Yu Yang's NSF-funded research aims to reduce vehicle emissions and promote the use of electric bikes and scooters by developing socially informed traffic signal control systems. The project involves a three-pronged method that uses low-cost mobile air-quality sensing, spatial-temporal graph diffusion learning, and reinforcement learnin...
A new report highlights Africa's deteriorating air quality, with particulate matter concentration levels five to ten times the World Health Organisation's recommended level. The researchers call for collective efforts, regionally tailored solutions, and global collaboration to tackle this issue.
Researchers have created a hierarchically porous bifunctional catalyst that enhances the transport of reactants and products in zinc-air batteries. The pyrolysis-free strategy allows for improved durability and efficiency, making it an important step towards commercializing this technology.
Researchers have developed a high-performance magnesium-air primary battery using nitrogen-doped nanoporous graphene as air electrodes, offering superior performance to platinum cathode-based batteries. The battery's porous electrode structure facilitates air transport and prevents rapid corrosion of the Mg electrode.
A study using Google Street View cars found hyper-local air pollution hotspots in the Salt Lake Valley, revealing spatial variability and environmental justice issues. The research identified pollution emission sources off-road from traffic and industrial areas.
Researchers at DESY have developed a method to deflect laser beams in air without contact, preserving the beam's quality. The technique uses acoustic density waves to create an invisible grating that changes the direction of the laser light.
A model has been developed to estimate the changes in air radiation dose rates caused by rainfall, enabling accurate quantification of long-term decreasing trend of air dose rates. The study found that increased soil moisture content provides enhanced radiation shielding effect, leading to post-rainfall decrease in air dose rates.
A new approach reduces computational demands by 84% and enables daily estimation of emissions for major pollutants in urban areas. This leads to a notable 7.1% reduction in root mean square errors in 7-day PM2.5 forecasts, contributing to healthier air for all.
Researchers developed a 'lab-on-a-drone' system to detect and analyze pollutants like hydrogen sulfide gas. The device was used to track air quality at a wastewater treatment plant, providing real-time monitoring of smelly H2S gas concentrations.
Replacing combustion engines with electric vehicles in Chicago would significantly reduce air pollution, especially in predominantly Black, Hispanic, and Latinx neighborhoods. The study found that electrification of all on-road vehicles could save over 1,000 lives and $10 billion annually.
A new study by University of Illinois economist David Molitor and colleagues found that air pollution via wildfire smoke increases suicide risk among rural populations in the US. Exposure to poor air quality leads to higher rates of suicide, particularly among rural white males and adults with no college education.
Researchers found a significant association between high particulate matter exposure and an 8% increase in breast cancer incidence among US women. The study, which considered historical air quality data, suggests that fine particulate matter may affect breast cancer through endocrine disruption.
A new study by Edith Cowan University has discovered zinc-air batteries as a superior alternative to lithium-ion, offering low costs, environmental benefits, and high theoretical energy density. The breakthrough redesigns the batteries using natural resources like zinc from Australia and air, enhancing their viability for sustainable e...
Researchers used AI and mobility data to enhance air pollution models, improving accuracy by an average of 17.5% and identifying hotspots with high PM2.5 levels. This integrated approach can inform targeted health alerts and safety measures for areas with poor air quality.
A study led by Prof. Yinchang Feng finds that China's recent changes in air quality were primarily driven by emission reduction efforts, particularly the control of coal-related combustion emissions. However, the pace of PM2.5 reduction slowed down in some cities, and ozone pollution worsened in others.
A study by the University of Surrey found that dual ventilation systems can cut harmful air pollution in half compared to normal ventilation. The research measured particulate matter, carbon dioxide, and thermal comfort across 30 London classrooms, revealing significant increases in pollutants during occupancy.
A Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health study found that chronic exposure to fine particulate air pollutants (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) increases the risk of colorectal and prostate cancers in older adults. NO2 exposure was also associated with an increased risk of breast cancer, while PM2.5 exposure had mixed results.
A new study suggests that controlling air pollution could reduce antibiotic resistance, which is responsible for 480,000 premature deaths annually. The analysis indicates a significant link between PM2.5 levels and antibiotic resistance globally.
A study by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that chronic exposure to fine particulate air pollutants (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) may increase non-lung cancer risk in older adults, with significant associations with colorectal and prostate cancers.
A study led by ISGlobal found that moving to areas with higher levels of air pollution was associated with a small increase in body mass index in young children. The effect was stronger in preschool- and primary school children, and independent of socioeconomic status.
Researchers assessed air quality after a freight train derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, finding hazardous gases like acrolein reached dangerous levels. The study highlights the importance of complementary stationary and mobile air-quality assessment techniques to ensure public safety during cleanup activities.
A study finds that China's aerosol reductions under carbon neutrality will cause temperature increases of 0.2-0.5 K over eastern China in the near-term future, with annual mean precipitation enhanced over southern China. In the long-term future, air temperature is projected to increase by up to 0.5 K due to clean air actions.
Researchers in China have developed a new theoretical framework to understand and predict air pollution, highlighting the complexity of coal combustion and vehicle exhaust interactions. The Air Pollution Complex is a holistic approach that considers multiple emission sources and chemical processes.
Researchers found an astonishing record of biodiversity trapped on air quality filter samples in the UK, including over 180 plant and animal species. The study suggests that existing air quality monitoring networks could be used to track terrestrial biodiversity on a continental scale.
A new, energy-efficient approach to removing CO2 directly from air has been developed at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and licensed to Holocene. The technology uses an aqueous solution containing receptors called Bis-iminoguanidine to absorb carbon dioxide, which can then be stored deep underground.
A study by University of Technology Sydney found that plants can remove 97% of toxic compounds, including cancer-causing pollutants, from indoor air in just eight hours. This breakthrough discovery highlights the critical role played by indoor plants and green walls in improving air quality.
Researchers propose integrating climate change mitigation and air pollution control for improved air quality in China. The study identifies significant synergies between reducing fossil fuel consumption and carbon emissions.
Researchers at Tohoku University have developed a zinc-air battery with an open circuit voltage of over 2V, overcoming the major bottleneck for metal-air batteries. By arranging acidic/alkaline electrolytes in tandem, they were able to generate a higher voltage and improve output power density.
A study found that air pollution, especially polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, increases neuroinflammation and worsens movement disorders in mice with ischemic strokes. This suggests that air pollution may be a contributing factor to decreased prognosis in stroke patients.
A new study found that air pollution from the oil and gas sector has substantial adverse impacts on air quality and human health, resulting in 7,500 excess deaths, 410,000 asthma attacks, and $77 billion in annual health costs. The pollutants nitrogen oxide, fine particulate matter, and ozone from U.S. oil and gas production were respo...
A new study suggests that increased exposure to air pollution may be associated with first hospital admissions for acute kidney injury. The research found a link between PM2.5, NO2, and O3 exposure and an increased risk of AKI, even at low annual exposures.
A large Chinese study found that acute air pollution exposure is associated with an increased risk of arrhythmia, with the strongest link seen in atrial flutter and supraventricular tachycardia. Exposure to pollutants like nitrogen dioxide was found to persist for up to 24 hours after initial exposure.
A new paper proposes solidifying air as a medium to reduce energy consumption and costs in transporting hydrogen by sea. The process, called Solid Air Hydrogen Liquefaction (SAHL), has the potential to lower energy consumption for liquefying hydrogen by 25-50%.
The Barcelona Supercomputing Center's new AI method combines CALIOPE-Urban predictions with urban data to provide accurate air quality maps and predict pollution limit exceedances. The study identifies the Eixample district as the worst-affected area in Barcelona, highlighting the need for effective policies to improve air quality.
A new study reveals an association between poor air quality in India and impaired cognition in infants under two. The study found that air quality was poorer in homes that used solid cooking materials like cow dung cake, and that reducing cooking emissions could have benefits to infants' emerging cognitive abilities.
A recent MIT study finds that shutting down nuclear power could significantly increase air pollution, with up to 5,200 premature deaths estimated. The study reveals that fossil fuel sources would fill the gap, leading to increased health risks, especially for Black or African American communities.
Research finds exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) air pollution is associated with a heightened risk of dementia, with a 4% increase in risk for every 2 micrograms per cubic metre increase in average annual PM2.5 concentration. Nitrogen dioxide and nitrogen oxide exposure also show a small increased risk.
The University of Liverpool has signed a 5-year agreement with the Mama Doing Good Foundation, Kenya Medical Research Institute, and other partners to reduce household air pollution in Kenya. The partnership aims to train 130,000 Kenyan community health workers to prevent household air pollution and improve community health.
A study published in Health Affairs found that German hospitals with high quality ratings were more likely to decrease their quality levels, while those with low ratings improved. The authors recommend increasing public access to hospital quality information and promoting its use among referring physicians to drive quality improvement.
A new high-resolution simulation shows different pollutants accumulate along highways and over Lake Michigan, affecting communities in distinct ways. The study provides a detailed, neighborhood-by-neighborhood estimate of air pollution, highlighting areas that need targeted solutions to address poor air quality.
A new study found that stronger air pollution rules would lower premature death risks for all Americans, but particularly those from marginalized communities. Lowering PM2.5 levels to 8 μg/m3 could reduce mortality rates by 4% for White higher-income adults and up to 7% for Black higher-income and low-income adults.
Researchers are using air flow modeling and simulations to understand how pathogens transport through spaces, shedding light on the impact of building design on human health. The study aims to develop interdisciplinary ventilation strategies to mitigate microbe spread and improve disease prevention.
Researchers from USTC introduced a 'bubble diode' concept to address the issue of bubble precipitation in fast-charging Zn-air batteries. The design guides the development of bubble-free electrodes, leading to improved energy density, safety and environmental friendliness.
A study found that self-reported sleep quality is significantly associated with quality of life for individuals over time and when comparing between people. High-quality sleep improves quality of life regardless of sleep duration or timing.
Researchers developed a deep learning model that provides improved predictions of air quality in wildfire-prone areas, distinguishing between wildfires and non-wildfires. The ST-Transformer model uses sparse attention to prioritize relevant information and captures trends associated with wildfires.
A cheap charcoal air filter can significantly improve in-vehicle air quality, reducing nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels by up to 90%. The study found that NO2 concentrations were on average 14.3 times lower with activated carbon filters fitted compared to pollen filters.
A study by University of Gothenburg found that conifer trees are generally better at purifying air from gaseous pollutants, while broadleaved trees excel at capturing particle-bound pollution. The researchers analyzed leaves and needles from eleven different tree species to determine which ones absorb air pollutants most effectively.
A new study by PSE Healthy Energy and the University of California, Berkeley aims to investigate the relationship between exposure to air pollution, heat, and humidity with birth outcomes. The research will analyze disparities in local exposure across the region and develop targeted solutions to protect vulnerable populations.
A Kaiser Permanente study of 3.7 million adults found long-term exposure to fine particle air pollution increases the risk of heart attacks and cardiovascular disease, especially in neighborhoods with lower socioeconomic status. The research lends support for strengthening air quality standards to protect public health.
A new study published in the European Respiratory Journal reports that children's lung capacity has improved in areas with decreased air pollution in Stockholm. The researchers found a 20% lower risk of significantly impaired lung function in participants living in areas with better air quality.
A novel air filter made from corn protein has been developed that can capture small particulates and toxic chemicals like formaldehyde. The filter, which uses functional groups to grab molecules, shows promise for improving air quality in regions with poor air pollution.
A recent study by the University of Surrey found that classrooms have higher levels of air pollution, particularly coarse particles and CO2, than outdoor areas. The researchers recommend installing real-time pollutant monitoring devices and strategic placement of air purifiers to minimize these levels.
Researchers developed a new method for measuring indoor air quality using transgenic nematode strains that produce fluorescence when exposed to harmful pollutants. The amount of fluorescence can be measured and used to detect various impurities in the air, including fungal samples, surfactants, and volatile compounds.
A study by MIT researchers found that chess players perform worse and make more errors when exposed to high levels of fine particulate matter in the air. The probability of error increases by 2.1 percentage points, while the magnitude of those errors rises by 10.8%. Cleaner air leads to clearer heads and sharper thinking.
Measurements taken by University of Copenhagen researchers show high air pollution levels in the Copenhagen metro, with ultra-small particles 10-20 times higher than on heavily trafficked streets. The pollution comes mainly from trains' brakes and rails, posing a health risk to frequent users.
Researchers at UMD successfully guided light in a 45-meter-long air waveguide, creating a high-density core to guide a laser. The technique utilizes ultra-short laser pulses to create a plasma that heats the air, expanding it and leaving a low-density path behind.
Researchers at NYU Grossman School of Medicine found that subway stations near river tunnels have significantly higher concentrations of hazardous particles in the air. The study suggests increasing ventilation and cleaning efforts to improve air quality in these areas.
A research team investigated NPF events in Beijing's atmosphere, discovering regional transport plays a vital role in creating 'polluted' NPF events. These events significantly impact air quality, climate, and human health, highlighting the importance of joint air pollution control measures.
A study by Brown University and Silent Spring Institute found that inexpensive DIY air filters called Corsi-Rosenthal boxes can significantly decrease indoor air concentrations of PFAS and phthalates. The boxes, made from MERV-13 filters, duct tape, a fan, and cardboard, reduced PFAS levels by 40% to 60% and phthalates by 30% to 60%.
A recent study published in Scientific Reports found ultrafine magnetic iron oxide particles in London Underground air pollution, with average diameter of 10 nanometres. The authors propose that improved air pollution monitoring and efforts to reduce pollution levels could help mitigate health risks associated with exposure to these pa...