HS3 gathered data on the Saharan Air Layer, studying its effects on Tropical Storm Gabrielle. The mission also identified a unique hybrid core in a redeveloped storm and measured hurricane Ingrid's heavy rain and strong winds.
Researchers found that mushrooms release water vapor to cool the air locally, creating convective cells that lift spores away from the fungus. This process allows mushrooms to spread their spores even in adverse conditions.
Researchers find Amazon deforestation could reduce rain and snowfall in the western US, resulting in water and food shortages. A study suggests a 50% reduction in Sierra Nevada snowpack could occur if the Amazon is stripped bare.
Researchers trained pond snails to forget how to breathe air and found that single stressful events impaired memory, but multiple stresses blocked all learning and memory. The study published in PLOS ONE reveals that stress affects animals' ability to form long-term memories.
Researchers analyzed hot-air balloon tour crashes from 2000-2011, finding 78 crashes involving 518 occupants, with 91 serious injuries and 5 fatalities. Targeted interventions may improve crash outcomes and decrease injury severity.
Tropical Depression Lorenzo is experiencing weakening due to dry air and cooler sea surface temperatures. The system's lack of convection is preventing thunderstorm development, ultimately leading to its dissipation.
Engineers from Universidad Carlos III de Madrid have designed a model to maximize energy savings and CO2 reductions by using solar power for heating and cooling. The system, which can be installed in large office blocks, can provide air conditioning or heating according to daily needs.
Researchers studied elephant vocal folds to understand how they produce infrasonic calls. They found that elephant vocal folds are orientated at a very acute angle in relation to the air stream, whereas in humans they are almost perpendicular.
Researchers found insects adjust courtship and calling behaviors in response to changing air pressure, reducing risk of injury during high winds and rain. The study suggests these modifications may help insects predict adverse weather conditions, allowing them to modify their mating behavior accordingly.
Researchers developed a portable ventilation pump for large animals, improving the safety of veterinarians treating patients in the field. The device is easy to use and inexpensive, allowing veterinarians to provide emergency first aid without relying on conventional equipment.
Researchers found that African dust particles more than doubled during a major Saharan dust intrusion in Houston, Texas, raising concerns about health risks for vulnerable populations. The study provides new insights into the impact of Saharan air outbreaks on climate and human health, including potential effects on hurricane activity.
The HS3 mission sampled the environment of Tropical Storm Erin and revealed an elevated dust layer overrunning the storm. The Saharan Air Layer's role in tropical storm formation and intensification is a focus of the study, which aims to understand its impact on hurricane intensity change.
A recent study suggests that forced-air patient warming systems may affect airflow in operating rooms, potentially increasing exposure to bacteria and other contaminants during surgery. Conductive warming systems, on the other hand, do not disrupt ventilation airflows over the surgical site.
Disney Research has developed AIREAL, a technology that uses controlled puffs of compressed air to create tactile effects in virtual environments. The system allows users to feel sensations such as textured surfaces and force feedback for gestures, opening up new possibilities for gaming and interactive experiences.
The Air Force has announced 29 university researchers at 26 institutions will receive awards totaling $12.7 million for research instrumentation. These awards support the purchase of state-of-the-art equipment for cutting-edge defense research.
A new catalyst, based on carbon nanotubes, shows high oxygen reduction reaction activity in alkaline media, critical for efficient storage of electrical energy. This breakthrough could enable economical lithium-air batteries to power electric vehicles and provide reliable energy storage for intermittent green energy sources.
Researchers at Stanford University have developed a high-efficiency zinc-air battery with improved catalytic activity and durability, paving the way for a low-cost alternative to conventional lithium-ion batteries.
Researchers at PNNL and BPA identified two unique methods and two sites in eastern Washington for compressed air energy storage. These plants can store wind energy produced at night and release it when demand is high, providing flexibility to balance the region's highly variable wind energy generation.
Scientists at the University of Strathclyde have identified the greater wax moth as capable of sensing sound frequencies up to 300kHz, surpassing human and dolphin limitations. This discovery has significant implications for air-coupled ultrasound technology and may lead to advancements in micro-scale acoustic systems.
A study published in Applied and Environmental Microbiology found that the microbial population in NYC subway air is nearly identical to ambient air on city streets. The researchers used new methodologies, including fast collection of aerosols and rapid sequencing technology, to efficiently monitor the subway's microbial population.
A new ice cloud has appeared over Titan's south pole, marking the onset of a global air circulation reversal. The cloud is composed of an unknown ice type and appears to be building rapidly, while its northern counterpart is slowly fading.
OzoneMap is a free mobile app that provides real-time air quality reports for the greater Houston area. It features a map of the city with colored clouds illustrating ozone levels, allowing users to select from three different maps and access information on health effects.
A study by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research suggests that man-made climate change traps giant waves in the atmosphere, leading to extreme weather events. The researchers found that prolonged periods of heat stress can occur when warm air is unable to escape, resulting in devastating consequences.
A new device called the SXC ESP was created by Washington University engineers to better protect human lungs from allergens and airborne viruses. The device uses soft X-ray irradiation to capture particles, making it more effective than traditional air cleaners in removing biological agents from the air.
Researchers identified a new molecular pathway involved in the growth of tiny air sacs called alveoli crucial for breathing. HGF treatment showed a 17% improvement in air sac size and lung structure, suggesting a potential approach to regrow destroyed air sacs in people with emphysema.
A study by Spanish National Research Council proposes a new methodology to assess air traffic congestion. Researchers found that crew rotation and passenger connections systematically spread flight delays, revealing a domino effect.
The Air Force's Office of Scientific Research has awarded Virginia Tech a $3.5 million award to develop computational fluid dynamic (CFD) codes and a supporting hardware-software ecosystem for simulating micro air vehicles (MAVs). The goal is to achieve substantial speed-ups in simulation speed using accelerator-based supercomputers li...
A new study recommends using air curtains and cooling layers to preserve China's Terracotta Warriors and other historic relics. The measures aim to prevent environmental degradation and protect the over 1,500 relics in large museums like the Qin Terracotta Museum, which attracts over 5 million visitors annually.
A study found that 26% of influenza patients released virus into the air during routine care, with some 'super-emitters' transmitting more than 32 times more virus. Current infection control recommendations may not be adequate to protect providers from influenza exposure.
A study by USDA scientists found that treating poultry cages with heated forced air at 122 degrees Fahrenheit can eliminate detectable Campylobacter levels on cage flooring. This method is more effective than static heat or unheated flowing air in reducing bacterial cross-contamination.
The Air Force Office of Scientific Research has awarded grants to 40 scientists and engineers for basic research in science and engineering. The recipients will focus on various areas including aerospace, materials sciences, and life sciences.
NASA's Aqua satellite detected a tropical depression with reduced cloud cover due to dry air, indicating a rapidly deteriorating low-level circulation center. The storm is expected to dissipate over the next couple of days in the South China Sea due to wind shear and dry air
Researchers at DOE/Argonne National Laboratory studied ultrafast bubble formation, finding surface wetness affects the bubble's fate. The study could improve spray coating, metal casting, and ink-jet printing, as well as fuel efficiency and engine life.
The Air Force Office of Scientific Research has selected ten universities to design and build small satellites in a competition. The winning project will receive additional funding for completion and be launched on a future space mission.
Research identified genetic changes that enable Ethiopians to thrive in thin air, differing from those found in Tibetan populations. This discovery sheds light on how high-altitude populations worldwide have evolved differently from their low-altitude ancestors.
Research found that fainting associated with recent air travel is a key indicator for pulmonary embolism diagnosis. Patients who fainted and had recent air travel were more likely to have saddle emboli and abnormal ECG readings, indicating a higher risk of life-threatening complications.
Researchers found a carbon-dioxide-sensitive neural circuit in ancient fish that likely evolved into the lungs of vertebrates. This discovery sheds light on the origins of air breathing and its role in vertebrate evolution.
Researchers have developed a mathematical tool to assess the thermodynamic behavior of Mediterranean courtyards, finding that they can be up to 9°C cooler than outside in summer. This allows for energy-efficient designs without sacrificing sustainability.
A new study by Arnold Barnett finds that subway and rail commuters are twice as likely to be killed in a terrorist attack as frequent flyers. The risk is even higher per mile traveled, with subways being ten times more deadly than air travel.
A recent study by CSIRO and Australian Maritime College reveals that ship engine exhaust emissions account for over a quarter of nitrogen oxide emissions in the Australian region. These non-greenhouse gases can affect air quality near coastal regions and have consequences for human health and amenity.
NASA has detected a newborn Tropical Storm Joyce in the Central Atlantic, with organized circulation and cold cloud top temperatures indicating strength. The storm is being affected by a dry Saharan air layer, which is unusual for tropical cyclones, and is expected to follow a southern edge of high pressure over the ocean.
A new hand-held sensor detects high levels of carbon dioxide in classroom air, which can cause drowsiness and negatively impact learning. The sensor's data can help optimize HVAC systems to improve indoor air quality.
The Houston Clean Air Network provides real-time air quality updates using maps of the greater Houston area. The site allows users to track ozone levels and plan their day accordingly, benefiting those with health concerns about ozone or respiratory illnesses like asthma.
Tropical Storm Florence developed over the eastern Atlantic, strengthened briefly, and then weakened due to dry air and Saharan dust. NASA's Aqua satellite captured infrared images of the storm on August 4 and 5, showing a larger spiraled storm with diminishing thunderstorms.
A USC-led team has developed an air-breathing battery that uses iron plates and oxygen to store energy, reducing energy loss by 4% and making it 10 times more efficient than previous models. The battery's capacity can store between 8-24 hours' worth of energy, with the potential to help California transition to renewable energy sources.
Emerging techniques to pull carbon dioxide from the air can help stabilize the climate, but lower-cost technology is a stumbling block. The techniques address sources of CO2 that other types of carbon capture and storage cannot, and have the potential to lower atmospheric CO2 levels significantly.
A study by Georgia Institute of Technology researchers shows that extracting carbon dioxide directly from the air using newly-developed adsorbent materials is economically feasible. The technique could be used to supplement capture of CO2 from power plant flue gases, with estimated costs of $100 per ton. The method has the potential to...
Researchers at the University of Michigan successfully tested a lab-on-a-chip technology to detect low levels of trichloroethylene in homes near Hill Air Force Base. The device, tailored to detect any contaminants, has potential applications for industrial chemicals, cancer biomarkers, and explosives detection.
Typhoon Guchol's high winds and storm surges pose a significant threat to Kadena Air Base, with sustained winds of up to 120.8 mph and 52-foot-high seas. The storm is expected to track near Kyoto as it continues to weaken.
Scientists create a surface that can display information using water, exploiting the unique behavior of trapped air layers on a lotus-inspired dual-structured surface. The surface is bistable and exhibits striking optical contrast between its two states.
A study published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine found that hot, humid air triggers an increase in airway resistance in patients with mild asthma, leading to coughing and airway constriction. Inhaling an asthma drug before exposure to hot, humid air prevented this reaction.
A recent study from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has pinpointed indoor air quality risks in the United Arab Emirates as a significant health concern. The research found that residents are exposed to high levels of pollutants such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and formaldehyde, which can lead to respiratory iss...
A nanotech-based system called SAMMS captures carbon dioxide directly from the atmosphere within submarines, providing a more environmentally friendly removal process. The technology has potential applications in air rejuvenation systems and energy efficiency.
Researchers launch DC3 experiment to understand thunderstorms' influence on air just beneath the stratosphere, a little-explored region that affects Earth's climate. They aim to explore ozone formation and its impact on climate change by tracking pollutants and chemical reactions.
A study using NASA satellite data found that the four largest wind farms in Texas experience an increase in land surface temperature over nine years, likely due to turbulence caused by turbine wakes. The warming occurred mainly at night and during times of high turbine activity.
The National Geographic Society has launched a new Air and Water Conservation Fund to support cutting-edge projects in China. Grants ranging from $20,000 to $50,000 will be awarded to on-the-ground projects exploring innovative approaches to conserving China's water and air resources.
Satellite data indicates that System 99P is likely to continue struggling due to weak organization and dry air. Despite sufficient moisture available for tropical cyclone development, the system's low-level circulation remains weak.
The University of Minnesota has developed an innovative isothermal compressed air energy storage (CAES) technology, licensed to SustainX. This solution can stabilize renewable energy sources like solar and wind power, making them more predictable and reliable.
A Rice University study found that federal efforts were most effective at reducing pollutants, while state implementation plans played a smaller role. The study's findings suggest that nationally, ozone levels have improved substantially due to federal and EPA efforts.
Researchers from the University of Reading have designed a novel sunlight-measuring tool to detect cloud boundaries with greater precision. The device uses the natural swinging motion of a rising weather balloon to distinguish between clouds and clear air.