Tag

Polystyrene

All articles tagged with #polystyrene

environment1 month ago•13 min saved

Deep-sea vents show microplastics infiltration, study finds

A KRIBB–KIOST study found microplastics contaminating over 90% of deep-sea molluscs living on hydrothermal vents deeper than 2,000 metres, with Indian Ocean samples nearly 15 times more polluted than those from the southwestern Pacific; most plastics were polystyrene, suggesting coastal pollution and riverine inputs are delivering microplastics even to Earth's deepest ecosystems and underscoring the need for deep-sea monitoring and conservation policies.

via Oceanographic Magazine|

#deep-sea #environment #hydrothermal-vents

science2 months ago•5 min saved

Plastic waste could become a CO2 sponge through amine chemistry

Aarhus University researchers upcycled discarded polystyrene into a solid amine-based carbon-capture material that works at both smokestack CO2 concentrations and ambient air; a two‑step bromination (gold catalyst) and amination (copper catalyst) builds a tunable porous structure, showing potential to derive carbon-capture materials from waste plastics, though energy use and performance trade-offs remain.

via Ars Technica|

#amines #carbon-capture #plastic-waste

health5 months ago•70 min saved

Polystyrene microplastics may clog immune cells, hindering infection defense

A mouse study found that polystyrene microplastics can accumulate in macrophages and disrupt their ability to engulf dead cells and pathogens, impairing infection clearance in the lungs. While microplastics are detected in many tissues, there is not yet clear evidence of direct human health effects; researchers caution about potential links to inflammation and cardiovascular issues and plan further human studies to assess relevance to human health.

via Live Science|

#health #immune-system #infections

science6 months ago•3 min saved

Handheld Time Crystal Levitates on a Sonic Cushion

Researchers at NYU created a hand-sized time crystal from styrofoam beads that levitate on a bed of sound; the beads interact to harvest energy from the waves and set their own rhythm, a non-Newtonian behavior with potential practical applications and deeper insights into clock-like dynamics.

via Gizmodo|

#levitation #nyu #polystyrene

food-and-beverage2 years ago•2 min saved

Microwaving Cup Noodles Made Safer

Nissin, the maker of Cup Noodles, has announced that it will be updating the design of its iconic product in 2024, replacing the polystyrene packaging with paper, making it microwaveable. This revelation has caused confusion among consumers who have been microwaving Cup Noodles despite the label clearly stating not to do so. Microwaving polystyrene can release harmful substances into the food, and it can also compromise the structural integrity of the container. The new packaging will be more environmentally friendly, made with recycled fiber and without plastic wraps. Additionally, the new design will eliminate the need for boiling water, reducing the heating time.

via The Verge|

#cup-noodles #environmental-commitment #food-and-beverage