A research team led by Dr Chen Ting-Hsuan developed a new rapid antibody test that shows the level of antibodies readable by the naked eye, displaying results as a length of a visual bar like a mercury thermometer.
Researchers develop a new method to assess inconsistencies in mercury trade data for ASGM, highlighting potential illegal and informal mercury use flows. The study identifies inconsistencies in Hg trade statistics in African, Central and South American, and some Asian countries.
A team of scholars at the University of Bologna revived and studied ancient alchemical texts, then put procedures into practice in the laboratory. The results revealed unexpected methods for mercury extraction and the use of substances like natron and iron in sublimation processes.
The proposed Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework fails to address the totality of chemical pollutants threatening ecosystems worldwide. Researchers urge negotiators to include persistent and toxic substances like mercury and PFAS in the agreement.
Great Salt Lake wetland plants can accumulate hazardous metal pollution, which can be passed up the food chain to herbivorous insects. This study found high concentrations of lead, mercury, and other metals in plant tissues, threatening terrestrial ecosystems.
A team of researchers at Flinders University has developed a novel sorbent made from waste materials that can absorb almost all mercury in polluted water in minutes. The material, coated with poly(S-r-limonene), is fast-acting and selective, capturing only mercury without other metal contaminants.
Researchers monitored mercury levels in artificial lakes to identify sources and factors affecting concentration. Most mercury originated from soil in catchment areas, with surface runoff contributing in shorter-residence time reservoirs.
Researchers discovered Mercury has geomagnetic storms triggered by a ring current, similar to those on Earth. The findings were made possible by the Messenger space probe's data and a solar coronal mass ejection.
A recent study using mercury stable isotopes reveals that industrial discharge is the primary source of mercury pollution in Korea's west coast. This finding highlights the need for targeted management strategies to mitigate industrial mercury releases and protect marine environments.
Researchers at Flinders University have developed a sustainable way to remove mercury from water using a smart coating made from low-cost chemicals. The coating can also prevent metal corrosion, solvent damage, and acid and water damage of concrete surfaces.
The study of Mercury's dynamic magnetosphere reveals large variations in the solar wind at perihelion and aphelion. Magnetic reconnection events, including flux transfer event 'showers', significantly contribute to the Dungey cycle and magnetosphere-surface-exosphere coupling.
Over one quarter of Europe's 20 most highly-fished marine species will face extreme pressure by 2100 if no action is taken to address climate change, overfishing, and mercury pollution. The study projects a significant decline in population size for key species like great Atlantic scallop, red mullet, and common octopus.
Scientists have recorded high levels of atmospheric mercury pollution in a pristine patch of the Peruvian Amazon due to illegal gold mining. Mature Amazonian forests near gold mining are capturing huge volumes of atmospheric mercury, more than any other ecosystem previously studied.
Researchers at MIT have developed a method to control the interaction between liquids and solids, allowing for the creation of surfaces with high or low wettability. This breakthrough has potential applications in various industries, including thermal management, protective coatings, and heat pipes.
A team of researchers found that the building blocks of Earth and Mars originated primarily from the inner Solar System, contradicting a popular theory. The study analyzed the isotopic composition of rocky planets and meteorites, revealing that only about 4% of the material came from beyond Jupiter's orbit.
The newly discovered planet is classified as a rocky planet and has similarities to Mercury, with a mass 55% of Earth's. Its high density indicates an iron core, but the surface temperature could reach up to 1500 degrees Celsius due to its proximity to its star.
Researchers have discovered GJ 367b, a sub-Earth exoplanet with a density similar to that of pure iron, which orbits its red dwarf star host in under 24 hours. The planet's size and mass indicate it has lost its outer mantle, suggesting an iron-rich core, similar to Mercury's interior structure.
Astronomers have discovered an ultra-short-period planet GJ 367 b, which orbits its star in just eight hours and has a radius of 72% that of Earth. The planet's mass is 55% of the Earth's, indicating it likely has an iron-rich core, similar to Mercury's interior.
A large US sample of 17,000 adults found that usual seafood consumption was not associated with increased risk of cardiovascular-related deaths or any cause. The study suggested that mercury exposure from seafood does not significantly impact mortality rates.
A study published in Science Advances reveals that felsic volcanism in South China drove the end-Permian mass extinction, with extreme elemental copper enrichment and light isotopic compositions indicating large-scale eruptions near the studied outcrops. This finding strengthens the case against the Siberian Traps as the sole trigger f...
A recent study discovered high levels of mercury exposure in human bones from Copper Age Iberia, dating back 5000 years. Cinnabar powder used for pigments and rituals led to severe health effects, including intoxication.
Researchers create a multiscale model to track water quality indicators like nitrogen and mercury levels, incorporating biogeochemical reactions in microbially-active zones. They also develop 'stretchier' alloys by adding nano structures, which enhance strength and ductility, making them suitable for various applications. Additionally,...
Researchers have made new discoveries about the Martian water record, with a fragile record of fleeting water found. Petrographic microscopy techniques are also being used to analyze geological materials, revealing new insights into microstructures.
Research found that warming water temperatures and browning increase methylmercury transfer to phytoplankton, reducing essential polyunsaturated fatty acids. This impacts the food chain, exposing higher organisms to toxic mercury and compromising nutrition, posing a threat to human health.
Researchers used Hubble Space Telescope observations and theoretical models to study a broader population of hot Jupiters. The study provides insight into planet formation and suggests that these planets contain similar sets of molecules, including water and carbon monoxide.
Researchers analyze iron-mass fraction of low-mass rocky exoplanets and find correlation with host star compositions, suggesting role of planet formation processes in shaping final composition. The study reveals distinct populations of super-Earths and super-Mercury class exoplanets with differing compositions.
An analysis by the University of Basel has revealed that mercury enters seawater primarily through gas exchange, not rainfall. The study found that approximately half of the mercury in the ocean originates from gaseous emissions, rather than precipitation.
A new study published in Nature suggests that rainwater is not the primary deposition vector of oceanic mercury, but rather the ocean itself absorbs mercury through gas exchange. The research also indicates that the ocean receives less atmospheric mercury than previously estimated.
A new study found that bluefin tuna accumulation rates are highest in the Mediterranean and decrease in the north Pacific Ocean, Indian Ocean, and north Atlantic Ocean. The researchers linked methylmercury accumulation to regional seawater and zooplankton concentrations, revealing global patterns of mercury pollution.
Researchers discovered elevated mercury levels before and during the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM), a 150,000-year period of extreme warming. The study suggests that 'tipping points' in the Earth's system triggered the release of additional carbon reservoirs, driving unprecedented high temperatures.
A new study by Yale University researchers reveals that rivers are the main source of mercury in coastal areas, rather than atmospheric deposition. The Amazon River, Ganges, and Yangtze are among the top contributors, with levels highest in August and September.
Researchers analyzed images of Mercury's surface and found only 14 boulders, compared to the Moon's 30 times more frequent presence. Factors such as micrometeorite bombardment, thicker regolith, and extreme temperature fluctuations contribute to the rarity of boulders on Mercury.
Researchers found that 76% of mercury deposition in a Massachusetts forest comes from atmospheric sources, with plants dominating as a source of mercury on land. The study suggests that forests worldwide may be a larger global absorber and collector of gaseous mercury than previously assumed.
A research group from Universitat Rovira i Virgili analyzed the concentration of toxic elements in various sushi types, finding higher levels of arsenic and mercury in maki and nigiri. They recommend adults limit tuna-based sushi to 8 pieces a day, while infants can have 3 pieces, citing methylmercury as a major concern
Scientists found that Mercury's large iron core is linked to the early sun's strong magnetic field, which pulled metal grains inward. This discovery sheds light on the formation of rocky planets' cores and their elemental distribution.
A new study from the University of Maryland disputes the prevailing hypothesis on Mercury's big core, instead attributing it to solar magnetism. The model shows that a planet's core density and proportion of iron are correlated with the strength of the sun's magnetic field during planetary formation.
A recent study found that Finland's lakes in Lapland will have higher mercury levels due to climate change and increased land use. The warmer climate and more intense land use lead to the leaching of nutrients and carbon-bound mercury into waterways, causing a biomagnification effect on fish and food webs.
Researchers found significant amounts of mercury in meltwater rivers from Greenland's glaciers, with concentrations comparable to industrial China. The discovery highlights the need for rethinking conservation measures and management strategies to address mercury pollution.
A multi-national team of scientists discovers unprecedented mercury deposits in the deepest Pacific Ocean trenches, exceeding previous records and even higher than areas contaminated by industrial releases. The findings indicate a collective increase in anthropogenic emissions of mercury into oceans.
Researchers discovered high concentrations of mercury in Greenland glacial meltwaters, exceeding typical river levels by up to 1500 times. This finding raises questions about the impact of glacial melting on aquatic ecosystems and food chains.
Researchers discovered high concentrations of mercury in Greenland glacial meltwaters, comparable to those found in industrial China. This finding raises concerns about the impact on coastal ecosystems and the seafood industry, which is a significant export for Greenland.
A new desalination process removes nearly 100% of toxic metals, producing clean water while capturing valuable metals. An infant-warming device reduces neonatal mortality rates by threefold in Rwanda, proving safe and effective without electricity.
A new desalination technique using polymer membranes with absorbent nanoparticles simplifies the removal of toxic metals during the process. The technology can remove nearly 100% of toxic metals, including mercury and arsenic, producing clean water along with a pure brine.
Researchers have found that plants play a leading role in cycling toxic mercury through the environment, absorbing up to 1,300 tons of mercury each year. This process can lead to neurological and cardiovascular problems in humans if exposed to high levels over long periods.
Climate change and pollution threaten narwhals, with mercury levels increasing significantly since the 1990s. The narwhal's tusk provides a window into changing conditions, revealing shifts in diet and exposure to pollutants over the past half century.
Researchers have developed a new class of versatile, high-performance quantum dots that emit single photons in the near-infrared range at room temperature. These breakthroughs open up practical applications in quantum communication, medical imaging, and diagnostics.
Researchers at NIMS and Tokyo Institute of Technology have discovered a non-toxic semiconductor with a direct band gap in the near-infrared range. The compound, Ca3SiO, exhibits great potential to serve as a direct transition semiconductor, potentially replacing toxic elements like mercury and cadmium in existing infrared semiconductors.
Researchers analyzed narwhals' tusks to understand past living conditions, revealing a shift from sea-ice linked prey to open ocean food sources. The findings support the impact of climate change on Arctic ecosystems and highlight the need for mercury pollution reduction efforts.
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a new approach to quantum device design, producing the first gain-based long-wavelength infrared photodetector using band structure engineering. The advanced photodetector offers enhanced sensitivity for next-generation LWIR photodetectors and focal plane array imagers.
Researchers found high concentrations of bromine chloride in polluted continental regions, significantly impacting wintertime air quality. The study suggests that uncontrolled coal burning is a major source of reactive halogens, driving increased ozone production and secondary aerosol formation.
A new study finds that roly polies and other terrestrial bugs are transferring high levels of mercury to steelhead trout, a threatened species in coastal California. The research confirms earlier findings that mercury can accumulate in the top of the food chain in coastal ecosystems.
A new study finds that mine ponds created by artisanal gold miners have increased the risk of mercury poisoning in Peru's Amazon. The proliferation of these ponds has amplified the environmental and human health risks associated with mercury exposure.
A new study found that city-dwelling tree swallows bred more successfully due to warmer temperatures, but their blood contained higher levels of mercury from contaminated insects. Urbanization's impact on wildlife health is a growing concern as the climate continues to warm and land use changes threaten biodiversity.
A University of Michigan-led research team found that toxic mercury pollution from fish carcasses reaches the deepest ocean trenches, including the Mariana Trench. The study suggests that most of this mercury comes from human activities, posing a threat to seafood safety and human health.
A study analyzing snailfish and amphipods from deep-sea trenches found high mercury concentrations, suggesting human activity contributes to ocean pollution. Mercury accumulates in fish consumed by humans, posing a health risk.
Researchers found evidence of a large volcanic cause of the largest mass extinction, with sedimentary mercury enrichments detected in rocks from the end of the Permian period. The study suggests that high-temperature volcanic combustion contributed to global warming and the loss of land and marine creatures.
Mercury concentrations in ringed seals from the Canadian Arctic have remained stable since 1977, with limited declines detected. Climate parameters may be influencing mercury accumulation in seals, according to a 45-year study.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have developed a method to fabricate large quantities of Molybdenum Disulfide (MoS2) in a controlled and tunable dimension, making it an attractive material for water treatment and various applications. The process reduces production costs by 3,000 times compared to previous methods.
Scientific research predicts large increases in mercury concentrations in Yukon River fish and water under high carbon emissions scenarios. For the low-emissions scenario, mercury concentrations are expected to increase by only about 14%.
New research estimates that mercury concentrations in fish and water of the Yukon River could double by 2100 under a high emissions scenario. If greenhouse gas emissions are not constrained, mercury concentrations may exceed EPA criterion by 2050, with significant impacts for the environment and global climate.