All Waste Management articles – Page 2
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NewsHong Kong’s waters at risk from over-the-counter drug pollution
A recent study of Hong Kong’s river and estuary systems has uncovered an overlooked major source of water pollution: common over-the-counter (OTC) drugs. Accessible, everyday OTC drugs accounted for up to 85% of pharmaceutical pollution in these waters during the wet season.
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NewsEnzyme produced by fungus may replace chemicals in the paper industry
Fungal xylanase can be obtained by cultivating the microorganism in sugarcane bagasse or wheat bran. The solution is a non-polluting alternative for bleaching cellulose pulp, which currently uses a toxic chemical.
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NewsTurning algae waste into powerful filters: New biochar membranes clean wastewater more efficiently
A new study has developed a sustainable filtration technology that transforms microalgae waste into high-performance membranes capable of removing pollutants and bacteria from wastewater. The innovation could offer a greener and more efficient solution for municipal water treatment.
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NewsBiochar and beneficial fungi team up to detoxify toxic red mud and restore soil health
A new study has revealed a promising nature-based strategy to clean up red mud, one of the world’s most hazardous industrial wastes, by combining biochar with beneficial soil fungi to target specific pollutants and revive damaged soils.
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NewsPork bones to the rescue: Healing arsenic-poisoned rice paddies with engineered char
A newly published paper explores exactly what happens when agricultural lands are treated with micro- and nano-scale bone char (MNBC). It proves that adding just a small amount of this specially processed biochar triggers a massive biological revival in toxic soil.
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NewsUnlocking the phosphorus puzzle: How microplastics and hydrochar change the way rice paddies feed
A fresh look at the soil microbiome reveals that the key to freeing up phosphorus locked away in the ground relies heavily on the type of carbon we add, whether that is treated animal waste or, surprisingly, synthetic plastic pollution.
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NewsTrace levels of food pathogen do not always translate to health risk, says study
Ultra-sensitive food safety tests may drive food waste and unavailability with limited public health benefit, according to a study. These food safety measures and ultra-sensitive tests may drive edible food being thrown away, excessive packaging, and extra costs for consumers.
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NewsEngineered yeast gives the US a green edge in the critical minerals market
A new, U.S.-based, environmentally friendly method for mining rare-earth elements used in consumer electronics, clean energy, defense and biomedical imaging uses oxalic acid made by sugar-eating engineered yeast, extracting almost all the rare-earth elements from low-grade ore.
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NewsTurning agricultural waste into smarter livestock nutrition tools - and an alternative to antibiotics
A new study has found that biochar made from agricultural waste such as chestnut shells and vine prunings could help deliver beneficial compounds more effectively in animal feed, offering a promising alternative to antibiotics in livestock production.
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NewsWhen waste becomes fertilizer: Can sludge-derived liquids reshape aquatic life in farmlands?
Hydrothermal carbonization has been proposed as a soil amendment to reduce synthetic fertilizer inputs and enhance crop productivity. Research finds it reshapes community assembly, trophic interactions, and functional expression in periphyton, with network integrity emerging as the primary driver of ecosystem functioning.
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NewsPlastic bottles transformed into Parkinson’s drug using bacteria
A drug to treat Parkinson’s disease can be made from waste plastic bottles using a pioneering method. The approach harnesses the power of bacteria to transform post-consumer plastic into L-DOPA, a frontline medication for the neurological disorder.
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NewsScientists design metal-enhanced biochar to boost clean hydrogen production from agricultural waste
A new study reports that specially engineered biochar made from agricultural waste could significantly increase biohydrogen production by improving the way microbes transfer electrons during fermentation.
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NewsGrowing buildings in space: researchers test fungi as construction material for moon, Mars
A NASA-funded project will investigate whether certain fungi can be combined with regolith — loose rock and soil found on the surface of the moon and other planets — to create materials that could one day support construction in places other than Earth.
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NewsFungi could transform leftovers into lifelines
A new paper outlines an ’emerging circular fungal biorefinery’ – a system in which low-value agricultural byproducts are converted through fungal fermentation into high-protein, nutrient-rich foods.
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News How recycled sewage could make the moon or Mars suitable for growing crops
Scientists are investigating how a solution of recycled sewage interacts with simulated lunar and Martian regolith to see if the result provides a suitable medium to grow crops. Bioregenerative life support systems consist of a series of bioreactors and filters that transform sewage into a nutrient-dense solution.
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NewsScientists uncover how engineered biochar and microbes work together to boost plant-based cleanup of cadmium-polluted soils
A new study reveals how specially modified biochar can significantly improve the ability of willow trees to remove toxic cadmium from contaminated soils, offering a promising strategy for restoring polluted land in a sustainable way.
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NewsSelf-repairing biohybrid system uses sunlight to purify uranium-contaminated water
The efficiency of microbial remediation technologies is often limited by the slow electron transfer rate of microorganisms themselves. Scientists have successfully constructed a novel, self-regenerating “bacteria-mineral” biohybrid system that can utilize light like a solar cell, greatly enhancing the purification efficiency of uranium pollution.
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NewsBreadcrumbs lead to fossil free production of everyday goods
The humble breadcrumb could hold the key to cutting out fossil fuels from one of the chemical industry’s most widely used reactions. Scientists have found a one-pot microbial formula that uses waste bread to replace fossil fuel-derived hydrogen in hydrogenation.
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NewsResearch teams will develop automated compost monitoring system
Composting turns organic waste into nutrient-rich material, but improper temperature and moisture control can allow pathogens to survive and increase safety risks. Researchers have received a $362,000 grant to develop an automated sensor network to improve monitoring of compost piles.
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NewsScientists unlock magnetic secrets of bacteria with built-in compass
Some bacteria are miniature masters of navigation: A built-in “compass” made of magnetic nanoparticles helps them to reliably find the optimal habitat. Researchers have now unlocked the magnetic properties of individual bacteria — an important step toward harnessing the potential for technology.