthy and diseased individuals with high accuracy.
Scientists have created a vibrant blue pottery pigment using less cobalt, which retains high temperature stability and chemical resistance. The new pigment, derived from barium aluminosilicate, substantially reduces the need for cobalt ions, making it a more affordable and accessible option.
Researchers discovered two compounds in female ginseng with potent anti-osteoporotic activity and blocked key molecular pathways involved in bone loss. The study opens up possibilities for new osteoporosis treatments based on the compound, whether in its current form or as a structural template.
Research suggests that highways through historically redlined areas contribute to higher levels of air pollution, including nitrogen dioxide and fine particulate matter. These pollutants disproportionately affect communities of color, highlighting the need for remediation programs and clean technology incentives.
Researchers found stable tuna mercury concentrations worldwide from 1971 to 2022, except for a slight increase in the northwestern Pacific Ocean. The team suggests upward mixing of 'legacy' mercury as a possible cause, which could take up to 25 years to influence oceanic levels.
Research published in ACS Environmental Science & Technology Letters reveals that exposure to pesticide-treated seeds can adversely affect earthworms' health. Earthworms exposed to non-lethal amounts of insecticides and fungicides showed poor weight gain and mitochondrial DNA damage.
Researchers found that commercial cleaning products deposit a wide range of compounds on cleaned surfaces, which can impact indoor air quality. The study suggests that these residues should be studied in more detail to understand their effects on film growth and behavior.
Researchers have developed a fluorescent sensor array that can detect Alzheimer's-related proteins, allowing for earlier disease detection. The tool uses an array of sensor molecules that light up amyloids, providing a high level of sensitivity and selectivity in distinguishing between different amyloid-related conditions.
Researchers developed a compact facial recognition system that uses metasurfaces to create high-resolution images. The new technology recognized Michelangelo's David with similar accuracy as existing smartphone systems, using significantly less power and space.
Researchers found that bioplastic straws made from cellulose diacetate and polyhydroxyalkanoates can break down within 10-20 months, while those made from polypropylene and polylactic acid persist for years. Switching to foam materials significantly reduces their environmental lifetime.
Researchers have successfully grown striated muscle layers and flat fat layers using glutenin, a non-allergenic wheat protein. The edible film-based scaffolds can be combined to produce meat-like textures, promising a more realistic cultivated meat product.
Researchers optimized a chromium-containing MOF to expand its pore size and surface area, increasing its ability to carry and deliver therapeutic compounds. The puffed-up MOFs showed improved performance as potential drug-delivery vehicles, releasing drugs substantially faster than the original version.
The American Chemical Society's (ACS) upcoming hybrid meeting and exposition, ACS Spring 2024, will take place virtually and in person in New Orleans from March 17-21. The event will provide access to nearly 12,000 presentations on topics including agriculture and food, energy and fuels, health and medicine, sustainability, and more.
Researchers developed a wireless method to effectively reduce motor dysfunction in people with Parkinson's disease using magnetogenetics. The treatment showed improved motor function and no significant damage in and around the brain, suggesting it could be a safer alternative to traditional implanted DBS systems.
Researchers have developed a carbon-based cathode material that could replace cobalt and other scarce metals in lithium-ion batteries. The new composite cathode cycled safely over 2,000 times, delivered high energy density, and charged/discharged quickly.
Researchers found that microplastic particles are picked up by wind more easily than soil minerals, leading to underestimation of emissions. The study highlights an underappreciated way microplastics become airborne, affecting the environment and human health.
Artificial leaf-shaped generators, called 'power plants', capture kinetic energy from wind and convert it into electricity. They also collect energy from falling raindrops, producing high voltage but short-lived power output.
Researchers have developed a rapid COVID-19 test inspired by bioluminescence, detecting SARS-CoV-2 protein with the same accuracy as current techniques but in just one minute. The test uses a molecule from crustaceans to produce light when interacting with the virus's spike protein.
Research in ACS' Environmental Science & Technology Letters suggests that PFAS are transported in a feedback loop between the Arctic and North Atlantic Oceans. The study found that around 123 tons of PFAS entered the Arctic Ocean, while approximately 110 tons moved into the Atlantic Ocean in one year.
A dry-packaged hydrating facial mask made of biobased and sustainable materials provides a more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional sheet masks. The mask's ingredients, including plant-based polylactic acid and green tea extract, deliver moisture and nutrients while promoting antioxidant properties.
A team of researchers has designed a fresh and nutritious vegetarian salad as the ideal 'space meal' for astronauts on long-term missions. The salad combines soybeans, poppy seeds, barley, kale, peanuts, sweet potato, and sunflower seeds to meet the nutritional needs of male astronauts while minimizing farming inputs.
Researchers designed LEDs that emit different wavelengths of blue light to support natural circadian rhythms. Using these new bulbs increased nighttime melatonin levels by 12.2% and reduced daytime melatonin by 21.9% compared to conventional LED exposure.
Scientists created a new type of foam packaging from upcycled cardboard waste, which is stronger and more insulating than traditional plastic-based cushioning. The biodegradable foam has excellent thermal insulation, energy-absorbing properties, and outstanding cushioning capabilities.
Researchers create electrode material that attracts uranium ions from seawater more efficiently than existing methods. The material extracts 12.6 milligrams of uranium per gram of coated, active material over 24 days.
Researchers successfully replicated some of coffee's comforting aromas and tastes by roasting lab-grown coffee cell cultures. However, further processing techniques are necessary to enhance the flavor of these alternative coffee products.
A team of researchers found that carbamic acid and ammonium carbamate can form in interstellar ices at low temperatures, potentially delivering these molecules to early Earth via comets or meteorites. This discovery could inform future studies using powerful telescopes to search for prebiotic molecules in distant star-forming regions.
Researchers have developed a device that detects glucose and adenosine monophosphate biomarkers in saliva with high sensitivity, enabling easy at-home health monitoring. The electrochemical aptamer-based biosensor is simple, accurate, and stable, making it suitable for use without laboratory equipment.
Researchers developed a simple, transparent coating that makes surfaces water-repellent, preventing bacterial growth in toilets. The coating, made from milled PDMS, inhibited 99.99% of bacterial growth and strongly repelled water, offering a practical solution for self-sanitizing public health applications.
Researchers found that mixing heat with hair styling products can quickly change indoor air composition and increase VOC levels. The study estimated daily inhalation of one cVMS could reach 20mg per day, highlighting the need for long-term human health impact studies.
Weaker blasts may release more toxic residues than strong ones, contaminating the ocean and posing threats to marine life. Researchers found that lower-power explosions left behind higher levels of TNT in water and sediment.
Researchers developed a detection method for infectious bird flu virus in wetlands frequented by waterfowl. The method successfully detected HPAI virus strains in four out of four wetland sites in April, but not from a lake, highlighting the need for improved RNA detection techniques.
Researchers analyzed microplastics in mountain clouds and found they can modify particles in ways that enable them to affect cloud formation. The study also found that clouds can increase the presence of toxic metals on these particles.
Researchers developed indoor solar panels to power smart home devices, identifying efficient PV materials and minimizing heat production. Gallium indium phosphide shows promise but is expensive, while perovskite minerals and organic films offer a cost-effective solution.
Researchers developed injectable nanoparticles that release naloxone when triggered by blue light, potentially preventing opioid overdose deaths. The system showed effectiveness up to a month after injection and could be incorporated into a wearable device.
Researchers developed a waterproof device that captures and enriches dissolved compounds in seawater, revealing diverse elemental compositions and unknown molecular structures, with potential applications for drug discovery and ecosystem health monitoring.
Researchers discovered an enzyme that can improve the quality and alcohol content of sorghum-based beers. By optimizing brewing parameters, brewers can create wort with higher concentrations of fermentable glucose, resulting in better-tasting drinks.
Researchers have developed a plastic-eating E. coli that can efficiently turn polyethylene terephthalate (PET) waste into adipic acid, a feedstock for making nylon materials and other products. The engineered microbes converted up to 79% of PET waste into adipic acid, offering a potential solution to the global plastic waste problem.
Researchers found that sunflower stem extracts can prevent gray mold in blueberries by destroying the fungus's plasma membrane and preventing it from forming biofilms. The extracts protected almost half of the berries from mold growth over six days.
Researchers used deep learning to identify dihydroartemisinin as a potential osteoporosis treatment that maintains mesenchymal stem cell stemness and produces more osteoblasts. The study found that administering DHA extract for six weeks significantly reduced bone loss in mice with induced osteoporosis.