Earlier quoted context omitted.
Maybe the antithesis to the discovery of antibiotics is the mostly accidental discovery of Tabun: "In January 1937, Schrader observed the effects of nerve agents on human beings first-hand when a drop of tabun spilled onto a lab bench." (Wikipedia) I think that one might stand out somewhat since I'd expect most accidental advances to be helpful to humanity. Or maybe I'm just an optimist. :)
Have a link? I'm not seeing what you're seeing: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tabun_(nerve_agent)
Caterpillar found to eat shopping bags, suggesting solution to plastic pollution
51–60 of 329 posts
Re: Caterpillar found to eat shopping bags, suggesting solution to plastic pollution
#52"A chance discovery occurred when one of the scientific team, Federica Bertocchini, an amateur beekeeper, was removing the parasitic pests from the honeycombs in her hives. The worms were temporarily kept in a typical plastic shopping bag that became riddled with holes." What a great accident.
As any reptile owner will tell you, wax worms will eat through plastic containers so you should store them in glass. It's common knowledge.
It is however amazing that nobody (me included) never thought that this could be a solution to our plastic issues. "It's common knowledge, why waste time thinking about it?"
Re: Caterpillar found to eat shopping bags, suggesting solution to plastic pollution
#53I am skeptical that any sort of bacteria/insect based plastic decomposition project will address the problems with plastic waste. The biggest problem with plastic is not with the products that make it into the landfill, where bacteria could be used. The problem is with what happens when they don't make it into a landfill, and they end up as basically permanent pollutants in the water.
I, for one, have never understood the problem with landfills. There's tons of unused space left, and landfills take up a tiny fraction of that. Who cares if we make a trash hill somewhere and styrofoam sits there for a million years?
One of the better solutions, but nobody wants a landfill near them.
They're disgusting.
Re: Caterpillar found to eat shopping bags, suggesting solution to plastic pollution
#54A typical round about way for human civilization. Since plastic is an environmental problem a logical solution would have been not to produce and use it. Or at least manage its lifetime better. But of course the industry doesn't care about cleaning up since there's no money there.
Re: Caterpillar found to eat shopping bags, suggesting solution to plastic pollution
#55I am skeptical that any sort of bacteria/insect based plastic decomposition project will address the problems with plastic waste. The biggest problem with plastic is not with the products that make it into the landfill, where bacteria could be used. The problem is with what happens when they don't make it into a landfill, and they end up as basically permanent pollutants in the water.
I, for one, have never understood the problem with landfills. There's tons of unused space left, and landfills take up a tiny fraction of that. Who cares if we make a trash hill somewhere and styrofoam sits there for a million years?
I think the biggest issue people have with landfills is that it's basically banking on the things being dumped there not having an adverse effect on the environment, ground water, etc over a long period of time. Even if no one really knew/knows/ensures what is entirely safe to dump.
Re: Caterpillar found to eat shopping bags, suggesting solution to plastic pollution
#56A typical round about way for human civilization. Since plastic is an environmental problem a logical solution would have been not to produce and use it. Or at least manage its lifetime better. But of course the industry doesn't care about cleaning up since there's no money there.
On what basis do you claim that your solution is logical, but using a caterpillar is not?
Re: Caterpillar found to eat shopping bags, suggesting solution to plastic pollution
#57Re: Caterpillar found to eat shopping bags, suggesting solution to plastic pollution
#58I am skeptical that any sort of bacteria/insect based plastic decomposition project will address the problems with plastic waste. The biggest problem with plastic is not with the products that make it into the landfill, where bacteria could be used. The problem is with what happens when they don't make it into a landfill, and they end up as basically permanent pollutants in the water.
I, for one, have never understood the problem with landfills. There's tons of unused space left, and landfills take up a tiny fraction of that. Who cares if we make a trash hill somewhere and styrofoam sits there for a million years?
"I, for one, have never understood the problem with landfills. "
Says the person who doesn't have to live near a landfill.
Re: Caterpillar found to eat shopping bags, suggesting solution to plastic pollution
#59"A chance discovery occurred when one of the scientific team, Federica Bertocchini, an amateur beekeeper, was removing the parasitic pests from the honeycombs in her hives. The worms were temporarily kept in a typical plastic shopping bag that became riddled with holes." What a great accident.
Interesting that a study was reported on the exact same site, but in 2014.
https://m.phys.org/news/2014-12-gut-bacteria-worm-degrade-pl...
Re: Caterpillar found to eat shopping bags, suggesting solution to plastic pollution
#60Would be good to have plastic waste broken down, but be careful not to take down our whole civilization with it. Almost everything today is made out of plastic...
Wood is biodegradable, yet we manage to use it in long lasting products.