A potential ‘green’ alternative to formaldehyde and PFAS in fabric finishing
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Updates every hour. Last Updated: 16-Dec-2025 08:11 ET (16-Dec-2025 13:11 GMT/UTC)
Finishing techniques used to make cotton fabric smooth, water-resistant and less prone to wrinkling can contain formaldehyde or PFAS and be detrimental to the environment and the wearer. Now, researchers at North Carolina State University propose a method for using cottonseed oil as a greener and safer alternative to formaldehyde and PFAS when finishing cotton fabrics to make them more water-resistant. They will present their results at ACS Fall 2025.
Acetaminophen overdose is the leading cause of acute liver injury in the U.S. Now, researchers propose that a new molecule has the potential to treat acetaminophen-induced liver injury (AILI) and other inflammatory conditions. As demonstrated in their small-scale AILI mouse study, the small molecule decreased liver inflammation and prevented further liver damage. The researchers will present their results at ACS Fall 2025.
From electric cars to AI data centers, there is a growing need for electricity. Nuclear fusion could provide vast energy supplies and with minimal emissions, but requires tritium, a scarce radioactive version of hydrogen. In contrast, there is an abundance of radioactive waste in the U.S. from nuclear power plant systems. To address both problems, researchers are evaluating new systems to convert nuclear waste into tritium. They will present their results at ACS Fall 2025.
The American Chemical Society (ACS) is hosting ACS Fall 2025 virtually and in Washington, D.C., on August 17–21 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. Cutting-edge developments on a range of scientific topics will be featured at the meeting.
Saliva is more than spit. It helps with chewing and swallowing, protects teeth and gums, and even has antimicrobial and digestive properties. However, certain conditions or medical treatments, such as hemodialysis, chemotherapy and radiation therapy, reduce natural saliva production. Now, researchers publishing in ACS Applied Polymer Materials have created a reusable hydrogel that releases artificial saliva over time, which could help provide sustained relief from dry mouth.