Researchers have developed a simple, biodegradable ground cover that keeps soil wet longer and increases crop yields. The wax-coated sand barrier decreased soil moisture loss by up to 50-80% and improved plant growth, including increased fruit and grain production.
Researchers found that big trees provide a doughnut-shaped zone surrounding them where snowpack can endure, benefiting forests with sparse precipitation. The study suggests conserving healthy and large tree species can help retain snow on the ground.
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.
Scientists in Saudi Arabia developed a solar-driven system that uses hydrogel to condense water from air while generating electricity. The system successfully grew spinach in a hot climate, producing over 2 liters of water and 1,519 watt-hours of electricity.
A recent study by USGS and UPR Mayagüez researchers documented over 300 landslides and severe liquefaction in southern coastal regions after the magnitude 6.4 earthquake. The data provides a valuable resource for Puerto Rico, which lacks an island-wide hazard map for earthquake-triggered landslides or liquefaction.
A study by Politecnico di Milano reveals that large-scale land acquisitions for agriculture lead to increased water scarcity, impacting local users. The research analyzed 160 acquisitions and found that 105 resulted in competition for water, often at the expense of local communities.
A new analysis reveals that approximately 1.3 million Californians, or nearly 3.5% of the population, rely on domestic wells for their water supply, while 370,000 more may be served by contaminated community water systems. Communities of color are disproportionately affected by drinking water contamination.
Researchers studied electron transport through a single water molecule in a C60 cage, revealing multiple tunneling-induced excited states. The findings suggest the transition between ortho- and para-water occurs simultaneously within a minute.
Researchers developed a virtual walking system that uses 360° videos and scene-congruent foot vibrations to improve sensations of walking and perception of ground materials. The system was found to enhance walking-related sensations and telepresence, particularly in indoor corridors and snowy ground scenes.
Marquette University has received a two-year, $3.8 million grant from the U.S. Department of Defense to develop novel technologies for protecting the environment and providing clean drinking water. The 'In Defense of Water' program will focus on four areas: water reuse, disinfection, PFAS removal, and water data fusion.
A team of researchers found evidence that solar wind altered the chemical composition of ancient asteroid grains, producing water molecules and providing a possible source for Earth's oceans. The discovery could help future space missions find sources of water on airless worlds.
Researchers developed a tool to monitor and predict water losses in waterfalls based on their soundscapes, allowing environmental managers to balance water diversion and preservation. The study highlights the importance of maintaining a minimum threshold of water flow for waterfall appearance and sound.
A new dataset from Canterbury earthquakes provides over 15,000 case histories for liquefaction, significantly augmenting model training and testing. The dataset enhances hazard assessments and improves engineering solutions in earthquake recovery, benefiting society as a whole.
Researchers emphasize the need for monitoring drinking water for HIV medications, as they can contaminate rivers and streams through wastewater. The lack of regulation on pharmaceuticals in wastewater treatment plants poses a significant challenge in ensuring safe drinking water.
A new technology uses compressed coal blocks to purify seawater and produce fresh water, potentially benefiting millions of people worldwide. The system is powered by sunlight and can produce enough water for a family of four, making it a viable solution for economic water shortages.
Researchers found that Barbary ground squirrels in the Canary Islands rely on synchronized vigilance as their main defense mechanism against predators. They spend a significant amount of time watching each other and scanning their surroundings to detect threats.
A team of scientists found that technology adoption as a water-saving method for improving irrigation efficiency is ineffective and can worsen water scarcity. The study suggests that modern irrigation technologies may only achieve a 10-20% saving under ideal conditions.
A new analysis found US states with water shutoff moratoria had significantly lower daily COVID-19 infection and death rates. Comprehensive moratoriums resulted in even greater reductions, suggesting universal access to water can help prevent public health crises.
Research by Michigan State University scientists highlights the importance of balancing built and green infrastructure to address water insecurities and climate change. The study found that natural infrastructure, such as protected forests and wetlands, plays a crucial role in sustaining freshwater flows to cities.
Dawn Martin-Hill, a Canadian cultural anthropologist, has been recognized for her research on the link between water quality, security, and Indigenous community culture and livelihood. Her work focuses on improving water access for the Six Nations of the Grand River, the largest Native reserve in Canada.
The Bureau of Reclamation has awarded $3.1 million in grants to develop improved water data, modeling and forecasting capabilities for water managers in western states. The selected projects will provide accurate and reliable information to support informed decision-making in a changing climate.
A study found that water dispensers could be a source of organophosphate ester exposure, with OPEs detected in the majority of samples. The researchers estimated daily consumption levels to be below health-risk thresholds, but highlighted the need for future research on suitable tubing materials.
Researchers directly observe hydrogen bonds in water for the first time, revealing effects that could explain water's strange properties and inform life on Earth. The study uses SLAC's MeV-UED to detect subtle molecular movements, providing a new window into understanding water's role in chemical and biological processes.
Researchers at TU Wien developed a model to assess the impact of heavy rainfall and flooding on water quality in riverine floodplains, which are essential for drinking water supplies. The model aims to reduce faecal contaminants from human and animal waste, ensuring safe extraction of drinking water.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin tracked water storage in 14 major US aquifers over 15 years, finding that irrigation habits can be managed more effectively in humid regions. The study highlights the importance of surface water in replenishing groundwater, which helps dampen the impacts of irrigation.
A new study from MIT reveals Egypt will import more virtual water than the Nile can provide if current trends continue, threatening the country's water security. The research proposes shifting production to lower-water crops and improving irrigation methods to sustainably manage resources.
Researchers produce aqueous solution with metallic properties for the first time by dropping a tiny droplet of liquid alkali metal alloy into water. The resulting 'metallic water' exhibits characteristic spectroscopic properties, including a golden glow and conduction band.
A miniature radar device, MAPrad, can scan almost twice as deeply below ground as existing technology, identifying minerals, ice deposits, and voids like lava tubes. The device will be tested at the Undara caves in Australia to map one of Earth's largest accessible systems of lava tubes.
Elite runners exhibit 'stiffer' spring-mass systems with steeper impact angles, spending more time in the air and less on the ground. This may allow for better energy recycling and improved performance.
Researchers developed a synthetic tree to enhance solar steam generation, which can turn solar energy into heat to harvest drinking water. The tree overcomes the limit in capillary force by mimicking transpiration, allowing for increased efficiency and scalability.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University found that water generated from air in urban areas complies with drinking water standards. The study showed that wind direction affects water quality and identified distant sources of air pollution in the water.
Researchers have demonstrated cooling a large-scale object to nearly the motional quantum ground state, increasing sensitivity in detecting gravitational waves. The method achieved an average phonon occupation of 10.8, suppressing quantum back-action noise by 11 orders of magnitude.
Research suggests that more efficient water management, technology, and infrastructure can help achieve development goals in the world's drylands. This study concludes that coherent system-oriented policies and institutions are necessary to support climate change adaptation efforts.
Researchers used gravity-defying rock formations to determine the peak ground accelerations that could topple them, setting new design ground motion values for the Clyde Dam. The new values are similar to those used when the dam was built in the 1980s, but with a reduced risk due to modern regulations.
The Mains to Rains website aims to reduce water dependence in gardens by providing tips on saving water such as installing water butts and mulch. The site is part of a KTP between Cranfield and the RHS to promote improved water management practices.
The Agriculture Sector Technology Roadmap addresses treating and reusing water in agricultural applications, such as irrigation and meat processing. The roadmap identifies various areas of opportunity for using non-traditional water, including recycling drainage from crop fields.
Research suggests that earthquakes magnitude 5.0 and larger could cause ground displacement and liquefaction in Salt Lake City, increasing the risk of earthquake-related building damage. The study identified a complex zone of folding and faulting beneath downtown Salt Lake City, which may deform the ground during a large earthquake.
An international team of researchers has developed a way to replicate a natural process that moves water between cells, mimicking the functions of aquaporins in our bodies. The new channels can carry water faster than current membranes while excluding protons and unwanted molecules.
Researchers developed DeepShake, a deep spatiotemporal neural network trained on over 36,000 earthquakes, which analyzes seismic signals in real time and provides advanced warnings of strong shaking. The model was tested using the 2019 Ridgecrest earthquake, sending simulated alerts up to 13 seconds prior to high-intensity ground shaking.
Researchers are using 3D printed models to study ground motion after earthquakes, providing a novel platform for seismic experiments. The models replicate complex topographical features and allow scientists to simulate how seismic waves interact with the Earth's surface.
Researchers at Georgia Tech will lead a five-year, $15M NASA grant to develop strategies for testing high-power electric propulsion systems. The Joint Advanced Propulsion Institute (JANUS) aims to overcome infrastructure challenges and create accurate data translation for space travel.
Researchers have developed a novel method to detect and manipulate the terahertz optoacoustic signal of water, enabling sensitive detection of solutes like ions with an order of magnitude greater sensitivity than traditional spectroscopy. This breakthrough allows for nondestructive analysis of aqueous solutions and tissues, opening up ...
A new study measures US diets' water scarcity footprints, with meat consumption accounting for 31% of the impacts. The top contributor is beef, followed by tree nuts and high-water-intensity fruits and vegetables.
Researchers at UniSA have developed a cost-effective method to derive freshwater from seawater or contaminated water through efficient solar evaporation, delivering up to 20 litres of fresh water per square metre per day. The system is built using simple, everyday materials and requires minimal maintenance.
The Bureau of Reclamation released final technical reports supporting the Water Reliability in the West - 2021 SECURE Water Act Report, assessing climate change impacts on 17 western states. The reports provide detailed information on adaptation strategies to increase water supply reliability.
Researchers at Shinshu University developed an affordable portable sensor using lanthanide metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) to detect fluoride levels in drinking water. The device is compatible with local populations and can be produced locally, aiming to improve access to safe water and sanitation for all
A new invention uses sunlight to drive water purification, filtering out lead, oil and pathogens from contaminated water. The device can operate off-grid and is cost-effective and environmentally friendly.
A new study reveals that regional water scarcity has far-reaching impacts on the global economy, with changes in global demand affecting river basins worldwide. The research found positive and negative economic outcomes in every region considered, depending on factors like water supply and agricultural production.
Researchers from McGill University warn of worsening water scarcity in rural Alaska due to climate change. Households often rely on rainwater catchment and grey water recycling, but affordability remains a significant issue, with costs exceeding household income.
A study co-developed with local stakeholders explores regional water scenarios to facilitate rational water resource planning in the extended Lake Victoria Basin. The analysis suggests that water use and withdrawal will increase significantly due to population and GDP growth, coupled with climate change.
Researchers found nearly two-thirds of wells have water levels below nearest stream, indicating rivers are leaking into aquifers. The phenomenon, exacerbated by human activity, may worsen in decades, with some rivers potentially disappearing, impacting downstream communities and ecosystems.
A new study suggests that up to 99% of Mars' initial water was incorporated into minerals and buried in the planet's crust, not lost to space. Researchers used observational data and modeling to resolve long-standing contradictions about Martian water loss rates.
A new study reveals that humans use 30% to 50% less water per day than chimpanzees and gorillas. This finding suggests an ancient shift in the human body's ability to conserve water, enabling early humans to venture farther from streams in search of food.
A public-private partnership in Monterey/Salinas has developed a novel water recycling program using urban stormwater runoff, irrigation drainage, food processing water, and traditional municipal wastewater. The recycled water supplies one-third of all drinking water on the Monterey Peninsula while providing irrigation water for high-v...
This study introduces a new method using terrestrial laser scanning to monitor changes in leaf water content of tree communities. The technique allows for the measurement and monitoring of leaf water content with increased accuracy.
A study of 850,000 Danish pregnancies found that nitrate in maternal drinking water was associated with lower birth weights and smaller body lengths, highlighting a critical data gap in current water standards for nitrate.
Researchers at NUS have created a substance that extracts water from air without external power, producing up to 17 litres of water per day. The 'smart' aerogel autonomously gathers and condenses water molecules, meeting World Health Organization standards for drinking water.