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Green chemistry milestone: fluorine complexes from common fluoride salt

A team of researchers from Shibaura Institute of Technology, Japan, has developed a novel fluorinating quaternary ammonium complex with extremely low hygroscopicity, making it an excellent reagent for electrochemical fluorination. The new agent was synthesized by combining KF with tetrabutylammonium bromide and showed promise in pharma...

SourceShibaura Institute of Technology·JournalChemical Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 18, 2025

Researchers with UTHealth Houston School of Public Health awarded $5 million to study cancer risk among firefighters in Texas

Researchers will investigate fire smoke carcinogens and cancer biomarkers in active, retired, and cadet firefighters to understand the impacts of firefighting on their lifelong health. The study aims to identify groups most at risk for cancer and recommend policies and programs to protect firefighter health.

Atmospheric chemistry keeps pollutants in the air

Researchers from Hokkaido University found that chemical processes in the atmosphere, such as buffering effects and acidity-driven gas-particle partitioning, contribute to the persistence of nitrates. These findings help improve climate modeling by refining atmospheric nitrate levels.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 2, 2025

Southeast Asia could prevent up to 36,000 ozone-related early deaths a year by 2050 with stricter air pollution controls, finds NTU Singapore study

A NTU Singapore study found that robust air pollution control measures can prevent 36,000 ozone-related premature deaths annually in Southeast Asia by 2050. Implementing stringent emission reduction measures could drop annual deaths by 22,000 under a business-as-usual scenario.

SourceNanyang Technological University·JournalEnvironment International·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 20, 2025

Fresh route to more efficient cooling using light and heat

Researchers have developed a theoretical model that enhances passive radiative cooling by generating positive photon chemical potential, allowing for more efficient heat emission. The system can reach cooling powers of up to 485 watts per square meter, surpassing typical radiation power from a blackbody at room temperature.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalJournal of Photonics for Energy·DateMay 16, 2025

Is air pollution exposure equal across South Korea?

A recent study from POSTECH University evaluated ground-level NO2 concentrations using satellite remote sensing data, revealing significant socioeconomic disparities in air pollution exposure. The research found that areas with higher socioeconomic levels had higher NO2 concentrations, contradicting previous findings in other countries.

SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateMay 9, 2025

Health care workers, firefighters have increased PFAS levels, study finds

A study found moderate elevations of certain PFAS in health care workers' blood, with notably higher odds of detecting Sb-PFOA and PFDoA compared to other professions. Firefighters had the highest concentrations of PFAS, specifically concentrations of PFHxS, Sm-PFOS, n-PFOS and PFHpS.

SourceUniversity of Arizona Health Sciences·JournalJournal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMay 8, 2025

UH researcher unveils new model to evaluate impact of extreme events and natural hazards

A new numerical computer model tracks how pollution travels through Galveston Bay, helping scientists understand water movement in estuaries. The model is critical for evaluating climate variability and sea level fluctuation impacts on coastal communities, guiding better decisions to keep water clean and prevent flooding.

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalEnvironmental Science and Pollution Research·DateApr 14, 2025

The Frontiers of Knowledge Award goes to Avelino Corma, John Hartwig and Helmut Schwarz for their founding work on the catalysts that are enabling a more efficient, sustainable chemistry

Avelino Corma, John Hartwig, and Helmut Schwarz received the BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Award for their fundamental advances in catalysis. They have improved efficiency and reduced energy consumption in various industrial processes through their innovative catalysts.

Royalty among us

Richard Willson, a University of Houston professor, has been elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry for his contributions to the chemical sciences. He has developed innovative methods to detect viruses and other biological threats using glow-in-the-dark nanoparticles.

Mizzou scientists develop a method that could lower medicine costs and contribute to cleaner energy and sustainability

Researchers have developed a novel electrochemistry approach to build new molecules using micelles from naturally occurring amino acids and coconut oil. This breakthrough method could reduce the cost of making medicines by combining solvents, electrolytes, and reaction boosters into one simple tool.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalAngewandte Chemie·DateMar 3, 2025

Illinois researchers develop next-generation organic nanozymes and point-of-use system for food and agricultural uses

The University of Illinois researchers have developed organic-material-based nanozymes that can detect histamine in food products with an affordable analytic performance profile. An integrated point-of-use platform allows for rapid detection of agricultural and biological molecules without laboratory equipment.

Secure and steady 6G communication

A team of researchers from the University of Tokyo has developed an ultrathin film that can absorb terahertz waves in the 0.1–1 THz range, enabling secure and clear transmission for 6G wireless communications. The absorber is made of titanium and oxygen and can be used outdoors due to its resistance to heat, water, light, and organic s...

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 9, 2025

How life's building blocks took shape on early Earth: the limits of membraneless polyester protocell formation

A recent study found that polyester microdroplets can form in salt-rich environments, at low alpha-hydroxy acid concentrations, and in small reaction volumes. This expands on previous research and suggests that polyester protocells were likely more common on early Earth than previously thought.

SourceInstitute of Science Tokyo·JournalACS Bio & Med Chem Au·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 6, 2025

University of Virginia study reveals air pollution inequities linked to industrial swine facilities are detectable from space

A University of Virginia study uses satellite data to show long-term air pollution inequalities tied to industrialized swine facilities in Eastern North Carolina. The research finds that these disparities extend multiple kilometers beyond the immediate vicinity of facilities, affecting communities of color disproportionately.

SourceUniversity of Virginia College and Graduate School of Arts & Sciences·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateJan 28, 2025

The science behind the foldable molecular paths

Researchers at Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology developed foldable molecular paths using zeolitic imidazolate frameworks, which can adjust size, shape, and alignment in response to temperature, pressure, and gas interactions. This technology has potential applications in creating filters that adapt to capture harmful ...

SourceUlsan National Institute of Science and Technology(UNIST)·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateJan 6, 2025

New method turns e-waste to gold

Researchers at Cornell University developed a method to extract gold from e-waste using vinyl-linked covalent organic frameworks (VCOFs), capturing 99.9% of the precious metal while minimizing other metals. This approach converts CO2 into useful chemicals, reducing waste disposal demands and providing environmental benefits.

SourceCornell University·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 2, 2025