Articles tagged with Plastics
Using genetically modified Aspergillus fungi, researchers have successfully converted polyethylene plastics into pharmacologically active compounds. The process breaks down the plastics quickly and efficiently, producing commercially viable yields of asperbenzaldehyde, citreoviridin, and mutilin.
Researchers at NREL developed a framework to compare the performance of various plastics recycling technologies. They examined technical metrics such as material quality and retention, as well as environmental metrics including energy use and greenhouse gas emissions.
Researchers investigated micro-sized polyethylene's toxicity on human colorectal cancer cells, finding decreased cell viability and increased reactive oxygen species production. Exposure to high doses caused cell death and oxidative stress responses.
A new framework identifies barriers and context-specific measures for plastic use and disposal, guiding policymakers in selecting effective intervention measures. The framework has been tested in Kyoto City, revealing potential desirable behavioral changes, critical barriers, and corresponding intervention measures.
Researchers found that hand washing can drastically cut the amount of fibers shed compared to using a machine, offering guidance for greener laundering methods. The study aims to clarify sources of microplastic pollution in the environment and promote more sustainable textile care practices.
Experiments show that UV light from the sun breaks down plastics on the ocean surface, turning them into smaller, invisible nanoplastic particles. This process could account for a substantial amount of the 'Missing Plastic Paradox', where plastic waste in the ocean is only a fraction of what has been littered.
A new UW-led report emphasizes the unequal burden of marine plastic pollution on different communities, particularly in developing countries. The study calls for a more equitable approach to address the issue, focusing on plastics production rather than waste management.
Researchers at University of California, Riverside, have developed a method to convert plastic waste into highly porous charcoal that captures carbon and improves soil water retention. The char can also act as a natural fertilizer, but further work is needed to substantiate its utility in agriculture.
A team from the University of Cambridge has created a solar-powered reactor that can transform two waste streams, CO2 and plastics, into valuable products. The system produces syngas for sustainable liquid fuels and glycolic acid for the cosmetics industry, offering a promising step towards a circular economy.
A new open-access Raman spectral library enables scientists to detect molecular 'fingerprints' of particles and better trace sources of ocean plastic pollution. The database adds 42 polymer types, including those from non-plastic particles, to improve accuracy.
A study found nearly one-fourth of breast cancer patients experience reconstructive burnout, characterized by incomplete or abandoned breast reconstruction. Risk factors include radiation therapy, higher body mass index, and tissue expander complications.
Researchers found that microplastic mass sequestered in seafloor sediments mimics global plastic production from 1965 to 2016. The study revealed a tripling of microplastics deposited on the seafloor since 2000, with accumulation rates mirroring global use of plastics.
A new recycling process has been developed to convert Nylon-6 into ε-Caprolactam with over 95% selectivity and 90% yield, eliminating the need for solvents or toxic chemicals. This breakthrough offers a promising solution for managing plastic waste.
A study found that story-writing activity increased children's knowledge on marine plastic litter and promoted proactive behaviors. Children mostly focused on preventing the problem from worsening, with solutions including adequate disposal and recycling.
Researchers found that sea urchin larvae exposed to high levels of plastic pollution developed significant developmental abnormalities, including malformation of the skeleton and immune cells. The study reveals how newly made PVC pellets and beach-collected fragments cause harm to the embryos.
Researchers at UIC have created an integrated system that captures carbon dioxide from flue gas and converts it to high-purity ethylene, achieving net-negative carbon emissions. The system's modular design allows for easy scaling up and down, making it a potential breakthrough in sustainable ethylene production.
The study investigates the anisotropy dependence of damage evolution and material removal behaviors in ultra-precision machining of MgF2 single crystals. The research team developed a stress field model, revealing that plastic deformation and cleavage fracture mechanisms were activated depending on the crystal orientation.
Researchers calculated 74 metric tonnes of microplastics drop onto Auckland annually, equivalent to over 3 million plastic bottles. The smallest particles are highly toxic and can enter cells, cross the blood-brain barrier, and accumulate in organs.
Researchers discovered that microplastics can transform chromium metal into a more toxic form when attached to UV filters, potentially harming aquatic life. The study suggests that microplastics may not just accumulate contaminants, but also interact with them to increase environmental toxicity.
Researchers found that glutaminase inhibitor BPTES selectively eliminates senescent dermal fibroblasts, improving skin aging phenotype by increasing collagen density and cell proliferation. The study suggests BPTES as a potential therapeutic agent for skin aging, offering new treatment options.
A new study reveals that microfibers in the Mediterranean Sea are home to over 2,600 bacterial species, including Vibrio parahaemolyticus, a potentially deadly bacterium. The presence of these bacteria poses a significant threat to human health and aquatic ecosystems.
A recent analysis by Duke University researchers found that most top companies have made voluntary commitments to reduce plastic pollution, but few prioritize reducing virgin plastic use. The study suggests that these efforts focus on downstream waste-reduction strategies such as lightweighting, rather than addressing the root cause of...
New study reveals plastic additives selectively harm corals' reproductive processes, development, and settlement, affecting ecosystem balance. Researchers found alarming effects of environmental concentrations on various organisms, highlighting the urgent need for better risk assessments.
A new peer-reviewed article highlights the diversity and complexity of chemicals in plastics, which could severely undermine the global plastics treaty's effectiveness. The study identifies over 10,000 chemical substances used in plastic production, leading to varied chemical compositions among different manufacturers.
The scientists emphasize the need for urgent course correction due to inconsistent chemical frameworks. They highlight the importance of comprehensive chemical regulation from production stages to product use and disposal.
Research reveals microplastic fibres in all samples, with majority found in Antarctic air, indicating animals breathe them. Antarctic sea ice also traps microplastics, acting as a temporary sink for global plastic pollution.
A new study highlights the complexity of chemicals in plastics, which could undermine the effectiveness of a global plastics treaty. The diversity of chemicals in plastics poses challenges to recycling and waste management, making it difficult to ensure the integrity and safety of products over extended lifetimes.
A recent study identifies over 10,000 chemical substances used in plastic production, highlighting the complexity of plastics and their negative impacts on human and ecosystem health. The diversity of chemicals makes it difficult to achieve standardized plastic formulations, posing challenges to recycling and pollution solutions.
A new study published in Marine Pollution Bulletin found significantly higher levels of polyethylene, polypropylene, acrylic, and polyamide in the North Atlantic gyre compared to other offshore locations. Inshore areas exhibited a diverse range of polymers, possibly influenced by proximity to various plastic sources.
A transdisciplinary team of QUT researchers has proposed a multi-pronged approach to tackle plastic pollution, combining DNA-like encoding of plastics with international law. The technology aims to trace plastic waste back to its source, enabling the identification of polluters and eventual phasing out of plastics.
A study found widespread occurrence of microplastics in Monterey Bay water and in the digestive tracts of anchovies and common murres. The researchers discovered that almost a quarter of the examined murres had particles exhibiting estrogenic activity, potentially disrupting hormone functions.
Leading global plastics experts call for an ambitious 0% new plastic waste target by 2040 to tackle plastic pollution and climate change. The University of Portsmouth's Global Plastics Policy Centre recommends a coordinated global strategy, clear metrics, and harmonized national policies to achieve this goal.
A UK-wide study found that 60% of home-compostable plastics do not fully disintegrate in home compost bins, ending up in soil. The study highlights the need to revise and redesign sustainable plastic waste management systems.
Researchers developed a 'clean-label' method to minimize spoilage problems in fresh pasta, adding 30 days to its shelf life. The technique uses modified atmosphere packaging and bioprotective probiotic cultures to control microbial growth.
A Tel Aviv University study reveals that the Israeli shoreline is contaminated with more than two million tons of microplastics, with Tel Aviv and Hadera beaches being the most polluted. The researchers warn that exposure to microplastic waste is unavoidable and poses a risk to human health.
Researchers at KTH Royal Institute of Technology have developed a new kind of wood-based degradable plastic with semi-structural strength, enabling the replacement of fossil-based materials in home construction and furnishing. The material can be broken down without harming the environment, allowing for recycling and reuse of fibers.
Researchers at ITQB NOVA extract bactericidal mixtures from tomato peels using a fast, simple, and sustainable process. The extracts show effectiveness against pathogenic bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. This breakthrough has the potential to provide antimicrobial properties to biomaterials.
A proposed U.S. menthol ban could significantly reduce plastic pollution and toxic chemical leaching into soil and water supplies. The ban is estimated to cut littering by 3.8 billion cigarette butts annually, saving approximately 1.7 million pounds of waste.
Researchers at UT Austin developed a semicrystalline polymer that combines strength and flexibility, overcoming challenges of mixed materials in robotics and electronics. The new material is 10 times as tough as natural rubber and can be controlled with light.
Major chemical companies are backing pyrolysis plants to expand plastics recycling, but environmentalists remain skeptical. The process converts plastic waste into hydrocarbon feedstocks that can be turned into plastics again, making up for the shortcomings of traditional recycling which captures only about 9% of plastics in the US.
A new study evaluated the performance of a Seabin device in Plymouth, UK, finding it captured only 0.18kg of litter over 750 hours of operation. In contrast, manual trawls collected significantly more litter with minimal harm to marine life.
Researchers developed a fabric with nano-scale threads containing phase-change materials to regulate body temperature. The textile combines electrothermal and photothermal coatings for enhanced thermal regulation. It has the potential to alleviate heat or cold stress in workers and travelers, offering improved comfort and safety.
Scientists have devised a simple method using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) directed evolution to improve enzyme engineering. This approach can help develop engineered enzymes that can break down plastic and toxic waste, reducing environmental harm.
A Japan Science and Technology Agency research group developed high-performance catalysts for efficient synthesis of value-added chemicals from polyester and vegetable oil. These catalysts enable nearly 100% selectivity in converting polyester into raw materials, offering a promising solution to chemical recycling.
Researchers develop breakthrough process to transform polyethylene into polypropylene, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by scalable and rapidly implementable method. The process could potentially save 3 million cars' worth of GHG emissions if 20% of global PE waste is recovered.
Researchers have created exceptionally thin nanomembranes that can separate hydrocarbons from crude oil with 90% less energy than traditional distillation columns. The membranes' high permeance and selectivity enable rapid processing of crude oil, reducing plant footprint and energy consumption.
A new process developed at the University of California, Berkeley, breaks down polyethylene plastics into propylene, a feedstock for high-value plastics. The process uses catalysts to depolymerize polyethylene, producing 80% propylene and upcycling waste into valuable products.
A new study improves the ability to process mixed plastics using pyrolysis, generating fuel as a byproduct. Researchers found one catalyst that can convert LDPE and PET waste into valuable liquid fuels.
Researchers have created a CBD-based bioplastic material that could be used in medical implants, food wrappers, and other applications due to its antioxidant properties. The material has a broad melting temperature range and stretchability, making it suitable for industrial use.
Researchers from Japan have developed a simple method to recycle polyester into cross-linked polymers that retain their strength and properties. The new upcycling system uses commonly available materials and a mixing and heating process to create highly recyclable, high-value materials.
Researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder have developed a method to break down durable plastics into their most basic building blocks and reform them into the same material. This breakthrough could lead to the creation of new technologies, new materials, and enable the circular production of more plastic materials in daily life.
The UK's Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council has awarded £19 million to five world-class teams investigating bold ideas in bioscience. These projects will advance our understanding of fundamental rules of life, with potential implications for agriculture, health, biotechnology, and the green economy.
Researchers developed a simple, fraud-resistant method to evaluate recycled content in new plastic products by adding a fluorescent tag. The technique was successfully tested on various polymers and colors, identifying the percentage of recycled material in real-world products.
The need to reduce diabetes care product waste is a pressing issue, with disposable devices generating enormous amounts of plastic. Experts, including Professor Lutz Heinemann, are exploring strategies to increase recycling and sustainability in the industry.
Researchers have found that nanoplastics can enter human liver and lung cells, disrupting their regular processes and causing inflammation, toxicity, and neurological changes. The study reveals that nanoplastics can alter metabolic pathways, including the production of reactive oxygen species and nucleotides.
Researchers found that lettuce takes up nanoplastics from soil and transfers them into the food chain, with particles detected in insects and fish. The study highlights potential health risks to herbivores and humans due to tiny plastic particles in soil.
A team of researchers found microplastics in water trapped in plant leaf axils, a first-time discovery that highlights the global risk of contamination. The study, conducted in Slovakia, used teasel phytotelmata, small aquatic ecosystems formed by plants, to detect the presence of microplastics.
Researchers have identified surface-based chiral nanostructures as the potential culprit behind plastics turning yellow over time. The study suggests that these structures, formed on the surface of polyethylene films exposed to UV light, are a key factor in the degradation process and the resulting yellow color change.
Researchers found that oxygen makes diamond formation more likely, allowing for a wider range of conditions and planets. This discovery could lead to new methods of fabricating nanodiamonds with various applications.
A study found melamine and cyanuric acid in nearly all pregnant participants' samples, with higher levels in women of color and those with greater tobacco exposure. Regulatory action is needed to limit exposure to these carcinogenic chemicals.