Researchers propose new experimental method to study electronic structure of argon ions using synchrotron radiation and coincidence techniques. This approach offers huge intensity and accurate initial state configuration, leading to potential breakthroughs in ion research.
Researchers found that urine mercury concentrations may overestimate exposure to dental amalgam fillings, especially in populations with low occupational exposure. The study used mercury isotopes to accurately assess human exposure and provides a novel method for determining health risks.
The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) observed GRAIL's intentional crash into a lunar mountain, kicking up dust and gas to reveal mercury and hydrogen in the plume. The findings provide insight into the moon's volatile material transport around the lunar poles.
Researchers at NIST have successfully demonstrated the use of a mechanical micro-drum as a quantum memory, storing and retrieving information with 65% efficiency. This innovation exploits a mechanical form of quantum physics and has potential applications in quantum computing and precise force sensing.
Research at Arizona State University has found that children with autism have higher levels of several toxic metals in their blood and urine compared to typical children. The study's findings suggest a strong association between toxic metal levels and variations in autism severity.
The University of Calgary has launched a satellite to track near-Earth asteroids, enabling researchers to study these rare and difficult-to-detect objects. The NEOSSat satellite will enable scientists to take hundreds of sensitive images daily to search for moving dots of light that represent asteroids.
Researchers at MIT analyzed MESSENGER data to identify two distinct rock compositions on Mercury's surface, suggesting a massive lava flow and subsequent magma ocean. The team recreated the rock types in the lab and simulated geological processes to support their hypothesis.
Astronomers used Kepler spacecraft data to discover a planet smaller than Mercury, about the size of Earth's moon, in the Cygnus-Lyra region of the Milky Way. The planet, Kepler-37b, is likely a rocky world with no atmosphere or water.
Researchers at ORNL have solved the mystery of how bacteria convert mercury into methylmercury, a far more toxic form. The team identified two genes, hgcA and hgcB, responsible for this conversion process, which has significant implications for protecting human health.
Scientists have developed a cheap and quick method to detect mercury contamination in water using a mobile phone. The technique involves placing a special sheet in the water, which changes color in the presence of mercury. Photographing the sheet with a mobile phone can even quantify the concentration of mercury.
Recent AGU journal publications highlight the impact of Io's volcanism on Jupiter's magnetosphere and project substantial increases in U.S. water demand due to climate warming, with irrigation and air conditioning driving demands, posing sustainability concerns.
A team of astronomers analyzed Kepler mission data and found that 17% of sun-like stars have planets one to two times the diameter of Earth, orbiting close to their host stars. These planets may be rocky and habitable within the Goldilocks zone.
Researchers using NASA's Kepler spacecraft have found that about 17% of stars have an Earth-sized planet in an orbit closer than Mercury. This means there are at least 17 billion possible Earth-like planets in the Milky Way, with 50% of stars having a planet of Earth-size or larger in a close orbit.
A new study estimates that up to 1.5 million EU children are born each year with mercury exposures above the safe limit, resulting in a potential lifetime earning loss of €8-9 million per person. Exposure reduction could equate to €10 billion per year in benefits.
GEOLOGY articles reveal high-resolution images of Mercury's surface, further study of giant gypsum crystals in Naica Cave, and the provenance of North Atlantic ice-rafted debris. The publication also covers various geophysical studies, including the impact of the Galápagos hotspot on the East Pacific Rise.
Researchers at UC Davis study a rare meteorite, the fastest and rarest known to hit Earth, providing insights into the formation of planets. The team uses advanced techniques to analyze the meteorite's composition and internal structures.
Researchers found no significant improvement in traumatic brain injury treatment with intracranial pressure monitoring, suggesting a need for more focused and less unnecessary treatment. The study's findings bring new energy to the management of traumatic brain injury, an 'orphan disease' that affects millions worldwide.
Researchers have found that onion and garlic waste can effectively remove heavy metals like lead, arsenic, and cadmium from contaminated materials. The optimal conditions for this process include a pH of 5 and contact time of half an hour at 50 degrees Celsius.
This new book examines Richard Oastler's fight to limit working hours and prevent child labour in Yorkshire's industrial towns during the early 19th century. The book features contributions from six historians exploring Oastler's impact on British society.
Research reveals that Great Lakes salmon carry industrial pollutants into streams and tributaries as they migrate upstream to spawn. This can lead to the bioconcentration of pollutants in stream fish, posing a risk to human health, particularly for pregnant women and children.
Researchers found elevated mercury levels in coastal fog due to upwelling of deep ocean water, which brings the element to the surface and into the atmosphere. While the levels are extremely low, more research is needed to understand the processes involved.
A Dartmouth-led effort publishes major findings on how mercury released into the air contaminates ocean fish and seafood. The research provides a synthesis of science on mercury sources, fate, and human exposure in marine systems, tracing pathways from sources to seafood to consumers.
Using thermal models, scientists pinpointed the extremely cold regions where ice has been found on or below the surface. The dark deposits are thought to be a thin crust of residual organic material brought by asteroids and comets.
A Baylor University study suggests that chelation therapy, a popular autism treatment, is ineffective and potentially harmful. The research found methodological weaknesses in existing studies on chelation, which could contribute to cardiac problems and other serious side effects.
The MESSENGER spacecraft provided new lines of evidence for the existence of water ice on Mercury, with measurements from its laser altimeter and hydrogen concentrations from the neutron spectrometer. The findings suggest that ice is present near the north pole, covered by a layer of material in most areas.
Nearly 23% of American women aged 16-49 have high levels of lead, mercury, and PCBs in their blood. Risk factors include age, fish consumption, heavy drinking, and breastfeeding. Women should learn about their risks before becoming pregnant.
Scientists have observed a significant increase in exotic trace gases over Titan's south pole during the autumnal season. This change is attributed to the reversal of the planet's atmospheric circulation cell direction, which extends to altitudes above 450 km.
Researchers found that metal-binding agents applied to the skin, prescribed for autism treatment, are not absorbed and ineffective. The study contradicts claims made by some practitioners treating children with mercury-binding agents.
A study found that low-level prenatal mercury exposure increases the risk of ADHD-related behaviors in children, while moderate fish consumption during pregnancy reduces this risk. Researchers recommend pregnant women consider both benefits and risks of eating fish while pregnant.
A study of children in Massachusetts found that low-level prenatal mercury exposure is associated with a higher risk of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)-related behaviors. Conversely, fish consumption during pregnancy appears to be protective, particularly for impulsive/hyperactive behaviors.
Scientists sequenced nearly all genes in an underground microbe community at a contaminated uranium mill site, assigning them to 80 different microbes. The findings could help improve clean-up methods for heavy metal contamination, including arsenic and mercury.
New research reveals Mercury's surface composition is dominated by minerals high in magnesium and sulfur, differing from other planets. In contrast, African dust forms red soils in Bermuda through a complex interplay of local and global climate processes. The origin of these unique features remains a topic of ongoing scientific study.
Researchers developed a nanoparticle system that can detect even the smallest levels of heavy metals in water and fish, offering an inexpensive alternative to existing cumbersome techniques. The device is capable of measuring low concentrations of mercury, a toxic metal that can accumulate in predatory fish and harm human health.
Researchers developed a method to measure mercury and other toxic metals in fluids using nano-velcro, which can detect methyl mercury at record-breaking accuracy. The device is cheap, easy to use and may lead to safer foods on the dinner table.
A Swiss-American team has developed a simple, inexpensive system to detect heavy metal pollutants like mercury in water and fish. The new method uses nanoparticles with tiny hairs that can trap toxic substances, enabling accurate measurements at unprecedentedly small concentrations.
Scientists study Mercury's surface chemistry and geological history, finding distinctive mineral patterns dominated by magnesium and sulfur. Meanwhile, researchers in Bermuda investigate the origin of red soils, discovering that African dust may be a key factor in their formation.
A University of Oregon team has developed a formula to refrigerate coal-plant emissions, reducing carbon dioxide by 90%, sulfur dioxide by 98%, mercury by 100% and other pollutants. The process would save society 38% through reduced health-care and climate-change costs.
A new report reveals that Ohio residents prioritize the preservation of Lake Erie as a natural resource, with nearly half willing to pay higher taxes to protect it. However, concerns over contaminants such as blue-green algal blooms and mercury contamination pose a risk to public health.
Researchers at Arizona State University found that choosing sustainable seafood also means selecting healthy options, with larger longer-lived fish being high in toxins. Safer alternatives include Alaskan Pollock and Atlantic Mackerel.
A USC-led team has developed an air-breathing battery that uses iron plates and oxygen to store energy, reducing energy loss by 4% and making it 10 times more efficient than previous models. The battery's capacity can store between 8-24 hours' worth of energy, with the potential to help California transition to renewable energy sources.
A Wayne State University researcher has launched a program to target safer river fishing practices among Detroit River anglers. The 'Improving Community Awareness for Detroit River Fish Consumption Advisories' program aims to educate anglers on the importance of choosing less-contaminated fish.
Astronomers have discovered an extraordinary amount of dust around a nearby star that has mysteriously disappeared. The dusty disc was bigger and more massive than Saturn's rings and would have extended from the sun halfway out to Earth if it were in our solar system.
Mineral evolution has led to at least 90 different mercury-containing minerals on Earth, mostly formed during three periods of supercontinent assembly. The creation of these minerals is linked to hydrothermal activity associated with continents colliding and forming mountain ranges.
Astronomers have found two planets with diverse densities and compositions locked in close orbits, defying the planetary pattern of our solar system. The discovery, made possible by NASA's Kepler Mission, reveals a 'puzzling pair' that challenges theories on planet migration and orbital rearrangement.
The partnership will expand X-ray technology and research capabilities, enabling scientists to solve pressing global problems. Scientists from the two facilities will work together on R&D projects to improve light-source technology and upgrade beamlines.
A new technology harnesses power from a single droplet sliding along an electret film, producing electricity when it reaches maximum velocity. The device has potential for low-power portable devices and human body motion harvesting, with a prototype demonstrating peak output power of 0.18 microwatts.
Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory warn that current sensor technologies are not optimized for real-world conditions, posing risks to the nation's food and water supplies. Developing more effective sensors is crucial to address safety concerns, particularly in complex environments.
A new type of detector harnessing the properties of single-walled carbon nanotubes may prove useful for various industrial and scientific applications. The detector eliminates the need for cooling systems, allowing for highly sensitive infrared detection.
A study by Johns Hopkins University and The National Aquarium found that captive dolphins have lower levels of mercury in their systems compared to wild dolphins. This difference was attributed to the diet of the captive animals, which consisted mainly of small fish from North Atlantic waters with lower mercury pollution levels.
A Harvard University study reveals that circumpolar rivers are the primary source of toxic mercury in the Arctic, surpassing atmospheric forces. The discovery has significant implications for protecting the health of northern populations and the environment.
Researchers found that hunter-gatherers like the Tsimane people in Bolivia have lower age-related increases in blood pressure and less risks of atherosclerosis. The Tsimane diet is high in fruits, vegetables, and potassium, and low in calories, salt, and alcohol. This study challenges traditional views on modernization's impact on health.
Researchers at the University of Southampton have developed a new technique to accurately measure gas bubbles in pipelines. By analyzing phase speeds and attenuations, they can estimate the bubble size distribution, crucial for preventing 'blow outs' that led to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
Research presented at the American Heart Association's Quality of Care and Outcomes Research Scientific Sessions 2012 found that home telemonitoring with pharmacist-led support improved blood pressure control in patients with uncontrolled high blood pressure. The study, which involved 450 patients, showed a significant reduction in blo...
Astronomers will witness a rare transit of Venus, appearing as a small black dot on the Sun's surface, which won't happen again until 2117. The event will help scientists study Venus's atmosphere and potentially aid in finding extrasolar planets.
A review of 29 clinical trials found that taking an average of 500 milligrams of vitamin C daily reduced blood pressure by 3.84 millimeters of mercury in the short term. However, more research is needed to understand its implications as a treatment for high blood pressure.
A partnership between DyStar and RedElec Technologie may improve the environmental profile of indigo dyeing by eliminating sodium hydrosulfite. The new process aims to reduce waste and stop a water pollution problem at its source.
Research found that zebrafish exposed to BPA as embryos had significant behavioral changes, including learning and memory problems. The study suggests that even low levels of BPA can have long-lasting effects on cognitive function.
Scientists have found that Mercury's core is larger than anticipated, occupying 85% of the planet's radius. The planet's topography shows smaller elevation ranges compared to Mars or the Moon, with evidence of large-scale changes since its geological history.
Researchers find high concentrations of heavy metals and restricted brominated flame retardants in mixed plastics from disassembled electrical and electronic equipment. The study emphasizes the importance of implementing strict quality management to prevent substance release into the environment or new products.
A guide outlining exposure risks and reduction tips for common environmental toxins has been created by researchers. The guidelines provide evidence-based recommendations on how to counsel patients about lead, mercury, pesticides, and other endocrine-disrupting chemicals.