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Threat of bioaccumulation: New study investigates impact of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons on bay scallops

Researchers evaluated the toxicological effects of BaP on bay scallops, finding increased immune response-related parameters with time at higher concentrations. The study suggests that BaP dampens the immune response of scallops and decreases their capacity to respond to oxidative stress.

SourceNational Korea Maritime and Ocean University·JournalFish & Shellfish Immunology·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 31, 2022

Safely storing dangerous gasses in pores

Scientists developed a new porous coordination polymer that can store and release acetylene, a highly flammable industrial gas, without using solvents. The material allows for the storage of large quantities of acetylene at pressures below 2 bar.

SourceKyoto University·JournalNature Chemistry·DateApr 21, 2022

CityU chemists develop a strategy for highly efficient and stable perovskite solar cells

A research team from City University of Hong Kong and Imperial College London developed a new strategy for highly efficient and stable perovskite solar cells using ferrocene molecules. The breakthrough invention can achieve efficiency of up to 25% while maintaining stability, making it a promising alternative to silicon solar cells.

SourceCity University of Hong Kong·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 21, 2022

University of Sheffield study shows potential to reduce reliance on non-renewable fertilisers in agriculture

Researchers at the University of Sheffield have identified a unique bacterial phosphatase, PafA, that can efficiently release phosphate from its organic forms. This discovery has potential to help reduce the consumption of phosphate chemical fertilisers and promote sustainable agriculture.

SourceUniversity of Sheffield·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 12, 2022

Hope for inflammatory bowel disease with novel “green” synthesis of drug candidate

Researchers at Okayama University have developed a novel 'green' synthesis technique for the production of NEt-3IB, a promising small-molecule oral drug candidate for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The new method produces large quantities of NEt-3IB with high purity and a total yield of over 30%, using only recoverable organic solve...

SourceOkayama University·JournalChemical and Pharmaceutical Bulletin·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateMar 11, 2022

Researchers train neural network to recognize chemical formulas from research papers

A team of researchers from Skoltech and universities developed a neural network-based solution for automated recognition of chemical formulas on research paper scans. The algorithm combines molecules, functional groups, fonts, styles, and printing defects to mimic existing molecular template depiction styles.

University of Helsinki research shows particles formed in boreal forests affect clouds in the troposphere

A new study by University of Helsinki researchers shows that boreal forests can mitigate climate change through aerosol formation and growth, influencing cloud properties and regional climate. The study found that aerosol particles produced by the forests alter cloud reflectivity, potentially cooling the climate.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalNature Geoscience·TypeObservational study·DateJan 19, 2022

Towards high-performance organic optoelectronics with better crystallinity at semiconductor interface

Researchers from Tokyo University of Science developed a high-quality crystalline interface using quasi-homo-epitaxial growth, which eliminated mobility issues and enabled spontaneous electron transfer. This breakthrough could lead to highly efficient flexible solar cells and wearable electronic devices.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 13, 2022

Eco-friendly process for synthesizing organic materials developed for high-performance materials industry

Researchers at CeMM have developed an eco-friendly process to synthesize organic materials using water instead of toxic solvents, achieving cost savings of up to 25% and improving material properties. The process involves heating molecules in water under pressure to create high-performance materials with unique structures and properties.

Study shows that electronic air cleaning technology can generate unintended pollutants

A Georgia Tech study found that a hydroxyl radical generator in an office setting generated organic acids and secondary organic aerosols, which can cause health problems. The device was marketed to inactivate pathogens like coronaviruses, but the study highlights the need for further research on its unintended effects.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology Letters·DateJul 16, 2021

Moviegoers contaminate nonsmoking movie theater with 'thirdhand' cigarette smoke

Research shows that concentrations of nicotine and smoking-related volatile organic compounds spike when moviegoers enter a non-smoking theater, equivalent to up to 10 cigarettes of secondhand smoke. The study highlights the need for regulation and warns of the health risks of thirdhand exposure, especially for infants and children.

Research explores how grape pests sniff out berries

A new study found that female grape berry moths detect a subset of volatile organic compounds emitted by grapes, as well as nearby plants like gray dogwood and apple trees. The researchers suggest that the moths use these common volatiles to find their target habitat before using other cues to locate specific berries.

SourceCornell University·JournalJournal of Chemical Ecology·DateDec 10, 2019

Atmospheric chemists move indoors

Atmospheric chemists are cataloging compounds in indoor air, which can react with others to form new molecules. Indoor emissions come from various sources, including stoves, cleaning products, and people's breath, skin, and personal care products.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalChemical & Engineering News·DateDec 4, 2019

Study: Actually, potted plants don't improve indoor air quality

Researchers from Drexel University review a decade of studies on the air-purifying effects of potted plants and find that natural ventilation is far more effective at cleaning the air than plants. To compete with building air handling systems, it would take between 10 to 1,000 plants per square meter of floor space.

SourceDrexel University·JournalJournal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology·DateNov 6, 2019

Green alternative to PET could be even greener

Researchers at the University of Groningen have developed an enzyme-based polymerization method to create a more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional polyethylene terephthalate (PET). By using a commercially available enzyme, they successfully produced furan-based copolyesters with improved properties.

SourceUniversity of Groningen·JournalChemSusChem·DateJan 30, 2019

Checking water quality at the tap

A new study found that US tap water contains a mixture of contaminants, including pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and lead, which can harm public health. The researchers detected high levels of lead in 23 samples, exceeding the EPA's zero-lead goal.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateNov 21, 2018

New method can identify chemical warfare agents more easily

A new method for extracting, enriching and identifying chemical warfare agents from oils and organic liquids has been developed, using nanoparticles to capture the chemicals. The method can identify agents at low concentrations, overcomes challenges of detecting water-repellent agents, and has potential to save lives.

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of Chromatography A·DateJul 13, 2016