ACS in the News

Live Science (New York, NY: 14.05 million unique monthly visits)
“Waterproof e-gloves could one day help scuba divers communicate with the surface”
April 10, 2024
Publicized in: ACS PressPac

Powered by artificial intelligence (AI), the "hand gesture recognition glove" (GRG) is equipped with sensors that produce electrical pulses in response to 16 hand gestures commonly used by divers underwater, including the index finger-to-thumb gesture for "OK," according to a study published April 10 in the journal ACS Nano.

Forty-four outlets, including Interesting Engineering (United States), covered the story this week.

Times of India (India: 31.13 million unique monthly visits)
“Does boiling water get rid of microplastics?”
April 9, 2024
Publicized in: ACS PressPac

Their research, recently published in Environmental Science & Technology Letters, focused on the efficacy of boiling water as a means of microplastic removal. The study involved subjecting samples of both hard and soft tap water to a five-minute boiling process, followed by filtration.

Six outlets, including My Zaker (China), covered the story this week.

Science Alert (Canberra, Australia: 15.42 million unique monthly visits)
“Scientists Invented a Bizarre New Material That Gets Tougher When You Hit It”
April 14, 2024
Publicized in: ACS meeting release

Electronic wearables and sensors could one day be made from a material that toughens up as it gets hit or stretched, thanks to new research carried out by a team from the University of California, Merced... The research has been presented at the Spring 2024 meeting of the American Chemical Society.

Six outlets covered the story this week.

La Razón (Madrid, Spain: 12.82 million unique monthly visits)
“El papel higiénico es una fuente primordial de sustancias químicas vinculadas con infertilidad y cáncer” [Toilet paper is a primary source of chemicals linked to infertility and cancer]
April 11, 2024
Publicized in: ACS PressPac

Si bien, el estudio publicado en la revista Environmental Science and Technology Letterenfatiza en el impacto ambiental, los resultados sugieren que el papel higiénico podría ser una fuente potencialmente importante de PFAS que podría ingresar a nuestro cuerpo. [Although the study published in the journal Environmental Science and Technology Letters emphasizes the environmental impact, the results suggest that toilet paper could be a potentially important source of PFAS that could enter our body.]

Five outlets, including Adevarul (Romania), covered the story this week.

Food & Wine (New York, NY: 11.22 million unique monthly visits)
“Here's Exactly How Many Bubbles Are in a Glass of Champagne”
April 8, 2024
Publicized in: ACS PressPac

In 2014, researcher Gérard Liger-Belair published his research aptly titled, “How Many Bubbles in Your Glass of Bubbly?” in The Journal of Physical Chemistry B. And, according to the findings, there are far fewer bubbles in a glass of Champagne than scientists previously thought.

Two outlets covered the story this week.

Mashed (New York, NY: 6.85 million unique monthly visits)
“What Makes Tennessee Whiskey Unique (It's Not Just Where It's Made)”
April 12, 2024
Publicized in: ACS meeting release

According to a 2019 presentation made by University of Tennessee food scientists to the American Chemical Society (via Discover), the filtering reduces certain chemical compounds by up to half and takes away some of the sharper flavor notes.

Eleven outlets, including Yahoo Lifestyle (United States), covered the story this week.

IEEE Spectrum (United States: 757,000 unique monthly visits)
“Generator Redesign Tries to Catch a Good Wave”
April 9, 2024
Publicized in: ACS PressPac

Now, by making a fundamental change to one such device’s design, a group at Central South University in Changsha, China, has managed to more than double its current collection capabilities... The group published their work on 3 April in the journal ACS Energy Letters.

Thirteen outlets, including SciTechDaily (United States), covered the story this week.

The Guardian Nigeria (Lagos, Nigeria: 247,000 unique monthly visits)
“Study identifies measures to curb mosquito-borne diseases”
April 12, 2024
Publicized in: ACS PressPac

A new study published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society has offered a promising weapon in the fight against mosquito-borne diseases like dengue fever, Zika, and malaria.

Ten outlets covered the story this week.

Phys.org (Isle of Man, United Kingdom: 7.60 million unique monthly visits)
“A new spin on organic shampoo makes it sudsier, longer lasting”
April 11, 2024
Publicized in: ACS PressPac

Now, researchers in ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering demonstrate that a simple process—spinning organic shampoo at high speeds—improved the final products' shelf lives and ability to clean hair.

Eleven outlets covered the story this week.

Newsweek (New York, NY: 29.77 million unique monthly visits)
“Bird population faces 'long-term consequences' from everyday chemicals”
April 10, 2024

The research published in Environmental Science & Technology found that these harmful chemicals—which are being phased out—have ended up inside peregrine falcons, a species dwelling in the U.S. mountain ranges, valleys, and coastlines.

Eight outlets, including Earth.com (United States), covered the story.

Quartz (New York, NY: 3.02 million unique monthly visits)
“More EVs have already made the air cleaner in San Francisco”
April 11, 2024

A study published in the Environmental Science & Technology journal by the University of California - Berkeley found that between 2018 and 2022, CO₂ emissions in California's bay area dropped 1.8 percent annually.

Thirty-seven outlets, including The Sacramento Bee (United States) and Gizmodo Australia (Australia), covered the story this week.

Japan Today (Tokyo, Japan: 978,000 unique monthly visits)
“Japanese team create biodegradable plastic fit for industrial use”
April 10, 2024

The new bioplastic is made from polylactic acid, a kind of polyester that is derived from starches such as sugarcane and corn, according to the team's report in the U.S. science journal ACS Sustainable Chemistry and Engineering.

Seventy outlets, including Europa Press (Spain) and La Nación (Argentia), covered the story this week.

Ars Technica (New York, NY: 7.73 million unique monthly visits)
“The chemistry of milk washing, aka the secret to Ben Franklin's favorite tipple”
April 3, 2024
Publicized in: ACS video release

The American Chemical Society's George Zaidan decided to delve a bit deeper into the chemistry behind milk washing in a new Reactions video after tasting the difference between a Tea Time cocktail made with the milk washing method and one made without it.

Eleven outlets covered the story this week.

News Medical (United Kingdom: 4.24 million unique monthly visits)
“Novel SARS-CoV-2 mutations found in floodwaters near homeless communities”
April 5, 2024
Publicized in: ACS PressPac

In a recent study published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology Letters, researchers conducted environmental surveillance to detect severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in two flood control channels in the United States (US), influenced by homeless individuals.

Twenty-four outlets, including MSN UK (United Kingdom) and Medical Xpress (United States), covered the story this week.

Interesting Engineering (San Francisco, CA: 3.39 million unique monthly visits)
“This simple trick more than doubles the energy extracted from waves”
April 3, 2024
Publicized in: ACS PressPac

Researchers at the Central South University of China have been working on a tube-shaped energy harvesting device that can tap into the energy of the waves... The research findings were published in the journal ACS Energy Letters today.

More than 50 outlets, including Europa Press (Spain) and El Independiente (Spain), covered the story this week.

The Hill (Washington, DC: 18.67 million unique monthly visits)
“‘I wouldn’t put my damn daughter in these’: Toxic ‘forever chemicals’ lurk in feminine products”
April 3, 2024
Publicized in: ACS meeting release

Research released in August from Peaslee’s lab also found indicators of PFAS in some period products, including wrappers for several pads and some tampons and outer layers of menstrual underwear. [Adapted from research presented at ACS Fall 2023.]

Twenty-eight outlets, including Yahoo News (United States) and WJW-TV (United States), covered the story this week.

Food & Wine (New York, NY: 11.22 million unique monthly visits)
“Plastic Cutting Boards Shed Microplastics, Study Finds”
April 5, 2024
Publicized in: ACS PressPac

According to recent research, the commonly used plastic cutting board may pose a major health hazard. A peer-reviewed study published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology found that the boards may, in fact, lead to significant amounts of microplastic in our food. 

Nine outlets, including MSN Singapore (Singapore) and Yahoo UK (United Kingdom), covered the story this week.

Prevention (Harlan, IA: 10.79 million unique monthly visits)
“Exercise in a Pill? Study Finds Breakthrough Medication Mimics Workout Benefits”
April 2, 2024
Publicized in: ACS meeting release

What if you could get the same metabolic benefits of hitting the gym without breaking a sweat—simply by taking an “exercise pill?” A study presented at a recent meeting of the American Chemical Society (ACS) discovered that new chemical compounds appear capable of doing just that—at least in mice.

Twenty-three outlets, including Mundo Deportivo (Spain) and TecnoAndroid (Italy), covered the story this week.

France 24 (France: 7.28 million unique monthly visits)
“From polar bears to groundwater, nature is riddled with ‘forever chemicals’”
April 3, 2024
Publicized in: ACS PressPac

A study published in January by the American Chemical Society, a nonprofit scientific organisation, said that PFAS had been detected in the Arctic Ocean at a depth of 3,000 feet (914 metres).

More than 80 outlets, including La Dépêche du Midi (France) and Radio France (France), covered the story this week.

Chemistry World (United Kingdom: 329,000 unique monthly visits)
“Why are there metal particles in never-used cannabis vapes?”
June 2, 2024
Publicized in: ACS meeting release

The new research, which was a collaboration between Health Canada and the National Research Council of Canada’s Metrology Research Centre, was presented at the spring meeting of the American Chemical Society by Andrew Waye, who manages the research programme of Health Canada Office of Cannabis Science and Surveillance.

Three outlets covered the story this week.

Phys.org (Rockville, MD: 7.60 million unique monthly visits)
“Water-based paints: Less stinky, but some still contain potentially hazardous chemicals”
April 3, 2024
Publicized in: ACS PressPac

Water-based paints have emerged as "greener" and less smelly than solvent-based options... But, according to research published in Environmental Science & Technology Letters, some of these paints do contain compounds that are considered VOCs, along with other chemicals of emerging concern.

Fifteen outlets, including In (Greece), covered the story this week.

Science Daily (Rockville, MD: 2.59 million unique monthly visits)
“Golfers' risk from pesticides used on turfgrass is likely low”
April 2, 2024
Publicized in: ACS PressPac

Researchers asked volunteers to play 18 holes on a simulated course sprayed with common pesticides. They report the results in ACS Agricultural Science & Technology, saying there is likely limited cause for concern over toxic exposure from pesticide-treated turf.

Sixteen outlets, including Phys.org, covered the story this week.

Los Angeles Times (El Segundo, CA: 26.43 million unique monthly visits)
“Sensor network shows EVs are reducing CO2 emissions in the Bay Area. Is it enough?”
April 4, 2024

Between 2018 and 2022, the region’s carbon emissions fell by 1.8% each year, which the Berkeley researchers concluded was almost exclusively owed to drivers switching to electric vehicles, according to a study published Thursday in the journal Environmental Science & Technology.

More than 60 outlets, including Mercury News (United States) and Fast Company (United States), covered the story this week.

Science Alert (Canberra, Australia: 15.42 million unique monthly visits)
“This Prickly New Material Literally Pops Viruses, With Up to 96% Success”
April 5, 2024

A newly developed silicon material covered with tiny nanospikes is capable of taking out 96 percent of the virus particles unfortunate enough to touch its surface in tests... The research has been published in ACS Nano.

Twenty-nine outlets covered the story this week.

Snopes (United States: 6.72 million unique monthly visits) 
“Plastic Cutting Boards Shown to Shed Microplastics in Food?” 
March 27, 2024 
Publicized in: ACS PressPac

The underlying claim that plastic cutting boards have been shown to shed microplastics into food is true, based on findings published from a small-scale study in the American Chemical Society's scientific journal, Environmental Science & Technology, on May 23, 2023. 

Seventeen outlets, including Daily Mail (United Kingdom) and Yahoo News (United States), covered the story this week.

SciTechDaily (Encinitas, CA: 6.87 million unique monthly visits) 
“Science's Latest Marvel: Electronic Material That Grows Tougher on Impact” 
March 31, 2024 
Publicized in: ACS meeting release

A new flexible, electricity-conducting material mimics the adaptive strength of cornstarch slurries, offering promising applications in wearable and medical sensor technology... The researchers presented their results at the spring meeting of the American Chemical Society (ACS). 

Three outlets covered the story this week.

Latestly (Mumbai, India: 6.16 million unique monthly visits) 
“Exercise Pill: Scientists in US Develop Potential Drug to Induce Fitness Benefits Without Physical Exercise, Trials on Mice Show Promising Results” 
March 27, 2024 
Publicized in: ACS meeting release

The novel compound, presented at the American Chemical Society's spring meeting, targets estrogen-related receptors associated with numerous health benefits. While not a perfect substitute for exercise, SLU-PP-332 holds promise for those unable to engage in physical activity due to ageing or certain health conditions. 

Forty-two outlets, including El Español (Spain) and Liberation (France), covered the story this week.

HuffPost Italia (Italy: 3.90 million unique monthly visits) 
“Pannolini o assorbenti senza plastica? Dal grano e dal mais la spungna riciclabile” [Plastic-free diapers or sanitary pads? From wheat and corn, the recyclable sponge] 
March 26, 2024 
Publicized in: ACS meeting release

L'idea di utilizzare biomassa proteica (cioè scarti di cibo e simili, per l'appunto) per produrre oggetti come pannolini e assorbenti, considerati altamente inquinanti perché impiegano centinaia di anni per degradarsi nell'ambiente...che l'ha appena presentata al congresso annuale della American Chemical Society appena terminato. [The idea of using protein biomass (i.e. food waste and similar, precisely) to produce objects such as diapers and sanitary pads, considered highly polluting because they take hundreds of years to degrade in the environment... who has just presented it at the recently concluded annual meeting of the American Chemical Society.] 

Eleven outlets, including La Repubblica (Italy) and La Stampa (Italy), covered the story this week.

El Periódico de Aragón (Zaragoza, Spain: 1.69 million unique monthly visits) 
“Adiós al papel higiénico: la alternativa que llega a España para quedarse” [Goodbye to toilet paper: the alternative that comes to Spain to stay] 
March 28, 2024 
Publicized in: ACS PressPac

Un estudio reciente de científicos de la Universidad de Florida y publicado en la revista científica Environmental Science & Technology Letters de la Sociedad Americana de Química alertaba de la presencia de PFAs, un grupo de agentes químicos conocidos como “contaminantes eternos” en el papel higiénico y las consecuencias de su uso. [A recent study by scientists at the University of Florida and published in the scientific journal Environmental Science & Technology Letters of the American Chemical Society warned of the presence of PFAs, a group of chemical agents known as "forever pollutants" in toilet paper and the consequences of its use.] 

Four outlets covered the story this week.

Sciences et Avenir la Recherche (Paris, France: 1.37 million unique monthly visits) 
“Deux étudiants découvrent que les écrevisses accumulent le lithium dans leur chair” [Two students discover that crayfish accumulate lithium in their flesh] 
March 26, 2024 
Publicized in: ACS meeting release

Deux étudiants du Mississippi College, Andrew Douber et Javian Ervin, s’avouant amateurs de la chair de ce crustacé, ont voulu vérifier si l’animal pouvait concentrer dans son organisme le lithium dissous dans l’eau. Leurs résultats ont été annoncés lors de la session de printemps de l'American Chemical Society. [Two students from Mississippi College, Andrew Douber and Javian Ervin, who admitted to being lovers of the meat of this crustacean, wanted to check if the animal could concentrate lithium dissolved in water in its body. Their results were announced at the spring meeting of the American Chemical Society]. 

Five outlets, including Yahoo! France (France), covered the story this week.

Phys.org (Isle of Man, United Kingdom: 7.60 million unique monthly visits) 
“Nutritional rewards and risks revealed for edible seaweed around Hawaii” 
March 26, 2024 
Publicized in: ACS PressPac

Given seaweed's importance in the Hawaiian islands, a recent ACS Food Science & Technology publication reports a comprehensive analysis of essential nutrients and heavy metals for six species of seaweeds collected around Hawaii. 

Four outlets covered the story this week.

Better Homes and Gardens (Des Moines, IA: 10.68 million unique monthly visits) 
“Can You Eat Sprouted Garlic? Yes, But There's a Catch…” 
March 29, 2024

According to a 2014 study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, garlic cloves that show signs of sprouting appear to have higher levels of antioxidants than younger cloves.