A Dartmouth-University of Connecticut study reveals that methylmercury concentrations in estuary waters, not sediment, accurately predict mercury contamination in the marine food chain. The findings suggest a shift in mercury cleanup practices to focus on measuring methylmercury in water column particles.
The Review finds that the number of recognized chemical causes of neurodevelopmental disorders has doubled, and the list of unregulated chemicals has expanded. Stringent controls could generate billions in savings and improve childhood health outcomes.
The asteroid belt's diverse composition suggests that giant planets' migrations reshaped the solar system, potentially delivering water to Earth and influencing its habitability. Small asteroids show particularly varied compositions, suggesting a complex history of collisions and re-deposition.
Researchers at the Prairie Research Institute found low concentrations of mercury, arsenic, and selenium in bighead and silver carp fillets from the Illinois River. These levels do not pose a health risk to the majority of human consumers, but some individuals may need to limit consumption.
A new study establishes a link between Arctic sea ice dynamics and the region's changing atmospheric chemistry, potentially leading to increased amounts of mercury deposited in sensitive ecosystems. The pumping effect created by opening and closing sea ice leads forces down additional mercury to restart chemical reactions.
High levels of molecular chlorine have been detected in the Arctic atmosphere, with concentrations peaking at 400 parts per trillion. The discovery highlights the potential for molecular chlorine to influence atmospheric chemistry and has implications for mercury cycling and ozone formation.
A recent study published in PLOS ONE found that England's universal healthcare system manages blood pressure more equitably across socioeconomic groups compared to the US. In contrast, wealthier Americans are more likely to meet blood pressure targets than poorer patients.
Researchers will measure mercury in atmosphere, snowpack, and soil to track its movement in the tundra. The study aims to understand the role of soils in mercury cycling and assess a theory of enhanced mercury deposition during Arctic winters.
Researchers at University of Eastern Finland developed a new method to remove uranium and other heavy metals from water using a solid material that collects metal ions directly from the solution. The CH Collector method is efficient, selective, and can recover even small amounts of metal without adjustments to the solution's pH.
The Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer (LADEE) has completed its commissioning phase, with all three science instruments deemed healthy. The LADEE spacecraft is now in a high-altitude preliminary orbit, preparing for its 100-day science mission to gather information about the moon's structure and composition.
Researchers have predicted that a single layer of tin atoms, dubbed 'stanene,' will exhibit 100% electrical conductivity at room temperature. This breakthrough has the potential to significantly reduce power consumption and heat production in future computer chips.
Research suggests that exposure to specific environmental toxins during pregnancy may increase the risk of congenital heart defects in children. The study found a strong correlation between certain chemicals and rates of congenital heart defects, particularly septal defects and conotruncal defects.
Comprehensive hypertension programs that coordinate care using multiple resources may lead to better overall blood pressure control. Lifestyle changes for patients were strongly recommended as well. The advisory provides eight principles for developing an effective high blood pressure treatment algorithm.
A UT Arlington professor will use a $450,000 NSF grant to study the interaction between metals and organic compounds, aiming to create more energy-efficient and sustainable chemical reactions. The research may lead to new technologies for producing valuable industrial chemicals such as ethylene oxide and alcohols.
Researchers found that biomass pellets released lower levels of mercury when burned, reducing environmental concerns. The study suggests that switching to biomass pellets could be an effective way to decrease mercury emissions in China.
A new study by UCSB researcher Michael Singer shows that sediment-absorbed mercury is being transported from the Sierra Nevada mountains to the Central Valley lowlands through major floods. This process poses a huge risk to the region's ecosystems and human population, as mercury-laden sediment is carried into ecologically sensitive re...
Researchers have found a new, low-cost technology to reduce mercury contamination in soils and sediments, using activated carbon. The technology reduces methylmercury uptake by up to 90% without physical disturbance.
Researchers from Baylor College of Medicine and the CHARGE consortium successfully sequenced DNA of over 14,000 individuals using next-generation sequencing. The large-scale cloud-based analysis enables access to an expansive network of genomic data for international collaboration.
A major coal seam fire in China's Shuangyashan prefecture-level city has been detected by NASA's Terra satellite, highlighting the issue of underground coal fires that can cause severe air pollution and global warming.
Researchers found that warmer waters increase killifish's metabolic rate, leading to higher methylmercury levels in their tissues. This suggests a global warming impact on mercury bioaccumulation in marine life, posing health risks to people who eat seafood.
A new study suggests that regular leisure-time exercise can significantly lower the risk of developing high blood pressure. Researchers found that individuals who exercised for four hours or more per week had a 19% lower risk compared to those who exercised less than one hour per week.
New research from the Children of the 90s study at the University of Bristol suggests that fish accounts for only seven per cent of mercury levels in the human body. This finding has significant implications for official advice warning against eating too much fish during pregnancy, which may need to be reviewed.
Researchers used blue whale earplugs to extract and analyze chemicals, hormones, and stress levels, enabling the study of lifetime chemical exposures and hormone profiles. The new method provides valuable information on human impact on individual whales and marine ecosystems.
A new study finds that replacing coal-fired power plants with wind turbines is the most cost-effective way to cut carbon pollution and reduce health impacts. The switch can also lead to lower electricity generation costs, making clean energy a more economically viable option for powering America's electricity needs.
Researchers found that cilantro effectively removes lead and other harmful metals from contaminated water. The study suggests that cilantro could be used as a low-cost, sustainable filter for developing countries.
A new study by the American Chemical Society found that state e-waste recycling bans have been largely ineffective in reducing electronic waste disposal. However, providing more information to women and older people could increase the effectiveness of these bans and recycling programs.
The Rim Fire continues to burn in northeastern California, affecting over 224 square miles of land. The fire's size and spread are hampered by inaccessible terrain and extreme weather conditions, making containment efforts challenging.
Researchers have solved the mystery of how mercury enters open-ocean fish, finding that up to 80% is produced deep in the ocean by bacteria. Mercury levels are likely to rise in Pacific fish over the coming decades due to increased industrialization in Asia.
Researchers found that photochemical reactions break down mercury at the surface, but it's converted to its toxic form at deeper depths. This process affects ocean fish and the human seafood supply, with implications for reducing mercury emissions.
The Rim Fire in California has grown to over 106,000 acres, largely due to dry conditions and challenging terrain. Despite efforts of over 2,000 firefighters, the fire remains only 2% contained.
A Wayne State University team is working on a technology that can quickly and significantly reduce the emission of mercury and other toxic substances by power plants into the Great Lakes basin. The Locational Emissions Estimation Methodology (LEEM) technology, which was previously supported by the Great Lakes Protection Fund, will be r...
The US Pharmacopeial Convention has introduced new limits on 15 elemental impurities and procedures for measuring levels, updating tests used to ensure safe products. The changes require drug companies to install multiple systems at multiple sites, potentially increasing costs.
Researchers found that topological insulators behave asymmetrically at the sub-atomic level, which could lead to significant improvements in energy efficiency for quantum computers. The discovery was made using first-principles calculations and observations taken at the Advanced Light Source.
Researchers developed a method to extract information from soil surrounding bodies, allowing for insight into the day before death. High mercury concentrations in soil suggest exposure occurred within hours or days prior to death.
Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory found that elemental mercury can be converted to methylmercury by bacteria in environments lacking oxygen. This discovery complicates mercury cleanup efforts and highlights the need for further research on microbial mercury methylation.
A new analysis found that people across all social standings accumulate harmful chemicals in their bodies. The study shows strong associations between 18 different chemicals and poverty ratings, with individuals from higher incomes having larger amounts of toxicants like mercury and benzophenone-3.
A NASA technologist has developed a fully automated tool, the Evolutionary Mission Trajectory Generator (EMTG), that gives mission planners detailed directions for efficiently steering spacecraft to distant interplanetary destinations. The tool can calculate multiple trajectories in minutes, reducing the time required to design missions.
A small study found that college football players, especially linemen, may develop high blood pressure over the course of their first season. Researchers noted a significant increase in blood pressure levels among players after the season, with 47% considered pre-hypertensive and 14% having stage 1 hypertension.
Researchers discovered that ancient artists and craftsmen developed sophisticated thin-film coating techniques, including using mercury as a glue, to apply uniform films of gold and silver. These techniques have not been surpassed in quality since ancient times, making them invaluable for preserving priceless artifacts.
A new study published in Epidemiology found no correlation between prenatal mercury exposure and autism spectrum-like behaviors among children in the Republic of Seychelles. The study, which analyzed data from over 1,700 participants, suggests that low-level exposure to mercury may not contribute to developmental problems.
Consumers can safely eat at least 12 ounces of cooked seafood per week if they pay attention to local seafood advisories and limit their intake of large, predatory fish like shark. Research is ongoing to improve food safety for these high-risk fish, with experts emphasizing the importance of handling practices, preparation, and storage.
A powerful coronal mass ejection (CME) from the sun has been directed towards Earth and Mercury, posing a risk to electronic systems and communication signals. The CME's magnetic fields can cause geomagnetic storms, potentially leading to aurora displays.
Researchers found that significant reductions in emissions will be necessary to stabilize current mercury levels, as legacy mercury persists for decades. The study highlights the need for aggressive reductions to mitigate future increases in ocean mercury levels.
The TU Vienna has successfully developed a light transistor that can be controlled by an electrical potential, enabling efficient miniaturization and use in optical computers. This breakthrough utilizes terahertz radiation and the Faraday effect to rotate the polarization direction of light.
Scientists have concluded that the oldest visible terrains on Mercury date back to 4 billion to 4.1 billion years ago, with volcanic activity resurfacing the planet's surface during this time period. The findings suggest a global resurfacing event due to volcanism and may indicate that large projectiles enhanced the observed resurfacing.
A coronal mass ejection was detected heading towards Mercury and Venus on July 1, 2013. The CME is expected to pass by NASA's Messenger, Spitzer, and STEREO-B satellites with only slight particle radiation associated with it.
A new study from Harvard School of Public Health found that women exposed to high levels of air pollution while pregnant were up to twice as likely to have a child with autism. The study examined data from over 116,000 nurses and found associations between air pollution and autism risk in children.
Scientists have developed a cheap and sustainable material made of clay and papaya seeds that can remove heavy metals from drinking water. The 'hybrid clay' has shown strong potential to replace commercial activated carbon in wastewater treatment in developing countries, making clean water more accessible to millions.
A Purdue University-led team has mapped the location and development of mass concentrations, or mascons, on the lunar surface, resolving a decades-long mystery. The findings provide valuable insights into the moon's origin and evolution and will aid in navigating future lunar missions.
A new study by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, highlights racial disparities in heat vulnerability. The findings show that areas with no tree canopy and high heat-absorbing surfaces disproportionately affect African Americans, Asians, and Hispanics.
A recent study by Johns Hopkins scientists reveals an association between elevated cadmium levels and increased risk of liver disease in men. Higher levels of cadmium in urine were found to be nearly 3.5 times more likely to lead to liver-related deaths compared to lower levels.
A study by Professor Ole G. Mouritsen found that dulse contains only extremely small doses of kainic acid, rendering it safe for consumption in moderation. The research also revealed low levels of heavy metals and other substances that may be harmful in large doses.
Two CMEs sent by the sun are hurtling towards Mercury at speeds of approximately 500 miles per second. These solar phenomena may pose a risk to NASA's Messenger and STEREO-A spacecraft due to potential particle radiation effects.
Experimental NASA research models show that three coronal mass ejections (CMEs) have erupted from the sun, with speeds of up to 625 miles per second. The CMEs may pass by NASA's Messenger and STEREO-A satellites, posing a risk of particle radiation to interplanetary spacecraft.
A cup of beetroot juice a day reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure by about 10 mm Hg in participants. Increasing dietary nitrate intake through vegetables like beets may be an accessible way to manage blood pressure, researchers suggest.
A new study found that higher levels of mercury exposure in young adults increase their risk for type 2 diabetes later in life. The study, led by Indiana University School of Public Health-Bloomington epidemiologist Ka He, established the link between mercury and diabetes in humans.
Scientists analyzed patent medicines from the Henry Ford Museum collection to identify potentially toxic substances like arsenic, mercury and lead. The study found that some ingredients were actually healthy and mainstays in modern dietary supplements, while others posed significant health risks.
A new study by Duke University suggests that tougher EPA air-quality standards may make nearly two-thirds of US coal-fired power plants as expensive to run as plants powered by natural gas. The stricter regulations could spur an increased shift away from coal towards natural gas, especially if fuel prices rise significantly.
A new membrane developed by researchers at Wits University can effectively separate waste from water, making it suitable for treating pollutants in various processes. The technology has the potential to filter pure water from wastewater produced during mining, oil and gas exploration, and nuclear activities.
The Lyman Alpha Mapping Project (LAMP) aboard LRO detected mercury and hydrogen in GRAIL impact plumes, which rapidly expanded into space at near-escape velocities. This is a first for LAMP and any previous instrument, as it measures the presence of native lunar atomic hydrogen gas.