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.
Researchers have developed RGO-MXene membranes that exhibit high pure water permeance and improved electro-enhanced rejection performance. The membranes' wettability-regulated channels enhance water entry rates and boost rejection rates for charged species under electro-assistance.
Researchers have found a new water reservoir on the Moon, discovered in impact glass beads, which can buffer the lunar surface water cycle. The study suggests that these beads can store and release solar wind-derived water, indicating their potential for in-situ resource utilization.
A new study from the University of Surrey found that Water Safety Plans are not widely used in small drinking supplies in vulnerable rural areas due to a lack of awareness and training. This could put countless lives at risk, as these plans aim to improve the quality of small drinking water supplies.
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.
Scientists have detected water in the disk forming around a nearby protostar, V883 Ori, using ALMA. The discovery provides evidence that water in our Solar System formed billions of years before the Sun.
The study estimates that tap water scald burns result in significant healthcare costs, with average costs of $572 per emergency department visit and $28,431 per hospital stay. Thermostatic mixing valves could reduce the risk of these burns by mixing hot water with cold water.
A study found that a commercial water purifier may have caused Mycobacterium abscessus infections in 4 cardiac surgery patients due to chlorine depletion. The hospital's water system was contaminated via municipal water, emphasizing the importance of monitoring and preventing mycobacteria.
Researchers developed a multifunctional membrane that simultaneously generates electricity and purifies wastewater into drinking water. The membrane can reject over 95% of contaminants and produce continuous electricity for more than 3 hours with minimal water usage.
A new USC study found that people's concerns about severe weather are significantly more predictive of their concerns about water safety than concerns about climate change. This suggests that warning people about water safety and other environmental threats is more effective when linked to extreme weather rather than climate change.
Researchers at KAUST have developed a rapid and sensitive soil moisture sensor using metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) to optimize water usage in agriculture. The MOF-based sensor shows high sensitivity and selectivity for water even in the presence of metal ions, enabling precise irrigation management.
A sunlight-powered porous hydrogel inspired by loofahs can rapidly absorb and release purified water. The material has the potential to meet a person's daily demand, regardless of light conditions.
Researchers at Princeton University have developed a new solar absorber gel technology that can filter pollutants from water, producing almost fourfold more filtration rate than its predecessor. The device can provide enough clean water to meet daily demand in many parts of the world.
The study examines the impact of climate change and economic sustainability on drinking water management strategies. The integrated assessment framework assesses factors such as water quality, environmental changes, and potential costs to determine performance data and benchmarking.
Researchers designed and fabricated a water wave superscattering device based on degeneracy resonance, breaking the single channel scattering limit. The device achieved enhanced water wave scattering using metamaterials, promising applications in marine energy harvesting and coastal protection.
Using machine learning to study water's phase changes, researchers found strong computational evidence in support of liquid-liquid transition. This technique can be applied to real-world systems that use water, informing water's use in industrial processes and climate models.
A new study finds that areas with high levels of arsenic contamination in drinking water have a higher prevalence of antibiotic-resistant Escherichia coli in both water and child stool samples. The study highlights the potential for environmental drivers like arsenic to contribute to antimicrobial resistance.
Researchers used AI to design and test thousands of functional group patterns on a carbon nanotube pore, finding optimal arrangements that can filter out contaminants. The study demonstrates AI's potential in developing new types of water purification membranes.
A new study of thousands measures daily water intake and turnover in people worldwide, revealing significant variations. The study found that physical activity level, sex, age, and environmental factors drive differences in water consumption.
A global study of human water requirements found that water turnover varies with factors like age, climate, and body composition. The research developed an equation to predict individual water usage, with higher rates in younger adults and those with lower human development indices.
A new study published in Science found that the recommended eight 8-oz glasses of water per day is too high for human needs. Water turnover, measured objectively using a stable isotope technique, showed higher values in hot and humid environments, athletes, pregnant women, and individuals with high physical activity. The researchers de...
Researchers discovered a novel water sensing mechanism called 'Hydro-Signalling' that links hormone movement with water fluxes, enabling plant roots to pause and resume branching based on moisture availability. This adaptation helps plants survive in drought conditions and informs the development of climate-resilient crops.
A new study by the University of Gothenburg reveals that the salinity of surface water is crucial for sea ice formation at low temperatures. The study finds that warm water is prevented from rising to the surface due to its lower salinity, creating a 'lid' that allows cold polar temperatures to freeze continuously moving warmer water.
Researchers have developed a novel proposal for designing flip-flop dynamic crystals with temperature-regulated apertures to separate water isotopologues. The new material exhibits excellent separation factor and high selectivity, overcoming the century-old challenge in separation science.
A new study by Stanford University scientists reveals that beaver dams can have a significant positive impact on river water quality in the US West. The dams raise water levels, diverting nutrients and contaminants into surrounding soils, which act as filters, improving water quality.
Two billion people globally rely on mountain water for drinking and irrigation, which is under threat due to global heating. Researchers propose integrated water strategies that include scientists working directly with communities to drive climate adaptation and boost water security.
The US beef industry is found to be the least efficient at using virtual water, with a significant amount of blue water needed to produce just one ton of boneless beef. Researchers have developed a model to trace virtual water flows in beef supply chains, revealing major disconnects between consumption and production counties.
Researchers have discovered that aluminous silicas play a significant role in transporting water into the Earth's deep interior. These minerals can hold large amounts of water even at high temperatures, challenging previous assumptions about the water cycle in the mantle.
A recent study has identified key factors influencing the eating quality of hybrid rice, including single-grain composition and physicochemical indicators. The research developed a novel technology to analyze these traits, enabling rapid and nondestructive detection of high-quality rice.
Researchers developed a new global water quality model to assess current and future pollution status of rivers and streams globally. The study found that achieving the SDG target would not be enough to protect surface water quality in some regions, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.
Researchers have advanced a novel platform to accelerate the harvesting process, solving a key problem in water collection by removing thermal barriers. The design features mushroom-like channels that direct water droplets into collectible containers, allowing for continuous water harvesting anywhere.
A team of researchers has found new evidence for the presence of liquid water beneath Mars' south polar ice cap using spacecraft laser-altimeter measurements and computer model predictions. The findings agree with earlier radar data interpretations and provide independent confirmation of the existence of subglacial liquid water.
A new study by UTA hydrologist Ricardo Sánchez-Murillo has created detailed maps of Tegucigalpa's water sources, charting areas critical to recharge. These maps could help Honduras implement stricter urbanization and agriculture regulations to conserve water and protect vital landscapes.
Researchers applied a new integrated model linking surface water to groundwater to estimate water resources at high spatial resolution. The study found that irrigation increases atmospheric water loss but reduces groundwater support, especially during dry seasons.
A study by Duke University researchers found that rooftop solar cells can save a significant amount of water, with households saving an average of 16,200 gallons per year. Converting to solar in homes reduces the use of grid electricity and therefore also the volume of water used.
A study by Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ found that climate-induced deforestation can lead to a significant increase in dissolved phosphorus concentration and nitrogen levels in reservoirs. This can result in an overgrowth of diatoms and green algae, compromising water quality.
Researchers at Penn State are developing a membrane capacitive deionization (MCDI) method that uses battery- or solar-powered electricity to purify water. The method has shown promise in treating ground and brackish water, but needs improvement for more highly concentrated sources like seawater.
Researchers at KIST have developed a hybrid membrane distillation module that combines solar energy with hydrothermal heat pumps to reduce thermal energy consumption during the desalination process. The technology has shown improved production rates and reduced energy usage compared to traditional methods, making it a potential solutio...
A comprehensive review of water quality trading programs worldwide reveals that agricultural production remains largely unregulated, hindering their effectiveness. The authors suggest that nudging political will and creating regulatory drivers can help evolve water quality trading into a cost-effective pollution control instrument.
A new study from Penn State and Northwestern University finds that avoiding tap water is associated with a 20-30% increase in food insecurity among Americans. Tap water avoidance can divert funds meant for nutritious food, leading to higher reliance on prepackaged and restaurant food.
A study by Australian National University found that at least 25,245 people in remote communities had access to non-compliant drinking water services. The researchers also identified 408 locations with poor water quality, including 40% of Indigenous communities. A national drinking water database is urgently needed to address these gaps.
A new framework developed by researchers at Wayne State University aims to help state and local water authorities prioritize funding for infrastructure improvements on drinking water lead service line replacement programs. The study incorporates drinking water quality characteristics with community and environmental quality attributes,...
Researchers have successfully mapped the potential energy surfaces of individual water molecules in liquid water at room temperature and normal pressure. This breakthrough uses X-ray analysis and statistical modeling to reveal the complex behavior of water molecules, shedding light on their role as a solvent.
A new open-path mid-infrared spectrometer can precisely measure isotopologue ratios in atmospheric water vapor in under 15 minutes, offering improved accuracy for climate change modeling and air quality monitoring. The instrument's dual-comb technique enables spatially resolved studies of water vapor transport over natural ecosystems.
A new study found that water insecurity is strongly linked to food insecurity, particularly in low and middle-income countries. The research suggests that improving access to water could be key to addressing food insecurity, as water scarcity affects cooking, hygiene, and farming.
A new study reveals that the Asian Water Tower's frozen assets are melting away, with more liquid water in northern endorheic basins and less in southern exorheic basins. This imbalance is expected to pose a challenge to water supply-demand balancing in downstream regions.
A team of Australian scientists has analyzed rare earth elements in drilled reef cores to unveil a deep history of wild weather on the Great Barrier Reef. The study reveals that extreme runoff from intense monsoons affected water quality over 8,000 years ago, leading to reduced coral growth and reef decline.
Scientists at the University of Texas at Austin have developed a low-cost gel film that can pull water from the air in dry climates, producing up to 6 liters of water per day. The film uses renewable cellulose and konjac gum, making it an affordable solution for communities struggling with water shortages.
A new study predicts that agricultural water scarcity will worsen in up to 84% of croplands globally by 2050, with green water availability changing under climate change. Effective solutions include conserving agricultural water through mulching, no-till farming, and improving irrigation infrastructure.
Researchers propose a dual water and energy storage scheme to resolve the temporal mismatch between resources, reducing CO2 emissions while guaranteeing water supply. The scheme utilizes seasonal pumped hydroelectric systems to store water for irrigation during summer and hydropower generation in winter.
Researchers found that global warming is accelerating the water cycle, leading to increased storm intensity and ice melting at the poles. Satellite data revealed a significant increase in surface salinity, indicating a stronger interaction between the atmosphere and ocean.
The University of Alabama has been awarded $360 million to lead a national water effort, transforming its research into operations that improve the nation's ability to predict water-related hazards. The award will be administered by the Alabama Water Institute and establishes the Cooperative Institute for Research to Operations in Hydr...
Researchers have successfully observed reversible transitions between two liquid states of water at low temperatures and high pressures, revealing the existence of two liquid waters. This finding explains anomalous behavior in low-temperature liquid water and has implications for aqueous solutions and biomolecules.
Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have developed AquaBOT to measure water quality in mid-sized streams with precision and speed. The lab has also created a safe and effective antiviral coating for N95 masks, allowing for reuse of masks made from various fabrics. Furthermore, the lab has designed a cooking appliance that uses...
The study analyzes global land-water-gas carbon transport and budget changes, focusing on inland water carbon budget and cycle in land-sea-gas budget. Climate change drives riverine-based carbon transport processes, while anthropogenic activities affect carbon sources, cycling, and budgets.
A team of high school students, led by science teacher Rebecca Bushway, designed an inexpensive filter attachment that removes lead from tap water. The filter uses a biodegradable plastic cartridge with a built-in indicator that turns the water yellow when lead is present.
This study analyzes the long-term trend of summer water vapor and its mechanism over the Tibetan Plateau, finding notable increasing trends in water vapor content and net water vapor budget. The results project significant future changes in water vapor and precipitation over the plateau under global warming.
A study published in PLOS Water found that office buildings with low-consumption plumbing may experience chemical and microbiological safety issues due to weekend stagnation. The research highlights the need for regular water testing in commercial buildings, even those designed as 'green' to reduce water consumption.
A study from the University of California, Davis, found that reducing leaks in urban water systems can be a highly effective and cost-competitive method for saving water. The research suggests that leak reduction is the most cost-effective tool in an urban water manager's toolkit, with estimated savings of $277 per acre-foot.
Higher elevation mountain forests are using more water on average during droughts, reducing water availability downstream for cities and wildlife. Researchers found that these forests tend to be located above 3,280 feet and have increased water use due to rising temperatures and changes in tree species composition.