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New AI System Can Reveal How Much Plastic Is Truly Recycled
A new AI-driven testing system from University at Buffalo engineers can tell how much of a plastic product is truly recycled, offering a powerful tool for regulators and companies as global rules on plastic waste tighten.
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Paving the Way With Seashells: UCO Unveils 100% Recycled Block
Researchers at the University of Córdoba have designed a paving block made from 100% recycled materials, turning seashell and mining waste into a durable, low-carbon alternative to traditional concrete. The innovation aims to reduce construction’s environmental footprint while advancing the circular economy.
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Rice Gene Breakthrough Boosts Yields While Cutting Fertilizer
Scientists have pinpointed a master gene in rice that keeps plants growing strongly even when fertilizer is scarce. The discovery could help farmers cut costs and pollution while protecting harvests in a warming world.
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Sunlight-Powered Catalyst Targets Toxic ‘Forever Chemicals’
An international team led by the University of Bath has created a low-cost, sunlight-driven catalyst that breaks down PFAS “forever chemicals” and could eventually help clean water and track pollution in real time.
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Plant-Based Nanomaterial Offers Cleaner Way to Recover Rare Earths
Using a material derived from plants, Penn State researchers have developed a cleaner, more sustainable way to separate and recover dysprosium, a critical rare earth metal used in electronics, engines and clean energy technologies. The approach could help ease supply pressures and reduce the environmental toll of rare earth mining.
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Fish-Skin Biofilm From Amazonian Species Shows Promise for Greener Food Packaging
Brazilian scientists have transformed the skin of an Amazonian farmed fish into a clear, durable biofilm that could one day replace some plastic food packaging. The work highlights a new way to cut waste and add value to aquaculture.
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Turning Wet Food Waste Into Clean Energy: HKUST Study Shows a Better Way
By rethinking what happens to leftovers after they leave our plates, HKUST researchers show that sending wet food waste through city sewers can slash emissions and save money. Their new framework could reshape how major cities worldwide handle food waste.
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Bottled Water Can Carry More Nanoplastics Than Tap, Study Finds
New research from Ohio State shows some bottled water brands contain three times as many nanoplastic particles as treated tap water. The findings highlight how everyday choices, like reaching for the tap instead of a bottle, can cut exposure to tiny plastic fragments.
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Wood-Based ‘Thermal Battery’ Could Help Buildings Slash Energy Use
Engineers at UT Dallas have turned ordinary wood into a kind of thermal battery that can store and release heat without electricity. The durable, leak-free material could one day help buildings stay comfortable while using far less energy.
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Turning Desert Sand Into Sustainable Building Material
Concrete is straining the planet’s sand supplies, but researchers in Norway and Japan have found a way to turn fine desert sand into strong paving stones. Their plant-based “botanical sand concrete” could ease pressure on rivers and mountains while tapping an overlooked resource.