The authors looked at the development of biodegradable bioplastic and its features compared to PET packaging films. They were able to develop a biodegradable plastic with sodium alginate that dissolved in water and degrade in microbial conditions while also being transparent and flexible similar to current plastic films.
Read More...Browse Articles
Lactic acid bacteria protect the growth of Solanum lycopersicum from Sodium dodecyl sulfate
Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), a detergent component, can harm plant growth when it contaminates soil and waterways. Authors explored the potential of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) to mitigate SDS-induced stress on plants.
Read More...Use of drone with sodium hydroxide carriers to absorb carbon dioxide from ambient air
In this study, the authors address the current climate concern of high CO2 levels by testing solid forms of hydroxide for CO2 reduction and designing a drone to fly it in ambient air!
Read More...Buttermilk and baking soda increase pancake fluffiness by liberating carbon dioxide
Here, seeking a better understanding of what determines the fluffiness of a pancake, the authors began by considering a chemical reaction that results in the production of carbon dioxide gas from recipe ingredients, specifically sodium bicarbonate or baking soda. The substitution of homemade buttermilk for milk and adding more baking soda was found to result in significantly fluffier pancakes.
Read More...Elucidating the Genotoxicity of Synthetic Food Preservatives with the SOS Chromotest
Evidence suggests certain food preservatives may be genotoxic due to their ability to impair normal cellular pathways. The authors investigated the genotoxic potential and effects of commonly used synthetic food preservatives, specifically sodium nitrite, potassium sulfate, and hydrogen peroxide.
Read More...The effect of common food preservatives on the heart rate of Daphnia magna
The authors test the effects of common food industry preservatives on the heart rate of the freshwater crustacean Daphnia magna.
Read More...Which Diaper is More Absorbent, Huggies or Pampers?
The authors here investigate the absorbency of two leading brands of diapers. They find that Huggies Little Snugglers absorb over 50% more salt water than Pampers Swaddlers, although both absorb significantly more fluid than what an average newborn can produce.
Read More...Voltage, power, and energy production of a Shewanella oneidensis biofilm microbial fuel cell in microgravity
The authors looked at the ability of Shewanella oneidensis to generate energy in a microbial fuel cell under varying conditions. They found that the S. Onedensis biofilm was able to produce energy in microgravity and that one of the biggest factors that limited energy production was a decrease in growth medium present.
Read More...Effects of various alkaline carbonic solutions on the growth of the freshwater algae Chlorophyceae
Modern day fossil fuels are prone to polluting our environment, which can provide major habitat loss to many animals in our ecosystems. Algae-based biofuels have become an increasingly popular alternative to fossil fuels because of their sustainability, effectiveness, and environmentally-friendly nature. To encourage algae growth and solidify its role as an emerging biofuel, we tested basic (in terms of pH) solutions on pond water to determine which solution is most efficient in inducing the growth of algae.
Read More...Observing effects of resolving leaky gut on sugar, fat, and insulin levels during type 1 diabetes in fruit flies
This study uses a fruit fly model of type 1 diabetes (T1D) to determine whether strengthening intestinal tight junctions to reduce intestinal permeability would improve T1D symptoms.
Read More...