Consumer & Retail Industry News & Analysis

Urban Mining to Help Create New Source for Raw Materials

The valuable materials in everything from automobiles and medical implants to mobile phone components often come from countries such as China. However, once those materials become components in an electronic device, they aren't likely to be used again.

First Evidence That Seals Consume Microplastics Via Their Prey

For the first time, researchers have found evidence that the microplastics consumed by fish are being transferred up the food chain to larger marine mammals such as seals.

Injection Molding and Printed Electronics Combine for the Next Generation of Advertising Displays

The light, flexible and energy efficient LED boards are manufactured using roll-to-roll technology

Robotic System Helps Humans Organize and Put Away Their Groceries

Researchers have developed a robotic system that they hope will be able to help humans do tasks around the house like organizing and putting away groceries.

Japan Expected to Be Home to World's Tallest Wooden Skyscraper in 2041

Tokyo, Japan, is expected to be home to the world’s tallest wooden skyscraper by 2041.

Research Finds that Autonomous Vehicles Lower Fuel Consumption and Smooth Traffic Flow

Researchers have found that when autonomous vehicles are added into bulk traffic, traffic flow and fuel consumption are actually boosted.

Researchers Develop Algorithm to Fight the Spread of Infectious Disease

Using data concerning behavioral, demographic and epidemic disease trends, researchers developed a model of disease spread, capturing information such as underlying population dynamics and contact patterns among people.

Plastics manufacturing responsible for significant amount of microplastic leakage: Study

While most studies concerning the impact of plastic pollution on marine life focuses on plastic waste such as discarded plastic grocery bags and beverage containers, researchers from Sweden are now turning their attention to the impact that small plastic pellets — typically used as a raw material in the production of a variety of plastic goods — shipped from manufacturing sites to different plants are having on the environment.

Plastic Bottle Redemption Programs Help Reduce Plastic Waste in the Ocean, Study Says

With roughly 8 million metric tons of plastic ending up in the ocean each year, researchers set out to determine the impact of plastic bottle redemption programs on plastic waste pollution.

Chemicals Found in Fast Food Wrappers, Non-stick Pots and Pans Linked to Weight Gain

While it is no surprise that eating fast food could lead to weight gain and other health issues, a recent study suggests that exposure to the chemicals used in fast food wrappers might also be contributing to weight gain.

Microplastic Levels High in Northwest Atlantic Fish

Hoping to further highlight the impact of microplastics on ocean life, researchers have published a new study revealing that microplastics were found in almost three out of every four mesopelagic fish captured in the Northwest Atlantic — considered one of the highest levels found worldwide.

Researchers Challenge Notion That Social Media Displaces Human Contact

The concern that people are alienating their real-life family and friends in favor of social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter (referred to as "social displacement") is unfounded, according to research from the University of Kansas.

Common Household Products are Polluting the Atmosphere

Linked to millions of premature deaths each year, vehicle emissions from automobiles have borne much of the responsibility for air pollution levels in major cities.

Decommissioned Crane Now a Luxury Amsterdam Apartment

Located at KNSM-Island, the crane is a two-bedroom, three-story luxury apartment that tourists can rent for $860 (USD) a night.

People Leave Less Food Behind on Their Plates When Dining at Home

According to the research, eating at home resulted in cleaner plates with participants leaving behind only 3 percent of their meals. When compared to participants eating from a typical boxed-lunch meal, however, the amount of food left behind jumped to 40 percent.

A Thermal Blanket That Helps to Melt Snow Quickly

Looking for alternatives to melting the snowbanks that often linger well after temperatures have risen back above freezing, scientists tested the melting power of sunlight absorbing thermal blankets and found that they are capable of melting snow three times faster than traditional snow melting methods.

Determining If Drones Offer 'Green' Delivery Option

Researchers from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Carnegie Mellon University, SRI International and the University of Colorado at Boulder set out to discover whether or not drone delivery reduced greenhouse gas emissions and energy use in the transportation industry.

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