LND topic: plastic-recycling page 38

plastic recycling

Repurposing Old Batteries: A New Life for Spent Graphite

January 17, 2025

Did you know that old batteries could have a second life? Scientists have found a cool use for the graphite inside spent lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). This graphite is special because it has a lot of oxygen-rich groups on its surface. These groups help the graphite absorb microwaves really well. To

science

Tiny Plastics, Big Problems: How Nanoplastics Hurt Zebrafish Brains

January 17, 2025

You know those tiny pieces of plastic that pollute our oceans and rivers? They're not just a problem for the environment, but also for the creatures living in it, like zebrafish. We found out that when these little plastic bits, called nanoplastics, are very small (about 20 nanometers), they can do

science

Plastic Pieces on the Move: A Closer Look at Microplastics in Rivers

January 16, 2025

Did you know tiny plastic bits, called microplastics, are all over our rivers and streams? Scientists wanted to understand how these microplastics move near the bottom of these waterways. They used a special tool called particle tracking velocimetry to watch four types of microplastics move in a lab

environment

UV-Aged Plastic Bits Boost Mercury Harm in Marine Tiny Crustaceans Over Generations

January 14, 2025

Imagine tiny plastic bits exposed to sun's UV light. These bits, called nanoplastics, can change over time, affecting how they interact with metals like mercury. But what happens when these aged nanoplastics meet mercury, and how does it impact marine life? A study looked into this with a tiny crust

health

“How FTO Keeps Your Knees Healthy: A Surprising Connection”

January 14, 2025

You know those painful knee issues many people deal with as they age? It turns out, there’s a surprising connection to how our cells manage energy. Scientists discovered that a protein called FTO helps control a process in our cells called autophagy. Autophagy keeps cells healthy by recycling old pa

environment

Don't Just Recycle: Push for Policy Change

January 13, 2025

You might think that recycling more or going vegan can save the planet, but the truth is, it's not that simple. Individual actions like these have a tiny impact compared to big systemic changes. For instance, even if everyone in the U. S. went vegan, it would only cut greenhouse gas emissions by 2.

science

Microbes from Mexico's Extreme Spots: A New Hope for Biodegradable Plastics

January 13, 2025

Did you know that plastic waste can take hundreds of years to break down? That's why scientists are on the hunt for better solutions. One promising find is polyhydroxybutyrate, or PHB, a biodegradable polymer made by microbes. Mexico, with its diverse microbial world, is a hotspot for these tiny hel

health

A Woman's Second Chance: Reliving Childhood Vaccines

January 13, 2025

Meet Marianna, a Texan who did something extraordinary: she received all her childhood vaccines again. Why? A series of life-threatening health issues, including aplastic anemia and post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder, made her immune system as weak as a newborn's. Doctors had to rebuild he

technology

The Small Home Revolution: Affordable Smart Living at CES 2025

January 11, 2025

AC Future and Italian design firm Pininfarina teamed up to introduce their mini smart homes at CES 2025. These homes, named AI-THu, AI-THt, and AI-THd, offer a modern, sustainable solution for people who might struggle to afford traditional houses. The flagship model, AI-THu, is a 400-square-foot sm

environment

What Plastic Does to Seabirds: A Closer Look

January 10, 2025

You might have heard that plastics in the ocean are a serious issue, but what's the real deal when it comes to seabirds? Scientists joined forces with local fishermen and wildlife rescuers to figure it out. They gathered more than 400 young shearwaters—some in great condition, others not so much. Th