Researchers studied the genetic response of umbrella acacia and splendid thorn acacia to drought stress. The study found that umbrella acacias prioritize continued growth over water conservation when water is scarce, using up all accessible water to survive severe droughts. In contrast, splendid thorn acacias invest in water conservati...
Researchers studied beaver ponds' effect on groundwater recharge, finding a 10-fold increase in recharging water. They also explored evapotranspiration and found it can reduce recharge in certain soil structures. The study highlights the need for comprehensive analysis of beaver-induced changes to understand their impact on ecosystems.
Researchers have successfully demonstrated next-generation error correction codes to mitigate the impact of atmospheric turbulence on ground-to-satellite laser communications. The new codes significantly improved communication quality compared to conventional schemes, enabling practical implementation of ground-to-satellite laser links.
A new study by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture reveals that water quality can significantly impact the type of microbial populations in poultry drinking water lines and litter. The study found a Bacillus species with probiotic properties was more prevalent in biofilms from poultry houses with normal sulfur-iro...
The Rice WaTER Institute hosted the Water Nexus Conference 2025, bringing together industry, policy, and research experts to discuss integrated approaches for safe and reliable water systems. Key findings include the need for innovative technologies, capital structuring, and operational efficiency to close the growing funding gap in wa...
A new analysis reveals African women remain significantly underrepresented in water governance, with only 17% of national ministries led by women. Practical steps are needed to address social and institutional barriers and ensure women's equal representation in shaping policies and decisions.
Researchers found that targeted snow monitoring at hotspots can improve water supply predictions in most basins, with typical gains of 11-14% compared to 4%. This approach is more cost-effective than basin-wide surveys and has potential for more accurate forecasts.
A new UN report reveals that global agricultural trade affects water access, alleviating water scarcity for high-income populations while intensifying shortages for low-income communities. The report calls for measures to address outstanding water inequity issues resulting from international food trades.
Researchers warn of declining access to safe and reliable water in the US, urging better tracking tools and policy reforms. A new tool, Household Water Insecurity Experiences (HWISE), measures water insecurity in over 1,000 households across the country.
An international team investigated MXene with confined water and ions, discovering a reversible transition from metallic to semiconducting behavior of the film. The intercalated water structure drives this change, which could lead to novel devices or sensors.
Scientists at Virginia Tech mimic the natural movement of boulders on Racetrack Playa by creating a metal surface with asymmetric grooves that propel melting ice. The discovery has potential applications in rapid defrosting and energy harvesting.
A new Virginia Tech study reveals that toxic well water primarily affects household pets, with 64% of dog drinking water samples containing high levels of potentially toxic heavy metals. Researchers found a correlation between untreated well water and poor health in dogs, highlighting the need for households to test and treat their water.
Researchers demonstrated a record-breaking long-distance THz wireless transmission of high-definition video over 1.2 km using an astronomical telescope with a quantum-limited superconductor-insulator-superconductor mixer at 500 GHz.
A new study reveals that koalas only spend around 10 minutes per day on the ground, which is linked to two-thirds of recorded koala deaths. The research used GPS loggers and accelerometers to analyze fine-scale movement patterns, finding that koalas move with little urgency and spend most of their time in trees.
Researchers from the University of Tokyo used ocean model simulations to investigate the long-term tritium distribution after Fukushima's treated water release. The study found that tritium concentrations remain very low, with no significant impact on ocean levels.
Researchers discovered that sunlight's oscillating electric field plays a crucial role in enhancing interfacial water evaporation. The stronger the electric field, the faster water evaporates. This finding has implications for engineering more efficient water-evaporation technologies.
A study of 100,000 water samples from 500 river basins found elevated levels of contaminants like organic carbon, phosphorus, nitrogen, and sediment persisting for years after wildfires. Water managers can use this data to inform planning strategies for increasing wildfire resilience.
Researchers have developed a novel nanomaterial that can hold over three times its weight in water and achieve this far quicker than existing commercial technologies. The material's unique synergy between calcium and oxygen facilitates extraordinary adsorption of water, enabling the efficient harvesting of clean drinking water from air.
A UC Riverside-led study found that a smartphone app tracking household water use reduced average daily consumption by 6%, with greater savings among high-volume users. The app provides real-time feedback and behavioral nudges to encourage water-saving actions, resulting in sustained reductions even six months later.
Researchers Mohammad Afzal Shadab and Eric Hiatt developed a computer model that calculates the time it took for water on early Mars to percolate from the surface down to the aquifer, finding a 50-200 year timeframe. This process could have covered Mars with at least 300 feet of water.
A recent study from POSTECH University evaluated ground-level NO2 concentrations using satellite remote sensing data, revealing significant socioeconomic disparities in air pollution exposure. The research found that areas with higher socioeconomic levels had higher NO2 concentrations, contradicting previous findings in other countries.
A new study from North Carolina State University researchers finds that conversion of forests to urban development or agriculture near streams can have harmful effects on water quality downstream. The study suggests that more attention should be paid to where development might have serious effects on water quality for people living nea...
A study published in Water & Ecology evaluates international practices in water ecological assessment, highlighting its importance for aquatic ecosystems and human activities. The assessment's core indicators and methodologies should retain commonality and uniformity to influence strategies for protection and conservation.
Research finds that pyrope garnet can retain up to 0.2 wt.% water, potentially dominating water transport via basaltic slabs into the lower mantle. The study also reveals strong pressure-temperature dependence of water solubility in pyrope garnet.
The Rice WaTER Institute is advancing water innovation by fostering entrepreneurship, cross-sector collaboration and access to markets. Researchers and startups are working together to tackle pressing challenges like PFAS elimination and the water-energy nexus.
Researchers warn that wildfires can contaminate drinking water distribution systems, posing substantial public health risks. Over 50 volatile organic compounds have been detected in water distribution systems after wildfires, including carcinogens such as benzene.
A study mapped US counties with high rates of water system violations and inequalities in access to safe drinking water. Counties in West Virginia, North Carolina, Oklahoma, and Pennsylvania ranked among the top 10 for violations, while Mississippi, South Dakota, and Texas topped the list for water injustice.
Researchers found that strong ground acceleration within a stepover geometry can launch boulder-sized rocks briefly defying gravity. The study suggests stronger shaking in the area nearest to the fault around stepovers and complex fault geometries should be accounted for in ground motion predictions.
KTU researchers have discovered an innovative solution to store excess heat underground, reducing heat loss and increasing energy efficiency. The ground-based heat accumulator stores heat in the soil, making it available when demand peaks, and can even reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
New research reveals mammals were shifting toward a more ground-based lifestyle several million years before the dinosaurs' mass extinction event. Analyzing small-fossilized bone fragments, scientists found signs of locomotory habit in end of limb bones from marsupial and placental mammals.
A study by researchers at the University of Texas at Austin and collaborators in Arizona and Colorado found notable groundwater gains in Central Arizona despite long-term water stress. The policies have helped bank over 25 cubic kilometers of groundwater from 1989-2019, but the Colorado River faces uncertain future due to climate change.
Researchers have developed a new AI tool that uses sensors and real-time data to predict water quality across the US. This tool can be applied nationwide, benefiting communities by providing water quality forecasts, streamlining operations, and informing strategies for managing turbidity in basins worldwide.
Researchers from Tohoku University have improved a Mars climate model to account for the planet's non-uniform regolith properties. The enhanced model shows that highly absorptive regolith in mid- and low latitudes retains substantial amounts of absorbed water, which remains on the surface as stable adsorbed water.
Researchers at the University of Houston have developed a new membrane that allows water to flow eight times faster while maintaining high salt rejection rates. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient and cost-effective desalination systems, lowering costs and increasing access to clean water.
Researchers found that fog water can be harvested in the Atacama Desert to ease water scarcity affecting vulnerable populations. The collected water can be used for drinking, irrigation, and local food production, with potential yields of up to 300,000 liters per week.
The study reveals the existence of valley vortex states within water wave crystals, introducing a new degree of freedom for water wave manipulation. These states have significant implications for ocean energy extraction, marine engineering, and coastal infrastructures.
Researchers developed an innovative method for analyzing water alkalinity using low-cost commercial reagents, machine learning, and smartphone technology. The technique offers accurate measurements across diverse water matrices with impressive R² values, making it a game-changer for water quality testing and monitoring.
A new carrier-phase-based method achieves unprecedented precision in satellite-ground time synchronization, correcting for errors like motion delays, relativistic effects, and atmospheric disturbances. This breakthrough enhances positioning accuracy in GNSS, supports deep space exploration, and refines global clock networks.
Researchers at the University of Bristol have developed porous ground treatments that can drastically reduce drone noise by up to 30 dB, improving aerodynamics and enhancing thrust and power coefficients. These innovative surfaces can be applied to vertiports and buildings to create quieter urban skies.
A new publication provides comprehensive guidance for public drinking water system staff on responding to wildfire damage, outlining key findings from previous disasters. The guidance aims to improve detection of chemical contamination, reduce customer notification delays, and restore safe drinking water delivery quickly.
A Chapman University-led study estimates that plants store about 786 km³ of water, which takes just five days to flow through them. This rapid transit time is significantly faster than other parts of the global water cycle.
Researchers observed California ground squirrels hunting, eating and competing over vole prey, revealing a carnivorous summer behavior. This flexible diet suggests they can adapt to changing environments.
A new report assesses water resources in the southern US states, finding that forestry best management practices can mitigate climate and land use effects on water quality. The study projects future scenarios of water stress due to extreme precipitation events, emphasizing the importance of adaptive management.
A NASA-led team found that cometary dust affects interpretation of spacecraft measurements, reopening the case for comets like 67P as potential sources of water for early Earth. Researchers discovered a similar molecular signature between comet 67P's water and Earth's oceans.
A new seven-point strategy devised by international experts outlines steps for safe, equitable, and sustainable global water management. The plan emphasizes local collaboration, community engagement, and inclusive policies to foster peace and security.
Agricultural water scarcity in China worsens due to climate change, with AWSI increasing during droughts and hot years. Regional scale effects are crucial for forecasting water scarcity, suggesting the need for finer spatial scales in water management strategies.
Researchers have developed a liquid moisture adsorbent that can efficiently harvest water from the air at near ambient temperatures. The technology, which uses random copolymers of polyethylene glycol and polypropylene glycol, has the potential to provide clean drinking water in arid regions and during disasters.
A new study proposes a solution to water scarcity during droughts by coordinating agricultural-to-urban leasing during dry periods and urban-to-agricultural leasing during wet periods. This arrangement benefits both urban and agricultural water users, reducing financial impacts.
A new study by the University of Minnesota and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources found high concentrations of neonicotinoids in some ground and surface water sources, including natural springs. This contamination can affect drinking water quality and organisms in streams fed by those springs.
A new analysis reveals that zero liquid discharge (ZLD) technologies can increase water recovery from desalination while reducing waste, but at increased costs and energy consumption. The process poses tradeoffs between fighting future water scarcity and environmental effects.
A study by Aliza Fleischer, Yadin Gindin, and Yacov Tsur from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem introduces a new model that integrates recreational freshwater ecosystem services into water allocation decisions. The researchers found that increasing demand for these services leads to significant changes in water diversion, with a 24% r...
A UTEP student has developed an innovative method to desalinate water, which converts over 90% of salt water to fresh water. The new technique, called salt-free electrodialysis metathesis, uses ion exchange membranes and electrical currents to separate salt from water.
Researchers develop innovative technology to capture large amounts of water from the air in low humidities, addressing water scarcity in drought-stressed Southwest. The device can generate up to three times more water than existing approaches, with potential for solar power and commercial use.
A new study discovered toxic 'Forever Chemicals' in tap and bottled water from around the world, with 99% of samples containing PFOA and PFOS. Treatment methods such as boiling and activated carbon filtration can substantially reduce PFAS concentrations, with removal rates ranging from 50-90%.
A new policy brief argues that citizen scientists are crucial for meeting global water quality targets, providing valuable data and community involvement. Successful case studies show how collaboration with locals can improve water quality monitoring, education, and rapid response.
Researchers at KIST developed an aquifer storage technique to improve stable water storage, reducing organic matter concentrations and microbiome changes. The study found that a simple physical sedimentation process maintained stable water quality for a year without pore clogging.
A researcher at UTA is developing a tracer tool to help water suppliers ensure safe and reliable drinking water during extreme weather events. The tool will enable better management of drinking water in Tarrant County, addressing concerns about water flow and distribution.
Researchers developed an AI model to accurately predict ion concentrations in water during electrochemical treatment processes. The model has the advantage of being economically superior to complex deep learning models, requiring less computing resources to train.
Researchers have designed an energy-efficient device to produce drinking water from seawater using solar power, addressing the critical need for clean water in coastal nations. The new technology can continuously desalinate water without major maintenance, producing up to 20 litres of fresh water per square meter.
A study of bottled, tap, and household-treated water in the San Francisco Bay Area found potential health risks from trihalomethanes in all sampled sources. The researchers analyzed various types of drinking water, including samples collected directly from households, to determine their chemical compositions.