Pre-activation of plastics with fluorine-containing molecules disrupts their stability, making them easier to break down and upcycle. Using simple, one-pot protocol, researchers have combined the power of fluorine and hydrogen bonding to…
Category: Features
Certain probiotics could help prevent and manage heart disease
Study finds patients with high risk factors for cardiovascular disease may benefit from preemptive use of specific probiotics. Researchers are investigating the potential of probiotics as a preventive measure against cardiovascular disease….
Michael Dickey, our guide through the surprising world of liquid metals
Michael Dickey, professor at North Carolina State University, is seeking new ways to pattern, move, and control soft materials. The overarching goal of his work is to study materials with “remarkable” properties that…
Gene therapy cures hereditary deafness in two people
In a groundbreaking achievement, scientists have used gene therapy to successfully restore hearing in children diagnosed with a hereditary form of deafness. “There’s no sound I don’t like,” said 11-year-old Aissam Dam,…
Many losing faith in COP28 as president denies climate science
The ongoing debate at COP28 over the phase out of fossil fuels is impeding efforts to address the severe impacts of climate change. “The 1.5-degree limit is only possible if we ultimately…
Getting to the bottom of chronic nerve pain
Chronic nerve pain is a difficult thing to treat. “It’s a complex sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage,” said Jing-Dun Xie, professor in the of Department of…
How education can help the “right to repair” movement
The “right to repair” movement is gaining momentum on a global scale, advocating for policies that allow consumers to repair the electronic devices they own. This movement has arisen over the past…
First ever diagnostic test for chronic fatigue syndrome sparks hope
For David Polgreen, the past 35 years have been a relentless battle against chronic fatigue syndrome, a condition he developed following a university holiday he took with a friend back in 1988….
Turning plastic waste into low-cost hydrogen fuels
As the impacts of the ongoing climate crisis and environmental challenges like pollution and ecosystem degradation become increasingly evident, the need for innovative solutions that address these complex issues on multiple fronts…
Tracing life’s origins with early Earth chemistry
Billions of years ago, Earth was a vastly different planet characterized by a harsh environment that could not support life. Volcanic eruptions, lightning storms, and the constant bombardment of meteorites and comets…