Scientists Create Biodegradable Plastic Alternative That's Literally Alive
Swiss scientists have created a new plastic-like material that's flexible, biodegradable, and even edible. The secret? It's still alive.
The material, which was created by a team from Empa in Switzerland, manages to balance biodegradability with toughness and versatility – a feat that is far from easy in materials science.
The researchers processed fibers from the mycelium (the root-like part) of the split-gill mushroom (Schizophyllum commune) into a liquid mixture, without actually killing them off or destroying their natural biological functions.
The resulting gel-like material is called living fiber dispersions, or LFD, and it can be molded into many different forms. It also makes full use of the extra substances produced by mushrooms, where other biomaterials might just use the core fungal cells.
"The fungus uses this extracellular matrix to give itself structure and other functional properties," says materials scientist Ashutosh Sinha, from Empa. "Why shouldn't we do the same?"
By developing a specific strain of the split-gill, the researchers were able to encourage the growth of two molecules in particular: polysaccharide schizophyllan and hydrophobin. These molecules are crucial in giving LFD its appealing properties.
One possible use of the material is as a thin film with a very high tensile strength. The researchers suggest it could potentially be used in compost bags that naturally rot away as well as composting their contents, or in super-thin biodegradable batteries.
LFD also works well as an emulsifier, a substance that enables two other materials to mix and bind together when they otherwise wouldn't. Emulsifiers are important in food and cosmetics production, found in everything from ice cream to shampoo.
Because it's still alive, the fungus keeps releasing more of its key molecules.
"This is probably the only type of emulsion that becomes more stable over time," says Sinha.
And because it comes from the edible S. commune mushroom, this LFD is completely non-toxic too – you can even eat it without any problems. When it comes to foods and cosmetics, that's another big plus for the material.
There's the potential for plenty of future research here too, because the team thinks that the approach used here could be tweaked to produce materials with other specific properties, like an on-demand materials maker.
Scientists will often look to nature for inspiration, whether they're developing drug delivery methods or building robots, and we're seeing an increasing number of studies investigating fungi as a foundation for new materials.
Fungi-based biomaterials could act as alternatives to plastic, and to form clothes that are able to repair themselves. There's a lot of benefit in materials that combine the natural and the synthetic.
The researchers are hoping to find more and more practical uses for LFD over time, following in a long line of materials inspired by nature – evidence that the natural world around us is the best lab there is.
"Biodegradable materials always react to their environment," says materials scientist Gustav Nyström, from Empa.
"We want to find applications where this interaction is not a hindrance but maybe even an advantage."
The research has been published in Advanced Materials.
Uploading The Human Mind Could Become a Reality, Expert Says
Scientists Developed a Kind of 'Living Concrete' That Heals Its Own Cracks
World's First CRISPR-Edited Spiders Shoot Fluoro Red Silk From Their Butts
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Health Line
12 hours ago
- Health Line
What Happens if You Don't Treat Hypothyroidism?
Untreated hypothyroidism can cause persistent symptoms like fatigue, dry skin, constipation, and weight gain. It can also lead to potentially serious complications. Hypothyroidism is a condition where the thyroid gland makes too little thyroid hormone. It's treated by taking medication that replaces the missing thyroid hormone. While hypothyroidism can be effectively managed, researchers found that between 2009 and 2019, an estimated 14.4% of people in the United States with a hypothyroidism diagnosis weren't receiving treatment. Untreated hypothyroidism can lead to potentially serious complications. This article looks at what exactly happens if you don't treat hypothyroidism. What are the immediate symptoms of untreated hypothyroidism? Thyroid hormone is important for a variety of processes in your body, especially managing your metabolism, which is how your body uses energy. It's also involved in things like heart rate, brain health, and fertility (just to name a few). In hypothyroidism, your thyroid gland isn't making enough thyroid hormone to properly maintain these processes. This means that many of the processes start to slow down. As such, untreated hypothyroidism can have several immediate symptoms. These include: fatigue unintended weight gain cold intolerance constipation voice changes dry skin dry, thinning hair facial puffiness reduced sweating muscle and joint pain brain fog (trouble thinking clearly or concentrating) depression heavier or more irregular menstrual periods slow heart rate The exact symptoms of untreated hypothyroidism can vary from person to person. However, if you're regularly experiencing any of the symptoms on this list, it's a good idea to make an appointment with a doctor or medical professional to discuss. What are the potential complications of untreated hypothyroidism? If hypothyroidism remains untreated, it can lead to several potentially serious complications. Some research has also suggested that untreated hypothyroidism is associated with an increased risk of death from any cause. The following sections review the potential complications of untreated hypothyroidism. High cholesterol and heart disease Thyroid hormones are involved in the metabolism of lipids (fats) in your body. Because of this, thyroid dysfunction can alter lipid levels. Hypothyroidism is associated with dyslipidemia, a condition where levels of one or more types of lipid are higher than normal. Specifically, hypothyroidism can increase total cholesterol, LDL ('bad') cholesterol, and triglycerides. High cholesterol can boost the risk of heart disease. Further, hypothyroidism can weaken the ability of the heart to pump and slow the heart rate, which can also raise your risk of heart disease. Research has found that treatment for hypothyroidism can improve lipid levels and help to potentially reverse the effects of low thyroid hormone on the heart and blood vessels, lowering the risk of heart problems. Infertility and pregnancy complications Hypothyroidism is known to be linked to infertility. This is mostly due to disturbances in ovulation. Ovulation is when an egg is released from the ovaries and becomes available to be fertilized. Problems with ovulation are one of the most common causes of infertility. Having hypothyroidism during pregnancy can also lead to complications like: anemia preeclampsia miscarriage stillbirth low birth weight cognitive and developmental issues in infants Managing hypothyroidism can help prevent infertility and pregnancy complications. Developmental issues in children Congenital hypothyroidism is when low thyroid hormone is present from birth. It's estimated to affect 1 in 3,000 to 4,000 infants. In the United States and many other countries, newborns are tested for this condition right after birth. If left untreated, hypothyroidism in infants can lead to intellectual disabilities. However, neonatal screening followed by prompt treatment has been shown to help improve developmental outcomes. Myxedema coma Myxedema coma is a serious complication that's caused by severe untreated hypothyroidism. When thyroid hormone levels get very low, the body's processes can slow down in a dangerous way. While myxedema coma is rare, it's a medical emergency that requires immediate attention. Treatment involves giving replacement thyroid hormones as well as supportive care. How is hypothyroidism treated? Hypothyroidism is treated using a medication called levothyroxine. This medication is a lab-made version of the thyroid hormone your body makes naturally. As such, levothyroxine helps to replace missing thyroid hormone. You take levothyroxine once each day, typically in the morning prior to eating. It's often taken in the form of a pill, but is also available as a gel capsule or as a liquid. After you've been taking levothyroxine for a few weeks, your doctor will test your levels of thyroid hormone. This is to see if your levothyroxine dose has restored your thyroid hormone levels to a healthy range. If the test results show that thyroid hormone levels are too low or too high, your doctor will adjust your daily dose of levothyroxine. They'll then repeat the test in a few weeks. Be sure to talk with your doctor if you continue to have symptoms or if you have any additional questions about your thyroid or your thyroid medication. Takeaway Some people with hypothyroidism remain untreated. Untreated hypothyroidism can lead to the persistence of symptoms like fatigue, weight gain, constipation, and dry skin. Over time, untreated hypothyroidism can also cause potentially serious complications. These include high cholesterol, infertility, pregnancy complications, and the life threatening condition myxedema coma.
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Yahoo
Antarctic seal numbers falling drastically due to melting sea ice, research shows
Antarctic seal populations are drastically declining as the sea ice melts around them, new research has shown. Researchers from the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) have been monitoring the seal population in the sub-Antarctic since the 1970s, looking in particular at three different seal species in the sub-Antarctic on Signy Island: Weddell seals, Antarctic fur seals and southern elephant seals. Using satellite records from as far back as 1982, the research team compared annual changes in sea ice concentration with seal population counts conducted since 1977. With five decades worth of data spanning a period of long-term warming and temporary cooling between 1998 and 2014, they were able to draw a comprehensive picture of how seal populations react to changing ice conditions, something shorter-term studies would not be able to achieve. The study, published in the scientific journal Global Change Biology, found Weddell seals (leptonychotes weddellii), which rely on stable sea ice to rest, breed and feed, had declined by 54% since 1977. Similarly, Antarctic fur seals (arctocephalus gazella), which breed on land but are affected by food chain shifts, have declined by 47%. The findings challenge previous assumptions that the population in the South Orkneys had stabilised. Southern elephant seals (mirounga leonina), despite sharing similar population trends, presented 'no significant overall long-term decline'. The study serves to emphasise the 'vital importance of long-term ecological monitoring' as well as the interconnectedness between the three species of seal and sea ice conditions. Michael Dunn, lead author of the study, said: 'For once, we're not just predicting how wildlife might respond to shrinking sea ice and environmental shifts, we've had the rare opportunity to confirm it, using solid, long-term data. The emerging picture is deeply concerning.' In light of the BAS's findings, researchers have also raised concerns about how climate breakdown is affecting the Antarctic food web, relied on by all three species.
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Yahoo
Experts celebrate as trail cameras capture once-in-a-lifetime photograph of 'forgotten' creature: 'The feeling was unbelievable'
A once-in-a-lifetime photograph of the Upemba lechwe has been published after one of the most endangered African animals momentarily paused for the camera. While the image is fuzzy, it clearly shows the endangered "forgotten antelope" standing in a grassy field — almost as if he's proudly posing for the now-famous photo. "The feeling was unbelievable," said Manuel Weber of the Department of Research and Biomonitoring at Upemba National Park, according to the Guardian. Researchers had feared they might not find any lechwe at all during the survey. But the camera told a different story. The antelope stopped for "literally a few seconds." What makes this photo so special? This sighting marks the first photographic evidence of a living Upemba lechwe since 2005, making it a significant breakthrough for the species and conservation efforts across the region. Experts estimate fewer than 100 Upemba lechwe remain in the wild, which makes every single sighting incredibly valuable. Researchers captured the photo in Upemba National Park, a remote region in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where lechwe once roamed in far greater numbers. For years, conservationists worried the species might already be lost — wiped out by decades of poaching and habitat destruction. But during a recent aerial survey, researchers spotted one from above and managed to snap a quick photo. It's a small moment but a powerful one. "We hope this image becomes a rallying cry," Weber stated, according to the Guardian. "Because this may be our only chance to save this species." Protecting species like the Upemba lechwe doesn't just help preserve biodiversity — it also supports the livelihoods of nearby communities, bolsters food chains, and strengthens ecosystems that humans depend on. Smart management of our environment ensures more than just wildlife survival — it helps drive progress toward a cleaner, safer future for everyone. Cameras are proving to be powerful tools for scientists. While researchers used an aerial device for this image, conservationists often rely on trail cameras to non-invasively track elusive species and monitor their population health over time. Should the government be able to control how we heat our homes? Definitely Only if it saves money I'm not sure No way Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Trail cams can also show when things are starting to go right — whether it's a species coming back, new babies being born, or animals returning to old migration paths. It's all proof that careful, thoughtful stewardship of the environment makes a real difference. When we manage habitats wisely, we're not just helping wildlife — we're protecting the systems that grow our food, filter our water, and support our communities. A healthy ecosystem doesn't just benefit the animals in it — it helps people, too. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
