A study by Ohio State University found that some water-filter pitchers are more effective at removing microcystins, which can be toxic to humans and animals. The researchers tested three popular brands and found that the slowest-filtering pitcher removed all microcystins from the water.
Scientists from the University of Leeds developed a global index identifying peatland-fed water as a significant source of drinking water in the UK and Republic of Ireland. The study estimates that peatlands support the equivalent of 71.4 million people globally, with most of these areas being in the British Isles.
Researchers have found that seismology equipment can be used to detect and classify elephant behaviors, such as panic running, through ground vibrations. This technology has the potential to develop a new kind of alarm system to catch and deter poachers.
Self-assembled block polymer membranes offer customizable pore sizes and can selectively remove contaminants from various water sources. The technology has the potential to advance water treatment technologies, enabling decentralized reuse of wastewater and reducing chemical demands for membrane cleaning.
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 published in Toxicological Sciences suggests that exposure to fracking chemicals during pregnancy may impair female offspring's ability to fend off diseases. Fracking chemicals have been found in ground water near fracking sites and are linked to reproductive and developmental defects, hormone disruption, and immune system damage.
Experiments show that asteroids can retain up to 30% of their water content after impact, suggesting a mechanism for water delivery to the early Earth. This process could also explain later water activity in the solar system.
New research finds that thinning forests due to wildfires can reduce water stress and save up to 17 billion gallons of water annually. This approach may help offset the costs of forest restoration, which could increase water flow from Sierra Nevada watersheds by as much as 10 percent.
Researchers have developed a type of 'harp' to collect fresh water from fog, outperforming traditional mesh devices. The new harp technology consistently collected more water than equivalent meshes at all wire diameters, with the finest wires collecting over three times the amount.
Researchers at Stockholm University have discovered a moss that can rapidly remove arsenic from contaminated water, making it safe for human consumption. The aquatic moss Warnstofia fluitans can absorb up to 80% of arsenic in just one hour.
Researchers developed cognitive ground-penetrating radar technology, enabling real-time underground infrastructure mapping and inspection. The technology has been showcased at the National Smart Cities Conference and won a Smart 50 Award, aiming to reduce construction permits from 18 months to hours.
A recent Portland State University study reveals people who engage in outdoor activities such as camping and fishing are more attuned to water quality issues than the general population. The research found that higher levels of education and socioeconomic status correlate with increased concern for water quality.
Scientists at UT Dallas created a surface that can capture and direct water droplets from fog and air vapor, rapidly directing them into reservoirs via lubricated microgrooves. The 'hydrophilic directional slippery rough surfaces' (SRS) use hydroxy functional groups to efficiently capture water droplets.
Researchers at Penn State developed a microengineered slippery rough surface that surpasses current technology in water harvesting applications. The new surface combines the properties of pitcher plants and rice leaves, allowing it to collect tiny water droplets from air at a faster rate.
Researchers uncovered the anomaly in water's properties by using supercomputers to 'untune' its interactions, revealing a specific molecular arrangement that contributes to its unusual behavior. This discovery provides a simple explanation for phenomena such as water expanding on cooling and insects walking on its surface.
The researchers' hypothesis is confirmed by laboratory experiments and molecular dynamics calculations, which show that chiral arrangements of water molecules enhance material transport through the membrane.
A University of Oklahoma study analyzes 370,000 Landsat images to reveal divergent trends in US surface water bodies from 1984 to 2016. Climate was the primary driver behind decreasing trends in southwest and northwest states and increasing trends in southeast and northern Great Plains states.
Researchers from Southern Methodist University used radar satellite imagery to detect significant ground movement across a 4,000-square-mile area in four Texas counties. The study found that the movement is associated with decades of oil activity and its effect on rocks below the surface.
Researchers have developed low-cost, low-tech solutions to improve water quality in municipal tanks by circulating water through shower head-like attachments. Additionally, they've found effective adsorbents using polymer-coated magnetic nanoparticles to remove micropollutants from water, which can be reused and restored.
Researchers at the University of New South Wales have developed a world-first, graphene-based filter that can remove more than 99% of natural organic matter from drinking water. The filter uses graphene oxide membranes to allow high water flow at atmospheric pressure while removing virtually all organic matter.
A recent study by researchers sheds light on the hidden health risks of elevated lead levels in private wells. The team found that even newer, 'lead-free' pipes can contain a small amount of lead that leaches into water, posing a risk to those consuming it.
A study published in Appetite found that people prefer the taste of ID-treated wastewater to traditional tap water. The researchers also discovered that women are more likely to prefer bottled water than men and that marketing efforts should focus on similarities between ID and bottled water.
Researchers at Arizona State University have observed a previously unseen property of water, where it changes from one liquid to another under super-cooling and specific conditions. This phenomenon, known as a liquid-liquid phase transition, was only seen in computer simulations until now.
A new study published in Nature Geoscience finds evidence of widespread and relatively immobile water on the Moon. The research suggests that the water may be present primarily as OH, a more reactive relative of H2O, which doesn't stay on its own for long.
A new model based on ground-running birds can predict the locomotion of bipedal dinosaurs by analyzing their speed and body size. The BIRDS Model uses just two inputs to estimate stride length and force exerted per step, providing insights into extinct theropod dinosaur movement.
A Portland State University study published in Water Resources Research found that involving residents in local water policies is key to building healthy and resilient city water systems. The research bridged the gap between residents' concerns about costs and water shortages and water managers' concerns about aging infrastructure, res...
A new study from Aarhus University found a correlation between nitrate in drinking water and an increased risk of colon and rectal cancer, even at low concentrations. The study followed 2.7 million Danes over 33 years and showed that those with high nitrate exposure had a 15% greater risk of colorectal cancer.
CSIRO scientists have developed a new filtering technique using Graphair that can remove almost all contaminants from water in a single step. The breakthrough technology has the potential to provide clean drinking water for millions of people worldwide who currently lack access to safe drinking water.
A new study from Aarhus University finds that high nitrate levels in drinking water are associated with a 15% greater risk of colorectal cancer. The study analyzed data from over 2.7 million Danes and found that even low nitrate concentrations may pose a health risk.
Scientists from Carnegie Institution for Science have observed evidence of the long-theorized, difficult-to-see low-density liquid phase of water. The team used a rapid-decompression technique to create this phase, which only lasted for half a second at extremely cold temperatures.
Research found discrepancies between satellite and global model estimates of land water storage in 186 river basins worldwide. GRACE satellites measured changes in water storage, which differed from simulations made by seven commonly used models. The study highlights the need for improved regional assessments to ensure accurate water a...
Ground-based measurements over southeastern China reveal significant aerosol indirect effects, but satellite studies have large uncertainties due to inherent limitations. The study provides a comprehensive investigation into the AIE and highlights the importance of using ground-based measurements for accurate quantification.
Scientists use x-ray lasers to map out water's fluctuations between two liquid states as it cools. Water behaves strangely compared to other substances, with density and specific heat responding oppositely to pressure and temperature changes.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University discovered a gene that helps zebrafish convert water motion into electrical impulses, similar to human hearing. The shared gene allows fish to sense water flow direction and may also inform future studies on human hair cell mechanotransduction.
Scientists at Lund University have developed new systems to study microorganisms in the ground using microchips, revealing complex ecosystems and interactions between microbes and their environment. The technology allows for real-time analysis of microbial processes, enabling researchers to better understand soil structures and functions.
A recent study by UBC researchers found that forest vegetation can have a substantial impact on global water resources, with alterations to ground cover changing annual water yield by up to 31%. The study suggests that both climate change and vegetation loss should be considered when assessing and managing future global water resources.
A new four-part framework is proposed to value water for sustainable development, guiding better policy and practice. The framework highlights the need to measure, value, trade off, and manage water effectively to achieve safely-managed drinking water and sanitation.
A study by OSU researchers used a coupled modeling approach to analyze the interactions between natural water supply and human demand, revealing key findings including the importance of economics in understanding water scarcity and counterintuitive effects of urban expansion and climate change.
A study published in The Lancet Public Health found that federal drinking water regulations reduced toxic exposure and protected human health. Compliance with the EPA regulation led to a decline of 17% in levels of urinary arsenic, resulting in an estimated reduction of over 200 cases of lung and bladder cancer every year.
Compliance with the 2006 EPA regulation on maximum arsenic levels led to a 17% decline in urinary arsenic concentrations among public water users, equivalent to an estimated reduction of over 200 cases of lung and bladder disease per year. Private well water users showed no improvements due to lack of federal regulation.
A new Berkeley Lab study finds that cool roofs can save up to 9% of outdoor water consumption in California counties. Widespread adoption could result in 83 million gallons of water savings daily in Los Angeles County.
Global Change Center researchers developed a system to create real-time water forecasts for Falling Creek Reservoir in Roanoke, Va., using environmental data and local weather predictions. The system aims to predict times when water may require additional treatment due to environmental factors, improving drinking water quality.
Researchers found that users struggle to use drone images to locate objects on the ground, posing challenges for emergency operations and applications. Switching from an aerial view to a ground view slows down estimates of object location, with incorrect placements four times farther away.
A new telescope attachment using custom beam-shaping diffusers enables highly precise ground-based observations of exoplanets. The technology minimizes distortions caused by the Earth's atmosphere, allowing for stable and smooth images that are essential for maximizing precision in measurements.
A new national report provides comprehensive guidelines for innovative water-saving techniques, emphasizing safe expansion of water reuse systems. Decentralized non-potable water systems, which use local water sources, are highlighted as a promising approach to reduce water consumption by up to 50 percent.
The University of Huddersfield is working with Yorkshire Water on a £300,000 project to identify ways to reduce the presence of lead in tap water. Researchers will use equipment that simulates domestic plumbing systems and analyse water samples from homes across Yorkshire.
Research at USC Viterbi School of Engineering has provided evidence for the occurrence of ground ice on protoplanet Vesta, a NASA-sponsored study that utilized bistatic radar techniques. The findings suggest large, smooth areas on Vesta correlated with higher hydrogen concentrations, supporting the presence of ground ice.
Researchers found that reusing produced water from hydraulic fracturing sites can reduce water management issues and potentially induced seismicity. The study analyzed 10 years of water data, revealing a significant difference in water use between conventional and unconventional wells.
The ITERAMS project targets significantly reducing water consumption by circulating process waters and reducing tailings waste through valorisation of the mineral matrix. The project aims to maintain Europe at the forefront in efficient water circulation and sustainable tailings utilization.
A new study suggests that Jordan may face disastrous droughts if alternative water sources are not implemented. Climate change and water scarcity could lead to a decline in rainfall, higher temperatures, and reduced freshwater supply, making it difficult for the country to meet its water demands.
A new study found that underwater plants can positively affect water quality in bays along the Baltic Sea coast. The plants take up nutrients, slow down water movement, and stabilize the soft bottom, leading to clearer water and improved living conditions for marine life.
A new study suggests that hydrophobic molecules like oil can be forced to dissolve in water when subjected to high pressure. Researchers applied immense pressure to methane and water, gaining insights into their interaction. This finding has implications for replacing hazardous industrial solvents and modeling planetary bodies.
A University of Kansas researcher found that well owners in Kansas use more water during droughts due to their ability to irrigate crops. Unlike non-well owners, who cut back on water usage, well owners tap into the aquifer to sustain crops during dry years.
Scientists at KAUST have found that the edge of a surface structure plays a crucial role in water-droplet formation during vapor harvesting. This discovery reveals that rough-edged structures mimicking nature can be highly effective in collecting atmospheric water vapor, potentially improving efficiency in regions with limited rainfall...
Researchers from the University of Miami used Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) to detect ground inflation along one flank of Cotopaxi volcano before its eruption in 2015. The study's results, supported by ground-based GPS instruments, show that similar or greater ground inflation is expected for future eruptions.
Researchers at UBC's Okanagan campus have designed a tiny device that can monitor drinking water quality in real-time, helping protect against waterborne illness. The miniaturized sensors are cheap to make, operate continuously, and can be deployed anywhere in the water distribution system.
Researchers have developed tiny microbots that can remove up to 80% of pathogenic bacteria from contaminated water. The microbots use hydrogen bubbles propelled by magnesium and silver nanoparticles to kill bacteria, offering a potential solution to the global clean water crisis.
A team of researchers led by Cody Ross measured water flow in the vadose zone, a critical region under the soil surface. They found that in the southeastern Canadian Prairies, old water accounted for a significant portion of streams, contradicting previous research.
Research published in Water Resources and Rural Development finds that access to water is worse now than in 1990, highlighting the need for stronger leadership from governments to implement long-term interventions. The study suggests that current approaches by NGOs, private companies, and other organizations are not aligned strategical...
Researchers at Florida Atlantic University developed a simple, low-cost tactic to conserve water by providing people with more information about lawn watering. The 'Rain-watered Lawn' pilot program involved 627 households and showed a 61% decrease in lawn watering during rainy summer weeks.