A team led by Dr. Bill Bottke from Southwest Research Institute discovered a 400-million-year lull in Mars' giant impact history, closely paralleling the bombardment histories of the Moon, asteroid belt, and Mercury. This finding supports the Late Heavy Bombardment theory and highlights an important period in Martian evolution.
Researchers found that the closure of Union Pacific railway culverts led to a 88% decrease in methylmercury levels in the lake's deep brine layer and sediments. However, waterfowl carcasses showed no significant change in mercury levels, indicating that the source of methylmercury in wetlands remains unknown.
A new laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) approach refines detection of mercury in landfill leachate, offering rapid results without generating hazardous chemicals. The technique's sensitivity is improved through a double-pulse setup, allowing for the detection of lower mercury concentrations.
A team of scientists has unlocked the secret of a gold-based catalyst that converts coal-derived acetylene to vinyl chloride monomer (VCM), a precursor to polyvinyl chloride (PVC). The catalyst, which employs atomically dispersed gold on a solid support, reduces toxic mercury pollution and enables environmentally friendly PVC production.
A new 'super sponge' created by University of Minnesota researchers can absorb mercury from water within seconds, removing it to below detectable limits. The technology has the potential to reduce mercury contamination in lakes, industrial wastewater, and tap water, with economic benefits estimated at $212 million annually.
A recent study published in Environmental Health found that women of childbearing age in the US are eating more fish while having lower blood mercury concentrations. The research indicates that tailored fish consumption advisories based on region and ethnic group would help women eat healthier and monitor their mercury intake better.
A Cornell research group has reported progress in creating a smaller, more earth-friendly alternative to mercury-based deep-UV lamps. Using atomically controlled thin monolayers of GaN and AlN, they produced deep-UV emission with a light-emitting diode (LED) between 232 and 270 nanometer wavelengths.
Researchers from Northwestern University developed a new approach to improve night-vision cameras using strained-layer indium arsenide/indium arsenide antimonide type-II superlattices. The new design enables infrared cameras to perform imaging at higher temperatures, reducing the need for cryogenic cooling power.
Researchers developed a fluorescent polymer that can detect high levels of mercury in fish, which can lead to reduced fetal growth and placental development. The study found increased mercury levels in swordfish and tuna, with no mercury detected in farmed salmon.
A new study suggests that consuming fish and seafood with higher levels of mercury may increase the risk of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The study found that individuals who ate fish and seafood regularly were at double the risk for ALS compared to those with lower mercury intake.
A study published in Epidemiology found that people on a gluten-free diet had higher concentrations of arsenic and mercury in their urine and blood compared to those who did not eat gluten-free. The study's findings suggest that a gluten-free diet may pose health risks due to increased exposure to toxic metals.
Researchers at Uppsala and Umeå University found that the molecular composition of sediment organic matter controls methylmercury formation. Organic compounds from phytoplankton are linked to high mercury methylation rates, while carbon compounds from the watershed do not have this effect.
A series of innovative studies tracks effects of common chemicals on human health and environment, examining mercury's impact on blood pressure in pregnant women. The research also provides first evidence linking parabens and triclocarban to measurable adverse health effects in newborns.
Research at Umeå University found a sevenfold increase in methylmercury in zooplankton due to altered food web structures. Climate change scenarios predict similar increases, highlighting the need for considering effects on ecosystems and human exposure.
A new study by Rutgers University and others found that climate change could lead to a 300-600% increase in toxic mercury levels in zooplankton, tiny animals at the base of the marine food chain. This would have significant implications for fish consumption advisories aimed at protecting human health.
Bacteria play a crucial role in determining the health of birds at the top of the food web. Seabirds feeding in areas rich in sulfate-reducing bacteria have high levels of mercury. This study suggests that bacteria provide a buffer to variation in mercury within the environment.
Tiny, glowing crystals can selectively capture heavy-metal toxins like lead and mercury from water sources, making them a promising tool for cleaning up contaminated drinking water. The LMOFs' open framework allows them to take in large amounts of contaminants, and they can be reused multiple times.
A newly discovered valley on Mercury is about 250 miles wide and 600 miles long, with steep sides that dip as much as 2 miles below the surrounding terrain. The valley likely formed due to rapid cooling of Mercury's interior, which would challenge previous assumptions about the planet's geologic past.
Researchers at Ohio State University have developed lightweight, flexible metal foil-based LEDs for portable ultraviolet light purification of drinking water and sterilization of medical equipment. This technology has the potential to make safe drinking water accessible in remote areas.
Research finds a 19% drop in mercury concentrations in Atlantic bluefin tuna over an 8-year period, linked to regional emissions reductions. Industry efforts have led to a 4.3% annual decrease in mercury levels in north Atlantic waters.
Researchers estimate that hydroelectric dams increase methylmercury concentrations up to 10-fold in fish and surface waters, putting half of Canada's women of childbearing age at risk. The study forecasts higher levels for 11 other planned facilities near indigenous communities.
Research found that circumbinary planets can survive the late stages of their binary star's life by moving to wider orbits. Many such planets are likely to escape destruction and potentially become habitable for a short period.
Researchers developed a coffee-infused foam filter that can remove up to 99% of lead and mercury ions from water. The innovative system uses spent coffee grounds in a bioelastomeric foam, making it easy to handle and discard after use.
A study by Rice University researchers proposes that the origin of Earth's volatile elements, including carbon, can be explained by a massive collision between Earth and an embryonic planet similar to Mercury. This collision may have led to the exclusion of carbon from Earth's core and its incorporation into the silicate mantle.
A new study found that thunderstorms in the southern United States transport significant amounts of mercury to the ground, with concentrations 50% higher than other rain events. Researchers matched rain samples to weather data and used radar and satellite data to examine storm clouds.
Researchers detected high concentrations of mercury and β-N-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA) in shark fins and muscles, linked to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's. Restricting shark consumption may protect human health and shark populations threatened with extinction.
New research from North Carolina State University reveals that Mercury's crust-forming volcanism stopped around 3.5 billion years ago, likely due to the planet's small mantle size and rapid cooling. This finding provides insight into Mercury's geological evolution and challenges previous theories about planetary formation.
Researchers have discovered methylmercury-producing bacteria in Antarctic sea ice, which can contaminate marine life and food webs. The findings raise concerns about mercury pollution in a warming climate, particularly in depleted fish stocks.
Canada's northern indigenous communities are at risk of mercury exposure due to high fish and marine animal consumption. The Canadian Medical Association Journal provides guidance on managing mercury exposure in patients with diets high in fish and marine animals.
Researchers developed molecular probes to detect genes converting mercury into its highly toxic organic form, with a 94% confirmation rate. The technology can help determine the amount of methylmercury in water and sediment, aiding environmental managers and governments in protecting human health.
Scientists with NASA's Dawn mission have identified permanently shadowed regions on the dwarf planet Ceres, which are likely cold enough to trap water ice for a billion years. The regions, occupying about 695 square miles of the northern hemisphere, may be colder than those on Mercury or the moon.
Researchers discovered that Mercury's surface was formed by melting at high pressures near the core-mantle boundary. The study suggests that the unique sulfur content and pressure-temperature conditions explain the heterogeneous surface composition.
Geologists at MIT traced Mercury's cooling history, finding the planet cooled dramatically in half a billion years. The team used data from NASA's MESSENGER spacecraft to analyze lava deposits and found that older deposits had distinct chemical compositions.
The NASA-funded Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph (IRIS) captured striking images of Mercury during its May 9, 2016 transit across the sun. By observing this phenomenon, researchers can calibrate IRIS and gather data on the sun's lower atmosphere.
A Dartmouth College study finds that both prey type and quality affect mercury accumulation in fish, with bottom-dwelling prey accumulating less mercury due to higher calorie content. Fish feeding on plankton in open water accumulate more mercury, leading to lower growth rates and higher concentrations in their tissues.
Three NASA satellites will observe Mercury's transit, offering a rare opportunity to study planetary motion and the sun's effects. The event will also be used to calibrate space instruments and test spacecraft.
Researchers at Michigan State University created a lighter, cheaper moth trap using LED lights and everyday materials. The new trap is effective but less abundant in insect capture compared to traditional mercury vapor black light traps.
A Dartmouth-led study found that stream insects consumed by spiders transfer methylmercury to terrestrial predators, highlighting the importance of dissolved organic carbon in mediating mercury bioavailability. The research reveals a broader reach of mercury contamination than previously recognized.
A new study by UC Santa Barbara researchers identified how flooding frequency and duration affect mercury biogeochemistry along a 40-mile stretch of the Yuba/Feather River system. The study found that about 5 percent of the total mercury in this lower section has the potential to become toxic.
A team of scientists led by Patrick Peplowski used MESSENGER mission data to confirm a high abundance of carbon at Mercury's surface. The carbon most likely originated deep below the surface, in an ancient graphite-rich crust that was later brought to the surface through impact processes.
A new study suggests that moderate fish consumption during pregnancy may have beneficial effects on infant neurobehavior and development. The research found that infants of mothers with higher mercury exposure and greater fish consumption showed improved attention and reduced special handling needs.
A study conducted by researchers at the University of Montreal Hospital Research Centre found that young adults who binge drink have higher blood pressure, increasing the risk of developing hypertension. The study reveals that over one in four young adults who binge drink meet the criterion for pre-hypertension.
A gold sensor developed by a Nebraska researcher uses DNA to detect gold and other metals in water samples. The sensor has potential applications for monitoring household water supplies for lead, mercury, arsenic, and other contaminants.
The EPA underestimated mercury emissions' benefits, which far exceed the cost to industry. Research shows that reducing coal-fired power plant emissions can result in tens of billions of dollars in health benefits.
Research suggests that eating at least one seafood serving per week may lower the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease in older adults with the APOE-4 gene. The study found no association between seafood consumption and increased brain mercury levels or beta amyloid protein plaques, key markers of the disease.
A study of deceased individuals found that moderate seafood consumption was correlated with lesser Alzheimer disease neuropathology, despite higher brain levels of mercury. The study suggests that selenium, an essential nutrient in seafood, may reduce mercury toxicity and its negative effects on the brain.
Researchers at Rush University Medical Center found that moderate seafood consumption was associated with less Alzheimer's disease pathology, including lower amyloid plaques and tangles. Seafood intake was only linked to reduced harm when individuals had a specific genetic profile, highlighting the need for personalized nutrition advice.
Researchers found recent increases in mercury concentrations in rainfall at many sites across the continent, with positive trends in central regions consistent with increased emissions from Asia. The findings suggest that reductions in North American mercury emissions are primarily benefiting the eastern United States.
A new study finds that global mercury regulations will lead to twice the economic benefits for the US as domestic policy, with estimated lifetime benefits of $339 billion and economy-wide benefits of $104 billion. Domestic policies are expected to benefit those who consume locally caught freshwater fish more.
Inorganic mercury exposure is linked to damaged cell processes, causing more damage at lower concentrations than organic mercury. The study found that inorganic mercury efficiently removes iron from proteins, disrupting key cellular functions.
A study by the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science found that emissions controls on coal-fired power plants reduced mercury levels in the air by up to 75% over a 10-year period. This reduction was strongly correlated with power plant emissions from Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.
Studies by Dartmouth researchers found that mixing of sediments and microorganisms significantly impact methylmercury production, contradicting earlier assumptions about sediments as the primary source.
Researchers found that only half of water bodies have fish consumption advisories in line with EPA recommendations. The largest fish sizes need new advisories, affecting up to 65% of sites examined.
A new study found that Mercury is being pelted by ancient comet dust, impacting its tenuous atmosphere and surface boundary exosphere. The researchers discovered a cometary dust stream from Comet Encke that explains the timing of calcium emission peaks in the planet's exosphere.
Researchers have identified 'sweet points' in dental cement where it regains elasticity before hardening, allowing for longer-lasting fillings. This breakthrough could lead to better applications of fillings and easier treatment options for patients.
The study found that mercury affects the bright yellow hues on the great tit's breast, making males less attractive to females. Copper increases the size of the bird's 'black tie', while chrome reduces its area, impacting dominance and aggression.
Scientists have identified microbes that produce methylmercury, a highly toxic form of mercury, in environments such as coastal sediments, marshes, and rice paddies. The discovery builds on previous work and highlights the risk of increased methylmercury production due to climate change.
Researchers found high mercury levels in Amazonian reptiles, with liver concentrations above recommended limits for pregnant women and children. The study suggests using reptiles as indicators of environmental mercury concentrations, shedding light on the region's mercury cycling.
A multi-site landmark study found that targeting a blood pressure of 120 millimeters of mercury reduces cardiovascular disease morbidity and event rates. Adults 50 years and older also experienced reduced rates of heart attack, heart failure, stroke, and death compared to the target systolic pressure of 140 mm Hg.
New insights into Mercury's movements and interactions with the solar system reveal its unique composition. Researchers reevaluate New Zealand's Alpine Fault after seismic data showed it becomes flatter at depth, providing new information for geological studies.