Tuesday, December 31, 2024
Saturday, December 28, 2024
Toxic chemicals from food production pass into the human body
A new study has found that more than 3,600 chemicals that leach into food during manufacturing, processing, packaging, and storage end up in the human body – and some are linked to serious health issues.
Martin Wagner is a professor of biology at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology in Trondheim who was not involved in the research.
“This is a staggering number and shows that food contact materials are a significant source of chemicals in humans,” Wagner told CNN.
“The study is the first to systematically link the chemicals we use in materials to package and process foods to human exposure.”
Cancer-causing food chemicals
Published in the Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology, the study identified 79 food-processing chemicals found in the body that are known to cause cancer, genetic mutations, endocrine and reproductive issues, and other health concerns.
Senior study author Jane Muncke, managing director and chief scientific officer at the Food Packaging Forum – a nonprofit foundation based in Zurich, Switzerland – emphasized that many more chemicals may be harmful in ways science has yet to determine. “We’re measuring not only the chemicals that were known to be used in the food manufacturing process, but all the gunk as well – the byproducts and impurities that we call non-intentionally added substances,” said Muncke.
“Those substances are always present in plastic, in can and package coatings, in printing inks and so on. They may not have a technical function in the food processing, but they are there regardless and migrating into people, and we measure them.”
Chemical regulation and food safety
The American Chemistry Council, an industry association, responded by stating that its members are dedicated to food safety. “It is essential, however, when assessing potential risks to consider a broader context, including existing regulatory frameworks, scientific evidence, and the actual levels and degree of exposure that may exist,” said a council spokesperson. “Any proposed actions lacking this context, particularly when causality has not been definitively established, is inconsistent with risk-based U.S. chemical regulation laws.”
Muncke pointed out that while food contact materials may comply with current government regulations, the study highlights that these chemicals may not be fully safe. “We don’t know exactly what the amount is that’s been used in food packaging or other food contact materials versus the amount that’s being used for cosmetics, personal care products, textiles, and so on and so forth, right? I would like to have that information,” said Muncke. “I think it would be fantastic to make it a regulatory requirement for companies to declare how much and what type of chemicals they are putting into my food or plastic water bottle.”
Bisphenol A exposure
One chemical detected in both food and the human body is bisphenol A, or BPA, which was used to create baby bottles, sippy cups, and infant formula containers until concerned parents boycotted those products more than a decade ago. BPA is an endocrine disruptor linked to fetal abnormalities, low birth weight, and brain and behavior disorders in infants and children. In adults, it has been associated with diabetes, heart disease, erectile dysfunction, cancer, and a 49% higher risk of early death within 10 years. Bisphenol A can leach into food from the linings of canned foods, polycarbonate tableware, food storage containers, and water bottles, according to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.
Forever chemicals in food materials
“The study also shows that food contact materials can contain mutagenic chemicals that harm our DNA, such as heavy metals,” Wagner said. “There is strong evidence that humans are exposed to PFAS, so-called forever chemicals, from food packaging that are very persistent, bioaccumulate, and cause organ toxicity.” Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, are present in the blood of an estimated 98% of Americans, according to the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. These hormone-disrupting chemicals are so concerning that in July 2022, the Academies set “nanogram” levels of concern and called for testing of high-risk individuals, including infants and older adults.
Additional chemicals in food packaging
Another chemical group in food packaging that has migrated into people is phthalates, the research revealed. Found in shampoo, makeup, perfume, children’s toys, and food containers, phthalates have been linked to genital malformations and undescended testes in baby boys, as well as lower sperm counts and testosterone levels in adult males.
Previous studies have also associated phthalates with childhood obesity, asthma, cardiovascular issues, cancer, and premature death in people aged 55 to 64. In the new study, researchers compared 14,000 chemicals known to come into contact with food during the packaging process with worldwide databases that monitor human exposure to potential chemical toxins. All the research data has been uploaded to an open database for scientific use.
“We’ve got, say, 60 years of research into the migration of chemicals into food from food processing and packaging equipment. It’s been studied very extensively,” Muncke said. “And at the same time, there’s increasingly good, powerful studies coming out on Bisphenol A, on phthalates, on PFAS, brominated flame retardants and so forth that are associated with diseases in people.”
Tracking chemicals in the human body
What was lacking in the literature was a comparison between what was found in people and the chemicals known to migrate into food during processing.
To connect the dots, Muncke and her colleagues looked at national and regional biomonitoring databases that track chemicals in human blood, urine, breast milk, tissue samples, and other biomarkers.
For the study, researchers used data from the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), which gathers yearly health and nutrition data on Americans, as well as other databases.
About
Award Information - International Analytical Chemistry Awards
Welcome to the International Analytical Chemistry Awards - International Analytical Chemistry Awards, a premier event in the realm of International Analytical Chemistry Awards. Here's what you need to know about this exciting Award :
- Theme: The theme for International Analytical Chemistry Awards is "Sustainable International Analytical Chemistry Awards for a Connected Future."
- Hybrid Event: International Analytical Chemistry Awards is an innovative hybrid event, offering two dynamic ways to participate.
Visit Our Website : analyticalchemistry.org
For Enquiries: support@analyticalchemistry.org
For Award Nomination : https://analyticalchemistry.org/award-nomination/?ecategory=Awards&rcategory=Awardee
For Award Registration : https://analyticalchemistry.org/award-registration/
For Member Nomination : https://analyticalchemistry.org/member-submission/?ecategory=Membership&rcategory=Member
Thursday, December 26, 2024
Generic platinum chemotherapy shortages did not increase deaths
During a shortage of the generic platinum chemotherapy drugs cisplatin and carboplatin that began in early 2023, there was no difference in mortality rates among patients with advanced cancer compared to the previous year, and prescription rates for the two drugs fell less than 3% overall—and 15.1% at the peak—according to an analysis published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute by researchers from the Perelman School of Medicine and Penn Medicine’s Abramson Cancer Center.
Cisplatin and carboplatin—which have been approved for more than 30 years—are widely used to treat a variety of cancers, including lung, head and neck, breast, bladder, ovarian, uterine, and testicular cancers. When the FDA announced a shortage of cisplatin in February 2023, followed by a shortage of carboplatin in April 2023, it drew attention to the ongoing challenge of generic drug shortages, and prompted major national oncology societies to recommend best practices for priority use and alternative medicines.
“At the time, national surveys showed that most cancer centers in the U.S. were reporting shortages of these platinum chemotherapies, but it wasn’t clear how the shortages were actually affecting patients,” says lead author Jacob B. Reibel, a third-year fellow in Hematology-Oncology. “When we looked at the data on prescribing practices over the shortage period, compared to the previous year, we found that although reporting of the shortages was widespread, it didn't affect as many patients as we had feared.”
The researchers hypothesized that the limited impact on mortality was likely due to the use of effective alternative medications recommended by medical societies, such as immune checkpoint inhibitors, targeted therapy or other forms of chemotherapy. The study did not assess the potential drawbacks of alternative medications, including the financial burden of more expensive non-generic alternatives and side effects of different drugs.
“We always want to prioritize the best treatments that we have for patients, and platinum chemotherapies just happen to also be very cost-effective because they’re generic and have been around for decades,” says senior author Ronac Mamtani, section chief of genitourinary cancers. “While the alternative options may be effective, we want to be able to provide the ‘standard-of-care’ medications to any patient in need. Even 100 patients who can’t get the preferred chemotherapy for their cancer type due to supply chain issues is far too many.”
Award Information - International Analytical Chemistry Awards
Welcome to the International Analytical Chemistry Awards - International Analytical Chemistry Awards, a premier event in the realm of International Analytical Chemistry Awards. Here's what you need to know about this exciting Award :
- Theme: The theme for International Analytical Chemistry Awards is "Sustainable International Analytical Chemistry Awards for a Connected Future."
- Hybrid Event: International Analytical Chemistry Awards is an innovative hybrid event, offering two dynamic ways to participate.
Tuesday, December 24, 2024
Saturday, December 21, 2024
Friday, December 20, 2024
Atomic sensors unveil hidden dynamics of molecular polarization
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has long been a cornerstone of modern medicine, providing highly detailed images of internal organs and tissues. MRI machines, those large, tube-shaped magnets commonly found in hospitals, use powerful magnets to map the densities of water and fat molecules within the body.
In addition to these molecules, other substances like metabolites can also be mapped, but their concentrations are often too low to produce clear images. To overcome this limitation, a technique known as hyperpolarization is employed to enhance the magnetic resonance signal of these substances, making them more visible during MRI scans.
Hyperpolarization involves preparing a substance outside the body in a state where its magnetization—key to creating MRI images—is near its maximum. This process can boost the signal by thousands of times compared to its natural state. Once hyperpolarized, the substance is injected into the patient and transported to the target organ or tissue. However, before this can happen, it is crucial to confirm that the substance is adequately hyperpolarized through rigorous quality control processes.
Current quality control techniques face two significant challenges. First, these methods often reduce the magnetization of the sample during the read-out process, thereby diminishing its ability to enhance the MRI scan. Second, the time required for measurement can be lengthy, during which the substance's magnetization naturally decays, limiting the opportunity for consecutive measurements. This results in a lack of critical data that could otherwise help maximize the efficiency of hyperpolarization.
Furthermore, once the sample is hyperpolarized, there is a risk that it could lose its magnetization during transport to the MRI machine. Traditional quality control techniques, due to their time-consuming nature, may fail to detect this loss in time.
In particular, the team used optically pumped atomic magnetometers (OPMs), whose operating principles differ fundamentally from traditional sensors, enabling real-time detection of the fields produced by hyperpolarized molecules. The nature of OPMs allowed these researchers to perform continuous, high-resolution and non-destructive observations throughout the entire experiment, including the hyperpolarization process itself.
According to the authors, if the field of hyperpolarization sensing was cinema, previous methods would be like a sequence of still photos, leaving the plot between frozen pictures open to the viewer's guess.
Unveiled behaviors of chemical compounds during magnetization
The team tested their OPMs by monitoring hyperpolarization in clinically relevant molecules. The atomic sensors' unprecedented resolution and real-time tracking allowed them to witness how the polarization in a metabolite compound ([1-13C]-fumarate) evolved under the presence of a magnetic field.
The atomic sensors revealed "hidden spin dynamics" that had gone unnoticed until now, offering a new path towards optimizing the hyperpolarization from the very start of the process.
"Previous methods obscured subtle oscillations in the magnetization profile, which previously went undetected," remarks Tayler. "Without the OPM, we would have achieved a suboptimal final polarization without even realizing."
Beyond simple observation, the method could be used to control the polarization process in real-time and stop it at the most convenient point, for instance, when the maximum polarization is attained.
The study revealed other unexpected behavior when the team applied a magnetic field to repeatedly magnetize and demagnetize the hyperpolarized fumarate molecule. They expected to see the magnetization increasing to a maximum and then going back to zero over and over, transitioning smoothly from one state to the other every time. Contrary to these simple expectations, the molecule exhibited complex dynamics due to hidden resonances at certain magnetization-demagnetization durations and magnetic fields.
"This understanding will help us detect when unwanted behavior occurs and adjust parameters (like the duration of the cycle or the intensity of the magnetic field) to prevent it," explains Tayler.
The work represents an advancement in hyperpolarized MRI technology, thanks in large part to the collaborative efforts of IBEC's Molecular Imaging for Precision Medicine group and ICFO's Atomic Quantum Optics group. IBEC expertise in hyperpolarization methods and ICFO's expertise in OPM sensing technologies were critical in achieving the results.
"This is a beautiful example of the new science that can be achieved when researchers from different disciplines work together, and the proximity of IBEC and ICFO meant we were able to collaborate closely and achieve something truly novel," acknowledges Dr. James Eills, IBEC researcher and first author of the article.
Dr. Tayler reflects on the team's success, saying, "The OPM measurements worked beautifully from the start. The sensors' exquisite sensitivity revealed hidden dynamics we hadn't anticipated, as if they were meant for this purpose. The ease of use and the wealth of new information make them a powerful tool for hyperpolarization monitoring."
Benefits for MRI and other future applications
The immediate application of this study would be to integrate portable atomic sensors into clinical sample quality control for MRI, something that is currently being implemented by the ICFO team in the Spanish Ministry Project "SEE-13-MRI." This way, one could guide molecules to the highest possible level of polarization during hyperpolarization and reliably certify the polarization level before substances are injected into patients.
The development could significantly reduce the cost and logistical challenges of metabolic MRI. If so, this would expand its reach from the handful of specialized research centers where it is currently used, to many hospitals worldwide.
However, the potential of atomic sensors extends far beyond medical imaging. The same non-destructive, real-time tracking system using optically-pumped magnetometers (OPMs) could be applied to monitor macromolecules in chemical processes, study high-energy physics targets, or even optimize spin-based algorithms in quantum computing.
According to Dr. Tayler, "The method we've developed opens up new avenues not only for improving MRI but for various fields that rely on precise magnetic sensing, and we are excited about its further development."
About
Award Information - International Analytical Chemistry Awards
Welcome to the International Analytical Chemistry Awards - International Analytical Chemistry Awards, a premier event in the realm of International Analytical Chemistry Awards. Here's what you need to know about this exciting Award :
- Theme: The theme for International Analytical Chemistry Awards is "Sustainable International Analytical Chemistry Awards for a Connected Future."
- Hybrid Event: International Analytical Chemistry Awards is an innovative hybrid event, offering two dynamic ways to participate.
Visit Our Website : analyticalchemistry.org
For Enquiries: support@analyticalchemistry.org
For Award Nomination : https://analyticalchemistry.org/award-nomination/?ecategory=Awards&rcategory=Awardee
For Award Registration : https://analyticalchemistry.org/award-registration/
For Member Nomination : https://analyticalchemistry.org/member-submission/?ecategory=Membership&rcategory=Member
Thursday, December 19, 2024
Wednesday, December 18, 2024
Quantum Chemistry
AI addressed the most difficult challenges in quantum chemistry
Excited states are key in physics and chemistry, but calculating their properties accurately from first principles is still challenging. Recent progress in using deep learning for ground-state calculations shows that this method could also help solve the problem for excited states.
Scientists at Imperial College London and Google DeepMind have proposed a solution using AI to the tough challenge of modeling the states of molecules.
The team looked into how molecules shift between ‘excited states’ when they receive a lot of energy, like from light or heat. This energy can move their electrons into a temporary new arrangement called an excited state.
The total amount of energy absorbed and released during the transfer of molecules between states leaves a unique fingerprint for different molecules and materials. This affects many technologies, like solar panels, LEDs, semiconductors, and photocatalysts. It’s also crucial for biological processes involving light, such as photosynthesis and vision.
However, modeling this is tough because excited electrons behave according to quantum principles, meaning their exact positions are uncertain and only described by probabilities.
Lead researcher Dr David Pfau, from Google DeepMind and the Department of Physics at Imperial, said: “Representing the state of a quantum system is highly challenging. A probability has to be assigned to every possible configuration of electron positions.
“The space of all possible configurations is enormous — if you tried to represent it as a grid with 100 points along each dimension, then the number of possible electron configurations for the silicon atom would be larger than the number of atoms in the universe. This is exactly where we thought deep neural networks could help.” Scientists computed the energy of atoms and molecules based on precise principles by developing and using a new mathematical approach with a neural network called FermiNet (Fermionic Neural Network).
The team tested their method on various examples and got promising results. For a small but complex molecule called the carbon dimer, they achieved a mean absolute error (MAE) of 4 meV (a tiny energy measure), which is five times more accurate than previous top methods that had an MAE of 20 meV.
Dr Pfau said: “We tested our method on some of the most challenging systems in computational chemistry, where two electrons are excited simultaneously, and found we were within around 0.1 eV of the most demanding, complex calculations done to date.
“Today, we’re making our latest work open source, and we hope the research community will build upon our methods to explore the unexpected ways matter interacts with light.”
About
Award Information - International Analytical Chemistry Awards
Welcome to the International Analytical Chemistry Awards - International Analytical Chemistry Awards, a premier event in the realm of International Analytical Chemistry Awards. Here's what you need to know about this exciting Award :
- Theme: The theme for International Analytical Chemistry Awards is "Sustainable International Analytical Chemistry Awards for a Connected Future."
- Hybrid Event: International Analytical Chemistry Awards is an innovative hybrid event, offering two dynamic ways to participate.
Visit Our Website : analyticalchemistry.org
For Enquiries: support@analyticalchemistry.org
For Award Nomination : https://analyticalchemistry.org/award-nomination/?ecategory=Awards&rcategory=Awardee
For Award Registration : https://analyticalchemistry.org/award-registration/
For Member Nomination : https://analyticalchemistry.org/member-submission/?ecategory=Membership&rcategory=Member
Tuesday, December 17, 2024
Monday, December 16, 2024
Saturday, December 14, 2024
Making Chemistry Safer: Worth Every Penny! #chemistry #safer #sciencefat...
Biomass: The Future of Renewable Energy #biomas #sciencefather #future #...
A low-biomass clean power system
Innovating Clean Energy with Low-Biomass Systems
Low-biomass clean power systems represent a cutting-edge approach to sustainable energy production, offering solutions that balance energy demands with environmental stewardship.
1. What Are Low-Biomass Clean Power Systems?
Low-biomass systems focus on generating energy using minimal organic material, typically agricultural waste, algae-based biofuels, or small-scale organic residues. Unlike traditional biomass systems that rely on extensive feedstocks, these systems optimize the use of renewable materials, ensuring reduced ecological impact while maintaining efficiency.
2. Key Technologies Enabling Low-Biomass Energy
Advancements in bioenergy technologies are driving the feasibility of low-biomass systems.
- Anaerobic Digestion: Converts organic waste into biogas with high energy yields.
- Gasification: Breaks down biomass into syngas, used for electricity or fuel production.
- Microbial Fuel Cells: Harness the power of microbes to generate energy from minimal biomass sources.
These innovations enhance energy recovery while lowering emissions and operational costs.
3. Environmental and Economic Impact
Low-biomass clean power systems reduce greenhouse gas emissions and prevent deforestation by relying on waste and by-products. Economically, these systems support circular economies, converting waste into energy, thus reducing landfill dependency. They also open opportunities for decentralized power generation, empowering local communities with sustainable energy solutions.
About
Award Information - International Analytical Chemistry Awards
Welcome to the International Analytical Chemistry Awards - International Analytical Chemistry Awards, a premier event in the realm of International Analytical Chemistry Awards. Here's what you need to know about this exciting Award :
- Theme: The theme for International Analytical Chemistry Awards is "Sustainable International Analytical Chemistry Awards for a Connected Future."
- Hybrid Event: International Analytical Chemistry Awards is an innovative hybrid event, offering two dynamic ways to participate.
Visit Our Website : analyticalchemistry.org
For Enquiries: support@analyticalchemistry.org
For Award Nomination : https://analyticalchemistry.org/award-nomination/?ecategory=Awards&rcategory=Awardee
For Award Registration : https://analyticalchemistry.org/award-registration/
For Member Nomination : https://analyticalchemistry.org/member-submission/?ecategory=Membership&rcategory=Member
Friday, December 13, 2024
What's the difference between a rock and a mineral?
About
Award Information - International Analytical Chemistry Awards
Welcome to the International Analytical Chemistry Awards - International Analytical Chemistry Awards, a premier event in the realm of International Analytical Chemistry Awards. Here's what you need to know about this exciting Award :
- Theme: The theme for International Analytical Chemistry Awards is "Sustainable International Analytical Chemistry Awards for a Connected Future."
- Hybrid Event: International Analytical Chemistry Awards is an innovative hybrid event, offering two dynamic ways to participate.
Visit Our Website : analyticalchemistry.org
For Enquiries: support@analyticalchemistry.org
For Award Nomination : https://analyticalchemistry.org/award-nomination/?ecategory=Awards&rcategory=Awardee
For Award Registration : https://analyticalchemistry.org/award-registration/
For Member Nomination : https://analyticalchemistry.org/member-submission/?ecategory=Membership&rcategory=Member
-
Blood Chemistry: Understanding Your Body’s Inner Workings What is Blood Chemistry? Blood chemistry refers to the levels of chemicals in y...
-
.png)
International Analytical Chemistry Awards Introduction: Welcome to the pinnacle of ingenuity—the ' Best Innovation Award .' Unveil...
