Author: healthadmin
Bio-based plastics made from materials such as sugarcane, corn and agricultural waste have a smaller carbon footprint than plastics made from petroleum, according to a new study. However, bio-based plastics have a significant impact on natural ecosystems.This study is the first comprehensive life cycle analysis comparing bio-based and fossil-based plastics. Researchers tracked the environmental impacts of the production, use, and disposal of five bio-based and seven fossil-based polymers. While most previous studies on bio-based plastics have emphasized their carbon footprint, the new study also covers impacts on ecosystem quality and human health.Another recent study found that replacing traditional plastics with…
A new study reveals that life beneath the surface of one of the driest places on Earth is far more resilient and diverse than many scientists expected. An international team led by the University of Cologne studied tiny soil insects known as nematodes in Chile’s Atacama Desert. Often compared to a polar desert, the Atacama is considered one of the driest regions in the world. With little precipitation, high salt concentrations in the soil, and large temperature fluctuations, it is one of the harshest environments on Earth. Despite these harsh conditions, the researchers found a thriving community of nematodes. Experts…
Social media algorithms are not politically neutral and can actively shape an individual’s political opinions. Recent research published in journals nature present evidence that turning on an algorithmic feed on Platform X shifted users’ political views to the right. Turning off the algorithm did not reverse this effect. This suggests that algorithms can leave a lasting footprint on people’s information environments. X, formerly known as Twitter, is the leading platform for political news and public conversation. The platform offers two main ways to display your content. A chronological feed simply displays posts from accounts you actively follow in the exact…
At the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), researcher Dr. Leonardo Ferreira is leading an ambitious effort to change the way type 1 diabetes (T1D) is treated. With $1 million in support from Breakthrough T1D, the world’s leading research and advocacy organization, Ferreira and collaborators at partner institutions are testing new strategies aimed at treating and potentially curing the disease. Their approach integrates stem cell science, immunology, and transplantation research. The central goal is simple but bold. The goal is to restore insulin-producing beta cells in T1D patients without the need for immunosuppressants. “These awards support the most promising research…
Refeyn, a developer of pioneering mass photometry technology, is expanding its adoption globally across contract research organizations (CROs) and contract development and manufacturing organizations (CDMOs). To showcase this development, Refeyn has launched a new webpage highlighting how leading CROs and CDMOs are redefining process development and manufacturing workflows using mass photometry, and providing researchers with an interactive tool to discover and partner with these organizations. Refeyn’s Samux™ benchtop mass photometer enables rapid analysis of adeno-associated virus (AAV) samples. Image credit: Refine The rapid adoption of mass photometry reflects the growing demand for fast, reliable, and cost-effective analyzes for protein and…
If flannel is from Seattle A rain jacket with a signature style is a practical necessity. Here, people own multiple waterproof top layers and sometimes rain pants as well. So what happens when Gore-Tex and other waterproof materials become illegal? Thank you New York and California. Starting in January 2025, both states will ban the sale of clothing containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known as PFAS. (As the EPA conservatively puts it, exposure to the chemicals “may have adverse health effects.” It’s also bad for the environment.) But those PFAS are what made Gore-Tex water repellent. It’s not just Gore-Tex.…
Bedfont® Scientific Limited, a long-established medical technology company with over 49 years of expertise in the design and manufacture of medical breath analyzers, is celebrating the women driving innovation in the medical technology industry this International Women’s Day (IWD). IWD is an annual event that celebrates women’s achievements and raises awareness of gender equality. In 2026, IWD will celebrate 115 years of raising awareness against discrimination and taking action to build gender equality. Image credit: Bedfont® Scientific Ltd This year’s theme, “Give to Gain,” emphasizes the power of reciprocity and support. By giving women equal access to leadership opportunities, Bedfont®…
Scientists at New York University have developed a method that uses light to guide how microparticles are arranged in crystals. The study was reported in the journal Cell Press chemistrydescribes a simple and reversible technique for constructing crystals that can support the creation of new classes of responsive and adaptable materials. Crystals are found everywhere in nature and technology, from snowflakes and diamonds to the silicon in electronic devices. The core of the crystal is made up of particles organized in a precise repeating pattern. To better understand how these structures emerge, researchers often study colloidal particles. Colloidal particles are…
Recent research published in PNAS Nexus This suggests that the famous equality found in some hunter-gatherer societies may be driven more by self-interest than by a natural desire to be generous. When the researchers allowed participants to both give and receive food from others in a game, they found that equality was typically achieved only when taking food from the person who had more. This provides evidence that active demands for fair distribution, rather than voluntary philanthropy, help maintain balanced resources in these communities. The Hadza people are an indigenous people who live near Lake Eyasi in northwestern Tanzania. Many…
The outer planet is surrounded by dozens of moons trapped in a thick icy shell. Some of these frozen worlds, such as Saturn’s moon Enceladus, are thought to have vast oceans of liquid water trapped between their icy crusts and rocky interiors. Because liquid water is essential to life as we know it, these moons rank among the most promising places in the solar system to search for extraterrestrial life. Research published in natural astronomy It investigates what’s happening far below the frozen surface and provides new explanations for the unusual landscapes seen on some of these moons. “While not…