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Exposure to secondhand cannabis smoke among children

A cross-sectional study found that children exposed to secondhand cannabis smoke at home have significantly higher urinary cannabinoid biomarker levels, indicating increased exposure to toxic and carcinogenic chemicals. Reducing in-home cannabis smoking can substantially reduce child exposure to these harmful substances.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateJan 23, 2025

Global research on hydrothermal pretreatment: A green leap for biorefineries

A comprehensive bibliometric analysis reveals a steady increase in global research on hydrothermal pretreatment, with China leading the way. The technology has gained significant attention for its environmentally friendly approach to breaking down lignocellulosic biomass and producing biofuels.

SourceJournal of Bioresources and Bioproducts·JournalJournal of Bioresources and Bioproducts·TypeLiterature review·DateJan 22, 2025

Researchers unlock new insights into tin-based catalysts for electrochemical CO₂ reduction

Researchers developed efficient tin-based catalysts for electrochemical CO2 reduction, enabling the production of high-value formic acid with improved selectivity and activity. The study's findings provide critical insights into the reaction mechanism, highlighting the importance of structural and kinetic factors in catalyst design.

SourceAdvanced Institute for Materials Research (AIMR), Tohoku University·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateJan 22, 2025

AI-driven approach reveals hidden hazards of chemical mixtures in rivers

A new AI-driven approach identifies potentially harmful chemical substances in rivers by monitoring their effects on tiny water fleas, providing insights into complex mixtures and aquatic life. The study enables more comprehensive environmental monitoring and supports better-informed regulations for chemical discharge into waterways.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 20, 2024

Toxic air in Texas high schools

A recent study of Texas high school indoor air revealed the presence of phthalates and PBDEs, linked to cancers, reproductive disorders, and nervous system damage. Researchers found correlations between SVOC concentrations and building characteristics, such as flooring type and classroom design.

Unveiling unknown chemicals in human serum samples

A study by Chiba University researchers has identified 106 compounds in pregnant women's serum samples, including phthalates, nitrogenous compounds, and parabens, which may impact biological pathways. The study proposes a non-targeted approach for detecting foreign chemicals and evaluating their potential health effects.

SourceChiba University·JournalEcotoxicology and Environmental Safety·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 5, 2024

SwRI-led study explores risks of chemical exposure from household products

Researchers analyzed 81 common household items for chemical makeup and exposure risks. The study used advanced chromatography and machine learning methods to identify chemicals that could pose negative health effects, such as synthetic antioxidant BKF, when exposure reached a certain threshold.

SourceSouthwest Research Institute·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateDec 4, 2024

Shells, teeth and bones of ‘weird and wonderful organisms’ provide historical environmental clues

A global research team has discovered 'natural data loggers' in aquatic species, providing a historical record of the environment. The unique chemical fingerprints left by these organisms can help scientists track water temperatures, pollution levels, and ecosystem health.

SourceUniversity of South Australia·JournalLimnology and Oceanography Letters·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 27, 2024

Garden produce grown near Fayetteville works fluorochemical plant contains GenX, other PFAs

A new study found that residential garden produce grown near the Fayetteville Works fluorochemical plant can contain high levels of GenX and other PFAS, posing an exposure risk to consumers. Water-rich produce like berries and figs exhibited the highest PFAS levels, with daily intake estimates suggesting a significant health concern.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalJournal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 20, 2024

Authoritative review makes connections between electron density topology, future of materials modeling and how we understand mechanisms of phenomena in familiar devices at the atomistic level

The comprehensive review highlights the impact of electron density topology on materials science and chemistry. It reveals connections between methods, including NG QTAIM, and their potential for simulating complex reactions, enabling more realistic computing and understanding of matter.

SourceInstitute of Science Tokyo·JournalChemical Reviews·TypeLiterature review·DateNov 18, 2024

Full-bodied cheese flavor–prediction of flavor development soon possible thanks to new method

Researchers developed an efficient analysis method to precisely determine gamma-glutamyl dipeptide concentrations, enabling prediction of full-bodied cheese flavor development. The method uses ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and can analyze 60 cheese samples per day.

SourceLeibniz-Institut für Lebensmittel-Systembiologie an der TU München·JournalFood Chemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 22, 2024

New imaging technique brings us closer to simplified, low-cost agricultural quality assessment

Researchers developed a method to reconstruct hyperspectral images from standard RGB images using deep machine learning. The technique achieved over 70% accuracy in predicting soluble solid content and 88% accuracy in dry matter content in sweet potatoes, with potential applications for the agricultural industry.

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalJournal of Food Engineering·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 30, 2024

Discovery of 3,775-year-old preserved log supports ‘wood vaulting’ as a climate solution

A University of Maryland-led study found that burying wood in the right environmental conditions can stop its decomposition and help curb carbon dioxide emissions. The researchers analyzed a 3,775-year-old log and surrounding soil, revealing that it had lost less than 5% carbon dioxide thanks to the low-permeability clay soil.

SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 27, 2024

New data science tool greatly speeds up molecular analysis of our environment

A research team developed a computational workflow for analyzing large data sets in metabolomics, speeding up the process to capture chemical profiles of coastal environments. The tool, accessible to researchers worldwide, highlights potential sources of pollution and enables statistical insights within minutes.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalNature Protocols·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 20, 2024

Moving particle simulation-aided soil plasticity analysis for earth pressure balance shield tunnelling

A team of researchers from Shibaura Institute of Technology developed a moving particle simulation-aided soil plasticity analysis for earth pressure balance shield tunnelling. The study found that earth pressure is a reliable indicator for analyzing soil plasticity and proposed a computer-aided analysis system that precisely reflects e...

SourceShibaura Institute of Technology·JournalTunnelling and Underground Space Technology·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 17, 2024

Exploring ternary metal sulfides as electrocatalyst for carbon dioxide reduction reactions

Researchers from Tokyo Institute of Technology have developed a novel screening methodology using machine learning to identify key design guidelines for ternary metal sulfide electrocatalysts. Focusing on crystal structure leads to better results, overcoming challenges in material properties and electrochemical performance analysis.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 12, 2024

Enhancing electron transfer for highly efficient upconversion OLEDs

A team of researchers from Tokyo Institute of Technology elucidated the mechanisms of electron transfer in upconversion organic light-emitting diodes, resulting in improved efficiency. They discovered a novel donor-acceptor combination that led to the fabrication of an efficient blue UC-OLED with an extremely low turn-on voltage.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 15, 2024