New research reveals record amounts of mercury released into waterways through thawing permafrost, contaminating downstream ecosystems. Climate change exacerbates the issue, highlighting the need for further study on mercury cycling and its impact on Arctic food webs.
Researchers found that burned forest material can sequester mercury, preventing its release into waterways. Black ash from low-intensity burns contained similar amounts of mercury as unburned vegetation and white ash from high-intensity burns had higher levels in a non-reactive form.
Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology have developed a new electrochemical process to clean mercury from water, reducing its content by over 99%. The technique uses a platinum electrode to form an alloy with mercury, creating a stable and recyclable material.
Researchers found that yelloweye rockfish have difficulty removing toxic mercury from sensitive liver cells, which can cause damage. The study highlights the potential risks of contaminants on this threatened species, with conservation efforts underway to protect them.
Researchers found that higher lead and mercury levels in the blood were associated with increased levels of bad cholesterol and total cholesterol. The study suggests a potential link between heavy metal exposure and cardiovascular disease.
A new MIT study finds that every five-year delay in reducing mercury emissions results in a 14% decrease in the effectiveness of policy measures, with remote regions suffering most. The researchers used modeling to estimate legacy emissions and found that delays lead to an accumulation of toxic mercury in the environment.
Researchers at RUDN University found the mercury test ambiguous and required additional control experiments to verify results. This discovery may lead to reevaluating existing experimental data and improving catalysis mechanisms in chemical reactions.
A recent study found that there is a correlation between invisible dark matter particles and melanoma, with 1-10% of diagnoses showing a short periodicity coinciding with the orbital period of Mercury. The research proposes that streaming invisible dark matter may be interacting with the human body.
A systematic review and meta-analysis found exposure to arsenic, lead, cadmium, and copper increases the risk of coronary heart disease and cardiovascular disease. The study suggests that even low doses of toxic chemicals pose a significant risk to cardiovascular health, highlighting the need for policymakers to take action to reduce p...
A comprehensive analysis of the evidence found exposure to toxic metals like arsenic, lead, copper, and cadmium to be associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. The study suggests that these metals may be an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease, even at relatively low levels of exposure.
A new uncertainty relation has been discovered, linking the precision of temperature measurements to quantum mechanics. This discovery establishes a connection between quantum uncertainty and the accuracy of nanoscale thermometers.
Scientists are testing a NASA-coated material to reduce mercury vapor and other contaminants in the Smithsonian Institution's cultural artifacts and natural-science specimens. The Molecular Adsorber Coating (MAC) is being evaluated for its effectiveness in protecting the over 54-million collection items.
Research shows that Kodiak brown bears can consume up to 2 tons of fish in one summer by syncing their stream-to-stream movements with salmon spawning patterns. This study links actual bear consumption to their foraging behavior and movements, highlighting the importance of diverse salmon populations.
Researchers have found that traditional Tibetan medicine (TTM) contains high levels of mercury and methylmercury, with Tibetans exposed to 34-fold higher daily intake than in regions specializing in mercury mining. This exposure results in the release of significant amounts of total mercury into municipal sewage and the environment.
Researchers found that ultra-high-strength MRI releases high levels of mercury from amalgam fillings, but lower strength MRI does not cause significant leakage. The study suggests further research is needed to evaluate the relationship between high-field MRI and mercury release.
A new device developed by the University of Bath and Universidad de los Andes has been tested with an indigenous community in Colombia, providing a simple and real-time way to test water systems. The device measures key physico-chemical variables and monitors heavy metals, aiming to prevent the spread of water-borne diseases.
Researchers from TU Wien discovered that solar wind particles can cause drastic effects on rock surfaces, leading to an 'exosphere' of shattered atoms. The findings are crucial for the ESA mission BepiColombo, which aims to study Mercury's composition using this exosphere.
A study published by The Endocrine Society found that couples who eat more seafood tend to get pregnant faster. Seafood consumption was associated with a higher frequency of sexual activity and shorter time to pregnancy, suggesting other biological factors may be at play.
A major study on pregnant women's fish consumption found no link between mercury exposure and autism. Mercury was only associated with poor social cognition in mothers who avoided eating fish. The study confirms current advice for pregnant women to eat fish at least twice a week is safe.
The American Heart Association advises consuming two servings of non-fried fish per week to reduce heart failure and coronary heart disease risk. Eating oily fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids substantially outweighs any risks associated with mercury contamination.
Rochester Institute of Technology faculty Jing Zhang has received a CAREER award from the National Science Foundation to develop high-efficiency ultraviolet light sources. Her research could advance applications in photolithography, 3D printing, environmental purification systems and chemical sensing.
A study found that pangasius contains high levels of mercury, exceeding European limits. Researchers recommend avoiding the fish due to its low nutritional value and potential health risks, especially in children.
A new technique using sound waves to levitate water droplets improves the detection of heavy metal contaminants like lead and mercury. The method, combining laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS), can detect very low levels of contaminants in real-time on-site.
A study by Université de Montréal researchers found that 38% of countries' populations are exposed to methylmercury levels higher than safe for foetal development, with high-risk areas including the Maldives and South Korea. Industrial fishing has increased mercury exposure, especially in coastal and island nations.
A study published in Geology suggests that major volcanism led to the late Devonian extinction event, marked by a sharp increase in mercury levels in rocks from Morocco, Germany, and northern Russia. The discovery provides new evidence for the role of volcanism in mass extinctions.
A new study published in Earth and Planetary Science Letters estimates Mercury's crust to be 16 miles thick and denser than aluminum. This finding supports the theory that Mercury's crust formed largely through volcanic activity, shedding light on the planet's formation.
Increasing temperatures and mercury pollution shift female-to-male ratios in snapping turtles, favoring male offspring in agricultural habitats. Field experiments found that temperature profiles and soil moisture content influenced sex determination, while mercury levels correlated with the development of more male offspring.
Researchers found that plasmoid reconnection in Mercury's magnetotail could accelerate energetic electrons, solving a puzzle left by previous space missions. The study also revealed that turbulence enhances reconnection, leading to improved predictions for future missions like Bepi-Colombo.
A study published in Frontiers in Environmental Science detected cadmium, mercury, and lead in high concentrations in plastic debris collected from Lake Geneva's beaches. The presence of toxic elements reflects the age of the plastic litter, which could be decades old.
Astronomers have detected an Earth-sized planet with a density similar to Mercury's, located 260 million light years away. K2-229b orbits a medium-sized active star and reaches temperatures of over 2000°C.
The US has seen significant improvements in air and water quality since the Clean Air and Clean Water Acts were enacted in the 1970s. Long-term monitoring programs have tracked declines in pollutants like sulfur, nitrogen, mercury, and lead, leading to benefits for human health, economies, and environments.
Researchers developed a water-stable MOF/polymer composite that can remove over 1.6 times its own weight of mercury and 40% of its weight in lead from contaminated water samples. The material was tested in solutions with lead levels similar to those found in Flint, Michigan, and reduced lead concentrations to 2 parts per billion.
Researchers have developed a new method for removing heavy metals like lead and mercury from water using metal organic frameworks (MOFs). The MOF composite can quickly and selectively remove high amounts of toxic materials from real-world water samples, down to levels deemed drinkable by health organizations.
Scientists have created a new way to measure the temperature of materials at the nanoscale using electron energy gain spectroscopy. This technique promises to advance microelectronic devices and semiconducting materials by mapping atomic-scale vibrations due to heat.
A Duke University-led study has found dangerous levels of mercury and methylmercury near artisanal gold mines in Senegal, contaminating soils, sediments, and rivers. Mercury poisoning can cause various health impacts, including tremors, muscle weakness, and birth defects.
A study by ISGlobal found high concentrations of mercury, cadmium and lead in people living close to the North Peruvian oil pipeline. The study, which assessed 130 individuals, revealed that 50% had mercury levels above safe threshold values, with children under 10 showing the highest risk.
A new study reveals that northern permafrost soils store nearly twice as much mercury as all other soils, the ocean, and the atmosphere combined. The discovery has significant implications for understanding the global mercury cycle and potential environmental consequences of thawing permafrost.
Mercury is a toxic contaminant with significant health risks to humans and wildlife, primarily through methylmercury in fish consumption. The international treaty on mercury, the Minamata Convention, has been ratified by 84 nations, emphasizing the need for scientific understanding to inform policy decisions.
A team of researchers used wild rice as a 'canary in a coal mine' to discover sulfate's conversion into toxic sulfide, harming fish and ecosystems. Human activities like mining, sewage, and fertilizers release sulfate, which accelerates decomposition and increases mercury contamination.
A study led by Michigan Technological University explores mercury pollution in the Great Lakes, particularly in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The research focuses on policy scenarios to reduce mercury emissions and provides insights into regional remediation efforts and fish safety for local communities.
A NASA team studied the motion of Mercury to indirectly measure the Sun's mass loss and solar parameters. The research improved upon earlier predictions, reducing uncertainty and providing a more accurate estimate of the rate of solar mass loss.
A study using American dippers found that run-of-river dams can cause a spike in methylmercury levels due to reservoir formation and temperature increases. However, no significant differences were observed between regulated and unregulated streams in terms of mercury levels.
Pregnant women who consume high-dose omega-3 fatty acids daily during the 3rd trimester are less likely to develop asthma in their children. Researchers recommend 8-12 ounces of low mercury fish per week for similar benefits.
Recent research reveals that some infant rice cereal samples tested for high amounts of methylmercury, posing health risks to babies who consume them. The study found rice-based cereals had significantly higher levels of the substance compared to products with no rice.
Researchers successfully created a hybrid WO3-TiO2 nanotubes film using electrochemical anodization, achieving high photocatalytic reduction performance. The film's high specific surface area and geometric surface area factor contribute to enhanced light absorption and charge carrier generation.
Professor Graham Hutchings' groundbreaking work on gold catalysis has led to the development of a substitute for mercury, significantly reducing environmental harm. The gold catalyst has replaced mercury in PVC production, meeting international regulations and benefiting human health.
Researchers have found that small collisions between comets and Mercury's surface create a lopsided bombardment of tiny dust particles, influencing the planet's very thin atmosphere called an exosphere. The study suggests that specific types of comets, such as Jupiter-family and Halley-type, contribute to this phenomenon.
A new study led by Brown University researchers found evidence for large surface ice deposits on Mercury's north pole and smaller-scale deposits scattered around the pole. The research adds significantly to Mercury's ice inventory, potentially doubling it.
A German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment study found that people perceive synthetic substances and heavy metals as greater health risks than natural contaminants like mercury and dioxin. Awareness about lesser-known contaminants like pyrrolizidine alkaloids and arsenic is low, particularly among younger populations.
Researchers measured the effect of low-level mercury concentrations on microalga gene expression, revealing widespread deregulation of genes involved in various processes. This study provides insight into the environmental and public health implications of mercury's entry into the food chain.
Scientists at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz isolate and analyze gold in the rare +II oxidation state for the first time. The stabilization of this labile ion is achieved by a porphyrin macrocycle, allowing researchers to investigate its unique properties and behavior.
Scientists will use twin telescopes on NASA's WB-57F jet planes to capture high-resolution images of the Sun's outer atmosphere and thermal images of Mercury. The observations aim to study coronal heating and temperature variation across Mercury's surface.
The Envirobot robot uses chemical, physical and biological sensors to map variations in water conductivity and temperature, detecting heavy metals like mercury. Biological sensors comprising bacteria, crustaceans and fish cells indicate water toxicity.
Molting feathers help birds quickly eliminate mercury accumulation and reduce concentrations in tissues. This process may be key to mitigating environmental contaminant effects on bird populations.
A new study by UMass Lowell researchers has identified gaseous mercury as the major source of pollution in the Arctic tundra. The findings reveal that airborne mercury is gathering in the region's soil and ultimately running off into waters, posing a significant threat to human health and wildlife.
A Danish-led study found that microbes in Greenland's ice sheet can resist and degrade globally-emitted pollutants like mercury, lead, and PAHs. The research highlights the need for more attention to the release of anthropogenic contaminants as climate change melts the ice sheets.
A study by researchers from the USDA Forest Service and the University of Minnesota found that controlled burns did not lead to increased mercury levels in yellow perch, contradicting previous mixed results. The research also showed no significant disruption to watershed food webs.
A recent study found that polar bear mercury levels are declining, indicating a change in their diet and weight as they adapt to reduced sea ice. The researchers attribute the drop to increased consumption of lower-mercury prey, such as bowhead whales and bearded seals, in place of ringed seals.
A team led by the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory has discovered a novel microbial process that can break down toxic methylmercury in the environment. This process could reduce mercury toxicity levels and support health and risk assessments, particularly in fish consumption.
A team of scientists suggests that massive volcanic eruptions triggered the first mass extinction event, which occurred at the end of the Ordovician period. The researchers analyzed mercury levels in sedimentary rocks from North America and southern China, finding a correlation between Hg enrichments and the mass extinction.