All articles tagged with #pet
Ian Emmanuel González Santos, who was told he had an attention deficit in grade school, became the youngest graduate in University of Guadalajara history at 13 and is now a 15-year-old doctoral student researching engineered enzymes to depolymerize PET plastic, building on FAST-PETase work while underscoring that real‑world recycling requires clean, well‑sorted plastics and scalable industrial deployment.
A security-camera clip shows a cat launching a room-length leap that sails over its owner’s head in midair, landing briefly on the couch before finishing the dash—leaving viewers amazed at the feline’s speed and height.
Researchers engineered E. coli to convert PET-derived terephthalic acid into levodopa, a Parkinson’s drug, via a two-step metabolic pathway in a lab proof-of-concept using sequential bacterial strains; not yet scalable, but it demonstrates a potential plastic-to-pharma recycling route and eco-friendly drug production, building on earlier work turning PET into other medicines. Published in Nature Sustainability with EPSRC funding.
Engineers at the University of Edinburgh used engineered E. coli to break down PET plastic waste into L-DOPA, the main drug for Parkinson’s, creating a sustainable upcycling pathway from discarded bottles and signaling potential expansion to other products, with work now focusing on industrial scalability and environmental performance.
A study published in BMC Genomics found that microplastics from polyethylene terephthalate (PET)—common in plastic water bottles—caused dose‑dependent changes in pig pancreatic cells, including altered protein abundance and increased fat accumulation and inflammation, suggesting potential pancreatic disruption in humans with PET exposure. While not yet proven for people, the findings add to concerns about microplastics and support policies to curb plastic usage and promote alternatives like reusable bottles.
After buying a pet octopus for his son, Cameron Clifford discovered that the octopus, named Terrance, had laid dozens of eggs, resulting in 50 baby California two-spot octopuses. Caring for the hatchlings has been complex, time-consuming, and expensive, but Clifford's TikTok videos documenting the experience have garnered support and attention. With the help of a retired radiologist, Tim Tytle, they are now seeking good homes for the octopuses, aiming to place them in research institutes, aquariums, and sanctuaries. While raising octopuses can be challenging, their efforts have introduced more people to the mysterious species and may inspire future marine biologists.
Munchkin, the beloved TikTok duck known for drinking iced water in viral videos, has passed away at the age of 6 after a visit to the vet. Her owner, Krissy, expressed deep sadness and is awaiting more information on the cause of death. Munchkin, who had been undergoing tests for a heart condition, leaves behind a legacy on social media, with plans to continue educating followers about responsible pet duck care.
A 34-year-old man in Lakewood died after being bitten by his pet Gila monster, a venomous lizard. Despite the rarity of Gila monster bites causing death in humans, the man did not survive his injuries. Authorities removed the two Gila monsters from the man's home, as it is illegal to own them in Lakewood, and they have been taken to a wildlife rehabilitation facility.
French company Carbios has developed an enzyme, LCCICCG, that can efficiently break down PET plastic into its constituent monomers, allowing for the production of new plastic. The company plans to open a factory in northeast France by 2025 to recycle 50,000 tonnes of PET waste annually. Carbios aims to license its process to other companies and has formed a consortium with major brands like Nestle, L'Oréal, and PepsiCo. While other research teams are also working on PET recycling, Carbios is at the forefront of scaling up the process. However, the cost of the recycled monomers is expected to be about 60% higher than those derived from petrochemicals.
French company Carbios has developed an enzyme, LCCICCG, that can efficiently break down PET plastic into its constituent monomers, allowing for the production of new plastic. The company plans to open a factory in northeast France by 2025 that can recycle 50,000 tonnes of PET waste per year. Carbios aims to license its process to other companies and has formed a consortium with major brands like Nestle, L'Oréal, and PepsiCo. While other research teams are also working on PET recycling, Carbios is at the forefront of scaling up the process. However, the cost of using recycled plastic monomers may be higher than those derived from petrochemicals.
Scientists have developed artificial proteins capable of degrading PET microplastics and nanoplastics found in bottles. By adding three amino acids to a defense protein from the strawberry anemone, the researchers were able to create a protein that acts as scissors, cutting small PET particles. The engineered protein demonstrated an efficiency 5 to 10 times higher than existing PETases on the market, and it can operate at room temperature, reducing CO2 emissions. The protein's pore-like structure allows water to pass through, making it suitable for use in filters for purification plants. Additionally, two variants of the protein were designed, one for thorough degradation and the other for recycling, offering flexibility in its applications.
A woman in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, sought help on Facebook after finding a bright orange snake loose in her basement. With no luck from authorities, two reptile owners volunteered to help. They identified the snake as a corn snake, a popular pet, and assured the homeowner that it was harmless. After more than a week of searching, the owner of the snake, named TIE Fighter, learned about the situation and joined the rescue effort. The snake had escaped three months ago when the owner's kitten knocked over its tank.
Researchers have genetically engineered a marine microorganism, Vibrio natriegens, to break down polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic in saltwater. By incorporating the DNA responsible for producing enzymes that break down PET from Ideonella sakaiensis into V. natriegens, the modified bacteria were able to produce the desired enzymes on their cell surface and successfully break down PET in a saltwater environment. This breakthrough could provide an inexpensive and efficient method for addressing plastic pollution in marine environments. However, further modifications are needed to stabilize the production of plastic-degrading enzymes, enable the bacteria to feed on the byproducts, and produce desirable end products from PET.
A homeowner in northern California was shocked to discover a mountain lion playing with her family dog in her backyard. The incident was captured on home security footage, and authorities issued a warning to residents after unsuccessful attempts to capture the big cat. The mountain lion escaped into a tree before authorities arrived, and it remains at large. Residents were advised to stay inside with their pets as a precaution.
A 60-year-old tortoise named Tommy escaped from his pen in Selkirk, Scotland, and travelled over a mile across the town, crossing busy roads and a footbridge before being found outside a nursing home. His owner, Cathryn Scott, is reinforcing his pen to prevent future escapes. Tommy had previously escaped twice in 2017 but was found nearby. Within days of being returned to his pen, he made another escape attempt but was found in a neighbour's garden.