Desalination technology is a strong candidate to treat salty water for data centers' cooling needs, reducing pressure on local water supplies. Researchers found that using brackish groundwater and clean it using two-stage reverse osmosis achieves high levels of freshwater recovery at low cost and relatively low energy use.
Researchers propose a new approach to operationalize the Water Planetary Boundary to guide water management and planning at the river-basin level. The framework focuses on key water functions and considers local social and environmental needs to prevent water overuse and cascading effects.
Researchers discovered a unified structural descriptor for magnetic ground state selection in Tsai-type compounds using the lattice parameter, revealing a nearly monotonic inverse correlation between electron concentration and lattice parameter. This study provides a practical framework for exploring and designing materials with novel ...
African water conflicts are driven by uncertainty over water availability under extreme climate conditions, rather than an absolute lack of water. Advanced water modeling can provide a shared foundation for managing transboundary water resources and resolving disputes.
The WorMa robot uses a pump to shift water between its head and tail to adapt to changing terrain, successfully crossing a course with flat ground, a step, a slope, and open water. The robot's ability to redistribute mass allows it to traverse various environments without redesigning its mechanism.
Researchers investigate interfacial water structure and reactivity in photocatalytic hydrogen evolution at TiO2 interfaces. Weaker water-TiO2 interactions and more flexible hydrogen-bond networks favor higher interfacial water reactivity, enabling photocatalyst design with improved performance.
Researchers at the University of Tokyo have demonstrated that incorporating satellite measurements of water vapor isotopes into weather models improves forecasts of atmospheric conditions. This addition leads to more accurate weather forecasts, particularly for heavy rainfall predictions.
Researchers developed a multi-scale monitoring framework to detect ground settlement in urban metro corridors. The framework integrates InSAR, laser scanning, and ground penetrating radar to provide a comprehensive assessment of settlement and its underlying causes.
Researchers created a technology that controls the thickness and structure of a polymer coating, allowing more water droplets to form and detach quickly. This enhances heat transfer performance during condensation, improving energy efficiency in power plants and industrial applications.
Climate change will exacerbate water scarcity, not just due to reduced supply, but also due to poor quality, affecting different sectors differently. Sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East face particularly challenging prospects, with increased demand for clean water by 1225%.
An international team of researchers simulated proton motions in water with unprecedented accuracy, finding that the configuration of surrounding water molecules determines proton movement. The study expands current understanding of how water shapes proton transport.
Researchers studied deformation-accommodating support systems incorporating yielding elements to address squeezing ground deformation in tunnels. The study found that the deformation behavior of the entire support system changes depending on the installation angle of yielding elements.
Researchers found that sustained supershear earthquake ruptures produce stronger ground motion amplitudes and higher peak ground velocity up to 20 kilometers away from the fault. The duration of shaking also varies between subshear and supershear ruptures, with longer shaking near the fault due to a 'double punch' effect.
This study found that households in metropolitan areas with higher population density and income levels show stronger voluntary water conservation during drought. The AI-based scenario analysis showed that increased drought-related news coverage leads to significant water savings in these regions, but has a limited impact on rural areas.
Researchers used numerical simulations and isotopic data to connect hot spring magmatic water to the subducting Pacific Plate. The study found that magmatic water from Kawayu Onsen in Japan closely matched isotopic values released from the Pacific Plate at a depth of 125 km.
A recent study published in PLOS Water revealed evidence of contamination in the tap water of Austin's Colony neighborhood, with some samples exceeding state regulatory standards for lead, arsenic, and other contaminants. The contamination appears to happen after the water is mixed together in the neighborhood's plumbing system.
Paula Rubio-Fernández has been awarded an ERC Advanced Grant to test and develop a new theory of common ground in conversation. Her project aims to understand how people build and manage shared understanding through real-time multimodal interaction.
Researchers found that both free water and bound water slowed the intensity of pyrolysis reactions and increased biochar yield. A biomass water content of around 30% may offer a practical balance for pyrolysis, balancing biochar yield and energy demand.
Researchers analyzed permafrost samples to recover ancient environmental DNA, revealing genetic diversity among Arctic ground squirrels. The study uncovered previously unknown lineage dating back 700,000 years, challenging previous assumptions about fossil remains.
Researchers have developed a new metal-organic framework (MOF) that captures 170 mg of water per gram at just 0.2% relative humidity, one of the highest water uptake capacities reported in such conditions. The material shows excellent stability and selectivity for water molecules over nitrogen.
A novel solar-thermal desalination process produces fresh water in an energy-efficient way, eliminating brine and chemical additives. The technology leverages the 'coffee ring' effect to extract salts from seawater, producing nearly 100% of the salts in solid form.
Climate change is accelerating Himalayan river migration rates by nearly doubled, with increased risk of flooding, erosion, and damage. The study reveals that thawing frozen ground and glacier melt are driving these changes, posing implications for water security and infrastructure planning.
The TransEuroOGS project establishes a network of interoperable optical ground stations across Germany, Greece, Ireland, and Luxembourg to enable quantum-secure space-to-ground communication. The project aims to address challenges in secure transnational communication using quantum key distribution.
UC San Diego engineers developed a more efficient ground station system using multiple small antenna panels that can work together to handle increasing satellite traffic. This approach offers a cost-effective solution to the growing demand for satellite connectivity.
A new UN report reveals that poor water quality is closely linked to poverty and gender inequality in the Global South. The study finds that 84 countries face a combination of unsafe drinking water, limited financial resources, and gender inequality, affecting nearly 2 billion people.
University of Missouri researchers developed an irrigation strategy that allows farmers to conserve water while maintaining crop quality. By tailoring water amounts based on plant growth stages, farmers can reduce water usage and costs.
The study reveals that the first four layers of water molecules possess a well-defined orientational structure with alternating molecular tilt and twist angles. This new understanding has important implications for processes at aqueous interfaces, including electrochemical devices such as batteries.
Researchers at the University of Seville and Polytechnic University of Madrid demonstrate a new method to grow tomatoes beneath solar panels, reducing water consumption by 50% while generating clean energy. The agrovoltaic system improves irrigation management, increasing fruit productivity for every drop of invested water.
A new study finds that warmer winters will lead to faster water transit times in the western United States, negatively impacting summer water levels and quality. The research focuses on the Naches River basin, where snowpack declines have already resulted in earlier spring discharges.
A new study suggests that a shallower Juan de Fuca slab beneath northern Oregon could increase estimated peak ground acceleration by 9-17% during Cascadia megathrust earthquakes. The research also identified a deep sedimentary basin beneath Tillamook, Oregon, which could amplify ground shaking and have been well-studied in other parts ...
A University of Oklahoma researcher is leading a global water modeling project to create advanced tools and datasets for managing fresh water sustainably. The Re-Analysis of Water for Society (RAWS) project aims to shed light on how humans can best manage fresh water for long-term sustainability.
Researchers from UConn and Yale have developed a compact, solar-powered water disinfection system that combines existing methods. The system effectively utilizes photosensitizers to kill viruses and bacteria in water, providing a clear indication of when the water is safe to drink.
Researchers compared commercial PlanetBasemap data to a public data set from the United States Geological Survey and found that higher-resolution imagery detects more small bodies of water. However, in seasons with high vegetation, public data excels at detecting water hidden beneath forest cover.
Researchers at Stockholm University have found a new critical point in supercooled water at around -63 °C and 1000 atmosphere. This discovery explains the unusual properties of water, such as its density and viscosity responding to pressure and temperature changes in ways that are opposite to other liquids.
Researchers developed an AI model to create highly photorealistic 3D reconstructions of ground-level damage after earthquakes. The LoRA-Enhanced Ground-view Generation diffusion model can recognize complex visual patterns and predict where structures may be damaged, even in densely populated urban areas.
Researchers found that three-dimensional velocity models can reasonably reproduce observed ground motion, outperforming one-dimensional models. Averaging predictions from multiple models reduces systematic bias and improves results.
The partnership aims to develop groundbreaking water treatment solutions in areas like desalination, brine management, PFAS treatment, and resource recovery. The collaboration will leverage IDE's expertise in commercial water treatment and the WaTER Institute's research prowess.
Researchers found that plants cannot extract water from dry soil due to increased capillary and viscous forces. The plant's own properties are not limited, but rather the soil's ability to release water.
Two types of biochar, rice husk and palm silk, influence water infiltration and leakage in phosphorus-enriched vegetable soils. Biochar slows water movement, reducing phosphorus leaching and improving water retention for crops.
App Applied Microbiology International will host a free webinar on 'Gender Equality and Water' to mark World Water Day 2026. The event aims to centred women and girls in water solutions, recognizing their voices, leadership and agency as critical enablers of gender equality.
A new framework introduces the Water Sustainability Index (WSI), a transparent, quantitative metric designed to strengthen corporate water accountability worldwide. The WSI evaluates corporate water withdrawals, consumption, discharge quality, and reuse while accounting for local water scarcity.
Climate change alters high-elevation meadows, causing plant communities to shift towards shrub-dominated landscapes. The changes also affect the soil ecosystem, with declines in mycorrhizal fungi and increases in decomposers.
Growing evidence shows water insecurity is an increasing challenge in the US and other high-income countries. Rural areas face unreliable access to safe and affordable water due to aging infrastructure, lack of maintenance, and extreme weather events.
A study by Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research found that particulate matter concentrations depend heavily on height above ground level. Drone measurements supplemented with standard data improved air quality models and strategies to combat air pollution.
A study by researchers found that some US drinking water kiosks contain lead levels above public health recommendations, despite using reverse osmosis (RO) treatment. The source of the lead is attributed to corroded brass plumbing components in the kiosks.
A recent study found that China's water-supply carbon emissions rose to 228 Mt CO2 by 2022 due to increased reliance on energy-intensive water sources. The research emphasizes the need for low-carbon alternatives and integrated governance to address the water-energy-carbon nexus.
Scientists discovered that water bridges organize PNIPAM's structure as it contracts and expands, with water pulling the strings rather than direct polymer contacts. Long supercomputer simulations followed billions of time steps to analyze the motion of PNIPAM in water.
An international team has successfully documented and sampled freshened water within a zone nearly 200 metres thick beneath the ocean floor. This discovery sheds light on offshore freshened groundwater systems and their relevance to coastal communities relying on groundwater for freshwater supply.
A new study by Ohio State University researchers found that some bottled water contains significantly higher levels of microplastics than tap water. The study used a novel method for detecting tiny particles and analyzed water samples from four treatment plants near Lake Erie and six different brands of bottled water.
Researchers identified key policy levers to support water sustainability in the Yellow River Basin and developed a network integrating 53 SDG indicators. The network demonstrates superior structural stability and predictive power compared to traditional models.
A new UN report warns that humanity has entered a state of 'Global Water Bankruptcy' due to unsustainable water use. The report highlights the urgent need for a global reset in water management, shifting from crisis management to bankruptcy management.
The United Nations University reports that many regions are living beyond their hydrological means, with critical water systems already bankrupt. The study defines 'water bankruptcy' as persistent over-withdrawal from surface and groundwater relative to renewable inflows and safe levels of depletion. This has resulted in a growing list...
A recent study published by Loma Linda University found that commercial water dispensers can harbor bacterial growth, even after disinfection, with some studies identifying contamination as soon as a few days later. The researchers recommend regular cleaning and maintenance to prevent the regrowth of microorganisms.
Researchers propose a novel framework called space–ground fluid AI to integrate edge-AI with space–ground integrated networks (SGINs) for global AI services. The framework addresses challenges of high satellite mobility and limited communication rates, enabling efficient AI tasks, secure data transfer, and energy-efficient deployment.
A Washington State University-led study in Guatemala found that community perceptions of water safety often do not align with actual water quality. Bottled water was found to be the most frequently contaminated source, with only 17% meeting World Health Organization standards.
A team of researchers, led by Lijing Wang, used field data and modeling to explore the factors influencing mountain headwater streams. They found that evergreen forests act as a buffer for excessive snowmelt flow, while subsurface conditions like permeability control streamflow dynamics.
MIT engineers have developed an ultrasonic device that vibrates at high frequency to shake out water molecules from a material, recovering clean drinking water in minutes. This design is 45 times more efficient than existing heat-based systems, which can take hours or days.
A recent study by Asher Rosinger found that children who drink their tap water and live in food-secure households consume fewer calories from sugary drinks. This suggests a link between water insecurity and sugar-sweetened beverage consumption, highlighting the importance of universal access to safe drinking water for children's health.
Researchers at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology discovered that enclosed water can influence its surroundings and favor binding between molecules. This finding could lead to the design of more effective drugs and new materials by leveraging the binding force of highly energetic water molecules.
A new University of California, Davis study finds that drought in California pushes the price of water from rivers, lakes, and reservoirs up by $487 per acre-foot, more than triple the cost during an average wet year. Managing groundwater and surface water together could keep water prices steady and support the state's economy.