Microplastics are tiny plastic pieces that can be found in water. They can carry harmful chemicals like PCBs. A study looked at the Langat River in Malaysia. They checked six spots from the river mouth to areas further inland. The study found different amounts of microplastics at each spot. The highest number was at station S6. This area has more homes and factories...
Clerodendrum infortunatum, a plant deeply rooted in Assam's traditional medicine, is making waves in the scientific community. This plant, known locally for its healing properties, has been studied for its potential to combat malaria. Eight unique compounds have been extracted from its leaves and roots, each with its own story to tell. Scientists used advanced techn...
Glyphosate, a widely used herbicide, has been a topic of debate for years. It has been found in various water sources, often accompanied by its harmful byproduct, aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA). This is a big deal because the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) labeled glyphosate as "probably carcinogenic to humans" back in 2015. This means it could...
Michelia Alba, a tree native to Southeast Asia, is more than just a pretty face. It's packed with unique chemicals called sesquiterpenoids. Scientists recently found two new ones in its branches and leaves. These are part of a larger group of eleven known sesquiterpenoids. The new ones are quite different from each other. One is a germacrane type, and the other is a ...
Chemical tests often rely on precise measurements. One such test is coulometric titration. This method measures the amount of a substance in a solution by using electricity. The time it takes to complete this test can vary. One factor that influences this time is stack pressure. Stack pressure is the force exerted by a stack of materials. In coulometric titration, t...
Imagine living near a chemical plant. You might think the biggest worry is the main chemical being made, but what about the hidden byproducts? Scientists found something surprising near a plant that makes tetrabromobisphenol A, or TBBPA for short. They discovered new pollutants that aren't usually looked for. These pollutants are created when TBBPA breaks down or cha...
Copper-based metal-organic frameworks, or MOFs, are special because they can change their structure when exposed to different things. This is because they are flexible and have a long-range order. This is different from other inorganic materials. Imagine a Lego structure that can change shape when you add or remove certain pieces. That's similar to what these MOFs do...
Did you know that the northeastern part of the Tibetan Plateau is full of geothermal wonders? These are natural hot springs that have experts scratching their heads over their origins. Imagine a vast basin, filled with different types of geothermal water. In some spots, like Luohantang and Zhacanggou, the water is mostly sodium sulfate and sodium chloride. B...
Somewhere deep in Tamil Nadu, India, there's a spot called Neyveli. The place got a sparse investigation, into a peculiar energy source. The curiosity extended to the makeup of its deposits. Their hunt took them to discover fossils. It was that they wanted to know what some ancient event created these deposits. The party looked int...