A study by Duke University environmental engineers reveals that microbes can convert tiny mercury particles into methylmercury, a potent toxin for nerve cells, through reactions with organic matter and sulfides. This process is crucial in understanding how mercury enters the food chain and poses risks to human health.
Researchers will analyze toxic chemicals' impact on human health and potential causes of serious diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. The three-year project uses zebrafish and mouse models to speed up testing and provide new information on chemical risk assessment.
Researchers have developed a new class of metamaterials that mimic celestial mechanics, allowing for the study of gravitational lensing and chaos in a lab setting. This breakthrough enables scientists to study relativity phenomena, such as gravitational lensing, in a controlled environment.
Australia's top scientists will present on using mathematical models to understand complex systems, including climate change and agricultural sustainability. The conference will feature models assessing water availability, predicting aircraft distances for safer skies, and evaluating coral bleaching impacts.
Mercury levels in the Mackenzie River delta have been dramatically increased, exceeding previous estimates by an entire year's worth of mercury. This is a significant concern for northern communities that rely heavily on Arctic fish species and Beluga whales as a food source.
A new species of pink-winged moth, Lithophane leeae, has been identified by University of Arizona biologist Bruce Walsh in the Chiricahua Mountains. The discovery highlights the region's vast biodiversity and suggests that more individuals may exist, considering the moth's habits.
Scientists have discovered magnetic tornadoes on Mercury that could be replenishing its extremely thin atmosphere. These 'tornadoes' form when magnetic fields carried by the solar wind connect to Mercury's magnetic field, twisting into vortex-like structures.
A study presented at DDW 2009 found that over one-third of US adults have liver disease, with some cases potentially attributed to environmental pollution. Researchers used the NHANES dataset to examine the association between low-level exposure to 111 common pollutants and unexplained liver disease in adults.
A new University of Colorado at Boulder study suggests that an asteroid attack nearly 4 billion years ago may not have extinguished potential early life on Earth, but instead gave it a boost. The research indicates that microbes could have survived in subsurface habitats and flourished during the Late Heavy Bombardment.
Researchers have discovered evidence of pre-industrial mercury pollution in the Andes, dating back to 1400 BC, and challenge current thinking on the rise of mining societies. Mercury pollution was initially caused by mine dust from vermillion production, but later increased with Inca control of mines.
A new chalcogel made of cobalt-molybdenum-sulfur exhibits impressive catalytic activity in hydrodesulfurization and gas separation, with high surface area and stability under catalytic conditions. The material can remove nearly 99% of mercury from contaminated water.
A one-year study found that a computer-based system significantly lowered high blood pressure in participants, reducing systolic and diastolic pressures by an average of 11.9mmHg and 6.6mmHg, respectively. The system's regular feedback and automated alerts encouraged patients to take their medication as prescribed.
A landmark USGS study documents the process of methylmercury formation in the North Pacific Ocean, which contaminates tuna and other seafood. The study shows that long-range transport of mercury from Asia is a significant pathway, highlighting the need for reduced mercury emissions to protect public health.
Scientists have discovered a previously unknown, massive impact basin named Rembrandt on Mercury's surface. The 700-kilometer-wide basin is younger than most other known impact basins and features unique tectonic landforms that formed after volcanic flows filled it.
Researchers constructed a nearly complete globe of Mercury using high-resolution and multispectral images, revealing its composition and origin. The study suggests that Mercury's crust formed in repeated volcanic eruptions, unlike the Moon.
Researchers detected magnesium in Mercury's atmosphere during a MESSENGER flyby, surprising scientists with its distribution and abundance. The discovery is one clue to understanding the creation of the rocky planet closest to the sun.
Researchers at Chinese Academy of Sciences developed a new type of LED made from inexpensive organic materials, producing twice as much light as normal LEDs. Their tandem structure achieved a CRI rating of nearly 70, promising further reduction in price and expansion into home and office lighting.
Dental amalgam has been deemed safe and effective for over 200 years, with the majority of health risks associated with large doses. A person would need hundreds of amalgam fillings to experience symptoms of mercury toxicity, according to Dr. Rod Mackert.
Scientists have developed a new material from carbon60 that can transmit electricity at high temperatures, reducing future energy losses. The discovery could lead to more efficient power transmission and storage, enabling widespread adoption of renewable energy sources.
The James Webb Space Telescope's mirrors are made of beryllium, a light metal that withstands extreme temperatures and is highly reflective. The 18 hexagonal mirror segments will allow the telescope to see galaxies from 13 billion light-years away.
A combination of two antihypertensive drugs lowers the risk of kidney disease in diabetics, even among those with normal blood pressure. The study found a 21% lower rate of kidney disease events in patients receiving the combination therapy.
This issue of BioScience explores strategies for managing biological resources, including optimizing forest responses to climate change. The journal also examines the ecological roles of mesocarnivores and the impact of mercury contamination on sport fish in the Northeastern United States.
Scientists have observed a spectacular heating of the planet HD8606b, where global warming reached 1,500 degrees Kelvin in just six hours. The planet's extremely eccentric orbit and proximity to its star led to this extreme temperature increase, providing valuable insights into its atmospheric properties.
Gallium Nitride (GaN) LED lights could cut the proportion of UK electricity used for lighting from 20% to 5% if widely adopted, potentially saving eight power stations. GaN LEDs also offer long lifespan and environmental benefits over traditional bulbs.
A study found that elderly individuals have a higher risk of hypertension during colder months, with average systolic blood pressure 5 millimeters of mercury higher in winter than summer. Blood pressure decreases over time are also strongly correlated with outdoor temperature, particularly in participants aged 80 and older.
Research suggests that increased carbon dioxide levels due to climate change could lead to a greater accumulation of mercury in soils, potentially slowing its release into water. However, this means that even with reduced emissions, the metal will remain a pollution source for an extended period.
A new paper in Optics Express envisions a future with widespread use of LED lights, offering significant energy savings and environmental benefits. LEDs are predicted to save more than $1 trillion in energy costs over 10 years and lead to substantial reductions in carbon dioxide emissions.
A new study from Texas Christian and Louisiana State universities finds that shrimp trawling operations in the Gulf of Mexico are linked to higher levels of toxic mercury in juvenile red snappers. The research demonstrates a clear relationship between mercury concentrations and coastal areas where commercial shrimp trawling occurs.
Pitt researchers have developed a quick and reliable method for detecting mercury in fish and dental samples, utilizing a fluorescent substance that glows bright green when exposed to oxidized mercury. The technique can be used onsite to detect mercury in dental fillings or fish within 30-60 minutes.
Research presented at the American Society of Nephrology's Annual Meeting found African Americans with CKD caused by high blood pressure have a higher risk of progression to ESRD. The study followed 691 patients for 11 years and found they were at higher risk of progressing to ESRD than experiencing cardiovascular events.
Recent studies suggest that methylmercury can cause irreversible brain damage in unborn children at previously considered safe levels of exposure. Methylmercury toxicity is well-known, but its effects on the developing nervous system have been underestimated.
Researchers found that methylmercury harms T-lymphocytes, key cells in a seal's immune system, and similar results were also observed in human lymphocytes. The study suggests that mercury pollution may have already taken a toll on harbor seals' ability to fight infections.
Researchers developed a method to track mercury emissions from coal by analyzing natural isotopic fingerprints, which can differentiate between human-made and natural sources. This technique has the potential to identify specific regions contributing to global mercury pollution.
A national survey reveals that nearly one in four parents believe vaccines cause autism, leading to fewer vaccinations and a growing number of measles infections. The study's findings highlight the lingering fear and confusion surrounding vaccines, despite overwhelming scientific evidence debunking the link.
A Yale University study finds that compact fluorescent lighting can increase mercury emissions in certain countries and US states, offsetting energy conservation gains. The switch to CFLs may reduce emissions in some areas, such as Estonia and China, but increase them in others, like South America and parts of Europe.
MESSENGER spacecraft will make its second flyby of Mercury on Oct. 6, providing a region unseen before by spacecraft and revealing details about the planet's atmosphere and surface. The mission aims to gather data and images from Mercury for about 90 minutes, including observations in the far ultraviolet portion of the light spectrum.
A study found that an audio relaxation program lowered blood pressure more than listening to Mozart music in a group of elderly people with high blood pressure. The program used binaural sound and guided relaxation techniques to lower systolic blood pressure by 6.4% compared to a 5% reduction from Mozart music.
Researchers found no significant differences in adverse events or outcomes between patients who received antihypertensive treatments and those who didn't. Patients requiring blood pressure lowering therapy had more severe strokes and higher blood glucose levels, but still benefited from clot-busting treatment.
A new study found that rapid weight gain in early childhood is associated with higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure in adulthood. The research, published in the American Heart Association journal, suggests that changes in post-natal weight gain and childhood weight gain are linked to small but significant increases in blood pre...
A study found that one-fifth of Ayurvedic medicines purchased online exceed acceptable standards for lead, mercury, and arsenic. Rasa shastra medicines were more likely to contain detectable metals, posing a risk to users.
A group of experts has developed a roadmap for improving our understanding of how mercury moves through the marine ecosystem and into the fish we eat. The report prioritizes integrated monitoring across habitats, considering links between marine sources, biotransfer processes, and bioaccumulation mechanisms.
Researchers found that teenagers with low sleep efficiency and short sleep duration are at a higher risk of elevated blood pressure and pre-hypertension. The study suggests that optimizing sleep quality is essential for preventing high blood pressure and other health problems in adolescents.
A new technique has successfully revealed a hidden portrait of a woman behind Vincent van Gogh's 'Patch of Grass'. The method, using synchrotron radiation induced X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, allowed researchers to reconstruct the concealed painting in unparalleled detail.
The new silicon-based LED research has the potential to replace all incandescent and compact fluorescent bulbs, offering dramatic energy and environmental benefits. The Purdue team's breakthrough allows for efficient production on low-cost metal-coated silicon wafers, reducing costs by up to 20 times.
Scientists at the University of Michigan and Princeton University have discovered a way to enhance light output in organic light-emitting devices, emitting approximately 70 lumens from a single watt of power. This innovation pushes more appealing white light, reducing energy consumption and reliance on coal-generated electricity.
Researchers from Brown University have discovered evidence of past volcanic activity on Mercury, suggesting that the planet underwent intense changes to its landscape around 3-4 billion years ago. The findings were made possible by detailed images from NASA's MESSENGER spacecraft and provide new insights into Mercury's geologic history.
A University of Michigan instrument on the MESSENGER spacecraft has detected silicon, sodium, sulfur, and water ions around Mercury, suggesting that they were blasted from the surface or exosphere by solar wind. The findings provide a new understanding of Mercury's composition and its interaction with the sun's magnetic field.
MESSENGER data reveals widespread volcanism on Mercury's surface, with lava plains and iron-deficient rock units mapped. The spacecraft has identified three major rock units and confirmed an apparent planet-wide iron deficiency in Mercury's surface rocks.
A large-scale Medicare study evaluated the outcomes of incisional surgeries used to reduce eye pressure in patients with glaucoma. The study found that while surgeries were effective for most patients, rates of severe outcomes and progression to low vision or blindness were higher for those who received implantation of a glaucoma drain...
A team of Brown University researchers has invented mercury-absorbent materials to capture mercury vapor from broken compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs). The technology can be applied to packaging and plastic bags, making it an inexpensive solution to mitigate environmental concerns and health risks.
The International Association for Dental Research presents Dr. Miroslav Marek with the Wilmer Souder Award for his exceptional contributions to corrosion science and standardization, particularly in restoratives, implants, and dental amalgam. He is being recognized for his influential work on mercury release from dental amalgam.
A new study finds that Earth's plate tectonics could become unstable if the surface temperature rises by 100 degrees Fahrenheit or more for a few million years. This would cause the crust to become locked in place, leading to volcanic activity and a lack of tectonic plates moving.
New scientific evidence suggests that iron snow forms and falls toward the center of Mercury's core, powering its weak magnetic field. This process could be responsible for the planet's mysterious magnetic field, which is about 100 times weaker than Earth's.
A study at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Forum on Quality of Care and Outcomes Research in Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke found that focused measures improved high blood pressure control among veterans. The proportion of patients reaching their blood pressure goal increased from 61.8% to 64.3%, with an estimated 1,349 ...
Researchers found that statins can modestly reduce systolic and diastolic blood pressure in individuals with hypertension. The study showed a significant decrease in blood pressure at six months of treatment, but not at one month.
The study reveals that high-temperature superconductors do not rely on a 'glue' binding electrons, but instead utilize their strong repulsive forces to facilitate superconductivity. The researchers used specialized equipment to measure electron pairing mechanisms and found unique quantum properties at warmer temperatures.
Researchers have found high levels of methyl mercury in wastewater from dental clinics and offices, which can become a potent neurotoxin when exposed to sulfate-reducing bacteria. The study estimates that up to 11 pounds of methyl mercury could be entering the US public water supply each year.
Researchers propose that mantle convection played a role in forming Mercury's lobate scarps, contrary to earlier theories. The simulations suggest that upwellings from mantle convection take on a linear roll shape, distinct from other planets' features.
The NIST quantum logic clock uses an aluminum atom to apply computer logic to the quantum world, rivaling the mercury ion's accuracy and offering a new approach to measuring fundamental constants. The clocks were compared with record precision, allowing scientists to measure their relative frequencies to 17 digits.
A new study finds that smoking and high blood pressure have a synergistic effect, increasing the risk of hemorrhagic stroke. Quitting smoking and lowering blood pressure can significantly reduce this risk, as seen in a cohort of over 563,000 participants.