Can a simple diet change fight antibiotic resistance?
A study from the University of Nottingham, UK, suggests that proper cooking and dietary decisions during antibiotic treatment may hold the key to reducing antibiotic resistance. The research (Plos One, doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0289941) sheds light on how antibiotic resistance genes accumulate over a lifetime, offering insights into long-term resistance in gut bacteria and potential prevention strategies.
Microplastics in soil could contribute to antibiotic resistance
Work published by researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, US, indicates that microplastics in agricultural soil could contribute to antibiotic resistance of bacteria in the food chain (Pathogens, doi: 10.3390/pathogens12070888).
Maize root chemicals boost wheat yields, study finds
Chemicals secreted from maize roots boosted the yields of wheat sown in the same field the following year, a two-year study in a crop field in Switzerland found (eLife, doi: 10.7554/eLife.84988).
Cannabis trials on the up
A recent report has revealed a 650% increase in the number of clinical trials involving cannabis-based medicines since 2010, signalling a significant shift in the medical landscape.
Bacteria armed to seek and destroy disease
The promise of targeted cellular medicine using bacteria as a one-stop shop to not only detect and diagnose, but also treat disease, is a step closer after a landmark study looking at colorectal cancer.
Could lampshades be the new air purifiers?
Lampshades coated with metal catalysts could transform harmful indoor air pollutants into carbon dioxide and water. Read more...
Battle against lithium plating
As the electric vehicle industry looks to improve charging times, one obstacle is lithium plating, where lithium ions convert to metallic lithium, which accumulates on the surface of the battery’s negative electrode. Depending how the lithium grows, this can damage the battery, shortening its lifespan.
Scientists develop method to recycle mixed polyester fabric
Researchers in Denmark have cooked up a solution for recycling mixed polyester fabric by heating the textile with hartshorn salt, ammonium bicarbonate NH4HCO3 – a traditional leavening agent, also known as bakers ammonia. The team at the University of Copenhagen opted to tackle blended cotton and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) – a complex material that is difficult to recycle (ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering, doi: 10.1021/acssuschemeng.3c03114).
EU chemicals face perfect storm
Chemical production in EU27 is expected to decline by around 8% in 2023, compared with 2022, with no imminent recovery of chemical demand in Europe, according to the European Chemical Industry Council (Cefic). This pessimistic outlook applies to nearly all segments of the industry, although consumer chemicals are described as more resilient.
Garlic roots: a green solution for carbon capture
Chemists worldwide have been working on electrochemical methods to capture carbon with supercapacitors. Using a new approach, researchers have increased the amount of carbon captured at a low energetic cost.