Using the same devious mechanism that enables some bacteria to shrug off powerful antibiotics, scientists have developed solar-powered nanofilters that remove antibiotics from the water in lakes and rivers twice as efficiently as the best existing technology.
Their report appears in ACS’ journal NanoLetters.
David Wendell and Vikram Kapoor explain that antibiotics from toilets and other sources find their way into lakes and rivers, with traces appearing in 80 percent of waterways. Those antibiotics foster emergence of new antibiotic-resistant bacteria, while harming beneficial microbes in ways that can degrade aquatic environments and food chains. Filters containing activated carbon can remove antibiotics from effluent at municipal sewage treatment plants, before its release into waterways. But activated carbon is far from perfect. So the scientists looked for a better technology.
They describe development and successful laboratory testing of capsule-like “vesicles” containing the very mechanism that enables bacteria to survive doses of antibiotics. This system pumps antibiotics out of bacterial cells before any damage can occur. Wendell and Kapoor turned it around, however, so that the system pumps antibiotics into the vesicles. That way, they can be collected and recycled or shipped for disposal. In addition to the pump, the vesicles contain a propulsion system driven by sunlight. The pump system could be adapted to clean hormones, heavy metals and other undesirable materials from water, the scientists state.
The Latest Bing News on:
Solar-powered nanofilters
- Northern Lights Glow in the Sky Amid Solar Stormon May 11, 2024 at 1:27 pm
[Laughing] Holy moly. I know. This — I thought it would just be over on the horizon a little — Behind us, too. Yeah. A little green on the horizon. Nothing like this. This is — This is like, ‘Oh, my ...
- Solar storm hits Earth, producing colorful light shows across Northern Hemisphereon May 11, 2024 at 1:25 pm
An unusually strong solar storm hitting Earth produced stunning displays of color in the skies across the Northern Hemisphere, with no immediate reports of disruptions to power and communications.
- Northern Lights Set to Return During Extreme Solar Storm’s 2nd Nighton May 11, 2024 at 1:00 pm
Electrical utilities said they weathered earlier conditions as persistent geomagnetic storms were expected to cause another light show in evening skies.
- Power Up Anywhere With These Solar Chargerson May 11, 2024 at 6:03 am
Pack a solar charger for the trip and suddenly you’ve got the world back at your fingertips. These portable gadgets marry solar panels with battery packs—they’re small and lightweight enough to not ...
- Solar Power Now Leads the Charge Towards Sustainable Energy Futureon May 10, 2024 at 2:58 pm
As the demand for renewable energy grows ever higher, Solar Power Now emerges as a frontrunner in driving the transition towards a sustainable ...
- Solar Energy Newson May 8, 2024 at 5:00 pm
Apr. 8, 2024 — Researchers have fabricated a new four-terminal organic solar cell with a tandem configuration with a 16.94% power conversion efficiency (PCE). The new device is composed by a ...
- Best Solar-Powered Home Security Cameras for 2024on May 6, 2024 at 8:00 pm
Our team of experts at CNET has tested dozens of home security cameras, comparing indoor versus outdoor and wired versus wireless, and now even testing solar-powered security cameras to find the ...
- How Much Does a Solar Farm Cost? (2024)on May 6, 2024 at 4:59 pm
Also known as a solar park or solar power plant, solar farms are much more expensive than residential systems due to their size, but have a lower cost per watt. According to the National Renewable ...
- The Best Solar Generators for at Home or On the Go, Testedon April 30, 2024 at 10:15 am
Harnessing the sun to create backup power is an eco-friendly alternative to fuel-guzzling gasoline or dual-fuel generators. Also called solar “power stations,” solar generators feature high ...
- 8 best solar chargers for camping and backpacking, tried and testedon April 23, 2024 at 5:04 pm
While the heavy-duty solar panels you might install on your roof can help power everything from your washing machine to your portable air conditioner, smaller solar panels are perfect for keeping ...
The Latest Google Headlines on:
Solar-powered nanofilters
[google_news title=”” keyword=”Solar-powered nanofilters” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
The Latest Bing News on:
Antibiotics in lake water
- Migrant mourns death of child, one of the many unaccounted for in Chicago: ‘Without money, you’re nobody’on May 10, 2024 at 12:55 pm
Karis Calderon, 25, walked across seven countries to make it to Chicago for a stable job. Four weeks later, she couldn’t even afford to pay for the funeral services of her youngest child.
- Whooping cough outbreak declared in Newfoundlandon May 9, 2024 at 12:50 pm
Health officials say there is an outbreak of whooping cough in eastern Newfoundland. The province's health authority says 42 cases have been reported in the region since February, mostly affecting ...
- Here are 6 tips to keep your dog safe and happy when out on a boat in SC this summeron May 9, 2024 at 2:00 am
Are you planning to spend time on the water with your pet this summer? Here’s what you should know before you go.
- 8 UTI Home Remedies Other Than Antibioticson April 23, 2024 at 4:45 pm
While antibiotics are the most effective treatment ... it’s important to drink as many fluids as possible — particularly water. Most adults should aim to drink between six and eight 8-ounce ...
- Mom, 33, Disabled After Antibiotic Causes Toxic 'Floxing' Reaction: 'Like a Bomb Had Gone Off in My Body' (Exclusive)on April 19, 2024 at 7:28 am
Hailey Sebert is raising awareness about fluoroquinolone toxicity — the rare and sometimes debilitating side effects from a certain class of antibiotics Courtesy of Hailey Sebert Hailey Sebert ...
- Pilot speaks out after crashing, nearly drowning in Reidsville lakeon April 18, 2024 at 7:38 pm
He hit the lake headfirst. While struggling to get above water, Blackwell says it was ... bruises and a lung infection which he is taking antibiotics for. He calls the man who saved his life ...
- Antibiotics aren't effective for most lower tract respiratory infectionson April 14, 2024 at 5:00 pm
Overuse of antibiotics can result in dizziness, nausea, diarrhea, and rash along with about a 4% chance of serious adverse effects including anaphylaxis, which is a severe, life-threatening ...
- Designer antibiotics by generative AIon April 11, 2024 at 5:00 pm
Antibiotic-resistant infections caused almost 5 million deaths worldwide in 2019, and this number is projected to double by 2050. The discovery and development of new antibiotics has been ...
- What are the most common types of antibiotics?on April 11, 2024 at 5:00 pm
The term penicillins also refers to other antibiotics that work in a similar way. Penicillins work by breaking down the walls of bacterial cells, allowing water to enter and destroy the cell.
- There is something in the water: What to know about waterborne diseaseon May 31, 2023 at 2:03 pm
Water illnesses are caused by germs spread by swallowing, breathing in mists or aerosols of, or having contact with contaminated water.
The Latest Google Headlines on:
Antibiotics in lake water
[google_news title=”” keyword=”antibiotics in lake water” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]