Good morning! 🌞 

Here’s a fascinating one: scientists at the University of Edinburgh have figured out how to turn plastic waste into paracetamol—yes, the common pain reliever—using genetically modified bacteria. At first glance, it sounds like science fiction, but it’s a very real and promising solution to two persistent problems: plastic pollution and medicine shortages.

It makes you pause and appreciate how far we’ve come. Who would’ve thought the same plastic cluttering our oceans could one day ease a headache?

Health Science

Waste to Painkiller?

Scientists at the University of Edinburgh’s Wallace Lab have developed a groundbreaking method to turn plastic waste into paracetamol (acetaminophen) using genetically modified E. coli, potentially making the common painkiller cheaper and more sustainable. Traditionally, paracetamol is produced from crude oil in carbon-intensive processes, burning thousands of tons of fossil fuels each year. But this new approach replaces crude oil with terephthalic acid—a chemical found in plastic bottles—and relies on a low-emission fermentation process. “This work demonstrates that PET plastic isn’t just waste or a material destined to become more plastic – it can be transformed by microorganisms into valuable new products, including those with potential for treating disease,” said Professor Stephen Wallace.

In the lab, researchers converted polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic into paracetamol in under 24 hours, achieving 90% purity. The engineered E. coli first transformed the plastic into PABA, a molecule bacteria normally use to make DNA. But because their natural PABA pathway was blocked, the bacteria instead relied on the PET-derived compound, triggering a rare chemical event: a Lossen rearrangement inside living cells—never previously observed in nature. The reaction was sparked by naturally occurring phosphate, bypassing the need for high heat or harsh conditions. To complete the process, the team added two more genes—one from mushrooms and one from soil bacteria—allowing the microbes to finish converting PABA into paracetamol.

The findings, while not yet commercially viable, suggest a promising future for low-emission, circular drug manufacturing. With over 350 million tons of PET waste produced annually and traditional recycling still falling short, this biotechnological advance could help cut global plastic pollution and fossil fuel dependency. “Engineering biology offers immense potential to disrupt our reliance on fossil fuels, build a circular economy and create sustainable chemicals and materials, and we would invite potential collaborators to get in touch,” said Ian Hatch of Edinburgh Innovations.

The study, published in Nature Chemistry, was funded by the UK’s EPSRC and AstraZeneca, and supported by EI.

Sports

Jockey Saves All

When 21-year-old harness racer Crystal Hackett saw her racehorse bolt last Friday at Alexandra Park in New Zealand, instinct kicked in. “Hang on as tight as you can, for as long as you can—as long as no one’s going to get hurt,” she told Radio New Zealand. Her horse, Buddy Guy, had just claimed victory in the eighth race when it suddenly spooked and bolted, tipping Hackett from the sulky and dragging her across the infield.

Despite the chaos, Hackett never let go. Releasing the reins could have caused serious injury—to herself, the horse, or nearby spectators. “The sulky might have tangled with the horse or hit a fence,” she said. “Buddy could have broken a leg, and people nearby could have gotten hurt.” Thanks to her grip and calm under pressure, race workers were able to safely catch the horse. Miraculously, no one—including Hackett—was injured. “I was a bit stiff the next day,” she admitted. “I had a few aches and pains, but you just get moving and they’ve gone away now.”

Footage of the incident quickly spread across social media, earning Hackett praise for her composure. And in a fitting end to the story, she climbed back into the sulky, raced again—and won.

Environment

Plastic Ban Works

Shoreline litter has dropped by nearly half in the U.S. since states and cities began enacting bans or fees on plastic bags, according to new research from the University of Delaware and Columbia University. The study, published in Science, found a 47% reduction in plastic bag litter along coastlines, with the effect growing stronger over time. “When we found the database that had information on different shoreline clean-ups, we realized we could look at the composition of litter before and after a policy to see what effect it had,” said Professor Kimberly Oremus of Delaware’s School of Marine Science and Policy.

Researchers analyzed tens of thousands of beach cleanups and more than 600 local policies from 2007 to 2023. They drew data from the Ocean Conservancy’s TIDES database—populated by volunteer input through the Clean Swell app. “A lot of the previous economics literature on plastic bag policies has used checkout data at the store level,” said lead author Dr. Anna Papp of Columbia University. “So we were excited to add to that a direct measurement of plastic litter on these shorelines.” Their findings showed that areas with plastic bag laws saw a 25% to 47% drop in shoreline litter compared to areas without such measures.

The most significant improvements occurred in places where plastic bag litter was initially worst. State-level policies were generally more effective than local ones, and fees tended to work better than bans—though the reasons remain unclear. “It’s great to see a policy that works in such a clearly measurable way,” Oremus noted. With one in three Americans now living under some form of plastic bag regulation and international plastic treaty talks approaching in August, the study underscores the global potential of coordinated action. “Overall, our findings do show that plastic bag policies are broadly effective in limiting litter along shorelines,” Papp said.

Mind Stretchers

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Yesterday’s Mind Stretchers:

I come in heads, but never think,
I’m often green, but never blink.
You’ll find me tossed, but not in flight,
I’m cool and crisp, a salad’s delight.
What am I? — lettuce, Debbie Ettinger got this correct first! 🌞 

Be the first to send us the correct answer for today’s mind stretcher for a shout-out with the answer tomorrow. Just send us the answer and your name to [email protected]

If you have any uplifting stories and experience you might want to share, send those over to [email protected] for the chance to be featured.