A team led by astrophysicist Allison Youngblood used the Hubble Space Telescope to view Earth as if it were an exoplanet, capturing ultraviolet signals of ozone in its atmosphere. The study demonstrates a proof-of-concept for detecting biosignatures of life on distant planets.
A new study analyzed China's national network of air monitoring stations and found that nitrogen dioxide concentrations dropped by 27% on average, while particulate matter (PM2.5) saw a modest reduction of 11%. Ozone pollution showed little change despite the lockdown.
A recent study suggests that home-made cloth face masks with at least two layers are more effective in reducing the dispersal of viral droplets from the nose and mouth associated with COVID-19. The researchers found that a double layer covering was better than a single layer in reducing droplet spread from coughing and sneezing.
A Rutgers University study suggests geoengineering could reduce global warming's most dangerous effects if carbon emissions are drastically reduced. The technology involves creating sulfuric acid clouds to block solar radiation.
This study reveals that El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO)-modulated vegetation fires in Southeast Asia dominate the springtime trans-Pacific transport of ozone across the entire North Pacific Ocean. The enhanced ozone plumes stretch over 15,000 km from the South China Sea to Southwestern North America and the Gulf of Mexico.
Researchers created a three-layer anti-reflection surface to improve transparency and conductivity in plastic, achieving a transmittance of 88.4% compared to 88.1% for the plastic alone.
Researchers created jellyfish-bots that can outswim real-life counterparts and exhibit powerful movement. The new technique uses pre-stressed polymers to make soft robots more efficient, enabling faster speeds and improved performance.
Researchers discovered a two-layer water network surrounding hydrophobic molecules, with the inner layer being longer stable and more densely packed. This new understanding is crucial for biomolecular recognition and protein folding processes.
Researchers studied ocean water properties beneath Ross Ice Shelf, revealing four distinct water column regions with varying temperature and salinity structures. The findings suggest the presence of enhanced diffusion, potentially modifying cavity circulation, which is tidally modulated.
Aalto University researchers have developed a nature-imitating coating that makes batteries more durable and efficient. The coating, produced using carbon dioxide in molecular layer deposition, can protect the actual electrode material and enable the use of new, more efficient materials like lithium.
Researchers used in situ observations and simulations to understand the composition and sources of aerosols in the Asian Tropopause Aerosol Layer (ATAL). They found that part of the aerosols were transported from the Earth surface and upper troposphere, influencing the ATAL's formation.
Ozone pollution in China's most populated and industrialized city clusters poses a great challenge due to diverse precursors. Long-term research is necessary to accurately determine main sources of ozone and inform effective control strategies.
Researchers discovered that a brief ozone layer collapse led to the extinction of plant and freshwater aquatic life 360 million years ago. This finding has profound implications for our warming world today, as Earth's temperatures may reach comparable levels, potentially triggering a similar event.
Researchers find ozone sterilization method effective in killing COVID-19 virus, as well as other viruses like poliovirus and rotavirus. Ozone-based sanitizers like SoClean can be used to sterilize masks for reuse.
Researchers found that ozone-depleting chemical alternatives have increased dramatically in the Arctic since 1990, contaminating freshwater sources and affecting wildlife. The substances, known as scPFCAs, can travel long distances and accumulate in human blood and food crops.
A recent study found a significant decrease in PM2.5 concentrations in eastern China and corresponding reductions in heavily polluted days. However, surface ozone levels have been increasing in most cities during the same period, indicating stronger photochemical pollution.
A study by the UPV/EHU-University of the Basque Country analyzed the influence of ozone formation precursors in the Valderejo Nature Reserve. The research found that biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) contribute up to 68% of the total VOCs measured, with isoprene and monoterpines being key contributors.
An international team led by Princeton atmospheric scientist Meiyun Lin found that drought-stressed vegetation reduces ozone removal, worsening pollution episodes. This study highlights the need for stronger emission controls to address ozone air quality in Europe and has broader implications.
Researchers at Hokkaido University discovered a lipid gradient in tears that helps form and maintain the tear film's inner liquid layer and outer lipid layer. This finding could lead to new treatments for dry eye disease by targeting the lipid layer.
Dr. Soon Moon Jeong's team creates a new light-emitting technology using in-plane electro-luminescent technology that inserts electrodes into a luminous layer, overcoming existing limitations. The device emits light more flexibly and stably than traditional devices, with applications in wearable devices and textiles.
Scientists have found that hydrate protons on the ice surface are generated through autoionization of water molecules, leading to a significant enhancement in proton activity. This discovery has implications for understanding various phenomena such as charge generation and ozone layer destruction.
Researchers at Ruhr-University Bochum used artificial intelligence to predict the structure of thin films, reducing the need for extensive experiments. The team developed a generative model that can generate images of the surface of a layer under specific process parameters, enabling the identification of optimal material formulas.
A new study by researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder has found that the international ozone treaty has stopped changes in Southern Hemisphere atmospheric circulation. The Montreal Protocol, which phased out ozone-depleting chemicals, has driven recent reversals in these patterns.
Scientists at ITMO University have developed a new method to increase the efficiency of solar cells and light-emitting diodes by augmenting their auxiliary layers with carbon dots. This approach has led to significant improvements in efficiency, with increases of up to 13% for perovskite-based solar cells.
Emissions of CFC-11 and CFC-12 are larger than expected, with CFC banks slowly leaking these chemicals into the atmosphere, delaying ozone recovery and contributing to climate change.
A study by UCI researchers found that reductions in ground ozone resulted in $600 million in increased production annually, with yields projected to rise by 5-20% for certain crops like wine grapes and table grapes. The study highlights the benefits of air quality standards for California's high-value crops.
A new study published in Environment International links poor air quality to changes in the human gut microbiome, increasing the risk of obesity and diabetes. Young adults exposed to higher levels of ozone showed less microbial diversity and more species associated with obesity and disease.
The study reveals that ants' cuticular hydrocarbon layer exhibits a huge melting range, from -45 degrees Celsius to 40 degrees Celsius, composed of both liquid and solid components. This unique property allows the layer to fulfill both communication and waterproofing functions.
Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory have developed a new molecular layer etching technique that could help fabricate and control material geometries at the nanoscale. The technique uses pulses of gas to remove thin films, potentially opening new doors in microelectronics and extending beyond traditional Moore's Law scaling.
A large study found daily exposure to ground level ozone in cities worldwide is associated with an increased risk of death. The study suggests that more than 6,000 deaths each year could be avoided if countries implemented stricter air quality standards.
Researchers have found that non-encapsulated few-layer CrI3 has a rhombohedral structure at low temperatures, contradicting previous findings. The study also shows spin-phonon coupling occurring below 60K, which affects the Hamiltonian of Raman modes and has potential implications for novel spintronic devices
Researchers have discovered that ozone treatment and subsequent chlorination can convert trace amounts of some pharmaceuticals in wastewater into potentially toxic halonitromethanes. The study found that ozone treatment increased the formation of these compounds, which could be harmful to human health.
Research suggests that reducing emissions of ozone-forming gases from human activities such as road transport and energy production can improve plant growth and capture more carbon. A 50% cut in these emissions is proposed as a large but plausible target to mitigate ozone-induced loss of plant productivity.
New research suggests that cleaning up ozone precursors in energy, industrial, and transportation sectors can mitigate climate change by increasing the land's ability to remove carbon dioxide through photosynthesis. This could result in a 15% increase in the size of the current land sink for carbon.
Despite decreasing ozone concentrations in the air, plants' ozone uptake trends don't follow suit. FSU researchers tracked ozone uptake into plants over 10 years at 30 test sites and found that environmental factors like weather conditions have a greater impact on plant ozone dose than atmospheric ozone concentration.
Researchers at Columbia University found that ozone-depleting substances caused about a third of all global warming from 1955 to 2005 and half of Arctic warming and sea ice loss during this period. The Montreal Protocol, which phased out these substances, has been instrumental in reducing their impact on climate change.
Researchers detected inorganic iodine in the stratosphere at a concentration of 0.77 parts per trillion by volume, suggesting it plays a crucial role in ozone depletion. Iodine emissions from humans may increase particle formation and continue to affect stratospheric ozone levels.
A new study has quantified small levels of iodine in the stratosphere and links it to ozone layer decline. The research suggests that air pollution from the surface can trigger ozone destruction higher in the atmosphere.
The CSU team aims to improve the performance of cadmium telluride solar cells by tackling efficiency problems associated with the back contact layer, currently a bottleneck in widespread adoption. They hope to achieve a 25% light-to-energy efficiency with an improved back contact architecture.
Researchers genetically modified poplar trees to reduce negative impacts on air quality, finding they can grow as well as non-modified trees. The study suggests that these modifications may help improve biomass productivity and plant health without impairing growth.
The Suomi NPP satellite captured extensive fires burning in New South Wales, Australia, covering approximately 5.3 million acres of land. The resulting smog poses significant health risks to vulnerable populations, emphasizing the importance of monitoring and managing wildfires.
A new study reveals that the Montreal Protocol successfully mitigated global warming by banning CFCs in 1987. The treaty has led to a reduction of up to 3°C-4°C of avoided warming in the Arctic, and 1.5°C-2°C in regions like North America, Africa, and Eurasia.
Researchers found that a shallow frozen ground layer present in winter months can lead to greater ground failure and damage after earthquakes. The study on two historical earthquakes in Kazakhstan shows that the presence of this layer can generate more severe ground fracturing during earthquakes in the winter.
Scientists at Kanazawa University successfully controlled magnetic anisotropy through electric polarization, enabling nonvolatile memory. The researchers applied electricity to a zinc oxide layer, affecting the cobalt-platinum alloy below.
Researchers developed an AI-based ozone forecasting system that can predict ozone levels with 85-90% accuracy. The model uses convolutional neural networks to analyze current conditions and forecast future ozone levels, improving health alerts for people at risk.
A new study by Georgia Institute of Technology researchers warns that rollbacks of US energy regulations could lead to increased CO2 emissions, slowed progress in reducing pollutants, and worsening air quality. This could result in higher costs for healthcare and finances due to increased cases of respiratory illness.
A new study finds that relaxing U.S. energy regulations and considering climate change would increase ozone precursors in the air, leading to more counties failing to meet air quality standards. The research used a computer model to simulate the effects of relaxed policies and climate change on ozone levels through 2050.
Researchers have created a device that controls spin currents using a double layer of graphene on top of tungsten disulphide. The new technique enables the use of spin currents in transistors, which could be more energy-efficient than traditional electronics.
A new study found that genetically diverse corn plants have varying responses to high ozone levels, with some experiencing yield losses of up to 10%. The research could lead to the development of ozone-resistant corn varieties, helping plant scientists address the hidden threat to corn agriculture.
The Antarctic ozone hole's decline has indirectly helped increase sea ice due to altered atmospheric and oceanic circulations. Ozone-induced changes impact sea surface temperatures and dynamics of sea ice.
A pilot study by Desert Research Institute found high levels of biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) and butane at cannabis growing facilities in Nevada and California. These chemicals can contribute to ground-level ozone formation, posing health risks to workers and residents.
Suomi NPP's OMPS detects aerosols and smoke from fires in South America and Canada's Yukon Territories. High aerosol concentrations impact breathing, reproduction, climate, and visibility.
Quantum dots have been successfully modified to produce interference-free photons, paving the way for quantum communication. Researchers eliminated interferences by adding an aluminium arsenide layer grown above the quantum dots in the wetting layer.
A Chinese-German team developed a way to boost electric conductivity of organic solar cells, increasing their performance. By doping metal oxide interlayer with modified organic dye, both efficiency and stability were improved.
A new study finds that long-term exposure to all major air pollutants increases the risk of emphysema by roughly the equivalent of smoking a pack of cigarettes a day for 29 years. Ground-level ozone levels are rising due to climate change, and the US study suggests that this increase may lead to an increased risk of chronic lung disease.
Long-term exposure to ozone and other pollutants accelerates emphysema development, even among non-smokers. The study found a strong association between ozone levels and emphysema, with the strongest impact seen in people living in areas with high ozone concentrations.
This observational study found exposure to ozone, fine particulate matter, oxides of nitrogen, and black carbon was associated with increased emphysema progression. Ambient ozone exposure also led to a decline in lung function, while other pollutants had no significant impact.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh and Drexel University aim to discover a simpler, less energy-intensive way to create ozone for water sanitation. The project seeks to improve the effectiveness and sustainability of ozonated water production.
Researchers used a novel super-resolution microscopy technique to directly observe depletion layers in polymer solutions flowing through microchannels. The study found that changes to the depletion layer dimension occurred at unexpectedly low flow rates, and hydrodynamic lift forces played a key role in this phenomenon.
A new study found that rising temperatures due to climate change will increase the number of days with high concentrations of ozone in the Mid-Atlantic region, posing significant health risks. The study, led by Cristina Archer, analyzed nearly 50 years' worth of data and found that near-ground ozone levels can exacerbate respiratory co...