Most Popular

Marvels

The Age of Empires: Architectural Marvels and Cultural Fusion

The Age of Empires: Architectural Marvels and Cultural Fusion
hummingbirds wing draught

Panama’s wild beauty: “I feel dozens of hummingbirds’ wing-draught

Suddenly, the road goes off the rails. Deep craters spread like a rash, then become…
UK banking system

UK banking system ‘secure’ after Credit Suisse rescue

After regulators approved a Credit Suisse rescue plan to calm bank anxiety, the UK’s central…
Grammy winning singer

Grammy-winning artist Anita Pointer passes away at age 74.

Anita Pointer, a member of the Grammy-winning Pointer Sisters, has passed away at the age…

Most Popular

- Advertisement -

categories

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. 

Highlights

Technology

Global Powers in 2024: Technology, Military, and Economic Influence Unpacked

As we delve into 2024, the landscape of global power is shaped by a complex interplay of technological advancements, military capabilities, and economic influence. Understanding the dynamics among leading nations requires an examination of their strategic priorities and how they leverage their strengths to assert influence on the world stage. This article unpacks the multifaceted nature of global powers, highlighting the key players in technology, military strength, and economic dominance.
Ticketing system 1

Tickets ‘broken’ after Oasis ‘chaos’, resale site chief alleges

Viagogo's business development manager, Matt Drew, stated that Saturday's ticket sale for the band's first shows in 16 years "descended into chaos." A senior official at a resale site has stated that the ticketing system for shows, including next summer's Oasis concerts, is "broken." Viagogo's business development manager, Matt Drew, said Saturday's ticket sales for the band's first shows in 16 years "descended into chaos."
- Advertisement -

Highlights

Major environmental discovery reveals that worm saliva may degrade plastics

Share It:

Table of Content

It has been discovered that enzymes in the wax worm’s saliva accelerate the degradation of polyethylene from decades to mere hours.

A worm may be the solution to the dilemma of what to do about one of the most prevalent forms of plastic pollution.

Spanish researchers have discovered that compounds in the wax worm’s saliva can degrade polyethylene, a particularly durable material.

Their investigation revealed that one hour of exposure to the creature’s saliva caused the plastic to degrade as much as several years of regular exposure to the outdoors.

Pollution 1

Wax worms, the larvae of the wax moth, feed on the thick wax used by bees to construct honeycombs and are seen as a problem by beekeepers.

The study, which was published in the journal Nature Communications, found that two enzymes in the worm’s saliva that it employs to degrade wax also degrade plastic.

For plastic to decompose, oxygen must permeate its molecules, known as polymers, in a process known as oxidation.

The enzymes in the saliva caused this process to proceed in a couple of hours, without the need to expose the plastic to heat or radiation beforehand.

Polyethylene is the most frequently used plastic in the world and a major contributor to environmental degradation.

Major environmental discovery reveals that worm saliva may degrade plastics

It was invented in 1933 and is affordable, durable, and nonreactive to food, resulting in its widespread use.

It is specifically engineered to be difficult to degrade and can remain intact for decades.

Synthetic enzymes have been developed.

Molecular biologist Federica Bertocchini of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), who conducted the study, remarked that this discovery “changes the paradigm of plastic biodegradation.”

She went on to explain that not only had they discovered which enzymes break down the plastic, but they had also managed to synthesize them, eliminating the need for billions of wax worms.

As the worms metabolize the polyethylene, a substantial amount of carbon dioxide would be produced. There would also be several practical disadvantages.

In the previous three decades, plastic consumption has surged, with hundreds of millions of tonnes ending up as waste annually and less than ten percent being recycled.

In March of this year, the United Nations passed a historic agreement to develop the world’s first global plastic pollution convention, with a legally binding accord expected to be finalized by 2024.

Tags :

Creative Media News

Leave a Reply

Grid News

Latest Post

Creative Media News is your premier source for the latest updates in finance, technology, and world events. Our dedicated team of journalists delivers in-depth analysis, breaking news, and expert opinions to keep you informed and engaged. Whether you’re interested in stock market trends, innovative tech, or global affairs, we’ve got you covered. Stay ahead with our reliable, timely, and insightful content. Join our community of readers who trust Creative Media News for accurate, up-to-date information. Follow us for daily updates and stay connected with the world’s most important stories.

Latest News

Latest Business News

Copyright © 2024 Creative SEO Hub. All Right Reserved.