Researchers have accurately described the interaction energy among three water molecules for the first time. The study uses advanced spectroscopy and quantum calculations to analyze the intermolecular vibrations of water trimers.
A team of international researchers has provided a mineralogy lab study for water-rich exoplanets, revealing an unexpected new solid phase with silicon, hydrogen, and oxygen. The findings suggest that the distinction between water and rock layers in these planets may be 'fuzzy' at high pressure and temperature.
Researchers at Linköping University have created a cheap and efficient steam generator that uses sunlight to desalinate and purify water. The system utilizes a cellulose-based aerogel structure that absorbs energy from sunlight, resulting in high-quality drinking water production.
A team of researchers led by Cédric Gillmann found that water on Earth has been there since its formation, likely buried deep in the planet. This discovery challenges previous ideas about the origin of water and has implications for habitability of ancient planets.
A new study reveals that China's water use has been decelerating since the 1970s, thanks to the adoption of water-conserving technologies. The study found that irrigation and industrial water recycling drove this reduction, offsetting the increase in water use driven by economic growth.
A new study found that China's water use has decelerated since the 1980s due to the adoption of efficient irrigation techniques and industrial water recycling technologies. However, uncertainties remain due to land institution transitions, urbanization, and potential increased water use in intensive farming and industrial sectors.
Researchers discovered that plant circadian clocks play a critical role in water consumption, allowing plants to use resources more efficiently. The study found that altering circadian rhythms can improve water use efficiency without compromising plant growth.
The Collaborative Water-Energy Research Center (CoWERC) aims to reduce energy needed for desalination, improve water recovery and support safe water reuse through research, development and commercialization of new technologies. CoWERC will enable the creation of energy-water systems that could be implemented worldwide.
The Journal for Healthcare Quality has published a special issue on quality as a business strategy, featuring six innovative approaches to improving healthcare. These programs include improving clinical documentation, assessing the costs of pressure injuries, and implementing bundled payments for joint replacement.
A new study suggests that rotational fallowing farmland can reduce water use in the western US, particularly in the Colorado River basin. The researchers estimate that two-thirds of cattle feed irrigated from western US rivers ends up as beef products.
A new study published in Nature Sustainability shows that irrigation of cattle feed crops is the leading driver of water shortages and fish imperilment in the Western United States. Sixty fish species are at an elevated risk of global extinction due to flow depletion, primarily caused by irrigation of cattle-feed crops.
A new method has been proposed to swiftly and accurately detect underground water leaks in transmission mains. By assimilating data from pressure sensors into a mathematical model, the researchers claim faster results with higher accuracy than current methods, reducing computational costs and improving speed.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin found that oil plays produce significantly more water than natural gas plays, posing a challenge for managing produced water. The studies project water demand and produced water volumes for eight major oil-producing areas in the US.
A study found that drinking water quality in homes differs by room and changes with seasons, raising concerns about water safety. Researchers collected data 58 times at a single house over a year, logging 222,000 hours and 2.4 billion records.
Northwestern University researchers Julius Lucks and Sera Young present innovative solutions for monitoring water quality and addressing household water insecurity. The Household Water Insecurity Experiences Scale (HWISE.org) measures experiences of household-level water access and use globally.
Researchers used persistent homology and molecular dynamics simulations to study water molecules on graphene surfaces. They found that water molecules form stable polygonal shapes, which evolve into 3D tetrahedral structures after three layers are added. This discovery provides insights into the transition between surface and free water.
A study published in Annals of Emergency Medicine found that cooling burns with running water decreases skin grafting requirements by over 40%, hospital admission by 35.8% and operating room treatment by 42.4%. Cool running water also accelerates healing, reducing scarring risk.
During droughts, mountain forests and grasslands at higher elevations release more water into the air than in normal growth periods. This is due to increased metabolism promoting water uptake by vegetation. As a result, evapotranspiration rates are above average, draining rivers and streams of half their usual volume.
Higher-density development with more impervious surfaces causes runoff, leading to increased water pollution. Agriculture also contributes significantly to water pollution, and anti-sprawl policies can prevent much-needed land-use changes that reduce pollution.
Research led by University of Arizona found simultaneous droughts in Southern California's main water sources occurred six times per century on average. Perfect droughts lasting two or more years coincide with high pressure off the northwest Pacific Coast and storm tracks shifted north.
Scientists studied Martian atmospheric water vapor using ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter data, finding seasonal changes were the dominant regulator. The study suggests that warm seasons can lead to increased water loss into space, impacting Mars' continued desiccation.
A research team at Washington University in St. Louis found that dissolved organic compounds can trigger the mobilization of arsenic in recharged aquifers. When oxygen is introduced into the aquifer, it triggers oxidative dissolution of sulfide minerals, releasing arsenic into the water.
China's inland surface water quality improved significantly from 2003-2017 due to reduced pollution emissions in industrial, rural, and urban residential sectors. Annual mean concentrations of chemical oxygen demand and ammonium nitrogen declined by 63% and 78%, respectively, at the national level.
A deep-Earth water cycle is possible if a key mineral called stishovite can store and transport large amounts of water under extreme conditions. This discovery indicates that water could be present far into the lower mantle, altering our understanding of planetary evolution.
A multidisciplinary team of researchers has developed a novel water filtration process that mimics the human body's efficient water transport system. The new membrane technology shows impressive desalination properties, exhibiting selective salt removal with higher efficiency than current processes.
A new study by University of Michigan researchers found that water births are no more risky than land births, with fewer first and second-degree tears. The study analyzed 397 waterbirths and 2025 land births, showing similar outcomes in neonatal intensive care admissions and postpartum hemorrhage rates.
Researchers found that charged polymers increase viscosity by altering water-water interactions, which is influenced by a nuclear quantum effect. This discovery has fundamental implications for developing new technologies in health, biosciences, materials science, and environmental science.
The study ranked Asian Water Towers as the most important and most threatened globally, with the Indus water tower being the most relied-upon and vulnerable. Climate change and geopolitical factors pose significant risks to these systems, threatening the water supply for 1.9 billion people.
A team from Colorado State University has created a novel dataset, AquaSat, by merging large public datasets of water quality observations with satellite imagery. This 'symphony of data' provides over 6 million water quality observations, unlocking powerful new applications in remote sensing of water quality. The study aims to improve ...
Researchers are exploring various water management techniques to optimize crop yields and reduce water usage in water-scarce areas. Advanced irrigation technologies, such as mobile drip and precision application, show promise in reducing applied water by up to 20%.
The EU Water Framework Directive needs further development to address the complex mixtures of pesticides, medicines, and industrial chemicals in European waters. Researchers have developed new concepts and tools to monitor and reduce exposure to these substances.
A research project at the University of Córdoba and the University of Zaragoza analyzed legislative changes in water management in Spain, California, and the Murray Darling Basin in Australia. The study shows that despite similarities in agriculture and water scarcity, these regions have distinct approaches to managing their watersheds.
Researchers investigating the effects of dam removal on water quality and nutrient processing in streams and rivers. Removing antiquated dams may harm or help water quality depending on the scenario. The study aims to identify hotspots of nitrogen processing and develop a new model for stream and riparian processes.
A new study by Duke University predicts that switching to natural gas will save 12,000 billion gallons a year by 2030, while solar and wind power yield even greater savings. These reductions come despite increased water use from fracking and shale gas production.
Researchers discovered a two-atom catalyst that enables efficient oxygen production from water under low-light conditions. The study's findings mimic the activation of photosystem II during photosynthesis, suggesting that similar two-atom catalytic cores might be suitable for achieving efficient water splitting.
The Bureau of Reclamation is providing funding for 27 new research projects to address technical challenges in managing water and generating power. The projects focus on areas such as water infrastructure, environmental issues, and developing water supplies.
A team of researchers from the University of Delaware examined the age, origin, and sustainability of fossil aquifers in the Mega Aquifer System (MAS) in the Arabian Peninsula. They used a combination of geochemical analysis, satellite data, and field investigations to determine the quality and age of the water.
A new tool, HWISE Scale, measures household water insecurity in low- and middle-income countries. It provides actionable information to address the global water crisis, strongly associated with food insecurity, stress, and economic productivity.
A study found that water contamination violations associated with immediate health risks led to a 14% increase in bottled water sales. However, low-income rural communities did not show a significant response to nitrate violations, which pose a risk to infants.
The UMD CONSERVE Center develops safe, alternative irrigation strategies to sustain food production in a changing climate. Non-traditional water sources like reclaimed water, brackish water, and return flows hold promise, but require additional treatments to reduce microbial and chemical contaminants.
KAUST researchers find that water molecules become less stable when squeezed between two hydrophobic surfaces due to quantum effects. This discovery has practical implications for the development of nanofluidic platforms for molecular separation.
Pedro Alvarez and Rice's NEWT Center will focus on resilient transport and storage, one of six areas of research for the NAWI alliance. The goal is to advance technologies that make nontraditional water sources cost-competitive within 10 years.
The new Energy-Water Desalination Hub will focus on early-stage research and development for energy-efficient and low-cost desalination solutions. NAWI aims to recycle 90% of nontraditional water sources, promoting a circular water economy. The hub will advance novel technologies and prioritize high-impact projects.
Historical phosphorus sources contribute to persistent nutrient pollution in rivers, masking efforts to improve surface water quality. The study highlights the need for long-term accounting of total historical phosphorus storage and reductions in contemporary surpluses.
A new study estimates that toxic chemicals in tap water could cause more than 100,000 cancer cases nationwide. The Environmental Working Group analyzed 48,363 community water systems and found increased cancer risk due to contaminants such as arsenic and radioactive elements.
The 'Flying Fish' robot uses a water-reactive chemical reaction to create gas, which propels it out of the water and into a glide of up to 26 meters. The robot can travel long distances without additional power, making it suitable for collecting water samples in hazardous environments.
A study published in Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science found that high-tide water in Willapa Bay's tidal flats takes multiple tidal cycles to fully replace, leading to differences in oyster growth. This slower turnover affects the quality of oyster beds, with regions having 'old' water showing lower levels of nutrients.
Research from the University of Surrey and Deakin's Institute for Frontier Materials found that microplastics can break down further during water treatment processes, impacting on water quality. The study highlights the need for new detection strategies to limit nano and microplastics in water treatment systems.
Researchers found high levels of bacterial DNA and opportunistic pathogens in source water from remote bores in Northern Australia. The study suggests that managing groundwater quality is crucial for ensuring safe drinking water supplies in these communities.
A study led by the University of Arizona found that city design factors such as housing density, lot size, and vegetated land cover significantly impact residential water use. Researchers estimated models for annual and summer water use in four cities, including Austin, Phoenix, Portland, and Salt Lake City.
A new study reveals that adults fetching water is associated with an increased risk of child death and children collecting water with increased odds of childhood diarrheal disease. Improving access to clean drinking water and sanitation reduces maternal and child health risks, including lower child mortality rates.
A team of researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, has developed a microwave-sized water harvester that can pull water directly from the air 24/7. The harvester uses a highly porous metal-organic framework to capture and condense water molecules from ambient air, even in low-humidity conditions.
Dr. Simon Dai's research aims to advance a passive technology that can attract and capture water droplets from fog and moisture in the air, providing a sustainable solution to global water scarcity. The new funding will help create a more durable lubricant for water harvesting.
Researchers created an all-aqueous, water-in-water construct that achieves compartmentalization in a synthetic biologic system. The system uses electrical charge to separate functions and materials, mimicking the behavior of living cells.
A novel treatment device that automatically dispenses small amounts of chlorine reduces child diarrhoea by 23% compared to controls. The intervention had the largest health benefits among children in Dhaka, reducing diarrhoea by 34%, while also increasing tap water quality and safety.
A simple, electricity-independent device has been proven effective in reducing child diarrhea rates by up to 23% in developing countries. The Aquatabs Flo technology uses precise chlorine dosing to purify water without compromising taste, offering a promising solution to control the second-leading cause of death for children globally.
An international team of researchers found that improving drinking water quality significantly reduces roundworm infections, with a 22% reduction when combined with sanitation and handwashing. The study suggests that sustainable approaches to disease control could be critical in tackling endemic infections.
A West Virginia forest study found that acid rain increases soil-to-atmosphere water transfer, leading to greater plant water uptake. This effect is attributed to the leaching of calcium from soil, which signals open stomata and allows evapotranspiration to continue.
A solar steam generation system has been developed to produce clean water from salty ocean water with almost 100 per cent salt removal, providing a solution to water shortages in regional areas. The technology uses photothermal materials and the power of the sun, achieving efficient and continuous clean water production.
A study published in Journal of Climate reveals that global warming will accelerate the water cycle over global land monsoon regions, enlarging the wet-dry season contrast. This could lead to increased crop yields in some areas and food security threats due to depleted soil water.