Separation of Leather, Synthetic Leather and Polymers Using Handheld Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy.

Genuine leather is produced from animal skin by chemical tanning using chemical or vegetable agents, while synthetic leather is a combination of fabric and polymer. The replacement of natural leather by synthetic leather is becoming more difficult to identify. In this work, Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) is evaluated to separate between very similar materials: leather, synthetic leather, and polymers.

MicroRNA-24-3p promotes skeletal muscle differentiation and regeneration by regulating HMGA1.

Numerous studies have established the critical roles of microRNAs in regulating post-transcriptional gene expression in diverse biological processes. Here, we report on the role and mechanism of miR-24-3p in skeletal muscle differentiation and regeneration. miR-24-3p promotes myoblast differentiation and skeletal muscle regeneration by directly targeting high mobility group AT-hook 1 (HMGA1) and regulating it and its direct downstream target, the inhibitor of differentiation 3 (ID3).

[Challenges of managing home care product residues to protect biodiversity].

Healthcare professionals have a role to play in reducing micropollutant emissions from healthcare products at source. A survey was conducted on the practices of homecare workers, particularly on the management of drug residues and the recovery of excreta (urine and faeces). There are obstacles, but also levers to protect biodiversity from the toxicity of healthcare waste.

[Micropollutants in aquatic environments and residues of human health care products].

The contamination of water and natural environments by micropollutants linked to residues from health care activities (drugs, detergents, parapharmaceuticals, etc.) generates invisible, silent and alarming levels of pollution for the living world. The management of these phenomena is potentially a public health issue.

"That's Where Our Income Comes From": Women's Perceptions of Links Between Reproductive Struggles and Hydraulic Fracturing.

Reproductive hardship is highly stigmatized, which leads to such struggles being relegated to the private sphere. At the same time, numerous studies show links between toxic chemicals and reproductive hardship including miscarriage, infertility, and birth defects. There thus exists a disconnection between contributors to reproductive challenges and the fact that such hardship is frequently viewed as a problem.