The surge in microbial illnesses, notably seen during the COVID-19 pandemic, has led to the global use of face masks-cloth, surgical, medical, and respirator types-to curb respiratory pathogen spread. Widely used by the public, patients, and healthcare workers, masks play a key role in reducing airborne transmission. However, synthetic, non-biodegradable materials in these masks have sparked environmental concerns due to disposal issues. Moreover, challenges like limited microbial filtration, poor fit, breathing resistance, and low reusability raise further issues, as does the failure to neutralize trapped microbes. Addressing these issues calls for high-performance, biodegradable masks crafted from renewable nanofibrous materials using advanced technology. Antimicrobial nanomaterial coatings can further reduce contamination risks for users and the environment. Nanofibrous materials, with their high surface area, enhance filtration, allow customization, and improve capture efficiency. Research is progressing on sustainable, biodegradable filters, particularly with cellulose materials. This review outlines mask types and limitations, spotlighting nanofibrous filters for their filtration efficiency, breathability, and sustainability. It also delves into nanofiber manufacturing and assesses bacterial cellulose-a promising renewable nanofibrous material suited for air filtration.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.137627 | DOI Listing |
Sci Rep
December 2024
College of Grassland Science, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, 010019, China.
Hydrothermal biochar has demonstrated potential in enhancing crop growth by improving soil properties and microbial activity; however, its effectiveness varies with application rate, with excessive amounts potentially inhibiting plant growth. This study employed a pot experiment approach to compare varying application rates of hydrothermal biochar (ranging from 0 to 50 t/ha) and to analyze its effects on alfalfa biomass, photosynthetic efficiency, soil nutrient content, and microbial community composition. Biochar application increased alfalfa dry weight by 12.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnviron Sci Pollut Res Int
December 2024
Department of Mechanical Engineering, K. Ramakrishnan College of Engineering, Samayapuram, Trichy, India.
Lubricants are pivotal in mitigating friction and wear between surfaces, ensuring seamless movement of solid objects. However, the predominant use of petroleum-based lubricants in the automotive and industrial ssectors raises substantial concerns for future energy security. The exploration of vegetable oils as an alternative lubricant in the automotive industry was motivated by the depletion of fossil fuels and escalating environmental concerns.
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December 2024
Faculty of Natural Science, Walter Sisulu University, Mthatha, South Africa.
Changing climates threaten crop growth and fodder yields in dryland farming. This study assessed two radish genotypes (LINE 2, ENDURANCE) under three water regimes (W1 = well-watered, W2 = moderate stress, W3 = severe stress) and two leaf harvesting options over two seasons (2021/22 and 2022/23). Key findings revealed that water regime significantly (P < 0.
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December 2024
National & Local United Engineering Laboratory for Chinese Herbal Medicine Breeding and Cultivation, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, People's Republic of China.
Cold stress, a major abiotic factor, positively modulates the synthesis of artemisinin in Artemisia annua and influences the biosynthesis of other secondary metabolites. To elucidate the changes in the synthesis of secondary metabolites under low-temperature conditions, we conducted dynamic transcriptomic and metabolite quantification analyses of A. annua leaves.
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December 2024
Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, Viale Mattioli 25, Turin, 10125, Turin, Italy.
Enhancing crops productivity to ensure food security is one of the major challenges encountering agriculture today. A promising solution is the use of biostimulants, which encompass molecules that enhance plant fitness, growth, and productivity. The regulatory metabolite zaxinone and its mimics (MiZax3 and MiZax5) showed promising results in improving the growth and yield of several crops.
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