Novel carbon-based materials to remove hazardous “forever chemicals” in water

Utilizing lignin and glucose as carbon sources to develop novel materials can remove harmful chemicals in water

Institute of Science Tokyo

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Membrane distillation method can effectively reduce PFAS concentration with implications in water purification

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Credit: Science Tokyo

Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a diverse group of synthetic chemicals, are commonly used in numerous products such as semiconductors, fire-extinguishing foams, heat-resistant, and non-stick cookware. PFAS possess remarkable resistance to heat, oil, grease, and water that can be attributed to the strong chemical bonds between the atoms. However, the major drawback of the exceptional resistance is that PFAS are highly persistent in the environment, earning the nickname “forever chemicals.”

The use of PFAS has been prohibited by international conventions due to their harmful effects on human health and environment. While recent scientific reports indicate that soils and rivers are contaminated with PFAS, there is a lack of effective and sustainable technologies to remove PFAS. In pursuit of United Nations sustainable development goal 6–clean water and sanitation for all, a team of researchers from Institute of Science Tokyo (Science Tokyo), Japan, led by Associate Professor Toshihiro Isobe from the Department of Materials Science, have turned their attention to carbon-based materials to remove PFAS from water.

The research team, led by Associate Professor Manabu Fujii from the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Science Tokyo, synthesized a novel adsorbent-substance that can trap chemicals on its surface and developed a membrane distillation (MD) method to purify water contaminated with PFAS. Their research findings were presented as an invited lecture at the 23rd International Symposium on Eco-Materials Processing and Design, held from January 13 to 16, 2025.

Sharing insights on the novelty of the research, Isobe commented, “By utilizing lignin—a byproduct produced in the pulp and paper industry—and glucose-a common sugar molecule, as carbon sources, our research group has employed sustainable materials for the development of PFAS-removal technologies. Moreover, the MD method used in our study, combining both distillation and membrane separation, offers an innovative strategy to remove PFAS from water.”

The researchers leveraged the difference in the boiling points between water and PFAS to purify water contaminated with PFAS using the MD method. Additionally, the hydrophobic (lacking affinity for water), porous carbon-based separation membrane effectively rejected PFAS, allowing only water vapor to pass through it. In-depth experimental analysis showed that simulated contaminated water, containing perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) at a concentration of around 500 ng/L after MD treatment, had a PFOS concentration of around 3 ng/L, which was below the global environmental standards.

Isobe concludes by outlining future plans to improve the MD purification method, “At present, the evaporation of simulated PFAS-contaminated water is achieved using heaters and depends on vacuum pumps to enhance the flow of water vapor. However, in the future, we aim to switch to a solar heating method to develop an electricity-free system that does not rely on heaters.”

In addition to developing the novel MD method to purify PFAS-contaminated water, the research team conducted a series of experiments involving lignin-derived adsorbents. They found that minimal amounts of activated carbon (treated with zinc chloride at a 1:3 ratio) could remove up to 99% of PFAS within 10 minutes.

Overall, this study presents novel and sustainable carbon-based materials that could drive the development of future purification technologies to solve critical and persistent environmental issues.

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Conference Name: The 23rd International Symposium on Eco-materials Processing and Design (ISEPD2025)

Date and Venue: January 13 to 16, 2025, Osaka

Presentation Session: Environmental protection materials

Presentation Time: January 15, 10:40 AM (local time, JST)

Presentation Title: Carbon materials for PFAS removal from water

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About Institute of Science Tokyo (Science Tokyo)

Institute of Science Tokyo (Science Tokyo) was established on October 1, 2024, following the merger between Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU) and Tokyo Institute of Technology (Tokyo Tech), with the mission of “Advancing science and human wellbeing to create value for and with society.”

https://www.isct.ac.jp/en

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Method of Research

Experimental study

Subject of Research

Not applicable

Disclaimer: AAAS an

 

Taking vitamin E during pregnancy may decrease peanut allergy in children

American Association of Immunologists Inc

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New research found that supplementing maternal diet with α-tocopherol, a form of vitamin E, can reduce the development of food allergy and anaphylaxis in newborn mice.  

The prevalence of food allergy in children increased 50% from 2007 to 2021 in the United States (US), with the incidence of peanut allergy tripling in that time. This new study, published in The Journal of Immunology, shows the potential for α-tocopherol in prenatal vitamins during pregnancy and lactation to address this alarming increase and reduce development of food allergy early in life. 

The study found that pups born to mice fed a diet supplemented with α-tocopherol during pregnancy and nursing showed reduced development of IgE antibodies to the food allergen and reduced peanut induced anaphylaxis. This sweeping improvement in outcomes was attributed to increased α-tocopherol levels in the pups of mothers taking the supplement, compared to those who were not. 

To reach these findings, the researchers used a mouse model to mimic the real-world conditions that contribute to allergy development in infants. They studied mouse pups predisposed for eczema and food allergies because children at highest risk of peanut allergy tend to also develop eczema.  

Pups were sensitized by skin exposure to known food allergens, household dust, and detergent to imitate common childhood exposures. After 2.5 weeks, pups were exposed to the allergen by oral consumption to test their allergic response. This was done to replicate how early exposures to allergens often sensitize the immune system to react to secondary oral exposures later. The researchers found that pups born to mothers fed a diet supplemented with α-tocopherol displayed reduced development of allergies. 

Dr. Joan Cook-Mills, Professor of Microbiology and Immunology at Indiana University School of Medicine, who led the study, shared it may not be as easy as it sounds for mothers in the US to benefit from α-tocopherol. “The potential of α-tocopherol to reduce allergic reactions in children will likely be dampened by high levels of γ-tocopherol due to its prevalence in common cooking oils (soybean oil, corn oil, and canola oil) and supplements in the US,” said Dr. Cook-Mills. Dr. Cook-Mills has previously reported that γ-tocopherol counteracts the benefits of α-tocopherol. “Currently, α-tocopherol supplementation may have a greater benefit in European countries, where common cooking oils (sunflower oil, safflower oil, and olive oil) are high in α-tocopherol and relatively low in γ-tocopherol,” suggested Dr. Cook-Mills.  

According to Dr. Cook-Mills, partnering with commercial companies to achieve a healthy balance of α-tocopherol and γ-tocopherol in cooking oil and other products in the US is a long-term goal of their research. “The benefit of these research findings is limited in the US unless an individual changes their cooking habits, but moreover unless commercial production practices change,” emphasizes Dr. Cook-Mills. 

To reduce the development of peanut allergy in children, the guidance on when to introduce peanuts to children has been updated to earlier introductions. However, some children are already positive for peanut allergies, before solid food can be introduced, highlighting the need to develop interventions beyond early introduction of peanuts. These results show a potential way to decrease the development of food allergy in higher risk children.  

The research article is available on The Journal of Immunology website. 

Requests for interviews with authors, The Journal of Immunology or the American Association of Immunologists can be made to mlam@aai.org. 

About The American Association of Immunologists 

The American Association of Immunologists (AAI) is one of the world’s largest organizations of immunologists and scientists in related disciplines. Our mission is to improve global health and well-being by advancing immunology and elevating public understanding of the immune system. AAI members are responsible for some of the most significant biomedical discoveries of the past century, including the development of life-saving cancer immunotherapies, antibody therapies, transplant technologies, and vaccines. We support scientists across the field of immunology through knowledge dissemination, community building, advocacy, and public outreach. 

About The Journal of Immunology 

The Journal of Immunology (The JI) publishes peer-reviewed manuscripts describing novel findings in all areas of experimental immunology, including both basic and clinical studies. The JI is owned by the American Association of Immunologists and published in partnership with Oxford University Press. 

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Journal

The Journal of Immunology

DOI

10.1093/jimmun/vkae041 

 

AI in retail: how to spark creativity and improve job satisfaction

Study explores how AI enhances employee service innovation, job fit and job satisfaction

Florida Atlantic University

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A researcher from FAU's College of Education and collaborators, examined how perceived AI service quality influences retail employees’ innovation, job fit and job satisfaction.

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Credit: Alex Dolce, Florida Atlantic University

Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping workplaces by streamlining routine tasks and boosting efficiency, particularly in retail, where innovation is essential for maintaining a competitive edge. Beyond automation, AI supports employee creativity by offering valuable insights and allowing them to focus on innovative tasks. However, research is limited on how AI service quality impacts employees in retail industries, making this an important area to explore.

Researchers from Florida Atlantic University and Hanyang University in Seoul, South Korea, examined how perceived AI service quality influences retail employees’ innovation, job fit and job satisfaction. The study looked at system-related factors such as reliability and transparency, as well as interaction-related aspects such as responsiveness and empathy. Researchers also explored the moderating role of AI adaptability, a key feature that allows AI systems to adjust their behavior based on user needs, for its potential to enhance service quality.

Results of the study, published in the Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, suggest that employees are more likely to engage in innovation when they perceive benefits from AI interactions. When AI systems demonstrate reliability and empathy, employees reciprocate with innovative behaviors. The study highlights AI’s role in service innovation, particularly in management’s strategic decision-making and operational scaling across retail industries.

Reliability strongly supports service innovation, emphasizing the need for consistent AI performance, whereas transparency does not significantly influence innovation. Surprisingly, responsiveness had an insignificant effect on service innovative behavior, challenging prior studies in which responsiveness is considered vital for enhancing customer engagement and real-time problem-solving.

In contrast, empathy had a strong and significant positive effect on service innovative behavior. Hence, AI systems capable of understanding and addressing users’ emotional and psychological needs can foster a more engaging work environment.

“Empathy in AI fosters trust and deeper connections, encouraging employees to engage in innovative behavior by making them feel supported,” said Sangbeak Ye, Ph.D., co-author and an associate professor in the Department of Educational Leadership and Research Methodology within FAU’s College of Education. “In retail, empathetic AI enhances job fit by aligning personal attributes with job expectations, leading to higher job satisfaction, reduced turnover and increased employee involvement. Employees who actively engage in innovative behavior feel more aligned with their roles because they can tailor their tasks to match their strengths and aspirations.”

Researchers also found that AI adaptability weakens the impact of system-related attributes (transparency and reliability) on service innovation, revealing complex interactions between system and interaction-related factors.

“Our research highlights the importance for managers to create work environments that promote innovation by enhancing AI service quality,” said Ye. “Focusing on reliability ensures AI can dependably assist with daily tasks, while boosting empathy in AI systems leads to more personalized and emotionally resonant experiences, inspiring employees to pursue new ideas. Furthermore, in dynamic AI-driven environments, attributes like empathy become even more vital in fostering employee engagement and creativity. Organizations that strategically integrate AI to support job customization and innovation can increase job satisfaction, making employees feel more connected to their work while improving service quality.”

For the study, researchers analyzed data from 290 retail employees, which spanned online retail and     e-commerce (28.6%), grocery and food retail (26.9%), apparel and fashion retail (14.8%), health and beauty retail (14.5%), electronics and appliances retail (11.0%), and finance retail (4.1%). Management-level employees comprised 62.8% of the sample, while 37.2% were in frontline roles.

Study co-authors are Suhyoung Ahn, Ph.D.; and JungKun Park, Ph.D., School of Business, Hanyang University.

- FAU -

About the College of Education:

In 1964, Florida Atlantic University’s College of Education became South Florida’s first provider of education professionals. Dedicated to advancing research and educational excellence, the College is nationally recognized for its innovative programs, evidence-based training, and professional practice. The College spans five departments: Curriculum and Instruction, Educational Leadership and Research Methodology, Special Education, Counselor Education, and Communication Sciences and Disorders, to prepare highly skilled teachers, school leaders, counselors, and speech pathologists. Faculty engage in cutting-edge research supported by prestigious organizations, including the National Science Foundation, the U.S. Department of Education, and the State of Florida.

 

About Florida Atlantic University:
Florida Atlantic University, established in 1961, officially opened its doors in 1964 as the fifth public university in Florida. Today, Florida Atlantic serves more than 30,000 undergraduate and graduate students across six campuses located along the Southeast Florida coast. In recent years, the University has doubled its research expenditures and outpaced its peers in student achievement rates. Through the coexistence of access and excellence, Florida Atlantic embodies an innovative model where traditional achievement gaps vanish. Florida Atlantic is designated as a Hispanic-serving institution, ranked as a top public university by U.S. News & World Report, and holds the designation of “R1: Very High Research Spending and Doctorate Production” by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. Florida Atlantic shares this status with less than 5% of the nearly 4,000 universities in the United States. For more information, visit www.fau.edu.

 

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Journal

Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services

DOI

10.1016/j.jretconser.2024.104207 

Method of Research

Data/statistical analysis

Subject of Research

People

Article Title

How AI enhances employee service innovation in retail: Social exchange theory perspectives and the impact of AI adaptability

Overexploitation of groundwater is compromising river flows in Brazil

A study has found that more than half of Brazil’s rivers could suffer a reduction in flow due to the transfer of water to aquifers. Irrigation pumping is one of the main factors. 

More than 88% of wells operate under illegal conditions.

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

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More than half of Brazil’s rivers are at risk of reduced flow due to water seeping into underground aquifers. This is the result of an analysis of 17,972 wells throughout the country. Of these, 55.4% had water levels below the surface of the nearest rivers. This difference in hydraulic level creates a gradient that favors the seepage of water from the river into the subsoil, which can turn rivers into water flow losers. The study, conducted by researchers from Brazil and abroad, was published in the journal Nature Communications.

“Due to climatic conditions and intense agricultural activity, the São Francisco River basin and the MATOPIBA region [which includes the states of Maranhão, Tocantins, Piauí and Bahia] are particularly critical areas, both of which are highly dependent on groundwater for irrigation and human consumption,” says Paulo Tarso Sanches de Oliveira, second author of the study, professor of hydrology and water resources at the Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS) and of the Postgraduate Program in Hydraulic Engineering and Sanitation at the São Carlos School of Engineering of the University of São Paulo (EESC-USP).

In the case of the São Francisco basin, 61% of the rivers analyzed showed a potential loss of water flow to the aquifer, a result attributed to the intensive use of groundwater, mainly for irrigation. The situation is even worse in the basin of the Verde Grande River, a tributary of the São Francisco, which stretches across northern Minas Gerais state and southwestern Bahia. In this case, the potential loss of flow affects 74% of the rivers. “These two basins are crucial for agriculture and hydroelectric power generation in Brazil. What’s happening threatens not only local sustainability but also water, food and energy security on a large scale,” comments Oliveira.

The indiscriminate drilling of wells, whether for agricultural irrigation or private consumption, is a major factor. A study published in 2021 by Ricardo Hirata and collaborators showed that at that time there were about 2.5 million tube wells in Brazil and that more than 88% of them were illegal, without a license or registration for pumping. The volume of water pumped, in the order of 17.6 billion cubic meters per year, would be enough to supply the entire Brazilian population, but was enjoyed by less than 20% of the population.

In addition to the fact that pumping can seriously compromise river flows, affecting the availability of water for human consumption, aquatic ecosystems and the landscape itself, excessive use of groundwater can cause land subsidence – that is, the sinking and even collapse of the surface. “This scenario has already been observed in India and California, and Brazil could face similar problems if there isn’t adequate planning and control. The warning is all the more pertinent in light of projections that show an increase of more than 50% in irrigated areas in the country over the next 20 years, which will put even more pressure on surface and underground water resources,” the researcher stresses.

Planning and control are essential because, despite having 15% of the world’s renewable freshwater, the country is already facing major water challenges that are likely to be exacerbated by the worsening climate crisis. “The Cerrado biome, which is home to important aquifers and strategic rivers, as well as being the main area of agricultural expansion and responsible for 70% of the country’s maize production, is one of the most vulnerable regions. The balance between rivers and aquifers in the region could be compromised by recent changes in land use and land cover, driven by the advance of the agricultural frontier and, above all, the growing demand for irrigation,” Oliveira points out.

To address this scenario, the researchers involved in the study emphasize the need to integrate surface and groundwater management. Tools based on remote sensing and field data can help map critical regions and guide public policy. In addition, investments in hydrogeological monitoring are crucial. “Brazil has the potential to expand irrigation in a sustainable way, but it needs to better plan the integrated use of groundwater and surface water to avoid negative impacts,” says José Gescilam Uchôa (https://bv.fapesp.br/en/pesquisador/730946/jose-gescilam-sousa-mota-uchoa), lead author of the article.

He was responsible for the exhaustive collection of information on the 17,972 wells studied. For this work, carried out during his master’s research, Uchôa used the database of the Geological Survey of Brazil (SGB). Now a Ph.D. student at EESC-USP under the supervision of Edson Cezar Wendland, who also signed the article, Uchôa is researching the impact of land use and occupation, as well as climate change, on hydrological flows between groundwater and surface water in an area where the Guarani aquifer is located. The research is supported by a scholarship from FAPESP.

Oliveira and Uchôa argue that it is still possible to minimize the problem, but that effective measures cannot be postponed because, as things stand, the depletion of the water system is already affecting the health of the population. “In 2017, there was a significant increase in cases of high blood pressure among residents of a small village on the coast [of the state] of Alagoas, who consume water from the São Francisco River. It was later found that the problem was related to the ingestion of a higher concentration of salt in the water, caused by the intrusion of seawater into the river as a result of the reduction in its flow,” explains Oliveira. The issue was the subject of media reports.

The study is of great importance for Brazil, which could face increasing water stress with serious consequences for water supply, food security and ecosystems. But its reach is even greater, as it serves as a global call to rethink water management strategies in tropical countries, where growing groundwater use is threatening surface water resources.

About FAPESP

The São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) is a public institution with the mission of supporting scientific research in all fields of knowledge by awarding scholarships, fellowships and grants to investigators linked with higher education and research institutions in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. FAPESP is aware that the very best research can only be done by working with the best researchers internationally. Therefore, it has established partnerships with funding agencies, higher education, private companies, and research organizations in other countries known for the quality of their research and has been encouraging scientists funded by its grants to further develop their international collaboration.

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Journal

Nature Communications

DOI

10.1038/s41467-024-54370-3 

Article Title

Widespread potential for streamflow leakage across Brazil

The role of ketamine in treatment-resistant depression

Xia & He Publishing Inc.

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Introduction
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a leading cause of disability worldwide, with a significant proportion of patients (10-20%) progressing to treatment-resistant depression (TRD). TRD is defined by a lack of response to at least two different classes of antidepressants at optimal doses for extended periods. Current treatments, primarily based on monoamine modulation, exhibit delayed efficacy and frequent relapses. This highlights the urgent need for rapid-acting and effective alternatives in clinical practice.

Pharmacology and Neurobiological Mechanisms of Action
Ketamine, a non-competitive N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, has emerged as a promising treatment for TRD. Originally an anesthetic, ketamine has shown rapid antidepressant effects, often within hours of administration. The drug's action is linked to its ability to block NMDA receptors, reducing neuronal excitability. Additionally, ketamine's antidepressant effects may involve the activation of AMPA receptors and interactions with opioid and neuropeptide systems. Ketamine’s effects also extend to neuroplasticity and inflammation pathways, supporting its potential as a therapeutic agent for TRD.

Dosing and Efficacy Profile
Ketamine is commonly administered via intravenous infusion, although other routes, such as nasal and oral, have been explored. Studies have demonstrated that a single intravenous infusion (0.5 mg/kg) results in significant reductions in depressive symptoms within hours, with effects lasting up to one week for many patients. However, repeated infusions are often necessary to maintain therapeutic benefits. Studies have also indicated that the response to ketamine is dose-dependent, with higher doses yielding superior outcomes. Despite these benefits, the long-term efficacy and the optimal frequency of administration remain areas of active investigation.

Side Effects of Ketamine Therapy
While ketamine is generally well-tolerated in the short term, several side effects are associated with its use. Common side effects include dissociative symptoms, visual hallucinations, and transient increases in blood pressure and heart rate. Although most of these effects are short-lived, they can be distressing for patients. Cardiovascular effects are typically mild and self-limiting, but more severe symptoms, such as arrhythmias, have been reported. Long-term use of ketamine raises concerns regarding potential cognitive impairment and bladder dysfunction, particularly with recreational use.

Limitations of Ketamine Therapy
Despite its rapid action, ketamine's long-term antidepressant effects are not well understood. The variability in response duration, the risk of developing tolerance or habituation to its effects, and the uncertainty regarding the optimal dosing schedule are major limitations of ketamine therapy. Furthermore, although ketamine shows promise in treating MDD, its effectiveness in other forms of depression, such as bipolar disorder, has not been extensively studied. The safety of repeated ketamine therapy, particularly for long-term use, requires further investigation.

The Role of Esketamine in the Treatment of Depression
Esketamine, the S-enantiomer of ketamine, was approved by the FDA in 2019 for the treatment of TRD. It is typically administered intranasally, with an initial dosing regimen of twice-weekly administration, followed by tapering to a maintenance phase. Esketamine has been shown to be effective in reducing depressive symptoms and has become an adjunctive treatment for patients with TRD. Although its safety profile is similar to that of ketamine, concerns about long-term use, including the potential for abuse and adverse effects, remain.

Conclusion
Ketamine represents a significant breakthrough in the treatment of TRD, offering rapid and potent antidepressant effects. However, its use is not without risks, including the potential for dissociative symptoms, cognitive impairment, and cardiovascular issues. While esketamine has proven to be an effective adjunctive therapy, further research is needed to optimize dosing strategies, explore the long-term safety of ketamine therapy, and identify biomarkers that can predict patient responses to treatment. Despite these challenges, ketamine's ability to rapidly alleviate depressive symptoms offers hope for those suffering from treatment-resistant depression, emphasizing the need for continued investigation into its therapeutic potential.

Full text

https://www.xiahepublishing.com/2572-5505/JERP-2024-00003

 

The study was recently published in the Journal of Exploratory Research in Pharmacology.

Journal of Exploratory Research in Pharmacology (JERP) publishes original innovative exploratory research articles, state-of-the-art reviews, editorials, short communications that focus on novel findings and the most recent advances in basic and clinical pharmacology, covering topics from drug research, drug development, clinical trials and application.

 

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Journal

Journal of Exploratory Research in Pharmacology

DOI

10.14218/JERP.2024.00003 

Article Title

The Role of Ketamine in Treatment-resistant Depression: A Narrative Review