Scientists have discovered that the fungus Aspergillus tubingensis, isolated from a landfill in Islamabad, Pakistan, can rapidly break down polyurethane, one of the world’s most durable plastics. This material is widely used in insulation, furniture, footwear, coatings, and synthetic leather, and it typically persists in the environment for hundreds of years.
In laboratory tests, the fungus colonizes the surface of polyurethane films, secreting enzymes that disrupt its chemical bonds. Scanning electron microscopy revealed clear signs of degradation, including cracks, pits, and surface erosion. Within just two months in liquid culture, the plastic films were broken down into smaller fragments, with near-complete degradation observed.
This represents the first reported case of A. tubingensis degrading polyurethane. The process is an example of mycoremediation, the use of fungi to clean up environmental pollutants. Other fungi have also shown the ability to use plastics as a primary food source, even in low-oxygen landfill conditions.
Researchers are now exploring the potential of fungal enzymes for large-scale applications, such as bioreactors, to help address the global plastic waste crisis. If scaled effectively, these biological approaches could offer a practical, low-cost method to reduce the billions of tons of persistent plastic accumulating worldwide.
[Khan, S., et al. (2017). Biodegradation of polyester polyurethane by Aspergillus tubingensis. Environmental Pollution, 225, 469–480. DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2017.03.012]
BREAKING: Iran, Oman to charge fees in Strait of Hormuz, Iran to use funds for reconstructions.
If Iran charges $2 Million in tolls for every ship that passes the Strait of Hormuz — which it has been doing for the past month — it would generate approximately $8 Billion in monthly revenue, or about $96 Billion annually
This would increase Iran’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from $475 Billion to $571 Billion, a 20% increase.
🚨 Do you understand what Iran just did to the global economy less than 24 hours before Trump's deadline..
they hit Jubail Industrial City.. Saudi Arabia's largest petrochemical complex.. the zone that produces 60,000,000 tons of petrochemicals a year.. 6 to 8 percent of EVERYTHING the world makes..
this isn't a military target.. this is the chemical backbone of modern civilization..
> SABIC.. the fourth largest petrochemical manufacturer on Earth.. is on fire
> Dow Chemical's Sadara complex.. 26 production units.. already suspended operations weeks ago
> Saudi Aramco paid $70,000,000,000 for their stake in SABIC.. that investment is literally burning right now
> 85 percent of Saudi Arabia's non-oil exports come from this ONE zone
here's what nobody is framing correctly..
Iran didn't hit a refinery.. they hit the feedstock that becomes your plastic.. your fertilizer.. your packaging.. your medical supplies..
and they did it the night before Trump said he'd turn Iran into rubble..
you're not watching a war.. you're watching two countries racing to see who can destroy the other's economy first while yours pays $4.12 a gallon to watch..
if you're not following me you're finding out about this 24 hours late from someone who read my post.. it's only getting crazier from here..
This is unacceptable.
How is a delivery executive allowed to: Mark orders delivered without handing over the product
Give excuses after falsely closing delivery
Keep customer’s product at “office” post delivery confirmation
This is unprofessional, unethical, and unacceptable.
@MyntraSupport@flipkartsupport@myntra Order #132034162613176936301 marked DELIVERED without delivery. No call. No visit.
Delivery executive admitted he marked it delivered due to “phone issue” and says the product is lying at his office and will deliver at his convenience.
@JioCare It's been over 4 days now @JioCare@reliancejio it's just insane how each day a visit is scheduled and nobody visits and it gets transferred to the next day. What an unprofessional company. I'm surrendering my connection right after this billing cycle ends.
This is how fast @reliancejio@JioCare is in solving internet disruptions. Over 3 hours.
Multiple calls service requests and still no visit, resolution, over 5 hours of no internet in this day and age to technology. Been pathetic for years now.
@JioCare This is absurd. If I book a new connection, do not recharge for 1 days
I get bombarded with calls from reps. For internet outage you're telling me it takes 4 days to scehdule ?