The mass production and disposal of non-degradable fossil-based plastics is responsible for alarming environmental and social issues when not managed responsibly. Towards manufacturing environmentally-friendly materials, biopolymers, that is, polymers synthesized by living organisms, emerge as promising sustainable alternatives as they combine attractive mechanical properties, compostability, and renewable sourcing.

Abstract

A disproportionate number of COVID-19 cases and deaths have been reported among Latinxs in the U.S. Among those…

"In the U.S., Latinos are disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. A critical step to reduce the spread of COVID-19 is diagnostic testing," write scholar Luz Garcini and co-authors. This research article identifies the barriers and facilitators that must be addressed in order to implement accessible, effective testing.

Hospital at Home programs offer an alternative care model for acutely ill patients to receive intensive at-home treatment. With better policy and operations, can this model work at scale in the United States beyond the pandemic?

Argentina is a risky place for foreign investors. But the country’s Vaca Muerta offers a case study on how unconventional shale gas investment may be lower risk, with implications that could spur shale production outside the U.S.

This study examines the impact of natural gas prices on the power systems of Mexico and the United States. In Energy Policy, The International Journal of the Political, Economic, Planning, Environmental and Social Aspects of Energy.

The authors identify mental health stressors and strategies for coping with distress among underserved Latino communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The authors urge consideration of issues such as consent, confidentiality and return of results to ensure that the benefits of postmortem genetic testing are maximized and the harms are minimized.

Analysis of a survey conducted by the authors found that prosocial behavior plays an important role in an individual’s ability to engage in health-promoting behaviors, such as physical activity, despite adverse conditions. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, Aug. 13, 2020.

Societal inequities extend to medical and mental health research. The authors propose a framework for more equitable research that addresses disparities in mental health services and outcomes.