A new study from Aarhus University found a correlation between nitrate in drinking water and an increased risk of colon and rectal cancer, even at low concentrations. The study followed 2.7 million Danes over 33 years and showed that those with high nitrate exposure had a 15% greater risk of colorectal cancer.
CSIRO scientists have developed a new filtering technique using Graphair that can remove almost all contaminants from water in a single step. The breakthrough technology has the potential to provide clean drinking water for millions of people worldwide who currently lack access to safe drinking water.
A new study from Aarhus University finds that high nitrate levels in drinking water are associated with a 15% greater risk of colorectal cancer. The study analyzed data from over 2.7 million Danes and found that even low nitrate concentrations may pose a health risk.
A recent UCI-led study found that between 1982 and 2015, 9-45 million people annually were affected by water quality issues. Low-income, rural regions were most vulnerable to recurring problems in Texas, Oklahoma, and Idaho.
Scientists from Carnegie Institution for Science have observed evidence of the long-theorized, difficult-to-see low-density liquid phase of water. The team used a rapid-decompression technique to create this phase, which only lasted for half a second at extremely cold temperatures.
The study reveals that water molecules at the RNA surface perform tipping motions, known as librations, which influence the structure and dynamics of RNA. The findings show a complex scenario where water fluctuations are transferred to RNA vibrations, essential for avoiding local overheating.
Research found discrepancies between satellite and global model estimates of land water storage in 186 river basins worldwide. GRACE satellites measured changes in water storage, which differed from simulations made by seven commonly used models. The study highlights the need for improved regional assessments to ensure accurate water a...
Scientists use x-ray lasers to map out water's fluctuations between two liquid states as it cools. Water behaves strangely compared to other substances, with density and specific heat responding oppositely to pressure and temperature changes.
A recent study published in Nature found that Mars' surface water was absorbed by its crust over time, leaving the planet essentially dry. The research suggests that approximately 300 meters of surface water on Mars could have been locked up in microscopic mineral structures.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University discovered a gene that helps zebrafish convert water motion into electrical impulses, similar to human hearing. The shared gene allows fish to sense water flow direction and may also inform future studies on human hair cell mechanotransduction.
Scientists propose that Martian surface reacted with water and then absorbed it, increasing rock oxidation. The planet's composition, temperature profile and iron content made the surface prone to reaction, dragging water down into the mantle.
Researchers at University of California - Santa Barbara found that about half of hydraulically fractured wells exist within 2 to 3 kilometers of domestic groundwater systems. The study analyzed data from nearly 27,000 wells in 14 states and suggests increased water monitoring efforts are needed to protect water quality.
A new four-part framework is proposed to value water for sustainable development, guiding better policy and practice. The framework highlights the need to measure, value, trade off, and manage water effectively to achieve safely-managed drinking water and sanitation.
The new RoboBee, 1,000 times lighter than previous robots, uses floating devices and an internal combustion system to stabilize on the water's surface before propelling itself back into the air. The robot can perform search-and-rescue operations, environmental monitoring, and biological studies.
A study by OSU researchers used a coupled modeling approach to analyze the interactions between natural water supply and human demand, revealing key findings including the importance of economics in understanding water scarcity and counterintuitive effects of urban expansion and climate change.
Compliance with the 2006 EPA regulation on maximum arsenic levels led to a 17% decline in urinary arsenic concentrations among public water users, equivalent to an estimated reduction of over 200 cases of lung and bladder disease per year. Private well water users showed no improvements due to lack of federal regulation.
A study published in The Lancet Public Health found that federal drinking water regulations reduced toxic exposure and protected human health. Compliance with the EPA regulation led to a decline of 17% in levels of urinary arsenic, resulting in an estimated reduction of over 200 cases of lung and bladder cancer every year.
A new Berkeley Lab study finds that cool roofs can save up to 9% of outdoor water consumption in California counties. Widespread adoption could result in 83 million gallons of water savings daily in Los Angeles County.
Global Change Center researchers developed a system to create real-time water forecasts for Falling Creek Reservoir in Roanoke, Va., using environmental data and local weather predictions. The system aims to predict times when water may require additional treatment due to environmental factors, improving drinking water quality.
Scientists from the University of Minnesota found that excessively fertilized lakes in Iowa had low algae growth due to the destructive effect of nitrate particles, resulting in increased water clarity. This study suggests that relying on water clarity to gauge water quality may not be effective in all regions.
A new national report provides comprehensive guidelines for innovative water-saving techniques, emphasizing safe expansion of water reuse systems. Decentralized non-potable water systems, which use local water sources, are highlighted as a promising approach to reduce water consumption by up to 50 percent.
The University of Huddersfield is working with Yorkshire Water on a £300,000 project to identify ways to reduce the presence of lead in tap water. Researchers will use equipment that simulates domestic plumbing systems and analyse water samples from homes across Yorkshire.
Scientists from Brown University have created a quantitative map of water and its chemical building blocks trapped in the uppermost portion of the Moon's soil. The study found that the signature of water is present nearly everywhere on the lunar surface, with concentrations reaching up to 500-750 parts per million at higher latitudes.
Researchers found that reusing produced water from hydraulic fracturing sites can reduce water management issues and potentially induced seismicity. The study analyzed 10 years of water data, revealing a significant difference in water use between conventional and unconventional wells.
The ITERAMS project targets significantly reducing water consumption by circulating process waters and reducing tailings waste through valorisation of the mineral matrix. The project aims to maintain Europe at the forefront in efficient water circulation and sustainable tailings utilization.
A new study suggests that Jordan may face disastrous droughts if alternative water sources are not implemented. Climate change and water scarcity could lead to a decline in rainfall, higher temperatures, and reduced freshwater supply, making it difficult for the country to meet its water demands.
A new study found that underwater plants can positively affect water quality in bays along the Baltic Sea coast. The plants take up nutrients, slow down water movement, and stabilize the soft bottom, leading to clearer water and improved living conditions for marine life.
A new study suggests that hydrophobic molecules like oil can be forced to dissolve in water when subjected to high pressure. Researchers applied immense pressure to methane and water, gaining insights into their interaction. This finding has implications for replacing hazardous industrial solvents and modeling planetary bodies.
Lawrence Livermore scientists developed carbon nanotube pores that can exclude salt from seawater, exceeding water permeability of wider CNTs by an order of magnitude. The super smooth inner surface and tiny pore size enable efficient transport of water while blocking larger salt ions.
A new study found that water quality of lakes in the Midwest and Northeast US has not overwhelmingly degraded or improved over recent decades, with only a small percentage experiencing clearer conditions. The researchers suggest that management practices are holding the line, but large-scale problems require a bigger picture approach.
Researchers have developed a method using the coffee-ring effect to analyze multiple components in a single drop of water easily and quickly. The technique provides a cost-effective alternative to traditional methods, which can be overwhelming and expensive for individuals to conduct at home.
Researchers found alarming concentrations of antimony in Roman water pipes from Pompeii, linked to vomiting, diarrhea, and organ damage. The element is acutely toxic, causing rapid reactions that can lead to dehydration, liver and kidney problems, and even cardiac arrest.
A University of Kansas researcher found that well owners in Kansas use more water during droughts due to their ability to irrigate crops. Unlike non-well owners, who cut back on water usage, well owners tap into the aquifer to sustain crops during dry years.
Scientists at KAUST have found that the edge of a surface structure plays a crucial role in water-droplet formation during vapor harvesting. This discovery reveals that rough-edged structures mimicking nature can be highly effective in collecting atmospheric water vapor, potentially improving efficiency in regions with limited rainfall...
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory scientists have developed a technique to efficiently extract hydrogen from water using electricity. The new catalysts enable high-performance water splitting with minimal catalyst loading, making it scalable and cost-effective.
Scientists have discovered water in ancient volcanic deposits on the Moon's surface, finding that nearly all large pyroclastic deposits contain high amounts of trapped water. This bolsters the idea that the lunar mantle may be more water-rich than previously thought, with implications for future lunar exploration.
Researchers at UBC's Okanagan campus have designed a tiny device that can monitor drinking water quality in real-time, helping protect against waterborne illness. The miniaturized sensors are cheap to make, operate continuously, and can be deployed anywhere in the water distribution system.
Researchers have developed tiny microbots that can remove up to 80% of pathogenic bacteria from contaminated water. The microbots use hydrogen bubbles propelled by magnesium and silver nanoparticles to kill bacteria, offering a potential solution to the global clean water crisis.
A team of researchers led by Cody Ross measured water flow in the vadose zone, a critical region under the soil surface. They found that in the southeastern Canadian Prairies, old water accounted for a significant portion of streams, contradicting previous research.
Research published in Water Resources and Rural Development finds that access to water is worse now than in 1990, highlighting the need for stronger leadership from governments to implement long-term interventions. The study suggests that current approaches by NGOs, private companies, and other organizations are not aligned strategical...
Researchers at Florida Atlantic University developed a simple, low-cost tactic to conserve water by providing people with more information about lawn watering. The 'Rain-watered Lawn' pilot program involved 627 households and showed a 61% decrease in lawn watering during rainy summer weeks.
A new desalination system uses solar energy to turn salt water into freshwater, promising a cost-effective and sustainable solution for global water scarcity. The technology combines membrane distillation with light-harvesting nanophotonics to efficiently generate steam from sunlight.
A new study assesses the global impact of human interventions on water scarcity, finding that large-scale water management actions can aggravate water scarcity downstream. The research highlights the importance of considering upstream-downstream linkages in water policy decisions.
A new technique uses magnetic nanoparticles to separate oil from water through electrostatic force and a magnet, showing promise for improving water treatment in oil and gas production. The researchers believe their method could also be used to treat millions of gallons of fresh water and clean drinking water.
Researchers at Caltech have discovered that sour-sensing taste cells play a crucial role in detecting water on the tongue. The study found that these cells are responsible for sensing water through a pathway also used for basic tastes, such as salt and sugar. This finding challenges current understanding of how mammals detect water.
A University of Utah study found that LA lawns account for 70% of water loss, while trees use relatively less water. Wealthy neighborhoods lose more water due to larger lot sizes and other factors.
Researchers estimated that Los Angeles lost about 100 gallons of water per person per day to the atmosphere in 2010 due to overwatering of lawns and trees. The study found a surprising water efficiency of tree cover, with trees using significantly less water than grassy lawns.
Researchers aim to promote sustainable water for agriculture through stakeholder engagement, testing flexible models in Arizona, Nebraska, and Pennsylvania. The project seeks to address complex web of social, economic, cultural, institutional, legal, and biophysical conditions influencing water resource management.
Researchers found that even small amounts of bird feces can significantly impact water quality by altering nutrient conditions and microbial communities. The study suggests that bird droppings may contribute to algal blooms, but further research is needed to fully understand the effects.
Researchers at Princeton University have developed a low-cost water treatment system that uses carbon dioxide to remove particles from dirty water. The system splits the water stream and filters out suspended particles based on their electrical charge, making it an effective method for cleaning water from ponds or rivers.
A Portland State University study found that affluent neighborhoods with lawns use up to 10 times more water than densely populated areas. The research highlights the importance of water-saving measures in urban planning, suggesting that hardscaping and native plants can reduce water usage.
Researchers at MIT have created a system that can manipulate the movement of water on a surface using visible light. The technology has potential applications in fields such as microfluidic diagnostic devices and oil-water separation, where it could enable more efficient and controlled separation of fluids.
A new type of 'supermolecule' called calix[4] has been found to actively seek and remove certain pharmaceuticals from water. This breakthrough could lead to cleaner water supplies for everyone by allowing for on-site monitoring and selective removal of pollutants.
Research by Indiana University geographers reveals a 15% increase in annual water yield resulting from forest damage caused by the hemlock woolly adelgid. The study highlights concerns about water quality as rainfall runs off more quickly, carrying higher concentrations of nutrients.
Researchers at the University of Manchester have developed graphene-oxide membranes that can filter out common salts from seawater, making it safe to drink. This technology has the potential to revolutionize water filtration worldwide, particularly in countries with limited access to clean water.
Researchers developed a novel method using Terahertz spectroscopy and 3D-printing technology to measure water content in crude oil with high accuracy. The technique can be used to continuously monitor moisture content and is suitable for applications even during high-water-bearing periods.
Physicists at Roma Tre University developed a computer-based simulation to study the interactions of water molecules in supercooled conditions. The study reveals that a specific property of the water network can be used to determine changes in entropy, offering insights into unusual thermodynamic facets of water's activity.
New EU Water Framework Directive recommendations aim to improve monitoring, assessment, and management of water quality. The directive suggests effect-based methods instead of individual substance analysis and proposes a reversed burden of proof for data collection.
The study aims to assess how siloed municipal water agencies in Texas can transition to an Integrated Urban Water Management model. The Institute for Sustainable Energy will focus on integrated water utility financial modeling, providing recommendations for a viable path to IUWM in Texas.
A recent study by Michigan State University finds that US households may struggle to afford water services due to rising rates and aging infrastructure, impacting 11.9% of households currently and potentially tripling to 35.6% in five years.