Articles tagged with Plastics
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A recent study has found that bisphenol A levels in Canadians are lower than those in Americans, with children and adolescents having the highest levels. The reason for this difference is unknown, but possible factors include differences in food packaging and thermal receipt papers.
Despite minimum recycling targets, Spanish cities struggle with paper and container waste separation. Only glass meets the 60% requirement, while plastic and metal waste are far below target. The study highlights the need for more efficient collection systems to increase recycling rates.
A University of Houston chemist has developed materials for use in creating sensors that can rapidly detect explosives, tainted milk, and other hazardous substances. The sensors are based on a concept called molecular imprinted polymers and have the potential to be used in hand-held scanners for bomb detection or nerve agent detection.
A portable device provides results in under 30 minutes with a small blood sample, revolutionizing point-of-care diagnostics. The device can detect biomarkers of disease and is expected to reduce healthcare costs.
According to Angelicque White, an assistant professor of oceanography at Oregon State University, the 'Great Garbage Patch' is less than 1% of Texas's geographic size. The amount of plastic in the North Pacific Ocean has not increased tenfold since the 1950s, contrary to previous claims.
Researchers have found that paper mulches can be an effective alternative to traditional polyethylene mulches in commercial vegetable production. Four types of paper mulches were compared with black plastic mulch and found to control weeds as well as or better than polyethylene in some situations.
A new study in the Journal of Consumer Research found that gift-givers who choose gifts that contradict their own identity experience discomfort and are more likely to choose alternative products. The researchers investigated how social closeness affects this process, revealing that those with stronger bonds experience greater discomfort.
A study suggests that adding a shear-thickening polymer like cornstarch to drilling mud could suppress instability, allowing the mud to sink and stop the leak. Physicist Jonathan Katz's idea was initially rejected by BP, but experiments show it might have worked.
A University of Gothenburg study finds that China's plastic bag charging policy reduces consumption by half, with 60% still not complying. The ordinance allows store owners to price bags and keep profits, but competition remains fierce.
Biopolymers are considered more eco-friendly due to biodegradability and low toxicity, but farming and energy-intensive chemical processing make them less environmentally friendly to produce. Traditional plastics can be cleaner to produce, according to a study in Environmental Science & Technology.
Cost-cutting advances in metallocene catalysts have led to production of stronger, more durable polyethylene plastics. These upgraded plastics are used in a range of consumer products, including garbage bags and camping cookware.
Researchers at Queen's University have discovered the molecular cooperation that enables light-controlled drug release and shape changes in glass and plastic. The findings could one day be used to facilitate medicinal drug distribution by allowing doctors to control the time and rate at which drugs are delivered into the body.
A group of French physicists have computed the trajectory of Roberto Carlos' famous 1997 free kick goal, revealing it was not an incredible fluke but a carefully calculated move. The 'spinning ball spiral' effect, as they call it, shows how the spin and velocity of the ball can create an unexpected trajectory.
A team of researchers has developed a product that makes corn-derived plastics more heat-tolerant, allowing them to be used in hot-filling applications. The heat-deflection temperature modifier is fully biodegradable and up to 90% corn-based.
A team of researchers from Sea Education Association and institutions found high concentrations of plastic debris in the western North Atlantic, comparable to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. The study suggests that basic ocean physics explains why plastic accumulates in this region.
Researchers have developed a method to prevent phthalates from migrating from PVC plastics, leading to safer products and reduced health risks. The approach permanently bonds plasticizers to the internal structure of PVC, suppressing migration and improving product durability.
Scientists have validated a new organoclay material that is safer and more environmentally friendly for making plastics. The new material achieves mass producible organoclays that are cheaper and generate less dust compared to current alternatives.
USDA researchers found that using stainless steel water troughs with chlorinated water significantly reduces the survival of Johne's disease-causing bacteria. Chlorine is particularly effective in killing the bacteria on stainless and galvanized steel surfaces, but has limited impact on concrete and plastic.
Researchers at MIT have developed fibers that can detect and produce sound, opening up new possibilities for wearable microphones and biological sensors. The fibers use a piezoelectric material to convert vibrations into electrical signals, allowing for high-resolution sensing applications.
UCI chemists develop synthetic antibodies that block bee venom by encasing melittin, a peptide causing cells to rupture. These 'plastic antibodies' offer a promising alternative to natural antibodies for treating medical conditions, with potential applications in fighting deadly toxins and pathogens.
Researchers explore using forest biomass to develop green energy and chemicals, offering a carbon-neutral alternative to petroleum-based plastics. The potential for tree-based green chemicals to replace traditional bioplastics is significant, with eco-friendly benefits and reduced ecological impacts.
Researchers have successfully tested a plastic antibody that mimics natural antibodies in the bloodstream of living mice, demonstrating its ability to recognize and fight infectious substances. The breakthrough could lead to medical applications for custom-tailored nanoparticles to combat various antigens.
Researchers are exploring new applications for terahertz sensors using plasmonics and photonics technology. This technology has the potential to improve optical sources, detectors, and modulators, as well as create biomolecules such as plastic explosives.
Researchers design plastics to capture signaling molecules, blocking bacterial infection and biofilm formation. The approach aims to combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria and reduce the risk of infections.
Dr. Koby Scheuer's plastic-based technology uses nano-sized grooves to filter noise from information in optical devices, making them smaller, more flexible, and powerful.
A new study found that dark-colored plastic mulches, particularly black and blue, increase early and total okra yields. The use of row covers also enhances plant growth, but may reduce early yields due to high air temperatures.
Researchers at Princeton University have developed a new technique to produce electricity-conducting plastics, potentially lowering the cost of manufacturing solar panels. The breakthrough allows for the use of low-cost printing techniques and replaces expensive materials like indium tin oxide.
Researchers will measure BPA levels in over 1,000 people with heart disease undergoing bypass surgery and thousands of individuals from Norfolk studied for over 10 years. The study aims to clarify whether BPA is linked to heart disease, which could impact public health by leading to controls on its use.
A recent study has discovered that certain marine bacteria can form biofilms on plastic fragments, potentially breaking them down. This research could lead to new methods for cleaning up microplastics and reducing their impact on marine life.
Scientists found widespread global contamination of sea sand and seawater with BPA from hard plastic trash and epoxy paint. The biodegradation of hard plastics releases BPA, posing risks to marine life in low concentrations.
The study reveals that plastics accumulate in garbage dumps and oceans, harming aquatic life and contaminating the food chain. Human exposure to plastic additives like BPA and phthalates is also a concern, particularly for infants, pregnant women, and individuals with compromised health.
Rice researchers have developed an inexpensive, printable transmitter for RFID tags that can be invisibly embedded in packaging. This technology has the potential to revolutionize checkout processes by allowing customers to walk through a scanner with their groceries without stopping at each item.
BPA exposure during pregnancy leads to epigenetic changes causing permanent reproductive issues in females, including fertility problems and hormone-related cancers. The study also suggests that early exposure can genetically program the uterus to be hyper-responsive to estrogen.
New analysis of US population data confirms a link between Bisphenol A (BPA) exposure and cardiovascular disease in adults. Higher BPA concentrations were associated with heart disease, as well as abnormal liver enzyme concentrations.
A European research team has created a method for locating plastic anti-personnel mines by analyzing temperature variations in the ground. The new system generates 3D thermal maps, reducing calculations by 34 times compared to other systems.
The Sea Education Association (SEA) is conducting an expedition to measure plastic marine debris in the North Atlantic Ocean. The trip will explore an area southeast of Bermuda, where large concentrations of plastic debris have been observed, similar to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.
A study found that Laysan albatrosses nesting on Kure Atoll and Oahu ingested significantly different amounts of plastic, with those on Kure Atoll consuming almost ten times the amount. The birds' stomach contents revealed a wide range of plastic items, including Asian characters indicating their likely origin.
A study suggests that exposure to a combination of stress hormones and chemicals during fetal development can increase the likelihood of reproductive birth defects, including cryptorchidism and hypospadias. The research found that simultaneous exposure to these factors significantly increased the risk of such disorders.
Researchers have developed a new spectroscopy method that can detect explosive liquids in plastic bottles instantly, improving airport security. The method uses electromagnetic radiation to identify materials and a nanoelectronic device to detect signals, creating a detailed 'thumbprint' of the liquid's molecular signature.
University of Missouri researchers create a new type of blast-resistant glass that is thinner, lighter, and less expensive than current options. The glass features a layer of glass fibers embedded in plastic, increasing its strength and resistance to small-scale explosions.
Scientists report that plastics in the ocean decompose with surprising speed, releasing potentially toxic substances like bisphenol A and PS oligomer. This discovery highlights the need for further research on plastic decomposition and its effects on marine life and human health.
The innovative check valve spout developed by the University of Vermont's Proctor Maple Research Center increases sap yields by 50 to 90 percent per tree, extending the sugarmaking season by one-and-a-half to two-and-a-half weeks. This technology also helps mitigate the effect of global warming on the Vermont maple industry.
Scientists have developed an eco-friendly coating that enables consumers to wipe away oils with plain water, reducing the need for harsh detergents. The coating can be added to window cleaning sprays and used on a range of surfaces, including mirrors, windshields, and concrete floors.
Researchers have made the crystal/liquid interface visible for the first time using tiny plastic balls to model states of matter. The study reveals a narrow region known as the 'zone of confusion' where the boundary between solid and liquid states fluctuates rapidly, contradicting previous theories.
Clemson University professor Rhett Smith receives $598,000 to study novel materials that can conduct electricity in thin, flexible plastic devices. The goal is to develop ultrathin displays and efficient thin-film solar cells.
A study of 201 newborns found that high phthalate levels were consistently associated with low birth weight, highlighting the potential environmental risk factor for infant health. The research supports efforts to minimize phthalate exposure and reduce its impact on newborns.
A study by researchers at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center has found no statistically significant increase in hypospadias rates in New York State during the 1992-2005 period, contradicting earlier concerns about environmental chemicals. Maternal age is a significant risk factor for the birth defect.
University of Houston researchers have developed highly conductive nanocomposites using polycarbonate and carbon nanotubes, improving the integrity of electronics in aircraft, computers, and iPhones. The findings could lead to antistatic coatings and electromagnetic interference shields, increasing device lifespan and efficiency.
A photoselective polyethylene greenhouse covering film has been proven effective in controlling the height of potted gardenia plants. The study showed that this technology can reduce the need for chemical growth retardants, decreasing production costs and environmental pollution. However, further research is needed to optimize its use.
A study by Wagner and Oehlmann analyzed mineral waters for estrogenic chemicals, detecting contamination in 60% of samples. Plastic bottle water showed higher levels than glass-bottled water, with more embryos developing in New Zealand mud snails exposed to plastic bottles.
Researchers create a process that can produce nano-devices with features as small as 13 nanometers, outperforming silicon and steel. The use of bulk metallic glasses allows for molding fine details without grain size limitations.
A University of Rochester Medical Center study challenges common assumptions about BPA exposure, suggesting that levels can remain high even after fasting for 24 hours. The finding highlights the need for further research into the effects of BPA on adipose tissue hormones and function.
University of Pittsburgh researchers have developed a natural, nontoxic method for biodegrading carbon nanotubes using the horseradish enzyme peroxidase. This finding could help address environmental and health concerns associated with the use of carbon nanotubes in various products.
Researchers have developed a new theory that explains the behavior of molecules in plastics, leading to more precise and cost-effective production of specialty plastics. This breakthrough could have applications in fields like engineering, nanotechnology, renewable energy, and medicine.
Cones starve to death due to structural changes in the retina, disrupting nutrient flow. Researchers propose boosting nutrient levels in cones to preserve daylight vision in patients.
Researchers have developed a new method to equip miniaturized laboratories with moving parts using magnetic colloidal particles. The technique allows for the creation of complex networks of individual components driven by a single magnetic field.
Fast molecular rearrangements in plastics allow them to absorb energy and change shape without breaking, enabling properties like plastic flow. This quality enables plastics to bend rather than break under stress, as observed in bulletproof glass that flows around bullets.
Researchers at Ohio State University found that popular football helmet faceshields can withstand high-velocity impacts equivalent to a kick in the face. The shields maintained structural integrity and optical quality, providing protection without disrupting players' vision.
Research studies reveal strong associations between exposure to Bisphenol A, phthalates and flame retardants and adverse health effects on humans and laboratory animals. Exposure during fetal life or prior to weaning can disrupt brain development, reproductive systems, and behavior.
A study published in JAMA found that higher levels of urinary Bisphenol A (BPA) are associated with an increased prevalence of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and liver-enzyme abnormalities. BPA concentrations were linked to a 39% increased odds of cardiovascular disease and diabetes.