The authors test the effect of petroleum-based and bio-based microplastics on the growth of two microalgae species.
Read More...Differential physiological response of microalgae exposed to petroleum- and bio-based microplastics
The authors test the effect of petroleum-based and bio-based microplastics on the growth of two microalgae species.
Read More...In silico design of novel acetylcholinesterase inhibitors as potential therapeutics for Alzheimer's disease
Elevated acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity contributes to cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, motivating the search for more effective inhibitors with better bioavailability. This study used computational methods to design novel, non-toxic AChE inhibitors.
Read More...In silico screening of DEAB analogues as ALDH1 isoenzymes inhibitors in cancer treatment
The authors computationally screened potential ALDH1 inhibitors, for use as potential cancer therapeutics.
Read More...Utilizing sorbitol to improve properties of cellulose-based biodegradable hydrogels
Hydrogels are commonly used in medicine, pharmaceuticals, and agriculture. Hydrogels absorb water by swelling and re-release this water by diffusion. This study sought to synthesize a biodegradable, cellulose-based hydrogel that is more effective at absorbing and re-releasing water than those produced by current methods. We tested the compressive strength of both the dry and swollen gels and the tensile strength of the swollen gels to elucidate the gel structure.
Read More...An exploration of western mosquitofish as the animal component in an aquaponic farming system
Aquaponics (the combination of aquatic plant farming with fish production) is an innovative farming practice, but the fish that are typically used, like tilapia, are expensive and space-consuming to cultivate. Medina and Alvarez explore other options test if mosquitofish are a viable option in the aquaponic cultivation of herbs and microgreens.
Read More...Copper nanoparticle synthesis using Picea glauca ‘Conica’
The authors propose a method to recycle Christmas tree needles into a non-toxic reducing agent for synthesizing copper nanoparticles.
Read More...Effect of heme vs. non-heme iron supplements on gut microbiome fitness
Here, based on identification of iron deficiencies of a majority of people around the world, the authors sought to understand how the two main forms of dietary iron, heme and non-heme, affect the bacteria found in the human gut. by using a cell plate study, they found that bacterial growth increased with increasing concentration os either form of iron, up until the point where the high iron content resulted in cytotoxicity. They suggest this evidence points to the potential dangers of overconsumption of iron.
Read More...Environmentally-friendly graphene conductive ink using graphene powder, polystyrene, and waste oil
In this article, the authors propose an effective, environmentally-friendly method of producing conductive ink using expired waste oil, polystyrene, and graphene.
Read More...Testing Various Synthetic and Natural Fiber Materials for Soundproofing
Noise pollution negatively impacts the health and behavioral routines of humans and other animals, but the production of synthetic sound-absorbing materials contributes to harmful gas emissions into the atmosphere. The authors of this paper investigated the effectiveness of environmentally-friendly, cheap natural-fiber materials, such as jute, as replacements for synthetic materials, such as gypsum and foam, in soundproofing.
Read More...A 1D model of ultrasound waves for diagnosing of hepatomegaly and cirrhosis
The authors created a 1D model to diagnose hepatomegaly and cirrhosis via ultrasound of the liver.
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