Straws and disposable tableware: Also made of paper often with harmful chemicals for the environment and health

The supposedly better alternative is often not better at all, scientists emphasize

29-Aug-2023 - (dpa) Instead of the banned plastic straws, many restaurants now offer paper straws. However, these can also be harmful to the environment and health, warns a research team in the journal "Food Additives & Contaminants: Part A". Many supposedly environmentally friendly drinking straws made of ...

'The Scream' and the secret of the white spots

Why researchers look for bird droppings on Edvard Munch's masterpiece with DESY's X-rays

29-Aug-2016 - With the help of the brilliant X-ray radiation from DESY's research light source PETRA III, scientists have solved a decades-old mystery from the world of art: A team led by Dr. Geert Van der Snickt of the University of Antwerp unravelled the nature of mysterious white spots on the famous ...

Fading Orange-Red in Van Goghs paintings

Van Gogh’s pigment up close: plumbonacrite revealed as intermediate in degradation of red lead

16-Mar-2015 - Red lead is most familiar to us in orange-red rustproof paint. Artists have treasured the brilliant color of this pigment for their paintings since ancient times. However, various ageing processes cause discoloration of the saturated hue over time. Thanks to a combination of X-ray diffraction ...

Portable macro x-ray fluorescence spectrometer enables routine investigation of old-master paintings

04-Apr-2013 - A portable macro x-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometer has been developed for the examination of historical paintings in situ. The device, which will be commercially available, enables scientists to look for layers of paint hidden below the visible top layer. This often reveals any alterations or ...

New European Centre for Chirality for Advancements in Chiral Chemical Processes

27-Sep-2010 - Ghent University, the University of Antwerp and BioTools Europe Ltd announced a new partnership to create the European Centre for Chirality (EC2). EC2 is a unique blend of expertise and resources that brings together leading authorities dedicated to advancing the understanding the role chirality ...