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Science News for November 15, 2009


Tiny bubbles clean oil from water

A University of Utah engineer has developed a new method to remove oil sheen from polluted water using tiny bubbles created by pressurizing ozone gas. This method, which targets the oil sheen and other pollutants, could be used to clean wastewater discharged into coastal waters and soil contaminated with heavy metals.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalChemosphere·DateNov 15, 2009

MIT scientists pinpoint origin of dissolved arsenic in Bangladesh drinking water

Researchers pinpoint the origin of dissolved arsenic in Bangladesh's drinking water to ponds excavated for village construction and irrigated agriculture. The study suggests that these ponds mobilize organic carbon, leading to arsenic dissolution in groundwater, with rice fields acting as a buffer but also contributing to arsenic levels.

Climate variability and dengue incidence

Research published in PLoS Medicine found associations between local rainfall and temperature with cases of dengue fever, but no significant link with El Niño-Southern Oscillation. Large outbreaks occur every few years in many tropical countries, with temperature and rainfall varying strongly on an annual scale.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateNov 15, 2009