Articles tagged with Plastics
A new study by Flinders University and The University of Newcastle reveals that microplastics from various sources can contaminate garden soil after seven years, posing a risk to household environments. The research suggests that careful design and gardening practices can reduce contamination in suburban backyards.
Researchers have developed a computational model demonstrating that climate-neutral plastics can be produced through a combination of plastic recycling, biomass, and carbon capture utilization. This approach reduces greenhouse gas emissions by up to 53% compared to current fossil-based manufacturing practices.
Researchers found that additives in commercial shopping bags boost the conversion of solid plastics into water-soluble compounds under sunlight. The compounds vary depending on the additives used, with some bags releasing up to 15,000 dissolved compounds.
Researchers at RMIT University have developed a clean and cost-effective way to upcycle used plastic into high-value products such as carbon nanotubes and clean liquid fuel. The two-step process converts organic waste into charcoal, which is then used as a catalyst to upcycle the plastic.
A $4 million NSF grant will fund research to develop sustainable ways to turn non-food biological resources into plastic products. The team will also find better ways to deconstruct used plastic into building blocks for new plastics, addressing climate change and pollution issues.
Researchers at Mainz University have conducted a literature review on cathodic corrosion in electrosynthesis, highlighting the need for new materials and methods to prevent electrode dissolution. The team aims to develop a method to generate plastic precursors from agricultural waste using electrosynthesis.
A study published in PLOS Biology suggests that microparticle concentrations in lakes are higher than previously reported and can be predicted by surrounding land use. The researchers found that areas with more human activity and lower forest cover had higher microparticle concentrations, while lakes with more active microorganisms had...
A survey of 147 medical professionals found that smaller endotracheal tube sizes reduce complications in professional voice users. The team hopes to establish evidence-based practices for managing the airways of these patients, who are particularly vulnerable to damage from intubation.
A new study finds that sunlight can break down marine plastic into tens of thousands of chemical compounds, transforming it into a suite of polymer-, dissolved-, and gas-phased products. This process produces more complex transformation products than previously understood, with some bags producing up to 15,000 formulas.
Researchers found most microplastic particles were from recyclable products, highlighting the need for improved waste management practices. The study also suggests higher levels of microplastic pollution in urban areas, including NSW, Queensland, WA, and Victoria.
A study found that water dispensers could be a source of organophosphate ester exposure, with OPEs detected in the majority of samples. The researchers estimated daily consumption levels to be below health-risk thresholds, but highlighted the need for future research on suitable tubing materials.
A UMD researcher has been awarded a $6 million grant from the US Department of Energy to create sustainable products like biofuels and bioplastics from food waste. The project aims to understand waste sources, characterize municipal solid waste, and produce renewable resources.
A study by Stellenbosch University and conservationists reveals a high number of Cape Fur seals are entangled in fishing lines and nets annually, with most affected being pups and juveniles. The researchers found that disentanglement efforts have been successful, but the problem remains urgent, emphasizing the need for policy changes t...
Researchers have developed a new type of polymer that can be broken down into its constituent parts, reducing waste and promoting a circular use of materials. The polymers exhibit excellent thermal stability and versatile mechanical properties, making them an attractive candidate to replace traditional plastics.
A recent study found that microplastic ingestion by dinoflagellates lowers their growth and abundance, affecting the larger marine animals that feed on them. The impact is significant, with energy transfer up the food chain reduced by as much as 30%.
Cornell researchers created a chemically recyclable thermoplastic by synthesizing long polymer chains using a special catalyst. The resulting material, poly(1,3-dioxolane) or PDXL, has high tensile strength and can be easily depolymerized back to its monomer state, making it suitable for large-scale applications like packaging products.
Researchers created a new type of 'chain mail' fabric with hollow octahedrons that can stiffen up to 25 times its original stiffness when vacuum-packed. This technology has potential applications in bullet-proof vests, medical support for the elderly, and protective exoskeletons.
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.
Researchers have developed a flexible and wearable X-ray detector using metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) that don't contain harmful heavy metals. The device shows high-sensitivity sensing and imaging capabilities, making it suitable for various radiation monitoring and medical imaging applications.
A new study found that plastic pollution is ingested by juvenile sea turtles, leading them to accumulate in highly polluted areas like the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. The research team examined 121 sea turtles from five species and found that 86% of loggerheads and 83% of greens contained plastic.
A new study published in Frontiers in Marine Science reveals that small juvenile marine turtles from the Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean have a high incidence of plastic ingestion. Plastic ingestion is suspected to lead to mortality, malnutrition, and chemical contamination. The types of plastic ingested vary between the two study sites...
The KAUST Metagenomic Analysis Platform (KMAP) enables researchers worldwide to analyze massive microbial data, eliminating the need for advanced bioinformatics skills. KMAP allows scientists to identify proteins and enzymes with potential applications in various industries, such as agriculture and pharmaceuticals.
A team of Lehigh University researchers is studying a promising alternative catalytic process based on solid acid catalysts for ethylene dimerization. Using in situ and operando molecular spectroscopy, they aim to understand the surface structures of the catalyst and design more active catalysts with reduced environmental impact.
Göttingen University researchers have developed a new type of hydroplastic polymer called cellulose cinnamate (CCi) that can be molded using little more than water at everyday temperature and pressure. The bioplastic exhibits high quality mechanical properties, making it suitable for various applications.
Researchers at CU Boulder's ATLAS Institute have developed shape-changing objects inspired by origami that can bend, wiggle, and flutter using artificial muscles. The 'Electriflow' designs utilize hydraulically amplified self-healing electrostatic actuators to create paper-thin, fast-moving, and almost silent objects.
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 develop a one-pot process to synthesize polyacrylates and polymethacrylates from biobased materials, minimizing environmental impact. The new method reduces the E-factor by three quarters, making it more sustainable than traditional plastic production.
A new model developed by Newcastle University's researchers tracks the vertical movement of algae-covered microplastic particles, identifying processes that underpin their trajectories. The study shows that particle properties and algal population dynamics determine the movement of microplastics below the ocean surface.
A new chemical catalyst has been developed to efficiently produce propylene from natural gas, which is used to make polypropylene. The catalyst, made of platinum and tin nanoparticles supported by silica, can make propylene at least 10 times more efficiently than current commercial catalysts.
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.
Research reveals river plastic discharge is significantly underestimated, with microplastics at the surface lasting years instead of days. The study's findings confirm the existence of a 'missing plastic sink' but highlight the need for global action to address plastic pollution.
A study by Research Institute for Sustainability reveals that barriers to reducing plastic packaging consumption include habits, lack of knowledge, hygiene concerns, and economic factors. To achieve zero-waste shopping, cultural and infrastructural changes are necessary, including making alternative options more affordable and convenient.
UD scientists and collaborators issue an urgent call to action on plastics pollution, highlighting the need for a circular lifecycle for plastics. The team proposes new approaches to chemistry, engineering, industrial processes, policy, and global collaboration to address the crisis.
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.
A University of Houston study finds that plastic drapes can lower hypothermia rates in premature babies during PICC placement. This innovative nursing intervention shows promise in improving thermoregulation for VLBW neonates.
Scientists have created a way to harness discarded plant matter, such as corn stover, into ethanol and plastics with near-industrial efficiency. By helping yeast survive industrial toxins and converting toxic aldehydes into harmless compounds, the system enables low-cost production of biofuels.
Researchers developed a method to identify areas with smoother waters as indicative of microplastic presence, leveraging CYGNSS satellite data. This technique demonstrates the potential for tracking ocean microplastics from space.
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.
A new study by the University of Exeter and Queensland has found that herring gull eggs contain up to six types of phthalate, potentially causing oxidative stress in chicks. The research suggests that mothers pass on phthalates and products of lipid damage through their eggs.
Researchers at the Max Planck Institute have developed a new type of joint inspired by spiders' hydraulic actuation mechanisms. The joints use electrohydraulic forces to enable robots to move rapidly and interact with various environments, making them ideal for small-scale robotic systems.
A study published in Scientific Reports demonstrates the use of positron emission tomography (PET) imaging to track the elimination of plastic particles from the bodies of mice. The research reveals that most small plastic particles are eliminated within two days, with smaller particles cleared faster than larger ones.
Researchers found much higher abundances of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and genes on microplastics in urban than rural areas of the Beilun River. Polypropylene had the highest abundance of ARGs, increasing by 1,000 times from rural to urban areas.
A large-scale survey found that both Europeans and Australians are highly concerned about the human health impact of marine plastic pollution, ranking it as a top threat. The study suggests a need for more research into the potential impacts on human health to inform policy and decision-making.
Researchers have designed a new type of stent that can deliver drugs directly to the gastrointestinal tract, reducing side effects. The stents use kirigami-inspired etching to temporarily lodge in tubular organs and release drugs over an extended period.
Scientists have discovered a novel way to convert post-consumer plastic into vanillin, a valuable industrial chemical. This breakthrough could boost the circular economy by turning harmful plastics into a carbon resource and promoting sustainability.
A study categorizes existing solutions for combating maritime litter, revealing a need for more developed technologies and integrated approaches. The researchers recommend defining standards for each solution to encourage further development and create a sustainable approach.
Researchers created a plant-based, sustainable material that mimics spider silk for single-use plastic replacements. The new material is strong like many common plastics and can be made at an industrial scale.
Researchers created self-propelled microrobots that can attach to and break down four common types of plastics. The microrobots lost 3% of the plastic's weight and altered its surface texture after interacting with it under visible light for seven days.
Researchers found that salt marsh sediments accumulate microplastics, with higher concentrations near urban areas and a non-linear relationship to urbanization. The study provides new insights into the impact of human plastic use on ecosystems.
Researchers at the University of Bern found that most plastic waste does not end up in open ocean, but instead remains near coastlines or on beaches. The study suggests that regions with large sources of plastic waste, such as Southeast Asia and the Mediterranean, are disproportionately affected.
A $1M NSERC grant will investigate the effects of nanoplastics on nervous, immune, and reproductive systems. The research aims to understand long-term consequences of exposure to these tiny plastic fragments.
A new study reveals widespread plastic pollution in Galapagos seawater, beaches, and animals, with over 400 plastic particles found per square meter on some beaches. Microplastics were also discovered inside more than half of the marine invertebrates studied, posing a potential threat to the ecosystem.
A new study by the University of Portsmouth has developed a method to measure microplastics in human sewage using Fenton reagent, which is faster and more cost-efficient than existing methods. This breakthrough has huge potential for standardizing plastic pollution measurement.
Professor Doug Hayes has been recognized for his contributions to biocatalysis and biodegradable agricultural plastics. He is a renowned expert in molecular understanding of chemical and biochemical processes at interfaces, particularly involving bioplastics and surfactant-water-oil systems.
Researchers developed a novel method to detect and characterize nanoplastics in ocean water by using small invertebrates. The technique uses asymmetrical-flow field flow fractionation (AF4) and Raman spectroscopy to separate and identify nanoplastics, providing a more accurate measurement of these tiny plastics.
Research at Uppsala University discovered an epigenetic mechanism linking bisphenol F (BPF) exposure during fetal development to lower IQ levels in children. The study found that higher BPF levels were associated with increased DNA methylation in the GRIN2B gene, which plays a key role in neurological development.
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.
Researchers found high levels of lead, antimony, and copper in disposable face masks, posing a risk to human health and the environment. The study highlights the need for stricter regulations on mask production and disposal to mitigate these risks.
Scientists are concerned about the potential harmful effects of nanoplastics on ecosystems, but knowledge gaps hinder understanding of their risks. Research is needed to develop analytical methods and study interactions between nanoparticles and biological systems.
Research highlights the persistence of plastic waste in deep-sea environments, with potential implications for marine life and the sedimentary record. The study suggests that plastics can survive for thousands of years in ocean trenches, posing a significant challenge to mitigation efforts.