Researchers have figured out a way to study supercooled water in a deeply supercooled range, finding that liquid water can exist all the way down to subzero temperatures. They used a new technique to rapidly heat and cool nanoscale supercooled water films with a laser.
Researchers discovered that jumping water striders adjust their leg movements to prevent the water surface from breaking, allowing them to achieve maximum jump speeds. By studying the biomechanics of these near-vertical jumps, scientists built a mathematical model to explain the behavior and verified its predictions with actual data.
Researchers have finally captured water molecules passing excess charges, revealing the Grotthuss mechanism. This process is crucial for understanding water's behavior in biological and industrial settings.
A new study reveals that climate change and water resources development contributed significantly to the decline of Iran's Lake Urmia. The annual flow of water into the lake dropped by 48%, with 60% attributed to climate changes and 40% to human water usage.
Scientists have discovered that water exhibits two distinct states at a temperature range of 40-60 degrees Celsius, which affects its physical properties and behavior. This finding could lead to breakthroughs in understanding protein folding and disease mechanisms related to Alzheimer's and CJD.
Researchers study water strider legs to understand how they can walk on water without displacing it, shedding light on a long-standing scientific mystery. By analyzing the shadows cast by their legs, scientists have confirmed key parameters that allow them to perform this remarkable feat.
Researchers in China developed a 'shadow method' to measure forces acting on water strider legs, revealing key principles behind their locomotion. The technique could help design advanced biomimetic robots and measure forces at the single molecular level.
The University of Texas at Arlington has partnered with Apache Corporation to conduct a baseline water quality study of groundwater and surface water in the Alpine High resource play. The study aims to provide important data for future monitoring efforts and support responsible energy extraction processes.
A study from Lund University finds that foreign agricultural companies' crop choices and water management contribute to increased water shortages and competition for resources. This leads to a higher risk of conflicts between humans, plants, and animals in affected areas.
A new study reveals that water conservation by plants under high CO2 conditions compensates for much of the effect of warmer temperatures, retaining more water on land than predicted. This changes assumptions of climate change impacts on agriculture, water resources, wildfire risk, and plant growth.
A new study found that well owners in Kansas are significantly more aware of water supplies and policies, prioritizing conservation and issues related to the High Plains Aquifer. This research has broader implications for environmental stewardship and groundwater management.
Researchers developed an affordable open-source data logger to collect high-frequency stream data, capturing trends in water volume and behavior. The logger enables communities to build resilience to water resource stress, a crucial step in addressing the impact of global climate change.
A new study suggests that improvements in air quality over the Potomac watershed led to recent progress on water quality in the Chesapeake Bay. Researchers found a nearly universal improvement in water quality, with decreasing nitrate concentrations and reversing nitrogen saturation in the basin.
A global study found that one-third of large cities spend 50% more on water treatment costs due to damaged watersheds, with a total cost exceeding $100 billion US. Cities can protect their drinking water by planning for sustainable development and investing in urban source watersheds.
Deciduous trees absorb a large amount of snowmelt water, equating to 17-20 billion cubic meters per year, with potential to create favorable conditions for thunderstorms. The study's findings have critical implications for understanding boreal forest hydrology and ecology.
Researchers found that lateral groundwater flow uniquely affects plant transpiration, making it up to 30 times greater than evaporation from shallow soil. Including this process in earth system models is crucial as changes in the water table become more common.
Researchers at Colorado School of Mines have developed a unique model that integrates processes not often captured in existing water models, including lateral groundwater flow. The study found a significant increase in water supply from transpiration when including lateral groundwater flow, paving the way for better global water models.
A new Stanford study reveals that managed aquifer recharge (MAR) is an effective and affordable way to balance local groundwater decisions with regional and statewide management. The median cost of MAR projects is $410 per acre-foot, compared to $2,100 for surface water projects.
Researchers discovered that water collector bees respond to thirsty nest mates' begging, increasing their water-bearing activity. The team found that the hive stabilized its temperature at 40°C by controlling its water intake.
The Rio Grande is a vital lifeline for the southwestern US and northern Mexico, but its water level is declining due to growing demand. A new study proposes four policy recommendations to strengthen water resources management, including reciprocal water re-distribution, expertise sharing, and small-scale sustainability strategies.
Scientists at TUM have discovered a plant-inherent water-conservation strategy that enables plants to absorb carbon dioxide while minimizing water loss. By activating this mode, plants can preserve moisture in the ground for later use during droughts, potentially increasing crop yields with limited water availability.
A study found that 34% of hospitals in low- and middle-income countries lacked continuous running water, compromising patient care. Hospitals without running water often rely on trucked-in or rainwater, which can be contaminated and unsanitary.
Recent testing indicates that Flint drinking water quality is improving, with decreasing levels of DNA markers for Legionella. However, pathogenic forms of the bacteria were still culturable at some sampling points, highlighting the need for continued vigilance.
A study published in PLOS ONE reveals that nearly 17 million women and children in 24 sub-Saharan African countries are responsible for hauling water long distances, taking over 30 minutes per trip. This task puts them at risk of health problems, spinal pain, and injury.
Research finds water yields from unmanaged forested watersheds in the southern Appalachian Mountains declining due to climate change and gradual shifts in forest structure. The study's findings have implications for managing forest composition to ensure water supply under future climate change.
Research suggests that high levels of water hardness in homes may be linked to the development of eczema in early infancy. Living in a hard water area was associated with an up to 87% increased risk of eczema at three months of age, independent of domestic water chlorine content.
A simple paper sheet can remove resistant viruses from water, improving access to safe drinking water for millions. The mille-feuille filter uses cellulose nanofibers and has a unique layered internal architecture.
Researchers will assess storm water quality and implement Low Impact Development techniques to treat pollutants, ultimately aiming to enhance the city's ability to provide drinking water for its growing population.
Researchers found that tap water and table salt can effectively clean milking systems, removing over 90% of residue with just a warm water rinse. The use of electrolyzed oxidizing water reduces cleaning time by up to 55% and costs by 30-40%.
Researchers from University of Nebraska-Lincoln developed a novel process to recycle water from whey, demonstrating its safety and effectiveness in food processing plants. The reconditioned water showed comparable cleaning efficiency to potable water.
A new study simulates climate change effects on Rocky Mountain stream systems, finding that warmer temperatures have a greater impact on streamflow than changes in precipitation type. This can lead to reduced streamflow and altered groundwater recharge patterns.
Researchers at EPFL found that a single ion can influence millions of water molecules, causing them to align in a specific direction. This effect, previously observed but unexplained, is now linked to the ion-induced stiffening of the bulk hydrogen bond network.
Carbon nanotubes as small as eight-tenths of a nanometer in diameter can transport protons faster than bulk water. Researchers validated a 200-year-old mechanism by creating one-dimensional water wires that allow for enhanced proton conductivity.
The world water cycle is becoming increasingly unstable, posing significant risks to political stability and economic growth. Long-term water cycle stability will not return in the lifetime of anyone alive today, warns UN water expert Robert Sandford.
A new study uses multistripe laser triangulation (MLT) scanner to predict water movement through soil, identifying preferential flow patterns. The technique helps scientists manage water resources better by predicting recharge rates, water runoff, and soil erosion.
Daniel Deocampo, Georgia State University's chair of Geosciences, is part of the White House Water Summit to discuss sustainable water use and workforce development. The summit aims to create new jobs and economic growth through innovative technologies, with a focus on indirect potable-water reuse.
The University of Maryland School of Public Health will lead a $10 million grant from the USDA to develop innovative, safe and sustainable ways to irrigate food crops in variable climates. The CONSERVE Center of Excellence aims to identify alternative water sources and new treatment technologies for contaminant-free irrigation.
A new study by UCLA researchers proposes expanding the use of recycled water to reduce water and energy consumption, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and improve public health. The strategy has potential global applications, particularly in addressing water scarcity and related health issues.
A USU engineering researcher is developing new data analysis tools to help close the gap in urban water use behavior measurement and management. With a $507,000 NSF grant, Dr. Jeff Horsburgh aims to create useful information products for water managers using smart meter data.
A new study finds that climate mitigation efforts in the energy system could lead to increasing pressure on water resources, requiring integrated strategies for sustainable long-term use. The energy sector's increasing demand for water by 2100 poses a risk of water allocation conflicts and local shortages.
A study of over 18,300 U.S. adults found that increasing plain water intake by 1% daily led to significant reductions in calorie intake, saturated fat, sugar, sodium, and cholesterol consumption. The study suggests universal nutrition interventions promoting plain water consumption may be effective across diverse population subgroups.
A new study suggests that optimized rain use and irrigation can increase crop yields globally, particularly in water-scarce regions like China, Australia, and Mexico. This approach to crop water management could make a crucial contribution to filling the plates of the poor and increasing climate resilience for smallholders.
Researchers at Utah State University have unraveled the science of skipping spheres by studying the deformation of elastic spheres on water. They found that the sphere's deformed shape creates a larger lifting force, allowing it to skip multiple times across the surface.
University of Illinois engineers have developed a device that can desalinate seawater using electricity, potentially providing a more efficient and cost-effective alternative to traditional methods. The technology uses saltwater-filled batteries to draw out salt ions, leaving fresh water behind.
Researchers propose broadening drought definition to include human activities that contribute to extreme water shortages. This shift acknowledges the complex interactions between nature and society, highlighting the need for innovative methodology to analyze causes of drought.
A new study published in Geoscientific Model Development predicts that global water demand will exceed current levels, posing significant challenges for sustainable food production and economic development. The IIASA Water Futures and Solutions initiative aims to reduce future water use through improved efficiency and policy options.
The study, which analyzed over one million students in 1,227 elementary and middle schools across the city, found that students at schools with water jets experienced a reduction in standardized body mass index (zBMI) and the likelihood of being overweight. Easy access to water led kids to substitute it for caloric beverages.
A study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that NYC's 'water jet' machines, which provide chilled and oxygenated water, were associated with lower student weights and reduced half-pint milk purchases. The intervention increased access to drinking water in school cafeterias and was linked to a 0.025 reduction in standardized BMI.
A new device mimics leaf processes to harness solar energy and purify water, offering a clean alternative to conventional methods for addressing global water shortages. The tri-layer membrane uses TiO2 nanoparticles, gold nanoparticles, and anodized aluminum oxide to degrade pollutants in simulated sunlight.
Researchers discovered that millions of bacteria in water pipes and purification plants help purify drinking water. The diversity of species is huge, with over 80,000 bacteria per milliliter detected in one study.
A team of researchers from Arizona State University found that informal water vendors, when organized into unions, can improve water pricing, quality, and delivery. The study suggests that these markets have the potential to bridge supply gaps in urban water systems.
A new study finds that the Colorado River Basin's water supply is controlled more by natural climate patterns than human use. The researchers used NASA satellite data and local monitoring records to reconstruct changes in the basin's water storage since the 1980s.
A Syracuse University study, Project SWIFT, aims to establish a baseline for groundwater quality and develop geochemical fingerprinting tools to analyze water quality in areas with potential shale gas drilling. The researchers are analyzing flow-back water to uncover unique chemistry not found in well water.
Scientists at Michigan State University propose a novel approach to understanding the global impacts of megacity water demands. The telecoupling framework examines how environmental and socioeconomic actions lead to reactions and feedbacks, often highlighting research gaps previously overlooked.
Researchers at UTA are developing an integrated decision support tool to optimize water supply systems, allowing water providers to make informed decisions about when to transfer water between reservoirs. The Hydrologic Ensemble Forecast System will provide a range of possible values for cost-effective decisions.
A study found that ultrasonic humidifiers emit aerosols with dissolved contaminants, including minerals and metals, which are 90% respirable. The quality of the water source affects the health consequences of inhaling these contaminants.
Researchers found that treetop leaves in tall trees like coast redwood and Japanese cedar act as a water supply tank, storing water to help maintain physiological functions. This discovery helps predict future changes in forest function and CO2 absorption in the face of climate change.
A historian examines how Saudi Arabia's quest for fresh drinking water led to the discovery of oil and highlights the country's precarious relationship between oil and water. The expert argues that the U.S. must consider the environmental impact of desalination, a technology used to produce drinking water.
Research in India and Democratic Republic of the Congo found that households with continuous piped water supplies had lower rates of dysentery and typhoid fever, but no association with overall diarrheal illness or child growth. Interrupting water supply can negate health benefits.
The new EEFLUX application allows farmers to view field-scale maps of water consumption in near real-time, providing insights into evapotranspiration and water management. With Landsat satellite imagery, experts can track water consumption year over year, making it easier to monitor the effectiveness of conservation projects.